Hello from the PNW

[Tigerlily]

Looking forward to learning lots.
I'm modifying a 2014 Grand Caravan for me and my young daughter to be able to take long road trips. First planned trip is 2 weeks around Yellowstone and Wy. 

I'm planning to make temporary changes to the van and am hoping to find ways to secure cargo inside (weight of object x speed of van + sudden breaking = ouch!) and distribute weight well. My brother calls me "safety sally" which I admit is a well deserved nickname! My husband was a paramedic, so I'm very conscious  of vehicle safety.

I also love the challenge of living in small spaces. As a child I moved into my closet and recently moved from a big house on a tiny lot to a tiny house on a big lot (well, house is 1100 sq ft, for 4 people so not a "Tiny House")

I work at a nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness in a rural area. Vans might be a good option for some of my folks as truly affordable housing is scarce

 

[DLTooley]

They make bulkheads for cargo vans to provide that protection. They may be available for minivans. A bulkhead out of plywood would be good, especially if utilized for other purposes.

Using the space outside of your van is the best lifestyle choice, but it is not stealthy and the stuff may be in the way if you need to be so.

Maintaining a vehicle, a driving record, and a clean Camp is a doable task for a functional individual. A drunk trading public land and causing and causing a fatal accident is not good.

The tasks of becoming functional on the move are a bit of a test in that regard. A social service agency just giving away vehicles is not a good idea. My thought is that the best way to proceed toward this admirable goal would include the edication of folks not camping responsibly.

Semi organized camps are worth a test. The tent city model of Housing applies but is currently a partisan organizing effort that can lead to a ‘lord of the flies’ community worse than what they left, nothing more than a democrat administered concentration camp.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums TigerLily! You and your daughter will have a wonderful time traveling and camping in your Grand Caravan. Properly securing everything is very important. Will you be sleeping in the car or in a tent? No matter what consider taking a tent for storage at your campsites and also as a backup sleeping area as some campgrounds do not allow vehicle (other than manufactured RVs) camping.

Please read DL Tooley's suggestions carefully. In some areas of the country there is a huge problem with inexperienced people camping on public land. Piles of trash, abandoned RVs, loose dogs, and staying too long are a few of the problems that are getting attention. Because of this boondocking areas close to cities are being closed to all campers. Few of these people read this site or similar sites so there isn't a good way for us to get the message to them.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[QinReno]

Bob Wells recent video.

 

[user 13167]

Welcome to the forums! I'm from the Seattle area and am spending time in the PNW now.

Nice thing about vans is you have lots of steel to make secure mounting points for fastening items down that could become missiles in an accident or even extreme stopping conditions.

I'm in a class c Motorhome but started out with a van and had a lot of stuff I fastened down mostly with self tapping sheet metal screws to the floor. I first did a visual under the van to avoid screwing into something like the gas tank but in my case there was little to avoid.

I know several people in the NW that have turned to van living as an alternative to the high, and getting higher costs of housing.

Mobile living can put people with limited income in a place of more options. I started out trying to figure out how to live (with life options) on my social security as other assets dissolved during a period of health issues and a couple of heart surgeries.

For me mobile living has been part of my healing and has given me my independence back.

I wish you great success in your plan to share your travel experiences with your daughter and once again welcome to the forums.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Welcome, Tigerlily! Good luck with your modifications.

 

[WanderingBiker]

Hi Tigerlilly

there are a few threads on the forum on van conversions... take the time to go through them and you will get loads
of ideas on how to set up your van

good luck on your conversion and dont forget to post progress pics..

JT