hey from Texas.

[Not So Lone Wolf]

I'm a 17 year old male about to grasister high school. I plan on doing a van conversion, so I was wondering if a minivan or vw bus could work as a cheap, but effective motorhome? Like one to visit my girlfriend every now and then. Also I want too stay away from white painter vans, because I'm afraid people are to mistake me for a pedophile camping in a white van outside of a college. (not trying to call anyone a pedophile. Sorry if I offended anyone). Also after I graduate college my girlfriend and I are going to do a skoolie conversion and travel around america doing volunteer work. Im excited to be apart of ya'lls forum!

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Graduate*

 

[Malibusurfer]

Welcome. I personally would get as big of a vehicle as you can and drive safely and your pocketbook can afford for intro price and fuel. Two people living in it is going to require bigger than a minivan in my opinion. Folks have done it, but it's tight.... My experience with VW's is know how to work on it. If you can do that, they are pretty straight forward and good little motors. Carry spare parts. Just plan on not getting anywhere fast and no A/C. Prices on them are going up too. You say white full size vans say pedophile, but stigma around a VW is hippie.... Living in a van is gonna have a stigma no matter what your cruising in... Pick your battles and get what works for you. If your stealthy, no one knows what your doing in any vehicle..
What is a "Skoolie" conversion????
Again, welcome!!

 

[msbarth]

A "skoolie" conversion is a converted school bus.

 

[Malibusurfer]

Makes sense.. Never heard of it that way
Thanks...

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Not So Lone Wolf]

I may have worded my statement wrong lol. Like I plan to use the van as both a daily diver, and a campervan, but only for me. Since I can't stay the night in her dorm. and Maybe I could do a three row SUV for a van? It's not a 'traditional' campervan, because it's not a van, but I think it could work. Any suggestions?

 

[user 423]

You can live in just about any type of vehicle but whether you would be comfortable in it or not is another deal. Do you plan to live in it while you got to school for 4 years? How will you keep cool during the Texas summer? What is your budget?

 

[akrvbob]

I'd suggest a high-top conversion van. It'll be more comfortable and have good stealth. A conversion van means it was a regular van and converted by a company to be more comfortable for driving with things like bigger windows, nicer seats and maybe a TV. A Class B is a van that a company turns into a camper van with a bed, kitchen and bathroom. They are expensive and have very poor stealth.

I'd recommend a conversion van you then turn into a camper van just how you like it.
Bob

 

[Not So Lone Wolf]

I will have a dorm that is being payed for by the college, and so will the majority of my tuition. most of my money will be going into the van. My budget isn't exactly set yet. oh and my college legally has to give me housing over the summer since I am homeless. (hard to explain, but through some sort of legalities I am homeless.) So summers aren't to big of a worry, but for the days I do use it I plan on installing a roof mounted AC. this won't be a full on home. It will house passenger and driver seats, a bed, tiny propane stove, small fridge, and small sink. Idk if I can fit all that, but I've Been watching videos on YouTube. And I have personally seen RV's and camper van conversions.

 

[akrvbob]

That sounds like a great plan to me and very doable. Except the AC. A roof mounted AC draws a lot of power and is very obvious. I would not use one. You can install a window AC and make that work but you still have to find a way to power it.
Bob

 

[msbarth]

What electrical power are you going to use to power roof top A/C?

 

[Not So Lone Wolf]

Could I get a golf cart battery, and have it chare through the alternator and then run a converter through that to the AC/outlets?

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What electrical power are you going to use to power roof top A/C?

by power do you mean AC/DC?

 

[compassrose]

... Also after I graduate college my girlfriend and I are going to do a skoolie conversion and travel around america doing volunteer work.

A skoolie is not always welcome. Read the workkamper/volunteer forums, maybe ask some questions to see if one would be welcome. Some places won't allow their workers to be in older RVs. If a campground won't take my skoolie, it's not a big deal for me to find another place since I am working RVer but neither a workkamper or volunteer. If that same campground was my workplace, it would be a big deal. Do your homework before you invest $$ into a skoolie. Volunteering generally provides your site. Have you figured out how you will feed yourselves and pay your bills (like insurance for the skoolie)?

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What electrical power are you going to use to power roof top A/C?

To power a rooftop RV AC unit you will need 110vAC from either a power pole or generator. You will NOT be using an inverter and batteries.

 

[Not So Lone Wolf]

Go to lostbus.com these guys run off of donation and their own funds. These guys are great friends of mine. I had the pleasure to hike Mt. Antero with them. These guys inspired me to do the same thing they did, which was travel around and just help out where needed. They had a great time, and they are willing to help me in the adventure of building my own skoolie and then help set me forth on my journey. And yes I understand that insurance is going to cost, and that the bus isn't going to be built over night, but hey I've been planning for the bus since beginning of sophomore year

 

[Starlight]

@Not So Lone Wolf

so, hey... always looking for good links... I followed your link for "The Lost Bus" and really loved these guys. "LOST" means "Lending Our Services Traveling" -- cool -- and rather than finding a group of people with an inch of gooey Christian frosting on their brownies, I saw what could have belonged to any human religion... Christian, Buddhist, hippie, adventure... I saw some people who just wanted to live the definition of life... and that included... serving others. I loved it.


In this video, part of the description of their journey was this:
"by picking up every roadside hitchhiker our stereotypes were shattered and compassion replaced compulsive judgments."
What a great adventure this would be for any student or graduate... or anyone... to build an understanding of their world.
http://www.lostbus.com/

 

[Not So Lone Wolf]

Glad you enjoyed getting to know who they are. I am so glad to have become a great friend with them. I will get a chance to use their bus with a crew of two more. We just don't know yet. Derek gave me some info:
Total build cost including bus cost- $6-7000
They took off their journey with 1200 in their pocket and survived 2 years in donations.

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Not So Long Wolf!