Hi!

[JillR]

Hi,<br /><br />My name is Jill. I'm thinking about living in a van in next month or so. This decision is a pretty big step though and seems overwhelming. Part of me feels like I'm stepping off the edge LOL. <br />Right now, I have a choice between a minivan and a cargo van. Both are about same age and cost. Not sure which is better for living purposes though. I like the minivan, b/c I'm not used to driving large vehicles. I also know nothing about mechanical stuff, so a minivan just seems the easy route, since I don't have to fix it up much. But, from what I've heard, it seems it that cargo vans or conversion vans are better for bad weather (hot and cold). So my little brain is spinning out of control. Thought I'd ask and see what people thought was best.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Jill<br /><br /><br />

 

[Simran]

As anyone here will attest; it is a very personal decision as to what to "step off" the deep end into. LOL!<br />I have and older Hi top, standard sized van. I wanted to be able to stand up in it. There are various other reasons I chose the van I did. It is a one ton so I can pull heavy loads with it. It is not very good on gas but I get paid mileage for most of my driving so that isn't an issue.<br />If you are going to spend time anywhere where there are extreme weather conditions ie; hot/cold. Full sized vans are easier to insulate and sheet up on the inside and are easier to put an auxiliary air conditioner/ heater in. More room in them for aux. batteries too. However, if you are going to be doing a lot of driving a mini may be the ticket as they are better on fuel.<br />&nbsp;Just read around and ask questions and you will begin to form an opinion of your own as to what your style of home on wheels looks like.<br /><br />gus

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[JillR]

Hi Simran and blkjak!<br /><br />Thanks for the input. I guess my big concern is insulation. You have to pardon my outright stupidity, but it's hard for me to understand how you can really insulate a van. A minivan seems like an impossibility (b/c of the glass windows). Even with a cargo van, you can do the floors and ceiling and sides, but there is still an opening to the driver's side. Any open space will cause you to lose heat right, so I guess I still don't know how to do this. Any suggestions to help me fill in the gaps (in my mind LOL)?<br /><br />Thanks!!<br />Jill

 

[blkjak]

hi .... <br /><br />i guess that you need to ask your insulation question in a forum ....<br /><br />we do not have a "insulation forum" ....<br /><br />i guess you could try "heating and air conditioning" ....<br /><br />maybe someone knows the appropriate forum to post your question ....<br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Hi Jill! Nice to see ya here! The decisions you are making can be very overwhelming! Bob, the owner of this forum has a great book on Amazon that really breaks down the pros and cons of many of the choices you are facing. I am including a link for you:<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Live-RV-And-T...fw?&amp;linkCode=wey&amp;tag=cheaprvliving-20<br /><br />I hope you find the answers you are looking for! And, stepping off the edge can be exhilarating! Enjoy!<br /><br />

 

[twokniveskatie]

There are a couple of threads about insulation in the heating and air conditioning thread. Here's one:
https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Insulation-5995644

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the tribe JillR!

 

[stude53]

<span id="post_message_1275180809"><span id="post_message_1275180784"><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, JillR! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /></span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span></span></span>

 

[Tango]

Welcome JillR.&nbsp; There's a world of knowledge on this forum.&nbsp; I'm new here too and am working myself through the information here, little by little.&nbsp; Bob's book is a great help especially for us newbies.

 

[josephusminimus]

Hi Jill<br /><img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files....hand-steering-wheel-howdy.jpg?w=500&amp;h=375" alt="" />