How far should I go?

[treesprite]

I'm really wondering right now if I'm going too far with my plans for this old van. I love projects, I'd die without having some kind of project to work on (even though having spare time for it means not sleeping), but reality is starting to hit me.

My expectation is that I get 20k miles on it within a span of 5 years (not traveling across country, not using for daily driver), without having to do major repairs just normal stuff. My Kia will be paid off by then, leaving me free to get a good van instead of another car. That van will take me into retirement years, so, at least in theory, the timing all works out well. 

what my concerns come down to, are:

1. I'm not sure how much money I want to spend on something I'll only use for 5 years, and probably not even use that much. If I knew I could re-use components in the next van, those things would be worth the expense. But some things will be useless. How much do I spend on insulation from which I'll not get much use? Same goes for everything else that won't be transferable.

2. In order to help ensure that the van gets through the presumed time period, I don't want to overburden it. I want a build that looks nice inside, but I think I'm going to have to sacrifice aesthetics for vehicle preservation - that's going to be really difficult, because I have all this excitement built up around being able to create something that is cozy, homey, cute, and still practical.

I'm basically trying to take a step back and look in from the outside before I start spending any money or doing any work beyond getting the van cleaned and prepped for the building stage. I'm going to have to start actually taking out a pen and paper to make notes while I'm doing all the hopping around the internet looking for ideas and solutions, because I need to see the accumulation of information all in one spot in front of me at one time in order to use if effectively. My brain is just jumping all over the place trying to use information before I've even found it, which leads to crazy and unrealistic ideas. I have to remind myself that this is just my starter build, its a chance to practice and learn, but its not the end goal. The van I plan to get in 5 years, that I'll have a couple pre-retirement years to build, is the one that I expect to take me to the end goal.

So now that I've spewed all that mental crud out, does anyone want to throw any feedback my way? Please do, but please try to not make me feel lame. I feel bad for getting carried away like I have been so far. Time to put my feet back on the ground.

This attached picture is kind of how I feel right now. 

 

[ckelly78z]

There are plenty of things you can do for a budget build that will be transferable to your next vehicle. Just make sure you don't cut/screw/glue anything in permanently. If you are thinking of camping in cold climate, you will either need a good vented heater, and/or lots of insulation/blankets.

-milk crates for storage
-foldable cot with a foam mattress
-12v fridge
-solar panel/inverter
-small propane stove
-water jugs with a stainless bowl (no sink)
-poop bucket


Only using insulation for 5 years seems like a good deal if you are more comfortable for those 5 years, if you can't afford this, you may want to consider waiting until you can.

 

[Uncle Todo]

I'm somewhat in the same boat, I spew off posts in threads like I'm an old hand in all this when I have yet to actually build my van.
I have it gutted and ready for me to start building, but for me it's just I'm slower than molasses getting to projects, apparently even ones I want to do lol.

A couple things I'd throw out there...
Why buy a new van, you say buy a good van, has there been anything not good with this one?
If you were to buy another van, if you got more or less the same model, you should be able to reused it all.

Also, this is what you have now, build it out as you like, then once you're free & clear of the Kia, assess what shape the van is in and address those issues vs starting over. If all is fairly well, set aside a just in case fund.

Unless of course you're considering a larger vehicle.

 

[RoamerRV428]

Little lost on your timeline to hit the road and live in your van and roam the land.

When do you want to be living in this van?

5 yrs your other vehicle will be paid off and you can upgrade your current van, but hell there is no guarantee you will even be alive in 5 years......and I don't mean that nasty in any way......I am saying life is to be lived and if we 'think too damn much' we just waste our time in a way ya know.

You don't have to throw every penny into this build. You know what you need.....a bed, a few kitchen items, etc. as you see fit and thing is you can control your costs.

Also....put money into the van working well and not stranding you somewhere. You really can do a fantastic personal fun filled build out to suit your design etc. as you see fit if you just are a tad frugal in your purchases and more.

Tackle as 'van build the frugal way' ya know and visit junk yards for items to repurpose and find liquidator type stores that have some insultation available at cheaper costs.....it can be done

It is all about when you want out and free to roam and live the lifestyle. Put it off? Sit and wait? Or use what ya got and watch costs?

I get carried away in new projects also, I so hear ya on that!

I am talking over on the other board kinda discussing the same thing.....my toyhauler rv could use some redesign when my kid hits college and she won't be camping with us and we are gonna go long term on the road.....so I was so 'should I change this or that' in the rv cause of resale value, if I ever do sell it? and in the end, Popeye said hell you got it, change it, use it, live in it and freakin' enjoy the damn thing now.....so yea I am gonna do just that. He said don't worry about money you can't control selling it later if ya want and not enjoying it as needed for years as I want.....so yea, I am gonna change up some stuff in that rv and make it what I want for our fun on the road so think of it like that. You got now, years down the road are not guaranteed to us at all so?

best of luck on how ya wanna roll

 

[jacqueg]

So now that I've spewed all that mental crud out, does anyone want to throw any feedback my way? Please do, but please try to not make me feel lame. I feel bad for getting carried away like I have been so far. Time to put my feet back on the ground.
 

Depends on what is adequate FOR YOU.

Been full-time for nearly a year now. Part-timer van camper for a couple years before [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]tha[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t[/font][/font][/size], had/have lots of camping equipment collected over a 30-year span, used for backpacking and car camping out of small vehicles.

When I finally bought a cargo van, just the bare van looked like luxury to me. Used my old cot and mattress with a sleeping bag, organized my camping stuff into totes, loaded my cooler, and off I went.

Insulation? Paneling? Solar? Heater? Plumbing? Why? Got along just fine without them for years, and had some really wonderful times. It's the going that counts, not the stuff.

Well, a few years af[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]ter buying [size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]the van[/font][/font][/size], I have added plenty more conveniences, mostly of an electrical nature. Still no insulation though.

But all you really NEED to start with is a comfortable sleeping arrangement and some totes. 

If you're not a camper, well, just start camping. You can get everything you need in thrift stores. Quit overthinking it, and quit being seduced by other people's dream builds. Just go. Sure to be a public campground or three within a hundred miles, wherever you are. (Don't forget, you can camp in your own backyard or driveway. Or a friend's.) And learn by doing what YOU really need.

And after every trip, just ask yourself - what is the ONE thing I mos[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t [/font]missed having? then take care of that one thing, as cheaply and simply as possible, before the next trip.

Repea[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t un[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]til your van is jus[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t righ[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t FOR YOU. You'll know when [size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]tha[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]t is.[/font][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size][/font][/size]

 

[nature lover]

Do you want to look up Bob’s videos of some people who just built with you stuff from Goodwill etc. I wish I could remember which ones they were but there are some people who just bought a dresser here in a drawer there in a hammock made her vehicle livable but everything removable and cheap. I can identify with what you’re saying about how long the van and it’s going to last compared to the money and effort you put into the build. Seems you’re either a slave to the mechanic for these vehicles or you’re a slave to the bank with interest.

 

[StacyK]

A lot of visual harmony can be achieved pretty simply with paint, quilts, curtains, and hidden storage. I find it helpful to think from the bottom up instead of top down—to start from bare bones and then add things until I find the minimal level where I feel comfortable and at home. Whenever I start from a grand vision, things get over-complicated very quickly.

 

[SLB_SA]

I am surprised that people don't build inside a (light) box sized for a common, highly available box truck (or box van, step van, etc) which can be inserted into the vehicle with a forklift. When that vehicle finally dies, remove your box with your build and insert it into the next (identical, but running) box truck or box van or step van or whatever.

 

[treesprite]

Thanks for all the feedback.

The van I just got is a used, very high mileage vehicle that was cheap. Hence, I'm not expecting it to last long. I already was planning to get a van in replacement for the Kia. I was going to trade in over the summer, but the dealer told me to wait till it's paid off.

I can't go off on any major adventure until I retire. If the family members get their incomes back soon enough, I won't have to worry about the apartment - that issue is the reason I want a backup residential plan for right now.

I want to at least accomplish a roomier version of what I did with my little Kia Soul. I removed the seats, put in a wood floor that is contoured to the car's shape, built cabinets from scratch that are made to fit in the car, and an upholstered bed contoured to fit the car and at a height I can still sit up, plus it converts to a lounge with the back of it propped up. I somehow still managed to have a spot behind a seat in which I can stand up enough in to change clothes and use a folding potty, and also an isle of 5 inches of clear floor space to put my feet on while sitting on the bed so I don't get cramped legs and so I can access the cubby spaces. There are no plastic bins or crates in the build, it's all cabintry. I have a mini kitchen area, a cabinet section specifically for water and sink, a fold-out desk part of the cabinetry, cabinet and and cubbies for clothes, bedding, and supplies, plus there is a tiny bit of storage space under the floor (there's a you tube video of it somewhere).

The Kia has no insulation. Nor do tents of course. In the past umpteen years, the hottest temp I've camped in, and will camp in without AC running, is low 80s. The coldest temp I've camped in, is just below freezing (sometimes snowing), staying cozy by using an electric space heater at a campground that has power - lack of insulation in the cold with the heater wasn't a problem (even with a window slightly opened for ventilation). I won't have to worry about the apartment until early spring, but can use a propane heater. The problem will come with summer - I can't tolerate the heat and humidity here, and can't move around because I have to work. The fact of the matter is, I know the van won't be ready by then because of the prep work I need to do, and lack of free time.

 

[bullfrog]

I have seen when we camped in Arkansas in summer tents with a window unit air conditioner setting out side on milk crates duct taped to a partially opened screened tent window in camping spaces with grid power blowing into the tent. Some used old moving quilts with reflex over them for insulation and large trash bags for when it rained.

 

[MrNoodly]

I am surprised that people don't build inside a (light) box sized for a common, highly available box truck (or box van, step van, etc) which can be inserted into the vehicle with a forklift.

In my case, access to a forklift is more problematic that removing things piece by piece. Besides, the openings to vehicles are smaller than the interior dimensions of the vehicle, so the space inside the "box" would be smaller than the no-box space. And I'm trying to imagine a light, structurally sound box that could contain the weight of all the stuff in the vehicle.

 

[bullfrog]

I have done basically that with my homemade camper as it is just a live in box, I just keep changing trailers as I need to haul more! Lol!!!