I want to live in a van....

[oman]

Down by the river!!<div><br></div><div>Not really. I do know that I like the idea of living&nbsp;minimally, and being able to just go. I also know that my family is full of&nbsp;pack rats, so I have to break out of the cycle. Right now, my parents have given me the family Astro van, and when I turn 18, I want to throw a pad in the back and go. See family, famous sights, not so famous sights, everything. If I don't like it, I can turn around and come back. But I think I will like it. Got a little more than 1 1/2 years, so plenty of time to get myself ready for it. I want to live a mobile lifestyle, but am wondering which method I should choose. I have one grandparent that&nbsp;full-times&nbsp;in a trailer, and one used to live in a camper, but I haven't made up my mind yet. I am leaning towards a van conversion, but think that I could go more places with a 4x4 truck with a camper. I know that I would have to try them out and figure out what I like best, but the thoughts and advice of people, other than my family, is more than welcome. I have brought the idea up in passing to them, just to feel it out, and it wasn't something they seem keen on. Oh well, I also liked Florida in the summer, and they couldn't stand that. I think that they would support me, whatever way I choose, but it might just be wishful thinking.</div>

 

[Cubey]

I didn't learn to drive until just before I turned 25 in 2006 but when I did, I got a conversion van and planned to travel in it. But due to factors I won't go into here, I didn't have the chance until the middle of 2008. <br><br>But by then I had already gotten rid of the van due to gas getting up to $3.50 (with the forecast of $4). I tried to full time out of it with a crappy walmart tent and gave up after 6 nights (I was only 2 hours from where I had been living). It was drastic planning all the way around in regards to the station wagon. Sure it got better mpg but was too small for full timing in for my tastes. It was a 2003 Taurus wagon (which I later sold to my mom that year when she wanted a better car than she had). I still had a travel trailer I bought in 2006 and did lots of work on... and I ended up living in it for 6 months for almost the rest of 2008. I sold it earlier this year after getting my motorhome.<br><br>I had a nice 99 F150 until about 6-8 months but it was a stepside.. almost impossible to get a used camper shell for... and it wouldnt be any better than a 20mpg mini van with the seats taken out so I sold it. Plus I wanted something more dedicated to the lifestyle. So I got a 1978 Class B van for a pretty good price and am working on getting it road worthy now while I sell off almost all my stuff. I am dedicated to going through with full timing his time. I just wish I hadn't somewhat wasted these past 4 years. But I guess they weren't REALLY wasted.. I did take the time to get my GED in late 2010/early 2011. <br><br>Now gas is back up around $3.50 and I missed out on when it was $2.50 but oh well.. that's life.<br><br>A 4x4 uses more gas so keep that in mind. Unless you seriously plan to go off road you probably don't need it. A normal 2wd vehicle is fine for properly maintained dirt roads. <br><br>The 97 E150 conversion van I had I actually felt was too confining. It didn't have a high top and had ceiling air vents for the rear ac/hear so the ceiling was lower than a non-conversion van would. The class B can I have now... it has a dropped floor in a portion of it so I can actually fully stand up inside of the van which is awesome. It has no stealth ability but it's 100% fully self contained including roof ac, generator, toilet, shower, stove and fridge.<br><br>The reason I didn't keep the truck and trailer was it needed an RV park almost full time. It had NO grey water storage at all due to being a 1967 model and it had no generator or factory ac. I had a window ac in it for when I lived in it but there was still no grey water storage. And no shower. It's fine for campgrounds and RV parks with restrooms but not so much for full timing.<br>

 

[Gravediggerjason]

First off welcome and good luck <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><br></div><div>And... &nbsp;Gas prices are only going up, If you choose a great mileage mini and stuff it full your heavy gear and survival needs its only going to wear out and get worse mileage then advertised. Find the vehicle that suits the life your dreaming to live then find a way to over come the challenges of high gas prices rather then trying to avoid that problem it'll Only lead to other problems. Don't be afraid to fail anyone that has never failed is just someone that's never tried. Good luck J</div>

 

[cargovanconversion]

oman,&nbsp;Welcome to the forum,<br><p>3/4 ton (cargo) van conversion may be a good solution. Gas prices probably will stay high; a bike rack for a bike or small moped will help.</p><p>Look at <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a></p>Van.