Intrigued by Van life - have 2004 Sprinter - beginning journey

[lisantica]

Hello folks.
I've been watching lots of videos on VanDwelling and find it quite fascinating.
I'm in the investigating and research stage of my journey.

I did get the van because I wanted it for hauling some motorbikes.  I think I can turn it into a nice travel/vacation van at first then consider more extensive options later.

Here is the van.  I was able to buy some cabinets for it that include a fold down bed.


My dogs like it.

Bought it to haul my scooters.


It started out as your basic cargo van.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum    

You've landed in a great place for all of that ! 

If my sites below can be of help to you,  you're more than welcome to the ideas in them.

The second at the bottom is more for once you are on the road and researching where and how to go
to those destinations.   Lots of resources in it for later on.

All the best !!

 

[lisantica]

Thank you!  I will be referencing those links!
I like the tarp awning, that is something I'd like.
Other wish list items are:
Solar for electronics and hopefully a small refrigerator.
Composting toilet or similar.
Possibly a gravity water-fed kitchen sink.

So much to learn and prioritize.

 

[eDJ_]

If you like the idea of awnings that are inexpensive to fabricate and operate there is a newer Bat Wing awning that may lend itself to your Van rather well.   It will take some tubing and welding to be cut and welded but otherwise is a fairly simple affair to deploy or retract.   It has the added feature of covering the back end and one side so you can move around under it as the Sun moves over. 

The awning in my website was a solution for my earlier times.  On the front and rear of my ladder racks I purchased large eyelet bolts (which I cut so tubing would easily fit into them) and mounted them facing front and rear of my old Ford Van.  I bought two more blue plastic tarps and pvc pipe that reached across the width of the van.  Thus I could cover the front and rear of the Van with 3 sides under awning.  The end of the main "side awning" were laced to the grommets of the front and rear awnings where they came in contact. (using 1/4" cord.

Awnings increase usable space and add creature comforts when in camp.  So take a look at this Bat Wing thread.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-DIY-Awning

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome lisantica to the CRVL forums! 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. highdesertranger

 

[WriterMs]

Wow.. an awesome looking van and what a transformation!

Welcome. We'll be eager to see more.

 

[Cammalu]

Your dog has the very sweetest face ever. What a cutie!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lisantica]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes.
I'm hoping to go to the RTR in January.
Right now I'm setting aside funds to buy solar panels and other items in my wish list.
I just have to keep reading up on which items to buy.

I prefer to pay more for an item in hopes of buying once.

Right now I'm trying to figure out which refrigerator and have narrowed it down to Dometic, ARB, or Engel.
I'm hoping I can't go wrong with any of those three.

Then there is the solar, I still have a lot of reading to do on that topic.

Thank you for the "sweetest face ever" for my pup. She really is a sweet dog.

 

[lisantica]

April Update:
Still reading about solar.  The Goal Zero option seems most user-friendly at this time and I have a line on a used unit that I believe will be adequate to charge electronics, etc.
I am holding off on getting a refrigerator as I am not a full-timer, mainly a weekender at this time.  
This is another reason I haven't purchased a composting toilet yet.  I have a 5-gallon bucket and some tube pipe insulation for the rim.
I did just buy a Mr. Heater Buddy and Luci light using links from Bob's videos.  I believe those will be quite handy.
I've spent a lot of time watching the videos on how each person and/or couple have solved their needs.  I'm always astounded by the folks who say their only regret is that they didn't start this earlier in their life.

 

[ArtW]

Belated welcome to you!