I've been dreaming about this for a while. Looks like it's time.

[Gump]

My life has been the perfect storm of disasters up to this point. Whenever things got bad, part of me has always dreamed of escaping, going wherever the wind takes me and depending on no one. I kept on trying to make it like I thought a "normal person" should, and it kept on ending in disaster time after time. I hit a breaking point a little over one year ago. Long story short, I ended up with a bunch of medical bills and am no longer in the US military. As it happens, I came upon a decent sum of money that I will not be able to keep long due to my debts. It suddenly hit me about two weeks ago. This is my chance. If I don't do it now, I'll never be able to. I'm 21 and I love being alone with my thoughts, and I am not afraid of anything. There is nothing left that can be taken from me besides my freedom. The longer I stay in one spot, the more of that freedom I lose.<div><br></div><div>I've gone into full planning mode. I sniped a beautiful 1995 econoline 150 conversion van with only 34k miles on it and all new pipes and radiator off of craigslist... yeah it's beautiful under the hood. Looks brand new. The door cables are all broken though except the drivers side, so I got it for only 2k. I fixed the doors myself, and am now in the process of designing the interior. Getting 600 amp hours of AGM batteries, 290W of solar panels, adding a vent fan and a 12 volt fridge, getting a little burner for cooking... it's gonna be awesome. I don't have a lot of time though. Maybe 3 weeks to be finished. I've got all the theory of the system mapped out, and have already bought most of the parts. Now it's just a matter of putting it all together. All told, it's gonna cost under 4 grand, which will leave me with enough left over to live for at least half a year.</div><div><br></div><div>After that... who knows. I'll go where the wind takes me. Maybe head to Florida. I haven't been to the beach in a while.</div>

 

[Seraphim]

I have no personal knowledge, but several people I know have mentioned job opportunities in the oil fields. If you're looking for employment opportunities, perhaps someone here can provide more info. Head out for a goal...

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi Gump,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Sounds great....&nbsp; 290 W of solar panels&nbsp;should do&nbsp;okay charging the 600 AH of batteries depending on how hard you discharge them.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I haven't used a shore power charger for abount a month.&nbsp; I'm using 235W of panel to top off 460 AH of AGM.&nbsp;Are you going to be using an MPPT charge controller?&nbsp; If you're using higher voltage panels, MPPT is pretty much a "must have"...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It sound like you're well on your way.&nbsp; Did I read that you're using a 1/2 ton van?&nbsp; You might want to economize on any extra weight.&nbsp; I've got my 3/4 ton Chevy loaded down enough to where I can tell it's loaded down... (oh but it rides nice!)...&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm guessing that 600AH of batteries is going to weigh close to 325 or more pounds alone.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Contrats on living your dream.&nbsp; There is nothing like the freedom of being on your own and having a sufficient nest egg to fall back on.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">V.T.</p>

 

[Les H]

Hey Gump, welcome to the forum and Congrats on the van. Hope all works out for you. Keep us posted. Oh... If there aren't pics, it don't exist!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<font face="Arial" size="2">Welcome, Gump.&nbsp; Sounds like you're hitting the ground running.&nbsp; Good luck and happy trails!&nbsp;</font> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[thinker]

welcome.&nbsp;<div>post in the build thread!</div><div><br></div>

 

[Gump]

"<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Did I read that you're using a 1/2 ton van?&nbsp; You might want to economize on any extra weight.&nbsp; I've got my 3/4 ton Chevy loaded down enough to where I can tell it's loaded down... (oh but it rides nice!)...&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm guessing that 600AH of batteries is going to weigh close to 325 or more pounds alone."</span><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I don't know where you're getting that number for the battery weight. They're only gonna weigh about 180 lbs, plus about 100 lbs of solar panels. Me at 140 lbs, plus 20 gallons of water storage at&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">167 lbs, plus let's say 100 lbs for misc stuff brings the total to&nbsp;687 lbs. Well below the limit for the chassis, although I probably won't be driving up a lot of big mountains any time soon.</font></div>

 

[maritimecamper]

Welcome gump, I never jumped into the Mobilelifestyle, I started by sleeping in my truck camper after working 12 hr shifts. I parked under a shaded tree, ear plugs to help me sleep. Eventually, I started doing this fulltime. 23 years now, and retired. I still have the mobile lifestyle, and I love it. I have saved TONS of money, never paid rent, or had a light bill. I pay cash (debit card), for everything. So welcome to YOUR adventure, you will always remember this.

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Welcome to the forum.</p><p>Enjoy the sun and beach.</p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>