Jumped In With Both Feet

[DarthMuerte]

Hello all. I have been lurking your forum for a few days. I am recently divorced, wife got the kids. I have always had a wanderlust, so I sold/got rid of everything I did not need and threw the rest into my old van. I have been living in it for a couple weeks now and have to say I like it a lot. I do wish I had made some modifications first though. That is why I am here. To find a community of like minded individuals and to get some ideas for what modifications to make. I have a 1991 dodge b250 conversion  van with a couch/bed, very darkly tinted windows/curtains, and not much space. I did not make space for my clothes, camping gear, tools etc... Just tossed everything in the van and drove away. I am currently in Florida and will likely stay here until it gets too hot to sleep at night. No plans on where to go, but absolutely no stress. I look forward to learning from all of you. I am mid 40s male, BA History, MS Political Science, and I have 3 technical AAS degrees. Electrical Engineering Technology, Automotive Technology(ASE Certified Master Tech), and HVAC&R Technology(Certified Universal for all refrigerants). I hope to find some kind of work camping arrangements where I can work for a few weeks to a few months for a space and some cash, before bugging out to the next place and hopefully similar arrangements.

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Darthmuerte...interesting tag....<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">....Welcome from New Mexico...glad to have you with us.....<br><br>It sounds to me like you have tons of education/skills so should have absolutely have no problem with work of many kinds on your travels....<br><br>I would say to just live in the van and change things as they make sense.<br><br>I know for me and others, every time I am living in the van, when I come home (I live in a sticks and bricks) more mods get done and more crap gets left out. I am doing that right this very minute...making more changes and I have been using this van for several years and put 70K miles on it so far.<br>Bri

 

[DarthMuerte]

Thanks for the welcome. I already know a couple of mods I want to make. I plan to give it more time before I do anything major though. "Measure twice, cut once". I want to really see what I need before doing something I may have to change again.

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Welcome aboard, DM!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"></strong></span><br><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Wow, that's quite an impressive resume'! Let's hope they&nbsp;</strong></span><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>don't give U the ol', "You're over-qualified" routine!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></strong></span>

 

[DarthMuerte]

Will that be an issue for work camping?

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Prolly not. It was only a semi-serious comment, but I'll&nbsp;bet with&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>your&nbsp;<br>qualifications, you really have heard that at one time or another, huh?&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></strong></span>

 

[DarthMuerte]

I have. I hate to admit it, but I have multiple resumes depending on what I am applying for. I have found that for some jobs it is best to leave out my education for example. I tend to divulge only relevant information. My last job was at an ambulance manufacturing plant where I was a junior electrical engineer(since I lacked both the EE degree and the PE license). I tend to indicate that I worked as an installer/troubleshooter instead of designer. I did it all, just the last three years was in design. Even then, I still did most of the troubleshooting especially when travel to customer sites was involved.

 

[peacetara]

Welcome!!!<br><br>A lot of people with the couch/bed things take that out and put in an actual bed (i.e. a raised platform for the bed, so they can put storage underneath).&nbsp; It definitely adds a lot more storage space if you do that.<br><br> I moved into my van about the same as you did, a suitcase of clothes and a bedroll.<br><br>I wish you lots of successes!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[DarthMuerte]

Thanks Tara. I actually have some space under my couch/bed which I use for small item storage, but I am considering pulling it out. I would like to build a "coffin locker" like I had on board ship in the navy. A raised platform could work though.

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi DarthMuerte.&nbsp; Sorry to hear about the divorce and all that.&nbsp; I'm glad you could join us.<br><br>I'm a techhie, too... 2 AAS and one BS in IT.&nbsp; Those skills and problem solving abilities will carry you far.&nbsp; Just "wing it" as you go, modifying things here and there and enjoy the journey.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm still tweaking the van along the way.<br><br>Happy travels and enjoy the Florida winter.&nbsp; It was 1.6 degrees in Iowa this morning.&nbsp; I wish I was down there!<br><br>Take care!<br><br>Brad aka V.T.

 

[Pikachu711]

<P>Welcome to the group DarthMuerte! It sounds like you have the making of a person who&nbsp;can just about find a job at in most any situations. With all your degrees should should have a minimum of difficulty finding some type of work once you decide to settle into the van-dwelling lifestyle. Good luck on your new life!</P>

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak