Minimalist or Lazy Bum?

[Stargazer]

Several years ago, I built out my simple passenger van with bed, counter, ice chest, Coleman stove, Mr Heater Buddy, battery operated fan, dual solar/battery lantern.  Loved it!  Did months and months all over the US, Canada, Alaska.  Sold it when it became a money pit and life changed to keep me off the road.

Couple of years later, more changes and back out on the road in my new to me Class B with all the bells and whistles (no solar, though).  Been out for several months and you know what?  I don't like it!  Worries about battery SOC, is the fridge running and on what (it's a 3-way).  Where will I have the propane refilled when it runs out (built in tank)?  Hate the generator so don't use it but now it needs attention by exercising it regularly so where do I go to do that without bothering others?  The heat pump won't work below 40 degrees so how cold is it outside right now?  And how cold is it predicted to get tonight? The furnace is noisy and using it means I'll have to address the propane refill issue sooner.

In my other van, it was so simple and easy.  Lantern getting dim? Set it outside or even on the dash or change the batteries.  Ice or propane getting low? Sold everywhere!  No tanks to dump.  Easy and simple.

I am seriously considering selling this Class B RV, getting a cargo van and building it like my last one.  Too much to worry about and too much to maintain.  I am not a gadget person, consider myself a minimalist but everybody else seems to love their solar powered stuff yet I see hundreds of pages about how to deal with this and that and I'm beginning to think this just isn't for me.  Or am I just lazy?

Sigh.  Here we go again, lol!

 

[Queen]

Seems like it comes down to interest, like you I have very little interest in maintaining stuff, I'd rather be doing something that I enjoy even if it's just reading a book. I know other people who love futzing around and messing with systems, my dad was like that, he enjoyed making repairs and thinking up new tweaks to their various RV's... I missed out on that gene, I like it simple and easy so I can do other stuff.

 

[duckwonder]

Welcome to my world Stargazer.  As someone much more experienced than me, you know what's up, but you are validating what I am learning myself to be true right now.  Building out a van is much more efficient and makes more sense that trying to use a factory Class B van in order to try to do the same things.  Depends on a person's needs and wants.  I want to boondock for longer periods and have an eye on a vandwelling lifestyle.  If I had any build skills at all, I'd absolutely go that route.  If I were in rv parks where services are plentiful, it might not matter as much.  The generator, when it's onboard at least, is a PIA, in my opinion, and mine is currently not working as of yesterday, and it is brand new.  $2800.  That may very well delay or prevent my trip out west.  You have more skills than I do, I'd say if you can build out a cargo van or even do most of it, go for it!  But don't plan on rv parks after that.  They don't like our kind much, lol.

 

[mayble]

Sing it sister! lol
THIS is why I decided to build my van.  I had a small motorhome for a very short time, and hated having to take it to the shop for service any time something went wrong.  All the systems of a house plus a vehicle was too much for me.  
I'm pretty lazy, and I really hate finding other people to fix things so I want things to be extremely simple and accessible.  I keep saying I'd just as soon shit in a bucket - if the bucket breaks I get a new bucket.

 

[Stargazer]

Lol, duckie! When I built my first camping van, I had a jig saw and a drill. Knew nothing but managed and learned a lot. This the me will be a piece of cake.

As for RV parks, never had a problem. The van was pretty and very discreet. And with the plethora of class b's out there, who would know? The pricier places weren't on my list then anyway.

 

[Queen]

I'm envious of you can that can do the van thing, we have friends who are doing a minimal build on a promaster, but the more I watch them the more I realize it won't work well for us. Two in a van is pretty tight and I am not tiny. LOL

 

[Stargazer]

Maybe,

Yeah, like sitting around doing nothing!

 

[duckwonder]

As for RV parks, never had a problem.  The van was pretty and very discreet.  And with the plethora of class b's out there, who would know?  The pricier places weren't on my list then anyway.

The RV park thing was me imagining you in a new to you cargo van trying to stay at an rv park, not a class b, however,  I got questioned twice at rv parks during my one trip home and that was because my class b is 2004.  Not pricey places but i think any camping that's not free is expensive, I was surprised by the attitude.  It's as if they are trying to keep out the riff raff, lol.  I know I'm such a river rat.  Bet they did not study 10 shakespearian plays in high school.  To thine own self be true my dear.

 

[rm.w/aview]

Building one takes more effort than buying one, so you can take lazy out of the equation. Minimalist is more accurate as you'd like to avoid systems complications. Buying one says, "Do it for me". Building one allows you to simplify, personalize, and customize... and probably have a little fun.

 

[duckwonder]

Fill propane at a propane shop, some u-haul places, some hardware stores, some gas stations, it's a hunt like everything; or if you're in a 2.5 million dollar class a, you pay a propane company to come to you at an rv park and they put it in for ya, lol.  Get you some propane. 

 

[Dgorila1]

What brand/year/model is your class b?

 

[steamjam1]

I am seriously considering selling this Class B RV, getting a cargo van and building it like my last one.  Too much to worry about and too much to maintain.  I am not a gadget person, consider myself a minimalist but everybody else seems to love their solar powered stuff yet I see hundreds of pages about how to deal with this and that and I'm beginning to think this just isn't for me.  Or am I just lazy?

Sigh.  Here we go again, lol!

I'm thinking the same thing. I really miss the simplicity of van-life. The class-b thing is over rated. I'll miss the hightop. I love being able to stand up in my B... But I don't need one to survive..

 

[TrainChaser]

If you like futzing around with stuff all the time, fine -- do it.

If you like to do other things and live simply -- do it.

If you're traveling alone, you only have one, single, solitary person to make happy: it's that person in the mirror.

 

[waldenbound]

That's my thinking, I don't want all of the systems to mess with in an rv. I'd rather be a backcountry bumpkin in my cargo van.

 

[Stargazer]

(I was on the road all day yesterday.  I apologize for the delay in responding to everybody.)

The building out of my first van was such a fun thing!  Never done anything like that in my life and the challenge was great.  I was so proud of myself.  Maybe it wouldn't be so fun the second time around?  Been there done that?  Don't know.  I'm one of those people who loves to do something new, then once it's done, I get bored and it's "Next!"  But every build is different, right?

Meanwhile...

This Class B is a 2011 PleasureWay Excel TS, Ford E-350 5.4L V8, 26,000+/- miles, Firestone rear suspension air bags.  New sealed engine and house batteries, tires all less than 3 yrs old, all systems work great.  Generator has 70 hours showing and I had a tech change the oil, plug, filter a few months ago.

I am surprised there are others who KISS!  Thanks peeps!

Onward through the fog!

 

[VanKitten]

I see this from the other perspective.

While living in a house. HOw do I pay the rent/mortgage? Will have have enough to repair that hole in the roof? Who do I hire? The fridge needs replacing..how long can I keep it going? What is heating oil going to cost..should I get a budget plan..will I live here another full year...otherwise I have a ballon payment when I move? Etc. Mowing lawns, shoveling walks, budgeting. All hassles

Now, I pay attention to the charge on my batteries. The outside temps to keep me and Smidge cozy. Take care to turn on fans or heating for the battery compartment. Empty the tanks trash, etc. fill propane. Get water.

One set of hassles for another. Or, in my case...I view it as trading one set of needs against my priorities.

My priorities being....standing up straight inside, galley big enough to cook what I like inside if needs be. Batteries and solar to support my creature comforts

The choice isn't lazy...just doing what fits your priorities

 

[Stretch]

Nope, I'm with you, Stargazer. Simplify, simplify, simplify. I think I would like solar, just for electronics charging and maybe a plug in cooler, but it's absolutely beyond me to understand how it all works.

You do you!

 

[steamjam1]

I own a B. At first I was all excited about finally having some creature comforts of home.. A year and a half later? I tested everything in my B once to make sure they all work right before I bought the B... (Hot water heater, room heater, sink, shower, water pump/tanks etc) and the only things I used after that are the refrigerator (about 6 times), the stove (A couple of times a week) and the toilet.. (nearly daily)...

So I bought way too much van for my van-dwelling habits. And it's tougher to stealth urban camp in..

Ive been cruising Craigslist for a standard van to buy.. I'm going to keep the Big-Blue cause she's starting to need some work here and there from daily use, and I don't know why.. I'm the kind of person that always needs a restoration project to keep me occupied on my down time.... Not to mention I am truly in love with it...

But the one thing I will take away from living in a B... The bed. I am going to build a copy of the bed for the next van.

 

[duckwonder]

New sealed engine and house batteries

Hiya!  Just curious if the 2011 PW has an exterior battery compartment containing a sliding battery tray that holds a single battery only or where in the van you have sealed engine batteries?  I'm doing some thinking on my solar/electrical system.

 

[Stargazer]

Yes, the house battery is in a slide out compartment in the passenger side, below the fridge.  It was very hard to pull out, kinda rusty and gunky.  The tech who replaced the group 24 house battery for me with a group 24 sealed deep cycle marine battery cleaned it up (the tray and sliding mechanisms), sprayed some kind of black rubberized sealant/coating on the tray (?) and now it slides right out, easy.

The engine/starter battery is the standard one under the hood (not sure I understand what you're asking here).  But because I am so lazy, I always replace any vehicle batteries with sealed batteries so I don't have to worry about checking fluid levels.  It is a starter battery, not deep cycle or meant for RV "house" use like the one in the slide out tray.

I love my RV tech!!  He works for RV Specialists in Georgetown (Austin) TX, is a mobile tech, knows his stuff, explains everything, shows me what he's doing, and does great work!  I am at the point where I won't let anybody else touch my RV's (I have two).  If I am on the road and something breaks, it will have to wait till I get back here so HE can fix it.

He told me two days ago that he would buy anything I had because he knows how well I take care of things.  He's right about that.

Anyway, best wishes!