My New Van & Progress

[Roniit]

Under the carpet is that black plastic flooring that comes standard in cargo vans, under that is a thick layer of insulation.&nbsp; The original owner of this van lived in it, so he did a good job insulating it.&nbsp; Under the black carpet stuff on the walls is insulation too.&nbsp; I was cleaning it with a bucket of steaming hot water, it was 30 degrees outside and the bucket of water actually heated up the whole van so well I had to take off my jacket. <br><br>I like the idea of using office clips to secure some fabric.&nbsp; I'm debating putting new carpet stuff on the walls, but I'm not sure yet.&nbsp; I was done so well, it's perfect.&nbsp; I'm afraid if I redo it I wont do a good job.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[wilcofan]

Let me know how the mobile studio turns out. I'm thinking about putting one in my build as well. Are you going to install solar? Are you thinking about running a laptop, desktop or a standalone unit? I've done a lot of mobile recordings and what's worked for me is running&nbsp;a standalone battery operated unit for initial tracking then dumping&nbsp;for mixing to my laptop. The cool thing about doing it that way is that you can keep a supply of rechargable batteries to switch out, which means you're not worried about having to run on van power for anything other than mixing.<br><br>

 

[Roniit]

Wilcofan: I think I might wait on solar until I have more money. &nbsp;For now we will probably charge the battery off the alternator on our long drives. &nbsp;We have 2-8 hour drives every day. &nbsp;I have a laptop and 3 laptop batteries, so that will be awesome! &nbsp;I've collected them from friends who have had their laptops die. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>My studio will be my macbook, an apogee one (tiny little interface), and a small 49 key midi controller. &nbsp;That's really all I need. &nbsp;</div>

 

[Roniit]

Here are a few more pictures, they aren't such great photos because I forgot to bring my digital camera. &nbsp;Phone photos will have to suffice. &nbsp;We put long legs on our futon today. &nbsp;There is a gap between the legs and the wall, but we will use that to store some music gear and other things. &nbsp;We started covering the walls with some white fabric, but didn't finish. &nbsp;It's much nicer than having black walls. &nbsp;Next step will be memory foam for the futon, and a desk!&nbsp;<div><br></div><div><img src=""><img src=""></div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"><br>

 

[Dreighen]

Awesome progress, keep us posted!&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"><img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif">

 

[sl1966]

Very cool! I probably missed reading this somewhere before, but it looks like the back of the bed flips up into a couch. Am I seeing that right? Sweet deal it if does!<div><br></div>

 

[Roniit]

Yeah, it does but we probably won't ever flip it into a couch unless we have guests or something <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Roniit]

More pictures. &nbsp;Took some of these at night and couldnt see what I was doing, so that explains why they are all crooked. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Need to figure out how I'm going to secure this desk:</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/IMG_2717.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/IMG_2713.jpg"></div>

 

[sl1966]

Very cool Roniit ... I like how it's all coming together!<div><br></div>

 

[akrvbob]

Looks like great work!!&nbsp; I've secured a desk just like that with "L" brackets on the corners. I used self-tapping sheet metal screws into the floor. Make sure they aren't long enough to damage anything below the floor.&nbsp; Bob<br>

 

[roadtested_websitetoolbox_import980]

<P>its looking good!!!!!!.</P>

 

[WanderingRonin]

That looks really cool! Like the color scheme as well....

 

[Roniit]

Been so busy that I've been absent from the forums. &nbsp;Hope the RTR is going well! &nbsp;Tonight is my first night in the van. &nbsp;It's so comfortable, I love it! I've got a mobile hotspot set up on my iphone and lots of movies on my computer, it's excellent. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Anyway, I just plugged in my Little Buddy heater - which kind of scares the crap out of me. &nbsp;I know it has an automatic low oxygen shut off, and I have a carbon monoxide detector - but still. &nbsp;Does anyone know how much you must crack a window for proper ventilation? &nbsp;Don't wanna crack it too much because then all the heat escapes. &nbsp;Hmm... Anyone else using one of these that can assure me I'm not going to die tonight??</div>

 

[judycmomx6]

<P>Roniit, I am not real sure, but i think I saw another post telling someone to crack open the window at least 1/4 in., but i'm like you, i'de be pretty scared and I think I would open all the windows I could at least that much. If you wake up freezing, you could close 1 or 2&nbsp;and see if&nbsp;it would be o.k.</P>

 

[She]

<b>Roniit</b> how high is your bed?&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

Hey ronlit - how'd the first night go?

 

[She]

1st night? Missed that one. I also would like to know how it went. Hope you were warm.

 

[Roniit]

Sorry I've been out of touch, been super busy. &nbsp;So far we have been staying in the van a lot less than expected. &nbsp;We didn't realize how friendly our fans would be and have been offered really great houses to stay in on almost every tour date. &nbsp;<div>We have spent a few nights in the van though, and I did enjoy it. &nbsp;I definitely feel at home in there, I just miss my bathroom! &nbsp;I'm getting a little tired to staying in other peoples houses, so we are making a point of staying in the van for the next two nights. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>One thing I like is showing of my van to all of my musician friends. &nbsp;They pretty much all freak out when they see it <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">. &nbsp;We have a few folding chairs so we can have little get togethers in the van.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Seraphim]

Glad to hear things are going well.