Khyron
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- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
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I've been successfully living out of my van now for over 4 weeks and love it! It's a 2001 Dodge Ram conversion van I've modded to my likes that some of you may have read about in the conversion section. <br /><br />I'm still kinda on easy mode. I've spent about half this time parked in the driveway of my old house that my friends still inhabit. I've been slowly transitioning/moving out and other then needing to sell a few more things I'm about done. I already sold my car, tv, and a number other things. I've also thrown a lot of crap away or given it to Goodwill. <br /><br /> I now have almost everything I need in my van. I have ample storage, water, cooking stuff, and power. For power I'm not solar yet but have an expandable setup. I bought a 12v 110 Ah Lifeline battery with Black&Decker smart charger and 400watt inverter recommended by Bob. I've only been using it to run a 12v ventilation fan so it will last about 6 nights at 8 hours use before I get down to around 50% and need to recharge. My lighting is currently small led lights that run off their own batteries and my phone and computer I charge at work or coffee shops. Les hooked my up with a nice little single burner butane stove that works great. I have to admit though I've been eating out WAY too much as I'm a terrible cook. I will have to work on that. I read in Bob's blog he did the same thing when he was new at this. <br /><br />I'm still working so I've just been stealth camping around town. I discovered I can park on the street next to my work and get wifi easily. Also, thanks to advice here, I've spent several nights parking in hotel parking lots with no problems and free wifi. Seems the trick is to pull in late, don't get out, button up and close the blinds, and relax for the night. I then leave early. My conversion van, especially with my bike on the rear bike rack, probably looks like it belongs there so I don't get hassled. I've also spent a few nights at Walmarts and campgrounds. <br /><br />I have to admit took some getting used to sleeping in the van but I now find it more comfortable then my old indoor bed. Camping in the woods by myself still freaks me out a bit, city boy here, but I'm adapting. Seems the more people around me, like a walmart or hotel parking lot, the safer I feel for some reason and have no trouble sleeping.<br /><br />I'm currently on a week long trial run. My work has me doing IT work in London, KY so I figured instead of driving back and forth every day I'd just camp here till the end of the week. So far stayed at a hotel lot, work lot, and walmart lot with no problems. I haven't showered since Sunday but there are a number of truck stops with showers and one nearby here has private shower rooms for $5. Will probably check one out tonight. The big challenge though has been staying warm. When it got down to 35 the other night it was 47 in my van. I busted one of my 2 old Army wool blankets and a cap though and it wasnt too bad. I did use my backup propane single burner stove to take the edge off in the morning though. Tonight is supposed to drop to 31 and since I have no heater will just have to use both wool blankets I guess. <br /><br />Won't have to deal with this much longer though. I plan to quit my job by the end of the month and hit the road for the south west before things get to cold here in Kentucky. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys in person. Will DEFINITELY be at the RTR in January. Would like to thank everyone here for all the great info. Has really helped me get set up and take a lot of the fear out of this endeavor. Seeing the ideas in my head concerning modding my van actually manifest in reality, through my own labors, has been awesome. It's good to have a mission. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />
