Need Help ASAP!

[FrequencyZero]

I've been lurking for a few weeks and an issue has arisen for me. I got out of the Army two years ago and it's been ROUGH ever since. I have had zero stability and that's my fault. I trusted the wrong people and now I'm in a pickle. Me and my girlfriend on the verge of breaking up and that's for the best, but I've become dependant on her since we agreed to save my GI Bill money for the future. This is the crux! I need to get out of here and I can't go back home, so that means van dwelling is imminent. I have looked into this lifestyle and was kind of dreaming of doing it, but now my hand is forced and I need to procure a ride quickly. I need tips on years/models that make a decent camper. I would love to get a Westfalia because it has all the amenities. I'm not very handy and this would be ideal for me, but I can't find one with decent mileage at a low price. So, what are the other options?

 

[FrequencyZero]

I would also add that I wouldn't mind driving/living in a "shorty" Chevrolet. Outside of Westfalias, I was worried about the hookups for other types of vans. Are they easy/cheap to convert? How about wiring and installing a stove/fridge,etc? I'm also thinking of aesthetics here because this will more than likely be my lifestyle for years to come. I'm simply disenchanted with modern society and I really believe that debt is nothing more than slavery. So, van dwelling seems like a great option. I plan to finish my education up with some certs on Java Plus, etc so I can do contracting work online. This is another reason why I need comfort and aesthetics!

 

[offroad]

If you got out of the army with veterans benefits then seek out homeless support at a VA center. They might be able to set yiu up. It's worth a try, and not saying you will get assistance. But could happen. 

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[HoboBerg]

Welcome to the tribe! As far as converting goes in my opinion is rather easy, been in my van for 3 yrs now. My wiring setup is a 800watt inverter hooked directly to the battery to power my electronics, then my fridge and water pump are always connected. Fridge is a arb very low amps and for a stove I just use a little Coleman camp stove works great! If you have any questions feel free to ask there is a lot if knowledge floating around this forum.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome. No advice but I do thank you for serving our country&nbsp;for me and my family.<br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong>

 

[cyndi]

Glad you found us and thank you for your service and sacrifice!<br /><br />Any van can do the job, providing it's mechanically and functionally sound.&nbsp;<br />Start simply and figure out what you need/like want, as you go. So many peoples rigs are a constant work in progress,usually leaning towards a simpler way of doing things.<br />A built in kitchen isn't really necessary, except for convenience. Many van dwellers' kitchens are portable; a bucket for cleaning and a coleman stove or something similar. Many van dwellers don't have a fridge, just a cooler.<br /><br />Find a good van, get out of the toxic situation (be free! that's what you fought for!)Life will get so much easier from that point.<br /><br />You don't mention where you are located. many of us peruse the classifieds for likely full timing vehicles. If you give us an area to search, locating your new home could become a community effort.<br /><br />Again, thank you!&nbsp;

 

[missmillpl]

<span style="font-size: medium;">Howdy, welcome and thank you so very much for your service to our country and us all. I agree with everyone above, you only live once and you especially deserve some happiness and peace of mind. also we could help alot knowing where you are, we are pretty good at searching out the best deals around here. I personally would consider a truck with bed camper. As you speak of your needs and wants that might be something worth looking into. Less conversion to get ready and a few amenities to begin with. You dont have to start off with the newest and best. Here is a great blog showing some pretty cool stuff that may give you some ideas. This&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">www.timmystoyota.blogspot.com/</span>&nbsp;guy has me envious of some things. If you care to share where you are with us we would be happy to help you check things out.</span>

 

[beachwalker7]

<span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome Where are you now and where do you want to live?</span>

 

[FrequencyZero]

Thanks for all the awesome feedback so far! Warm welcomes and great advice all around. I'm currently in Austin, TX, but I may need to go back up to the Seattle/Vancouver area to avoid sleeping on the street. As for money, I will have around 5k to work with, but I'm not against pitching a tent for a few months and saving more money up for something that will last me. Like I said before, I think this will probably be a long term deal for me so I need to make this investment count! I've been digging around and looking through different vehicles but I really don't know much about mechanics and even motors in general. I was a bookworm as a kid and worked communications in the military so I never really needed to learn. Sure wish I had now, though!!<br /><br />

 

[FrequencyZero]

<span id="post_message_1275903457"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Welcome Where are you now and where do you want to live?"<br /><br />Well, I don't really care too much tbh. I suppose some place warm would be ok. I still need to finish school so that will be the focus until I get my bachelors. I guess that also means stealth needs to be top priority as well.<br /></span></span>

 

[FrequencyZero]

@Cyndii,<br />I've kept what you've mentioned in mind while I've been searching for vehicles. I think it's actually pretty cool to be able to completely customize the insides as opposed to something like a Westfalia. Don't get me wrong, that's a convienient rig but this will give me a good chance to develop some new skillsets.

 

[hyperslug]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello FZ,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am new to this forum but full timed in a fifth wheel for 8 years. I thought I would share how I will be moving forward with a van and hope it may be of some help. Everyone&rsquo;s needs are different so take what you want from each person.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For my van everything will be removable and modular: In other words everything that goes in can come out fairly easily that way when I don&rsquo;t like my floor plan I can change it. Trust me whatever floor plan you think will work for you now will change as you live in the van and you can learn what you like. Also I can take everything with me to my next van when this one this one is worn out or I decide I want something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Things like cooler (eventually 12V fridge) cot for bed, Mr Heater, propane camp stove, water jug, homemade removable shower, porta poti, and small pieces for furniture, can be bought cheap compared to RV appliances and furnishings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Just make sure everything is tied down cause you don&rsquo;t want a couch hitting you in the head at a sudden stop. Good luck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Jeff</span></span></p>

 

[cyndi]

Head to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><a href="http://www.cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous.html"><span style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;">RTR</span></a></strong></span></span>, in Quartzsite, AZ, in January. so many awesome people and vehicles to get ideas and input from.&nbsp;<br /><br />I'm a VW lover, myself. Lived and traveled in one for a couple of years and if I truly had my druthers, that's what I'd be in now. Good VW mechanics are hard to find. that was one of my reasons for not going that route.<br /><br />The interior of your van doesn't have to be hand crafted, plenty of stuff pre-made and cheap at thrift stores, etc. Replace as you go and learn<br /><br />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Hello!<br /><br />I would suggest looking through the conversion thread here and the conversions on the main site, to get an idea how simple or complex your options are.&nbsp; Conversions can be just a mattress on the floor with some totes for storage, a mr heater and coleman stove, and some water jugs.&nbsp; Maybe an inverter and a house battery for electric.&nbsp; Other people put in full custom cabinetry and plumbing, propane stove, fully wired with solar etc.&nbsp; Others have used house furniture like a dresser for their cabinet/galley and milk crates for a bedframe.<br /><br />I would try to get the best van you can afford (type usually doesn't matter as much as condition), and 'rough' it as you upgrade the conversion.&nbsp; If you really are worried about doing it from scratch, the conversion style vans with the bench sleeper across the back is pretty livable out of the box with some portable camping items (stove, heater, potty) and the second row seats removed.&nbsp; <br /><br />I like the idea of fully customizing a cargo though especially if you plan this to be long term...a conversion style van you might end up needing to rip it out and start over as your tastes/needs change.<br /><br />Here are some threads to get you started<br />http://cheaprvliving.com/howtoconvertavan.html<br />https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Grandmas-Chevy-Cargo-Van-Conversion-to-a-Simple-Camper-Van-6014225<br />https://vanlivingforum.com/post/My-escape-pods-REDCON-status-5915142<br /><br /><br />

 

[WanderingRain]

Glad you made it back intact. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Well, there's plenty on this site which you can avail of. Tons of guys with expertise so just ask and they will advise you.Good luck!

 

[FrequencyZero]

Wow, almost three years later and very little has changed from my previous post, except that my relationship has just grown worse. I'm revisiting this old post for people in toxic relationships that are hoping they will get better. They don't, as a general rule as far as I can tell. So if you know you're situation is untenable, make the necessary changes and stick to those decisions.

As for me now, I've recently got hired onto a job with the railroad where I'll be putting in about 90 hours a week, with travel and lodging covered by the company. I'll be working on a track gang basically. I reckon that this is a good opportunity to bank all that money, pay off my debt, purchase a van and start a mobile lifestyle with a little savings. My goal with this type of lifestyle is to get published as an author and create pen and paper styled games. I will also finish up schooling and get into top-notch shape as I plan to utilize gyms for showers, why not workout while there?

 

[WriterMs]

Just saw this as a new thread for "Today's Posts" and was very surprised the first post was from 3 years ago. Your current plan to make a change with the support of a job sounds sensible to me. Obviously with you in the same situation from 3 years ago, making the change in the domestic relationship has been a huge hurdle. So the new job forces you to get to new places and faces while allowing you to build savings.

I'd say use your time now to catch up on 3 more years of wisdom in all the comments and threads that are pertinent to you. Of course, Bob's blog has many more picture-rich conversion stories - including his change in vehicles over the years, etc.

With the new job as your springboard, let your enthusiasm for a new life bloom.

 

[Patrick46]

Wait-a-minute....

After all that was said in the original post, with how toxic it was being with her and how you desperately needed to break free...you're still with this same gal??? That was 2 years ago!! WTH???

Hopefully, this new job will help you break these chains and move foreward in life! Best of Luck!

 

[Canine]

So, what did you do about a van? Doesn't sound like you need one now. If you actually bought one and lived in it, you could post about your experiences. Otherwise, what's the impact for someone else, now that this 3 year old post has been resurrected?

Try to write about what you did to help some new veteran who is now in your same old shoes... Minus the relationship maybe.

Pass it forward or whatever you call it but help someone else learn...