New here from illinois/the road.

[CnCTravels]

Hi! Chris and Cristen here! We been lurking for awhile, thought i'd finally post up and say hi. We've been toying with converting our 87 Dodge Ram Van 150 for a possible home/emergency residence should the need arise, aside from our hobby of vanning/camping. Heres a pic or two of our baby as she sits now.<BR><BR>&nbsp;

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<BR><BR>Future plans are to narrow and lower the bed a bit, replacing the 2x4 wood construction with steel to free up some space under the bed. Its a full queen now, and my wife and i can get by jsut fine with a double. I plan to install a hi-top and an a/c and furnace, kitchen, storage and possibly bathing facilities inside the van. The goal would be to create a van capable of sustaining our family of 3-4 people for an extended period of time should the need arise, or we get tired of paying rent. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!<BR>

 

[stude53]

<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><font size="4"><b>Welcome,<span id="post_message_1272200785">Chris and Cristen!</span></b></font></font></p>

 

[CnCTravels]

<P>Thank you! It appears i need to resize my photos a little bit lol. </P>

 

[judycmomx6]

<P>Welcome ya'll! Glad to meet you!</P>

 

[Les H]

Hi and welcome.

 

[kentuckywest65]

<P>Welcome Chris &amp; Cristen! I am orginally from Illinois myself...about half way between Peoria &amp; Springfield. </P>

 

[Guest]

Welcome CnC...glad to have you...nice looking van it will probably do you fine...<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[CnCTravels]

<P>Thank you for the welcome everybody! Right now im in the middle of ditching the blown up /6 for a 360. My wife and i have been discussing this lifestyle extensively, and we are trying to figure out a few things. Such as working/money, raising our young daughter on the road, spending time with my oldest daughter who is here in illinois. Im thinking maybe a class B or small class C would better suit our needs without sacrificing too much in fuel economy. Any ideas, thoughts, experiences?</P>

 

[CnCTravels]

Kentucky- Awesome, my wife and i just relocated here from Florida. Shes from Miami, and Im from Springfield. Part of the decision to consider this lifestyle.

 

[SheketEchad]

<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Welcome you two - I'm looking for a large Class B or a small C as well. &nbsp;And also a money tree!! &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></span><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Florida is a nice place to visit, but not to stay (and I'm a native, so I can say that!)</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">~SE</span></div>

 

[CnCTravels]

<P>Exactly, Florida isnt any place to make any money. Ive been looking around and i think ive made up my mind that a small/mid size bus is the way to go, since i want to build the interior the way i want. </P>

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome!

DW and I have a B, but are looking for something a bit larger. It has an overhead bunk, so two could sleep two there as well as two on the sofa bed , but you might lake a C for rainy days when everyone is stuck inside. Find an older unit and rebuild the inside as you wish.

 

[Seraphim]

Here's the inside of our B, for ideas.

 

[CnCTravels]

sounds like quite an adventure. Im interested in this kind of lifestyle, i just need to be able to make a reliable source of income in order to stay out there. Any tips? What did you do?<br><br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome!&nbsp; That sure is a nice looking Dodge van.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">You're one of the closest of the folks I've encountered... I'm in Iowa.&nbsp; Greetings from a fellow midwesterner...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">That van looks like it would serve your needs very well.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Regarding work... I'm working part time as a cashier... It's not a lot of money but helps out with the bills.&nbsp; Thankfully, this job is a dime a dozen, too.&nbsp; The only thing is the demands of being on your feet.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I might try finding something else - maybe making pizzas... The best part of this lifestyle is the ability to choose lower stress occupations as well as not having to worry as much about money.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Take care!</p>

 

[CnCTravels]

<P>funny you say that. At the moment i am a delivery driver at a pizza place. Im a jack of all trades, master of some. I do auto body, painting, mechanics, carpentry, carpet cleaning, power washing. There isnt a whole lot i cant do if im being paid too. Delivery driving is ok, or any other low-skill job as that, my problem is in mobility. Cant really just pick up and leave it. and expect to find something somewhere else. My wife and i have been contemplating a mobile carpet cleaning business or possibly something that requires an internet connection, ebay or something. Thank you for the compliment on my van. Shes my baby!</P>