new Manhattan apartment

[triumph]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>Salutations!</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm a 29 year old who just recently finished working on his stealth cargo rig and hit the road. &nbsp; I'm from Atlanta where this time of year the whole city heats up like a giant hotplate and doesn't cool down again until late September. &nbsp;My top priority was to get the hell out of that heat so I simply started driving north with no particular destination in mind. &nbsp;800 miles later as I type this it's 74F here in New York City and I've just had 3 days worth of the best food I've ever tasted, not to mention adventure. &nbsp;I'm hooked. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I had big plans to take this cargo beast all over the country but now I can't see myself leaving this city without a damn good reason. &nbsp;Maybe when it starts snowing I'll get a move on but for now I'm loving this urban jungle. &nbsp; It turns out that parking in Manhattan Island is reliably available weekday nights but in the daytime you have to pay the meters. &nbsp; I think I prefer to park in the nicer parts of Brooklyn because theres less spot hunting to do, less pedestrian traffic, no need to pay meters ever, the subway is right there, and there's plenty of parking. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I'm not so worried about break-ins because there always seems to be much more expensive rides parked all around me that would be easier targets. &nbsp;I do worry that my white van will be a perfect target for graffiti but who knows that might actually help the stealth <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">. &nbsp; Unlike many of the suburban, rural, and forested areas I visited on the way up here the police in NYC don't bother you at all. &nbsp;You don't need no stinkin permit. &nbsp;They could care less if you're sleeping in the van their only concern is that it's legally parked. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Most of the street parking spots have signs that prohibit parking during certain hours/days because of street sweeping but as long as you move every couple of days to comply with that you're golden. &nbsp;I joined a 24 hour gym with a pool and I generally park within a couple blocks of it. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This is the life! &nbsp; &nbsp;I'm hardly burning any fuel because all the driving I do is to shift parking spots every couple days. &nbsp; This means my only expenses are food, gym, subway, hookers, blow, and Internet. &nbsp; Did I mention the food here ? I just had *real* ramen noodles for the first time and my mind is blown. &nbsp;=^o &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for all the help I picked up here. &nbsp;I couldn't have completed this project without your contributions</div><div><br></div><div>pics of my rig (Jessica) : &nbsp;<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><br></div><div><br></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b><FONT size=3>Welcome from a country mouse, city mouse.&nbsp; Sounds exciting for you. Nice rig set up.&nbsp;</FONT></b><br><b><FONT size=3>&nbsp;PS, I didn't know there is such a thing as real ramen noodles.&nbsp;</FONT></b><br>

 

[Butternut]

<font size="3"><font face="Georgia">Great rig and it looks like you're living the dream! Good luck and keep us posted<br><br></font></font>

 

[sl1966]

Hi Jessica! I know exactly just how good the food is there because that's the city of my birth/childhood. If you haven't done so yet, hit Chinatown on Sunday for some dim sum. Trust me you won't be let down. There are quite a few places so you'll have to do a lil internet sleuthing to find out which one. The one thing I really miss about NYC are the pizza joints and this little italian place called Rosario Bistro. It's just around the corner from 90 broad street. I'm not sure if it's still there but if it is, look it up. They had crazy good pasta there.<div><br></div><div>Steve</div><div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>I'm glad you're enjoying the adventure, Jessica.&nbsp; Your rig looks VERY livable!&nbsp; With the warm temps the NE has been experiencing I am surprised that you're comfortable in the humidty...maybe prepping in&nbsp;Atlanta helped!</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>NYC temps can be pretty mild in the winter but the winter parking bans may force you out of the city.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>I'm looking forward to hearing more!</FONT><br>

 

[Butternut]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><br></div><div>pics of my rig (Jessica) : &nbsp;<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><br></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">

<br><br><font face="Georgia" size="3">hmmm... I assumed that your rig was named Jessica, but we're having some confusion. Just posted a link to your pics on <a target="_blank" href="http://thetuckerbag.blogspot.com">The Tuckerbag</a>. Great stuff. </font><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<DIV><BR></DIV><DIV>pics of my rig (Jessica) : &nbsp;<A href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/" target=_blank target=_blank target=_blank>http://www.flickr.com/photos/96636055@N00/sets/72157627240082503/</A>&nbsp;&nbsp;</DIV><DIV><BR></DIV><P>

<BR><BR><FONT size=3 face=Georgia>hmmm... I assumed that your rig was named Jessica, but we're having some confusion. Just posted a link to your pics on <A href="http://thetuckerbag.blogspot.com" target=_blank target=_blank target=_blank>The Tuckerbag</A>. Great stuff. </FONT><BR>

</P><P><FONT size=4><b>I think you are right Butternut, the rig is Jessica. Steve may have replied before he had his second cup of coffee.</b></FONT><IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></P>

 

[sl1966]

Oops ... oddly enough I did reply before I had my first cup of tea this morning. I was on autopilot and must've keyed in on the name and thought they signed it with that.&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif"><div><br></div>

 

[sl1966]

On the other hand I just told his van where to go get some great pasta ... lulz!<div><br></div>

 

[rvwandering]

Very nice setup in the van-minimalistic but comfortable.<br><br>Are you going to start a blog? The information that you could share would be very welcomed here!<br><br>

 

[Khaosinc]

Welcome.. <br>

 

[triumph]

Yeah don't get it twisted I'm a dude. &nbsp; The van is named after a character in my favorite novel "Dune". &nbsp; &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Thanks sl1966 I've just added&nbsp;<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Rosario Bistro to the top of my list for this week; I'll let you know what I ordered. &nbsp; Chinatown is where I'm going tonight for dinner.</span><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">dragonflyinthesky: yeah I didn't know there was such a thing as real ramen either. &nbsp;I thought all ramen was pretty much the same:&nbsp;</span></font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">but it turns out that in NYC they have ramen professionals who look like this:&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">and the end result is something that almost knocked me out of my chair:&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "> &nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">all for $6, and yes those are thick slices of spicy roasted pork. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Thanks for linking me up butternut that's a killer blog you have going there. &nbsp;I can't wait to go back and give it a full reading. &nbsp; If you're ever in new york shoot me a message.</span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">tonyandkaren: &nbsp;thank you! &nbsp;Yes I've always loved minimalist art and design and I'm more than willing to take credit for having employed those principles here. &nbsp;Nevertheless I must admit that having a limited budget, short time-frame, only so many tools, and years of practice being a lazy bastard really helped.&nbsp;</span></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">&nbsp;</span></font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Good idea about starting a blog. &nbsp;I'll probably just do a thread on here with more pics and detail about all the steps involved in the project. &nbsp;Who knows maybe it'll inspire someone else to go buy the same E150 and use my modifications as a starting point.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I'll definitely keep all of you posted as my adventure continues to unfold.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></span></div>

 

[bobbert]

Wicked van you have there. I like the idea that you made with the safe! The overall design is very functional-looking. I'd pattern my rig after your design.<br>Thanks for posting!<br>

 

[Tara]

Wow, very impressive apartment! &nbsp;Where do you keep clothes and stuff?

 

[triumph]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Wow, very impressive apartment! &nbsp;Where do you keep clothes and stuff?</span>

<div><br></div><div>thanks</div><div><br></div><div>My most frequently worn cloths live in "eagle creek packit cubes" which hang from the brass hooks &nbsp;installed every couple of feet where the ceiling meets the walls. &nbsp;I have one cube for socks, a couple for teeshirts, underwear, etc. &nbsp;You can see some of them hanging in the picture below:</div><div><br></div><div><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6012146243_9fd5d006d4_z.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div>I don't usually hang as many pack-it cubes on a single hook as I did in this pic but you get the idea. &nbsp;I have those hooks all over. &nbsp;My less casual clothes and extreme weather gear live in "eagle creek pack-it folders" which go inside my luggage<font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;(</span></font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small; ">&nbsp;<em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; ">Osprey Meridian</em>&nbsp;22 ). &nbsp;The luggage can be seen in the pic above squeezed into the first compartment under the bed platform. &nbsp;There is storage space under the entire bed platform and it can be accessed from the real door of the van as well. &nbsp;I can't recommend the eagle creek pack-it system enough.. the 2 compartment cubes even come with water tight dividers in the middle so that you can store wet or dirty clothes in one half without contaminating the other half. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small; "><br></span></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">

 

[Tara]

OMG how have I gone my whole life without knowing about these things?! &nbsp;My life could be so organized and take up so much less space!<br><br>Any tricks for getting them on the cheap?

 

[triumph]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Any tricks for getting them on the cheap?</span>

<div><br></div><div>I think Amazon is your best bet. &nbsp;You can buy them used there for a few bucks cheaper, maybe you can find a package deal too. &nbsp;This stuff isn't particularly cheap but they're built really well. &nbsp; The zippers are extremely heavy duty. &nbsp;I often put extremely heavy stuff in mine and hang them by their little straps during long road trips. &nbsp;The straps on the eagle creek cubes are still as strong as the first day I got them which can't be said about the off-brand imitation ones. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

 

[Tara]

My two giant rubbermaid totes of clothes are now in two little cubes!!! Thanks!!!

 

[Dust of the Sun]

hey Triumph, you have some really cool gear.&nbsp; I hadn't seen the Yeti coolers before or that National Luna Battery setup...when I Googled National Luna I see it's a South African company...how did you get hooked up with that and where did you find it?? I'm wondering if you have any other cutting edge gear you would share with us...the Yeti is cool and Expensive and the battery setup seems great too. Thx. Dust<br>

 

[triumph]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">hey Triumph, you have some really cool gear.&nbsp; I hadn't seen the Yeti coolers before or that National Luna Battery setup...when I Googled National Luna I see it's a South African company...how did you get hooked up with that and where did you find it?? I'm wondering if you have any other cutting edge gear you would share with us...the Yeti is cool and Expensive and the battery setup seems great too. Thx. Dust</span>

<br><div><br></div><div>Thanks dust! &nbsp;I'm very proud of my gear.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As for the National Luna Portable Power Pack.. &nbsp;I first saw it on a thread in this forum:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.shtfm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.shtfm.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;It turns out that&nbsp;South African companies are leading the pack in certain kinds of expedition gear. &nbsp; I can only guess that this is because that part of the world has spotty electrical infrastructure and so there's a great demand for battery power. &nbsp; Don't worry though there are tons of shops in the US and Europe that carry National Luna products. &nbsp;I got mine from Paul over at Equipt1. &nbsp;He got it shipped out on time and with fair shipping costs. &nbsp;Check here to see if they have a dealer in your state you might be able to pick it up without having to ship it: &nbsp;</div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><a href="http://www.equipt1.com/dealers/" target="_blank">http://www.equipt1.com/dealers/</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.equipt1.com/dealers/" target="_blank"></a>If my van had room under the hood for an extra battery then I would have gotten this DIY kit instead of the portable power pack: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.nationalluna.com/DIY.htm" target="_blank">http://www.nationalluna.com/DIY.htm</a>&nbsp;I do especially like the PPP because it's self-contained so if I ever need to I can unscrew it from it's platform, take it outside the van, and use it in a house or to jump someone else's car. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As for other gear.. &nbsp;Yes as you mentioned I have a YETI Tundra cooler that I picked up at bass pro shop for $300 and I'm convinced that in 8 months it will have paid for it's price tag by saving me $200 worth of ice. &nbsp;It's the high quality gasket and the extra insulation on the roof of the cooler that makes all the difference . &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>One item that's been crucial is the "endless breeze" fan by fan-tastic vent. &nbsp; I deploy it every single day. &nbsp;This little 12v fan moves SO MUCH AIR and draws so little current it's mind-boggling. &nbsp;Plus it's really very quiet. &nbsp;I think it was $60 on amazon but in my opinion it's well worth it. &nbsp;I also bought that 12ft cigar lighter extension cable they have on amazon (the red one) and it's been worth it's weight in gold. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>For communications I have a Sprint "Mifi" device with unlimited internet access service from millenicom. &nbsp;I have an iPhone 3GS and I only pay $16/month for phone service on that because thanks to my mifi device I don't need to buy a data plan for my phone. &nbsp;I have the magellan premium car kit:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magellan-Premium-iPhone-iPod-touch/dp/B002WN30IM" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Magellan-Premium-iPhone-iPod-touch/dp/B002WN30IM</a>&nbsp;coupled with the Navigon iphone app. &nbsp;This lets me use my iphone as a GPS navigator and it works extremely well. &nbsp;I also plug my iphone into the van's stereo so I use it as a jukebox, navigator, phone, book reader, and web browser. &nbsp; I also have a Samsung NC20 netbook. &nbsp; I was able to find adapters for every piece of equipment I own so I honestly don't need a power inverter. &nbsp; I don't have a CB radio but I'm planning on getting a amateur radio license at some point and when that happens I'll make a thread about that. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>For security I carry a Zap brand stun gun called "double trouble" that unleashes 1.2 milllion volts and clips nicely onto the sun visor: &nbsp;</div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><a href="" target="_blank"></a></div><div>I also have two relatively cheap ($30) EDC knives which are just large enough to also use for personal security. &nbsp;Kershaw Skyline and the Spyderco Tenacious. &nbsp;</div><div>For outdoor lighting I have a RayoVac LED lantern that I can't recommend highly enough! and also several of the little yellow coleman LED lanterns you can find at home depot. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>For those emergency situations I carry a Reliance 9824-21w Fold to Go Portable Toilet that I got for $26 on amazon. &nbsp;This thing folds up to only 5" height so it stores perfectly under my bed platform. &nbsp;From the online pic it looks like the legs would be kind of filmsy but let me tell you just because it's plastic does not mean it's flimsy. &nbsp;The legs lock into place very very securely. &nbsp; And plus when it's folded up you can't tell it's a toilet which is nice when you're entertaining guests in the van. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>For heating I rock the one an only MR BUDDY. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_r=0G8CNMEHE82C6H42SKTP" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_r=0G8CNMEHE82C6H42SKTP</a></div><div><br></div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>I won't go into my cooking gear because none of it is really out of the ordinary but I do recommend the coleman 1 burner propane stove. &nbsp;Who really needs 2 burners ? Two burners is just more surface area to clean and another thing that could break.</div><div><br></div><div>I have an LLBean 650 Fill Down Long Semi-Rectuangular sleeping bag (35F/ 2C)</div><div><br></div><div>I have a bunch of Eagle Creek Pack-it cubes that I keep my clothes in.</div><div><br></div><div>I carry an LLbean 2 person tent that was a handmedown</div><div><br></div><div>I guess that's about it. &nbsp;If I think of anything else I'll add it here. &nbsp; Thanks for giving me an opportunity to rant about my gear ;D</div><div><br></div><div>-triumph</div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">