New Urban Van Rat!

[vanpocalyptic]

Hey folks, I am new to the forum and live in my E350. Have been living in it and building it out this fall.

The build has been really fun for me and while difficult at times, it has been a rewarding process. For context, I work full-time in an office environment and live in a major Canadian city - though getting into the mountains on a whim is a big part of my vanlife.

Thought I would check out this forum as it seems like a pretty positive energy you all have going on and I love talking about living in my rig.

Look forward to chatting,

Matt

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[bullfrog]

Nice build out! It is good to start with a heavy duty van if you want to use heavier materials.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Matt to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

highdesertranger

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Nice build out! It is good to start with a heavy duty van if you want to use heavier materials.

Thanks!

Ya, it is good I have a 350.

While I did try and keep the weight in check in other areas, I had a big pile of beautiful straight grain fir I needed to do something with when I downsized and I couldn't resist using it for the van!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

Thanks and those rules sounds good!

I actually came here to check it out as I read this was a friendly place where people respectfully got along!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[nature lover]

Welcome urban band rat. That sure looks good where do you sleep?

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Hey Nature Lover, I sleep almost exclusively in residential neighborhoods - either in front of parks, boulevards, apartment buildings, or on side streets that are all 6' side fences - never in front of someone's house and I never do anything except sleep in those areas.

Keep in mind, I live in a large Canadian city with no bylaws against sleeping in your vehicle, so I am lucky that way.

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[nature lover]

Thank you I would also like to know about your bed in the van. I did not see it on the pic.

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Thank you I would also like to know about your bed in the van. I did not see it on the pic.

You bet, here is a pic!

Fairly common layout with the bed at the back. I have a bunch of tools and recreation gear I cart around so I like having the storage under the bed accessable from the back doors and seperate from my living space. Mattress is two large thermarest with a memory foam topper - super comfy. It is close to a standard double, but just a little short. I am 5'10" and it is a couple inches short for me to stretch out without being at an angle, but I sleep curled up so I have enough room.

The tool boxes you see below the bed are on drawer slides and have all of my clothes, except for jackets. My electric is all in one location in and around the tool boxes on the right.

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[Gypsyjoe#1]

Nice looking setup!!!!

 

[nature lover]

I see now the other picture was facing front and you’ve got a door between the cab and the rear end. Now it makes sense since you showed us the backend. It really looks like a nice rig looks comfortable and Purdy.

 

[vanpocalyptic]

I can see how it can be confusing, especially as I made the unconventional decision to block off the side door!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Nice looking setup!!!!

Thanks, man!


Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[treesprite]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Cammalu]

Pretty pretty pretty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks, happy to be here!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Pretty pretty pretty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha, thank you!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[crofter]

Welcome to the forum!

Very nice looking build, UrbanVanRat.
-crofter

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Thanks!

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[treesprite]

I have a couple of questions about your nice setup, because I'm really tempted to block doors to give me more room:

- Has there been any instance at all in which it seemed inconvenient to have the doors blocked?
- Is the set up such that you can access things via opening of those doors from outside, or put things inside via those doors without having to in yourself? (Thinking big bags from shopping, or if you need to transport something - can the bed be temporarily moved out of the way?)
- How easy of hard is it to go past the front seats to get into the cargo space? (I have a rather round and awkward friend).