New van consideration

[user 16548]

Could I please get some opinions?

I am considering trading trade in my two vehicles (and prolly a little cash) for a late model diesel van, probably 2014/2015.  I have had a few problems with my 1996 van so a more recent make is very tempting.  

If I buy the newer van, I won't have the cash for much of a fit out. I can get a house battery to run fridge, charge the laptop, some lights etc, and pay someone to install a bed that lifts up flat against the wall so I can access storage, but that's about my limit.  The rest will be reusing what I have and a whole lotta bungy cords. I am not in great health, older and I don't have any building skills.  I am hoping at some point I can barter for some more fit out, but for now that's as far as the money would go.  I'd rather have a newer, reliable vehicle than a fancy fit out. I don't cook in the van, other than making ramen and coffee. I cook outside so no internal kitchen is no issue. So all I really need is storage and a flat surface, right? I live in hot to temperate climate so insulating for cold isn't something I need. 

Is this realistic or is there something i am overlooking. My current van came with an existing fitout and built in fridge but no other kitchen, or bathroom.

TYIA!

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Is there a particular reason why you want a diesel? I love diesels, however, the expense and complication on the road (full-time) limiting a mechanic source. Diesel out the gate retail is quite a costly venture (in some cases $15,000 more for diesel -- U.S. makes). Towing/pulling heavy *a lot* justifies a diesel.

If you're absolutely sold on a diesel, which diesel fits your fancy?

 

[user 16548]

I am not in the US so I don't know if you have them there but I am considering the Toyota HiAce. Its gets excellent reviews. Diesel fuel is cheaper and as far as I understand, a diesel engine is more fuel efficient and last much longer than a petrol engine.

 

[user 16548]

Although not long after I posted this I went to the grocery store and talked to the guy in the spot next to me who had a HiAce SLWB diesel and said that he preferred his VW transporter for gas mileage, as he drove/lived in it for his job and crossed the country multiple times for his job. How can I ever make my mind up lol.

 

[John61CT]

Little of that applies to US conditions.

wrt vehicle advice, best to stick to aussie forums if that's where you are, maybe like this https://caravanersforum.com/

Back here for more general stuff, buildout advice etc

 

[wistful vista]

Here in the States, not every petrol station carries diesel;  those that do charge up to a 50% premium over gasoline.  In addition to the much higher initial purchase price of the vehicle, diesel mechanics are not easily found everywhere;  having your van towed many hundreds of miles for repairs can be costly.  Not surprisingly, aside from large commercial vehicles, diesel vehicles of any kind are not as common in the U.S as they are in other parts of the world.

I agree with John61CT's sentiments: consult the Aussie forums for vehicle advice, but please check out this forum for build advice, etc.  Just my two cents worth, YMMV

 

[user 16548]

My question is not about diesel vs petrol. My question is about liveability in a van without building cabinetry etc. I'll edit my original post to make that clearer.

Actually it's to late to edit, so I'll just reiterate I am not asking for advice re petrol or diesel purchase. Just about creating a living space without carpentry skills or fixed cabinetry etc.

 

[Riverman]

To me, lots of insulation is mandatory in a van for my comfort. Secondly, my floor must have insulation, plywood and carpet too. A Therm-a-Rest MondoKing self-Inflating foam camping mattress (from Amazon) lets me sleep like a baby.

 

[John61CT]

From the OP

I live in hot to temperate climate so insulating for cold isn't something I need

Just about creating a living space without carpentry skills or fixed cabinetry etc.

Yes, personally I can live in a bare space, but others prefer a nice build out.

What's setting off alarm bells for me is my perception of your finances. No matter how recent or great the new vehicle, you need to have a large reserve for repairs. Here is a post outlining my methodology for dealing with that

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?pid=353330#pid353330

If I give examples of US dollar amounts, you probably need to double them for Aussie conditions.

 

[breeze]

I just use the Pareto methodology. 20% of the items are 80% of importance, so I concentrate on those items. Then as I go, completed items drop off the important list. Everyone's list is different and changing constantly, so you are not going to get a well defined answer.

Everyone ALWAYS (it seems from surveying van-site posts) gets hung up on insulation, ceilings, and floor. I did what Bob said (since I live in the South) and did nothing in those areas; but I already had an oem floor mat which works fine for me. Just worry about what is important to you, and if you can live without it, you are better off!

Safety, security, and privacy are 3 important items on Maslow's hierarchal motivation and needs list: and those are pretty hard to secure. But if they are no problem to you, then just concentrate on what is important to you, and not important to web ghosts.

I will say furniture and cabinetry are way down on the lift for me. Ymmv.

 

[user 16548]

To me, lots of insulation is mandatory in a van for my comfort. Secondly, my floor must have insulation, plywood and carpet too. A Therm-a-Rest MondoKing self-Inflating foam camping mattress (from Amazon) lets me sleep like a baby.

Thanks for the Therm-A-Rest recommendation. I have been looking at them.  I'm factoring in flooring to my budget, but not carpet as I am allergic to dust and like to be able to damp dust all the surfaces.  My current van has a vinyl over plywood.  What do you put the mattress on?  Anything under it?  Currently I have a thick foam mattress on a cople of of 1/2 inch thick yoga mats and a sheepskin on top of the mattress.

 

[user 16548]

From the OP
Yes, personally I can live in a bare space, but others prefer a nice build out.

What's setting off alarm bells for me is my perception of your finances. No matter how recent or great the new vehicle, you need to have a large reserve for repairs. Here is a post outlining my methodology for dealing with that

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?pid=353330#pid353330

If I give examples of US dollar amounts, you probably need to double them for Aussie conditions.

I am a minimalist and I like bare spaces lol. I am actually ok financially and have a good nest egg saved for vehicle repair and eventual replacement. I am just very frugal and don't want to spend money on things that look nice but aren't essential for what I would personally consider quality of life/comfort.  I have budgeted for flooring and house battery.  I plan to save up for anything else I might want to add, or barter services. You might want to sit down to read this, but I hear of people spending upwards of $25,000 fitting out their vans.  I see so many people with these fancy fit outs and it makes me wonder if my minimalism is going to work to my detriment.  I guess they are building the Rolls Royce of vans or some such!


I plan to live in my van indefinitely starting at the end of the month, instead of the shorter trips I have taken.  It's set up fine for short term, but longer term needs are a mystery.  I know i am going to need a high top at some poing if I am living in it.  Current van is regular height and it's ok on short trips but damn it's nice to stand up to get dressed!

And thanks for the link. Checking it out now.

 

[user 16548]

Here in the States, not every petrol station carries diesel;  those that do charge up to a 50% premium over gasoline.  In addition to the much higher initial purchase price of the vehicle, diesel mechanics are not easily found everywhere;  having your van towed many hundreds of miles for repairs can be costly.  Not surprisingly, aside from large commercial vehicles, diesel vehicles of any kind are not as common in the U.S as they are in other parts of the world.

I agree with John61CT's sentiments: consult the Aussie forums for vehicle advice, but please check out this forum for build advice, etc.  Just my two cents worth, YMMV

Thanks for the info about diesel in the US. One of my goals is to travel the US in a van.  I want to drive from Alaska to South America.

 

[user 16548]

I just use the Pareto methodology. 20% of the items are 80% of importance, so I concentrate on those items. Then as I go, completed items drop off the important list. Everyone's list is different and changing constantly, so you are not going to get a well defined answer.

Everyone ALWAYS (it seems from surveying van-site posts) gets hung up on insulation, ceilings, and floor. I did what Bob said (since I live in the South) and did nothing in those areas; but I already had an oem floor mat which works fine for me. Just worry about what is important to you, and if you can live without it, you are better off!

Safety, security, and privacy are 3 important items on Maslow's hierarchal motivation and needs list: and those are pretty hard to secure. But if they are no problem to you, then just concentrate on what is important to you, and not important to web ghosts.

I will say furniture and cabinetry are way down on the lift for me. Ymmv.

Good points about the 3 items. A friend of mine suggested I get some infra red perimeter alarms for when I am boondocking.  He does building security and they have them in remote areas of the building and surrounds. I am not sure if that's overkill, but it's a suggestion that stayed with me!

 

[John61CT]

USians very commonly spend USD $300,000+ on their "class A" caravans, especially those who don't live in them fulltime.

For $25,000 in a class B like Sportsmobile you'd have to settle for pretty old or high miles.

If you're talking about DIY buildout only, $25K on top of the vehicle itself, yes that's at the high end

And nothing to do with *cheap* van dwelling

 

[user 16548]

I got a great deal on my current van. It's a 1996 and the original owner fitted it out as a camper with a house battery, bed that folds out to a double and a fridge. It's the original Engel fridge and still going strong. I am moving out of my house and into the van in 10 days!!

 

[breeze]

Good points about the 3 items. A friend of mine suggested I get some infra red perimeter alarms for when I am boondocking.  He does building security and they have them in remote areas of the building and surrounds. I am not sure if that's overkill, but it's a suggestion that stayed with me!

IR is cool. Find out from his expertise what's the best value and you may save a few lives here, including mine 

 

[user 16548]

Some years back I did paranormal investigating and we would use them to set up an IR grid to see if we could capture any activity. Hopefully no ghosts of the forest will set it off! I am looking at security cameras too, so I can see outside the van without opening the door in case I hear anything untoward. Something like a trail camera maybe.

 

[user 16548]

I had some van problems and had the alternator replaced. Now it turns out the problem is the house battery so it's at the auto-electrician getting replaced, and I asked them to put in an inverter too so I can plug in my laptop or a fan. I think it's a good sign that the auto-electrician said if I was considering selling it, he'd be interested in buying it.

 

[cortttt]

Although not long after I posted this I went to the grocery store and talked to the guy in the spot next to me who had a HiAce SLWB diesel and said that he preferred his VW transporter for gas mileage, as he drove/lived in it for his job and crossed the country multiple times for his job. How can I ever make my mind up lol.

I would always go with a Toyota over VW...