Newbie here! Can't wait to get started...and some questions!

[robertellis]

Greetings! I'm currently researching all the necessities needed to do a full conversion on a Nissan NV Cargo Van. Everything looks fairly straight forward until I get into the electrical/solar part of it. Yikes. I'm going to be asking a lot of questions when that times comes. Or I'll just hire an electrician. Also relevant to note - I actually don't have the van yet. I tried to purchase 2 today - and they both sold right before I called the dealership. Apparently the Nissan models are popular. 

I'm in Houston, TX and wouldn't mind connecting with some Van Dweller locals if there are any out here. I have a full wood shop - industrial 4x4 CNC router and all just about everything else. I plan on fabricating, with help, most of the components inside the van. I would love to be able to experiment with the interior in a 3d workspace before starting the process. Has anyone used Vanspace 3d? I see it has some pretty awful reviews.  Or is there possibly a library of pre-designed 3d interiors for van models you can throw into 3d software? 

I'm also curious what the most popular option is for WIFI that stays in the RV if numerous people will be using it at different times. Is there a preferred system among the group? Trying to stay away from MIFI cards - the data plans are awful. 

Thanks for reading - and hope to meet/talk to some interesting folks here! 

Be safe...

Robert Ellis

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Robert 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

 

[nature lover]

WELCOME robertellis - I just heard some good news about Texas opening up a little including state parks. We all like to follow the builds that folks are working on and you woodworking skills and tools should make yors interesting. good luck and maybe we will see you and your rig someday.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums  

There is a lot of knowledge here and plenty of good advice from experienced and seasoned Nomads.

My own advice would be to start out basic and take a few "shake down" trips in order to understand
the difference between going camping or going homesteading.   LOL   In other  words, the difference between what you need as essentials and the "nice to have's".   Experience will guide your way and you'll ultimately learn to take thing along with you than can be used for more than one purpose.  I started with a lot of single use things but learned I could have
more with less.  This can also translate into a rig being adequately built out or just overbuilt. 

But as a work in progress, everyone will find out what is right for their needs.

 

[robertellis]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums  

There is a lot of knowledge here and plenty of good advice from experienced and seasoned Nomads.

My own advice would be to start out basic and take a few "shake down" trips in order to understand
the difference between going camping or going homesteading.   LOL   In other  words, the difference between what you need as essentials and the "nice to have's".   Experience will guide your way and you'll ultimately learn to take thing along with you than can be used for more than one purpose.  I started with a lot of single use things but learned I could have
more with less.  This can also translate into a rig being adequately built out or just overbuilt. 

But as a work in progress, everyone will find out what is right for their needs.

 

[robertellis]

WELCOME robertellis - I just heard some good news about Texas opening up a little including state parks.  We all like to follow the builds that folks are working on and you woodworking skills and tools should make yors interesting.  good luck and maybe we will see you and your rig someday.

I stopped watching the news a couple days ago. That's great to hear. I just got the Van today so I'll be heading to my fave trails as soon as they are open if they aren't already. Thank you !

 

[DannyB1954]

The Nissans are good trucks but I don't think they get good fuel mileage.
I seen a Nissan build where the person just went to second hand stores and bolted in dressers and such. The tour starts about the 2:00 mark
The good thing about this is you can figure out what works best where, before doing a lot of labor and then tearing it back out. You might not even like being on the road. I also have hobbies that take equipment and space. You can do a lot with a circular saw, but forget about having the table saw, band saw, planer etc.
A couple of weeks watching a cactus grow and I miss home and my shop. last year I was on the road for about 6 weeks. I lived on boats most of my life, but even then I was working and I rented a shop for hobby stuff. Doing nothing does not do well for me.