Newbie to the vanlife in phoenix/mesa

[Standbyyourvan]

Hello everybody, I'm new to this whole lifestyle.  I've been wanting to do it for a while but due to recent financial problems I have no choice at this moment.  Do any of you have any cheap tips to stay cool in a van.  I have a full time job here where I spend most of my time anyway, but I spent all my money getting my van.

 

[Doglover]

Hi
I’m brand new to this lifestyle as well, I’m living in a tent on the east coast and I escaped to the mountains to stay cool. Plan on working from my computer.
I have a small dog that doesn’t handle the heat very well, I bought a battery operated fan from Home Depot for 20 dollars. It takes D batteries which ran me 12 dollars.
I also have a spray bottle filled with water and spray us off every so often to cool us down.
Hope that helps a little.
Julie

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Standbyyourvan!
Record breaking temperatures in Phoenix, this week. I can't imagine.

There is a recent thread about acclimating to higher temperatures, that maybe somewhat helpful. 120° is going to be difficult. Good luck!
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. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Standbyyourvan]

Well I haven't actually moved into the van yet, but I plan on it by the beginning of next week. I'm also trying to find work a little farther north towards flagstaff so I can be in a more temperate climate until winter. However, I will be stuck.in mesa for the next few weeks at least, so I plan on trying to not be in the van as much as possible, ideally only to sleep at night.

 

[Moxadox]

Staying cool in a van is a challenge any day of the week, but Phoenix metro, yikes! Best thing is to get a library card and gym pass. Hang out in the library, swim and shower at the gym. At night, if you can park somewhere where you can leave all the doors open, that's good. Battery-operated fan, yes. 12 volt fans are great, but you can run down your vehicle battery mighty quick so be careful.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Standbyyourvan]

Those are all things I've considered, as I said, I'm also trying to find work farther north to get out of the valley and into the higher elevations where heat is less of an issue. I already spend a lot of time outside fishing and exploring the desert during the day, I've even camped out there just the other week, so as long as I can keep the van *bearable* for now until I can get up north I should be good.

 

[Moxadox]

Standby, do you run into any problems with scorpions getting into your van? That's one of my Terrible Fears. I've had some crazy spiders, but scorpions really give me the heebie-jeebies.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Allan Greenblazer]

What do you do for work? I see plenty of homeless people surviving outside in Phoenix, shade is a huge deal as is lots of water. Prescott is only an hour and a half for me and there is a huge difference in temperatures. Can you drive up there for sleeping?

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[Standbyyourvan]

I'm a cook, and I've been doing it for about 10 years, so it's usually not too hard for me to find work in a new area. Prescott sounds really nice temperature-wise, it would just get a little pricey on gas to make that drive every day from Mesa, so I'd almost have to get a job closer to there. I did a little test where I just blocked the windows with those cheap window covers and it's not nearly as bad inside as I thought it would be. I feel like if i get a fan or 2 i might be able to make it pretty nice for the time being.

 

[Riverman]

Welcome to the forum... it's great to have you here.

Did he say FISHING?

 

[Moxadox]

Do you already have Reflectix in the windows? That makes a huge difference.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[QinReno]

These fans are really great for instant cooling, eg when you're hot and get into the van.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=12v+dual+auto+fans

 

[Nemo]

I'm a cook, and I've been doing it for about 10 years, so it's usually not too hard for me to find work in a new area.  Prescott sounds really nice temperature-wise, it would just get a little pricey on gas to make that drive every day from Mesa, so I'd almost have to get a job closer to there.  I did a little test where I just blocked the windows with those cheap window covers and it's not nearly as bad inside as I thought it would be.  I feel like if i get a fan or 2 i might be able to make it pretty nice for the time being.

hmm.. Landmark at Christopher Creek was looking to hire a cook recently.. would be much more comfortable.
https://www.facebook.com/landmarkatthecreek/

as to staying in the vehicle down there in the valley... its going to be pretty miserable, I've done 100 degree temps for a while in my box truck, and there really wasnt a good way to cool it down, sleeping was near impossible for me.

 

[Standbyyourvan]

I have a few leads for work in the prescott area. I just have to call them all back and see what they'll offer me. I only need to get out of the valley for a few months, as I have a winter seasonal job here in Mesa, but I'll still need to make my van payment, insurance, and cell phone bill for the time being, so I can't really just go somewhere and camp and wait, as much as I'd love to be able to do that.

 

[Standbyyourvan]

Update, I'm in prescott right now. Have to go back to the prescott brewery tomorrow to talk to the chef about getting a job here. Anyone know of some good camping spots around here by chance?

 

[Moxadox]

Update, I'm in prescott right now. Have to go back to the prescott brewery tomorrow to talk to the chef about getting a job here. Anyone know of some good camping spots around here by chance?

Yes! White Spar FS CG is right on the southern edge of town on 89. I've stayed there several times, it's lovely. The fairgrounds is also good, utilitarian but handy. Very difficult to find good boondocking spots, scarce as hen's teeth and fierce competition.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Minivanmotoman]

The Walmart is the go to place.

 

[Standbyyourvan]

I'm at the walmart right now, there are a few RVs here now, might just chill here for tonight.

 

[Allan Greenblazer]

I've done an overnight at the Walmart on both the 69 and Glassford Hill. Honestly the one on 69 appears to have some squatters living there. Out past the pay area at Lynx lake there is dispersed camping for free. I believe there is more off the Senator Highway. Happy camping.

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[Standbyyourvan]

I might actually stay in mesa, the night time temperatures haven't been too bad the past few nights, and I have a lead for winter seasonal work at the rv park I worked at last winter. They let people park their rigs in the parking lot last year (they own the property so police interference is highly unlikely). After that, I plan on traveling north for the summer, and back to my seasonal job in the winter. If I'm smart about this I won't have to work during the summer as I'll just pay everything ahead during the winter (we work kinda crazy hours there sometimes). And travel during the summer.