user 37446
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2017
- Messages
- 1,242
- Reaction score
- 91
Hi to all,
I have Guest viewed off and on for well over a year, having read "Tips and Tricks" as well as hundreds of threads, watched Bobs old and now new videos, as well as Utube vids from other members and non-members about van dwelling or other pertinent topics. I'm currently up in the PNW and Canada (BC) but spend about 6 months down in Phoenix.
While not currently in a mobile dwelling, I am wanting to get back into one within a year.
I've had past experience living in a travel trailer for a year and have owned/used truck campers and class C's in the past, so am familiar with those ways of traveling and residing. I have to city dwell for the foreseeable future so my preferred ex-UHaul or Penske 10-14' box truck vehicle will not be what I use.
Turning 62 this year I'm realizing that a lot of what was considered "the right thing to do" with life was just being a lemming, and I dont want to go over the proverbial cliff like the rest of them. After another year of working I should have enough of a pension to scrimp by with (appx $1K a month before taxes, medical and other expenses).
I will search locally (within 200 miles), in the SW to find a rust-free mid-top (tv top) conversion van, preferably GM based Express or Savanah from 96 to 2003, or a pre modular engined Ford, (1992-1995) so that I can have the full frame vs. the Dodge and G20 unibody. Sadly they all seem to be 1/2 ton so all the heavy conversion chairs and sofa bed will have to be jettisoned to save room and weight. As I'm no mechanic I will get it looked over, but I can see rust and the obvious flaws, as well as I know the reputation of most drivetrains that were used. I dont care for Dodge but that 318 is a workhorse engine! Whatever it is will have a 5.7 liter sized engine, be it Ford or GM.
I hope to install 2-300 watts of flexible rooftop solar, a 36-45 cu ft compressor fridg, 2 Costco bought GC batteries, and either a CTEK 12v to 12v charger or a large cabled continuous duty solenoid battery charging system. I am trying to determine if I can give up the microwave and coffeemaker habit from the S&B life, as that will probably require a 1200-1500 watt MSW or perhaps PSW inverter and possibly a second set of GC's, then requiring more solar to get the minimum 1:1 charging amp ratio. All that extra expense for a rewarmed cup of coffee or quickly zapping some soup instead of taking the time to cook it on the already purchased 2 burner propane camp stove... decisions. :huh:
I've read enough that I feel I dont need a Mr. Buddy 4000/9000 BTU heater as I plan to follow the 50-90 temperature zone when possible, and to use the admittedly fire hazard camp stove for heating when needed. Cooling will be the much used FF roof mounted fan and some 12v portable units inside. No extra van insulation (not a cargo) so other than the windows, no fuss with that. Just making proper Reflectix based, fabric covered or foam core window covers for the bigger conversion (oddly cut) glass will be challenge enough.
A YMCA of Planet Fitness gym membership will have to suffice for showers, and a portable water system like Ive seen in a few videos will have to take care of the rest. A cassette toilet or Luggable Loo bucket for the other necessity.
Anyway, I'm not a total newbie but am not quite ready to re-enter houselessness. For a variety of personal reasons Ive moved a lot so I know how to let go of possessions. No "mate" attachment so that's not an issue, neither are pets. Hope to keep it that way too.
Will try to follow others journeys, "to each their own" as long as you realize that your happiness isn't a license to do wrong to others or the land you temporarily occupy.
Bye for now.
I have Guest viewed off and on for well over a year, having read "Tips and Tricks" as well as hundreds of threads, watched Bobs old and now new videos, as well as Utube vids from other members and non-members about van dwelling or other pertinent topics. I'm currently up in the PNW and Canada (BC) but spend about 6 months down in Phoenix.
While not currently in a mobile dwelling, I am wanting to get back into one within a year.
I've had past experience living in a travel trailer for a year and have owned/used truck campers and class C's in the past, so am familiar with those ways of traveling and residing. I have to city dwell for the foreseeable future so my preferred ex-UHaul or Penske 10-14' box truck vehicle will not be what I use.
Turning 62 this year I'm realizing that a lot of what was considered "the right thing to do" with life was just being a lemming, and I dont want to go over the proverbial cliff like the rest of them. After another year of working I should have enough of a pension to scrimp by with (appx $1K a month before taxes, medical and other expenses).
I will search locally (within 200 miles), in the SW to find a rust-free mid-top (tv top) conversion van, preferably GM based Express or Savanah from 96 to 2003, or a pre modular engined Ford, (1992-1995) so that I can have the full frame vs. the Dodge and G20 unibody. Sadly they all seem to be 1/2 ton so all the heavy conversion chairs and sofa bed will have to be jettisoned to save room and weight. As I'm no mechanic I will get it looked over, but I can see rust and the obvious flaws, as well as I know the reputation of most drivetrains that were used. I dont care for Dodge but that 318 is a workhorse engine! Whatever it is will have a 5.7 liter sized engine, be it Ford or GM.
I hope to install 2-300 watts of flexible rooftop solar, a 36-45 cu ft compressor fridg, 2 Costco bought GC batteries, and either a CTEK 12v to 12v charger or a large cabled continuous duty solenoid battery charging system. I am trying to determine if I can give up the microwave and coffeemaker habit from the S&B life, as that will probably require a 1200-1500 watt MSW or perhaps PSW inverter and possibly a second set of GC's, then requiring more solar to get the minimum 1:1 charging amp ratio. All that extra expense for a rewarmed cup of coffee or quickly zapping some soup instead of taking the time to cook it on the already purchased 2 burner propane camp stove... decisions. :huh:
I've read enough that I feel I dont need a Mr. Buddy 4000/9000 BTU heater as I plan to follow the 50-90 temperature zone when possible, and to use the admittedly fire hazard camp stove for heating when needed. Cooling will be the much used FF roof mounted fan and some 12v portable units inside. No extra van insulation (not a cargo) so other than the windows, no fuss with that. Just making proper Reflectix based, fabric covered or foam core window covers for the bigger conversion (oddly cut) glass will be challenge enough.
A YMCA of Planet Fitness gym membership will have to suffice for showers, and a portable water system like Ive seen in a few videos will have to take care of the rest. A cassette toilet or Luggable Loo bucket for the other necessity.
Anyway, I'm not a total newbie but am not quite ready to re-enter houselessness. For a variety of personal reasons Ive moved a lot so I know how to let go of possessions. No "mate" attachment so that's not an issue, neither are pets. Hope to keep it that way too.
Will try to follow others journeys, "to each their own" as long as you realize that your happiness isn't a license to do wrong to others or the land you temporarily occupy.
Bye for now.