peacetara's 1999 Ford E-350 Diesel Extended Van.

[peacetara]

So I'm moved in to an empty shell of a van.&nbsp; Spent my first night last night in it.&nbsp; Went well! it's definitely colder in the back without any insulation or anything than my sienna was.&nbsp; It's also a LOT bigger space too!<br /><br />So now it's time to start figuring out what to do.&nbsp; Luckily it came with a <a href="">bunch of shelving</a> against the driver's side door.<br /><br />I spent a bit of time last night cleaning it, I still need to do more cleaning work tonight.<br /><br />Definite needs todo list:<br /><ul><li>having a chair.</li><li>Getting the door between the cargo area and the driver area unlocked. (see locksmith).</li><li>Electricity so I'm not leeching from the starter batter.</li><li>Make a plan for an actual bed and stuff.</li><li>Go food shopping!</li><li>Get a cooler and ice.</li></ul><br />&nbsp;But I have some tools now, so I can actually do some things.&nbsp; Last night I took out the gross oil covered piece of plywood and the even grosser carpet that was underneath that.&nbsp; so now the floor is bare metal.<br /><br />I think I'm going to not settle into a definite plan for building a bed for a little while.&nbsp; Tho necessity for something might make me do it quicker.<br /><br />My two ideas so far:<br /><ol><li>a bed that hangs down from the ceiling and can be put up when not in use. i.e. a bed 'platform' <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></li><li>a bed across the back all 'traditional' like.</li></ol><br />Thoughts on either one?&nbsp; I'm worried about the weight issue for the 1st option. No idea what the ceiling weight can be, need research.&nbsp; I think I can make it work, I built a queen sized hanging bed in the last house I was in, and it was a lot of fun, and the kids LOVE it!<br /><br />The second should be easily done.&nbsp; I'm thinking an L shaped, across the passenger side and then down across the back.&nbsp; it would be about 3' wide across the back and across the side.&nbsp; But I have friends with wheelchairs, and I need to make it easy to fold 'up' out of the way, so my WC friends can ramp up and hang out inside with me.<br /><br />Anyways, enough of me chattering on for now.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>I've always been a big fan of the traditional bed across the rear end. I like the look, &amp; I think it's a more efficient use of space, but I have to lay diagonally on one, cuz I'm a tad too tall to lay directly cross-ways.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Pics, pics!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[Les H]

Peacetara, look at my thread, "finally pics of my bus, Buford" for some ideas on a fold up bed. I've since removed it and put in a futon, but if I still had to convert to cargo duty, I would have kept the origional one, it worked well. At 6'0" with no sliding door , and only one rear door,across the back was out for me.

 

[oldsoul]

<p>Thats really cool Tara. Id love to see some pics when you get a chance. Congratulations on your freedom! Peace.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Yay, for you Tara! I vote for the hanging bed! But, just cuz I'm funky like that! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> Enjoy designing your new digs! Really happy for you!

 

[peacetara]

I managed 3 things off of my todo list today!&nbsp; Well, 2.5 really, I'm not quite finished with the electricity thing. Should be finished next week with that tho <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> YAY. <br /><br />The locksmith took 1 look at the lock, ran inside, came back out with a key.&nbsp; SUPER awesome!&nbsp; $10 later, and I have a door that works between the driver and the living area.<br /><br />@wildmountainhoney:&nbsp; LOL! YAY thanks for the sign!&nbsp; The other way to sign congratulations (which is more common out here on the west coast) is to spin your hands up in the air like you are twirling ribbons or something <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I agree, the hanging bed would be funky awesome!&nbsp; I'm just not sure what the weight limits are on the ceiling.&nbsp; something I definitely need to research.&nbsp; It would totally suck to have the roof cave in on me after building!<br /><br /><a href="">Here is my flickr feed</a>, I just posted 4 or 5 pics of my hanging bed in the last house I lived in.&nbsp; Those little people in the pictures are my kids (well 2 of the 4).<br /><br />@les H: What you did is pretty much my thought as well, but I was figuring I'd build a square and then 1 piece diagonal to go underneath the plywood, figure it would be stronger that way, and then build 2 legs for the outside edge, and mounted with some hinges on the inside edge against the wall.&nbsp; Nice bus! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />@oldsoul @SirJoey there are a few pics <a href="/post/a-bus!-5998216">here</a> in the 'classifieds' forum under 'A bus?!?!'.&nbsp; I'll work on more this weekend or next week after I'm a touch more organized, right now everything is kinda strewn everywhere, as I started living in it the same day I got it!

 

[akrvbob]

Are you going to insulate it? If so you should do that before you do anything else. Is it a cargo van? If so it is pretty easy to insulate, because you can see the ribs. On some vans there is no metal over the ribs. If so you can just cut sheets of styrofoam and glue them in-between the ribs and on the roof. If there is metal over the ribs some people buy cans of aerosol expanding foam and squirt it in everywhere they can reach, and then glue styrofoam over it.<br /><br /> I think your best choice is a bed across the back. How wide you build it depends a lot on how tall you are. if you are short enough to sleep straight across, then 36 inches sounds perfect. If you are taller, then making it 48 inches across should let you sleep at a diagonal. I know lots of people who love opening the door on a warm night and looking at the stars, or watching the sunrise in the morning while they are laying in bed. Plus you get all that space for storage under the bed and you can reach it from the back door or from inside. <br /><br />For organizing your stuff, I strongly suggest you consider going to a thrift store and find used desks and chest-of-drawers. You get instant organization and its cheap and looks nice. To keep them from flying around, use "L" brackets to screw it into the wall and the floor. Those vans have very long wheel-wells, but if you look around you should be able to find a desk that will fit over it. I have a friend who has two desks in her extended van and it is just incredible how well organized she is. <br /><br />Also give thought to plastic drawers or shelf units for organization, they work really well. <br /><br />For a chair, your best bet is to find a swivel base for the passenger seat at a junk yard. If you can't find one then I suggest you turn the passenger seat around so it faces backward. All you have to do it unbolt it from its base, turn it around, and bolt it back on. It's really fairly easy. YOU WILL LOVE IT AS A RECLINER!! Plus, you gain all the space in front of the seat for storage. <br /><br />Just some ideas to kick around. Bob

 

[peacetara]

Electricity:<br /><br />I know this shouldn't be the first priority, but I work full time on the Internet, so I MUST have electricity, to charge the laptop and internet stuff, that and I had a little left over from the buy vehicle fund... I don't recommend other people do this first.&nbsp; Insulate, make a bed, do the things Bob says first.<br /><br />So I managed my own solar install (well the panel isn't mounted to the roof, cause I dunno how to do that safely, yet). If I don't learn by the January RTR, hopefully I can learn @ the Solar Howto.<br /><br /><a href="https://secure.flickr.com/photos/peacetara/sets/72157631573624814/with/8006428524/">Pictures are here.<br /></a><br />Anyways, this is what I did.<br /><br />1) Solar Panel: I bought the <a href="http://www.everbrightsolar.net/200w-18v-evergreen-spruce-clone-solar-20018.html">cheapest big solar panel</a> I could find that was in the Bay Area, because I happened to be in the bay area, and shipping is insane. It maybe isn't super fancy name brand, but it seems to work for me.<br /><br />2) Charge Controller: I got it from the same place <a href="http://www.everbrightsolar.net/">Ever Bright Solar</a> The one I ended up with isn't on the website, but it was $80 with all the solar cabling I needed.<br /><br />3) Battery: Walmart, cheapest I could find with a bolt post instead of just the normal battery posts, turns out to be 101 amp hours.<br /><br />Total: $480 (not including any discounts I may have traded for) and maybe 3 hours.&nbsp; This is basically the last of my 'buy van' fund.&nbsp; No more big expensive things from me for a while!<br /><br />The Everbright people were super awesome. Very helpful and friendly, they typed on my laptop for a long time explaining how it all comes together.&nbsp; They unfortunately didn't really know the best way to mount the panel to the roof rack, but they did show me where on the panel I could drill, or screw or whatever it is I end up needing to do.<br /><br />Again, I know electricity shouldn't be a priority, but for me it is a priority, because of my job.

 

[peacetara]

@akrvbob<br /><br />YES! Insulation is the next todo list item for me, I totally agree, and what you are suggesting is exactly my plan.&nbsp; Should get that done next week I hope. I'll have a 'base camp' next week so that will help a lot with what I'm able to do INSIDE the van. All the metal is exposed, I can see the ribs and everything.&nbsp; Since I know I'll have to do construction at some point for a bed and what not, I plan on drawing the ribs onto the styrofoam so that after it's up there, you can see where they are.&nbsp; Or maybe I'll use velcro or something to stick the styrofoam up So I can take it down easily, and see the ribs for later construction.&nbsp; But bed construction will probably be a while.<br /><br />As for storage, the van came with a whole wall of shelving, so I'm just using that.&nbsp; At some point I may decide to take it out and do something different, but for now it stays.<br /><br />I LOVE the chair idea, except I have a big metal wall (with a door) between the front seats and the living area.&nbsp; The door even locks and now I have a key for it! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I have found the metal wall works great as a seat with my bed.&nbsp; the bedding underneath and behind me, and it's pretty comfy.&nbsp; Cooking I do sitting cross legged. At this point I don't want to throw out the wall, it makes me feel safe, and much easier to insulate from all those windows in the front with the wall!

 

[akrvbob]

Tara, My camp isn't all that far from you, you are welcome to come down and we will mount the panel for you. There are 4 of us who mounted our panels on the roof so we have quite a bit of experience.<br /><br />We have the power and tools, all you need to bring is the panel and the mounting hardware.<br /><br />We are in the Sierra NF above Fresno, CA just outside of a little town called Shaver Lake. All we will need is an afternoon to install it. Take 99 to Fresno, then 168 to Shaver Lake, and you are there. Hopefully you can stay for awhile, but if you can't you could get here later in the day, we will mount the panel in the morning, and you could be home that night. According to Google maps its 235 miles and about 4 hours driving.<br /><br />Honestly, you are very welcome!! Bob

 

[akrvbob]

I agree completely about the wall, they are a huge plus! I would insulate the wall also since most of your heat is lost through all the windows up front. It should also prevent most of the fogging up of the front windows in cool weather giving you better stealth.<br /><br />it sounds like you have this all figured out!! Feel free to ask any questions you may have as they come up. Bob

 

[peacetara]

@akrvbob You are absolutely fabulous!&nbsp; What sort of mounting hardware would I need?<br /><br />I'm attaching 2 pictures, 1 on either side of my ladder rack with the panel laying on top. <br /><br />IMG_1530, the picture with the skinny metal piece coming up, is a 'slide' thing.&nbsp; It can slide across the entire square rack.<br /><br />IMG_1529 the big square stock sticking out, is 1 edge of the roof rack.<br /><br />The Solar people said I could drill holes into the side of the panel with no problem. if that helps.&nbsp; There are some holes along the bottom of the panel, but none of them line up with the rack. I was thinking maybe using U-Bolts, thru the bottom of the panel and then around the square roof rack posts.. But I haven't had a chance to research to see if that would be a strong enough connection (nor do I have a drill to make such holes).<br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />Anyways, if you could help me figure out what sort of mounting hardware I need, that would be absolutely fantabulous, and I would love to meet you, and if you are still willing, I'd love to get your help!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[akrvbob]

Here is what I would do if it were me: I would buy a piece of plywood and screw that down into the ladder racks, then I would mount the panel on the plywood. The reason I would do that is the plywood would hide the solar panel to give you more stealth. It would also give you some shade for the roof which should help to keep it cooler. <br /><br />If you go to this page and scroll down you will see how my friend Charlene covered her roof rack with plywood and mounted her panel directly to it. I think it is very stealthy.<br />http://cheaprvliving.com/Charlene.html<br /><br />Go to this page and scroll down and you will see that i did the exact same thing. There is a picture there of my ladder racks with the plywood covering it. The day I took that picture the sun was blazing hot, but my roof was totally in the shade.<br />http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Heat_Cold.html<br /><br />If you do want to do that, you will also need to buy paint to paint the plywood. The sun is terribly destructive to&nbsp; bare wood and would soon destroy it. No big deal, you can paint it before you come to save time, or we can paint it here. You will want multiple coats of paint so allow time for that. you can buy marine grade plywood that won't rot from the sun or rain, but it is very expensive.<br /><br />If you don't want to cover the roof with plywood, that won't be a problem either. I would suggest just bolting 2x4s to the ladder rack and mounting the panel to that. It will be very simple. Go to this blog look at the picture of her van. You will see that she mounted her solar panel right to the ladder rack. I think it stands out and hurts her stealth.<br />http://rvsueandcrew.com/author/rvsueandcrew/<br /><br />We can easily do whatever you want done, i have all the tools and probably a lot of the hardware. <br /><br />I expect to be here until middle to late October, so it has to be before then. Bob

 

[peacetara]

@akrvbob I messaged you privately, and I agree about the plywood, but I think that's out of my budget for now.<br /><br />I happened across a Home depot last night while doing some grocery shopping, so I wandered in and looked at the Styrofoam insulation, thinking I'd price it out and figure out what I needed.&nbsp; a 4' x 8' - 3/4" thick sheet was $7 so I bought a sheet to try it out.&nbsp; I have 1 wall covered now, it's just held up with duct tape at this point, I&nbsp; just wanted to get a feel for it all. I have already noticed an improvement, it was down to the mid 40's last night, and I was comfortable enough. Very cozy in my bedding, it was getting out of my nest in the morning that was no fun!<br /><br />Today I'm parked out at the beach, working, it's a great day for the beach! Tonight I'm headed back towards the kids, I have kid duty next week. I can't wait to see them again, I miss them terribly.&nbsp; Probably won't get much done next week with the van, but at least I can finish moving my stuff in, and maybe convince the kids to draw and paint all over that 1 piece of insulation I do have!<br /><br />As a side note, my 1 measly little battery is fully charged by 11AM every day, so that solar panel sure does work!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Thanks for documenting this all!&nbsp; I have a similar van (not quite as long) that i will be getting later, so i love absorbing this all.&nbsp; I like that metal shelving, it looks like there is room behind it for insulation too.&nbsp;&nbsp; You mentioned being able to get a wheel chair in there, You could probably do across the back, split the bed in two, and each side of it could fold up on the sides (folding support legs).&nbsp; Folding the side down on the side with shelves could double as a desk or table (cushion removable) when you don't need the whole back accessible (or make that side stationary, and the fold down opposite connect), you probably only need half to slide a chair in, since you have the shelves toward the front blocking half anyway).<br /><br />Id seen a similar sorta thing somewhere, maybe i can refind it....

 

[peacetara]

Hi DazarGaidan, That is what I was thinking.. I was thinking a giant L along the back and the side without the shelves.&nbsp; The side and 1/2 the back would fold up (after taking out the cushions) is the plan. <br />But that is for a long time away.<br /><br />But maybe your 'table' idea is a good one!&nbsp; Must think about all this for a while.<br /><br />Right now, My plan is to get the solar mounted thanks @akrvbob for offering to help! and get insulation finished.&nbsp; Today I took everything out, including the shelves, and scrubbed the van pretty good.&nbsp; I got about 1/2 done scrubbing before nightfall.&nbsp; The van has had a grease smell the past week, and I've been doing a little bit every night, but I finally went back behind the shelves, and I finished taking out the greasy gross flooring that was under the shelving.&nbsp; I had a 12 and 6 year old helping <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Just like you said, I took my 1 piece of insulation I do have and put it behind the shelves, since I had them out already.&nbsp; They are pretty hefty, but I love having them, instant organization.&nbsp; The shelves aren't completely clean, but all the junk back behind the shelves got scrubbed, so now it's just the shelves themselves.&nbsp; So far all I smell is cleaning chemicals (even after airing it all out), but hopefully the grease smell is all gone now, I'll know tomorrow night I imagine.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Sweet.&nbsp; Crack da whip on those little buggers <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I got a gaggle of nephews and nieces and they help me out too sometimes, its good for em.&nbsp; Looks like you are really getting it together there <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> <br /><br />Don't forget floor insulation too...

 

[peacetara]

So the other day I found out that the E-350 has a spot for a second battery right under the sliding door on the passenger side (mounted to the frame).&nbsp; There was no battery in it, so I decided, that's a perfect place for my house battery (and it's not a sealed battery, so outside is better than inside anyway).&nbsp; So I rewired the solar, and the house battery is now in the box outside mounted to the frame, YAY!&nbsp; 1 less thing taking up space on the inside <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Tomorrow I'm working on insulation.&nbsp; I believe I have enough to do the roof and the other wall, with enough left over to make sure I have stuff for the windows, as an option for when I'm not driving.<br /><br />So far I'm $40 into my insulation job, money well spent.<br /><br />This is the plan anyway.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Pictures please!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[cedric]

Hi<br />I am curious what your solar panel is rated for watts and amps.<br />Your battery fully charged by 11am. What do you run on the batteries before charging it back up.<br /><br />I am new here and trying to figure out what kind of panel you need to run what appliances with how many batteries. I would like to have a 12v light, small TV. dvd, laptop, cell phone, kindle, small 12v fan? How many batteries do you need for that?<br /><br />thanks