Hey folks,
Last night my ladyfriend and I decided that at the end of next year, we are going to finally hit the road full time. I am a certified computer tech (A+ and MCSA), so finding temp work shouldn't be *too* hard, but I have other skills relating to nutrition, pet care, yard work, etc.
She is going to Masseuse school later this year, and should be done mid next year. That gives us half a year to save and buy an Extended high Top (prefer Mega top) Sprinter, and build it out. Below I have some Design ideas I would like to go over with the pros and see what you think. These are all done in Excel, and I have standardized the coloring across all designs.
Note the BROWN line going around the entire side of the van--that is an extra inch NOT INCLUDING the panels already on the van. There is 71" cargo space inside a Sprinter, and I am utilizing 69" as livable due to an extra inch on the edges (probably for sound deadening and extra insulation.)
The images are pretty big, so I have linked them at the bottom of the page. You can open them up and then zoom in for a much larger diagram. Lets go over the images in order:
1.) This is my latest and possibly favorite design. It encompasses all the amenities I may need, and it partitions the "bridge" from the rest of the unit. I particularly like this design because I'm 6'4, and the shower in the middle gives me the maximum standing space.
The toilet pushes under the upper wardrobe for more shower room, and the shower head detaches and is a sprayer (like a garden hose) that you can turn on and off to save water.
Underneath the shower head, there's a pull-out bench with legs that can be used to sit on during a shower or otherwise. Once that bench is pulled up, you have a kitty-box (yes, we plan on bringing a cat) that will be pulled out when the bathroom is not in use. Keeping it here is ideal, as when the cat leaves the box, the littler particles land on the shower floor (which will have a custom draining system) which will be washed away with the shower water, and won't (hopefully) enter the main living area.
It contains front and back sliding doors to help insulate and sound deaden. The garage is just big enough to house a scooter or mountain bikes width wise for travel outside of the van.
The bed has a pull-up bottom side which extends it to 3'5", *just* big enough for two people our size (pretty thin). The backing to the bed has pull-down ends to which you can use as a side table, yet has plenty of cushion for anyone sitting there.
The orange counter tops provide ample space for work-top, counter-top and storage space. It has a TV mounted to the wall just above the desk-space, which is separated (by a low-wall) from the kitchenette. There is a raising partition (like a banker counter) just before the garage to make use of more space.
The electric system will be stored underneath the bed, which will lift up from the front. There is a lot of space under there, and I intend to use it all. To balance all the weight that will be on that side, the water tanks will be on the other side of the van (underneath, obviously).
The other design has this same general information, so less description below.
2.) This is the second-to-last design I created. It allows for two passengers in the back seat, which I recently decided I wouldn't need. If I do, they can sit in the living area of another design. It has a smaller garage to allow more space, much less wardrobe space (which I may need more!) and smaller counter space. It also doesn't allow the use for a cat, so I may decide against this design. It is a bit smaller at 144" length wise. THE PIC SAYS 185 BUT IT IS 144. Each square in Excel is 1 inch.
I will be using a lot of cheaper materials for the woodworking, like newer pallets I find behind stores (that are being trashed, of course) and discounted wood at Lowes or Home Depot. I plan on using a "white-board paint" on the walls (the office I work in uses this, and it makes it water-resistant and it gleams!)
Using a lot of low-watt LED lights with (possibly) a timer/sensor for power savings. I will be using strip lighting to line the underside of cabinets and overside as well, so it gets an even glow all the way around.
I got a lot of inspiration from Mercedes' new camper van concept they showed last year, shown in image 3. I love the lighting system they used, and will try to mimic it as best as possible, and I love the white entirely.
I am unsure as to whether or not I want a 3500 or 2500, but I think Mega Top roofs come in 3500 flavor only, so I think I will get that one... If I can ever find a mega roof for sale. :dodgy: Also I need a 2007 year or later so I can add in the secondary Alternator, and make sure the alternator's are pushing out 400 amps combined. I plan to have at least 400ah 12v in battery power (probably four 400ah 3v batteries, or four 100ah 12v batteries, whichever is cheaper), and complementing with solar and wind generators.
So there it is. My current plans for living in a van at the end of 2015. I am hoping by then they will have better Solar capable panels to help trickle charge my batteries, but if not, oh well. I'd rather use the engine to charge the batteries with the secondary alternator, as I will be travelling a LOT, and don't plan on using more than 45% battery power at any given time.
Any ideas? Thoughts? Questions?
And yes, I think Excel is a GREAT tool for creating floor plans! (I also plan on lining the ceiling edges with shelving!)
Last night my ladyfriend and I decided that at the end of next year, we are going to finally hit the road full time. I am a certified computer tech (A+ and MCSA), so finding temp work shouldn't be *too* hard, but I have other skills relating to nutrition, pet care, yard work, etc.
She is going to Masseuse school later this year, and should be done mid next year. That gives us half a year to save and buy an Extended high Top (prefer Mega top) Sprinter, and build it out. Below I have some Design ideas I would like to go over with the pros and see what you think. These are all done in Excel, and I have standardized the coloring across all designs.
Note the BROWN line going around the entire side of the van--that is an extra inch NOT INCLUDING the panels already on the van. There is 71" cargo space inside a Sprinter, and I am utilizing 69" as livable due to an extra inch on the edges (probably for sound deadening and extra insulation.)
The images are pretty big, so I have linked them at the bottom of the page. You can open them up and then zoom in for a much larger diagram. Lets go over the images in order:
1.) This is my latest and possibly favorite design. It encompasses all the amenities I may need, and it partitions the "bridge" from the rest of the unit. I particularly like this design because I'm 6'4, and the shower in the middle gives me the maximum standing space.
The toilet pushes under the upper wardrobe for more shower room, and the shower head detaches and is a sprayer (like a garden hose) that you can turn on and off to save water.
Underneath the shower head, there's a pull-out bench with legs that can be used to sit on during a shower or otherwise. Once that bench is pulled up, you have a kitty-box (yes, we plan on bringing a cat) that will be pulled out when the bathroom is not in use. Keeping it here is ideal, as when the cat leaves the box, the littler particles land on the shower floor (which will have a custom draining system) which will be washed away with the shower water, and won't (hopefully) enter the main living area.
It contains front and back sliding doors to help insulate and sound deaden. The garage is just big enough to house a scooter or mountain bikes width wise for travel outside of the van.
The bed has a pull-up bottom side which extends it to 3'5", *just* big enough for two people our size (pretty thin). The backing to the bed has pull-down ends to which you can use as a side table, yet has plenty of cushion for anyone sitting there.
The orange counter tops provide ample space for work-top, counter-top and storage space. It has a TV mounted to the wall just above the desk-space, which is separated (by a low-wall) from the kitchenette. There is a raising partition (like a banker counter) just before the garage to make use of more space.
The electric system will be stored underneath the bed, which will lift up from the front. There is a lot of space under there, and I intend to use it all. To balance all the weight that will be on that side, the water tanks will be on the other side of the van (underneath, obviously).
The other design has this same general information, so less description below.
2.) This is the second-to-last design I created. It allows for two passengers in the back seat, which I recently decided I wouldn't need. If I do, they can sit in the living area of another design. It has a smaller garage to allow more space, much less wardrobe space (which I may need more!) and smaller counter space. It also doesn't allow the use for a cat, so I may decide against this design. It is a bit smaller at 144" length wise. THE PIC SAYS 185 BUT IT IS 144. Each square in Excel is 1 inch.
I will be using a lot of cheaper materials for the woodworking, like newer pallets I find behind stores (that are being trashed, of course) and discounted wood at Lowes or Home Depot. I plan on using a "white-board paint" on the walls (the office I work in uses this, and it makes it water-resistant and it gleams!)
Using a lot of low-watt LED lights with (possibly) a timer/sensor for power savings. I will be using strip lighting to line the underside of cabinets and overside as well, so it gets an even glow all the way around.
I got a lot of inspiration from Mercedes' new camper van concept they showed last year, shown in image 3. I love the lighting system they used, and will try to mimic it as best as possible, and I love the white entirely.
I am unsure as to whether or not I want a 3500 or 2500, but I think Mega Top roofs come in 3500 flavor only, so I think I will get that one... If I can ever find a mega roof for sale. :dodgy: Also I need a 2007 year or later so I can add in the secondary Alternator, and make sure the alternator's are pushing out 400 amps combined. I plan to have at least 400ah 12v in battery power (probably four 400ah 3v batteries, or four 100ah 12v batteries, whichever is cheaper), and complementing with solar and wind generators.
So there it is. My current plans for living in a van at the end of 2015. I am hoping by then they will have better Solar capable panels to help trickle charge my batteries, but if not, oh well. I'd rather use the engine to charge the batteries with the secondary alternator, as I will be travelling a LOT, and don't plan on using more than 45% battery power at any given time.
Any ideas? Thoughts? Questions?
And yes, I think Excel is a GREAT tool for creating floor plans! (I also plan on lining the ceiling edges with shelving!)
