planning to retire in 2 more years

[Mark117]

I'm planning to retire in 2 more years and I'm saving up for a Toyota Prius so I could live in it. I will be pulling out passenger and back seats. Any suggestions on what I should start buying for inside of car that might help me out.

 

[bullfrog]

You can run up to a 1500 watt inverter off the small battery or a 3000 watt inverter off the big battery I believe. Using a small 120 volt AC ceramic heater plugged into the inverter to heat with keeps the cars engine from having to run so much on cold nights to heat the interior. It will come on only to keep the battery charged and run much less. Prius Off Road has 1 1/2” spacers for the suspension but if new I would wait until out of warranty and run the 1500 watt inverter as it can be installed/uninstalled easily. There are plenty of Bob’s videos on people living in a Prius you should watch as well.

 

[landyachtman]

Welcome 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.

 

[crofter]

Welcome to the forum!

Here is a link to youtube on Prius dwelling from someone who has been doing it for a while. 
-crofter

 

[nature lover]

What should you start buying to live in A vehicle? As little as possible. Money in the bank is peace of mind on the road. It will happen you will need to hit the emergency fun someday. So First make a list of the things you Gotta do. #1 you’ve got to eat, #2 you’ve got to sleep, #3 you got to poop and P. Then make a list of the things you want to do. these can be put off until you have enough saved for an emergency fund and then you buy those things. And with a Prius your space is limited so it would be best do you be on the road for a while and see what you really do and what you can do without. #1For eating thrift stores are full of $.25 forks and spoons, $.50 cooking pans etc. the stove will be a major purchase but craigslist and Facebook marketplace often have such things for you. Check them out that there’s no leaks in the gas system. I wouldn’t recommend one of the old liquid gas pump stoves of yesteryear. But Coleman propane stoves are just about indestructible. You don’t need fancy bottles for water. Walmart sells purified water and spring water for less than a dollar a gallon. A simple milk crate is designed to hold for those jugs. Not knowing what you’re eating style is can’t give you advice on that food exactly but Bob has information on YouTube. #2 Then for sleeping thrift stores again blankets, exercise pads, cots and mattresses - you might have to look for a couple of months but they do come up on craigslist etc. also. #3 Then the pooping in peeing you didn’t mention your gender and that can make a difference. Believe it or not Bob has videos specifically on this subject. The famous 5 gallon bucket is the way to go. 5 gallon is obviously bigger than needed but we older people can’t get up and down as far as others. smaller buckets work too. For a while I had a 5 gallon bucket in the bottom I kept sTP and other things needed and then put a smaller bucket with the bag and for number two on top of those things. Also the pipe insulation foam they make fits right around the lip to make it more comfortable seat. There are several companies that make a seat and lid that fit a 5 gallon bucket. I went to the next step in my new rig I built myself a wooden party cabinet with a shelf that holds a smaller bucket 5 quarts and underneath storage for TP cleaning supplies etc. As a man I pee in a jug and poop in a bag in a bucket, it works. They also make a device for women that’s sort of a custom shaped funnel so you can P in a jug too. But I gave you the best advice in the beginning don’t spend more than you have to. To put it another way plan the cheapest way to meet these needs then as you have the money you can make them more “comfortable”

Sorry I didn’t mean to write a book. Best of luck to you hope to see you on the road.

 

[maki2]

When you start buying stuff it makes you feel like you are taking important steps towards your goa. But 2vyears in advance is the time to make list and focus on learning more. It is the time to take more weekend trips. Buying things shouldvwait until after you get some of those weekend trips happening. You will need a lot less than you think. Everone is a little different when it comes to comfort levels and what they think is essential to take along.  But a good nights sleep is essential to us all and it comes first for those weekend excursions. You can also make some privacy window coverings as a start.

 

[Mark117]

What should you start buying to live in A vehicle? As little as possible. Money in the bank is peace of mind on the road. .... To put it another way plan the cheapest way to meet these needs then as you have the money you can make them more “comfortable”
Sorry I didn’t mean to write a book. Best of luck to you hope to see you on the road.

Thank you Nature Lover for the book it real helps.

 

[Mark117]

I just want to say THANK YOU EVERYBODY! for the advice. I cant wait to get out on the road. I've lived out of my backpack 4 months out of the year for 7 years to be among the homeless and I learned so much. So getting a car and converting it so I could live and travel, Man I cant wait.

 

[maki2]

If you have been living out of a backpack forv4 months of the year you can teach others here lessons about what minimdalist really is all about. No worries you are aleady prepaed for car living. A prius will feel like living in a castle to you.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums  

You've found a great place to find what you are looking for.

I would offer you to check out the two links below now while you are learning and planning.