trying to get into a mobile health bunker

[sunworshipper]

Hello!

I'm dealing with some chronic and somewhat mysterious health problems and am looking to get into some kind of rig to follow the sun as I do best health-wise where it is warm and sunny. I'm on social security disability and am in my 30s. Due to various life factors I tried moving to the Northwest this December and my health really declined, so I'm kind of improvising at the moment -- currently staying with family in southern Utah but I can't stay here long term. I'm traveling with my girlfriend who is also on disability for other chronic and mysterious issues (we're so compatible) so I'm trying to figure out what would realistically be doable for the two of us.

I'd love to buy a blank slate high top cargo van and go to town building it out but I don't think that's an option for me realistically in my current situation (health-wise, no tools, no where to work on it). So I've mainly been looking at Class B's, but my max budget is about $10k and so far the rigs that come up at that price point or below look pretty risky in terms of age, mileage, and condition (rust! so much rust!). I might consider a really compact Class C but hours of Bob's videos have put the fear of God into me about the dubious build quality of the stick built variety that are most common. Plus we're both kind of intimidated by driving a bigger rig.

Nice to be here with you all and look forward to hanging around such knowledgeable folk.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums sunworshipper! Have you considered a no-build design? Use a cot frame and foam mattress for your bed and plastic drawer units for storage. People have also found small desks or chests of drawers at thrift stores that work well for storage and counter space.

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 community sunworshipper!!  When you are choosing your rig, the main thing is to start out in what you have. You will learn what you absolutely must have, and then can tailor your vehicle search. In winter, staying warm enough in freezing weather is a task you must address. Even in southern Arizona, freezing temperatures have been reported this winter. The good news is that on this site are many people posting about how they are living in their vehicle in todays conditions. 

I knew one person who lived and travelled in a very old Toyota Dolphin camper. I don't think she spent much on it, and it worked well for her with lots of space and all the bells and whistles. No need for a build out in that. I started out in a 4X4 pickup with topper where I worked out things like food storage, getting a stove setup, how to take a basin bath, is stealth possible in a pickup camper (No). Then I graduated to a used cargo van which I built out for $750, and used many items from the pickup camper to furnish it. Just a few ideas for you.   ~crofter

 

[maki2]

Full size van are truly are much easier to drive than you think. An easy way to find out is to rent a Uhaul van for a few hours. The unknown experience in this case is far more scary than the actual experience. You will be nervous at first when you get in but that wears of very quickly. They have power steering and nice big mirrors on the sides. You can always add in a backup camera to your own van for extra visibility behind you.

I fully understand about the chronic health issues. I have been living with that since the early 1980s.

Buy a no frills van. Get it set up with a basic bed and some campsite type of cooking equipment, some type of toilet and water storage and a way to keep food cold. Milk crates make easy to use shelving if you tie wrap them together. The first project would likely be to put in some plywood for a level floor if the van does not come with that. Drill motor/screwdriver, a jigsaw, tape measure are useful need for that job. You can do a whole build with those tools. The majority of the straight cuts in the plywood, except for fitting around the wheel wells, can be done by the lumberyard or stores such as Home Depot.

You can then take your time and do small projects for buildings cabinets later if you wish to. It does not require a lot of tools or skills. Join a caravan or two or sign up for a van build. You can find mentors while out on the road who will help you out with getting the build done. Everything does not have to completely finished before you start living in the van. If fact it is much more budget friendly to do it over time with materials you find at bargain prices or even get donated to you. You and your girlfriend will have a fun time gaining new skills while you are out there having new adventures. Skills such as starting with simple electrical hookups and then eventually expanding that skill set.

Don't have a lot of power tools and no place to plug in power tools? No problem, you can learn to saw wood by hand. Just watch this video for how to quickly and easily make nicely controlled cuts with hand saws.
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-woodwrights-shop-sawing-secrets/

 

[sunworshipper]

Wow maki that makes a lot of sense and is exactly the kind of guidance I was hoping for! Thank you! I'm going to begin focusing my search on a solid cargo van somewhere in the southwest.

 

[Almost There]

Welcome to the forum!

When you're looking for a cargo van, keep in mind that a high top can be added later. It's so much  more important that the body and engine be in the best shape for the money than anything else.

The 'experts' here will be more than willing to toss in their opinions on any vans you're looking at - just post the link and you'll get a good share of yea's or nay's.

Also be patient as you can be when shopping for a van. It took me 6 months of diligent searching to find mine! i know you want on the road RIGHT NOW but better to be a little patient than sorry later!