Van Dwelling in Florida

[FloridaNomad]

Hello, my name is Ron. I am 55 and recently divorced. Kids are in college and the company I worked for for 10 years just went out of business. Time for a new phase in my life. I love Florida and want to really explore it. I bought an old E150 with a 4.9 I6 engine. I am kind of starting on a shoe string because I just paid for all 4 years of my twins college. I will need to make some money until I turn 59 1/2 and can tap my 401k and IRA. I bought a laptop, a couple of fans and changed my interior lighting to LED. The back of the van is totally ripped out to bare walls. I am looking for ideas and suggestions on how to fix it up, but in no real hurry. All I need are my tools, clothes and a mattress.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Ron 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.

highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

Greetings Ron and welcome to the CRVL forums  

I started my Nomading long ago in an old Econoline (my profile)  If you are wanting ideas let me invite you to view my 
websites below in my signature line.  Being in Florida, painting the roof of your Van white may be a good start if it isn't already a white van 

 

[michaelwnoakes]

Bob Wells has a real good video on YouTube about doing a basic easy van build. I used a couple of aspects of his build in my caravan and have been very pleased with the results.

 

[SheketEchad]

Welcome! I second eDJ - get some white on that roof! I'm a relocated FL native - it's hot there; however, most always a good breeze. Park in the shade and open up, if you can handle interior temps of 85-90 you should be okay. Hydrate

 

[GypsyJan]

I plan to be a snow bird: Florida Nov to April, then head NE the St. Lawrence Seaway shores for the hot months.

 

[FloridaNomad]

Welcome!  I second eDJ - get some white on that roof! I'm a relocated FL native - it's hot there; however, most always a good breeze.  Park in the shade and open up, if you can handle interior temps of 85-90 you should be okay.  Hydrate

The whole van is white. I have lived in Florida for 20 years, I am not crazy enough to own a dark vehicle here LOL

 

[FloridaNomad]

Greetings Ron and welcome to the CRVL forums  

I started my Nomading long ago in an old Econoline (my profile)  If you are wanting ideas let me invite you to view my 
websites below in my signature line.  Being in Florida, painting the roof of your Van white may be a good start if it isn't already a white van 

Where did you get the louvers for your rear windows? I have had no luck finding them.  

 

[FloridaNomad]

I don't see anyway to edit posts. I did find some louvers for the van, but at $120-$150 a pair, they fail the CBA(cost benefit analysis) test IMO. I was already planning on re-purposing some curtains and adding some static film tint.

What I am looking for is some fitted screens for the front door windows. Right now, the only thing that comes to mind is cutting up some normal screen and using magnets to hold those in place.

 

[B and C]

No easy way for front windows screens that I have seen. I got my sister to sew screens to my pattern and stick them on the outside of the window. Being on the outside of the door frame turned out to be a benefit. The moseys are on the outside of where the window rolls up. If the screens were on the inside, the moseys would be too when I rolled the windows up (and took down the screen).

Edit to add: there is a 15 minute window where you can edit posts.

 

[FloridaNomad]

15 minutes? Ok cool.
Having the screens on the outside, aren't you worried that someone might snatch them off while you sleep? I am planning to boondock at Wal-Marts and the like as I roam around Florida. So, would't stealth also be out the window? I was thinking about just cracking the windows a couple of inches without getting eaten up.

 

[B and C]

They just look like a dark window from a distance. Stealing? They would need to be in a vehicle like yours for them to be of any use.

Make a template of the opening when the window is at the height you want them to be. Make a template to ft it. Get a small piece of 1/4 inch plywood and cut to template size. Cut out the center part leaving a good sized "frame". Attach the screen to that. Stick in window and roll up to hold in place.

 

[michaelwnoakes]

I suspend a mosquito net (designed to drape over a sleeping bag) that I got on Amazon inside my caravan. With my windows cracked open enough to get a cross breeze, nobody can see it.

 

[SheketEchad]

The whole van is white. I have lived in Florida for 20 years, I am not crazy enough to own a dark vehicle here LOL

Ah, okay, lol!  I'm a native, but ran away when I was 40.  I'm heading down to visit Nov-Dec -ish, haven't decided when I'll return home.  My van is NOT white, so I'll be availing myself of the shade around and about family's homes.

 

[Cammalu]

That’s easy return home when the weather gets warm [emoji16]