Vandwelling with a dog and a cat

[Guest]

Hi there, I'm looking to by a van and convert it. The van I'm looking into right now is a 97 Aerostar cargo van. Knowing next to nothing about vehicles the van has 330k km on it, and is rusting a bit at the bottom edge on one side, but it is in my price range and not much else is. I have an out of province friend who could take a look at it once it's bought, but I'd have to take that risk. It's on a used car dealer lot and comes with a 30 day warranty. For now and the next while once I buy a van I can build in it while living off my buddy's property under a tree including bathroom privileges. But eventually I'd like the van to be self-sufficient enough I can move from place to place. Heat is my main concern right now. I have always been good with small tricks to keeping any vehicle cool (I've had to live in my car before with my dog and cat), but to live for a long period of time, I need to do some serious work. I don't know when in the future I would be able to afford solar paneling. I was looking at solar powered rv roof vents for starters. Anyone have any experience with these? With current bathroom privileges all I'm really looking to build is a raised bed with storage underneath, and a wall of shelving and a bit of a counter top and more overhead storage if I can manage. I could open up the back doors and do some propane cooking outside. I would plan on removing the passenger seat for more space. Any help or advice very much appreciated. As a side note, and some heart to heart, I am nervous least of all for myself, but for my dog and cat which are my family, but I'm running out of options. I'm a student and I work part-time. On school days I can park them in the school's underground lot where it is cool. My workplace is in the same town but I can't imagine leaving them in the lot alone when I'm not just a couple storeys above them. I would be too afraid someone would find them out when I'm not around. For now while I live on my friend's property it is heavily shaded so I feel if I can manage to keep the van cool for long hours I would much rather leave them there. Staying in school to get my degree in the long run is going to be our best bet, but I'm not sure I can keep my current job if I can't keep my pets safe while I am away. EDIT: If I pick up a graveyard job I would be much more comfortable leaving my pets in the van during the night when it is cool then sleeping with them during the day.

 

[my_vantasy]

Hello and welcome!  I can't help you with your prospective van, but I do have some insight into your pet concerns.  I posted a topic, "Traditional job, full-time van living and pets" back in March and got some great ideas.  There is an even older topic, "Pets and Stealth" which has good advice.  Both are in the "Traveling with Pets" forum. 

 

[squirbel]

I have tried clicking on that forum topic and it always leads me to a white screen. That is one i really want to read!! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

The traditional job post...

https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Traditional-job-fulltime-van-living-and-pets-6249017

 

[twokniveskatie]

It's working for me. Is anybody else having the same problem?

 

[squirbel]

If it isn't giving anyone else trouble I would appreciate someone screenshotting the thread so that I can read the information. Just inbox the images to me at squirbel at gmail.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

@katie:&nbsp; No problem<br><br>@squirbel: Sent<br><br><br><br>OP:&nbsp; That is a lot of km unless its a diesel.&nbsp; I had a voyager with 333km on it, and it was one problem after another.&nbsp; But if thats what all you can afford, then i guess the decision is made.&nbsp; It was the same for me, I paid only 500 for it and used it 2 years, so it was worth it i suppose even with about that much in repairs over the 2 years. &nbsp; Just be prepared to put some money aside for repairs as soon as you can.<br><br>With only a 30 day warranty (pretty much none at all), is it really a value to get it thru a dealer?&nbsp; Private sellers usually are cheaper, and really the only reason to go thru a dealer is a warranty, and maybe speed of sale.<br><br>The solar roof vents have gotten some negative reviews, but they probably aren't all built the same.&nbsp;&nbsp; Any roof vent is probably an improvement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I bought a nice fantastic fan vent for mine, but dont have the fan hooked up to power yet and just having the thing open makes a difference.&nbsp; <br><br>As for heat, a little insulation (i have insulated my large cargo van for 46 dollars styropanels + 10 duct tape), add a mr buddy propane heater ($75) and you should be cozy.&nbsp; Or do what i think Willy said, insulate and use your pets and a sleeping bag for heaters <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; The insulation helps with heat as well....my cargo van got so hot before that it exploded the spare tire, but now even with the windshield left uncovered its still tolerable in there on an 85 degree day.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Do what I do and get a really skookum 12v (up to 24v) computer fan and have hooked up DIRECTLY to your solar before the charge regulator. Can put a switch on to shut it off.. and the rest of the time it's automatic. ..Willy.&nbsp;

 

[squirbel]

<div style="text-align: left;">Got it, thanks!</div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

thanks DG!<br>squirbel: i would still like to know what the problem was. does it happen on any other threads?<br><br><br>

 

[blkjak]

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak</strong> </span>

 

[squirbel]

Katie: no, it does not happen with any other thread. And I think I've read every thread this forum has to offer.

 

[Guest]

Thanks so much guys, I'm so happy a forum like this exists... so as an update, a new van has popped up on my radar today, the day I am going out to see both and come back with something or struggle again for a time. It is a '95 Chevy cargo van. The interior is bare, and I'm so overwhelmed by things like insulation and paneling. I know I can build a basic frame for myself, bed, shelving, a coutertop (nothing fancy, this is all I need for now). I was browsing the entire forum and was really happy when I found many posts of people living with not just their dogs but with cats as well. I am happy to find they can make good vandwelling companions! I have been struggling with anxiety and the stress of having relatives look down on me for abusing my animals. Once I have a van I will post more, because I have so many questions about insulation, I know it is important to keep the van cool and not like a metal oven. If any vent is better than no vent I may just go with a solar panel vent after all (as I will have no other electrical option I'm thinking), but also a floor vent if possible unless anyone has any objections. I don't know how any of this will work around the insulation and paneling. Does anyone know of a tutorial or video that can give me an idea of converting from a bare-bones cargo van? I found this one http://tinycamper.wordpress.com/from-cargo-to-camper-van/ but still continue to be confused about the insulation and paneling. I have an idea I would base the insulation with reflectix or another heat retardant (could use some help here), then use the silver foil bubble wrap insulation kind over top and secure it all with duct tape. But how to cut and place boards over that? Do I even need to at that point? It all seems easier and more manageable if I don't, or at most cover with vinyl sheet? For the floor I would cover with (after insulation) plywood first and then those interlocking rubber tiles (or perhaps not even then). I know I will buy some blackout fabric and fashion curtains from that for the rear and door windows, and also make the partition a blackout curtain. I will use a windshield sun shade and park facing the sun when I do. If any part of this sounds silly I wouldn't be surprised, I have next to know idea what I'm doing. I'm also confused as to securing the frame for the bed/shelving/counter area. Do I build this frame first to attach it to the skeleton of the van, then work the insulation and flooring around that, or is free-standing furniture inside of the insulation and flooring workable in a cargo van. Keeping in mind that on the road my animals will be in the back, and my first priority is their safety, always. Speaking of which, both my dog and cat are extraordinary travelers, but I picked up some ground ginger the other day in preparation for life moving from place to place. This is now me giving advice! It is a good staple to have for motion sickness, easy enough to sprinkle on a dog or cats food. I also have some rescue remedy, but have never used it, though perhaps when the time comes for me to safely leave the van for times, I will start to help with the transition. I am confident I can pick up a graveyard shift somewhere in the area, and resumes are going out first thing Tuesday morning. If I wasn't so stressed due to the safety of my animals (whether it is overkill or not doesn't matter, I have always had issues with anxiety), I might be able to see the silver lining. Less time commuting means more time spent with my animals and they will always be right outside whichever door I happen to be in (work or school). More time spent and the ability to travel means getting out more with my dog (which will make him infinitely happy). Swapping rent for insurance and gas may end up costing me the same amount, but I am used to living paycheck to paycheck (though a good reason vet insurance is included in that budget, expensive in the short hand or no, I spend $50 a month for insurance including both my pets, and in an accident requiring $5,000, I would only pay $1,500). I made an experimental budget: Insurance $150, Gas $250, Food $200, Pet food/litter $150 (I feed high quality kibble, used to do raw but no more freezer), Cell phone $50, Vet insurance $50, Total $850 (CDN). It's affordable for me, anyways.

 

[Guest]

I just found this thread https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Grandmas-Chevy-Cargo-Van-Conversion-to-a-Simple-Camper-Van-6014225? and plan to copy that insulation plan with bubblewrap, reflectix and carpet (there is hundreds of square feet of carpet on the free section on Craigslist). Except then I was stuck with what to do with the floor, and I was thinking, why insulate the floor? An obvious reason is to completely barricade the vehicle from cold for winter, but wouldn't it be that because I want to keep the van cool for summer (and will use blankets and warm animal bodies to keep warm in winter), it would be a good idea to leave the floor alone? Keeping the floor cool? This would also mean I could install a floor vent without too much trouble, as I would leave the floor bare with just a rubber liner (if I can find one to size, which I can't seem to do). Correct me if I'm wrong, and if so, with what materials would I use to insulate the floor?<br><br>It is getting harder and harder for me versus the sad and sorry eyes and even hostility I receive from knowing relatives (mainly parents). A trusted friend is understanding and even supportive. How does everyone else deal with this stress?

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Basically.. I just don't give a damn.&nbsp;

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

@ardisco&nbsp; Every six sentences or so, put a paragraph break by hitting enter twice <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; It will make reading much easier.&nbsp; <br><br>I like grandmas conversion, it is a very good idea of what to do from start to finish.&nbsp; <br><br>For insulation, you just tape it in between the ribs.&nbsp; I used foam board instead of reflectix, so it mostly wedges in there.&nbsp; I used tape where ever 2 peiece met or if i made a piece a lil to small that it didnt wedge.&nbsp; You dont have to cover it with paneling, but most people do because shiny foil or ugly plastic might drive you nuts looking at it day in and out <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; You can always panel at the end or later if you need to save bucks now...you just cut it around stuff.&nbsp; <br><br>You can attach things like paneling or furniture to the metal ribs (but never the shell/skin of the van) with self tapping metal screws directly or anchor with L brackets to the floor.&nbsp; As i mentioned in another thread, you will need some type of flooring in there because the little groves in the floor are painful, at least in my van.<br><br><br>As for the stress of what others think, i just remember that in the grand scheme of things, it is my life not theirs.&nbsp; Its something i decided i needed to do for myself and so I am going to do it.&nbsp; Im the one that has to live with the joy or regret of doing it, and besides, its not like I cant change my mind after trying and going back to 'regular' life....probably with more money and interesting experiences in my pocket.

 

[sassypickins]

@ardisco - Hi there.&nbsp; I just wanted to say glad you found this forum and I hope you're doing ok with getting the living situation manageable for you and your pets while you are in school.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You mentioned a floor vent. I would think that is a very, very bad idea. If your exhaust system develops any leaks - and sooner or later it will! - holes in the floor WILL allow deadly gas to enter your interior space!

Regards
John