Where to get experience converting vehicles?

[WannaBeVanDweller]

I've been lurking on this forum for a while but this is my first post.<br><br>I would like to learn how to convert a regular van into camper van, but I've never been the "handy man" type (and I'm female, just to clarify.) I have some funds with which I could purchase a used van like an old Ford E-series. My problem would be that once I have it, I would have NO IDEA what I would need to do it and in what order to get it ready to live in.<br><br>Are there any books or good resources anyone can recommend that might provide decent step by step instructions on the conversion process?&nbsp;Hands on experience would be ideal but I don't know anyone who does this kind of stuff. Would it be weird to call up a local RV place to see if I could volunteer some time?&nbsp;

 

[DarthMuerte]

I don't know where you live, but if you are in or near central Florida try to get a job a Wheeled Coach in Winter Park FL. They build ambulances and you can learn a lot working there. If I were looking to go back into the ambulance industry, I would work for them. Honestly though, if you are even remotely handy you could learn by just doing it. An expert is someone who has made every possible mistake in his field and learned from them.

 

[Lostinspace]

Welcome to the forum. Just ask questions. Figure out how you want to sleep. Build the bed. Then build storage with a stove top of some sort. It can be as simple as hitting Ikea and picking up what you need. Or build everything yourself. As simple as a camping cooktop from Walmart. Figure out what you must have, your budget and the vehicle you have to work with. Look other people's solutions to van dwelling, how they fitted out their vehicle. Or maybe you have enough coins to get a used RV. Visit the next van dwelling group meeting near you. The RTR. Meet going on now is a great resource, quartzite, AZ.

GOOD LUCK.

 

[Lostinspace]

Take a look at Bob, forum owner's ebook. Lots of good ideas and direction.

 

[akrvbob]

I have a friend with an extended van and no handyman skills. So she went ikea and found 3 small coffee tables that fit perfectly across the back of the van, then she went to Home Depot and had them cut a piece of plywood to fit on top of it perfectly. So she had a bed. Then she went to thrift stores and found a roll-top desk that fit perfectly and bought it and put it in the van. Then she found another desk that fit perfectly over the wheel-well. Finally she found a plastic drawer unit that fit perfectly in the remaining space. She asked me to attach them to the floor so I bought some "L" brackets and screwed them into the floor and walls and that was it, she has a wonderful little home with lots of storage and organization for less that $200 and almost no work. <br>Bob

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Here are a couple of links that might give you some ideas - <a href="" rel="nofollow"></a> Check out some of the other videos on the side bar too.<br><br>&nbsp;And a really simple setup - <a href="http://www.mybigadventure.com/index.php?action=Build-A-Camper#A0" rel="nofollow">http://www.mybigadventure.com/index.php?action=Build-A-Camper#A0</a>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I love that video.&nbsp;&nbsp; But to be fair I think that person has undercover carpentry skills <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>Fortunately I have a handy man who will help me but I think you can get by very well with stuff you find.&nbsp; Someone on here turned a dresser into a galley, they just cut a hole for the sink in the top and took the draws under it out to put the water tanks etc.&nbsp; Keep a couple drawers for food/utensil storage...just add a way to lock them.&nbsp; A piece or two of plywood on the floor and then throw a rug then mattress on top and you got a bed.&nbsp; Or if you want more storage/elevation someone else used sturdy milk crates with a mattress on top.&nbsp; Cheap rubber maid 3 drawer chest works for clothes, just add something to lock em (screw hook eye, or screw a piece of wood you can turn).<br><br>Check out grandma's conversion <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Grandmas-Chevy-Cargo-Van-Conversion-to-a-Simple-Camper-Van-6014225<br><br>Dresser conversion i referred to:<br>https://vanlivingforum.com/post/My-escape-pods-REDCON-status-5915142?trail=30<br><br>

 

[rokguy]

Hi,<BR>I learnt a lot from going to the library and reading lots of books on fitting out boats for basic carpentry skills.<BR>Geoff

 

[highdesertranger]

x2 on the marine boat building lots of info available easy to convert to rv/van building.&nbsp; highdesertranger