Which came first,the Egg or the Chicken, a story of my "build in progress"

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hi everyone,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am feeling chatty today so I am going to talk about my adventure of planning/creating my home on wheels. I'm sure like most of us out there, we all have to work/dream about our "build" on a tight budject.&nbsp; I have been "chewin' on this subjet for awhile,losing alot of sleep, trying to figure out the "best bang for the buck". For myself speaking, I have a million ideas and NO MONEY. I am impatient when it comes to wanting something done, especially&nbsp; when i'm EXCITED about it(vandwelling). I have purchased a van for my "experiment". I decided for a clean slate for my build, as it would be more practical for me to build in my personal touches. I am one of those that tries to "re-invent the wheel. I tend to color outside the lines of life,being different,true to myself. I have have finally,after month's of thought and reading, have come up with my list,based on available funds, on what's important. 1) water storage(tank): capacity/versus excess weight for van. I am installing (2) 40 gal tanks ,and installing them into/thru the floor pan of the van, in between the frame rails. 2) ENERGY: solar system ie..panels, controller,battery bank,ect...3)appliances ie...heating/cooling,refrigeration,stove(cooking).For me , these are my top priorities, expense wise, that i am targeting for now. I appoligize for being too "wordy/windy". I just am excited to finally commit to my build. I will continue posting my progress and failures as I go.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks! Randy G.</span>

 

[Mortisha]

Great ideas!! I was also thinking of doing 2 40gallon water containers but doing them side by side under the sink I am going to build. That way I could rig it so the water comes up into the sink with a pump. Sounds like you have wonderful ideas Good Luck!! HuggZ

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thanks Mortisha,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I like you "home' too. I used to have one of those for work. I decided to build a full size dodge van as it would be easy/affordable to repair for me. I am 6' 2'' so I need all the room I can get. Good luck on your build......Randy G.</span>

 

[yesican]

You can fit 2 40gallon containers under your sink?&nbsp; Wow...that's a lot of space and weight.&nbsp; What shape are your containers?&nbsp; I see 15 gallon round water containers and thought they would fit well under a sink in a van.&nbsp; Where are you getting your containers?<br />Rae

 

[Possum]

<p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">On my project, i am going to use tanks from Plastic Mart.com. They have alot of different styles of tanks. My needs require rectangular design for my Dodge to be able to fit in between my chassis frame. I'm not sure how much room is in/on the astro van of Mortisha's.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy G.</span></p>

 

[Mortisha]

Heya Randy... Thanks so much and you too!<br /><br />Yesican... here is the link that has the containers they are stackable but I am not going to do it like that. They will be side by side.<br />http://www.thereadystore.com/40-gallon-stackable-water-container-kit-8-qty

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mortisha,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nice find!!&nbsp; I may re-think my "master plan" for water.&nbsp; I just want to keep my center of gravity low for weight transfer. I also want to use any unused space such as under the van.&nbsp; I LOVE THIS FORUM. It's great to get all the info/feedback!!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; THANKS!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy G.</span>

 

[Mortisha]

heya Randy... I got to thinking that I was going to put the sink area in the back of the van. one container full of water (334lbs) and the other container hooked up as a grey water container for the sink to drain. The 2 batteries I am going to have will be on the other side to counter the weight out. I am still in plan mode so who knows if I come up with another idea or not lol but so far I think this would work. I am making the sink out of a metal bowl so no weight there. HuggZ

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hey Mortisha,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was reading the specs on (8) pack water storage that holds 40 gal/water and saw that they are 5 gal stackable containers. Seems to be very versatile a van set-up. I am really interested in the "water brick" version,myself. I like the website, and will probably buy items from them.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for the info!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy G.</span>

 

[Les H]

Hi Randy, just got your emal. I Appreciate your compliments on my bus. Look in my build thread, " Finally, pics of my bus, Buford" for the complete story., and i am looking foreward to seeing yours develop, including pics!

 

[Journeyman]

Mortisha, even 40 gallons of water weighs alot and to put all that weight on one side of the van will cause you significant problems with leaning and suspension. <br /><br />Kivinfree, Most vans have a large space under the van where the spare tire is kept. I intend on taking my spare out and mounting it on my rear door like a jeep and putting a potable water tank and a grey water tank in it's place. This will leave me more space in the van for food and other necessities.

 

[yesican]

Oh...I like that idea Dennis.&nbsp; The water would be more centered.&nbsp; I wonder what size container you could get under there.&nbsp; Also, will it not require welding?&nbsp;

 

[Mortisha]

yeah you are right and I am wrong

 

[Journeyman]

yesican, it might be possible to bolt metal straps to hold the containers in place. It will probably depend on the van. But if it does need to be welded, it's a simple job for a welder and they probably wouldn't charge much if it's done off the clock, even welders need extra cash. Also, go back to High School, shop class always needs practical work, and the teacher won't charge much if anything.

 

[yesican]

Good Idea...thanks Dennis.<br />Rae