Yo Ho Ho

[Outis]

Hello brothers and sisters,
I suppose it's about time I register and introduce myself.
I'm from Ottawa, Canada. I've done a bunch of different things over my 26 years, I'd say I'm a musician/photographer/tinker. At least when I get enough time outside of the 9-5.

I'm hoping to start full-timing within the next 6 months or so. Right now, I've got the opportunity to get set up; if I wait, who knows when I might have a chance again. Last year, I spent the winter in my Jeep Grand Cherokee in a draughty little garage. It was partly out of necessity, partly out of adventure, partly to see if the van life is one that I would be happy with. Well, it turned out that those 6 months (over the coldest winter we've seen in Ontario for as long as I've been alive, natch) were the happiest I've been before or since. So it's time for me to make move towards a life where I go where I want, do want I want, meet lovely people, and create beauty wherever I go.

I'll probably only have about 2500 dollars to budget towards van, furnishings, mechanicals, and all that jazz. Luckily, I'm a mechanic, body man, and carpenter. The plan as it stands is to pick up an Express, throw my motorcycle in the back, hang a hammock up, and build the rest around those basic requirements (lol). Plans are always fluid, so we'll see where I end up. But I'm excited to be a part of the community. I look forward to sharing what I learned last year, what I learn in the coming months, and of course borrowing as much wisdom as I can from you fine folks.

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome Outis!! Sounds like you are going to fit in perfectly here! We love to answer any questions you may have!
Bob

 

[Fearnoevil]

...and a bottle of rum, eh? Oh come on I just couldn't resist, lol. Welcome Outis, it sounds like you have a great skill set so look forward to seeing your project progress. Spending a cold Canadian winter in a Jeep Cherokee imo says you are definitely made of hardy stuff so you should fit right in around here
Interesting handle btw ;?D

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Welcome. You have a big advantage if you are a do it yer selfer and mechanic. Good luck to you.

 

[Bdog1]

Most bikes are too tall to get into a van. There's usually around 47" height at the doors. Better measure.

 

[wagoneer]

Welcome, you could go with a cafe style bike.

 

[LeeRevell]

Most bikes are too tall to get into a van. There's usually around 47" height at the doors. Better measure.

Removing windshield and mirrors will usually work. In high school I once stuffed my Honda into Dad's first Ford E150, when I had a breakdown. Getting it in and out with no ramp - THAT was the trick!

 

[Patrick46]

Most bikes are too tall to get into a van.

most are, but there are a good many that'll fit with no problems. (depends on the bikes themselves.)

speaking of which...what kinda bike do you have and what kind of van are you considering??

I ride & build choppers, and I've never had an issue getting my bikes into my stepvans (other than the width of the handlebars...but that's just a matter of walking one bar through the rear door first, then leaning the opposite bar in through the other door.)

oh....stepvans are roomy, big enough for you, your bikes, and you'll be able to hang your hammocks in it...no problem!! That extra headroom is a wonderful thing too!!

plus...stepvans are the funnest things in the world to drive!!

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Outis]

Thanks for the welcomes guys!

My current bike is an 85 Honda Interceptor 500, which just barely makes it into a van (ask me how I know ). Most likely I will sell it off and buy something more reliable/which you can actually buy parts for. At which point, who knows what I'll pick up, but I can measure twice before I hand over money. If all else fails, rigging a carrier up for the hitch mount could work, although less ideal.

As far as the van goes, a step van would be amazing but my budget will lead towards a cargo van. Currently pondering an e350 with the 7.3 power stroke. I'd like to go diesel for a number of reasons, and the power stroke is about my favourite diesel engine of all time. As a bonus, they tend to go for less than a gasser 1500 express around here. Buuuut, I'm a bow tie guy through and through, so not sure how I'd feel buying a Ford.

When it comes down to it though, I'm pretty flexible, and will take whatever the best options are that the world throws at me.

I figure there are too many Nemos around...

 

[Baloo]

Welcome Outis! Go with the 7.3! Great engines, parts are everywhere and easy to work on. I too am a mechanic/fabricator. The hardest part so far I have found is making room for tools...

 

[Outis]

Fish, what a nice, clean looking bike. Have always wanted an exhaust for mine. Mine runs great, but has an affinity for throwing tons of oil out of the countershaft. I'm not sure I really feel like splitting the case to fix it, so I might just put it up for sale. I bought it in the winter, so I can still probably make a profit off it it.

 

[offroad]

Interesting notes here. Putting a bike in a van is a challenge. Might be better to get a diesel truck with a bed, and put a bike back there. Then tow a CASETA RV trailer. Just a thought for now.

 

[MattK]

Well if your a bow tie guy that loves diesels, look for an express with a duramax in it. My company has trucks with both the Ford and the Chevy diesels and I think the duramax is vastly superior to the powerstroke. You may have to look for a while I think they are kinda rare.