Van Life

[SalixIncendium]

One of the things I've considered as I resign from worldly life is living in a van, and having stumbled across a post by another member who is discussing it, that rekindled my interest, so I wanted to see if anyone here lives or has lived in a van and can offer pros, cons, and advise on those who have interest.

I'm interested in things such as what make/model of van is the best for this, how one equips the van with heat and electricity, where one winters (is it possible to live in a van in winter climates, or is it necessary to go south?), where one uses facilities/showers, cost, and anything else involved in moving from a fixed dwelling and into a van.

So anyone who has any experience with van life or any interest in it that's done a fair amount of research, or anyone else wants to learn more about it, feel free to participate.

 

[ChristineM]

We had an employee who lived in a van (Ford D Series). He parked it in the studio car park. We agreed he could run a cable out of a studio window to provide electricity for heating, lighting, and computer, for which he paid by being our 24 hour on site security officer. He could have used gas heating but was concerned about fumes during the cold winter months .

 

[Revoltingest]

We had an employee who lived in a van (Ford D Series). He parked it in the studio car park. We agreed he could run a cable out of a studio window to provide electricity for heating, lighting, and computer, for which he paid by being our 24 hour on site security officer.

That's called "moochdocking".
For the unaware, it's a play on "boondocking".

I live in Mr Van only part time.
But when I do it's great...wherever you go,
there you are! Home, that is...with all yer stuff.
(I had to sneak in a Buckaroo Banzai quote.)

 

[Revoltingest]

One of the things I've considered as I resign from worldly life is living in a van, and having stumbled across a post by another member who is discussing it, that rekindled my interest, so I wanted to see if anyone here lives or has lived in a van and can offer pros, cons, and advise on those who have interest.

I'm interested in things such as what make/model of van is the best for this, how one equips the van with heat and electricity, where one winters (is it possible to live in a van in winter climates, or is it necessary to go south?), where one uses facilities/showers, cost, and anything else involved in moving from a fixed dwelling and into a van.

So anyone who has any experience with van life or any interest in it that's done a fair amount of research, or anyone else wants to learn more about it, feel free to participate.

There are youtube videos aplenty about van life.
(I'm addicted to them.) The best vehicle & how
to set it up is highly personal....ya gotta give it
a lotta thought.

 

[SalixIncendium]

There are youtube videos aplenty about van life.
(I'm addicted to them.) The best vehicle & how
to set it up is highly personal....ya gotta give it
a lotta thought.

I know. I've been watching several, and there are a lot of options/opinions. Just looking for opinions on which ones are the best.

 

[Revoltingest]

I know. I've been watching several, and there are a lot of options/opinions. Just looking for opinions on which ones are the best.

There is no general best approach.
People live in cars, mini vans, box trucks, RVs.
How stealthy do you want to be?
How much travel will you do...making fuel economy an issue.
How much support will you have....moochdocking or boondocking?
What climates will you be living in?
How much money do you want to spend initially.
What monthly expenses can you handle?
How much room do you need to be comfortable.

I don't need answers to those questions.
But they're the ones you must consider.

 

[SalixIncendium]

There is no general best approach.
People live in cars, mini vans, box trucks, RVs.
How stealthy do you want to be?
How much travel will you do...making fuel economy an issue.
How much support will you have....moochdocking or boondocking?
What climates will you be living in?
How much money do you want to spend initially.
What monthly expenses can you handle?
How much room do you need to be comfortable.

I don't need answers to those questions.
But they're the ones you must consider.

Yep. I'm aware.

I may as well throw the answers out there, and if you don't have advice, perhaps someone else will.

Stealth isn't terribly important. A nondescript white van would be fine. If I'm not parked at my kid's house, rest areas, truck stops and Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots are where I'd likely be unless I'm boondocking.

I'm undecided with regard to travel. While travel sounds fun, the reality of it, if my current position ends, would have me working a job locally for income. If it continues, I could be anywhere really.

I wouldn't have a lot of support. While visiting my daughter, I could probably run a cord for electricity, but most of the time, I would probably need to be self-sustaining.

I'd like to still be around for my daughter and granddaughter, so most, if not all of my time, would be in western PA. So I would definitely need a heating solution in the winter.

I initially would like to spend as little as possible, but I could probably trade off my car, which is worth about $17k and invest around $5-10K.

Again, monthly, I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I see costs being between $800 and $1500 in YouTube videos.

As far as room and comfort, I'd prefer a high roof van, but I could make do in a standard roof if I needed to. Years ago, I had '79 GMC conversion van I was pretty comfortable in.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yep. I'm aware.

I may as well throw the answers out there, and if you don't have advice, perhaps someone else will.

Stealth isn't terribly important. A nondescript white van would be fine.

Such a van is pretty stealthy.
More so than the RVs that many choose.

If I'm not parked at my kid's house, rest areas, truck stops and Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots are where I'd likely be unless I'm boondocking.

Solar power would be useful.
When I'm at truck stops, I just don't use my microwave.
But my 12v fridge still keeps food cold.

I'm undecided with regard to travel. While travel sounds fun, the reality of it, if my current position ends, would have me working a job locally for income. If it continues, I could be anywhere really.

I wouldn't have a lot of support. While visiting my daughter, I could probably run a cord for electricity, but most of the time, I would probably need to be self-sustaining.

I'd like to still be around for my daughter and granddaughter, so most, if not all of my time, would be in western PA. So I would definitely need a heating solution in the winter.

I initially would like to spend as little as possible, but I could probably trade off my car, which is worth about $17k and invest around $5-10K.

You should be able to find a good used
vehicle, & have enuf $ left over to outfit it.

Again, monthly, I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I see costs being between $800 and $1500 in YouTube videos.

As far as room and comfort, I'd prefer a high roof van, but I could make do in a standard roof if I needed to. Years ago, I had '79 GMC conversion van I was pretty comfortable in.

Being able to stand inside is quite the luxury.
It becomes more so as one ages, & becomes
less flexible.

 

[Onasander]

Unless your using a microwave, or electric blanket, you don't need that much electricity. I can maintain my phone and nintendo switch off a 21 watt waterproof solar panel. I have a little business refurbished laptop, it runs off a USB C cord (if I want it to) and all three fit in a rucksack. I gave my 80 watt solar panel to my nephew and my 100 watt flexible one is in the trash undoubtedly now.

 

[Onasander]

This image shows a nintendo switch lite, four power banks, a laptop, a UV purifying water bottle, and a electric shaver, and a samsung 4 smart watch, not to mention my phone taking the picture. This runs off a puny 3 panel 21 watt solar panel.... and I have a ancient 10 watt solar panel by the laptop meant as a maintainer if I'm back packing (hangs off the ruck).

Most of your electric needs can be met without needing a generator, or electric line. The hand warmers is for a cold day when you gotta throw the electronics in a sleeping bag and leave them with residual heat so they dont break.

I'm unlikely to take the laptop with me (was $200 I like RTS games I can't otherwise play). Fast chargers are best. You'll also see a armored USB C cable I got off Amazon. It stops critters from chewing up your last wire. Also since you are vedanta that orange notebook in my right side of my ruck is a imported notebook from India, Buffalo skin and khaldi paper. More resistant to wetness.

If I can pull this off in a rucksack you can pull it off easily in a van.

 

[Brickjectivity]

@SalixIncendium try before you buy.

Start with getting a cheap monthly gym membership, and shower there.
Live in a car, spend days in bookstores and libraries. Live like the outsider/loner you are planning to be. Do your laundry at truck stops or laundrymats. Find places where your car is undisturbed at night. Sleep in it. Where do you need earplugs to sleep? Where do you feel safe,? Where can you find parking?

Do this dry run before you buy a van. Consider renting a van for a month. Find out, for certain, how you will spend your time and how you will feel.

Look at storage places for rental parking. Check with underground lots in your city.

If your van breaks down what is your procedure?

If you get sick how will you recover?

 

[Brickjectivity]

Febreeze is a cheap trick, a gift to the homeless. Other gifts: witch hazel, lemon juice.

A lot of people don't realize you can hide personal stench with tightly wound cloth. You may need to familiarize yourself with this trick.

Your enemies are: stench, bacteria and sweat. Its a whole different game. You cannot live the same way as someone that has a house.

 

[Onasander]

Due to bugs, don't use febreeze or perfume. You are asking for problem. Minimum use the small spray bottle, warmed in your sleeping bag, a hand cloth for drying (wring it out before storing for laundry) and a soap. Dawn is usually a safe choice, and can double as a laundry detergent.

If you want hot water, the orange device attaches itself to the overpriced walmart mini propane cans. The green Lixada adapter (about $20) will allows for the cheaper green cans to be used. The metal cup is also from walmart.

Warm the water, add it between 1/3 to 1/2 water in the spray bottle, clean yourself. You can do it sitting in a seat, just rub under your clothes and not in a place secluded.

The Lixada adaptor is rarely sold in stores (I only seen it done once), buy it off Amazon. One of the best choices I've ever made.

 

[Quagmire]

@SalixIncendium

I don't live in a van, but you know how I do live so I can help you with a cpl of these things.

As @Onasander mentioned, a cpl sets of solar panels can take care of most of your electrical needs if you're somewhere with a lot of sunshine, although I'm surprised to hear he can get by with a 21w and 10w. I live somewhere where it's sunny most of the time and I have a 28w and a 70w set and I still have to go hunting for power outlets now and then.

As far as that goes (power outlets) My go-to source is the local university. A lot of University libraries are open to the public and they have plenty of outlets (I'm at the uni library as I type this and right now I'm charging my phone, two tablets, two powerbanks, and a rechargeable flashlight) and there are usually a bunch outside in random places. During covid the university was closed but I still managed to sneak on campus and charge all my stuff when I needed to.

Universities also usually have microwaves in the cafeterias and various other places here and there.

Not sure if this is typical or specific to California, but a lot of parks have power outlets here.

Then there are public libraries, camp grounds, and of course coffee shops.

You're going to want to pick up a cpl of good power banks (I can only recommend a cpl. For some reason it's not that easy to find a good powerbank. I've bought several from amazon and I usually wind up sending them back, but I finally found a cpl that work OK).

University and jr. college lockers rooms are sometimes a useable source for free shower's.

Also for showers: If you plan on travelling a lot, a trick I used to use was to look for free guest membership passes at local fitness clubs. Most have them and they can be good for anywhere from one day to a couple of weeks.

A lot of campgrounds have showers and you don't always have to be a guest to use them.

Public swimming pools usually have them too.

 

[Onasander]

I can't always pull it off electrically if I have a down day, hence why I suggested a high end charger (mine is a Anker, two actually but one is in use).

I gave a $300 dollar solar power bank to my nephew to use, if I get the van I'll get it back, if not his grandfather can use it. It's way too big for my carry capacity right now. My big mistake was going for a 70 liter ruck.

Since I mostly write and do research, I have no issue spending a hour or three charging stuff up in a Cafe or restaurant- and since I know how to keep clean it isn't a issue. I've gone off trail on week long hikes and had fairly prissy people choose to sit with me, no complaints. My Anker charger (both) have a regular USB and a USB C port so I can charge two devices at once.

But a van comes with charging ability. Just plug into the cigarette lighters a adapter.

 

[Orbit]

This whole thread makes me sad. I am sad that in America ordinary people can’t afford to live in an apartment or house and have to even consider this kind of stuff.

 

[Onasander]

I had advanced arctic military training.

If you really feel bad, I used to make homeless kits. I'll give you tips on what to donate:

1)
Head to a Walmart, and buy the lowest rating temperature bag they have. I've seen -10 sold. They are big and heavy but the chances of a homeless person surviving goes way up. In addition buy a 8 × 10 tarp. Any bigger or smaller, no good. They don't need a tent. They lay like a taco inside.

2)
If you want them to eat, get a small $10 back pack, and look at the pictures above with the propane burner, metal cup, and the adapter (only found on amazon) and a lighter if the propane burner isn't automatic, and buy dry rice, dry beans, dry split peas, bouillon cubes (they have salt), and the cheapest olive oil. Why cheapest? So they don't get higher tastes than what they can afford. Silverware is what's packaged at McDonalds or similar restaurant thrown in. Also some salt and pepper packets.

3) I would sometimes get them dufflebags but the price has gone up. I never really bought them jackets and such because I couldn't afford that sort of charity. I've donated most of my old military gear. Police (national guard part time) stole it off a guy I just equipped to survive winter. If you buy them a dufflebag (online), a water proofing agent sold at Walmart in the camping section works just fine.

That's only if you want them to survive winter, and aren't rich in your charity choices. Priority is sleeping bag and tarp (no tarp kills when it rains, soaking the sleeping bag).

This is also a warning to the OP about leading a life in wilderness retirement in North America as advertised in Vedanta. It rarely works out, we don't have the same climate and plants as India. I could move to Florida or Hawaii (did it in Hawaii) and live just fine without gear but winter can kill you up north, and it does it slow.

 

[SalixIncendium]

This is also a warning to the OP about leading a life in wilderness retirement in North America as advertised in Vedanta. It rarely works out, we don't have the same climate and plants as India. I could move to Florida or Hawaii (did it in Hawaii) and live just fine without gear but winter can kill you up north, and it does it slow.

I appreciate the insight. This is why I'm considering a van and looking at viable heating options. If I was to retire to the wilderness, it probably be the high desert. I loved it when I lived there.

These are just things I'm pondering. I've already reduced my life to a room where everything I own will fit in my car.

 

[Onasander]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073W8PHYN/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A36YH5NRSU8L9W&psc=1

This is NO GOOD indoors but I've given several out over the years. I forgot to take mine when I left home so next paycheck I'll get one.

It's a hybrid Wood and Alcohol burner. It won't burn below 90% isopropyl and both leaves, twigs and the Alcohol will leave carbon smears on your cup.... and it doesn't exactly fit a cup.... but I made it work. It can be stripped down and fit in the black bag it comes in a back pocket.

I used to do on my old Instagram account book burnings of bad transactions, turning my translation I detested into heat that made my tea. I angered so many over it. I've also made steaks adding found mini grill pieces that can fit over it. That's purely outside as a donation alternative. Don't use it in a van. Go propane for that.

Only problem is homeless sometimes grab the bag of food with the stove already stripped down and run off before I can tell them how to use it. It's a problem, so buy one for yourself, and make pics of the process of putting the parts together and show how to use the burner bowl. And obviously provide the bottle of 90% and a lighter. I'm worried they just ate the spam and stared at the rice not knowing what to do with it.

 

[Twilight Hue]

This whole thread makes me sad. I am sad that in America ordinary people can’t afford to live in an apartment or house and have to even consider this kind of stuff.

Agree. Yet...

I rather live in a comfortable roomy van and pay no rent whatsoever than give it all to the greedy landlords who don't deserve a persons hard earned money.

It's better that person's personal savings manifest for themselves for a change than possessing a pile of completely worthless crap rent receipts that only serve as toilet paper for one's *** if even that much.

Granted however, it's likely easier for singles and couples than a family for this type of lifestyle.

It's my back up plan in case I fall on hard times.