NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I'm getting my own place in a few months, and one of the things I'm considering is living in a van.

This would be in the American Southwest. I have access to showers, lockers, and workout space through the university. I know several people that will let me use their washer/dryer, etc.

I've got maybe $3k to put into the van.

Whatcha think, nationstates? People of the world, have you ever done this, and how did it work out?

Go for it. when your done it will really make you appreciate a home.

Yep. Worked fine. In hindsight, a river would've made things a lot easier, now that you mention it. I had to panhandle for showers fairly often.

Go for it. when your done it will really make you appreciate a home.

Have you ever tried it, or seen anybody take a stab at it?

I've looked at a few blogs by people doing it, they all seem either very hippy or very MacGuyver, so far.

Have you ever tried it, or seen anybody take a stab at it?

I've looked at a few blogs by people doing it, they all seem either very hippy or very MacGuyver, so far.

my cousin did it for like 10 years until he had a kid.
One thing about him and his girl when they came for a visit they always needed to shower first thing.
dude was a pretty big hippie.

Yep. Worked fine. In hindsight, a river would've made things a lot easier, now that you mention it. I had to panhandle for showers fairly often.

Panhandle for showers? That to say, bumming a friend's shower at his/ her place, or actually panhandling for money to use a shower at a truck place or something?

There aren't really rivers where I'm at, but I can shower at the university.

A little chemical portapotty might be a nice feature if I can afford it, though...

my cousin did it for like 10 years until he had a kid.
One thing about him and his girl when they came for a visit they always needed to shower first thing.
dude was a pretty big hippie.

Yeah, I figured that might be a stereotype, but so far it seems that a certain degree of patchoulitude is prevalent in the van dweller culture.

I guess I could start listening to Phish, and I'd truly love to try LSD, but I'm not wearing the Tye-dye.

Panhandle for showers? That to say, bumming a friend's shower at his/ her place, or actually panhandling for money to use a shower at a truck place or something?

There aren't really rivers where I'm at, but I can shower at the university.

A little chemical portapotty might be a nice feature if I can afford it, though...

Truckstops. Truckers get free showers if they buy a certain (smallish) amount of fuel. You can almost always find a guy to give you his in a couple minutes at a truckstop. I used to give away mine sometimes when I drove a truck. They were 5-10 (usually closer to 5) dollars at the time.

Edit: To be clear, I had a pickup with a camper shell, rather than a van. I can't imagine it makes much difference, but who knows.

I did it involuntarily by a river no less. Wasn't a fan. But then, it wasn't voluntary. If I had been able to set it up before hand, it might have been a different story. When I was younger I used to think it'd be cool to get a Toyota Chinook and drive around the country, playing my sax out the back for gas/food money. Never had the balls. Or the Chinook.

Truckstops. Truckers get free showers if they buy a certain (smallish) amount of fuel. You can almost always find a guy to give you his in a couple minutes at a truckstop. I used to give away mine sometimes when I drove a truck. They were 5-10 (usually closer to 5) dollars at the time.

Edit: To be clear, I had a pickup with a camper shell, rather than a van. I can't imagine it makes much difference, but who knows.

Seems it would be very similar in principle. Fortunately, I've got access to showers, since the Law School happily charges me a fee for use of the main university's various facilities, including showers/gym/lockers/internet.

Pickup with a camper shell...worth looking at.

I did it involuntarily by a river no less. Wasn't a fan. But then, it wasn't voluntary. If I had been able to set it up before hand, it might have been a different story. When I was younger I used to think it'd be cool to get a Toyota Chinook and drive around the country, playing my sax out the back for gas/food money. Never had the balls. Or the Chinook.

How long were in that situation, if its not too invasive to ask?

I'll look up Toyota Chinook (I was thinking Chinook helicopter, which brought up a cool image of an airborne sax player traveling the country).

How long were in that situation, if its not too invasive to ask?

I'll look up Toyota Chinook (I was thinking Chinook helicopter, which brought up a cool image of an airborne sax player traveling the country).

Couple months in a 67 VW camper. But the camper bits were a little haggared and I had too much shit in there for it to work.

http://www.blazerchalet.com/yota3.jpg
This is a Toyota Chinook (Chinook makes other motorhomes on the larger scale, but this tiny beast is what I like). The top pops up and they're small enough that driving them isn't a hassle and they can be had for a song. I saw one recently go for $750, granted the camper bits had been stripped out, but still.

I can't say specifically what the allure for me is with these things other than a traffic manageable motorhome, but I just really like them. I love my bus, but if I didn't have my VW the Chinook would be a contender.

Couple months in a 67 VW camper. But the camper bits were a little haggared and I had too much shit in there for it to work.

http://www.blazerchalet.com/yota3.jpg
This is a Toyota Chinook (Chinook makes other motorhomes on the larger scale, but this tiny beast is what I like). The top pops up and they're small enough that driving them isn't a hassle and they can be had for a song. I saw one recently go for $750, granted the camper bits had been stripped out, but still.

I can't say specifically what the allure for me is with these things other than a traffic manageable motorhome, but I just really like them. I love my bus, but if I didn't have my VW the Chinook would be a contender.

Wicked schweet, dude.

Seems it would be very similar in principle. Fortunately, I've got access to showers, since the Law School happily charges me a fee for use of the main university's various facilities, including showers/gym/lockers/internet.

Pickup with a camper shell...worth looking at.

Sounds like you have all the bases covered then (you didn't mention laundry, but I'm assuming that's available at a university).

Yeah, I figured that might be a stereotype, but so far it seems that a certain degree of patchoulitude is prevalent in the van dweller culture.

I guess I could start listening to Phish, and I'd truly love to try LSD, but I'm not wearing the Tye-dye.

LSD is becoming harder and harder to come by. Authority really hates LSD.

Sounds like you have all the bases covered then (you didn't mention laundry, but I'm assuming that's available at a university).

Yeah, I've got some local friends who will let me use their washer/driers. If I had to, I can use a coin op.

It feels like there's stuff I'm forgetting. I'm noticing the bloggers seem to be very big on stove set ups, propane, that sort of thing. I'm thinking just going with cheap, prepared food, fast food, that kind of thing.

LSD is becoming harder and harder to come by. Authority really hates LSD.

That's a bummer. The hippy experience doesn't look (to me) to be all that cool without the hallucinogenics.

On the other hand, I'd be in a van, and wouldn't be able to drive while high, so it would kind of defeat the purpose, I guess.

patchoulitude

This is my new favorite word.

This is my new favorite word.

I love how reasonable you are when I make up words.

The French aren't even including it in their dictionary for next year.

Yeah, I've got some local friends who will let me use their washer/driers. If I had to, I can use a coin op.

It feels like there's stuff I'm forgetting. I'm noticing the bloggers seem to be very big on stove set ups, propane, that sort of thing. I'm thinking just going with cheap, prepared food, fast food, that kind of thing.

The stove is pretty important. You will get tired of prepared food pretty fast.
And fast food is pretty expensive compared to food you cook yourself.



That's a bummer. The hippy experience doesn't look (to me) to be all that cool without the hallucinogenics.

On the other hand, I'd be in a van, and wouldn't be able to drive while high, so it would kind of defeat the purpose, I guess.

Its still there, just got to know the right people. Depends on your location. In Texas Austin still has acid if you look for it. Though Houston and Dallas have become dry.

Yeah, I've got some local friends who will let me use their washer/driers. If I had to, I can use a coin op.

It feels like there's stuff I'm forgetting. I'm noticing the bloggers seem to be very big on stove set ups, propane, that sort of thing. I'm thinking just going with cheap, prepared food, fast food, that kind of thing.

You may want a reefer. It's not necessary by any means, but I had one and it came in handy a couple times, and helped ease the transition to consuming only room-temperature food and drink. It became just another storage bin after a while, but it was a hot/cold, and the hot function was useful when I had colds/fever to make hot (well, warm) tea.

http://www.campingcomfortably.com/coleman-portable-toilet.html
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.aol_refer.false.tpl.detail.msn_refer.false.item.H149801.ref.GBA?cm_ven=GOOGLEBASE&cm_cat=Sports%20&cm_pla=Sporting%20Goods&cm_ite=H149801
http://www.cabelas.com/ssubcat-1/cat20097.shtml

Good luck.

You may want a reefer. It's not necessary by any means, but I had one and it came in handy a couple times, and helped ease the transition to consuming only room-temperature food and drink. It became just another storage bin after a while, but it was a hot/cold, and the hot function was useful when I had colds/fever to make hot (well, warm) tea.

Hmm....may not be a bad idea. I guess I could get a little electrical stove, too, a pot for ramen, etc.

You may want a reefer.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/ReeferMadnessPoster.jpg?

http://www.campingcomfortably.com/coleman-portable-toilet.html
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.aol_refer.false.tpl.detail.msn_refer.false.item.H149801.ref.GBA?cm_ven=GOOGLEBASE&cm_cat=Sports%20&cm_pla=Sporting%20Goods&cm_ite=H149801
http://www.cabelas.com/ssubcat-1/cat20097.shtml

Good luck.

Wow, the prices really aren't as bad as I thought.

But...is this going to be another one of those deals where you send me one, but you put a poisonous snake in it in revenge for that time I forgot to load back up piece and you had to beat that Algerian car salesman to death with half the frame of a motivational poster?

Wow, the prices really aren't as bad as I thought.

But...is this going to be another one of those deals where you send me one, but you put a poisonous snake in it in revenge for that time I forgot to load back up piece and you had to beat that Algerian car salesman to death with half the frame of a motivational poster?
Would I do that?

*smiles sweetly*
Seriously, though, Cabela's is sweet. I have some snowboots from them that are SERIOUSLY good, warm boots that have taken me through several winters with no problem. There are cheaper toilets, but they tend to be a toilet seat on a flimsy snack-tray looking frame with a plastic bag beneath.

So, I'm getting my own place in a few months, and one of the things I'm considering is living in a van. [...]
I've got maybe $3k to put into the van.
Whatcha think, nationstates?
Buy a second-hand shipping container. It will be about a grand, after customizing properly, will be more convenient, and offer more space than the van. You'll have to cut the windows yourself, or hire someone, but that's well worth the savings.

Buy a second-hand shipping container. It will be about a grand, after customizing properly, will be more convenient, and offer more space than the van. You'll have to cut the windows yourself, or hire someone, but that's well worth the savings.

Like the guy put his stuff in in "Lord of War"?

And put it where? Doesn't sound very mobile.

Hmm....may not be a bad idea. I guess I could get a little electrical stove, too, a pot for ramen, etc.

There are about a million different appliances that you can plug into your cig lighter slot. Some crazy stuff, too, as I recall.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/ReeferMadnessPoster.jpg?

Reefer is the usual term (among truck drivers, at least) for a refrigerated trailer, or for the unit itself (e.g. "reefer fuel"). I'm not sure what everyone else calls reefers - probably hot/cold coolers or something. They're just coolers, like ordinary Coleman coolers, but with a combination hotplate/refrigerator built in. Can't remember what I paid, but it wasn't much.

Like the guy put his stuff in in "Lord of War"?
Any kind... I'd go for a 45-48 ft. high-cube, to have storage space above you. And if you find a 53", that's 440 square feet of living space for just a couple grand.


And put it where? Doesn't sound very mobile.
And put it there. Other campers may have to pack tighter, but you're higher in the pecking order.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/ReeferMadnessPoster.jpg?

I want to see the colorized version, with the smoke that changes color based on mood/addiction level--of the characters, not the viewer.

And put it there. Other campers may have to pack tighter, but you're higher in the pecking order.

The what now? It'd be complete immobile. :tongue:

The what now? It'd be complete immobile. :tongue:
Then you need a trashy worn-out semi-trailer, so it stays on wheels. And a truck to pull it, yours or borrowed. Just make sure to sound the horn so you don't overrun a campervan/minivan/caravan. Unless your name is Jeremy.

I lived in a camper for 6 months once... not a fan...

Not a good idea. You might be stuck if someone destroys your vehicle in an act of vandalism

Not a good idea. You might be stuck if someone destroys your vehicle in an act of vandalism

Oh I get it! *rimshot*

So, I'm getting my own place in a few months, and one of the things I'm considering is living in a van.

This would be in the American Southwest. I have access to showers, lockers, and workout space through the university. I know several people that will let me use their washer/dryer, etc.

I've got maybe $3k to put into the van.

Whatcha think, nationstates? People of the world, have you ever done this, and how did it work out?
For the love of god, don't do this in the part of the UK where I live: you'll be deemed a 'traveller' (i.e. gypsy) and summarily lynched.

D'you mean a van or a caravan?

For the love of god, don't do this in the part of the UK where I live: you'll be deemed a 'traveller' (i.e. gypsy) and summarily lynched.
What part of the American Southwest is in the UK?
I hear there's rather a large Pond between the East Coast of the US and the West Coast of the UK. ;)

the showers, gym, laundry, etc arent the problem. the problem is the heat.

the inside of your van will be like an oven from may to october. bad for you, bad for your stuff.

What about a used aircon? Should cost about nothing - AC installation costing half as much as the unit, no one buys used ones. Or one from the scrapyard.

the showers, gym, laundry, etc arent the problem. the problem is the heat.

the inside of your van will be like an oven from may to october. bad for you, bad for your stuff.

S'true story, right there.

Hmmm...could offset a little bit by shadeparking during the day but have to come up with something else.

Brainstorming, anybody?

A/C works, but probably get fuel/cost prohibitive after a while. Would a bright white paint job reflectors on the windows/roof provide anything more than negligible offset?

Maybe solar panels, used to power a little A/C? I've got a roommate now doing his masters in mechanical engineering with emphasis in solar rigs, maybe I should ask him.

On the upside, its a small area to A/C...wonder how much of this is going to be a problem of insulation? The vans in my price range aren't exactly sealed like biohazard response units...

S'true story, right there.

Hmmm...could offset a little bit by shadeparking during the day but have to come up with something else.

Brainstorming, anybody?

A/C works, but probably get fuel/cost prohibitive after a while. Would a bright white paint job reflectors on the windows/roof provide anything more than negligible offset?

Maybe solar panels, used to power a little A/C? I've got a roommate now doing his masters in mechanical engineering with emphasis in solar rigs, maybe I should ask him.

On the upside, its a small area to A/C...wonder how much of this is going to be a problem of insulation? The vans in my price range aren't exactly sealed like biohazard response units...
evaporative cooling instead of ac.

i do think youll need to find shady spots to park the van during the day. you dont want to cool while you are away, you cant leave the window open with all your stuff inside, and the 150+degrees wont be good for your possessions.

Would a bright white paint job reflectors on the windows/roof provide anything more than negligible offset?
It would have some effect. But even better, use metal foil. I'd suggest to glue it (doesn't need to be tight) to a layer of paper or cardboard or cloth, that way the foil doesn't transfer even its own heat to the inside. Plus extra strength.

Maybe solar panels, used to power a little A/C?
XXXpensive. Grid power is cheaper at any rate. If you just put the cost of these solars into the bank, the yearly interest would pay for the bill.


On the upside, its a small area to A/C...wonder how much of this is going to be a problem of insulation? The vans in my price range aren't exactly sealed like biohazard response units...
Do you enjoy breathing? If you seal it, you might have to change the habit.

But insulation should definitely help, just heat insulation, not making it airtight.

evaporative cooling instead of ac.
Just NOT inside. Internal evap. cooling doesn't work for long. Making sort of a pond on the roof, on the other hand, might indeed help... Especially with white or foil bottom, so it doesn't heat up.

I lived in my car for a while - - just while I was between places. It wasn't great but It wasn't so bad. I set up a lawn chair and one of those big umbrellas next to my car and I had an extension cable from my friends house so that I had my computer (desktop - no internet :( - it was before the days of wifi ) and a heater. It would have been better if the car wasn't full of all my stuff! Lucky thing I had a big car!

loved it.

What part of the American Southwest is in the UK?
I hear there's rather a large Pond between the East Coast of the US and the West Coast of the UK. ;)

It's really more of an inter-continental river, when you think about it. :wink:

S'true story, right there.

Hmmm...could offset a little bit by shadeparking during the day but have to come up with something else.

Brainstorming, anybody?

A/C works, but probably get fuel/cost prohibitive after a while. Would a bright white paint job reflectors on the windows/roof provide anything more than negligible offset?

Maybe solar panels, used to power a little A/C? I've got a roommate now doing his masters in mechanical engineering with emphasis in solar rigs, maybe I should ask him.

On the upside, its a small area to A/C...wonder how much of this is going to be a problem of insulation? The vans in my price range aren't exactly sealed like biohazard response units...

I'd say just get a fan. Less comfortable, but more economical.

Brainstorming, anybody?

Make your own tipi and get a horse. Tipi covers are easily stitched together from discarded cloth and saplings (not like you're cutting down an actual tree), and horses are cheap nowdays. Or if you don't scruple to steal from the slavers of animals, you could liberate one and give it a paint job.

========

Just NOT inside. Internal evap. cooling doesn't work for long. Making sort of a pond on the roof, on the other hand, might indeed help... Especially with white or foil bottom, so it doesn't heat up.

Again with the "foil." You mean aluminium foil, don't you?

You DO realize that aluminium uses vast amounts of electricity to produce? Electricity which is overwhelmingly stolen from our fossilized ancestors?

You are an evil gravedigging electrocutioner! :soap:

Mister Toomey shoudl build a horse drawn yurt, and migrate to Canada NOW, to avoid the unfavourable weather conditions and the hoosegow.

http://www.campingcomfortably.com/coleman-portable-toilet.html
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.aol_refer.false.tpl.detail.msn_refer.false.item.H149801.ref.GBA?cm_ven=GOOGLEBASE&cm_cat=Sports%20&cm_pla=Sporting%20Goods&cm_ite=H149801
http://www.cabelas.com/ssubcat-1/cat20097.shtml

Good luck.
Portable toilets are for the weak. Real men crap in the woods, then bury it. Also, real cats do this. Dogs do not.