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Travelling circus questions about living in the van.

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twatt_chaurus
Posts: 470 - Karma: 1,682
I plan on moving to a van for atleast a year or so. I'm gonna need some tips, and since you guys have spent some time living in a van there is no better place to get pro tips. first of all where do you guys do laundry? Also is it really that cold in the van in winter. What about electricity? I have no clue what i should do.
Aug 28 2013 4:00PM
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,200
only way you learn is by doing it yourself... by the sound of it you wouldn't make it a week. good luck
Aug 28 2013 4:02PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,135
deer travelling sercus,

i m 12 end want 2 join. how do that?

luv,
yer bigest fan
Aug 28 2013 4:08PM
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J-T
Posts: 269 - Karma: 697
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Aug 28 2013 4:11PM
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WIllW
Posts: 4578 - Karma: 2,512
Summer and a lot of Spring are easy and not bad at all. Winter and really rainy days are another story.

Biggest challenges:

-Drying clothes/airing out boots
-Showering
-Living with others in a small space(not sure if you're alone or not)
-Boredom after dark
-Cooking
-Staying warm
-No running water

Solve these problems and you will be in decent shape.


Solutions include:

-Make friends that have a place or get a pass to a YMCA or local pool with locker rooms and showers
-keep your things organized so everything is easily accessible
-Buy a Jet Boil for personal cooking and a larger camping stove for big meals
-Buy a good sleeping bag and good base layers
-minimize the use of dishes/pans and silverware by reusing containers

Good Luck, you're probably gonna spend a lot of time in the parking lot of Starbucks, McDonalds, and Safeway(free internet spots).


Aug 28 2013 4:14PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
I had a 1982 Dodge camper van (called Señor Majestico) and spent a lot of time in there a few summers ago. We were even skiing the whistler glacier for a few days, so I feel like I have a little bit to say aside from the Will's wisdom.

The van is going to get dirty very quickly. Keep it clean. It's probably a good idea to have a broom and dustbin system, or a dust buster (if your inverter can support it).

Ski socks and baselayer stink. Bad. It's going to be hard to dry them out as it will get very, very damp in the van if you're in there during the winter. If it gets too bad, it might be a good idea to put them in an airtight container until you can launder and dry them.

Does your van have an inverter? If not, get one installed or at the very least have one you can plug in. You're definitely going to want power.

You can eat microwavable burritos cold.
Aug 28 2013 6:22PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,810
Or alternatively get a decent base layer, theres ones that can last weeks without getting any odour at all, if not more.
Aug 28 2013 6:40PM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525
Find an ugly girl that will cook and do your laundry at least once a week for a little ass on the side. I say ugly girl cus no self respecting girl will want to hook up in your van down by the river.
Aug 28 2013 6:43PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5441 - Karma: 11,942
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Aug 28 2013 10:05PM
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perryhunter
Posts: 721 - Karma: -185
That's kinda hard dude, but pretty bit challenging! You need a lot of searching for that. It's also a nice idea of living in a van rather than getting a room for accommodation. Really love traveling for a ski or snowboard trip but, I don't have van like you do..
Aug 28 2013 10:28PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Merino wool is great for not picking up scents.
Aug 29 2013 5:27AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22714 - Karma: 76,725
Dude, vans are the greatest skiing decision ever.

Drying stuff is a huge enemy, as is having super cold boots in the morning. If you have the coin, actually invest in a proper conversion van with propane heating.

Also, a good roof box to keep your gear in goes a long way for opening up internal storage.

This is my 1978 Ford Econoline 150 'chateau'.

Padded blue velour walls and white shag carpet ceiling. Two captains chairs in the front, futon in the back. Booyeah.

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Aug 29 2013 8:41AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22714 - Karma: 76,725
Dude that exact coleman stove was the balls. You can cook a fucking gourmet meal on that thing no problem!

Add a small hibachi and you can be eating like a king no matter what the meal.

Aug 29 2013 8:43AM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525
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Forget the van, I picked this up in the spring. 1978 La Palma 26 foot RV. Heat, water, fridge and sleeps up to 8. You never have to drive drunk and the ladies don't mind it too much. Well at least my wife and daughter like it so there ya be.
Aug 29 2013 10:35AM
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teamdummy
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,607
And my suggestion is to be as incognito as possible. Dont sticker up the van all up. You need to park at night, so you need to blend in with the other cars. You don't want anybody to know your there. Nothing worse than driving around at 3am when its 0 degrees try to find a place to sleep because you got caught by the cops somewhere else.
Aug 29 2013 10:42AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
We had a proper conversion van with heating, a sink, and a stove, but none of that worked. Haha. We bought the thing for $400 and then put another $1200 into it (tires, UV joint, etc). We ended up selling it for $2500 so we made a few bucks in the end. It was a bit finicky to drive and would stall unless you know how to treat him right.

What kind of van do you have OP?

Here it is in all its glory:
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Aug 29 2013 11:39AM
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twatt_chaurus
Posts: 470 - Karma: 1,682
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The van in the picture isn't mine, but i have the exact same one. I already have put in a bed, and a small sofa(lol). RV would definitely be a better option, but i cant just go and buy one. Paid 900$ for my ride, best money spent, ever.
Aug 29 2013 1:37PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Ahh, mine was actually a bit different. It's a dodge and I think they have different engines. Mine was also a conversion van so you could stand up inside and walk around. There was a fold out bed above the cockpit/front of the van.

VAN TALK.
Aug 29 2013 5:53PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,354
Look at this crazy contraption!
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Aug 30 2013 5:56AM
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Orage
Posts: 184 - Karma: 7,709
fun fact friday: our baselayers are anti-microbial (it takes longer for them to get stinky). will and andy approved.
Aug 30 2013 10:41AM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
What the fucking hell
Aug 30 2013 10:43AM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
dream van

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Aug 30 2013 10:44AM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
Shameless plug, but i'm sure you're right, especially if it's TC - Tested
Aug 30 2013 11:28AM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
Depending on the type of van you get you should make sure you have tools to fix basic things. I used to tour in a '76 VW bus and it would break down fairly often. Tools, extra spark plugs, jumper cables, brake lights, etc.. This was the best time of my life, you will not regret the decision. Good luck!
Aug 30 2013 11:44AM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
As far as a heater goes, you don't want to get just a standard catalytic heater. Their by product is h20 and all your shit will end up soaked. Some extra cash will score you a vented one. Or if you have a large off grid solar system (needs to be > 400amp and 300 watt), you can get a vented propane burning system. These pull a lot more energy than the catalytic heaters.

Also, if your going to cook with propane in the van make sure you have it well ventilated so you don't asphyxiate yourself.

I've been splitting time between my 1990 econoline conversion van and my house in jackson this summer. My lease is up in october so I'm thinking about going full time in the van until december.

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Aug 30 2013 12:17PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
My question would be: Is the van ever parked down by the river?

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Aug 30 2013 12:36PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,135
That joke's already been made in this thread. Go home.
Aug 30 2013 12:45PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
You are the biggest tool on NS, but congratulations. You actually got me to reply. It won't happen again.
Aug 30 2013 12:55PM
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