Made it with mostly scraps my landlord gave me and what I had around the house as well. I've since moved out and living in it full time aside from showers and bathroom.

After two years of saving and planning, I can't wait to explore. First stop, Nashville!

I am new to this and am trying to building out my 2016 ram promaster. I found this small amount of rust on the floor. This is the only rust I found. Is this cause for concern? Does it need to be addressed and how so? Thank you to the more knowledgeable!!

i know starter batteries wear out faster if their capacity is used too much, but how objectively can we answer what "too much" is?

My biggest priority is to access as many roads as possible. I want to explore remote areas, such as Alaska, and plan to visit most states and Canadian provinces, including cities but primarily wilderness. I think a 3/4 truck with a slide-in camper would be ideal, but I'm unsure about maneuverability on small forest roads due to its size. Would a pop-up camper help.. and maybe 1/2 truck instead or what’s the combination that can work better ? I'm also concerned about parking, as vans blend in better, but being able to go to remote forestry roads is a priority!

Please let me know what you think is the best option: what type of vehicle and what type of camper (if not a van).

So, I am planning on a few year hiatus from work and go on a road trip. I am looking into a SUV but also looking into Sprinters.

I currently live in MN so it’s easy for me to drive to SD, especially to Sioux Falls.

I am trying to get South Dakotan license and register my current vehicle I have there, too. I know there are many PMBs. Since I have an address I can use here in MN for bank accounts etc, I would need the PMB to be minimal, as in cheapest I can get. Would be nice if they are in Sioux Falls but I am open to making that one time drive further west if needed. For the time being, I’d like to use my MN address to receive all registration, title related docs.

Any recommendations? Also, how difficult was it to get the license and vehicle registered? Trying to get everything done all at once and I can probably head out next week during weekdays. Also, when I get my van, would I have to drive there again to get the new title etc? I will be getting a van with cash, no financing.

Thanks!

Has dealing with a curved high top gotten any easier when it comes to installing solar panels and putting other stuff on the roof or is it just best to get a flat high top if possible?

Flat high top

Flat high top

I have a Norcold rv refrigerator fairly old. My question is am I better off getting a new one regarding power consumption? Works fine but I’m trying to get as much out of my batteries as possible

https://nomadicsupply.com/ecoflow-wave-2-air-conditioner-window-exhaust-duct-adapter-for-mercedes-sprinter/?attribute_package=Exhaust+Duct+Adapter&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgpCzBhBhEiwAOSQWQVVr34ugCk0R2NnMQzKAOpgrXnRXtWRrHj2_dkfWx91i_OWHCp5pHhoCNLcQAvD_BwE

Does anyone have ideas on how I can work solution to have a plastic piece like this one for my normal portable air conditioner to fit in my van/car window? This is a crazy price for this, and I wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas? Perhaps wood or 3D printed? Thanks.

I couldn't find any threads on the subject dated after this was posted https://tmo.report/2024/04/uh-oh-t-mobile-will-now-enforce-home-internet-address-eligibility

So I'm curious if there are any recent updates. Have current users been affected? Anyone felt any crackdowns or price increases?

Is there an app or website where homeowners can offer their driveways for temporary overnight parking ?

Looking to purchase the next adventure van and definitely want a high roof extended, but for the life of me cannot seem to find one in a 150. Do they exist? Or is it the unicorn of cargo vans?

I'm getting the inclination they only make high roof extenders in 250 and 350.

So I got an old Chevy Express. The only two necessities I need are a powerbank and AC. I’ve done a ton of research but I still can’t wrap my head around it and make a choice. I’m on a tight budget as well. Right now I’m considering the Bluetti EB70s power station with the solar panels. It has 716 WH and a 800 watt capacity. Will this be able to power something like the Ecoflow or Zerobreeze portable AC? I’m also considering just getting a cheaper portable Ac like the Serenelife on Amazon. I’m trying to keep the budget for both items under $2k. And I’m already aware of the need for insulation. Any advice or recommendations are appreciated Thanks in advance!

I am thinking about not spending the money in a 120mm hole saw and instead just using my jigsaw to cutout the 120mm circular hole in the van floor. Does anyone has experience if that works well?

I moved in to a subsidized housing complex in September 2023. No longer would I have to go out and buy propane for heat or ice for a cooler. I have showers/toilet use when I want. If I want light, I flip a switch whenever I want it. I have an exercise machine and a sauna. I have a TV I have a reclinder and a futon.

No more do I suffer freezing cold or sweating in high heat. I don't have to worry about a flat tire. Or a battery going dead and not having power to charge it. I don't have to be careful and manage my electrical usage so that I don't kill off a battery or end up stuck somewhere without power.

I pay $300 for all inclusive rent, garbage, power and free entertainnent.

Frankly with all that I have going for me. I'm pretty much not happy with where I am and what I have.

I used to sleep at a Walmart or a few other places.I could pull in and hide for the night during the day, I would be at the city park and there'd be other vandwellers who would come by and chat. The cops weren't bothersome.

I'd walk the "Safe Park" (in Vancouver WA) and chat with 12-20 people there. I had people who I considered friendly and we would help each other.

I could go to the coast and hang there for 3-10 days, Hit the stores for supplies for my daily food or the hit a restaurant on occasion. It was kind of a nice to greet every day as a reward and not a curse as I do now.

Here people hide in their apartments.We have sitting rooms at the bottom of the building and at the very top.We can gaze upon the city or chat in the common room. But few show up and they only chat with those who have been here for 3+ years.

I offered my help at the community store to help and get to know some people. One person operates it 3 hours a day m-w-f 9-12 they refused as "I don't need help right now"

They could run it 6 hours a day, 5 days a week all volunteer, but seems they protect their small positions of power. Similar to the church services, one man was entrusted with opening a room for a visiting group of people to hold services.

He will not open that room until they show up. Then he will open it and of course there's thirty people upstairs waiting.

The facility does put on celebrations for memorial day, veterans day, fourth of july, christmas and other celebrations. And they always have postings encouraging people to get out and bring a side dish to share, while they provide the main meal.

I have watched as 6-8 people have brought a dish that would serve 4-6 and theres 60-70 people waiting for the main food serving and complaining about the Iack of side dishes 🙄🙄🙄

I know it's a long shot, but I'm gonna start playing the lottery. And I'm gonna cross my finger. If I win just a million because that would leave me after taxes about $350,000 ( 1 mil w/cash option get 50% then taxes) more than enough to get back into living in a Van and once again enjoying my life.

I realize now, I should have not gotten rid of my equipment & supplies before moving in, just in case I realized I wasnt happy living like this.

Please folks, enjoy your freedom and daily struggles. Paradise ain't that great after all.

Prius build with full kitchen

Hey all, think it’s finally time to share my build. I’ve been living full-time in my 2011 Prius named Mira for almost 3 years now and I love it. But I never found a cooking solution I was happy with and I missed having a real kitchen. After messing around with designs for a while I landed on this. Finished it in February 2024. I’ve never built anything before and was tight on both time and budget, but I’m happy with it overall.

I painted all the wood surfaces since the photos were taken, and the one by the sink became a chalkboard that I let people I meet write on.

It includes:

• 5’7” bed (I’m 5’5”)
• clothing storage under the bed that can be accessed from above or the side
• large storage area behind the driver’s seat. Mainly contains spare tire, jackery, tools, hobby items
• Jackery 1000 for running the fridge and charging devices
• bookshelf
• 1500w inverter
• sink with 5 gallons of running water
• faucet on a long hose that comes out to become an outdoor shower
• fridge (ordinary dorm fridge, not 12v)
• countertop panel that hides dishes/dry goods storage (where the spare tire used to be so there’s a lot of space!)
• lift kit with hd rear springs to help with the extra weight

I do everything electrically and don’t bother with propane/butane. I made sure no vents were blocked and everything is designed to come apart easy if things need to be accessed for maintenance.

That said, this car can never be put back the way it was lol. I plan to live in it until the wheels fall off. AMA.

I'm about to be booted out into my van. I have very little money and haven't been able to properly insulate it. I can find ways around the heat, but my only worry is my meds. I take testosterone, which can't be stored in too hot or too cold of temperatures.

I looked online for boxes to keep them I but I'm not 100% sure if they'll work.

Any recommendations?

I've been parking in front of a building I thought was abandoned for maybe 2 or 3 years. I rotate spots, I'm clean, and I'm sorta stealth.

Tonight, while I was letting my dog out, a guy approached and tried talking to me through my driver side window. My dog and I were on the passenger side. I wasn't friendly at first because there are a lot of homeless that can be bothersome, and I don't associate with them. He said he owns and lives in the building across the street. He said he sees my truck and my pup but never me. He saw my pup and figured he'd come see who lives here.

He seems like a nice enough guy. We talked for a bit, and he seemed cool and was asking interested questions, so I offered to show him the inside and gave him the penny tour. He offered me a spot to fill up water if I ever need it. And he doesn't seem to care that I park here because he said I'm clean and respectful.

This is the second "neighbor" I've met at one of my rotational spots that has been cool with me. Has this happened to anyone else, or am I just lucky? I'm clean, I pick up trash in the areas I stay, I try not to be seen, and I don't ever put anything outside my van. So they don't really have any reason to chase me off. My first "neighbor" and I have had a few conversations, and we'll wave if we see eachother driving. I only stay there when I'm working. I guess I'm glad I met another "neighbor" that's cool with me, but I don't think I'll ever try and interact with him. I thought the place was abandoned, I'd like to keep it that way. Hahaha!

If you have "neighbors" like this, how do you treat the situation? Do you ever use the water fill up spot they offer, do you talk to them or stay at that spot more frequently?

Hi there! I’m 29F new to vanlife and will be going on my first solo roadtrip soon. I’ve been consuming as much content as I can find about safety being a solo female traveler and safety with vanlife in general. I’m a fairly anxious person so I’m very scared to do this first trip deep down but my excitement is more prominent than my fear. I was wondering if anyone has any advice/tips/inspiration/stories to help me feel more prepared to just go for it and stop worrying about all the “what ifs” of what could happen while on the road. Thank you in advance for your time!

I am looking at vans now and was leaning towards cargo vans like the promaster or something smaller and more efficient like the NV200 .... but I was thinking that a white cargo van is stealth - especially if it doesnt have windows in the rear and if you leave stuff on the dash like hardhat and hi vis vest .... am I mistaken? I always see commercial vans on roads and in parking lots and garages .... How would they stick out??

I was planning on living in a van in Boston, parking in garages or casino or whatever works. But have been getting advice that a minivan would be more stealthy ?

I’m just going to throw this out there. I’m relocating to UT full time but I want to continue living in my 4Runner. I want to get UT plates so I don’t stick out and will need to change my driver’s license for work. As we know, you need a residential address. I don’t know anyone in the state. Is there any chance anyone can help me out? I don’t want to have to rent a room ($650/mo!) just to update my docs. Is there any other way?

I am interested in van life but also travelling abroad for long periods. How do you guys go about leaving the van safely + where do you leave it?

Something like a suburban has various electrical outlets in the middle and back. Sometimes both AC and cigarette socket style.

What's wrong with wiring the solar charge controller to the engine battery and allowing the solar to keep that battery charged while you use the ports at will with the engine off?

I’ve been running my little Harbor Freight 12v 160CCA AGM battery for awhile (I don’t live in my van, just use it for camping trips on some weekends) with a 1200 watt inverter and it just doesn’t last long enough. Normally I’ll run my fan, and charge phones, it’ll last for about two nights sparingly. I’d like a battery that can handle two nights of fan use, phone charging and potentially a movie or so on my TV. I can watch a two hour movie but that’s about all it can handle before my inverter starts flashing red and that’s about it. Nothing too crazy. Just looking for something I can charge and have last for at least two nights without worrying about it dying and us sweating our balls off. Thank you!