Comments on: First Order of Business: What Kind of Van? http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/ ... 'cuz we want to live in a van down by the river. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:42:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ben http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-581 Ben Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:28:37 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-581 Consider getting a truck that gets good gas millage like a Toyota Tacoma and consider a tent made for the bed of a pickup. http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/6021/attiin0.jpg Consider getting a truck that gets good gas millage like a Toyota Tacoma and consider a tent made for the bed of a pickup.

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/6021/attiin0.jpg

]]> By: James http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-95 James Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:05:02 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-95 Personally, I would either get the step van, or go for a teardrop-style trailer. Check out http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/ for teardrop ideas. Personally, I would either get the step van, or go for a teardrop-style trailer. Check out http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/ for teardrop ideas.

]]> By: norm http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-89 norm Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:09:52 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-89 We lived in an early watercooled vanagon for 3 months, fairly problem free. it was not a camper, but it had the super big sunroof. we drove it all over the south and southwest in the summer with no AC. Don't neglect the japanese pick up with a shell or camper body. We lived in an early watercooled vanagon for 3 months, fairly problem free. it was not a camper, but it had the super big sunroof. we drove it all over the south and southwest in the summer with no AC.

Don’t neglect the japanese pick up with a shell or camper body.

]]> By: Robert http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Robert Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:06:09 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-82 a 1980's Toyota Van like this one: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Toyota_Van.jpg Will run longer and get better gas mileage and be cheaper to buy than anything else you will find. Just make sure that it doesn't already have 300,000 miles on it. They run forever. Buy one with less than 170,000 miles on it and you will have a trustworthy ally. a 1980’s Toyota Van like this one:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Toyota_Van.jpg

Will run longer and get better gas mileage and be cheaper to buy than anything else you will find. Just make sure that it doesn’t already have 300,000 miles on it. They run forever. Buy one with less than 170,000 miles on it and you will have a trustworthy ally.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Anonymous Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:55:17 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-80 If you're at official places like campgrounds or trailer parks, go with an in-bed pickup camper on a pickup truck. A lot of them are free-standing if one of you needs to commute. Also when you do settle down you can use it to haul lumber or tow a trailer. This one has the added benefit of folding up for better gas mileage: http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/09/22/prefab-friday-quickup-camper/ If you're staying on the street unofficially, go with a commercial white van with a door behind the front seats and tinted or steel mesh window covers. The Smashing Pumpkins used a step van (UPS size truck) when they were touring before they got big. Another bonus is you can slap some magnetic contractor logos on the side and no one will care. If you’re at official places like campgrounds or trailer parks, go with an in-bed pickup camper on a pickup truck. A lot of them are free-standing if one of you needs to commute. Also when you do settle down you can use it to haul lumber or tow a trailer.

This one has the added benefit of folding up for better gas mileage: http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/09/22/prefab-friday-quickup-camper/

If you’re staying on the street unofficially, go with a commercial white van with a door behind the front seats and tinted or steel mesh window covers. The Smashing Pumpkins used a step van (UPS size truck) when they were touring before they got big. Another bonus is you can slap some magnetic contractor logos on the side and no one will care.

]]> By: shmigs http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-54 shmigs Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:39:04 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-54 I've thought about doing this type of hobo-lifestyle and my vehicle of choice would be a smaller used school bus. Maybe even the infamous "short bus." Not as fuel efficient as Honda's or minivans, but the space to actually live would be much greater. After you take the seats out, you have ready made anchor points to bolt in new shelves, bed, electrical etc. I’ve thought about doing this type of hobo-lifestyle and my vehicle of choice would be a smaller used school bus. Maybe even the infamous “short bus.”

Not as fuel efficient as Honda’s or minivans, but the space to actually live would be much greater. After you take the seats out, you have ready made anchor points to bolt in new shelves, bed, electrical etc.

]]> By: mark http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-53 mark Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:22:24 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-53 I have a friend who has lived this way for the past few years and have taken a few trips with him. The lifestyle will require a radical shift in mindset but can be extremely rewarding. Don't go with the old Astrovan style or the VW camper style. These are too popular for urban overnighting and will cause you endless trouble from police and security guards. Instead of something designed for middle class families, go with a commercial van like a Chevy Express passenger van. You'll save a fortune on parts and maintenance on your trip. Tint the windows. Use boxes on the top for storage. Put a fake corporate logo of your own invention on the doors. Then you'll be under the radar as you sleep in the strip mall parking lot. For the interior, rip out the back seats and use a Coleman inflatable mattress. The biggest drawback of the van vs. RV / trailer approach is lack of a shower. 24 Hour Fitness membership is your best way around this in the city. Solar showers are great for camping and you can leave them to warm all day on the rack. T-Mobile hotspots at Starbucks work well for connectivity. Steal plenty of paper towels each time you're there. Heat to sleep through the winter is easy. Drive to someplace warm. Or use a Coleman propane space heater from Walmart, and for peace of mind pick up a carbon monoxide alarm from a marine supply store. Do not plan on elaborate pimping of the van. Use cheap throwaway gear from Walmart whenever you can. Finally, be sure to spend on a real good car alarm. Good luck. I have a friend who has lived this way for the past few years and have taken a few trips with him. The lifestyle will require a radical shift in mindset but can be extremely rewarding.

Don’t go with the old Astrovan style or the VW camper style. These are too popular for urban overnighting and will cause you endless trouble from police and security guards.

Instead of something designed for middle class families, go with a commercial van like a Chevy Express passenger van. You’ll save a fortune on parts and maintenance on your trip. Tint the windows. Use boxes on the top for storage. Put a fake corporate logo of your own invention on the doors. Then you’ll be under the radar as you sleep in the strip mall parking lot.

For the interior, rip out the back seats and use a Coleman inflatable mattress.

The biggest drawback of the van vs. RV / trailer approach is lack of a shower. 24 Hour Fitness membership is your best way around this in the city. Solar showers are great for camping and you can leave them to warm all day on the rack.

T-Mobile hotspots at Starbucks work well for connectivity. Steal plenty of paper towels each time you’re there.

Heat to sleep through the winter is easy. Drive to someplace warm. Or use a Coleman propane space heater from Walmart, and for peace of mind pick up a carbon monoxide alarm from a marine supply store.

Do not plan on elaborate pimping of the van. Use cheap throwaway gear from Walmart whenever you can. Finally, be sure to spend on a real good car alarm. Good luck.

]]> By: Wes http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Wes Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:21:49 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-36 Hi, The different options you're considering all have they're advantages. But be sure of one thing, reguardless of your choice, you will be broken down on the side of the road somewhere, it's unavoidable. The newer the vehicle, the more complex the repairs tend to be! also bear in mind that there is a huge community of VW enthusists out there, and they tend to be a generous and friendly bunch. Also, do yourselves a favor and buy a NEW truckers road atlas, the kind with laminated pages. Aside from great maps that can repeatedly written on with a grease pencil it will provide a wealth of information......Good Luck!! Wes Hi, The different options you’re considering all have
they’re advantages. But be sure of one thing, reguardless of your choice, you will be broken down
on the side of the road somewhere, it’s unavoidable.
The newer the vehicle, the more complex the repairs
tend to be! also bear in mind that there is a huge
community of VW enthusists out there, and they tend
to be a generous and friendly bunch. Also, do yourselves
a favor and buy a NEW truckers road atlas, the kind with
laminated pages. Aside from great maps that can repeatedly written on with a grease pencil it will provide a wealth of information……Good Luck!!
Wes

]]> By: Markus http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Markus Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:41:28 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-31 Kevin: sorry to hear about your troubles in the 'bama. Sounds frightening. Vanwall: Thanks for the tips. I think once we get to San Franciso we won't be able to avoid "dodgy trannies". Hehe. I kid, I kid. Pixel: I might take you up on your offer - sounds like you know your stuff! Roger: Boulder sounds nice and might be on our itinerary but 1. we might need a push if we're in a VW and 2. I'm hoping the offer is something imported and not a beer that ends with "- Ice" ;) Krapster: I like Hondas too. They can really take a beating. Jack: Shag carpeting, while groovy I admit - kind of scares me. Unless it's just so overly shaggy that I can't resist. Kevin: sorry to hear about your troubles in the ‘bama. Sounds frightening.

Vanwall: Thanks for the tips. I think once we get to San Franciso we won’t be able to avoid “dodgy trannies”. Hehe. I kid, I kid.

Pixel: I might take you up on your offer – sounds like you know your stuff!

Roger: Boulder sounds nice and might be on our itinerary but 1. we might need a push if we’re in a VW and 2. I’m hoping the offer is something imported and not a beer that ends with “- Ice” ;)

Krapster: I like Hondas too. They can really take a beating.

Jack: Shag carpeting, while groovy I admit – kind of scares me. Unless it’s just so overly shaggy that I can’t resist.

]]> By: Jack http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Jack Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:55:06 +0000 http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/first-order-of-business-what-kind-of-van/#comment-27 If you can forgo the "an engine that runs and burns as little fuel as possible" rule, I'd say go with a nice Ford or Chevy conversion van. Preferably one that was professionally pimped out by someone who was 18 in the mid 1970s. We're talking wall to wall green shag, my friend. And you get extra style points if you find one with that tinted tear drop shaped side window. If you can forgo the “an engine that runs and burns as little fuel as possible” rule, I’d say go with a nice Ford or Chevy conversion van. Preferably one that was professionally pimped out by someone who was 18 in the mid 1970s. We’re talking wall to wall green shag, my friend. And you get extra style points if you find one with that tinted tear drop shaped side window.

]]>