[Atlantic]

This guy has been doing it for close to 9 years:

And here is a cool video he made on eating healthy for cheap, making your own almond milk and also your own salad dressing. This kind of lifestyle really appeals to me and has huge benefits in the long run physically and financially.

[Parlay44]

I'm not trying to hate on you but how do you see yourself getting laid while living in a van?

[Suits]

(03-11-2014 09:55 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  

As far as vans go, I think this would be cool

I guess we have differing thoughts on what is cool. This is what brings all the chicks to the yard.

[AntiTrace]

Convert and old school bus:



sure this is an extreme example. But a less luxurious build is completely practical.

You can snatch up and older (early 2000) bus for 3-4k up north (rust drives prices down) or 6-7k down south (less rust means more money).

Rip the seats out, throw in a new floor + bed for around $300.

You can even plumb in a bathroom and working shower.

You can build a deck on top for overhead storage. Or buy one(or install) with underbelly storage.

Way way more space than a van. A full size school bus gives you somewhere around 225 sq feet of liveable space (back of the drivers seat to rear door).

They are extremely easy to work on. It's really just aluminum and sheet metal. The roofs are strong enough to support a lot of weight, the suspension is designed to handle a lot of weight.

Want more storage besides a roof deck and underbelly? Weld a platform onto the bumper.

You can register them as an RV and only need a regular drivers license to drive it.

Easy to work on (as long as you get the doghouse noses, not the flat noses or the ones with engines in the rear).

Diesels are awesome. And you can find parts easily.




Really the only disadvantage is gas mileage and inability to park in tight spaces. You could minimize that buying getting a medium size one, a short bus might be too small though.

[DJ-Matt]

What's wrong with an RV? A decent used Class A from the early 2000s can be had for under 20k and they've always got less than 40k miles.

Only thing I'm not decided on yet is what platform is best, Chevy, Ford or the rare Toyota.

[Enigma]

(03-12-2014 07:46 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  

I'm not trying to hate on you but how do you see yourself getting laid while living in a van?

Hipster chicks across the US and Canada are lining up as we speak to get fucked by a guy wearing flannel in the back of a VW van. Just make sure you're very ironic about it all.

[jamaicabound]

(03-12-2014 12:23 AM)CaP7 Wrote:  

As someone who has lived out of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2004 GMC Explorer Conversion van for extended periods, you need to think a little harder about the VW. It's very conspicuous to sleep out of it. If you close the curtains and park it near someone's house, the cops will show up.

Make your life easier and take the necessary steps to blend in to society. You can live the hippie life, but don't get hung up on hippie style.

Good point I was going to say the same thing. I love VW Busses but its a vehicle that draws attention which is the last thing you want considering cops will harrass you for camping out of a van in public.

I would almost think you'd be better off having a workvan so people think its just another car parked, also you can seperate the driving area from teh back so light from your laptop isn't leaking out and people are like why's someone hangingn out in a van in front of my house. Granted it isn't the hippie image and isn't as cool but probably have less hassle

[Atlantic]

(03-12-2014 09:12 AM)Enigma Wrote:  

(03-12-2014 07:46 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  

I'm not trying to hate on you but how do you see yourself getting laid while living in a van?

Hipster chicks across the US and Canada are lining up as we speak to get fucked by a guy wearing flannel in the back of a VW van. Just make sure you're very ironic about it all.

I don't know if Enigma is being sarcastic or not but he's right.

I had 3 different friends back home (Ireland) live in vans during the summer so they could stay on the beach and surf. They all got laid like kings. I think girls like the novelty of it and see you as this mysterious traveller type. Plus logistically it is very handy cause your kitchen is your sitting room is your bedroom. Once they are in the van they might as well be in your bed haha.

Their standard trick was to invite them over to hang out and cook them some food. While cooking you can tell them all about your travels and adventures. What its like to be free to go wherever ya want and about that one time you got stuck driving over a mountain pass etc. If you have some beers on hand and the camper is set up well then its quite easy to transition to the bang. In fact these guys used to open a lot with the fact they were homeless and lived in a van. Girls went crazy for it.

As for the states I think it actually works even better. When I worked in skydiving near Boston I lived in a similar sized trailer (basically a bed and a table on a single axel) that didn't even have power. I got laid more then at any other time in my life. And not just 'hippy girls'. These were hot girls from the city who came to skydive. Again they liked the novelty and probably being Irish added to the fantasy. I think Christian McQueen talked about how he got laid when he lived in his car recently too. Its all about frame and selling the idea.

As for how I will go about it in New Orleans I have yet to see. I have started mentioning it on tinder up here in Canada and girls are going crazy to come drive around in it. In fact my main girl is pissed I am getting it and keeps talking about how much I will get fucked cause I own a cool camper

I guess when I am older it won't seem as cool but right now I look 24 and these bored city girls love the idea of a travelling surf bum who is seeing the world on his own terms.

TLR - Girls actually love to get fucked in campers/vans. It should make things easier not harder.

[Atlantic]

(03-12-2014 09:18 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  

(03-12-2014 12:23 AM)CaP7 Wrote:  

As someone who has lived out of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2004 GMC Explorer Conversion van for extended periods, you need to think a little harder about the VW. It's very conspicuous to sleep out of it. If you close the curtains and park it near someone's house, the cops will show up.

Make your life easier and take the necessary steps to blend in to society. You can live the hippie life, but don't get hung up on hippie style.

Good point I was going to say the same thing. I love VW Busses but its a vehicle that draws attention which is the last thing you want considering cops will harrass you for camping out of a van in public.

I would almost think you'd be better off having a workvan so people think its just another car parked, also you can seperate the driving area from teh back so light from your laptop isn't leaking out and people are like why's someone hangingn out in a van in front of my house. Granted it isn't the hippie image and isn't as cool but probably have less hassle

This video will answer you questions about being incognito:

Now the VW is pretty obvious but I have a private space to park it so it won't be a problem. For weekend trips I will hit up camper friendly spots. For the trip down I will probably use Walmarts or remote spots. Plus I can talk my way out of a lot so I am not to worried about dealing with cops.

[___]

^^Ha- memories. That video covers the basics although I've found utility vans only better for beach/surfer living (wastes too much gas if you spend lots of time in the cities). With everything mobile & insane housing costs now I can understand why more & more folks are doing the homeless by choice thing.

I've lived (mostly slept) out of a all kinds of rides depending on the nature of business at the time: f-150 extended cab, toyota matrix & honda element, etc in 5 states....as a poster mentioned earlier the key is to urban camping is to blend-in and be as forgettable as possible.

Necessities for when I did it:

-24 hour fitness (or any 24/7 access gym): McDonalds of gyms but the key ingredient to success for obvious reasons
-Tint, Curtains, Sun Visor
- Laptop/phone (this was back in the early days of wifi)
-An address somewhere to get mail/packages
-Dry Cleaning Connect
-Picking the right locations to "camp"
-Healthy state of mind/Internal Motivation

A couple of blogs that I found kinship with on the subject:

http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/2...sness.html
http://travel.baddalailama.com/2009/02/h...hoice.html

One of the most lasting experiences of my life - too many stories. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Atlantic]

Alright so bit of an update:

I have decided to back out of the VW deal. I slept on it, thought about the posts on here and called my dad back home who is great with vehicles. It seemed to risky for a lot of the details people posted about here.

The idea of living like this is still going ahead though.

I am looking into driving my regular truck down to New Orleans and then purchasing down there to drive back to Canada later. Seems like if it is an older vehicle then I should be able to bring back to use up here afterwards. I believe 15 years of older for camping trailers as long as they are not modified.

Another thing I will look at when I am down there is airstreams:

[el mechanico]

If you're going to be in the south you WILL need A/C. I'm thinking you will need a Sprinter with rooftop AC to pull this off.

[Atlantic]

(03-12-2014 01:45 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

If you're going to be in the south you WILL need A/C. I'm thinking you will need a Sprinter with rooftop AC to pull this off.

Thanks for all the advice man.

Would an airstream work? I am thinking they would have an AC unit and are quite reflective. I am seeing a lot advertised in places like Arizona so they got to be somewhat suitable for warmer climates.

Your thoughts on them?

[el mechanico]

Yeah but you'd have to tow the fucker and pay for campgrounds. You know walmart parking lots are free no hassle places you can stay in an RV right?

Tell me WHERE you are going and we can dial this in better.

[Atlantic]

http://neworleans.semesh.com/a,45,130301...lander.htm

Not even 4,000 bucks.

[el mechanico]

(03-12-2014 01:59 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

http://neworleans.semesh.com/a,45,130301...lander.htm

Not even 4,000 bucks.

I thought you were going to surf? You don't want to live in a van in NO.

No way you could sleep in it. Think houseboat/barge on the pearl river.

I know my way around there real good I just did a road trip to the end of the Mississippi. I meant the fucking shithole end!

[Atlantic]

(03-12-2014 01:58 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

Yeah but you'd have to tow the fucker and pay for campgrounds. You know walmart parking lots are free no hassle places you can stay in an RV right?

Tell me WHERE you are going and we can dial this in better.

Driving from Alberta to New Orleans. I will be staying in New Orleans for 2 months. Afterwards I will be using it for surf trips anywhere from British Columbia to Mexico.

I drive a 2008 6 litre Ford 150 XLT.

When I do travel I won't be moving it everyday. Park up and surf/explore for a few week at a time.

[Atlantic]

The New Orleans trip is to live there and enjoy the city. I will probably fly somewhere from NO if I want to surf.

After that the trips will be mainly about surfing. Apologies if that was getting confusing.

[el mechanico]

(03-12-2014 02:05 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(03-12-2014 01:58 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

Yeah but you'd have to tow the fucker and pay for campgrounds. You know walmart parking lots are free no hassle places you can stay in an RV right?

Tell me WHERE you are going and we can dial this in better.

Driving from Alberta to New Orleans. I will be staying in New Orleans for 2 months. Afterwards I will be using it for surf trips anywhere from British Columbia to Mexico.

I drive a 2008 6 litre Ford 150 XLT.

When I do travel I won't be moving it everyday. Park up and surf/explore for a few week at a time.

Problem solved!
[attachment=17570]

Keep your truck

[attachment=17574]

[___]

Man, I hope you are planning on Van/Car Living during the winter-time in the N.O. The southeastern U.S. is the imo the absolute worst place for this lifestyle (stifling humidity, insects, etc).

That said, if you can get a rig like what el mechanico posted and a nice place to setup shop then you're golden.

[faznine15]

El Mech is sorta right about the Vanagon in that the air cooled or wasserboxer engine your van will have is going to be a god damn deal breaker. Stock these things sucks monkey balls. I know because I used to own one. Shit will break down. Not if but when.

The way to go is replace the stock engine with an EJ22 Subaru motor or go with a ztec from the guys at bostig.com. If this isn't something you can do yourself or afford to pay someone to do then VW vans simply aren't going to work so well for you.

Once you get the shitty German powerplant out of there these things are just like any other car that is 20+ years old.

You'll want to check out thesamba.com which is the definitive forum on those things.

Good luck with the VW, they make super rad surf adventure vehicles.

[faznine15]

Just got caught up on the thread. If you think the VWs are rad don't back out of them just find one that's allready had the engine swapped. Be prepared for sticker shock though since these things go for like 20k.

Or you could go the rialta route. http://tynan.com/evenmoredeluxerv has got extensive info on full-timing in that mini rv. He even wrote a crappy .99 cents ebook that had tons of useful info on how he converted his RV and why he chose the rialta. I think the fullsize bed in the back would be clucth since it turns the rialta more into a rolling studio then a rape van.

[DJ-Matt]

(03-12-2014 01:58 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

Yeah but you'd have to tow the fucker and pay for campgrounds. You know walmart parking lots are free no hassle places you can stay in an RV right?

Tell me WHERE you are going and we can dial this in better.

Become a campground host, stay for free:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=911

All state and federal parks have spots open.

http://www.volunteer.gov has the listings

[Grit]

If you get an airstream, i'll help you renovate if it needs it. PM me.

[jamaicabound]

I had never really thought of living out of a van but awesome thread, really inspired me to consider trying it out. I think half the fun would be in the project of creating the perfect van. I've been doing some shopping around in the last 24 hours and I'm somewhat torn over whether I'd go with windows for natural light or go with no windows for the stealth factor. I'm trying to be mobile in the next year, thouht starting out slow living in a van locally for maybe the last 6 months before heading out I could probably easily save about $1500 a month on housing costs, that's some good extra money to hit the road with