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How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

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Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#11

Post by jdpigeon »

This would have appealed to me about two years ago, but not that much anymore, and I'm still close to a decade away from paying off my student debt.

I'm more interested in 'settling down' and 'getting to work' these days, realizing that my sense of personal success is mostly dependent on quality relationships, productivity, and a sense of community belonging. Now, I've done my fair share of living life on the road, and I always enjoyed the experience, but just like the comedown from a psychedelic drug high I was always grateful at the end to be back home squared away in my "real world."

My issue is not with the self-determinism or the low-impact tiny house living, just with the transience of it. Is he certain that he'll be able to be productive working out of the back of a van or in random cafes around the country? What about stimulating interactions with colleagues? Girlfriend??

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#12

Post by rokhayakebe »

grecy wrote: post #6

I did something similar. I wanted a vehicle I could explore the world with, so I turned my Jeep into a house on wheels with fridge, drinking water and filtration, solar and dual batteries, interior cabinets and a custom modified pop-up roof so I can stand up and walk around in the Jeep. I joked about applying for a home owners grant :) The full pictures and story are in this album - http://imgur.com/a/OLK3o I'm drivi…

You Are The Truth, Sir!

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#13

Post by jonah »

My officemate is a cyclist and photographer and built out a Sprinter van as a mobile production/adventure mobile. It's got a couch that converts to a bed, fold-out tables, water tank, sink, electric chest fridge, PV panel and battery, inverter, and roof platform. Super functional. All hand built and I can't imagine he spent more than a couple grand outfitting it.

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#14

Post by Qantourisc »

sliverstorm wrote: post #10
Qantourisc wrote: post #7

The fact that one (in a lot of countries) has to do this in a van, because of regulations, is kind of tyranny: Either you get in-prisoned in debt/rent, or you get to live in a van or on the streets.

I don't think you really have to do it in a van. If you're going to work remote and don't mind being lonely, you can buy a house just about anywhere in the country, which means you can find a house for $50k instead of $500k. If you check out his list of things he likes about van living, most have more to do with working for himself rather than all the traveling. He doesn't come across as one of the wanderlust folks.

I think you mean in the world, not all countries are that big.

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#15

Post by throwanem »

CPLX wrote: post #3

That was pretty awesome, I enjoyed reading all the way to the end. I wonder how long it'll take him to regret the fact that his bed only fits one person in it.

You might surprised how spacious half a queen bed can be, and he looks to be fit and trim overall. I don't think he's likely to have much trouble.

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#16

Post by zyxley »

aresant wrote: post #9

His "Can I live without my precious possessions?" answer is the most engineering LOL thing I've read all day: "Pile up my crap. Anytime I need something in the pile, take it out of the pile and save it for later. Monitor usage." Thank you for posting this.

This but slightly more organized is pretty much the standard answer for anti-hoarding: put all your stuff away, keep track of what you actually use over the next week/month/year, and get rid of anything that hasn't been touched.

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#17

Post by sliverstorm »

Qantourisc wrote: post #14
sliverstorm wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think you really have to do it in a van. If you're going to work remote and don't mind being lonely, you can buy a house just about anywhere in the country, which means you can find a house for $50k instead of $500k. If you check out his list of things he likes about van living, most have more to do with working for himself rather than all the traveling. He doesn't come across as one of the wanderlust folks.

I think you mean in the world, not all countries are that big.

Sure, although that might be a more complicated work relationship if you aren't working for yourself.

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#19

Post by asimuvPR »

grecy wrote: post #6

I did something similar. I wanted a vehicle I could explore the world with, so I turned my Jeep into a house on wheels with fridge, drinking water and filtration, solar and dual batteries, interior cabinets and a custom modified pop-up roof so I can stand up and walk around in the Jeep. I joked about applying for a home owners grant :) The full pictures and story are in this album - http://imgur.com/a/OLK3o I'm drivi…

I read your story on reddit a little while ago. Its a really interesting choice and I applaud your sense of adventure. What I don't get was the swap to a Mercedes diesel. Your argument for it made sense, but why not a toyota diesel, for example? :)

Re: How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

#20

Post by sliverstorm »

zyxley wrote: post #16
aresant wrote: post #9

His "Can I live without my precious possessions?" answer is the most engineering LOL thing I've read all day: "Pile up my crap. Anytime I need something in the pile, take it out of the pile and save it for later. Monitor usage." Thank you for posting this.

This but slightly more organized is pretty much the standard answer for anti-hoarding: put all your stuff away, keep track of what you actually use over the next week/month/year, and get rid of anything that hasn't been touched.

I think it deserves to be slightly more nuanced than that. There is a category of things that are small, used rarely, but very necessary. Medicine & tools always come to mind. For me, if I don't use my screwdrivers for a year that doesn't mean I should get rid of my screwdrivers.
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