Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015)

syntheti.cc

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 351 posts

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

#101

Post by icantdrive55 »

jdpigeon wrote: post #11

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, a…

Girlfriend? I don't know--maybe it gives off the right advertising. Meaning, if you don't want all the trappings of a conventional lifestyle; I'm that guy. A great opening line, "Do you want to avoid hiring a lawyer in the future to fight over assets? Do you want to avoid sitting in a cubicle the rest of your life? Do you want to never have this thought, "Would I be with him if we didn't have that house, and kids?" If you don't want to have a gaggle of kids because you were kinda pressed into having them by family, friends, coworker, societal pressures, etc., I'm your guy. (Yes, I know having kids is a wonderful experience. If I was this guy in this article, I would get a vasectomy, and freeze sperm. I don't know if you could live like this with a child, especially in an overprotective, fear for the worse, jump to the wrong conclusions, country like the USA.)

My parents fought over the house seemingly continually. The only time they didn't fight was when they left it on weekends.

My father wanted to do what this guy is doing now, but died before completing his van.

I think this is an untapped way of living, but society/cops seem to discourage it by ticketing excessively. That is my main concern. Towns, and cities have much made it illegial to park pretty much anywhere overnight, unless you pay a fee.

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

#102

Post by ceejayoz »

dublinben wrote: post #27
sliverstorm wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Arguably, it means just that. If you only use a tool once a year, you should just borrow/rent them when you actually do need them. Our lives are cluttered with occasionally used 'just in case' items that we really don't need.

Just don't try this with a birth certificate.

Jokes aside, are there really places you can rent a screwdriver for a day? And is that really the appropriate solution?

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

#103

Post by nickhalfasleep »

I think this is the cusp of a big change in America. As the physical industrial base evaporates, in return, many people may not buy into the classic "buy property" plan for their lives.

This is good for them. This may not be so great for all the people who bought property and expect it to always increase in value as there may not be as great a demand for it.

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

#105

Post by Theodores »

cylinder wrote: post #31

Did you consider buying a camper van? They are quite common as a lifestyle traveling around Australia, in the US people use giant RVs but these are not practical at all and not a conscientious selection.

In 'Software Engineering' there is this thing called 'code reuse'. The idea being that you don't reinvent the wheel. We were all taught it (and moved on to realise there is a lot of code out there that is best not 're-used').

These Ducato vans are the popular 'platform' for camper vans in Europe, due to the low floor. Most of the conversions have worked out the hard problems and been 'debugged' with customer feedback. The swivel seats come already done properly with no hammer needed. The various tanks for various fluids are worked out. Spares can be bought, plus you get something better than really heavy plywood carpentry - actual cabinet-making.

We all have our own dreams, however, from my experience of living with a camper-van mad family, second hand is good. I would not go for brand new van that depreciates and custom prototype carpentry when people vastly more experienced than me have done it all before hundreds of times over.

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

#106

Post by cassidyclawson »

Awesome build!

I am a product designer working in tech in San Francisco. I also live in a stealth camper van, mostly by the Whole Foods in Potrero. I ride a folding bike to work downtown. Life is very good and I wouldn't trade this setup for anything.

Here is my build out: http://wonderbywonder.tumblr.com/tagged/chrono/chrono

And here I am: http://i.imgur.com/s4ZpdaO.jpg

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

#107

Post by dragonwriter »

ceejayoz wrote: post #102
dublinben wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arguably, it means just that. If you only use a tool once a year, you should just borrow/rent them when you actually do need them. Our lives are cluttered with occasionally used 'just in case' items that we really don't need.

Just don't try this with a birth certificate. Jokes aside, are there really places you can rent a screwdriver for a day? And is that really the appropriate solution?

> Jokes aside, are there really places you can rent a screwdriver for a day?

There's places where you can buy them and return them a day later for a full refund.

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

#108

Post by ceejayoz »

dragonwriter wrote: post #107
ceejayoz wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just don't try this with a birth certificate. Jokes aside, are there really places you can rent a screwdriver for a day? And is that really the appropriate solution?

> Jokes aside, are there really places you can rent a screwdriver for a day? There's places where you can buy them and return them a day later for a full refund.

That doesn't sound all that ethical, and you've now spent two 30-60 minute round trips to a store for want of a $5 tiny tool you used to own.

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

#110

Post by onion2k »

vxNsr wrote: post #74
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.

I don't think he plans on company, because really how much creepier can you get than: "Do you wanna check out my van?" or "Come back to my van with me" Even though I know his whole backstory, I still wouldn't come right away and I'm a 25 year old dude...

You may think that'll keep you safe, but creepy people can live in houses.
Post reply on HN