How I Built a Custom Camper Van (2015) • Hacker News Board

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

#231

Post by gameofdrones » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:15 AM UTC

tdobson wrote: post #159

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…

I live in a van.[1] I started out in the van with a girlfriend, then our relationship came to an end (the van probably helped it last a bit longer) and so I got back into dating. I'd say dating with the van was easier than before I had it. You must lead with it. You have to make sure it's upfront with everyone - you don't bring it up last - it said it all over my OKC profile - and you know - nothing starts conversati…

As it happens I also live in a van (a VW T25 camper) because it's economically-efficient and convenient, and I don't have any urge to buy a million dollar house with a bunch of shiny crap to keep up with the Jones' (my grandparents devoted their lives to this empty pursuit in Los Gatos ahead of learning about the world, themselves or other people). But because marketeers have convinced enough people [0] that homelessness and poverty are such "fatal" pejoratives in the petty, judgmental, status-climbing West, people with alternative lifestyles learn to whom they can share this information... It's nice to be able to go to the beach, or up the coast or inland whenever one wants and cut down to the real, minimal necessities. Plus, it's not much that much of a stretch to go to Burning Man.

[0] just as many Americans have been radicalized by the perverted mind of Roger Ailes' Faux News.

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

#232

Post by dsfyu404ed » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:15 AM UTC

sliverstorm wrote: post #125

ceejayoz wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Sometimes it's actually completely all above-board. You buy the tool- but it's well-worn and has no packaging, because a hundred other people have bought & returned the same tool before you. Autozone is one example, offering this service for things like bearing presses and radiator pressurizers and so forth. They don't make any money on the tool in this case; the play is, if you have access to you'll do the work your…

Autozone rents tools. You pay for it in case you don't return or break it though. Those aren't the same tools they have on the shelf. They're more specialized stuff needed less frequently and they have specific ones that get loaned out over and over.

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

#233

Post by factotum » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:18 AM UTC

Kudos to this guy. I'm in my early 30s. My wife and I sold our house almost 2 years ago, bought an RV, and we've been traveling debt-free ever since. Feels good, man. But it's not without its drawbacks. Loneliness can be a constant battle when you're away from family, friends and coworkers. It took about a year to get comfortable with the travel routine. And then there's the maintenance. If I knew all of this ahead of time, I'd still do it.

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

#234

Post by erichocean » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:24 AM UTC

grecy wrote: post #40

jdhawk wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also remember the reddit thread. There were a LOT of people questioning your decision to tour Africa, with some scary sounding warnings. Have you run into anything as dangerous as they made it seem?

Nope, not one single thing. And I've been talking to many, many people traveling here, including people backpacking, and they are loving every second. People here are extremely friendly and welcoming, and the landscape is breathtaking. "Africa" does not deserve the reputation it has. I've never met anyone that has traveled in Africa that would say otherwise.

> I've never met anyone that has traveled in Africa that would say otherwise.

I have. Many.

And not just "travelled" to Africa—actually lived there.

Africa can be safe, at times, but it can also turn brutal seemingly overnight depending on where you are.

Saying that it's safe (without any caveats) is basically irresponsible IMO—especially if you are white/foreign. Very different customs/culture. It's not for everyone.

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

#235

Post by kirrent » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:24 AM UTC

mudil wrote: post #221

post_break wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are plugins for browsers to replace foul words, you could scrub it with one then print to pdf.

Another example of this is The Martian book. Well written, great story, and so full of foul language. What for?!

Because it's hilarious. He's also trapped alone on a planet and pretty sure he's going to die for most of the book. I'd swear as well.

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

#236

Post by cko » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:30 AM UTC

tedmiston wrote: post #165

cko wrote: post #85

I'm a full-time pharmacist working 50 hours a week, with several investment rental properties. Since April of this year I've been sleeping in my 2002 Toyota 4Runner in the parking lot at work. Shower at the gym, infrequent laundry runs, hang out all day at the library with all the other strange people. Pros: feeling of simplicity and freedom; enough said. Cons: a mid-sized SUV is too small and not private enough. I w…

This lifestyle sounds interesting. Is it inspired by choice or necessity?

Choice. Most of my coworkers can't understand why I am doing it. I love the feeling of lightness. And the earthy smell of the outdoors when I wake up in the middle of the night.

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

#237

Post by erichocean » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:39 AM UTC

andreasklinger wrote: post #8

Similar but less extreme version: "Just" a "mobile office" http://davidmckinney.com/blog/2013/12/29/redesigning-the-off... By mr david awesome mckinney :)

I've contemplated something similar, thanks for the link!

It's that, or get an actual office, but I think I'd prefer to be able to drive somewhere interesting and work from there.

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

#238

Post by Hondor » Tue, Aug 30, 2016, 1:39 AM UTC

Having a campervan without a toilet might bite you in some places. New Zealand used to be a great place for this but a couple of years ago they made it illegal to sleep in such a vehicle just about everywhere except designated pay-per-night campgrounds and certain districts each with their own special rules. Even then you're usually not allowed to linger more than a few days at a time in one place.

I doubt America will go that way with so many independent states and so much wilderness though. I'm amazed he can sleep in Wal-mart's carpark.