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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)

#261

Post by nathancahill »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #164
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…

Oh man, I remember reading your reddit post, and pooh-poohing your idea as stupid and irresponsible. I reckoned a Jeep was about the worst possible vehicle for the job, that you would break down and be stuck because nobody drives Jeeps in Africa. I still believe a Landcruiser, Land Rover Defender, or a G-Wagen would've been a better choice in terms of parts and repairs, but it seems the Jeep has held up fine. I'm act…

I agreed. For central america at least, Land Cruisers (or anything Toyota) are your best bet.

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

#262

Post by Synaesthesia »

erichocean wrote: post #234
grecy wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Honestly, the same could be said of the USA. I live in South Africa. People smile and greet you on the streets, the weather is great. I feel secure.

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

#263

Post by usaphp »

justonepost wrote: post #198
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…

Yeah, true story: I make 250K per year and live in a minivan. Wellll, ok, I actually have a mortgage and a house but that's somewhere else :) Pro tip: xfinity is your friend. The reality is that everyone can do this. And why not? The big problem with this model, though, is lack of property taxes. And parking spots. I would happily pay for X per month for a nice parking spot though and my fair share of property taxes.…

How do you use restroom and shower during the night? I hope you are not one of those who drain their urine and recycled water to the curb?

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

#264

Post by trentmb »

justonepost wrote: post #198
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…

Yeah, true story: I make 250K per year and live in a minivan. Wellll, ok, I actually have a mortgage and a house but that's somewhere else :) Pro tip: xfinity is your friend. The reality is that everyone can do this. And why not? The big problem with this model, though, is lack of property taxes. And parking spots. I would happily pay for X per month for a nice parking spot though and my fair share of property taxes.…

> The reality is that everyone can do this. And why not?

The need for a stable native (underclass) population to sustain the travelers.

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

#266

Post by jsmthrowaway »

usaphp wrote: post #263
justonepost wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, true story: I make 250K per year and live in a minivan. Wellll, ok, I actually have a mortgage and a house but that's somewhere else :) Pro tip: xfinity is your friend. The reality is that everyone can do this. And why not? The big problem with this model, though, is lack of property taxes. And parking spots. I would happily pay for X per month for a nice parking spot though and my fair share of property taxes.…

How do you use restroom and shower during the night? I hope you are not one of those who drain their urine and recycled water to the curb?

I know of someone who does this and he uses Google's (his employer's) facilities. Given the forum we are posting on, I'd wager it's a safe bet for anyone making that much to have similar facilities accessible to them. Enough employers have "apartment" amenities now that it's starting to become a cool social experiment about urban living in some ways.

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

#267

Post by ArkyBeagle »

patcheudor wrote: post #119

A couple comments for your own safety and the safety of the vehicle: 1) Those batteries should be in battery boxes. You can find them at any marine supply store. Note that for boats where batteries are commonly stored like you have them there, it's the law. For RV's it's a good practice and may be required by some insurers and in some states. 2) H2S also known as hydrogen sulfide. It's explosive and it's possible for…

Any H2S you are likely to encounter will be around drilling rigs. H2S is a product of certain organisms that live well underground or in oceans. H2S makes batteries, but batteries don't make H2S :)

As mchannon noted, batteries produce H2 gas. Googling "lead acid redox cycle" will provide multiple explanations.

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

#268

Post by sntran »

eggy wrote: post #251
secabeen wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. It gets even harder with tiny dependents.

It calls for making unorthodox decisions, and trying something different. I live in the rice fields of East Java on about $3 per day with my 1.5 year old baby girl and wife. I grew up in Brooklyn, NYC and spent most of my time in urban areas. I also have two older children whom I raised during their youth with my ex-wife in rural NJ when we decided to leave Manhattan. They grew up with a fresh water lake, no motorboa…

This.

My wife and I are also planning for the life like this. We haven't had children yet, but we want them to live in nature, value life as it is.

We don't know when and how we will start, but once day, we will have the van like the OP's, and just go.

Thank you for sharing.

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

#270

Post by ArkyBeagle »

Hondor wrote: post #238

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 wi…

I've pulled into a Wal-Mart parking to just sleep in a car for a few hours when I got sleepy on the road. It's perfectly acceptable; obviously don't leave a lot of trash or anything.

Not sure DOT regs allow for this if you're traveling for work, but it's not uncommon for truck drivers to have a small bed explicitly for this.

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