I'd like to have an outdoor heater & vent it in thru a window but cant find anywhere. Any ideas? Tks!

I made a serious booboo . I chose vanlife given the insanity of housing prices..wasted my summer and now winter is becoming a struggle .

Need a fast heat answer! Problems : Van is not insulated ...our relative humidity on the west coast approx 70% all the time . Lots of rain . Shy from gas heaters ...heard they can produce too much water. No time for diesel install. Insulation ...(sign ) I don't want to diy that ...too many variables.

I have good solar but no sun and battery bank too small . If I double it I get approx 330 watts/ hour for an electric space heater based on 8 hours before the dawn . Our winter temp around 0cel.

Last 2 options ..gas powered gen to top up batteries and more watts at night .

Slap together a wooden frame inside the metal box and install rigid foam ...will hog space but get me through the winter ?

Thinking about getting this Hiace for wife and dog and me. Seems like a good deal but would be my first van.

https://www.contravans.com/toyota-hiace-campervan-for-sale/

Pop top is sweet and would fit in my garage.

Keen to hear thoughts if anyone has experience with Hiace conversions.

Guess who's back for more convincing? It's me.

I had some great feedback regarding my power needs and I've learned a whole bunch since then. The van currently sits mostly empty except some poorly crafted cardboard structures to get a feel for the space. Framing is nearly done and the fun task of skinning is nearly approaching. But it's wire time.

I have roughly 5 unique runs of wires that will do and power certain things within the van and I've determined their min and max length from the power bank's fuse bank. With the help of James (Chat GPT) I've come up with the gauge wire and fuse needed for each run.

Human eyes on this would be most helpful - but I am 61% confident from the research and James my numbers are there.

Outlets will be powering / charging 2024 16in M3 MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iPhone, random 12v chargers (camera, water pump, etc - max amp I can find is 2.5)

Here is what I got.

Any additional 12v components such as a heater or component modules such as solar controller and monitor will be within the battery bank box so those are easier to figure out.

120v will be coming in the future. I'll be wiring runs in, but not yet hooked up.

Again, thank you all for the great advice and feedback. Expect more in the future!

Sehr geehrte Menschen;

da ich keine Ahnung habe, frage ich hier ganz naiv mal rein :)
Bin absoluter Newcomer im Geschäft und liebe die Optik der Chevy Shorties!

(Optik wohlgemerkt, ich brauche keinen V8!)

Hier der Link zum Inserat: https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/chevy-g20-shorty-v6-/2889949655-216-1060

Kann man so einen alten Bus noch 2-4 Jahre geniessen oder wird er mir sofort auseinander fallen?
Mit welchem zeitlichen Aufwand kann ich rechnen, was Werkstattbesuche angehen?
Mit welchen Geldaufwand kann ich rechnen innerhalb der nächsten 2-4 Jahre in Bezug auf Instandhaltung?
Habe ich eine Chance auf einen anständigen Wiederverkaufswert?
Vielleicht ist ja unter euch jemand, der sogar einen ähnlichen Wagen fährt!
Für Erfahrungswerte wäre ich unendlich dankbar!
Nun frage ich mich, ob ich nicht mal zuschlagen soll :D!

Ich danke euch im Vorraus und freue mich auf eure Antworten!

https://preview.redd.it/mob3wkkj5yzd1.png?width=812&format=png&auto=webp&s=0c7d1c6c1891950bc36cfaf130ad4c383896d74b

https://preview.redd.it/pyq37ocj5yzd1.png?width=817&format=png&auto=webp&s=e498965f073b0cf3fca0cb0e1c1bbc027711608d

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I'm a mid-40's male who's thinking about taking the plunge into van life. I'm sure it gets asked a lot in here but how do you manage the bowel movements? I know some of you are fortunate to have large Sprinter-type vans and have a small toilet installed, but what about those of us who are sleeping in smaller vehicles? I have a 2022 Toyota RAV4 and there is not enough room to carry a portable toilet, so it's either gonna be pooping into a plastic bag (gross!) or always parking my vehicle next to a hotel or truck stop where there are public restrooms. But even if I park next to a Holiday Inn, I can imagine the urgency and inconvenience of quickly putting on clothes on a cold winter day and sprinting into the hotel lobby to empty my bowels of the stinky logs!

How do y'all manage this important issue? I can deal with most other aspects of van life, such as sleeping on a foam mattress or getting the dreaded cop knock on the window at 3am, but sometimes I eat something for dinner and my bowels don't agree with it in a nice way and then I'm in panic mode to find a toilet. At least whenever I sleep in a hotel room, I know the commode is only 10 feet away.

Hi community, first time poster 😊

My partner and I are looking to buy a van/campervan to travel around Europe.

On the long-term, we would like to get our hands dirty and build our own, but while looking around we found someone selling their camperised van for 5000€.

The van is a Fiat Ducato from 2002, Diesel Euro3. It rode 260k km. It comes with bed for two hobbits (me and my gf are hobbit-sized), kitchen (gas tank) + kitchen sink, solar panel on the top, small removable chemical toilet. There is room for a small fridge and the interior is quite well planned. I mean, it seems it has it (almost) all.

The current owner drove ~100km in 2 years and is now looking to build their own campervan, thus the selling. A list of repairs done by the current owner in the past two years:

• Both pipes for the breaks liquid were replaced (from copper to metal)
• the hand-brake cable was recalibrated
• new brake pads
• front wheels alignment
• new drive shaft
• the engine was ‘shaky’ so they put more supports

On top of this, the belt wa replaced 3 years ago, so I guess it needs new replacing now. There is some rust on the outside and above the wheels, but nothing major that would deny the van to circulate, as it was appointed at the yearly checkup.

We are basically new to this world and we do not have much experience with engines, car parts, and such, so we are learning as we speak. All in all, we understand the van is very old and is nearing the end of its life, but we are wondering how much time we can squeeze out of it, hopefully without such repairs that would cost as much as the current sale price.

Is there any suggestion or tip you feel like giving? Thanks a lot!

I keep reading and hearing whispers that there’s a van life Thanksgiving north of Joshua Tree annually and my friend and I would love to spend Turkey Day with some fellow nomads.

Does anyone know anything about it?

If not, we may host a little potluck somewhere nearishby for anyone else who wants to hang on the holiday (stay tuned).

Hi. So the cold is coming up and taking showers with cold water becomes a little uncomfortable. In France with not much sun some days even in the south.

My gear: -2x100A lifepo4, -600w of solar panels, but in this season if I get 200w output i am happy. -an alternator charger when I drive.

• a 500w 230v transformer
• little Chinese diesel heater.

What do you use to produce hot water in your van? that would not empty my batteries every time. What is effective and doesn't cost a fortune. I have seen some units 12v/2230v some that would warm up the water through the hot air from the diesel heater.

What in your experience is the most efficient, that works well? I would like to avoid gaz for security reasons.

Thankx

So to clarify I drive a 350 Transit that was an extremely Bare Bones vehicle but I got it for an extremely cheap price. Long story short I'm not going to have enough money before winter to fully insulate it

I generate a lot of body heat, to the point that even uninsulated and temperature single digit I'm fine without any heat whatsoever.

But for the few times where I'm not going to have access to a truck stop, I want to pick up a portable heater so I can game comfortably in the back of the van.

I'm thinking of ceramic heater will work the best, and I already have a shore Port installed. There are two types of heaters that I'm seeing which is a propane heater, a ceramic tower or a ceramic 360 ° heater. For the 350 Transit I'm thinking the 360° heater will work better to heat the back of the van but I would love feedback

EDIT. Actually I just had an idea. Since this is going to be a rare occurrence where I'm using this heater couldn't I just like hang thick blankets along the walls to insulate the heat inside so that even a lower ceramic heater would work just fine for insulating the freight area while I'm doing that gaming?

Has anyone mounted something like this before?

Thanks

Its always been a dream of mine to live tiny or do the van life thing. Most of what ive seen from influencers is that they live really free and nomadic, which is dope but for me I still have school and want to focus on my career. Has anyone had success living somewhat normal life but they just happen to live in a van? What are the ins and outs? Where do you park?

Currently building this out and I find my self going back and forth calling it a Van and then sometimes a bus. What do you call it ?

As my husband reaches the point where we start thinking about what we'd like to now that we're empty nesters, no grandchildren so have been looking into different types of vehicles we would be able to live in- but bc we don't make that much money, we'd have to choose, and wouldn't be able to have a regular home, as well as one on wheels. Since the market has gone crazy. We had no choice but to move an area we absolutely hate. I'm miserable and depressed and he's not much better. I feel like it would be a really good thing for us to do, when I married him, he could've totally done a full van build himself. But many many many years later. He's had knee surgeries and needs both done again, he can't do it. So we'd have to find something for newbies not crazy expensive, but then- if it's a motorhome that you have to tow.... then we have to get a vehicle that'll be able to tow that proper amount of weight & from what I've seen and research I have done... A class c for example, where you can tow a car if you wanted to. But they're all out of budget for us. So my question after blabbering. Would 2 people be able survive living that way FT, based off let's say, 30k a year? (I lowballed the number bc you never know what can happen or change, so that would be something I know for sure that we would be able to bring in) After getting the "house on wheels"- is that do-able, or is it a pipe dream!?!? TIA

What is a reasonable price for a practical completed van? I'm ready to build it myself but my budget is tight around 40k and I want to know if that's something to start with or simply hold till I get more money? I would love to have a two person bed, small kitchen, stove, sink, fridge, toilet and possibly a shower! My goal is to be able to road trip for couple of weeks at a time.

Anyone have a hot spot and service they like that is pay as you go, so I don’t have to pay if I don’t travel for a month etc ?

Hey I’m doing major research on van builds and would love to see some thorough well made videos documenting the building process it’s just my girl and I so we don’t have the $ to get it built ourselves but we have the passion and drive to do it ourselves I’m pretty handy and I’m open to even learning the electrical work myself. Thank you so much peace and love 🖤☮️

Love the sprinters and promasters but I feel like there’s not Much low top representation or I’m just not seeing it. Can I see some builds in ford econonolines, Chevy expresses, gmc Savana I’m trying to get ideas to maximize space on smaller builds. just got a 2001 gmc Savana and I’m super excited to get the ball rolling doing as much build research as I can.thank you SHOUT OUT LOWTOP KINGS AND QUEENS LOL 🖤☮️ safe travels

Keeping this intentionally vague.

I just found out today I’d be furloughed from my job that I’ve had the past 5 years due to an upcoming sale of the company.

The state I reside in and pay taxes in requires you be ready and able to take a job while on unemployment - in their eyes in your home state ready to work.. even though I’ve been a remote employee for years.

It feels like a bit of a moral grey area for me as I’ve been paying into unemployment and do feel entitled to the claim, but don’t want to get myself into a bad spot.

Anyone had anything similar?

I'm looking for a new van (for work) and saw this one:

2022 Ford Transit Cargo 350 High Roof LB AWD

Engine 3.5L V6 Flex Fuel Vehicle

It's a flex fuel van and I’m not familiar with this type of fuel, so my question is, can I just use regular gas or it requires an especific fuel?

Hi! I'm looking for a store or place that makes beds that have a single fold length wise. The dimensions when fully flat would be around 80"(L) 43"(W). If I am unable to purchase one, would there be a sheet or way to make them myself? Once I find the foam I want.

Hi,

2022 2500 AWD diesel fully extended(not dually) high ceiling sprinter van. I'm looking for help with a powerful speaker system with a double 10-12inch subwoofer. This vehicle is my new home and audio is quintessential to me. I'm thinking four speakers in the back and replacing all the speakers in the front. I need full control over how the sound comes out of the speakers so when im driving or in the rear the music is attuned correctly to my position in the vehicle.

Thank you for your help.