Hello! I just wrapped up a 4 month US tour in my 2011 Sienna. I worked as an outdoor educator on the road and had a blast. My build met all my needs except one REALLY big want: my mountain bike. I am going to re-vamp my build this winter to adjust some things such as consolidated food storage and a wider bed as well.

Here is where I can really use some advice. How can I comfortably store my mountain bike on the inside of the car? Due to lifestyle, I need the option of interior storage should I bring my bike on the road with me. I have attached a model I made years ago that I am considering bringing to life + some reference pictures from when I experiemented with the idea more. I am considering a rooftop mount for casual bouncing around/periods of regular biking. I also have a rooftop box so I can stomach the loss of interior storage in exchange for carrying my bike!

Thanks for the help!

Anybody living in a Chevy G10,20 or 30? I have a G20 I’ve been working on for a while and I’m thinking of using it full time in the future. I know there’s lots of sprinters and pro masters just checking to see how many 80’s and 90’s vans are being used.

Hey everyone was hoping to get some opinions on an issue I've been having. Bought a new Vevor 2kw diesel heater and finally got everything hooked up and running but it's producing a lot of white smoke out of the exhaust. Took it apart and there doesn't seem to be any clogging and the atomizer screen seems fine. I was having issues with air getting in the fuel line after the pump but as far as I'm aware that shouldn't be creating this issue. Thanks for any help!

Does anyone have any experience with hitch mounted storage boxes? I'm looking at something like this to store my grill and stuff in, i have a Promaster 3500. https://www.stowaway2.com/max-cargo-carrier-black TIA

Hey folks, looking for some info/advice. I’ve been to view a Nissan Primastar from a reputable van dealer in the UK, it has 175,000 miles on it though. 2L diesel. What kinda mileage should I expect to get out of this if the engine is mechanically sound and gearbox replaced etc. Cheers!

I've got a handful if I do need one.

We had a start failure the other day where the engine turned but wouldn't start and I suspected the fuel pump and checked the fuse and relay which were fine and then I banged on the gas tank a little bit and it started. So I'm going to buy factory fuel pump - anything else I should buy for this job? Is there a fuel filter seperate from the pump because I've seen conflicting info online ( I took a picture of a cylindrical metal part in the engine bay I'll look up after this that seems like a fuel filter I saw online but I'm not sure.) I'm also going to change the engine air filter, clean the ground wire and replace it because it's the plastic on off switch and it's loosening a bit and I'd rather a more secure ground. I flushed and replaced transmission fluid last years inspection at dodge.

Any other things I should be looking at to try and make sure our van home stays healthy on the road longterm? I'm buying everything today cause there is some sales for factory parts my gf found so I just want to make sure!

I recently picked up a 2017 NV2500 for a new project, but it has a broken exterior door handle on the sliding door. Every door handle part I find is listed for the front doors, not the sliding door. Even Nissan's parts website isn't listing one for the sliding door. Can anyone tell me is it the same part as the front doors?

Hello, I’m planning to buy a van like this Mercedes T1 in 2025. Is it a good idea? They’re known for being able to reach a million kilometers, but apart from their great reliability, are there any drawbacks ?

https://preview.redd.it/61igho9ajz3e1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=ea0fe1b0b76f1e4e1a0e3f225c8cdaeefb9a4785

i know ideally you shouldn't finance, but does anyone have lender recommendations? i've been essentially homeless since july living in my car, and honestly i'm getting used to it & the routines. i enjoy the freedom. i'd like to upgrade to a van though so i can have my pets stay comfortable when i have to work, and have more space so i can cook etc (love my little subaru but she's tiny). my current car is mine entirely and i'll have to get an apartment if i don't get a van so i figured i'd explore both options. thanks y'all

Black Friday has deals and would like to do the mini, but need to make sure that my partner and I can feasibly have work calls going on at the same time. We dont have to go on video and rarely will be on calls the same time, but one will always use internet, and other on video at once. Would prefer mini but need to know if that wont work.

Head gasket blew yesterday, not sure what to do at this point, is it worth saving to fix or should I charge it to the game and take my L on this purchase? Chevy G20 1991. Had it only two months, was working good and then I cranked it in the morning and it completely went haywire after that. Should I sell it smh.

Hey there! I’ll be leaving my van for a month in cold, below-freezing temperatures. How should i prepare the van to sit for a while?

I have an isolated solar power system run by a lithium battery. would it be wise to disconnect this? Also, should i disconnect the van’s battery?

Fair warning, this is a variant of the "what do I do for work?" question.

I have been in a state of existential paralysis since I graduated in 2022. My initial plan was simple: become a freelance translator, get a van, travel around doing open mics. After busting my ass in college and a year of in-country experience, I got a spot at the best translation program in the country. But I was dissuaded by numerous grads who told me that my plan wouldn't work in large part because AI has put the field in peril, especially the type of work I would've been doing. I've been in limbo ever since, and I even ended up in a psych ward as result (I am bipolar).

I have a stable job now, a 9-5, and I'm sure like many of you I hate it. It enables me to save for a van, but if I do it for more than a year it will feel like the end of the world. But I don't know what else to do. I've been preparing apps for grad programs in area studies, and more recently considering becoming a speech language pathologist. But I don't know if either of these are good choices for living in a van. I can't see any clear paths to remote work with option #1, and I know telehealth is possible with #2 but it would take years to get to that point, and I don't know if it would actually work, much less if I would even enjoy the career. Apps are due mid January, which is putting me under a lot of mental strain.

I should also note that I moved to NYC to live with my friends and pursue my creative goals, with the idea of doing freelance work. I failed miserably -- I barely went to any open mics or advanced that pursuit in any way, and failed miserably at going freelance with anything. I attribute this to the paralysis and a very fragile mental state. I live with my parents now. I really want to move back in a van, because that's where all my friends are and I liked it there in spite of everything.

If I could, I would be a full-time musician. But that's obviously an unstable career path and, while I am told I am a very good singer, I am still very much an amateur on my instrument, with a weak grasp of theory to boot.

If anyone has any words of advice about how I can balance these things and above all make the van work, I would be very grateful. Nothing has been helpful and my mental state is perpetually terrible.

Want to get a camper, this is within budget... Has a basic set up in the rear with a rock n roll bed. My question is does 118k miles for a 2014 T5 mean this van will shortly be coming to the end of its life? Any advice would be appreciated thank you

I have recently installed the new renogy DC to DC 40a charger (one that senses if the vehicle has turned on or not).

I wasn't really seeing much charge, so I bought the Bluetooth connection and saw that I'm charging but only supplying something around 0.2 amps if that. I don't have a smart alternator.

When I check the voltage at the starter battery (engine running) it's around 14.5ish but then when I check the voltage at the DC to DC charger input it's around 13-12.5, also says similar numbers on the app.

Is this voltage drop? and is it affecting the charge? I used 4awg so it's not the wire gauge. I don't have a clamp so can't check the current going in to the charger right now

I'm currently hesitating between the sprinter 170 and the transit extended. I will be putting a 2 seat bench behind the driver seat. I am 6'2" and would need a bed to accommodate that. I don't think I can put it east-west so it would have to go north south. Does anyone have floor plans to share that would fit the above criteria? I'd prefer to go with a transit in order to not have something too big but we still want to have some space. Any ideas welcome!

We’re building out a new rig and considering going away from a propane cooker and just using an induction cooker. We make coffee every morning and dinner every night. I like the idea of not building out a vented propane locker, shutoff solenoid, sniffer - all the things that come with installing a safe propane system. We’re planning on a fairly robust electrical system as we are in the US PNW and we like being at camp for at least a week at a time before having to roll into town to replenish. We also do some work out there so we run Starlink, computers, etc.

We’ll have the ability to cook outside with a propane camp stove. Probably carry a small 5lb can on the back outside of the rig. But that’s easy to manage and not critical if we run out or decide not to refill. We’ll also use it for a fire can at camp so also not a big deal if the fire can runs through all of our propane.

Our planned electrical system:

• 600Ah LiFePO4 battery bank @ 12V (~7200 watt/hrs)
• 800w rooftop solar
• 300w ground solar
• 100A alternator charging
• 2kw inverter (might have to bump this to 3kw, haven’t spec’d out cookers yet)

Curious for those of you who run induction cooktops, what kind of battery and charging capacity you have? Is it enough for you? Thoughts on using induction cooking with our planned capacity?

Which is best for fuel economy? We want a roof rack but worried about the mpg loss. Any idea how much loss you get on each?

We have a 2019 ford transit LWB medium roof.

We are making a trip from NY to MT and made a fatal mistake of failing to turn off the cabin overnight. We had plenty of battery for an electric blanket at night over 3 days but now we’ll probably lose power tonight with another overnight to go. I’ve been looking at KOAs and camps along the route but seems like they are closed for the season. I know this is a stupid mistake but any tips? We have 15amp converter with 30amp being ideal, but if anyone knows good all season campgrounds or rest stops along I-90 that might have hookups I’d be grateful for tips.

37, male, Texas. No kids.

I've lived vicariously through this subreddit as well as a handful of YouTube channels for years. Yes, I am fully aware that it isn't always rainbows and butterflies. But the allure of freedom has always called to me - especially since my divorce.

My ex wife and I bought a house in 2016. Built in 1930, it had some major issues that we were ok with tackling... got a good price (64k), low interest rate (3%). On an acre of land, in city limits, two blocks from the public schools.Then her affair happened, divorce happened (I kept the house), and the household income was halved.

Some of the initial issues remained, and now I've had bigger ones come along that I just don't have the money for.

The pipes are original to the house and they are absolutely SHOT. A pipe exploded, and attempts at repair failed because the rest of the pipe just crumbled apart. I need a total pipe replacement so I haven't had running water since mid September. (Thank god I live close to family for my shower/laundry needs).

One plumbing company quoted $13,000 to replace the pipes. Another said they'd do it for $11,500.... they might as well have said a million. I just don't have that money on hand.

Insurance obviously won't cover it because it's normal wear and tear. I tried pulling from my 401k under a hardship withdrawal. They will only approve withdrawals for uninsured home damage from "natural disasters, terrorist attacks, sonic booms, government mandated demolition."

Not normal wear and tear.

I owe $28k on it. 3% interest rate. Mortgage will be paid off in 2030... Open Door gave me an offer of $125k.

So now I'm left with two choices: refinance my mortgage and use the money for repairs... or sell it as-is...

If I refinance, I'll obviously add years to my mortgage... will I also lose my interest rate? I'm not sure...

I could sell the house, pay off the loan with around $100k left over, buy a used van, save the rest... keep working, save more money, then have a down payment for a future home. I have friends and family who will let me park at their property whenever I want. I have state parks nearby - 30 minutes from work - I can occasionally stay at...

I'm nervous about selling because I KNOW I got a great deal in an otherwise awful housing market. I also have four cats my ex wife left behind that I'll have to rehome. Also, I'm 37, single. If I ever want to start a family, the clock is ticking. What woman will want to date a man without a house?

Edit: I don't really have a house right now... not one I'd invite a woman to anyway... not if I was trying to impress her, at least.

I'm nervous about staying because the house as it is is basically unlivable and I don't have the money on hand to fix it. I'm unsure what refinancing entails and what it will mean for my financial future.

Also, I didn't even want to live in this town - my ex wife wanted our nonexistent children to go to this specific school district. I'm not emotionally invested in the house.

I'm leaning in the sell direction. Fresh start. It's just a big decision that I'm struggling to make.

I'm not sure what I'm hoping to get out of this post. I guess your honest opinions are all I can hope for.

Thanks for any input.

Edit #2. I've taken long road trips in my self converted Ford econoline. So I'm not completely blind to vehicle living. They weren't extended living situations, but there have been multiple trips between a week and two long.