Hello!

Here’s the deal: dad of 6 and 8 year old girls. Will retire in 5 years. Looking for idea vehicle to shuttle kids and their friends everywhere AND take on weekend and summer break adventures.

Would like to have three modes for this unicorn:

1. Passenger Mode: daily driver, shuttle hordes of kids to and from where they need to be. At minimum Seats for wife and I plus 2 girls and 2 friends each. 8 seats…options for more would be great

2. Camping with friends Mode: ability to sleep wife and I in vehicle- rest of kids in tent / rooftop tent. 8 seats ideal / willing to do 6

3. Summer adventure mode: hit the road during summer break. Seat and sleep 4 inside, toilet, dining, kitchen inside, shower would be nice…outdoor ok.

4. Option to fully convert one day to full time van life for 2 once kids are gone. Just looking for it to not be a complete gut job. With this in mind, better to find one with no windows now?

This is the closest example I could find. But not ideal with 4hr conversion time https://youtu.be/a_Hhi7Ob91Y

Feel like smart floors and elevator bed could make conversion much easier and efficient. Like the pod system idea utilizing smart floor to give different options but have not seen it implemented in an actual build.

Any good layouts that fit the bill? - send links!

Understand this modularity will prevent the three modes from doing anything great - but all three good enough is good enough for me!

I miss it out there-just being on the road, anywhere, with nothing but open skies and winding roads ahead. There's something incredibly freeing about packing up, taking the van, and just going without a set plan. No obligations or schedules, just the excitement of discovering new places, meeting people, and being fully present in the moment. That feeling of freedom, of possibility, is something I crave more and more. I think about it often, that quiet thrill of the journey, and I can't wait to get back out there...

I haven't used my heater in a long time, and aside from thermoking, I was wondering if anybody has affordable solutions they use to service and prep their bunk heaters for winter?

I'm in Los Angeles right now, and will be in San Diego next week. If there's someone specific that you know, I'd be super appreciative.

I'm also unsure of the average cost of staid since I haven't had it done before so if you could help me out with a ballpark of what you think would be fair that'd be super appreciated

Australian here - first time reddit poster. Am currently converting an old rundown bus into a home, first project like this and am a little overwhelmed with the power side of things and was hoping to get some advice.

For context, the bus does not run and has no starter-battery. I am hoping to hook up a single solar panel on the roof to two auxillary batteries in the bus which will then power my 12v electrics. I wanted to grab advice on wiring it all together.

The equipment I am using is:
- 160W Adventure Kings Solar Panel (fixed to roof)
- Adventure Kings 115Ah AGM deep cycle batteries
- Adventure Kings MPPT Solar Regulator (20Amps)
- Narva Automotive Cable 6mm (4.5mm2), Rated to 50Amps (Copper)

I'll attach a rough diagram of how I plan to wire the system but in words:

1. Positive and negative wire going from panel to solar regulator
2. Positive and negative wire going from solar regular to battery 1
3. Negative wire going from battery 1 to ground (attached to chassis or bus wall)
4. Positive and negative wire going from battery 1 to battery 2
5. Positive and negative wire going from battery 2 to electrical devices

Is this the right way to do it? I found the advice in the solar regulator manual very poor. There seem to be two addition wire clamps which don't have a use - do I run the electrical devices straight from the battery or from the regulator? Are the batteries wired up correctly? Does it matter which device/battery the ground wire comes from?

A couple additional questions - I am very conscious of fire and do not want to burn my bus down, at this point I hadn't planned on adding any fuses to the wiring - is this a mistake?. I also wanted to make sure that I am using thick enough wiring and that I am wiring in the right way.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Wiring Diagram

I've been car dwelling solo for about a year, mostly in the western US. The places I've stuck around in have had a prominent nomad culture, so it's been easy to meet people. I'm anticipating that might be different in West Virginia, but maybe not? I'm excited to spend some time alone in the forest, but over one month I know I'll crave some human interaction. I'm also recently sober from alcohol and not interested in hanging around bars to meet people.
Does anyone have experience in this area and have any suggestions?

I bought some 3/4 inch duraspan insulation board and i want to make blackout boards with it.. how do i shape them or cut them precisely to my windows shape? Any tips or videos you guys got to give me an idea?

Has anyone purchased directly from lizard skin for a bulk discount they describe on their website? Every time I call to inquire about they send me to a voicemail and no returned call?

So I am 37f and making the move this weekend. So I plan to work near Fort Worth not necessarily in the cities, but anyone have issues van dwelling and how to be relatively safe? Currently where I am, Walmart, 24 hr gyms, Religious hospitals, friend's, campgrounds and 24 hr rest stops is what I've been doing for almost a year now. I am going to tx just for school. I plan to work 3rd shifts during the winter and switch shifts come spring and then summer I'll dwell up north in Michigan to work and then come back down to finish college. Anyways any tips for the area? Just want to be safe and make abiding. Ty

I'm a CNA so I can find work pretty much anywhere I go, but I wouldn't mind some seasonal job app recommendations. I know of a few.

But even besides job apps - anything that helps out in your opinion?

What do ya all use for portable ac and heater for camper off grid box truck, surbabn, shortbus, shuttle bus,Honda element whatever I end up getting

NEKPOKKA 12V DC air conditioner，electric air conditioning unit are applicable to trucks, RVs, buses, agricultural vehicles, campers, etc. 12V split electric air conditioner (12V) https://a.co/d/gkTQjtH

Namely: 4WD/AWD van with decent gas mileage

I adore everything about the HiAce, except the potential hassle and expense of trying to maintain a 25-year-old one in the States. Are there any domestic vehicles that scratch the same itch? I can't seem to find anything that ticks all three boxes.

Does anyone have any experience with the slim wall-mount radiant electric heaters like this? I've got shore power, but I wonder about durability. I've loved the oil filled radiator style, but I have to kick it around and secure it when driving and wall mounting is attractive. Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/EconoHome-Mount-Space-Heater-Panel/dp/B0D6CVM14M/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239%3Aamzn1.sym.76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239&cv_ct_cx=slim%2Bradiant%2Bheater+rv&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-EaLg0nB-QK2LSy-ltZQ9IAF7zprnQ9YmjTcB5QWZc_Egbsrt-ShWFNajtFzN6j0kQJdodOEXx4GILnEuLmvnA.XGVcHuisVXFl6r3qfXzirYKyKVOwwO0taHk0vH9cGdY&dib_tag=se&keywords=slim%2Bradiant%2Bheater+rv&pd_rd_i=B0D6CVM14M&pd_rd_r=82c959ca-700a-40e0-a385-53a1f3572328&pd_rd_w=NTLDC&pd_rd_wg=Y3w7s&pf_rd_p=76d54fcc-2362-404d-ab9b-b0653e2b2239&pf_rd_r=KQTY5KMDGR6GCD420G8F&qid=1730203354&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

Since I started researching I've never seen a setup that was not a lithium batteries even on YouTube nothing pop-ups just all lithium lifepo4 offgrid campervan even in rv trailers I see victron using lithium so give me a breakdown Idk lol

Propane fualee heater recommended for winter plus wood stove got the right idea? If so what brand for said heater.

I'm just wondering if you struggle in the confines of modern life and find peace in your van. I struggle a lot and I am considering moving into a small van.

Is this legit off grid van setup I'll add 2 more core series looking for recommendation setups. most appliances 5.5q air fryer Stoke Voltaics pan & pot Hydroponics 2 gardens assumes they be on 24/7 Bodegacooler Bravo smart oven Ecoflow delta 2 Ecoflow wave 2 (Emergency use) generator delta pro 3 or just most use for the Bravo oven Should I invest in a propane

This kit can't I add to it? Like DC to DC Charger to car alternator and ig more batteries 100ah single wront work definitely in winter how many ah each battery for the 6 panels planning to have a 2 garden hydroponics on 24/7

Any reason I cannot swap a 95A alternator in my 2004 E150 (4.6L) for a 130A? If this is a straightforward swap, what brand/model of the alternator would you al recommend? Would there be any issues with the gauge of wiring now used when upgrading to higher amperage? Also, recs on a beefy battery to match an upgraded alternator?

In summer our panels and alternator are sufficient to keep our batteries full.

To get the most out of our relocations between ski resorts in winter, I was thinking to install a 200a relais as bypass for our 50A DCDC, to charge our 300Ah LiFePo4 directly from the alternator in winter conditions. Manual switching etc. There is about 5m 35mm2 cable between the 180a alternator and the batteries. Wouldnt that be enough resistance to limit the alternator load? Any one had any experience on this?

Another option is to install a 2nd DCDC charger, but our current renogy DCC50S doesnt like parallel DCDC afaik

Hey I’ve got a multi meter but not sure how to use it in my system with my fuse box. Pretty standard system.

Battery > bus bars > fuse box to 12v appliances and inverter to all 110v.

I’ve got maybe 10 appliances total and I’d like to figure out which one is draining my battery since it’s draining quicker than it should and has in the past.

This might come off like an autistic dump of info, but this is psrtly why I am living in a van.

This is my first 3 months into van life. I have MB Metris passenger, with no extra insulation, DIY Reflectix window covers.

I've utilized blankets, sleeping bags, zipties, carabiners, bungees and tape to create a lil sleeping cube within the back of van, partitioning off front seats and the back row/trunk area.

I put flannel cold weather sleeping bag in the ground, with things stuffed in the footstep. Next, blankets hooked up high and going along the side doors, tucked into the sleeping bag.

I used a thinner sleeping bag to create a roof, rear partition, and moving blanket over front seats. I have covered the barn doors, and that was even more helpful (need another moving blanket).

It has recently been dipping as low as 32 in the coldest part of the night/morning. And the sleeping space stays around 45-49 degrees.

No heaters used, no electric blankets, just body heat. The sleeping bag I'm using is not for the cold, but I'm always comfortable.

I felt the cold weather bag would've done better job at insulating the floor, and I noticed a big sifference when covering the ceiling.

I have NOT been cracking the windows though, and I think I might be developing a cough from that. Tonight it'll get to 30-32, and I'm testing out jabbing the windows open tonight (at least I am as of right now, before bedtime).