/r/vandwellers

Photograph via snooOG

Tips and tricks for living in your van, car or truck. It's a great way to save money or travel the world. No mechanical advice. No purchase advice on vehicles. No politics. Be kind.

Visit our FAQ to jumpstart your journey! https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/wiki/index

/r/vandwellers

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2

A video about a type of job that some may be interested in: Firewatch. It apparently doesn't take a lot of skills, is almost no actual work, and is not super well known. It is long hours, but it is often for short term projects. So, you can work for a few weeks, store away some cash and move on.

Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biuCdt826wo&t=1172

I have set it to go straight to the part where she finally talks about the pay. She says her first job paid $18 per hour. I saw some listings in the video where they were paying $24 per hour. But these jobs also often pay daily per diem for housing expenses, because they know the people doing these jobs aren't just coming from the local town. Sometimes the jobs require working 72 hours a week. Yes, that's a lot. But you get paid overtime after 40 hours per week.

I am definitely not associated with this YouTuber. I just thought it might help some folks.

0 Comments
2025/02/01
18:14 UTC

0

Infrared diesel heater pros/cons?

I need to know if this thing is good to get my van warm? What are the pros/cons of this unit over other heater methods? My space is around ~15m3. This is just an example brand "Climameister IR 20 T " as demonstration. I also saw the airrex but it quite a large unit. But seems that that's the same technology.

16 Comments
2025/02/01
17:23 UTC

5

Kinda weird off question about power.

So, I recently got a 10ft box truck that I am slowly building before my lease goes up in June, and have a bit of a first world problem: How much power would I need? I am a content creator in the horror space (long story) and I have gotten the internet side of things figured out, my main hang up is I know during the day in full sun my solar should keep up (I am getting 800w panels, (friend of mine owns a solar panel company and is helping me with that part) but I work 6-430 and once i am off and the sun goes down, I kinda don't want my computer to die while editing a 1+ hour video. I am looking at the 500wh battery at costco but don't wanna strain the supply I would need.

For full details to add context. The only things I would need the power for is a small fridge (looking at the upstreman 1.7cu fridge) I am going with the Renogy 3000w inverter with the monitor/shunt and the solar charge controller from the same brand as I have seen a lot of people use those. The others things would be my tv and game system, internet hot spot, and computer. I plan to wire the alternator to send power back as well for cloudier days. Besides that I have everything else figured out. Thank you for your time and I am sorry about the word pasta, I figured I would give info along with the question.

13 Comments
2025/02/01
16:20 UTC

8

2008 E250 Swivel Seats

https://preview.redd.it/h425szdaajge1.png?width=2834&format=png&auto=webp&s=a3bd210a38a26d7f75331f0eda446e02737baa7c

This is my first post, but this sub has become my absolute favorite source of information. Thank you! I'm building out my 2008 Ford E250. I really want a swivel on the passenger seat. Has anyone used this type of Swivel? It's the most affordable I've found.

4 Comments
2025/02/01
14:03 UTC

1

Heat water temp control, cummins 8.1 to hydronics pex system limiting to 165 degrees max.

Skoolie:
20 gallon Kumma Marine water heater, Diesel water heater, 2 underdash 12v heaters, 5 port manifold, 275ft of pex non permeable, expecting 6-9 gallons of extra Coolant to fill the flow path on top of the engine system coolant. (9gallons, 18gallons total) Cummins runs around 200 degrees on average. I want to be able to heat the block from the system on a cold day, and run the opposite direction while driving without over heating and melting the pex (180 degrees max tempfor pex listed by manufacturer). Suggestions please.

https://preview.redd.it/sn9k2lbrgege1.jpg?width=2550&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8dc3349409e3192a4b16c7ce46be39f1e924e6bd

0 Comments
2025/01/31
21:50 UTC

1

Space heater powered from electric hookup via extension cable?

We have a Class B campervan and want to use a space heater. We don’t want to drain our van’s power and we’ll be at a campsite, so would like to use the electric hookup and an extension cable.

I’ve been advised to use a 14 or #12 AWG extension cable with a RCCD residue current circuit beaker or earth leakage breaker (25 or 40 ma). This was off a friend who is familiar with electrics but not vanlife.

Do you have any experience with this kind of setup with a van?

For reference we have a diesel heater but it often cuts out. This is a backup option because we’ll be staying in a ski resort and it’s going to be -10celsius tonight.

1 Comment
2025/01/31
16:45 UTC

4

Is my LifePo battery toast?

I have a 100ah Chinese LifePo battery that is only about 6 months old. I’m currently on a snow trip in Mammoth and today the battery would not even turn on. I tested the voltage with a multimeter and I’m getting a reading of 8.0v. I tried charging it with Noco Genius10, but it keeps restarting as soon as it detects the battery. Any help would be appreciated, the snow is supposed to come in tonight and I would love some heat!

Edit: just to clarify, it’s my house battery. I’m running a lead acid starter battery and it is doing fine. Battery in question is an AOlithium 100 ah LifePo. https://aolithium.com/products/12v100ah-4s-lithium-lifepo4-battery

13 Comments
2025/02/01
01:18 UTC

0

can someone ELI5 cameras? & WiFi

video surveillance is a must for me, but I don’t know what I’m doing. I do not have WiFi because I don’t understand what I need. A hotspot? I understand there are “cellular” cameras..

17 Comments
2025/01/31
23:03 UTC

15

What am I missing about Docan batteries? Why are they one tenth the price of other batteries?

For example

There's gotta be something glaring that I'm completely overlooking. What is it?

45 Comments
2025/01/31
16:47 UTC

0

Finally getting a van! Where do I even start?

Hey everyone,

I am super excited to say that I am finally going to buy my first van​ after dreaming of this lifestyle for more than 10 years!! :-) So now I need some advice from you guys as a complete newbie!

Questions for you guys<3
- What van do you recommend buying for living/driving in the cold and snowy part of northern Europe, that will last long and be somewhat cheap and easy to repair and maintain?
- What are some advice you wish you got before buying your first van?
- How did you go on about getting your first van, and how did you start converting it in to a home?
- Where should I splurge and where should I save? I am looking to gradually build and upgrade it, so what should I make sure I spend money on now and what can wait?

I have a few requirements:
- I want to be able to stand up (I am 163cm tall)
- Be able to park in most parking spaces and somehow easy to drive (but still be long enough to put in a bed for one person and a dog, a shower stall, a little fridge + gas cooker, and a toilet for emergency situations)
- Four wheel drive or front wheel drive.
- Will be possible to sleep in both -20 degrees and +30 degrees celcius, so it has to have space to add required heating and cooling systems for all seasons.

I do not want a sprinter van due to the fact that ive heard its very expensive to run and repair. I have been looking at the Fiat Ducato, VW Crafter, Ford Transit, and the Renault Master (easy to get here) but I am open to recommendations and tips - I know NOTHING about cars/vans. Im only used to living a kinda similar life on a sailboat. I am aware it's going to be a steep and extreme learning curve here with a lot of frustrations.

I have the next couple years to actually convert it, and will do most of the work myself (I will hire professional help for the important stuff as I don't want to fuck it up too much). I would be starting out slowly with weekend trips but wish to build it for maybe getting in to it full time in the future.

I don't really have a set budget, it all depends on what is out there and the recommendations I get. But it should be a van that I can have for years to come, without having the need to get a new one after just a few years.

Sorry for the extremely long post, and sorry if my english suck! Thank you so much :)

15 Comments
2025/01/31
14:35 UTC

0

How do I know if my diesel heater has been fitted correctly?

So the guy who fitted it is a mechanic, but I know him through a friend and that’s why I went to him. I didn’t realise he didn’t put a fuse on the wires connecting the heater to my battery until an electrician pointed it out when he was connecting my max air fan.

I’ve just started sleeping in my van with my dogs and it’s freezing. I’m worried of carbon monoxide poisoning since people keep saying “as long as you have an alarm and it’s been fitted correctly”. I have an alarm, but since this guy forgot to put a fuse on my heater how do I know if he actually fitted it correctly or not? Now I’m scared to use it. And I have anxiety so I worry the alarm will stop working when I need it to lol.

23 Comments
2025/01/31
07:32 UTC

2

Finishing up insulation, need walls next. Best materials?

I skimped on adding wooden frames all over n pretty much just covered everything in xps, was rushing to get it done n kinda planned poorly.i have a couple of sections I could still secure mounting points to but I was trying to figure an easier option. Walls are covered in xps except for some cedar boards I got in the middle of the walls, length wise, that I'm gonna put e-tracks on. For walls I was thinking poss just using wallpaper or some thin vinyl materials. Ideas?

5 Comments
2025/01/31
03:39 UTC

61

Window covering

I’ve been staying in my Mazda MPV for about a month now. I’m mostly comfortable but still sleep without covered windows.

I got some reflective insulation to cut to size but then failed thinking I could hang it with gaffers tape.

What’s the best route to cover minivan windows and still be able to see out? I’d prefer curtains but also know insulation would help.

7 Comments
2025/01/31
01:30 UTC

0

Can life as a student work with van life

Hey so this is kinda a downbeat post but I may be getting kicked out of my home. How realistic is living in a van through college. I have 10k saved and can take out student loans. I can't afford rent where I live even working full time and my college program requires an especially high amount of time dedication. Looking at cheaper vans in the 20k range to make payments on and covert. Any recommendations to how this could be done

9 Comments
2025/01/30
02:04 UTC

3

Off Shore Power Install

Hey everyone, so we're wanting to install the shore power inlet on our Ford Transit soon and we aren't too sure if we should install it from the side (cutting a hole) or installing from the bottom back drivers side where there's a plastic piece covering a rectangular hole that leads into the van. We're trying to avoid cutting holes in the van as much as possible so we'd like to do it from the bottom, but we've heard from others that dirt and water may get kicked up onto the inlet. It'll have a cap on it so I don't think much should get in if any at all - I mean, they're made to withstand the weather. Is it better to cut a hole in the side and do it or should we continue on with going from the bottom? TIA!

2 Comments
2025/01/30
04:47 UTC

3

Sleeping in car in the cold

Hello everyone... so I'm most likely going to be homeless for a while starting probably, around March at the latest, and sleeping in my car, and I'm not really too worried about much besides the cold weather mainly...

So I'm not sure exactly 100% where yet, just in Michigan, probably if not towards what my research tells me is generally the warmest areas in Winter, then somewhere that current forecasts, and weather history, says is generally/predicted around the lows of ~20's to highs of 40's-50ish.

I've done a bit of research already, and from what I can tell a nice sleeping bag is said to help make all the difference. So I'm just wondering if (and how, honestly) sleeping bags really do/can make all the difference and make it doable, and also just looking for any other advice and things to help make it a bit more manageable in general (without having hundreds or thousands of dollars of course lol)... thank you so much in advance!

(I mean, if people can sleep and survive climbing Mt. Everest I should be able to fairly decently endure the tail-end of Winter in Michigan areas right?! Lol)

17 Comments
2025/01/30
05:55 UTC

0

How much do I need an AC?

Thinking about buying a T6 Transporter

80 kW, 110k km, 15k

It has almost no extras, even no AC.

How important is the AC? Moisture wise it concerns me the most.

Heat wise during summer I guess it’s ok. Will travel within Central Europe, mostly the alpes

1 Comment
2025/01/30
13:08 UTC

0

Dometic CFX325 not working with DC power?

My dometic CFX325 works fine with AC power, but when I plug it in with DC it stays at 48 degrees and won't get cold. Keeps turning off.

Has anyone else experienced this issue/knows what to do?

2 Comments
2025/01/30
17:39 UTC

1

Van storage ideas

I’m trying to decide what type of storage I should use for my van I’m undisive between a storage box with compartments or if I should have drawers instead. The van is my daily atm and am looking into taking it camping one day after I’m done building it, and I guess also have it as emergency vehicle just in case but nothing too extreme. Any ideas are welcome.

13 Comments
2025/01/30
20:02 UTC

1

Drink Organizer for Mini-fridge Suggestions?

I'm looking for tips or suggestions on a drink organizer for the mini-fridge, preferably one with the drink return/spring glide type.

I currently have to keep the plastic around the water bottles for it stay and I think this affects the circulation, plus it's not convenient. All the bottle organizers I've found are a tad too deep. The width (15.5") is fine, but the depth availability (9.5") is limited because of the door's bottom tray.

4 Comments
2025/01/30
20:21 UTC

1

Anyone know of a way to test for diesel fumes?

I feel like I smell an extremely faint smell of diesel exhaust in the van with the heater and max air fan going. CO meter hasn't gone off so not concerned about carbon monoxide as much as the fumes of the exhaust itself.

I can't find a meter or gauge or anything that tests for diesel exhaust. No idea how to find where it may even be coming from, could be under the door as that's the area outside the smells the most, but that's just random guesses. Hard to pinpoint anything without a meter, my nose isn't reliable cus I won't smell anything then I'll think but maybe that does kinda smell

12 Comments
2025/01/30
18:25 UTC

5

Garbage compactor

Does anyone use a compacting trash can to save space on waste? If so, which kind do you use?

Edit: For people saying to dispose more frequently or burn/bury it: I dispersed camp for 2 weeks at a time and am often in areas where burning out burying would harm the land.

Edit: For people saying to generate less waste: I'm not willing to give up eating fruit and vegetables, nor am I willing to eat banana peels and orange rinds

20 Comments
2025/01/30
14:25 UTC

5

Starting my Van Life Adventure! (Help Needed lol)

Soooo long story short Iv watched van life videos for years and have been doing research and watching videos more in depth for about 3 months. I’m about to start building a van to live in for 2 years to save for land or house and I have some questions

Question 1: Will the products above and 2 LiTime Lifepo4 200ah 12v batteries and a fuse box be a complete/compatible solar setup?

Question 2: should I do a 3000w inverter? The only thing that will constantly be running is my mini fridge/freezer. Other things I’ll will run occasionally will be -smart tv -dvd player or vcr -older gaming console (ps2, GameCube, n64 etc.) -gaming monitor and gaming laptop will be plugged in to charger when gaming

Question 3: recommendations on insulations and what size wood to use for framing?

Question 4: tips and tricks on saving money during my build

14 Comments
2025/01/30
09:38 UTC

164

My van is dead :(

Well everyone, my van is officially dead. The engine is seized. The dealership tried to turn the crank and it didn't move. The mechanic that was working on it is interested in buying it though. Depending on what he's going to offer. I have a line on a shop that can replace the motor in case the sale doesn't happen.

It was a great five years and hopefully the next one, van or engine, makes for another great five.

78 Comments
2025/01/30
02:22 UTC

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