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azrockclimber
Dec 7, 2005, 8:10 PM
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So..I have been thinking about what type of vehicle I could basically live in...and how I would set it up.
a Ford E-150 van
or a VW Van
I would build a plywood floor that I would set at mid height in the back of the van...sleep on top of it and store underneath...
I was thinking about putting one of those Makita( insert Japanese cargo name here) cargo carriers on the top of the van... to hold extra gear.
A bike rack on the rear that locks. I guess I would store the bike inside if I was going to be away from the van.
I was thinking 6 cyl. eng. to save on gas but still be able to get me around.
E-150 came to mind for the amount of space. VW came to mind becasue I love em.
How would you do it?...or how do you do it?. or how did you do it.? That would be totally awesome to hear about.
As of now it is still 6mo. to 1 year away for me but I am really starting to put together the pieces of the puzzle.
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4togo
Dec 7, 2005, 8:14 PM
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I'm thinking of the same thing in a similar, perhaps slightly more distant, time period. I'd love to hear suggestions as well.
I have a friend who did something very similar with a Suburban... plywood floor, padding on top for sleeping, storage underneath. It was amazing how much 'stuff' could be stored down there, neatly organized in tubs!
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vincent
Dec 7, 2005, 8:33 PM
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i have been sleeping in my car since last year , some of my observations:
- i have a 89' honda accord with the back interior removed , i layed down an 8' x 4' sheet of particle board and put eggshell cushioning and it comfortably sleeps me and my g/f with no scrunched up legs.
- i get 30+ MPG . vans are great but they suck on gas and you have a tendency to load them up with stuff you don't really need when you're traveling for extended periods of time . more room often equals more clutter.
- vans are high profile to rangers , land managers , who look for people sleeping in their vehicles . i have spent many anonymous nights in the valley unmolested partly because my car just doesn't look like two people would be sleeping in it .
-if i could i would go with a 4 banger toyota camry , the wagon style , lots of room but still low pro .
-most of those cool looking VW vans , even the old ones , require premium gas
- if you're road tripping keep it simple , its nice to have a vehicle to sleep in but remember the point is to get in as much climbing as possible , don't get to comfy in that rig , it might be hard to leave on cold mornings.
-happy climbing
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azrockclimber
Dec 7, 2005, 8:45 PM
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vincent...
You have lived in an accord for a year..that is really impressive.
I completely understand the gas milage take. I just didn't hink I could live in the back of something that small...regardless mad props to you. way to live it.
I figured I could stay in yosemite as long as I wanted as long as I had curtains in my van...same with other places...???
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billl7
Dec 7, 2005, 8:49 PM
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Did something like this for a slightly different purpose: sleeping on the road-side or in campgrounds during multi-day road trips. But I also needed the use of the front bench as well as the bucket seats up front. Details probably aren't important to you but ask if interested.
One aspect I addressed was minimizing the possibility of whole thing flying around in a severe crash. Did this by bolting the supporting framework to the bench mounts in the floor.
I would go for the space (e.g., the Ford over the VW). We did ours in a Dodge minivan and it seemed a little cramped to me - but that's the vehicle I had to work with at the time plus we were sleeping two adults and a 3 year old child.
Bill
Edited to clarify reason why I did this.
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g-funk
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Dec 7, 2005, 9:07 PM
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I know the VW vans are all nostagic and loaded with personality, but if you hit something (as eventually happens on many long road trips) there is nothing to protect your legs. I had a buddy that almost lost his legs in a VW van from hitting an elk in Montana. Food for thought. . . .
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sspssp
Dec 7, 2005, 9:42 PM
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Vans are nice, although they will suck down the gas. Vans also have a truck suspension with pretty good clearance. The VWs (unless you are talking the really old ones that break down all the time) have poor clearance. But it all depends on where you want to climb.
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sweetchuck
Dec 7, 2005, 9:45 PM
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I lived in my VW van for a while with a friend. Yeah, you feel like lifting your legs when you get close to another car, but think of it as being on the "sharp edge" of driving, and put a spare tire up there.
It was great because it had a stove and sink right in there, and plenty of storage, a table that comes down and the passenger seat turns around. Also you can access the engine from inside so your pal can adjust the throttle while you roll down the road, and you can fix it in the rain. You will have to fix it regularly (and irregularly too), better tow another one behind you for parts. For two guys who arn't gay to live in day in and day our for a few months, it was cozy. If you are going to be smoking dope, like everyone does that drives them, you needn't fly your "Hey police man, I am smoking dope in here" flag, they will know already, and pull you over accordingly. You won't be fooling anyone when you are pretending to be a parked car but are really sleeping in there. I remember getting nasty notes on the windshield in NJ.
sc
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rockguide
Dec 8, 2005, 7:09 AM
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I lived in a ford econoline 150 for the better part of 4 years (out of six)- and a minivan for about half a year (over 3 years).
The bigger vans are good for driving and staying somewhere a long time, the smaller for lots of driving and short stays.
The trick for semilegal bivies/illegal bivies is a bed with storage room inside it ... that you can sleep in as well. Curtains and sleeping on the bed are great for the totally casual bivies. No curtains and sleeping inside the bed is the best for sketch bivies. The man looks inside, sees no-one on the bed, and moves on.
Oh, and to keep people from hassling you, when the curtains are up have two coffee mugs on the dashboard - two people would be less messed with than one. If one of the mugs is NRA, so much the better.
Of course, being Canadian, nobody believes I am armed with more than a hockey stick, anyways.
Brian
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esoteric1
Dec 8, 2005, 10:02 AM
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check this out,
4 banger nissan truck, with a shell...with no windows in it, put a set of curtains in the back and the front to curb the view. I lived in and out of mine from time to time for years till it met its demise on black ice....and a phone pole.
go figure, im from so cal.
vw`s break too much...and econolines burn too much gas.
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roc-dude
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Dec 8, 2005, 2:44 PM
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Had two VW westys over 10 years one was a mid 70, the other was late a 80s. Going on the road is always an adventure, "Where will I break down this time and how long will I be there"? About five years ago switched to a Sportsmobile (ford 350 campermobile) love it. Reliable and comfortable. Mine is setup similar to the VW westy. The biggest problem is that they can be expensive. look for a used ones on http://www.sportsmobile.com/index.html.
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kellie
Dec 8, 2005, 3:42 PM
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Why is it necessary to sleep *in* your vehicle? I spent a year and a half living out of a Tercel; throwing down a tarp and a sleeping bag every night was just not that big of a deal; certainly not compared to the cost of gas. Sure it's *nice* to be able to crash in your car; but it's hardly a requirement.
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bigrock
Dec 8, 2005, 7:27 PM
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If you have decided that a van is better then get a Ford E-150 conversion van. They are big, quiet (for sleeping in that noisy campground) and comfortable rides with some amenities. (Not for the type tough enough to live out of a car.)
Compared to a similar VW van they are dirt cheap and the money you spend on the vehicle will more than pay for your gas. So you get the space and comfort for nothing.
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giza
Dec 8, 2005, 7:51 PM
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Here is the van you want bro!! Forget about the VW and the Ford, Toyota's are the way to go.
http://siborg.home.comcast.net/redhills1.jpg
Mine is not a 4x4 like this one, but otherwise is equally as pimp.
I bought mine for $1100 and it's been running for two years. Lots of trips in the snow, on logging roads, steep terrain, and I've never had any problems with it. It has over 300,000 kms on the engine and just keeps going!!!!!!
I sleep in the back and have storage space for lots of gear. I highly recommend these vans and and will definitely be buying another one.
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notch
Dec 8, 2005, 8:09 PM
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In reply to: I had a buddy that almost lost his legs in a VW van from hitting an elk in Montana. Food for thought. . . .
Yeah, elk is pretty tasty.
Anyway, I love the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari with all wheel drive. They're built on the S-10 truck platform, so the suspension is pretty tough, and I've driven through some surprisingly deep snow with these. About 20 mpg, and not quite as blatant a habitat as a full size van. I'd leave all of the stickers off of the thing and wash the exterior once in a while, it's amazing how much that keeps suspicion down.
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ledavis23
Dec 8, 2005, 8:12 PM
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My .02:
My Dad went through three Ford vans from the early 70s til early 90s. I can tell you, unless they've made improvements, the first thing to go will be the air conditioning. Then you'll have problems with it running hot in mountain passes and such. They are very roomy and nice to be able to move from driving to sleeping without getting out in the weather. You'd be able to get a ton of gear in one of those things. Your bike might even be able to slide in somewhere too. The gas mileage will kill you and as others have stated, it will be more obvious when you are illegaly camping.
The VW vans are great if you get the sink or stove, they are tighter though. Definitely find one with the pop-up. If you get one of these, get the newest one you can find. It will be less likely to break down and might get better mileage. Either way it will get better mileage than a full-size.
I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma with a shell on the back. I built a platform that sits just atop the wheels. It has minimal storage underneath, but sleeps two very comfortably. If I was in it by myself I could get all the gear I would ever want in it. It gets 23mpg hwy and city and Toyotas (like Honda) are known for making it well into the 200,000s. It's a regular cab with a bench seat and I can also get 3 full-size storage tubs in the front of it (if I'm not driving).
One of the best things I did was building a wooden platform for our Whisperlite stove to be semi-permanently attached to. No leaks, no spills, no having to break down and set up every time.
If I was going to change my set up I'd get a minivan like a Dodge caravan. My ma-in-law has one with about 130,000 on it and she's put it through all kinds of neglect- like not changing the oil for years at a time! It runs great, but has had some transmission trouble. I love the way a caravan drives, but hers has had lots of problems with electrical switches going out too. I'd take all the seats out and set up a bed platform in the back, install deep drawers underneath for storage, and put up curtains.
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reg
Dec 8, 2005, 8:20 PM
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my e350 (one ton) with the 7.3l turbo desiel has acheived 24 mpg hwy if i drive it like i have an egg between my foot and the fuel pedal. once at seneca, wv, i let it idle for 6hrs (they love to do that) and the fuel guage never moved. it was winter, v cold and the mr. heater broke. it can carry a load of stuff and has well over a 600 mile range (38g tank@ 20mpg) as long as you keep your foot out of it. even loaded and drivin as if it didn't matter it gets 18mpg. but low pro it ain't - it's loud (but burns clean thanks to computers) big and white. the huge slab of white sheet metal on one side may get an original painting of seneca. plenty of room for comode bench/bed seat, micro wave, two burner propane (outside with 20# cyl). i even have a good idea for a sit shower that completely packs away. ya could mount some holds on the cieling and walls (cave) then out the back doors onto the crack simulator hangin off the roof. now ya got something!
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hossjulia
Dec 8, 2005, 8:36 PM
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I've been living out of the back of a full size chevy pick up, with a shell, on and off for 2 years. (Through a couple of winters)With a 100 pound dog. Frankly, the newer 6 cyl engines don't get any better mileage than this baby does, about 18mpg on road trips. Still, wish it got better mileage, it tends to keep me from going too far from home base.
I know of a guy that's been living out of an old Datsun 2 door for as long as I've been around. Even had it painted. He rides a bike around alot too.
Another friend lives out of his Toyota pu with a shell, through the winters here too, for about 4 years or more now. He keeps it simple, has a roof rack with a box, uses his lightweight backcoutry stuff, and has no platform ar anything like that in the back.
I tuck a lot of stuff into the extra cab area, under the back seat my dog rides on. I have the dog ride up front with me for saftey in case of a crash. Plus, he likes it better than the back. Most everything else is in rubbermaid bins, so I can pull them out of the back and sleep in the back when weather threatens. That way, nothing gets wet outside, and dog and I stay dry inside. Works for me.
Rented a house a couple of winters ago. What a pain in the ass! You have to clean those things, you know?
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dynamo_
Dec 8, 2005, 8:58 PM
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Subaru Forester?
Mildly roomy, Good on gas, descent clearance, and fast...always good.
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kellie
Dec 8, 2005, 9:01 PM
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In reply to: Frankly, the newer 6 cyl engines don't get any better mileage than this baby does, about 18mpg on road trips. Still, wish it got better mileage, it tends to keep me from going too far from home base.
Good heavens. I would think so. I get 35 - 40 mph fully loaded with two people in the car. I would never leave home if I got 18; I'm too spoiled now.
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t-dog
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Dec 8, 2005, 9:10 PM
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In reply to: once at seneca, wv, i let it idle for 6hrs (they love to do that) and the fuel guage never moved.
Gas gauge broken?
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sspssp
Dec 8, 2005, 9:28 PM
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In reply to: Why is it necessary to sleep *in* your vehicle? I spent a year and a half living out of a Tercel; throwing down a tarp and a sleeping bag every night was just not that big of a deal; certainly not compared to the cost of gas. Sure it's *nice* to be able to crash in your car; but it's hardly a requirement.
If you are on a budget, this isn't a bad way to go and I did it as a student. But it sure is nice to be able to pull into a truckstop, a casino, or even a residential neighborhood and crash in the back for a few hours. If you spend all your time in national forests, where camping is mellow is one thing, but if you drive around enough...
Rainny days sure are nicer sitting in a van also...
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kellie
Dec 8, 2005, 10:27 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: Why is it necessary to sleep *in* your vehicle? I spent a year and a half living out of a Tercel; throwing down a tarp and a sleeping bag every night was just not that big of a deal; certainly not compared to the cost of gas. Sure it's *nice* to be able to crash in your car; but it's hardly a requirement. If you are on a budget, this isn't a bad way to go and I did it as a student. But it sure is nice to be able to pull into a truckstop, a casino, or even a residential neighborhood and crash in the back for a few hours. If you spend all your time in national forests, where camping is mellow is one thing, but if you drive around enough... Rainny days sure are nicer sitting in a van also...
You bet, it's nice, but you're talking about spending (likely) tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle and then spending approximately 2x as much $$ on gas for a pretty moderate increase in comfort and convenience. I'd rather spend it on extending my roadtrip and climbing more. Yeah, I had to get creative with camping sometimes, but isn't that the dirtbag way? I never made it east of Wyoming, though, I suppose it would be trickier back East than out West.
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sspssp
Dec 8, 2005, 10:38 PM
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Tens of thousands? I didn't think we were restricting ourselves to brand new vehicles here. A decent used van would be under ten thousand. In addition to gas, repairs on trucks/vans are a little more than cars.
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builttospill
Dec 8, 2005, 11:12 PM
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might want to check out the book "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat-Moon or something like that. He rigs a van for an around-the-country trip. His setup is a bit more than you'd probably want, but it will give you some ideas.
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