I live in a Camper Van and here is a Van Tour of the 1975 Ford Econoline that I have been Van Dwelling in for the last 6 months and will continue living in this van for quite some time.
I lived in my 1986 Chevy Van for 8 years. For the most part, it was heaven. I've traveled through the U.S. and Canada and stayed mostly at Walmarts, rest areas and casinos. The single most important addition that I made was to install a curtain that covered all the windows so no one could tell if anyone was inside, even with the lights on. If I hadn't done that, cops would have been knocking on my door constantly.
pretty sustainable. if everyone did this at some point in their life, they would quickly realize how badly they have been robbed by the government.. and from there on, take the steps to meticulously build their future..
I lived in my car for 3 months. Saved tons of money. It got cold and now I'm renting. Rent, utilities..etc are breaking me. I plan on going back to my car next year. Best thing ever!
I like the van living idea. I also watch Cheapervliving with Bob Wells, and he shows how to set up a private shower stall at the end of your van. God bless!
Reflectix. 24 in by 25 foot roll works great for the windows and it is removable too. Just make it slightly larger than the window size and pop it in and pop it out when you want to take it down.Keeps the heat out and the cold and provides some privacy.
Tinting windows is cheap and easy to do you're lucky to have found such a van in good shape you might want to look into getting "antique" tags in most states you pay a small fee and the tag never expires .
Antique tags would've been a great idea. I ended up selling the van for about the same money two years later. It was a solid investment. I kinda miss the old girl. Just posted an update and I got another van i'm going to build out!
been living living in the back of my full sized pickup with topper, for a few months (my choice) have a nice setup but am going to trade for a unit like yours. Easier to find places to stay without getting hassled. To those of you that think we're destitute for doing this, I bank almost 10K a year in savings, have a great job, and the freedom to just up and go to a new spot without a lease. It also helps to have an unlimited data plan to stay in touch. PEACE
+Chris I work at night which helps. when I park it is always in a different location. I bought a state park pass and can use their facilities to bathe etc. truck stops are good, found alot of nice shady spots before I decided to do this, shopping center parking lots, stuff like that. don't park in the back tho, it will have security waking you up. no abandoned property's or dirt road party spots. keep a pee bottle with you. no drugs either. have up to date registration,insurance,tags, all that stuff. if you get hassled tell them your house is being tented for termites for a few days. DON'T GIVE THE COPS SHIT if you are questioned!!! Thank them for their service and move on if need be. PEACE 😎
@@MrJOHNEBOB Really good advice. I was very similar. However, for a period of time I had a friend that let me park in his driveway, it was perfect! Zero hassle!
Nice rig! One of the better setups I've seen in an older conversion van. And to get it with so little use on it is sweet. I too have a fast metabolism. I also race bicycles, which compounds the problem by burning even more calories. The summer is a constant struggle to keep my weight above the tipping point where I start to lose strength and get slower. If we could put that in a pill, we'd be gazillionaires.
take my word for it. you don't need any more weight. put it on now it will stay with you the rest of your life and it will be very difficult to lose. trust me.
Hey very nice video and thanks for sharing! I think the general misconception is that most people who live in vans are homeless hill-billies, but many are educated and choose the minimalist lifestyle. I do not have plans to live in a van, but many of my co-workers who make good money (decent for Southern California, surely sufficient to buy a house or rent an apartment) do live in vans. Much respect for that, get rid of all the materialistic bullshit and enjoy this vast earth.
Nice rig. I noticed Utah plates. My wife and I lived near Ogden for 14 years but moved to Kentucky this past July. Winters in most of Utah must be brutal if living in a van. I also noticed that you have Any Rand's book on her philosophy of Objectivism. I am a fan of her writing style and have read all of her novels; although I haven't seen the Hollywood production of Atlas Shrugged. If you ever get to the Louisville, Kentucky area, give me some notice and we'll take you to dinner. Post a comment on this video or try to message me. I tried to access your website but I guess it is no longer active. Peace out!
lol I live in a really nice apartment...nice and roomy and well maintained. And yet...watching this video, I find myself jealous! So ready to ditch it all and go live in a van! haha >.
And $10k+ dollars a year you get how much back for that apartment? Sorry man. At least the van has some equity left in it. That's if he ever sells it. So keep sending every dime you earn to some else. I'm sure they enjoy their investment in you.
I moved into my van to escape the cult of scientology. After a few months I was at Waddell Creek watching the kite surfers and one guy said "Oh once you go mobile, you never go back" I laughed at him. That was almost 7 years ago. Still free.
I'm envious of the sailboat! I spent a good chunk of time down in the Key West and ended up getting a job on a sport fishing charter. I miss the water!
I have a shower in my vehicle - it is almost as good as the one in the flat I lived in before. In my VW, I washed at the sink, head stuck under the sink. I would sit on a pile of towels and then wash parts of my body individually with flannels. I would stick my feet in the sink. It takes longer than a shower and does not get you so clean but there are so many good thinks about living in a van that you have to accept one or two drawbacks too!
Love your set up! I am a full time college student living in my homemade truck camper. Looking back at it I wish I had gotten a van instead. Still been working great though! I make weeklyish videos if you're interested
I had an old dodge 4x4 pickup and I built a camper for it and spent an awesome winter at a local lake, lakes have high traffic during the warmer seasons but during the cold I didn't see one game warden which meant I Lived for free + water + electricity + bathrooms & showers.
Thanks for the tour! I like the fact that your space is so organized and uncluttered. I've toured other peoples' rigs and they are usually packed to the rafters and cluttered beyond belief. I couldn't focus with all that stuff in sight. Thanks again.
Great set up man. As for your weight, don't worry it will come. I see you live Utah. I went to Southern Utah many years ago. And lived in Salt lake City a few years. Once again, great set up. Coach Hebert
I just inherited my deceased Dad's '86 Ford LWB van - it needs lots of work, but will make a good basis to build a camper like this on. Big 6-banger - 300cu. in. - so I will build light. Checking all these van camping videos for ideas.
I live in an 80 Chevy for a yr. No chem toilet, no hi-top. But I built a storage box in the rear with a fold-out loveseat forward of that . VW westy closet. No fridge but had a cooler. Lived in a VW camper for another yr. Looking at a stepvan now to do a full camper conversion inside. So I might be living in a van again soon. Do it for as long as you can. You're only saving money.
You mention the smell, here is what I do. I learned that scented candles can frighten off mosquitos and as an insect defence that really works. However I took a liking to the scent and now I have orange blossom in a candle heater which is really nice. For keeping the insects out use lavender or jasmin.
lovely old camper, only 24000 miles wow :) where you live looks so nice, scotland where i live would be difficult to live outside as it would be very damp with all the rain
Living in a van is not for everybody it takes some time to get used to I see you done quite well for yourself your van is very cozy mine doesn't look as cozy as yours but it is home hope to see more of you videos with updates of what you done to your truck with your final video saying that you don't need to live in your truck anymore god bless you god bless america
I lived in a van for the better part of 2 years out of necessity. First was a 1978 Dodge with sofa bed, cabinets, ice box, and non-working sink. Then I got a 1990 Ford E350 cargo van (blank slate) and set up a bed and chair and had a cooler, but soon after, I found the perfect camper van, 1978 Dodge Xplorer with full RV amenities. I lived in that until I began working more steadily and could rent a room. I would still resume van-dwelling for personal reasons, but at least now I'm not forced to.
I'm 16 and this looks like an awesome lifestyle. I told my parents about it and they where not optimistic about my views. But i'm getting groups of friends to join me.
I came across a guy last week with a very similar rig. Im a cop and at 1st he got pretty defensive, hell I was interested in the rig. After he realized I wasn't just giving him a hard time, he showed me around a little. I was pretty envious, hell if I could do it all again, I may have gone that route.
I think if I begin making money from my writing (just finished a novel, and started a blog), I would return to my van-dwelling lifestyle. Yes, the freedom--in more ways than one--is wonderful. Ability to migrate freely with the seasons, travel to beautiful destinations and still "be home," and, when working in the city like I have, not having to commute! Now I'm starting to miss my van. The inconveniences are pretty minor, really.
You did not ask me but I will answer it anyway. The reason I live in a van is for the freedom. I can live anywhere I want and am not stuck in one place. I don't have to worry about the cold as I move south in winter. There are some inconveniences such as having to manually fill up water, having to find somewhere to dump your toilet, having to wait for hot water, not having a lot of space but they are outweighed by the joy of being on the road and contact with nature!
Thanks for sharing info. I like your van. I plan to get an RV when I sell my house. In the meantime, I'm doing a little car conversion. Been trying to think of how to hang the curtains and don,t know why I never thought of bungee cords. Thanks!
All you have to have is an income of some kind. I had a full time job and lived in my van. Had everything I needed and was never tied down to one spot!
Good luck with it. Take your time in the beginning in order to save money and do it right. Ask people who know about this stuff to avoid costly mistakes. Planning the layout is very important and you should think it through before you decide on a solution. The goal should be to find what fits you best and your budget.
I wish I had a fast metabolism. I used to be really thin, so much that it was a joke. At 25, I weighed 52kg. Now I am using the diet you mentioned to lose weight although I don't eat meat!
This is dope man!! Something ive always wanted to due for many reasons, buy mainly not having to spend alot on living expenses... But honestly ive never had tha balls to make it happen yet. Cheers to u
Nice set up man, I dig it. I'm about to buy a 1990 GMC Vandura to convert, I should be on the road in 4-5 months hopefully. Good luck to you man, and be safe
That's the beauty of it. Even if the best he can do (and that's a BIG if) is get some part-time gig flipping burgers for a chain restaurant, he can afford to save up most of that for future needs. Trips across country, saving for when he doesn't want to work anymore, emergency medical needs... It's nice to have options, though. And he's just increased his by, depending on his local housing costs, at least $300-$700 a month.
Thats a big question! First I would start by choosing and deciding what you want your life to look like, what you want to do with your days and how you want to spend your time. (For example, do you want to drive a lot and trave the country? do you want to do stealth van dwelling? do you want A/C or TV? How can a van be outfitted to fit your desired lifestyle?) Then let your brain creative and write down a list of needs and a list of wants and then start your search.
Fire Extinguisher~ those fire or carbon monoxide alarms? I really like your van...so far, I think that would work for me. I like the raised roof and that you can open your top windows. Thanks so much for sharing Take care~
No, I think these day's it's necessary to have a computer and internet access, whether it be to find somewhere to visit, shower, dump, or even leisure like watching a movie. If you're driving and living in your vehicle, I think it's a "bell and whistle" convenience. It saves room too.
Thats awesome man! She still running? My gf and I just purchased a 1984 Ford Econoline and it had 78,250 original miles. We have it partially gutted at the moment and I found your video very helpful!
As far as I know she is. I sold her to an older guy that drooled over her when he saw her :-) I got incredibly lucky but I never had any problems with her at all.
I would love to live this way. The only 3 things that I would be ?ed about is Protection,Heating and Cooling. Other than that you have a sweet set up. Peace and Freedom.
well that is a great looking van. i have a 1980 econoline 150 the extended body. but, not a high top ive considered doing a similar thing w/ it. cool man
I have owned several ford vans. Probably have put over 500k total on 5 different vans. 12 is about all you will get. Not any difference much on carb vs fuel injected. I think 15 or 16 is the best I have been able to squeeze out of a 302 fi. With that topper you got it adds wind resistance. I am guessing it is built on a 3/4 ton chassis. 12 is respectable and average.I have an 88 e350 that gets 12 and a 1990 e150 that gets 14-15. When you said 20k original miles I gasped outloud- what a find!
Listen,I have an idea for cooling the van in the hot summer.They sell a nice round roof fan at WEST MARINE.The fan is Solar and it stores energy and then you have a fan for cooling at nigth or in the day. These fans are not that expense and they look cool.
very nice. I like how simple you have it. I have a very similar van, its a 74 dodge with the tall roof. mine seems so chopped up and small inside because there is a dedicated bathroom and they did the kitchen all weird in the back of the van. I think I might just pull it all out and arrange mine like you have yours. looks good very functional. I have a small trailer I pull behind mine it really makes it easier to have gear and stuff without it taking up your limited living space.
I lived in my 79 ford e350 custom and loved it the only problem was new jersey because the cops are out of control there! I ended up buying a huge camper and even with that they would still harass me for being parked and sleeping in it and at the time i found a realy good job there so i didnt want to leave and i didnt want to have to spend$1300 a month for something smaller to live in then my camper but any where els in the contry was awesome i miss my days of being free and living with no bills
You have more furniture than me, who lives in a full sized apartment. My cloth is either in the laundry bag or the gym bag when clean. I was a conscript soldier when younger. I am the opposite of a hoarder. I am a compulsive loser. I throw away things that I need to buy again next month. If a thing is not used for a week, it is out of my apartment. I don't have a bed. I live on the floor of the apartment.
I was wondering if you could a video on how much you spend s month on insurance , gas , food , like a monthly Van budget , on everything from health insurance to food, gas , car insurance , spending money things like that , thank you
This will sound crazy but I have been thinking about the toilet problem and chemical sounds messy. What about using 1.5L (3qt) plastic Nestlé ice cream containers for squat toil filled with cat litter. I know it sounds crappy but if you are Ketogenic Paleo,
whatever works 4 u man as long as you're happy then that is what matters. van dwelling isn't for everyone but at least you don't have much housekeeping to do than those people who live in houses/apartments.
