RVwiki for vanfolk and others who live in vehicles

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
rv:build

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision 		Previous revision
rv:build [2022/01/29 00:19]
princess_fluffypants [The Weekender] 		rv:build [2022/05/26 23:35] (current)
princess_fluffypants [The Metal Tent]
Line 11: Line 11:
 Builds range from [[rv:build:minimal|bare essentials]] to technical wonderlands to luxurious. There are no fixed lists of "Must Have's" or "Most Avoids", because the whole point of building a van is that it has what //you// want. How fancy you get is up to you, from the most basic usage of a "metal tent" with nothing but a sleeping bag and a camping pad in the back, up to the [[https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/camper-van/revel|$200k+ pre-made luxo-barges]]. Builds range from [[rv:build:minimal|bare essentials]] to technical wonderlands to luxurious. There are no fixed lists of "Must Have's" or "Most Avoids", because the whole point of building a van is that it has what //you// want. How fancy you get is up to you, from the most basic usage of a "metal tent" with nothing but a sleeping bag and a camping pad in the back, up to the [[https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/camper-van/revel|$200k+ pre-made luxo-barges]].
  
-Here's some very rough estimations of build types, from the simple to the complex.  Everyone can freely pick and choose the level of complexity of any sub-system that they want; there exist plain metal tents with multi-thousand dollar lithium battery setups, or finely crafted artisanal woodworking builds that have no more electricity than a few AA battery powered tap lights.  It's completely up to you.+Here's some very rough estimations of build types, from the simple to the complex. Everyone can freely pick and choose the level of complexity of any sub-system that they want; there exist plain metal tents with multi-thousand dollar lithium battery setups, or finely crafted artisanal woodworking builds that have no more electricity than a few AA battery powered tap lights.  It's completely up to you.
  
 **Note:** These builds are targeted at people who are van-dwelling by choice. If your situation is different, please see [[lifestyle:involuntary|Involuntary vandwelling]]. **Note:** These builds are targeted at people who are van-dwelling by choice. If your situation is different, please see [[lifestyle:involuntary|Involuntary vandwelling]].
 +
 +----
 ===== The Metal Tent ===== ===== The Metal Tent =====
 +
 +{{:rv:kryd410dtu191.jpg?direct&200 |}}
  
 Fast and simple, this is as minimal as it gets. You're in a metal box that keeps the elements off of you, and everything else is done in a similar way to backpacking.  Also see [[opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build|frugal camper builds]]. Fast and simple, this is as minimal as it gets. You're in a metal box that keeps the elements off of you, and everything else is done in a similar way to backpacking.  Also see [[opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build|frugal camper builds]].
 +
 +
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 +
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 + \\
 +
  
   * Interior   * Interior
Line 58: Line 76:
 ===== The Weekender ===== ===== The Weekender =====
  
-By now you're started to think you might like this whole van-life thing.  You're going to spend multiple nights in it, maybe go a little farther and try your hand at the occasional boondock. You're going to start the built and have some tools, and abilities to make more permanent modifications.+{{:rv:screenshot_2022-05-10_120657.png?200 |}} 
 + 
 +By now you're started to think you might like this whole van-life thing.  You're going to spend multiple nights in it, maybe go a little farther and try your hand at the occasional boondock. You're going to start the build and have some tools, and abilities to make more permanent modifications.  A little bit of interior build out can make things feel more put-together. 
 + 
 + \\ 
 + \\ 
 + \\ 
 + \\ 
 + \\ 
  
   * Interior   * Interior
-    * Basic Plywood on the walls, rubber mats for the floor (or Factory interior)+    * Factory interior is still great if your chosen van had one, otherwise 
 +    * Basic Plywood on the walls, maybe some rubber mats for the floor
   * Sleeping equipment   * Sleeping equipment
-    * Folding cot or basic platform to get yourself off the floor (this helps a LOT with storage, and having someplace to sit)+    * Folding cot or 2x4 platform to get yourself off the floor (this helps a LOT with storage, and having someplace to sit)
     * Thicker camping pad and blankets, or sleeping bag.     * Thicker camping pad and blankets, or sleeping bag.
     * A real pillow     * A real pillow
Line 79: Line 107:
     * Cell phone, maybe hotspotting it to a laptop for a couple hours.     * Cell phone, maybe hotspotting it to a laptop for a couple hours.
  
 +===== The Mick Foley =====
 +
 +Starting to get committed now, and you're looking at spending a solid week+ at a time in the van. You may even be full-time, but keeping it to a budget. Modifications may be more serious/permanent, and you're doing actual construction.  Maybe you're bringing your partner? The quality of life can go up a lot as you're capable of bringing more capabilities/comfort with you.
 +
 +  * Interior
 +    * Maybe a nicer interior with 4-way stretch or wood paneling on the walls, and a finished floor of some kind
 +    * Good [[hvac:insulation|insulation]] will help with heat retention/blocking, as well as noise suppression
 +    * The amount of effort here is very optional! To many people though, being able to look at something nicely finished and decorated can make it feel much more like a "home".  Many others don't care.
 +  * Sleeping equipment
 +    * Fixed sleeping platform, with something like an air mattress or very nice "glamping" sleeping pad or slab of memory foam.  A real mattress can be a great investment.
 +    * Real sheets and blankets
 +    * Real pillows
 +  * Food Storage
 +    * [[food:refrigeration|12v Refrigerator]]
 +  * Cooking
 +    * [[food:cooking:stoves|Countertop stove]]. Larger dual-burner [[https://www.coleman.com/grills-stoves/camping-stoves|folding camp stoves]] can greatly increase your cooking options
 +    * A more complete cooking set of pots, plates and utensils.
 +  * Clothing & Storage
 +    * Building in fixed shelves/drawers can help keep the relatively small space organized. Hanging closet organizers can be a very useful way to utilize vertical space
 +  * Electricity
 +    * [[electrical:12v:intro|12v house battery setup]] (Particularly critical if you're running a 12v refrigerator)
 +    * Starting to put in fixed lighting and exhaust fans can make a huge increase in your quality of life
 +    * Larger [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generator]] can be an option, but they get unreasonably expensive. Unless you desperately NEED the portability, it usually ends up being much cheaper to assemble your own [[electrical:12v:intro|fixed-in-place system]].
 +    * Portable folding 100w [[electrical:solar|solar panel]] can greatly extend your capabilities
 +  * Internet
 +    * Especially if you're a [[lifestyle:work|digital nomad and working remotely]], a dedicated [[communication:internet|Jetpack device]] will be a solid investment.
 +
 +===== The Insufferable Instagram "Adventurer" =====
 +
 +Some suggestions for longer month-ish trips focused on outdoor rec activities and looking good in staged photos
 +
 +===== The Full-timer =====
 +
 +Suggestions for real full-time van living
 +
 +===== The Spoiled tech worker =====
 +
 +More luxurious builds for the digital nomads tapping at a laptop
 +
 +
 +-----
  
-Similarly, there's no "Right" way to plan. Various methods are used for planning:+There's no "Right" way to plan. Various methods are used for planning:
  
   * pen and paper   * pen and paper
rv/build.1643415591.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/01/29 00:19 by princess_fluffypants

Page Tools

affilliate disclosure | the RVwiki runs on a virtual server from NetCup

Except where otherwise noted, content on this wiki is licensed under the following license: CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International
CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki