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start [2022/01/14 23:06]
princess_fluffypants [information for new vandwellers] 		start [2023/06/30 11:21]
mahkato [Going full time] update links
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-====== information for new vandwellers ======+====== Information for new vandwellers ======
  
 This wiki collects and organizes information to help full-timers get the best out of the lifestyle.  As such, it chiefly concerns vandwelling as a voluntary lifestyle ("houseless-ness"). This wiki collects and organizes information to help full-timers get the best out of the lifestyle.  As such, it chiefly concerns vandwelling as a voluntary lifestyle ("houseless-ness").
  
-This is not intended to be an all-purpous guide to everything van-life. Rather, it is a collection of links to other resources and guides put together by outside sources.  It is by no means complete, or authoritative. Found something wrong and want to fix it? See +This is not intended to be an authoritative guide to everything van-life. Rather, it is a collection of links to other resources and guides put together by outside sources.  It is by no means complete. Want to help make it so? See [[meta:contribute|Edit and contribute]].
  
 If you are facing involuntary vandwelling (homelessness) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]]. If you are facing involuntary vandwelling (homelessness) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]].
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 ===== FAQ for Newbies and the van-curious ===== ===== FAQ for Newbies and the van-curious =====
  
-  * **start here!** for basic info + 
-    * What are some [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|avoidable beginner mistakes]]? (rant)+==== the van ==== 
     * What is [[rv:intro|the best van]]?      * What is [[rv:intro|the best van]]? 
     * Should I buy a [[lifestyle:faq_prebuilt_camper|pre-built campervan or build my own]]?     * Should I buy a [[lifestyle:faq_prebuilt_camper|pre-built campervan or build my own]]?
 +    * [[RV:AWD|I need AWD]]!
 +    * [[lifestyle:why a van|Why a van]] and not [[lifestyle:faq_platform|something else]]?
 +    * what do I need to [[rv:build:minimal|get started]]?
 +
 +
 +==== power, including solar ====
 +
 +
 +    * Is there a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|basic guide to solar]]?
     * How much solar do I need to [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]]?     * How much solar do I need to [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]]?
     * How will I [[electrical:12v:laptop|charge my laptop]]?     * How will I [[electrical:12v:laptop|charge my laptop]]?
-    * How do I get [[communication:internet|Internet?]] 
     * Should I get a "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generator]]" like a Goal Zero?     * Should I get a "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generator]]" like a Goal Zero?
 +    * How do I know if my [[electrical:solar:status|solar is working]]?
 +    * How can I get [[electrical:solar:car|solar power in my car]]?
 +
 +
 +
 +==== living in a van ====
 +
 +    * What are some [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|avoidable beginner mistakes]]? (rant) 
 +    * will it be [[lifestyle:faq instagram|just like instagram]]?
 +    * won't my friends and family [[lifestyle:faq objections|freak out]]?
     * How will I [[food:coffee|make coffee]]?     * How will I [[food:coffee|make coffee]]?
     * [[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van]]?     * [[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van]]?
     * What do vandwellers and FTers [[lifestyle:foreknowledge|wish they had known beforehand?]]     * What do vandwellers and FTers [[lifestyle:foreknowledge|wish they had known beforehand?]]
-    * Is there a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|basic guide to solar]]? 
-    * [[lifestyle:why a van|Why a van]] and not [[lifestyle:faq_platform|something else]]? 
     * how will I [[toilet:intro|use the bathroom]]?     * how will I [[toilet:intro|use the bathroom]]?
     * how will I [[hygiene:bathing|stay clean?]]     * how will I [[hygiene:bathing|stay clean?]]
-    * will it be [[lifestyle:faq instagram|just like instagram]]? 
-    * what do I need to [[rv:build:minimal|get started]]? 
     * [[rv:build:bed|where will I sleep?]]     * [[rv:build:bed|where will I sleep?]]
-    * won't my friends and family [[lifestyle:faq objections|freak out]]? 
     * [[lifestyle:expenses|How much does it cost]] to live on the road?     * [[lifestyle:expenses|How much does it cost]] to live on the road?
     * How can I [[lifestyle:work|earn money on the road?]]     * How can I [[lifestyle:work|earn money on the road?]]
     * How will I do my [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|laundry]]?     * How will I do my [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|laundry]]?
-    * How do I know if my [[electrical:solar:status|solar is working]]? +    * How do I get [[communication:internet|Internet?]]
-    * How can I get [[electrical:solar:car|solar power in my car]]?+
     * How will I find [[lifestyle:guides|things to see and do]]?     * How will I find [[lifestyle:guides|things to see and do]]?
-    * What does that [[meta:acronyms|acronym]] mean? 
-    * Is [[electrical:solar:faq_MPPT_series|MPPT required for series panel configurations]]? 
  
-  * going "full time" +==== living in a car ==== 
-    * How will I [[lifestyle:mail forwarding|get my mail?]] + 
-    * What do I put as [[lifestyle:domicile|my address]]?+While the basic principles apply, some things are different in a car 
 + 
 +  * [[electrical:solar:car|solar power for cardwellers]] 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +==== Going full time ==== 
 + 
 +    * is there [[lifestyle:hitting_the_road|a checklist]] for going full time? 
 +    * How will I [[lifestyle:residencedomicileforwarding|get mail]] what address do I use for taxes and accounts?
     * [[lifestyle:living out of the van|living out of the van]] vs living in the van     * [[lifestyle:living out of the van|living out of the van]] vs living in the van
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +==== misc ====
 +
 +
 +    * What does that [[meta:acronyms|acronym]] mean?
 +
 +-------
  
 More advanced topics are listed below, or you can use the search box in the upper right of each page.  More advanced topics are listed below, or you can use the search box in the upper right of each page. 
-----+
  
 ===== Major sections ===== ===== Major sections =====
  
 +Note: there is [[https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=start&do=index|a site map]] available
 ==== The RV proper ==== ==== The RV proper ====
  
-    * [[RV:intro|Types of RV]] - [[RV:Class A|class A]], [[RV:Class B|class B]], [[RV:Class C|class C]], [[RV:travel trailer|travel trailers]], [[RV:cargo van|cargo vans]], [[RV:car|cars]], [[RV:box truck|box trucks]], [[RV:step van|step vans]], [[RV:slide in truck camper|slide-ins]], [[rv:travel_trailer#cargo_trailers|cargo trailers]], etc +    * **[[RV:intro|Overview of Vehicle Options]]** 
-    * [[rv:cargo_van:comparo|Van Comparisons]] +      * **Vans** - [[RV:cargo van|Cargo vans]] and [[RV:passenger van|passenger vans]]. Read [[rv:cargo_van:comparo|Van comparisons]] and learn [[rv:van_issues|model-specific weak points]]. 
-    * Van-Specific Articles +      * **Trucks** - [[RV:skoolie|Skoolies]], [[RV:box truck|box trucks]], [[RV:step van|step vans]], and [[RV:ambulance|ambulances]] 
-      * [[rv:ford_e-series|Ford E-series]] +      * **Motorhomes** - [[RV:Class A|Class A]], [[RV:Class B|Class B]], and [[RV:Class C|Class C]] 
-      * [[rv:ford_transit|Ford Transit]] +      * **Trailers** - [[RV:travel trailer|Travel trailers]] and [[rv:travel_trailer#cargo_trailers|cargo trailers]] 
-      * [[rv:astro|Chevy Astro / GMC Safari]] +      * **Smaller vehicles** - [[RV:minivan|Minivans]], [[RV:car|cars]], and [[RV:pickup|pickup trucks]]
-      * [[rv:sprinter|Sprinter]] +
-      * [[rv:ram_promaster|Ram Promaster]] +
-      * [[rv:express|Chevy Express / GMC Savanna]] +
-      * [[rv:nv|Nissan NV2500/3500]]+
     * Getting your own van or RV     * Getting your own van or RV
       - [[RV:finding|How to find]] your desired van or RV for sale somewhere       - [[RV:finding|How to find]] your desired van or RV for sale somewhere
       - How to [[RV:assessment|assess a van or RV]] you have found.  Is it a good one?       - How to [[RV:assessment|assess a van or RV]] you have found.  Is it a good one?
       - [[RV:purchasing|Purchasing the van or RV]]       - [[RV:purchasing|Purchasing the van or RV]]
-    * keeping your van or RV running+    * Keeping your van or RV running
       * [[RV:maintenance:intro|maintenance]]       * [[RV:maintenance:intro|maintenance]]
       * [[troubleshooting:intro|Troubleshooting]] - [[troubleshooting:electrical|electrical]], [[troubleshooting:engine|engine]], leaks       * [[troubleshooting:intro|Troubleshooting]] - [[troubleshooting:electrical|electrical]], [[troubleshooting:engine|engine]], leaks
 +      * Be aware of any [[rv:van_issues|known issues]] with your vehicle
 +      * [[rv:rust|Rust]] - The cancer that kills vans
    
 ==== Building out your RV ==== ==== Building out your RV ====
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       * Choosing your [[rv:build|type of build]]:  minimal, luxurious, or otherwise       * Choosing your [[rv:build|type of build]]:  minimal, luxurious, or otherwise
       * [[tools:intro|Tools]]       * [[tools:intro|Tools]]
-      * [[electrical:12v:intro|Power]] - +      * [[electrical:12v:intro|Electricity]] - 
         * [[electrical:solar|Solar]] - [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|Solar charge controllers]], [[electrical:solar:panels|Solar panels]], [[electrical:solar:shallow cycling|Shallow-cycling microsolar]] for cardwellers and minimalists         * [[electrical:solar|Solar]] - [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|Solar charge controllers]], [[electrical:solar:panels|Solar panels]], [[electrical:solar:shallow cycling|Shallow-cycling microsolar]] for cardwellers and minimalists
-        * [[electrical:shore power|Shore power]] - [[electrical:converter|Converters]],+        * [[electrical:shore power|Shore power]] - [[electrical:converter|Converters]] 
 +        * [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator Charging]]
         * [[electrical:generator|Generators]]         * [[electrical:generator|Generators]]
-        * [[electrical:12v:intro|House DC (12v) power]] - [[electrical:12v:deep cycle battery|Deep cycle batteries]], [[electrical:inverter|inverters]], [[electrical:24v|24v]], [[electrical:solar:frugal|conservation]]+        * [[electrical:12v:intro|House DC (12v) power]] 
 +          * [[electrical:12v:batteries|Battery Overview]] 
 +          * [[electrical:12v:deep cycle battery|Deep cycle batteries]] 
 +          * [[electrical:inverter|inverters]] 
 +          * [[electrical:solar:sizing#voltage|24v]] 
 +          * [[electrical:solar:frugal|conservation]]
       * [[communication:intro|Communication]]       * [[communication:intro|Communication]]
-        * [[communication:internet|internet]] +        * [[communication:internet|Internet]] 
-        * [[communication:devices|mobile devices]] +        * [[communication:devices|Mobile devices]] 
-        * [[communication:mobile phone|phone]] +        * [[communication:mobile phone|Phone]] 
-        * [[communication:emergency devices|trackers]]+        * [[communication:emergency devices|PLBs/Satellite trackers]]
         * [[communication:zello|Zello]]         * [[communication:zello|Zello]]
       * [[electrical:lighting|lighting]] - [[electrical:lighting:led|LED]], solar (LUCI)       * [[electrical:lighting|lighting]] - [[electrical:lighting:led|LED]], solar (LUCI)
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 [[learning:intro|Learning from others]] -  [[learning:website|websites]], [[learning:forum|forums]], [[learning:mailing list|mailing lists]], [[learning:book|books]], [[learning:blog|blogs]], [[learning:youtube|youtube channels]], [[learning:podcast|podcasts]]. [[learning:intro|Learning from others]] -  [[learning:website|websites]], [[learning:forum|forums]], [[learning:mailing list|mailing lists]], [[learning:book|books]], [[learning:blog|blogs]], [[learning:youtube|youtube channels]], [[learning:podcast|podcasts]].
  
-unoffical [[lifestyle:faq_reddit_vandwellers|reddit /r/vandwellers FAQ]]+unoffical [[lifestyle:forumfaq|reddit /r/vandwellers FAQ]] 
 + 
 +**Synopses**
  
-Synopses: 
   * [[electrical:solar:synopsis_puzzle2|HandyBob's RV battery charging puzzle]]   * [[electrical:solar:synopsis_puzzle2|HandyBob's RV battery charging puzzle]]
   * Cruisers and Sailing forum [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread|LiFePO4 batteries thread]]   * Cruisers and Sailing forum [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread|LiFePO4 batteries thread]]
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
  
  
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   * [[meta:contribute|edit this wiki!]]   * [[meta:contribute|edit this wiki!]]
   * [[meta:disclosure|affiliate info]]   * [[meta:disclosure|affiliate info]]
- 
-NEW SITE TEST 
start.txt · Last modified: 2023/10/20 12:28 by frater_secessus

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