This is an old revision of the document!
a longer-form answer to https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/igjleu/cheapest_build_brag_here/this thread
Building a functional camper on a big budget is easy - pay someone to do it. Doing it on a budget requires research, patience, and work.
> Tips and tricks to being a cheap o?
If you read nothing else: avoid flexible solar panels, AGM batteries, and solar generators. They are all niche products with niche (ie, doubled) prices, and very few vandwellers need them.
Buy used from craigslist, thrift stores, etc. when possible. Know the internal dimensions of your van and carry a tape measure with you. Buy used/open-package from Amazon.
Use pricewatch tools like camelcamelcamel to get alerts when prices drop on items you need.
Reducing your power use will have far-reaching effects, simplifying the system and reducing costs for batteries, panels, and charging equipment.
Timing your power use can also make a tremendous difference. Example: Charging the laptop while driving (or after the house batteries are charged) is a “freebie”. Running a laptop at night directly affects the system because there is no charge coming in then to help support the load.