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start [2022/01/15 03:11] princess_fluffypants [Building out your RV] |
start [2023/10/20 12:28] (current) frater_secessus [Further reading] |
====== Information for new vandwellers ====== | ====== Information for Van Dwellers and Nomads ====== |
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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 will help you __live your best life__ if you want (//or need//) to live in a vehicle.** |
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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]]. | * Learn what to expect from "the van life" |
| * Learn how to choose and modify a vehicle to fit your unique needs |
| * Find tips for a great experience in an unconventional home |
| * Dig deeper for lots of ideas to incorporate into your own vehicle |
| * Read about common mistakes to avoid |
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If you are facing involuntary vandwelling (homelessness) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]]. | ===== FAQ for Beginners ===== |
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| **Start here for a quick intro to life on the road.** (The [[#Van Life in Detail|next section]] gets into more detail, or use the search box to find specific information. Check out [[meta:acronyms|acronyms we use]] if you run into an unfamiliar one.) |
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| If you need to quickly move into a vehicle for financial or other reasons (homeless, etc.) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]]. |
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===== FAQ for Newbies and the van-curious ===== | |
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* **Start here!** For basic info | ==== Why? ==== |
* What are some [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|avoidable beginner mistakes]]? (rant) | |
* What is [[rv:intro|the best van]]? | |
* Should I buy a [[lifestyle:faq_prebuilt_camper|pre-built campervan or build my own]]? | |
* How much solar do I need to [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]]? | |
* 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? | |
* How will I [[food:coffee|make coffee]]? | |
* [[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van]]? | |
* 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 [[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?]] | |
* won't my friends and family [[lifestyle:faq objections|freak out]]? | |
* [[lifestyle:expenses|How much does it cost]] to live on the road? | |
* How can I [[lifestyle:work|earn money on the road?]] | |
* How will I do my [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|laundry]]? | |
* How do I know if my [[electrical:solar:status|solar is working]]? | |
* How can I get [[electrical:solar:car|solar power in my car]]? | |
* 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]]? | |
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* Going "full time" | * **[[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van?]]** |
* How will I [[lifestyle:mail forwarding|get my mail?]] | * [[lifestyle:why a van|Why a van]] and not [[rv:intro|an RV or something else]]? |
* What do I put as [[lifestyle:domicile|my address]]? | |
* [[lifestyle:living out of the van|living out of the van]] vs living in the van | |
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More advanced topics are listed below, or you can use the search box in the upper right of each page. | |
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===== Major sections ===== | ==== How? ==== |
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==== The RV proper ==== | * How will I [[toilet:intro|use the bathroom]]? |
| * How will I [[hygiene:bathing|stay clean]] and [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|do my laundry]]? |
| * How will I [[food:cooking|cook food]] or [[food:coffee|make coffee]]? |
| * How can I [[food:refrigeration|refrigerate my food]]? |
| * How do I [[hvac:start|keep my van at a decent temperature]]? Can I [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]] while parked? |
| * Is there a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|basic guide to solar power]]? What about a "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generator]]"? |
| * How do I [[communication:internet|get internet access]] and [[electrical:12v:laptop|charge my laptop]]? |
| * How will I [[lifestyle:residencedomicileforwarding|get mail]], and what address do I use for my taxes and accounts? |
| * How can I [[lifestyle:work|earn money on the road?]] |
| * How will I find [[lifestyle:guides|things to see and do]]? |
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* [[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:cargo_van:comparo|Van Comparisons]] | ==== What will it be like? ==== |
* Van-Specific Articles | |
* [[rv:ford_e-series|Ford E-series]] | * Will it be [[lifestyle:faq instagram|just like Instagram]]? #vanlife #vandwellers |
* [[rv:ford_transit|Ford Transit]] | * [[rv:build:bed|Where will I sleep?]] |
* [[rv:astro|Chevy Astro / GMC Safari]] | * Can I just [[camping:banned|park wherever I want]]? Or go [[camping:dispersed|camping for free]]? |
* [[rv:sprinter|Sprinter]] | * [[lifestyle:expenses|How much does it cost]] to live on the road? |
* [[rv:ram_promaster|Ram Promaster]] | * [[lifestyle:living out of the van|Living out of the van]] vs. living in the van? |
* [[rv:express|Chevy Express / GMC Savanna]] | * Won't my friends and family [[lifestyle:faq objections|freak out]]? |
* [[rv:nv|Nissan NV2500/3500]] | * What [[lifestyle:core_skills|core skills]] do I need? |
| * What do vandwellers [[lifestyle:foreknowledge|wish they had known beforehand?]] |
| * What are some [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|avoidable beginner mistakes]]? |
| * Is there [[lifestyle:hitting_the_road|a checklist]] for going full time? |
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| ==== The Vehicle ==== |
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| * Is it possible to [[rv:car|live in my car]]? |
| * Should I buy a [[lifestyle:faq_prebuilt_camper|pre-built campervan or build my own]]? |
| * What is [[rv:intro|the best van]] to get? |
| * [[rv:build:minimal|How to I get started building out my van?]] |
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| ===== Van Life in Detail ===== |
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| Check the **[[https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=start&do=index|site map]]** for a list of all pages. |
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| Since this site is a wiki, you can help us make it better! [[meta:contribute|Learn how to become an editor.]] |
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| ==== The Vehicle ==== |
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| * **[[RV:intro|Overview of Vehicle Options]]** |
| * **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]]. |
| * **Trucks** - [[RV:skoolie|Skoolies]], [[RV:box truck|box trucks]], [[RV:step van|step vans]], and [[RV:ambulance|ambulances]] |
| * **Motorhomes** - [[RV:Class A|Class A]], [[RV:Class B|Class B]], and [[RV:Class C|Class C]] |
| * **Trailers** - [[RV:travel trailer|Travel trailers]] and [[rv:travel_trailer#cargo_trailers|cargo trailers]] |
| * **Smaller vehicles** - [[RV:minivan|Minivans]], [[RV:car|cars]], and [[RV:pickup|pickup trucks]] |
| * [[RV:AWD|I need AWD!]] |
* 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 |
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==== Building out your RV ==== | ==== Building Out Your Vehicle ==== |
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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 |
* [[electrical:12v:intro|Electricity]] - | * [[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:solar:sizing#voltage|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]] |
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==== Further reading ==== | ==== Further reading ==== |
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| [[https://nomadlife.wiki/Main_Page|Nomad Life Wiki]] project |
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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]]. |
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unoffical [[lifestyle:faq_reddit_vandwellers|reddit /r/vandwellers FAQ]] | unoffical [[lifestyle:forumfaq|reddit /r/vandwellers FAQ]] |
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| **Synopses** |
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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]] |
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