Differences

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

--- start [2022/03/19 12:56]
frater_secessus [power, including solar]
+++ start [2023/10/20 12:28] (current)
frater_secessus [Further reading]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Information for new vandwellers ======
+====== Information for Van Dwellers and Nomads ======
-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.**
-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
-If you are facing involuntary vandwelling (homelessness) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]].
+===== FAQ for Beginners =====
+**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.)
+If you need to quickly move into a vehicle for financial or other reasons (homeless, etc.) start with [[lifestyle:involuntary|this emergency quick start]].
-===== FAQ for Newbies and the van-curious =====
+==== Why? ====
-==== the van ====
+  * **[[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van?]]**
+  * [[lifestyle:why a van|Why a van]] and not [[rv:intro|an RV or something else]]?
-    * What is [[rv:intro|the best van]]?
-    * 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]]?
+==== How? ====
-==== power, including solar ====
+  * 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]]?
-    * Is there a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|basic guide to solar]]?
+==== What will it be like? ====
-    * How much solar do I need to [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]]?
-    * How will I [[electrical:12v:laptop|charge my laptop]]?
-    * 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]]?
+  * Will it be [[lifestyle:faq instagram|just like Instagram]]? #vanlife #vandwellers
+  * [[rv:build:bed|Where will I sleep?]]
+  * Can I just [[camping:banned|park wherever I want]]? Or go [[camping:dispersed|camping for free]]?
+  * [[lifestyle:expenses|How much does it cost]] to live on the road?
+  * [[lifestyle:living out of the van|Living out of the van]] vs. living in the van?
+  * Won't my friends and family [[lifestyle:faq objections|freak out]]?
+  * 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?
+==== The Vehicle ====
-==== living in a van ====
+  * 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?]]
-    * 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]]?
-    * [[lifestyle:why|Why would anyone live in a van]]?
-    * What do vandwellers and FTers [[lifestyle:foreknowledge|wish they had known beforehand?]]
-    * how will I [[toilet:intro|use the bathroom]]?
-    * how will I [[hygiene:bathing|stay clean?]]
-    * [[rv:build:bed|where will I sleep?]]
-    * [[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 get [[communication:internet|Internet?]]
-    * How will I find [[lifestyle:guides|things to see and do]]?
-==== Going full time ====
-    * is there [[lifestyle:hitting_the_road|a checklist]] for going full time?
-    * How will I [[lifestyle:mail forwarding|get my mail?]]
-    * 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
-==== 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.
+===== Van Life in Detail =====
+Check the **[[https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=start&do=index|site map]]** for a list of all pages.
-===== Major sections =====
+Since this site is a wiki, you can help us make it better! [[meta:contribute|Learn how to become an editor.]]
-==== The RV proper ====
+==== The Vehicle ====
-    * [[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:AWD|I need AWD!]]
-      * [[rv:ram_promaster|Ram Promaster]]
-      * [[rv:express|Chevy Express / GMC Savanna]]
-      * [[rv:nv|Nissan NV2500/3500]]
     * Getting your own van or RV
       - [[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?
       - [[RV:purchasing|Purchasing the van or RV]]
-    * keeping your van or RV running
+    * Keeping your van or RV running
       * [[RV:maintenance:intro|maintenance]]
       * [[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 Vehicle ====
       * Choosing your [[rv:build|type of build]]:  minimal, luxurious, or otherwise
@@ Line 100: / Line 90: @@
       * [[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:shore power|Shore power]] - [[electrical:converter|Converters]],
+        * [[electrical:shore power|Shore power]] - [[electrical:converter|Converters]]
+        * [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator Charging]]
         * [[electrical:generator|Generators]]
         * [[electrical:12v:intro|House DC (12v) power]]
@@ Line 160: / Line 151: @@
 ==== Further reading ====
+[[https://nomadlife.wiki/Main_Page|Nomad Life Wiki]] project
 [[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]]
   * Cruisers and Sailing forum [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread|LiFePO4 batteries thread]]
@@ Line 176: / Line 176: @@
   * [[meta:contribute|edit this wiki!]]
   * [[meta:disclosure|affiliate info]]
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