https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ 2026-04-16T20:22:10+00:00 https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/lib/tpl/dokuwiki/images/favicon.ico text/html 2025-12-24T22:59:04+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=wiki:syntax&rev=1766617144&do=diff Formatting Syntax DokuWiki supports some simple markup language, which tries to make the datafiles to be as readable as possible. This page contains all possible syntax you may use when editing the pages. Simply have a look at the source of this page by pressing the text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=meta:contribute&rev=1766617132&do=diff Edit and contribute! goals The wiki aims to collect and organize information useful to vandwllers and cheap RVers. Different points of view and alternative opinions are encouraged. There are many ways to do things! guidelines Learn how to use text/html 2026-04-13T03:06:20+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=camping:banned&rev=1776049580&do=diff Local laws affecting vehicle-dwellers Some localities, lawfully or otherwise, restrict RV- and van-life. It may be in the RVdweller's best interest to vote with their feet and deprive those localities of their economic impact. After Martin v. City of Boise in 2019 the approach of ordinances started shifting somewhat for states in the 9th Circuit. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:switches&rev=1766617114&do=diff Electrical switches fixme AC switches can be used in DC applications, with the exception of switches controlling “high current or large inductive loads”. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:controllers_and_dollars_per_watt&rev=1766617132&do=diff fixme NOTE: this is a rough draft. Costs based on prices on Amazon of Renogy controllers where available. cost analysis of small controller / panel combinations " For about the same price a second solar panel can give 100% more power. Above about 300 to 400 watts MPPT is financially advantageous. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:how_much_excess_solar_power&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT FIXME How much extra solar power do I have? Yes, we can use a battery monitor to see how much power is going into the battery bank. And we can look at the solar charge controller to see how much power it is making. But how can we tell how much untapped power does our solar have in reserve? text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:podcasts&rev=1766617130&do=diff vandwelling podcasts traditional podcasts FIXME * Built to Go! A #VanLife Podcast * Van Life Pantry (RSS) youtube podcasts text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:48+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:forumfaq&rev=1766617128&do=diff DRAFT / FIXME FAQs by forum reddit * /r/vandwellers and /r/vanlife * what do you do for money? * How do I keep my pets cool when it's hot outside? * how will I use the bathroom? * how will I stay clean? * How can I earn money on the road? * What is the best van? * Why a van and not something else? * Should I buy a pre-built campervan or build my own? * How much solar do I need to run an air conditioner? * How will I text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_offgrid_power&rev=1766617132&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “It is cheaper and easier to use less power than it is to make more power.” -- highdesertranger principles for living off the power grid cheaply FIXME reduce your power requirements Small power setups are inexpensive, simple, and forgiving. Large power setups are expensive, complex, and unforgiving. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:workamping&rev=1766617130&do=diff Earning money Van- and RV-dwellers have some advantages regarding employment: * you can go where the work is * you can live on less income Workamping Workamping at parks and other camping locations may be the most famous work opportunity for 'dwellers. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:58+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=rv:fuel&rev=1766617138&do=diff Managing fuel costs using less fuel The best way to save on fuel is to use less of it. moving between campsites Having an overall plan in mind can save backtracking and inefficient routes. Snowbirds tend to move in circuits in order to follow good weather. text/html 2025-12-24T22:59:02+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=rv:minivargo:nv200&rev=1766617142&do=diff Also see: The Nissan NV1500/2500/3500 fullsize “van” on a truck chassis. Nissan NV200 The NV200 is a minicargo from Nissan. FIXME builds <https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/gdn2en/first_prototype_for_adjustable_panels/> text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:work&rev=1766617130&do=diff Work Van- and RV-dwellers have some advantages regarding employment: * you can go where the work is * you can live on less income and can therefore work a wider variety of jobs * you can work for things other than money: parking, board, etc text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:30+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=camping:snowbirding&rev=1766617110&do=diff Snowbirds A snowbird is a traveller who “follows the weather” to stay comfortable. Common targets include daytime highs of 60-75F. These highs may seem too cool but snowbirds often camp in full sun to harvest solar power. Snowbirding reduces the need for expensive and bulky amenities like air conditioning. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:charging_faster&rev=1766617132&do=diff charging faster isn't always better There is a common misperception that charging one's battery banks faster is better or that having more charging capacity guarantees faster charging. Here are some reasons it is not always true: lead-acid Lead batteries text/html 2025-12-24T22:59:02+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=rv:build:steps&rev=1766617142&do=diff Build order downsizing Downsizing (getting rid of most of your stuff, keeping useful stuff) is a Good Thing whether or not you ever move into a van. thinking * get ideas from forums, instagram, youtube, etc * consider what kind of amenities you want text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:44+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=food:cooking:kitchen&rev=1766617124&do=diff campervan kitchen These large subgroups have their own pages: * Stoves * Cookware * water utensils and implements can opener * Normal use can openers * EZ-duz-it traditional opener - exceptionally well made * side opener - while theoretically safer (no sharp edges on the opened can, they may be more useful when one wants to temporarily reclose the can after partial use. The can lid sits back in place on the cut sides. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:necessities&rev=1766617130&do=diff " “Pack as if you're going out for only a week during the summer. Then add what you'd need if you were going out for only a week in winter. That should pretty much cover everything.” --MrNoodly" " “I can't be prepared for everything I can possibly imagine, so I prepare for things that are most likely to happen. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:44+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=food:cooking:cookware&rev=1766617124&do=diff Cookware stovetop cast iron pots pans souz vide FIxmE pressure cookers Pressure cookers can be extremely useful in a campervan. They can: * save fuel - because cooking times are often dramatically reduced. Dry beans can be cooked in ~30mins at pressure. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:shore_power&rev=1766617114&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “...most people think that to have “RV” type shore power you need those special 30/50 amp plugs. I have a 115v plug. The male end of an extension cord (heavy gauge) that I have cable tied to the inside of my receiver hitch so it’s hidden.” text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:36+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread&rev=1766617116&do=diff Words of Wisdom: " “LFP batteries do not need to get back to 100% SOC, ever” -- Maine Sail" " “Others will likely say you should read a few of the previous pages in this thread and a lot of your questions will be answered. I'd suggest you pick and random number between text/html 2025-12-24T22:59:02+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=water:drinking&rev=1766617142&do=diff " “There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount, a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid west so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:48+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=lifestyle:faq_laundry&rev=1766617128&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “What really helps both methods is the clothes I choose to begin with. They're almost exclusively campwear, beach wear, sports wear, that sort of thing. My work outfits are dark, plain-colored board shorts or swim trunks with the webbing cut out, and long-sleeve black text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:46+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=fuel:carbon_monoxide&rev=1766617126&do=diff Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO, not CO2) is a colorless, tasteless gas caused by incomplete combustion. It can displace oxygen in the bloodstream leading to illness or death. The incomplete combustion is typically caused by low oxygen levels, which in turn is caused by text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:30+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=camping:safety&rev=1766617110&do=diff DRAFT " “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it.” -- Agent K, Men in Black" Safety " “Feeling safe isn't the same thing as being safe. Feeling scared doesn't necessarily mean you are in danger. It means text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:46+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=hvac:insulation&rev=1766617126&do=diff Insulation There is no clear solid consensus on what the “best” way to insulate a van is, but there sure are a lot of opinions with very little in the way of empirical data. At best, you're making an educated guess and almost everyone insulates their van differently.