Vandwellers Forum

Coriontour

Hi all, I'm new to this site and love all of the information. I spent the summer two years ago living on a sailboat in Ventura California, and I loved it, although it was very easy finding places to stay for free. Without an actual anchorage I was rocking all night long, and would wake up several times during the night to find myself far from where I actually dropped anchor. Since then I have sold my boat and just purchased a 2009 Chevy express panel van. I love it, it's a blank canvas waiting to be customized. I plan on doing all the work myself, and there is so much to do. I will be moving into my van in the next month or two. I plan on installing thin plywood panneling on the walls and ceiling, with fiberglass insulation stuffed behind the panneling. I just bought a twin sized futon for my bed and plan on making it fold into a bench when nor being slept on. Next I'll purchase a cheap cabinet from Lowes and modifying it to fit and installing a sink with the water tank in the cabinet. I just found a Coleman combination stove/ oven that I'll mount to the side door, so in warm weather I'll open the door to cook outside, and in cold weather I'll cook onside with the door closed. Next I'll build storage under the bed and on the sides of the bed. I'm planning to buy two AGM batteries and wire them on a circuit connected to a little 1000 watt genny I found at an autoparts store for 160 bucks, at least until I can get a couple solar panels to charge the batteries. Heating is a big concern, there are so many views as to which is safest, what is the most efficient and so on, fortunately it never gets very cold here and it's almost summer, so I can take my time to figure that one out. Downsizing shouldn't be a problem considering my house just burnt to the ground, with me in it. I lost everything, but gained even more. I realized I don't posess my posessions, they posess me, and I'm free at last. I'll keep everybody posted as I make progress. I'm so glad to have found this site.
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If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.

tvme · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:23 am Post subject:

Welcome Coriontour.

We're glad you found us too.

Sorry to hear about your house burning down. I understand about being owned by possessions- I'm still there but getting better. When I lost quite a bit of stff in a flooded basment, it was the little keepsakes I really missed. But I still have the memories and they don't take up much space!

Please do keep us informed about your progress. The heating thing will work itself out. It depends a lot on your style of living... or parking.

Again, welcome.
Bob

naturenut · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject: welcome coriontour

Come on in - the waters warm here (don't tell anyone but its warm because I peed in the pool) You will find a lot of advise here - most of it useful and good. I like your image of the empty canvas - the neat thing is that you can try something and then "paint over it" if it doesn't work - be careful about cooking in the van - o2 is one concern but an open flame in a place full of combustibles can be very bad (but you know that already) It really freaks me to see stoves near curtains etc.

The thing I like about van dwelling is then freedom to move about with little $ - I like my bed in the van but spend more time outside than in. - rainy days I spend in the library not the van - My van carries the stuff I need to camp and a comfy bed to return to at night or sometimes in the morning after being out by the camp fire all night star gazing - after a good breakfast is the best time to go to bed.

Welcome
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1995 GMC Safari - cheap & simple homemade amenities for camping
I love this natural world around us and the creator so much that I can't wait to see the new one He's got for us - we sure have made a mess of this one!

malibusurfer · Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 15

Welcome to the site. Lots of good people here with experience and great ideas!!!
I would look more into your insulation idea. Be care and read up on insulation in a van. Condensation is your enemy!! Home insulation is usually a bad idea in our vans..
You don't want to soak water into it (it will stay wet for months), and start rusting your van out prematurely...
Love the Santa Barbara area!!! One of my favorite places to surf/camp out. Refugio is one of my favorite places to camp and hang out... Great weather and pretty laid back.
Welcome again....
Ask away with any questions. Great group of folks here!!!

Coriontour · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject: I love all the quick replies.

You all have given me something to think about already. I'll do more research on insulation, and as far as the stove goes, there aren't windows on the side doors of my van, so I'm not to concerned about burning my curtains. My only concern about cooking inside is ventilation, I like the idea about using computer fans for ventilation, I might give that a try. I have to say, I never expected such prompt responses. You all rock!!
_________________
If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.

surfcam · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:52 pm Post subject:

Welcome from the Great White North. I've had a AGM house battery in my stepvan for 6 years. I never got that many years out of a lead battery. I'm running a 4 cylinder Cummins so the vibration is about as high as you can get. That's one of the advantages of a AGM batteries. On the downside. If you have a lead battery for the engine there might be a charging conflict between the two batteries because of the two difference charge rates. Maybe somebody can chime in on this as it's not my expertise and I would like to know for sure. Confused

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4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86 GTI gas
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta
http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.com/

arthurwwebb · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:36 am Post subject:

Welcome from Columbus, tx
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I'm not old, I'm Vintage!

Coriontour · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: Making progress.

So I gave notice to my landlord today, I'll be moving out of the house by march 9th and into my van. I bought some reflectix today and started insulating. I figure at least while I figure which kind of insulation to go with, I'll double up and start with reflectix and put something over that. I'm heading to salt lake city at the end of the month to use my dads tools and garage to start building my interior. I'll be there a week putting in the floor, insulation, building cabinets and a bed. The only electricity I need for now is to charge my iPhone which doubles as my computer. I'll put my battery bank, inverter, while I'm living in the van. I'll use my campstove for now to cook on. I figure there's no better time than now to get started living the life of a gypsie.
_________________
If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.

Coriontour · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:09 am Post subject: The reflectix is in.

I can't believe what a difference it made just putting in reflectix, it's so much warmer already. I haven't even done the floor yet but I'm totally cozy in here. I can't wait to put up the paneling and plywood on the floor.
_________________
If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.

surfcam · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:58 pm Post subject:

What are you using for a heat source.
_________________
4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86 GTI gas
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta
http://www.antiquedollhouseofpatterns.com/

Coriontour · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:16 pm Post subject:

I'll probably just buy a little buddy for now. Eventually I would like to get something more permanent like a built in vented heater that can safely run all night when it gets really cold. What are you using?
_________________
If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.

malibusurfer · Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 15

In my van I'm fabricating a wood stove up here in the Pac Nor West.. One thing we have lots of is free heat. Driftwood, downed trees, and wood laying around the road side, etc.... Does not take much heat to warm a van up real fast!!! Charcoal briquets when really cold and need a long heat...
When stealth mode is on, I too have a heater buddy to take the chill off... Electric blankets only use 130 watts (or so), and are decent in really cold weather..
That's my set up...

wildthing · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:15 am Post subject:

welcome! Thx for your reply on my intro- yep, I feel your pain (re. fire, creepie crawlies etc) and then the freedom.

Exciting that you are moving in; the van I'm looking to buy has the pink stuff in the walls... wonder if I should remove it?!

keep us posted on your move...
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torn between wanting to change the world and wanting to enjoy it, makes it hard to plan the day.

wildthing · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:18 am Post subject:

ps- can you stand up in your van? I'm having second thoughts about the Chevy I'm considering; thought the raised roof would allow stand-up but not quite... One guy I talked to who lived in his van for years said not to worry, you really don't spend much time standing anyhow. I'm not so sure.
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torn between wanting to change the world and wanting to enjoy it, makes it hard to plan the day.

Coriontour · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:50 am Post subject:

Hey wildthing, I can't stand up in my van, but I do agree that I probably will only be inside during bad weather or to sleep. So I'm not to concerned about the ceiling height, if it becomes a problem, then I may put a pop top on down the road.

I did some more work on the van today, I'm trying to get it prepped to put in the floor and paneling, I'm hoping to get at least that much done before 22010.
_________________
If you don't expect much from me, you will never be let down.

2009 Chevy Express panel van.