Anyone here doing the “van life” thing?

[3forks]

We’ve got a 2020 Sprinter 2500 Crew 4x4. We built it out with a galley kitchen, and platform bed, upgraded seats, air conditioner, fridge, diesel heater, etc. It’s basically got the essentials we needed to be comfortable, but we didn’t put in a shower or toilet.

Ours is the last year of the 6 cylinder 4x4, and we upgraded the suspension and put on a cargo rack and a few other external mods.

You’ll spend a fortune on batteries that would give you the ability to run AC. Shore power is not an issue (obviously), but you’ll need a generator with a soft start if you want AC when boondocking.

I’ve used our van for a base camp for hunting for several years, and it’s been great. Switching into 4 wheel drive and low, will get me most everywhere I can go in my 3/4 pickup, but I’m pretty cautious and don’t push my luck.

It’s pretty nice to sleep on a queen sized mattress with the diesel heater keeping the van a constant 65 degrees (or warmer if you want) in cold weather, and being able to cook inside with running water and do whatever else you need to do is really nice. I still backpack hunt quite a few days, but being able to get back to the van and really be comfortable is awesome.

There is a TON of cargo space in our van due to how it’s configured, and I can put practically as many coolers or anything else under the elevated platform as I want. I would skip the roof rack next time because it’s expensive and we never use it for additional gear because there’s so much space inside. However, the rack sits a few inches off the roof and has a perforated aluminum floor supported by cross bars. Throwing elk quarters up there is kind of a hassle, so I climb up the ladder/spare tire carrier mounted on the rear of the van with my loaded pack and will dump the quarters out up there. The rack allows for plenty of air to circulate around the quarters and keeps them clean and cool while I’m making multiple trips.

I could write a pretty long post about what’s great about the van, and it’s got a few annoying things too, but the pros far outweigh the cons. The only real thing I can’t stand is being lumped into the “van life” subculture just because we own this thing.

 

[MuleyFever]

I want one.

 

[Nevwild]

I could talk about this for hours.

I was in the same position as you a couple years ago, with a home base, but wanting an adventure van, and ended up getting a Econoline with a quigley 4 x 4 conversion and a bubble top. It was partially converted already.

I’m so happy I didn’t spend twice as much on a sprinter or a transit. It’s not as fancy, and it’s not as modern, but I don’t care if I get some scratches on it from a pine tree on a forest road, and I don’t mind if they get it a little bloody when I get back from a hunt.

If I had spent the full amount on a sprinter or transit, I would be far more reticent to take the van where I really wanted to go and do what I really wanted to do.

I’m also really happy that I didn’t get a fully converted version, so that I could build out what I wanted how I wanted. It’s an ongoing project that I really enjoy.

If you do go this direction, realize that everything that is specifically built for Van life comes with a massive Van tax. You can get the same product labeled differently for a fraction of the cost.

It’s also really easy to get sucked into the Instagram pretty Van world, but the reality is that you don’t need all of that. Find out what’s functional for you build it out and get outside. Thats what these things are really for in my mind.

 

[omariio0]

We’ve got a 2020 Sprinter 2500 Crew 4x4. We built it out with a galley kitchen, and platform bed, upgraded seats, air conditioner, fridge, diesel heater, etc. It’s basically got the essentials we needed to be comfortable, but we didn’t put in a shower or toilet.

Ours is the last year of the 6 cylinder 4x4, and we upgraded the suspension and put on a cargo rack and a few other external mods.

You’ll spend a fortune on batteries that would give you the ability to run AC. Shore power is not an issue (obviously), but you’ll need a generator with a soft start if you want AC when boondocking.

I’ve used our van for a base camp for hunting for several years, and it’s been great. Switching into 4 wheel drive and low, will get me most everywhere I can go in my 3/4 pickup, but I’m pretty cautious and don’t push my luck.

It’s pretty nice to sleep on a queen sized mattress with the diesel heater keeping the van a constant 65 degrees (or warmer if you want) in cold weather, and being able to cook inside with running water and do whatever else you need to do is really nice. I still backpack hunt quite a few days, but being able to get back to the van and really be comfortable is awesome.

There is a TON of cargo space in our van due to how it’s configured, and I can put practically as many coolers or anything else under the elevated platform as I want. I would skip the roof rack next time because it’s expensive and we never use it for additional gear because there’s so much space inside. However, the rack sits a few inches off the roof and has a perforated aluminum floor supported by cross bars. Throwing elk quarters up there is kind of a hassle, so I climb up the ladder/spare tire carrier mounted on the rear of the van with my loaded pack and will dump the quarters out up there. The rack allows for plenty of air to circulate around the quarters and keeps them clean and cool while I’m making multiple trips.

I could write a pretty long post about what’s great about the van, and it’s got a few annoying things too, but the pros far outweigh the cons. The only real thing I can’t stand is being lumped into the “van life” subculture just because we own this thing.

Definitely out weights that "con" of just the way others may perceive you. You've got a rad thing going on and you know that so who cares what they might think.

 

[CMF]

My wife and I are looking at building a van. Nothing crazy. No built in shower or toilet. No holding tanks. I’d like solar and batteries to power an AC unit. Also, I’d like an outdoor shower. We won’t be living in it, just a dry comfortable place to sleep and store our stuff on some 2-3 weeks long trips. I had pretty much decided on the Ford Transit but now I’m considering the Mercedes Sprinter. I’ve watched a million YouTube videos but I’d like to hear from some of y’all that use them on hunting trips too. Anyone on here living/traveling/hunting like this?
Ryan

We've done full time in a 5th wheel for the past 4 years.
I can't imagine going into something like that and not having the convenience of a bathroom. Once we're done full timing I plan to build a rig just for trips, in addition to standard camper equipment, it will have a freezer and a washer/dryer.
If you're going to be hunting be sure to consider how you'll haul meat. We have a residential fridge and I can store an elk for a month, but we have a string of hunts coming up that are going to make us get creative. It's always worked out before that either friends or family met us to hunt and could haul some meat back for us.

This is a thing where I live and it’s an incredible problem across all of our public beach and park parking lots. The crime, trash and vagrancy associated with those living out of their vans and RV’s is destroying our city since our mayor decided to allow “urban camping” as an alternative to homelessness. I’m sure you’re an upstanding citizen, but please if you decide to do this, for your own safety, stick to bonafide campgrounds!

We've spent the majority of our time in full hook up campgrounds, but have also boondocked around van life crowd. I haven't seen any problems in the areas we've boondocked. I think what you have is a local bum problem and a city problem, not a traveling van life problem. You can't call "homelessness" "camping" and then say campers are a problem...

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Mmm…
#vanlife

 

[Will_m]

As long as you live in it down by the river.

 

[va_to_co]

Depends on your hunting terrain. I have a F150 with a GFC camper. I find no need for AC or anything more than a good cooler for a fridge. I considered doing a Quigley job on a transit but I think the space is too limited. Given the cash and more importantly storage for yet another vehicle I would go with a vehicle thats built for towing lift kit and heavier tires. From what ives seen and friends have experienced the sprinter lacks. My sisters dodge adventure van is a beast on a 3500 chassis. I’ve have friends happy with the fords too.

This is a great point for @vectordawg. I only ever got the Sprinter stuck (needed help out) once, on a rutted up muddy road. I did choose to turn around a handful of times on some skinny, crappy forest service roads though. Just had 2wd and didn't want to test my chances. Definitely a handful of butt-pucker moments driving in the van.

 

[5MilesBack]

 

[SewardsFolly]

I found a built out used light milage Promaster, FWD, that had solar, big battery, well built out, good KO2 tires. I installed a chinese diesel heater ( finicky, but there aren't cheap options otherwise) and the previous owner had a portable AC we can plug in. There are numerous fans in the van and installed in the ceiling . I installed a front skid plate and some new rear springs and front spacers to get a smidge more clearance. I'm fine on most forest roads and it made it up snowy roads for CO third rifle last year (diesel heater didn't like the thin air, used Mr Buddy instead). Also did fine on good dirt roads for hunts in other states. If I know where I am going that the roads are good, it is awesome to have. If the roads are a question mark or we're trying to be very mobile, I will take a different vehicle. Don't have an ATV but have rented one before on a hunt I took the van and that gave me the mobility needed. We use ours for other trips for our other hobbies. From what I saw researching, a lot of the reliability issues are shared across the brands. I would have liked the AWD of the Ford, but I was going to have to pay a lot for what was available at the time. I have chains and haven't really had traction issues in snow on the FWD. We have enough space underneath the bed for a large cooler to fit a deer or bone out elk.

I think of it as a recreation vehicle and sometimes it works for hunting and makes things comfortable. It is more versatile so far than a 5th wheel or large trailer. In the future I will get an ATV to bring with it. Wife and I will spend a few days to a week or so in it without issue. My recommendation is don't bother with the Mercedes or the diesel. If I break down somewhere rural I would rather have Ram or Ford for part availability and mechanic familiarity with the powertrain. Even if I had 4x4, you're so top heavy in a van, I don't think you'd gain that much.

 

[SDHNTR]

We've done full time in a 5th wheel for the past 4 years.
I can't imagine going into something like that and not having the convenience of a bathroom. Once we're done full timing I plan to build a rig just for trips, in addition to standard camper equipment, it will have a freezer and a washer/dryer.
If you're going to be hunting be sure to consider how you'll haul meat. We have a residential fridge and I can store an elk for a month, but we have a string of hunts coming up that are going to make us get creative. It's always worked out before that either friends or family met us to hunt and could haul some meat back for us.


We've spent the majority of our time in full hook up campgrounds, but have also boondocked around van life crowd. I haven't seen any problems in the areas we've boondocked. I think what you have is a local bum problem and a city problem, not a traveling van life problem. You can't call "homelessness" "camping" and then say campers are a problem...

You may be right, but a lot of these derelict vans/rv’s have out of state plates.

 

[mtnbiker208]

Ford vs mercedes
there is defiantely more ford dealerships in rural america than there are mercedes dealerships.

 

[IdahoElk]

I'd stay away from the Mercedes diesel, My friend works on them regularly and they have some quirks and can be very expensive to fix and getting parts can be difficult if you're in an isolated area.

 

[wesfromky]

Vans are pretty cool, lots of great builds out there. I went super minimalist with my truck build. I have a thread on it, but basics are Frontier with a radica moonlander, blueitti batteries, starlink mini, suitcase solar, 9v freezer and fridge, dc-dc charger.

 

[Silveroddo]

One more for keep it simple in terms of serviceability. I got involved in helping a family friend sell an '08 ish Dodge branded Mercedes Sprinter Class B motor home. (Factory van life) It was a low mile creme puff but it went through a few glow plugs while she had it. The last time was while I was helping her sell it and she was out of the country for an extended period of time so I had to deal with it. Despite the Dodge emblem in the front no Dodge Dealership within a literal 100 miles would touch it, I finally found one place 2 hours away, after that was 3.5 hrs away. No Diesel shops would touch it. I think it was $1200 for one glow plug, they were concerned about snapping it off and if that had happened they said the head would have to come off and that would be a couple grand. It seemed overly dramatic, but I called 20 places to find the 1 that would touch it.

 

[vectordawg]

We’ve got a 2020 Sprinter 2500 Crew 4x4. We built it out with a galley kitchen, and platform bed, upgraded seats, air conditioner, fridge, diesel heater, etc. It’s basically got the essentials we needed to be comfortable, but we didn’t put in a shower or toilet.

Ours is the last year of the 6 cylinder 4x4, and we upgraded the suspension and put on a cargo rack and a few other external mods.

You’ll spend a fortune on batteries that would give you the ability to run AC. Shore power is not an issue (obviously), but you’ll need a generator with a soft start if you want AC when boondocking.

I’ve used our van for a base camp for hunting for several years, and it’s been great. Switching into 4 wheel drive and low, will get me most everywhere I can go in my 3/4 pickup, but I’m pretty cautious and don’t push my luck.

It’s pretty nice to sleep on a queen sized mattress with the diesel heater keeping the van a constant 65 degrees (or warmer if you want) in cold weather, and being able to cook inside with running water and do whatever else you need to do is really nice. I still backpack hunt quite a few days, but being able to get back to the van and really be comfortable is awesome.

There is a TON of cargo space in our van due to how it’s configured, and I can put practically as many coolers or anything else under the elevated platform as I want. I would skip the roof rack next time because it’s expensive and we never use it for additional gear because there’s so much space inside. However, the rack sits a few inches off the roof and has a perforated aluminum floor supported by cross bars. Throwing elk quarters up there is kind of a hassle, so I climb up the ladder/spare tire carrier mounted on the rear of the van with my loaded pack and will dump the quarters out up there. The rack allows for plenty of air to circulate around the quarters and keeps them clean and cool while I’m making multiple trips.

I could write a pretty long post about what’s great about the van, and it’s got a few annoying things too, but the pros far outweigh the cons. The only real thing I can’t stand is being lumped into the “van life” subculture just because we own this thing.

This is pretty much what I’m looking for. Minimal build out to get the bare essentials but still be comfortable. Your van sounds a lot like what @va_to_co has done with his. Our van will be used almost exclusively for travel and overnight trips. If I do use it hunting it will be from forest service roads during the early seasons. In my mind it won’t be much different than truck camping. Thanks for the info about the AC. I didn’t know that it would require a ton of a batteries. They don’t mention that in the YouTube videos.

Thanks to everyone else who commented. Y’all definitely confirmed what I’d heard about the Mercedes. Stay away!

 

[vectordawg]

I found a built out used light milage Promaster, FWD, that had solar, big battery, well built out, good KO2 tires. I installed a chinese diesel heater ( finicky, but there aren't cheap options otherwise) and the previous owner had a portable AC we can plug in. There are numerous fans in the van and installed in the ceiling . I installed a front skid plate and some new rear springs and front spacers to get a smidge more clearance. I'm fine on most forest roads and it made it up snowy roads for CO third rifle last year (diesel heater didn't like the thin air, used Mr Buddy instead). Also did fine on good dirt roads for hunts in other states. If I know where I am going that the roads are good, it is awesome to have. If the roads are a question mark or we're trying to be very mobile, I will take a different vehicle. Don't have an ATV but have rented one before on a hunt I took the van and that gave me the mobility needed. We use ours for other trips for our other hobbies. From what I saw researching, a lot of the reliability issues are shared across the brands. I would have liked the AWD of the Ford, but I was going to have to pay a lot for what was available at the time. I have chains and haven't really had traction issues in snow on the FWD. We have enough space underneath the bed for a large cooler to fit a deer or bone out elk.

I think of it as a recreation vehicle and sometimes it works for hunting and makes things comfortable. It is more versatile so far than a 5th wheel or large trailer. In the future I will get an ATV to bring with it. Wife and I will spend a few days to a week or so in it without issue. My recommendation is don't bother with the Mercedes or the diesel. If I break down somewhere rural I would rather have Ram or Ford for part availability and mechanic familiarity with the powertrain. Even if I had 4x4, you're so top heavy in a van, I don't think you'd gain that much.

An rv that sometimes works for hunting, that’s where we’ll be if we get one.
Thanks

 

[Serrano]

No toilet.

I guess you expect everyone else to provide that for you.

 

[Maverick1]

I could talk about this for hours.

I was in the same position as you a couple years ago, with a home base, but wanting an adventure van, and ended up getting a Econoline with a quigley 4 x 4 conversion and a bubble top. It was partially converted already.

I’m so happy I didn’t spend twice as much on a sprinter or a transit. It’s not as fancy, and it’s not as modern, but I don’t care if I get some scratches on it from a pine tree on a forest road, and I don’t mind if they get it a little bloody when I get back from a hunt.

If I had spent the full amount on a sprinter or transit, I would be far more reticent to take the van where I really wanted to go and do what I really wanted to do.

I’m also really happy that I didn’t get a fully converted version, so that I could build out what I wanted how I wanted. It’s an ongoing project that I really enjoy.

If you do go this direction, realize that everything that is specifically built for Van life comes with a massive Van tax. You can get the same product labeled differently for a fraction of the cost.

It’s also really easy to get sucked into the Instagram pretty Van world, but the reality is that you don’t need all of that. Find out what’s functional for you build it out and get outside. Thats what these things are really for in my mind.

This thread is about living in a van, so I’ll try to avoid sending it on a bit of a tangent. In looking at some of these van conversions, they seem quite pricey. Wouldn’t it be more economical to do a cargo trailer conversion and tow it with a small truck or SUV than buy and convert a van?

 

[CMF]

This thread is about living in a van, so I’ll try to avoid sending it on a bit of a tangent. In looking at some of these van conversions, they seem quite pricey. Wouldn’t it be more economical to do a cargo trailer conversion and tow it with a small truck or SUV than buy and convert a van?

Has to be, assuming you already have a truck/suv. A cargo trailer is what I plan to build my next rig out of, specifically a goose neck with higher ceiling.