Anyone here doing the “van life” thing?

[Hoosker Doo]

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?

I'm also considering going down the camper van road in the next decade maybe, but a couple big factors for me are the ability to pull a boat or trailer with a 4 wheeler...

 

[AG8]

No toilet.

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

What does that even mean?

 

[vectordawg]

What does that even mean?

It means he’s a condescending prick that always holds it until he gets home.

 

[Nevwild]

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.

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

These are excellent points, and one of the big advantages of the Econoline platform. There were countless numbers of these produced while they were being made from something like 1999 to 2014. Parts are plentiful, every shop knows how to work on them, and repairs cost an order of magnitude less than repairs on a transit or a sprinter.

 

[Mr. October]

Define “Van Life”.

 

[Maverick1]

Define “Van Life”.

View attachment 945715

That’s a bus, Reggie.

 

[Boarmaster]

I can do the tiny home/ cabin thing for hunting season. I spend a lot of time at my lease Nov thru Feb.
I could definitely live in something like that full time but I would need two. One in the north and one in the south. I would need a bit more porch and lean to’s on my 12x16. I think van life would be a little tight for me. I know it would be dang tight for someone who had to live with me….

 

[Beendare]

I built a cargo trailer into what you described. INO, Double insulated was the key. Solar to run AC is not feasible, you dont have enough roof space, Ac takes too many amps. Max air fan works well for most areas unless it doesnt cool off at night.

 

[WstrnCP]

I have a 2008 Dodge branded Sprinter. I’ll second, or third, that maintenance is a real concern. Being a Mercedes it’s hard to do work yourself. I have a great shop which makes it easier. Still really expensive and seems like there is always something. That being said, the convenience of the van is great. It’s a very simple build, I can take everything in and out in about 15 minutes. I find I use it just as much to haul stuff. It’s way more convenient and secure and dry than a pickup. I would probably get a van again, just not a Sprinter. I would get a Ford most likely.