[Lib]

Hi All,

Me and my Partner are planning on Moving into a Van some point soon, We have facilities and It isn't something we're being forced into, we just feel it's a good way to remove all ties to major shitty systems and actually start to enjoy our lives.

We've been saving some cash for a while now and Have enough money to buy a Van.
For those interested, we will be going for an LWB High Top Ford Transit 2006-2012.

We're going to be building it from scratch ourselves, just so we (mainly I) know the systems in place, electronics, plumbing etc so we (I) can fix it on the road.

I just wanted to ask the community, If you were going to move into a Van, what are some things it would need to have, I'm thinking, Toilet, Shower, Large cooker, Big bed, small bed, Shelves, Lighting etc, and why? If It's something that you could REALLY live without, why wouldn't you?

My Partner really wants a "Stand-in" Shower but I'm not fussed, I'm happy to live rough where possible, We're thinking composting toilet for convenience more than anything and for the bed, My partner wants a bed that can fold up and give more 'living' space whereas I want a Fixed bed with more storage underneath.

Just keen to hear your ideas?

[ririki]

It's a trend, go for it.
My friend that lives in Florida did the same.

Sure you will face many problems after by, but it's good experience.
Most of the problems are solvable, anyway.

[Lib]

It's a trend, go for it.
My friend that lives in Florida did the same.

Sure you will face many problems after by, but it's good experience.
Most of the problems are solvable, anyway.

Do you know how they're able to afford Van life?
We're planning on picking up small jobs along the way, just enough to pay for fuel etc but Our jobs aren't really ones we can do Online.

I'm seeing that being the biggest hurdle we'll face :\

[ririki]

Do you know how they're able to afford Van life?
We're planning on picking up small jobs along the way, just enough to pay for fuel etc but Our jobs aren't really ones we can do Online.

I'm seeing that being the biggest hurdle we'll face :\

They are pretty much Entrepreneurs, working for themselves online.
You are right, that's pretty much an issue if you work in some company without flexible hours.

[Vibe]

if she really needs a shower Maybe try to add a shower head above the toilet. I’d probably do something like that if I lived in a van as I would want to be able to shower when I want but a full separate stand up shower spot would take a lot of space.
Or maybe you could get the shower to go outside and have a deployable system for curtains

[Lib]

They are pretty much Entrepreneurs, working for themselves online.
You are right, that's pretty much an issue if you work in some company without flexible hours.

That would be nice haha.

The way we're planning on doing it (Might be VERY Different when we get to it) but We're planning on travelling around Europe, We know a few Communes that we can stay at and help out (not a big Hippy thing I promise :D) but Aside from that, We'll be running on what we've saved up.
& I can't see that lasting TOO long.

[One]

you should also consider security

[Lib]

if she really needs a shower Maybe try to add a shower head above the toilet. I’d probably do something like that if I lived in a van as I would want to be able to shower when I want but a full separate stand up shower spot would take a lot of space.
Or maybe you could get the shower to go outside and have a deployable system for curtains

That's EXACTLY What I was thinking, We'll have Water storage and hookups etc and so I was planning on attaching a Shower system to the Back Door, They swing outwards & I could stick up a Shower curtain thing along both doors and blocking off the inside. We're a bit limited for Internal space but I think that's the best plan at the moment.

---

you should also consider security

Top on my priorities :) I'm a Security Analyst by Job and not just digital haha.
Got plans in place for Vent protections against Gas attacks, nothing too Bulletproof but hopefully enough, We'll have a Safe bolted to the Metalwork for our Documents and some spare cash, Tools for protection etc. We're in Europe so sadly no guns but we're working on it :)

Also used to be a Locksmith for a few years so that knowledge has been quite helpful, especially with how weak Ford Van Locks are.

Not sure about Cameras or anything as the Van needs to be discreet but any suggestions are welcome :)

[One]

That's EXACTLY What I was thinking, We'll have Water storage and hookups etc and so I was planning on attaching a Shower system to the Back Door, They swing outwards & I could stick up a Shower curtain thing along both doors and blocking off the inside. We're a bit limited for Internal space but I think that's the best plan at the moment.

---

Top on my priorities :) I'm a Security Analyst by Job and not just digital haha.
Got plans in place for Vent protections against Gas attacks, nothing too Bulletproof but hopefully enough, We'll have a Safe bolted to the Metalwork for our Documents and some spare cash, Tools for protection etc. We're in Europe so sadly no guns but we're working on it :)

Also used to be a Locksmith for a few years so that knowledge has been quite helpful, especially with how weak Ford Van Locks are.

Not sure about Cameras or anything as the Van needs to be discreet but any suggestions are welcome :)

Good but criminals do rob vans alot,All they need to do is spray a sleeping gas into the van for few hours before breaking in,But since you know what you doing i think you will be fine

[Lib]

Good but criminals do rob vans alot,All they need to do is spray a sleeping gas into the van for few hours before breaking in,But since you know what you doing i think you will be fine

I've seen a lot of people preparing against that sort of thing, I didn't even think about it being a risk until a little while ago.
There are a few ways around it, a few being Air Filtration and others just being detectorsa that alarm when it detects that sort of shit, I think both will be implemented in the van and maybe whatever else I can research :)

[Niche Master]

just watch out bro, had my friend get robbed pretty bad when he tried to live out of an RC in cali

[Lib]

I don't know if your relationship will last long in a van. Sounds to me that your partner is gonna be annoyed with the living situation after a couple months.

Sorry If I made it seem like that, My Partner was the one who suggested doing it, I had experience living in a van previously but only for a short time and just for fun but making the commitment is something we're both equally happy to do, We're pretty solid together :)
We're actually both pissed off we can't make it happen sooner.

We're both open to eachothers input, They're happy to take my specialities into account as am I to theirs.
There are los of Pros for both styles of vans that we're planning but I think once we actually get the van and can start preparing things physically, then It may be a lot easier.

---

just watch out bro, had my friend get robbed pretty bad when he tried to live out of an RC in cali

Do you know how it was robbed?
or what type of Van they had? Would be good to know.
I know there are security flaws with different types of vans but it would be good to add it to the collection of "Bewares" :)

[Lib]

Oh okay then  🎉

It was sounding like she/he was gonna be bitching about living space while living a in a van  🤣

Haha nope, It's all good, We're really just trying to come up with a very space optimized design, I think we'd get more use out of Storage space than livingspace whereas they're the opposite, I'm open to the idea of having a folding bed but I just think storage is a premium in a van, We'll need space for Batteries for the Solar panels, Water, Clean and dirty, Diesel for the Heater etc. just run out of room so quickly in my head haha

[duplex]

You only live life once, go for it.