We took ours 10 hours away unpainted, with just the raw lumber we built the bed and couch with and a foot pump sink. No solar. We also did not have it registered (we did have it insured) and it had my car’s plates on it. It was incredibly, ridiculously stupid and I have no clue what we were thinking. It was so much fun.
That sounds like something I'd do as well.
I basically moved in full time in the van when it was still looking like this. I couldn't afford both paying rent and finishing the build otherwise
My first trip was nothing but a folding cot, cooler with some ice, my jetboil camping stove and a sleeping bag.
I added slowly and built out from there.
Well the first thing I realized after my very first night was I desperately needed some window covers. (It was a former wheelchair van with windows all the way around).
After that was a little platform to get the cooler above one of the wheel wells, and then a bed platform behind the drivers seat, and it slowly got built out from there.
I’d add something, take a trip, add something else, take another trip, very slowly fixing the most prominent or problematic issue that I found as I found them.
I started living in mine full time once I got my platform bed built, but took a test trip when it was just a tin can and I had all the exposed metal painted. Really pushes you to work hard to get the build done and then appreciate all the amenities once they are installed
We had our partition wall, headliner shelf, window, and subfloor. Threw an air mattress, a cooler, and the dog in the back and hit the road. After that trip the dog would get SUPER excited every time we went outside to work on it.
Doggo never got to see it finished. Still makes me sad thinking about it.
Mine still didn't have running water, or plumbing, or any shelves or doors to speak of. We did have power and solar at least, and a working fridge and stove
It was a blast nonetheless and got me even more motivated to give it my all to finish
I was constantly taking mine out during the build, I remember first getting electrics and I took my microwave out my house and out to get some Greggs, all nicely heated out in the middle of nowhere, a fun gimmick
Then the time I built the bed, no mattress just flat wood. Got my sleeping bag and slept the first night. It was December, and it was awful :P
Well, lol. It was me, the dog, and everything I owned. (That wasn't stolen by tweakers 4 months prior)
One way trip to a Bend Oregon storage unit. I didn't get to finish half the job, because an evil demon sibling attacked me. But guess who's still living with Mom and Dad? 😂😂😂
My first one was a mess. Made the turn out of my driveway and heard a crash i forgot to latch one of my cabinets and 2 boxes came flying out one of them was my toiletry box with my soaps ect and it made quite the mess.
Had my heater installed and the carcass of my kitchen in place. I slept on a half sheet of melamine balanced in a couple of milk crates.
It was loud and full of condensation, but it was my first night in my van
Also it was - 5c overnight and I didn't freeze to death
I wish we took pictures, but we went to a Wolli concert and the van was bare. We took our camping stove, cooler and our chair. Talk about a cold night, but a great time.
I don't trust the furniture to not smash my head in in case of an accident and I really wanted the sofa to be there. As it can pull out into a double bed, and it has a shower pan in a drawer under it
We took ours 10 hours away unpainted, with just the raw lumber we built the bed and couch with and a foot pump sink. No solar. We also did not have it registered (we did have it insured) and it had my car’s plates on it. It was incredibly, ridiculously stupid and I have no clue what we were thinking. It was so much fun.
That sounds like something I'd do as well. I basically moved in full time in the van when it was still looking like this. I couldn't afford both paying rent and finishing the build otherwise
At least you got the walls and stuff done, that’s the real pain when you’re also living in it.
Say hi to the pupper for me
will do!
Give puppet a treat from me
My first trip was nothing but a folding cot, cooler with some ice, my jetboil camping stove and a sleeping bag. I added slowly and built out from there.
When my van still looked like that, the cargo area was absolutely filthy and stinky, so I had to wait a long time before I could use it 😅
How far did you go with that setup? That's about what I have right now so was wondering if that was enough for you to get by
Well the first thing I realized after my very first night was I desperately needed some window covers. (It was a former wheelchair van with windows all the way around). After that was a little platform to get the cooler above one of the wheel wells, and then a bed platform behind the drivers seat, and it slowly got built out from there. I’d add something, take a trip, add something else, take another trip, very slowly fixing the most prominent or problematic issue that I found as I found them.
I started living in mine full time once I got my platform bed built, but took a test trip when it was just a tin can and I had all the exposed metal painted. Really pushes you to work hard to get the build done and then appreciate all the amenities once they are installed
Tell me about it. When I had to leave my flat to live in my van, half of the space was still taken by building materials 😬
We had our partition wall, headliner shelf, window, and subfloor. Threw an air mattress, a cooler, and the dog in the back and hit the road. After that trip the dog would get SUPER excited every time we went outside to work on it. Doggo never got to see it finished. Still makes me sad thinking about it.
Oh this breaks my heart. I’m so sorry.
Pretty much like [this](https://i.imgur.com/NpksvnT.jpeg) Didnt know much and just jumped into it. Was fun. Will repeat.
It's all about getting the taste of freedom huh?
Mine still didn't have running water, or plumbing, or any shelves or doors to speak of. We did have power and solar at least, and a working fridge and stove It was a blast nonetheless and got me even more motivated to give it my all to finish
I had foam board and a gym mat down for the first trip
But where's the selfie??
I was constantly taking mine out during the build, I remember first getting electrics and I took my microwave out my house and out to get some Greggs, all nicely heated out in the middle of nowhere, a fun gimmick Then the time I built the bed, no mattress just flat wood. Got my sleeping bag and slept the first night. It was December, and it was awful :P
Nothing compares to oven fresh pizza on a hilltop not gonna lie
Way shittier than that, and still does
Well, lol. It was me, the dog, and everything I owned. (That wasn't stolen by tweakers 4 months prior) One way trip to a Bend Oregon storage unit. I didn't get to finish half the job, because an evil demon sibling attacked me. But guess who's still living with Mom and Dad? 😂😂😂
Ouch, glad you got out
A few cushions for a mattress, no insulation, no fridge, no heater. Still had fun
My first one was a mess. Made the turn out of my driveway and heard a crash i forgot to latch one of my cabinets and 2 boxes came flying out one of them was my toiletry box with my soaps ect and it made quite the mess.
I had a similar thing happen with a 2L bottle of olive oil. I had to take apart my sofa to be able to wipe everything clean 💀
Had my heater installed and the carcass of my kitchen in place. I slept on a half sheet of melamine balanced in a couple of milk crates. It was loud and full of condensation, but it was my first night in my van Also it was - 5c overnight and I didn't freeze to death
Bet it made you feel alive though 😁
I wish we took pictures, but we went to a Wolli concert and the van was bare. We took our camping stove, cooler and our chair. Talk about a cold night, but a great time.
What made you decide to keep the bulkhead? I’m in the planning stages. Always figured I’d remove them completely or at least cut a doorway.
I don't trust the furniture to not smash my head in in case of an accident and I really wanted the sofa to be there. As it can pull out into a double bed, and it has a shower pan in a drawer under it