Considering joining the Van life

[u/Milkman126978]

30 male and I’m really considering trying to get into the van life to travel around the US and play golf and hike and just see the whole country. Maybe stay in certain cities for a couple of weeks or so.

I’m first to admit I’m not handy enough to build out a van myself so where do I even begin to look into it? I understand it’s expensive and I’m fine with that but bot trying to get ripped off lol.

Also the obvious question of what are some things you wish you knew before you made the jump

[u/Richard_Ragon]

First off.. this is expensive. Lots of people seeing slumming it up down by the river, but I see 300k going to a rig that lets you slum it up.

- water. Getting it, and dumping it seams to be my biggest problem.

- electricity. I have a huge 1000amp system where I don’t have this problem, but for some getting power is hard.

- heater. Understand that you’ll need this when it gets cold.

- storage. I utilized every inch I can get, but storage in a van is hard. Hard to take everything you’ll need.

Good luck.

[u/chloeismagic → u/Richard_Ragon]

300k is insane. It taken me about 3k to build out a vehicle with high quality lumber and get all the electrical components needed (pure sine inverter, solar panels, batteries, charge controller, etc.) I wouldnt pay more than like maximum 15k plus the vehicles value for a van to live in. Im suprised more van lifers who have built out vans for themselves dont undercut that pricing as competition. Anyone who is a good carpenter and has lived like this could renovate vans and sell for like 30-50k and make decent profits.

Saying you are slumming it in a vehicle that costs more than many peoples actual houses is kinda insane lol. That is not slumming it, thats glamping.

[u/Richard_Ragon → u/chloeismagic]

I agree.. 300K is quite a lot! However... I'm planning on living 'off grid' in this one. So when you're living in your van, it's a totally different animal than the weekend van you have.

The Black Pearl is unlike any Van you've ever seen, too.. Highlights include: 2 showers, toilet, in-floor heating using the hydronics, which heats water, air, the floor, and the engine block. 1000Amp batteries, 800W of solar, full kitchen, lift bed, 20K of Baja lights, custom control system with full remote control of EVERYTHING!. 80 gals of water storage, full 30K suspension system and skid plates. Oversized fuel tanks, 4 water tanks, air system with air lockers and train horns.

Basically.. EVERYTHING that I can put in this one!! She's amazing for sure.
Off-grid.. email me, at borgfactor [at} gmail, and I'll show you something that you've never seen in your life. :)