Wirelessness
Member
I’ve been lurking for months reading everything I can about the conversion process. I haven’t even bought a van yet but I REALLY want to get one soon and start a build. It’s just very intimidating and I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger. Looking for encouragement or discouragement if I’m fooling myself in thinking I can even accomplish a halfway decent build.
My goals.
- Starting with a 170 Crew. I need to seat 5 and sleep 5. 2 adults and 3 kids age 9, 7 and 7. Kids are pretty small so I am thinking one modified foam bed on the bench seat and two bunks somewhere. I hammock camp and make my own hammocks so I’m visualizing a kids sleeping solution that might be like a fixed bridge hammock(s). Or maybe it just inflatables on the floor.
- Like to use as mobile office as much as possible when not traveling. This requires quality AC unit, large battery bank, ample solar, and more. In Northern California it can get pretty hot. I don’t have to use it every day if it’s too hot so I don’t need a ‘holy grai’ Level system.
- Storage for bikes under the main bed. I haven’t decided on using Flarespace or not to get more room but either way I need to park two adult bikes and 3 small bikes INSIDE the van.
- Galley, probably use a portable stove so I can cook outside whenever possible. Need a good size fridge to for 5 people.
- Latrine/shower, I’d love to have a wet shower and toilet set up but that seems very optimistic. Although plumbing is one of the skills I’m most good at. I’d settle for a Porta-Potty and or an outdoor shower.
Been following the 80/20 thread and would probably go that route for cabinets, etc.
Found a few local people who can help me with the electrical set up as that part seems to be the most intimidating. Especially if I go with LiFePO4 batteries.
I don’t really mind if it takes a long time to get dialed in as long as I can use the van in whatever degree possible most of the time. Other than my motorcycle it will likely be my daily driver too.
Thanks,
Bruce
SF Bay Area
My goals.
- Starting with a 170 Crew. I need to seat 5 and sleep 5. 2 adults and 3 kids age 9, 7 and 7. Kids are pretty small so I am thinking one modified foam bed on the bench seat and two bunks somewhere. I hammock camp and make my own hammocks so I’m visualizing a kids sleeping solution that might be like a fixed bridge hammock(s). Or maybe it just inflatables on the floor.
- Like to use as mobile office as much as possible when not traveling. This requires quality AC unit, large battery bank, ample solar, and more. In Northern California it can get pretty hot. I don’t have to use it every day if it’s too hot so I don’t need a ‘holy grai’ Level system.
- Storage for bikes under the main bed. I haven’t decided on using Flarespace or not to get more room but either way I need to park two adult bikes and 3 small bikes INSIDE the van.
- Galley, probably use a portable stove so I can cook outside whenever possible. Need a good size fridge to for 5 people.
- Latrine/shower, I’d love to have a wet shower and toilet set up but that seems very optimistic. Although plumbing is one of the skills I’m most good at. I’d settle for a Porta-Potty and or an outdoor shower.
Been following the 80/20 thread and would probably go that route for cabinets, etc.
Found a few local people who can help me with the electrical set up as that part seems to be the most intimidating. Especially if I go with LiFePO4 batteries.
I don’t really mind if it takes a long time to get dialed in as long as I can use the van in whatever degree possible most of the time. Other than my motorcycle it will likely be my daily driver too.
Thanks,
Bruce
SF Bay Area