Book Report #36 – How to live in a car, van or RV.
Begin: 7/2/2024
Finish: 7/10/2024
Title: How to Live in a car, van or RV.
Author: Bob Wells
Why I choose to read this book:
To learn about alternate lifestyle of living a vehicle. What are the pros and cons about living out of a vehicle. Possibility to reduce the carbon footprint as oppose to conventional living in a house.
What I learned from this book:
Why would someone want to live in a vehicle:
1) Circumstance such as divorce, medical problems, loss of job, or bad economy force you into it against your will.
2) You have a compelling desire to break out of the societal norm an like a life of simplicity, freedom and travel.
Ten reasons you should live in a van:
1) You can survive hard times.
2) You can get out of debt.
3) Living in a van is good for your mental, physical and emotional well being.
4) Take a sabbatical from work.
5) Adventure.
6) Travel.
7) Getting back to nature.
8) Spirituality.
9) Making deep, life long friends.
10) Simplicity.
The first step to living in a vehicle is getting rid of stuff you have accumulated, Basically you have the choices:
a) Give it to friends or family to store it for you.
b) Put it in storage facility and pay monthly fees.
c) Get rid of it.
You will have to keep getting rid of stuff until it all fits into your vehicle, Suggestion to get rid of stuff:
a) Sell it on Craigslist, eBay or on the internet.
b) Sell it in a garage sale.
c) Give it to family, friends, Goodwill or Salvation Army.
d) Take it to the dump and throw it away.
Setting priorities – you have to decide what kind of vehicle you are going to live in?
1) How much time do you have to get ready?
2) How much money do you have and from where?
3) Will you be living in a city, boondocking in the country or traveling?
4) Will your vehicle be your home, or just a bedroom?
5) How much comfort do you need?
It will be a good idea to do some camping to gauge what your needs are as it is similar to living in a van. Also practice living in the space as you vehicle to determine your need for comfort.
What kind of vehicle to buy?
Factors to consider are:
1) Stealth ability
2) Room and comfort.
3) Headroom.
4) Initial Cost.
5) Fuel Economy.
6) Back-road Ability.
Types of vehicles available:
a) Motorcycle.
b) Car.
c) SUV.
d) Minivan.
e) Full Size Van.
f) Class B – Van that has been converted with all the comfort of an RV.
g) Box/Step Van.
h) Pickup with shell and camper.
i) Recreational Vehicle (RV):
– Class C – RV with a van nose and an overhead cab with a bed.
– Class A RV that look like a Bus with flat nose.
– Pop top trailer.
– Travel Trailer.
– Fifth Wheel Trailer.
How to buy a vehicle:
Three critical rules for buying a vehicle:
1) Get it checked out by a mechanic first.
2) Never buy a vehicle without getting it checked by a mechanic first.
3) Paying a mechanic to check out a vehicle before you buy it is the best money you will ever spend.
How and where to find your vehicle:
1) Craigslist.
2) Used car dealers.
3) Local newspaper or Penny savers..
4) eBay.
Getting vehicle ready before moving in:
1) Pull out the seats.
2) Cover the windows.
3) Make a divider between the front driving area and back living area.
4) Flooring.
5) Insulation.
6) Study other van conversion.
7) Decide where the bed goes.
8) Organizing your stuff.
9) What if you are not a carpenter or handy man, Find someone to help you.
10) Build a bed.
Stealth Parking in the City:
1) Don’t draw attention to yourself.
2) Keep vehicle clean and neat.
3) Remember, the police are not the enemy.
4) Arrive at your sleep-place late, and leave early.
5) Have your story ready.
6) Use camouflage. i.e… magnetic sign advertising.
Where to park:
1) 24 Hours Grocery Store.
2) 24 hours restaurant.
3) Residential areas.
4) Big box stores (Wal Mart).
5) Mall Parking lot.
6) Auto Repair shops.
7) Hospitals.
8) Motels.
9) Churches.
10) Autos for Sale, use a for sale sign.
11) Industrial Complex.
Boondocking on Public Land:
Why you should live on Public Land:
1) You can live on very little money.
2) It is extremely good for you physically.
3) Work wonders for your mental and emotional health.
4) Make new friends.
How to live on Public Land.
1) Campground for a fee, some are free.
2) Dispersed Camping.
How to go to bathroom:
1) Use public restroom.
2) Using a pee pot.
3) Separating solids and liquids, it is easier to dispose of each rather than both together.
4) Pee pot – wide mouth container, to separate solid and liquid.
5) Urinal for woman.
6) Peeing in the great outdoor.
7) Pooping in a five gallon bucket lined with 13 gallon trash sech, then throw away the sacks.
8) Making the bucket comfortable.
9) Porta Patti.
How to shower and stay clean:
1) Buy a gym membership.
2) Spray bottle and wash cloths.
3) Wash Basin.
4) Wet Wipes.
5) Washing you hair.
6) Making you own shower enclosure – in the country.
7) How to have hot water, solar water heater.
How to cook in the van:
1) Propane stove.
2) Cooking safely in the van.
3) Safety rules a) carbon monoxide detector, b) never use liquid fuel in vehicle, c) never use wood stove in vehicle.
4)Refillable bulk propane bottles.
5) Carrying propane bottles.
6) Butane stove – expensive.
7) Pots and pans.
8) Refrigeration – ice chest or domestic 12 volts compressor chest cooler.
9) Microwave. Needs power a) shore power, b) generator, c) inverter hooked up to a battery bank, d) solar power and battery bank.
10) Other cooking methods, a) Thermos cooking, b) Solar oven, c) pressure cooker, d) rocket stove.
How to stay in touch:
1) State residency.
2) How to get mail.
3) Cell phone.
4) Internet.
5) Banking.
How to have electric power:
1) Use the car starting battery.
2) Buy a backup battery jumper.
3) Install a second deep cycle battery.
4) Charging the battery from car alternator.
5) Installing a battery selector switch.
6) Installing a continuous duty solenoid.
7) Installing a battery isolator.
8) Charging the battery from a generator.
9) Charging the battery in RV park.
10) Installing solar panels.
Dealing with Heat and Cold:
1) Choose a temperate location.
2) Insulation.
3) Find shade in a park or forest.
4) Use lather racks and plywood to cover the roof.
5) Put up an awning.
6) Create a Ventilation vent.
7) Use a fan.
8) Air conditioning.
9) Mr. Buddy propane heater.
Website full of detailed information about vandwelling at : cheaprvliving.com
How will this book contribute to my success upon release:
This book teaches me how to survive and thrive while living in a vehicle. I hope I never have to use these information to survive. It helps me empathize with homeless living in their vehicle to survive. This information will be shared with others to prevent homelessness in the community and also provides resources where they can get help.
