I’m Dawn. Quick info: 2 years i was living on the east coast & i traveled across country several times w/ my daddy to pick-up vans & a box truck he bought off auction. He told me of his idea to turn the box truck into a tiny home while he traveled installing cable up the east coast. I thought it was crazy. Fast forward to today & i’m living on the west coast & have met ppl that love the vanlife & now i’m ready for to join the community. I’ve always had a secret passion for working on cars & remodeling homes so it’s the perfect combo. But first i have to convince my dad to give me his van. Wish me luck!
I’ve looked into purchasing a van & he is helping me too. But i had bit of bad luck this summer in CA w/ buying/selling car etc. It’s just easier to get his. His van is already gutted with major repairs already done. And it would be something i could go home & work on with him.
I absolutely wish you GOOD LUCK! Starting with a gutted van is a pain. Mine was gutted when I bought it, but is was originally a passenger van that Travco added a high top to, and converted into a camper van. I knew I could replace the window trim, door and wall panels, and carpet and padding out of wrecking yards, so that saved me a ton of work, and gave me a beautiful factory interior to start with. It was then very easy to move my camping furniture in.
Today, everything I have is portable/modular, and then just secured. Nothing is built in, so I can move it to another van if the need every arises. I can also rearrange things if I need to haul something awkward, or even remove everything if need be. Not having actual built ins gives you a lot more options. Everything I have can be used either inside or outside without the need for duplicates.
Cheers!
"Those who believe money can't buy hapiness, don't have either." ~ An Anonymous Vandweller
