Starting to build

[shelshoneysuckle]

Thanks for the tip! I will add that onto my shopping list next payday.

I just found the specs of my 2000 GMC safari. I will draw up 3 ideas that i have in my head today.

The most expensive thing i will need for my van is: fireplace (yes i am getting one, do not talk me out of), frig, and starlink. Everything else isn’t that bad to buy. I am considering putting up a graduation wish list for my van.

[shelshoneysuckle]

Idea one

Idea 2

Idea 3

[fulltimer]

I’m afraid your scale is off… Your bed will only be about a foot shorter than your full cabin length.

While not exactly trying to discourage you from a fireplace, I have switched to a table top fire pit made out of a meat loaf pan with a lid. It is powered by cooking oil. I like to be able to take it outside too, so I can have it even when there are campfire bans, and in the winter it can supply electricity free heat.

There was an article from an old magazine that got posted to a forum many years ago, using such a table top fire pit to create a full heating, cooling, and ventilation system using one, that required no other power source.

I found it very interesting, and duplicated it in one of my rigs, and it actually worked surprisingly well.

[shelshoneysuckle]

Interesting powered by cooking oil? Where can I look at one? I do want a fireplace.

I am sure my bed is completely off, but these are just layout ideas to see which one that will work the best since i have such a tiny van.

I design 3

[fulltimer]

I’ll see if I can find the article, it’s awfully close to my current stuff… Same general design.

Are you planning a 2, 3, or 4 fold sofa/bed?

[shelshoneysuckle]

My apologies for not getting back to you all. I have been busy pulling out the shelves in my van. I am also working on removing the divider for a moment so I can take out the floor mat to wash underneath it.

[shelshoneysuckle]

Nasty!! Any good cleaning products i can use to wash this?

[fulltimer]

I really like some stuff called “Awesome” from Dollar Tree stores…

[shelshoneysuckle]

Ok I will go pick it up on my home. This what we got done with 4 hours. We pick things back up on Monday morning.

[fulltimer]

Once it’s all clean, we can address the rust… And possible leaks.

[shelshoneysuckle]

I can place the awesome stuff on the rusted bolts on the shelves?

[fulltimer]

Awesome is more of a cleaner, I’d use WD-40 or PB-Blaster on rusted bolts.

[rspen46]

My Kitchen sink, counter top with drawers & large cabinet under sink, my van has 2 sliding doors, and my Sink setup is behind the passenger seat and blocks 1 of the sliding doors & goes back to the wheel well, well I open the door I can easily access under the sink and in the cabinet where I have a 3 gallon jug for my grey water & a 5 Gallon for my faucet water,

This is my sink faucet, mine does not sit on the water jug, it has a long 3 foot hose that runs down into the jug, I have it secured to the countertop & cut a hole to run the house, it has a great steady nice flow of water. , on the opposite wall of the van, I have 2 large black plastic containers with the Yellow lids, they are large solid, heavy plastic, on top is my plywood bench, with seat & back rest the length of the 2 large containers as the base, I have the bench pieces connected with strong hinges, I can then raise the bottom or the seat part & has a hook attached so when I raise it, I can easily attach it to a hook on the ceiling to hold it up so I can easily access my 2 large containers, it works great, I sewed on some nice seat & back rest padding with a nice cover, then I have some cabinets I built higher up on both sides.

[rspen46]

My Bed I initially had wanted a typical bed setup with a platform then bed, maybe folding, but I tried it, same thing most on you tube have, I hated it, yes comfortable, but then I was on my Mattress all day when in the Van, I basically lived in my Bedroom all the time. So I decided on removing all that & just making it a living area, in between my Sink cabinet setup & my bench on the other side, I sleep in between.

This is my padding that goes down 1st on the floor, easily rolls up each morning to put away, it’s single bed size, next I top it with a blue Sleeping bag thick comfy Pad. I have a double sized sleeping bag sheet insert & then my sleeping bag to top it off, it’s good to 36* below and if you just had that it would be comfortable but with all of this I sleep as good or better than I did in the bed, plus I prefer being lower & have plenty of head room, I can use m bench seat on one side as a table if needed, I keep a piece of wood I made as a flat table I sit on my bench so I can place my laptop on it and other things, it’s also more cozy & comfy being down in the floor between the 2 sides, everything stores easily in the morning in 1 of my black & yellow plastic containers, it takes me 3 mins or so to fold & put everything in it after raising the bench seat to open the container, so no time at all and then I have a full open floor from the front seat to the back of the van, I have a small step stool I use to sit on & a small folding table if needed.

[letstalkaboutthemusi]

After months of trying to get the shelves out of my van. they are out and i am starting to clean up the back of it.