ot: 4 years in a camper van

[paredown]

Originally Posted by 54ny77

don't give up so easy. how about front wheel off, or place bike on a diagonal to fit? simple strategy, & can stay within budget. lots of creative ways to store the bike in there, just need time to think about it. transit connects are great little vans, some models great fuel efficiency.

unless you need more than just bike storage, i.e., room to lay down, etc.

Agreed--it looks like that floor seat track would be an ideal way to mount a Thule style cross bar with a front fork clamp, put a hinged bed platform on the other side, golden!

[BobbyJones]

Forget the cargo. You need these wheels and all will be good.

-

[Andy sti]

Love my van. Every trip we do we are so glad we have it. Just turned 5 years old.





Find FS road, pull over and camp!

[93KgBike]

Originally Posted by weisan

Nothing wrong. Not for everyone. Some grew up more privileged than others but not all. Sometimes it's good to step back and take stock or try something different. Takes courage and conviction. Road less traveled. Grass not always greener on the other side. There are many templates and palette to choose from on how to live one's life. Everyone got one shot at it...make it count....whatever that means to you.

PS - This photograph cost $55,000,000.00 to create.

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by Andy sti

Love my van. Every trip we do we are so glad we have it. Just turned 5 years old.





Find FS road, pull over and camp!

AWD? And, how much?

[hummus_aquinas]

My plan is to build out a sliding sleeping platform, just wide enough to fit a bike when extended. Most of my bikes I'd travel with are shorter but I brought the longest one to test fit.
I did a quick lay down on the bare floor and my head touched the seat, feet barely clearing door. I don't think this first generation connect is long enough, unfortunately. This type of van hits all the marks, so I might consider an NV200 or a promaster city. I have seen the older 118" wheel base sprinter come up and it looks awesome. I'm apprehensive on the service costs of an older diesel van like that.

Originally Posted by 54ny77

don't give up so easy. how about front wheel off, or place bike on a diagonal to fit? simple strategy, & can stay within budget. lots of creative ways to store the bike in there, just need time to think about it. transit connects are great little vans, some models great fuel efficiency.

unless you need more than just bike storage, i.e., room to lay down, etc.

[93KgBike]

If they are not blogging about where they poop, they are staying in motels.

[PaMtbRider]

This forum needs a like button. That is a great looking van Andy STI.

[Andy sti]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

AWD? And, how much?

It's a 2014, 4wd was not offered in the US yet. Price is a ton less than what people are charging now. Van was $40,000 and build was ~$25,000. Been great for my family.

[Andy sti]

Originally Posted by PaMtbRider

This forum needs a like button. That is a great looking van Andy STI.

Thanks! It's pretty simple but I don't think I'd change much.

[AngryScientist]

love this thread.

i think for the smaller segment the nissan NV series of vans have real potential.

[chrismoustache]

I've been through a number of 80's Toyota vans, and love them all. Sometimes #vanlife means trying to repair an obscure 30 year old vehicle, sometimes it's finding a great spot in the woods with nobody around.

Can we lobby VW to bring the Rockton Transporter vans to the US? 4 motion, 6 speed manual TDI = yes please.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by weisan

Nothing wrong.

Some more privileged than others but not all.

Road less traveled.

Grass not always greener on the other side.

There are many templates and palette to choose from on how to live one's life.

Everyone got one shot at it...make it count....whatever that means to you.

Pretty funny, showing a millionaire and talking about a 'road less traveled'...

[JAGI410]

I still have my 84 Chevy conversion van and it's been a great adventure partner. We drove it down to Iowa earlier this summer, and 3 of us slept in it just fine. I think I've slept in it 10 times this year. With convenience comes more bike trips!

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by sparky33

The New Yorker did an interesting piece on a popular vanlife couple.

The main points are:
The social media income isn’t large even with a big following and sponsorships.
It takes real work to cultivate and maintain that media presence.
Being photogenic is important.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...media-movement

I just read that thing. There are some real jaw droppers in there, but, I'll just highlight one: "I no longer define work by money, instead seeing it as our focused action collectively creating our world,” she wrote. “Currently my work is storytelling and aligning with companies supporting our lifestyle and Earth.” There was no mention of drugs. How do you talk like that without being stoned?

It's like somehow many people have figured out how to create a fictional world that only existed in advertising, and call it work. And, it seems, millions fantasize being them. Very strange.
I would love to fast forward and see where they are in fifteen years. My bet is that she dumps him for some wealthy hippie before her body goes south, and he winds up working as a camper mechanic.

Btw, Google Van Life. It's a whole world out there.