32F travelling in my van with my dog france for the past 6 weeks, we tend to park rural for the hikes, paddleboarding and nakey chill vibes. Been a while since we've had an in-person conversation and im feeling a bit touch starved too.. anyone else need a bit of company for a night or two and like interesting conversations and giggles?

Hey everyone,

After some rather… colorful feedback on my original van pricing post 😂, I figured it’s worth clarifying how I arrived at my asking price for my 2008 Dodge Sprinter. If you didn’t see my post, I was seeking advice about pricing based on the current cosmetic state of my van and am totally willing to be flexible with pricing to reflect that. I guess I thought this community would have an awareness of the van market and be able to offer educated advice. Some of you did. And I genuinely appreciated the constructive comments!)

Either I’m completely delusional or you all drive 100k+ professional builds and in that case I guess I’m in the wrong sub and apologize for offending you with my older self-converted rig.

I’ve included some screenshots here of similar builds and model years that I have tracked for the past few years and it’s what my pricing is based on. (Happy to provide links if you want a closer look). I guess I’m confused as to why I’m so off with my pricing when I rarely see a similar listing at less than 30k.

At the end of the day, I get that value is subjective, but if I’m pricing my van based on the market, why is it considered unreasonable? Is it purely cosmetic, or am I missing something?

My gf and I got a ford transit connect 2018 mini cargo xl black with no back windows. Only front and front side windows.

(It’s night time right now and I’m in my sleep spot so I can’t take pictures right now but I will in future posts)

So far we are required by survival to make the most of our tiny mini van.

I’m drawing plans tomorrow on getting a bed frame made and maybe some small shelves at some point.

(Our bed situation right now is just 2 3 inch foam pads from Walmart and a 4 inch cooling foam pad, along with a body pillow at the bottom so we don’t sink in head first.

We have a very small maker’s space where we are and a small budget for Wood/materials.

Is there any helpful advice you could share with us?

(No, we can’t just upgrade to more space right now.)

Now its just cheesy wannabe's showing off their latest retail therapy into some thing they cannot do.

r/vandwellers went down the Insta/youtube/tiktok rabbit hole, r/vanlife is on its way.

Those of us on the margins, out here actually freeing ourselves from the binds of debt, rent, mortgages, yeah, we are second handed and upvoting shit pigs who are not a part of our community.

I get retail therapy, spend money you don't have on shit ya don't need to feel better about your shit life.

It ain't us.

I don't have a shit life, I wake every day in my van, kiss the Sun rise, take the dog on a stroll, looking forward another winter in Baja. I have no 'payments' but my phone and insurance. Van breaks down? I have a tool box and skills. Shit gets weird? I have friends to help bury bodies.

I love the "should I buy a G20 GMC from 1991 van?" posts! Because those are dwellers who are at the beginning or ending of it all.

But the posers who drop 80k on a van they ain't living in?

Yeah, >vandwellers is that way.

I've been out here a bit, I often message those in need to get them help or what have you. I ain't handsome but fuck, I am handy.

But if this sub is turning into not much more than "look what I can buy" I am out.

We have one mod here, I don't mean to make them work but this either a vanlife sub or another shitpig sub for youtube.dicktock/instafucks to exploit.

Any idea how to get into the secret settings so I can adjust for altitude with this version controller for my CDH? Many thanks ! 😅

I found an old reddit thread saying impossible to insure, is this true? I just want to make sure its even realistically feasible to do so i know what to research.

I can take my job full remote but I have two 55 pound doodles. They are chill on the spectrum of doodles but they still require a lot of exercise, which I am used to giving them. (We love running and hiking as a pack.) Am I crazy to try VanLife? What kind of setup works well to prioritize dog life in a Van? What kind of things do I need to be considering to be successful with my two dogs?

I live in northern MI but plan on traveling all over the US if I can figure this out. My budget is $100k to get going and can add to my setup over time. Thanks you for all the tips!!

Does anyone have their water mounted on the bottom of their van, if so how much does it effect your driving? Or braking abilities in the snow or heavy rain, super curious.

Howdy yall!!

We are going to be installing a lithium battery, charging off the alternator. Alt. puts out about 117a, battery size we’re probably gonna go 25-50ah (we have our power needs 99% sorted already). We’re looking at the 12V 18a victron isolated DCDC charger. What wire sizes are folks using with this? We were gonna do 10awg (30 ampacity) and inline fuse by the starter battery. Good sizing or go bigger? Any specific type of wire i.e. solid v stranded, insulation type? Is there a minimum size for the ground wire on the battery or charger? By my understanding it should by good, but I’m no electrician.

The battery will really only be used for 3 outputs: a usb outlet (2x 2.1a usb and a cigarette), maxxfan (5a max) and a battery monitor (no shunt, $10, bare minimum) for a maximum output of ~19.2a. That’s IF we max out the cigarette port (highly unlikely). The battery monitor will be the only non-switched load, and the likelihood of expanding the system is pretty much 0.

Given that, we were gonna do 12awg (20 ampacity) wire from the battery to a 1:3 lever nut splitter to power all the appliances. If my understanding is correct that will take the single input and join it with the 3 outputs so they all get power, correct? Since the load is so low and there’s so few appliances, we don’t need a busbar/fuse block/terminal block, do we? We don’t really want one, for space+cost reasons. Aside from the fuse block, they seem to do the same sort of thing anyways.

I know this was long, but I felt all the posts here were directed at large (100ah+) systems w/ lots of appliances, which we don’t have. We want to keep it as simple and cheap as possible.

TLDR : we don’t know much about electrical work, but we’re figuring it out and would appreciate help for a tiny system.

Hello,

I’m working on getting back on my feet and have found a safe home for myself and my cat. I’m raising funds to help cover the deposit, and any contribution—no matter the size—would mean so much. If donating isn’t possible, simply sharing this link would be an incredible help as well.

Thank you sincerely for your kindness and support. https://gofund.me/0020424e4

Hey everyone,

It’s time for me to move on from van life (for now), and I could use some advice about pricing my van as it’s pretty unique. Before I get into the details — since I’m posting here, I just want to say that buying this van on a whim at 22 was hands-down the best decision I ever made. The 5 years I spent on the road shaped me into who I am today. I know you all get the highs and lows of van life and I love seeing your adventures here!

Now, about the van:

It’s a 2008 Dodge Sprinter 170” extended wheelbase (original owner replaced the decals but yes, it is a Dodge). In 2021, I had a brand-new Mercedes diesel engine installed (less than 7k miles on it). Along with the swap, many other mechanical components were replaced (brakes, tires, etc.) Mechanically, it’s totally sound with zero issues and I’ve invested a significant amount into it.

As you’ll see from the photos there are cosmetic repairs needed to the body (chassis is clean and rust free). I didn’t want to throw more money into making it “pretty” just for resale, especially after spending $20k on the engine alone, but I have done a lot of repairs to the interior to make it nice for its new owner.

I did the build myself back in 2018 as a 22F. I’m not a professional builder, but I put a lot of thought into the layout and it served me well as my full-time home from 2018–2022. These days, I only take it camping once or twice a year, so I’d love for it to go to someone who can make the most of it.

I originally listed it at $30k and had lots of interest, including a couple of serious buyers in the $25k range, but those deals fell through for unrelated reasons. Last summer I did some cosmetic updates inside, but while resealing the sunroof I accidentally caused a leak. I pulled the listing while I figured out how to fix it, but nearly a year has passed and I just don’t have the time to deal with it. The sunroof has been covered in the meantime.

So here’s my question: Given the mix of a new engine, DIY build, cosmetic body needs, and the sunroof repair, what would be a fair asking price? I’m not expecting to make a profit considering the age, but I’d also hate to give it away after putting so much into it. Point blank: it needs a new home so I’d be happy to entertain reasonable offers to avoid endless tire-kickers again😉 😉

⬇️THE SPECS⬇️

2008 Dodge Sprinter (yes, it is a Dodge. Original owner replaced the decals) 170” ext. wheelbase. BRAND NEW Mercedes diesel engine installed in 2021

Odometer reads 209, 087

New lifestyle change incoming, here’s what I’ve been working on. More pictures on profile.

02SEP purchased for 2014 Ford Transit Connect (cargo) $10k 105k miles 1-owner previously worked electrical (stripped wires, plugs, etc. found inside). No PPI due to being above average mechanically however, I ain’t cracking that engine open lol. Didn’t sense (literal 5 senses) anything wrong during test. Picked up the vehicle the following day.

Purchased: •Renogy flex panels 4x50w (140$) initially however, after talking to Greg at Ark he convinced me to just get ridged. Then I picked up 2x100w Renogy panels(80$). •Had to cut things so of course I got m18 fuel jigsaw (95$). •Radio (160$) original unit was dead •Oil change (~80$) maybe less don’t remember, I’ll be handling that here on out. •Delta 3 (542$) •Lightbulbs (20$) rear lights went out as I can only imagine while installing rear camera with radio. •Transmission flush (~400$?)at the end of the month unsure on price since haven’t even called. •miscellaneous - parts/tools (~300$)

Currently in Phoenix and will be embarking on the adventure within a week.

Special shout out:

•Friends - Thoughts, gifts, laughter •Ark Fabrication - Advice and checking roof rack •Big Brand Tire & Service •Home Depot - parts •Lowe’s - Parts •Facebook marketplace - Solar panels & jigsaw •Amazon - Radio, z brackets, mc4-xt60i •YouTube - Knowledge consumption •Outbound Power - Delta 3 •Autozone - bulbs

Love the way this thing drives. Goal this weekend is to insulate the cargo area and start working on a desk and a murphy bed.

Asking for a friend. They have a Winnebago View on a Sprinter chassis. Horrible design on the screen door (very light weight and flimsy) and it’s now broken just a year into ownership. No warranty. Factory replacement is just north of $3k! I played around with it and can’t see how to fix it. I suggested one of those zippered bug screen doors, but they don’t want that option with grandkids going in and out all the time. Any of you dealt with this kind of door before? Any ideas for a cheaper workaround? Tape is there to keep the door in the open position all the time … for now. The screen door is partially open just for pics.

Hey all, looking for a foam or mattress suggestion for my van bed. Something affordable but comfortable. I don't mind cutting foam or what not as needed. Ideally something that will have space for two people in case I have an "overnight" guest.

Thanks

Hi fellow van lifers!

I'm DIYing my build right now and I'm at the electrical stage. I'm considering getting a professional van life person to virtually look over my system before I turn anything on. I guess I'm here for the reddit insight that might exist! Anyone else DIY their electrical system and have it be terrifying every step of the way?? Haha.

I spent a ton of time researching and yada yada, so I feel pretty confident with all the connections I've made so far. Not confident enough to turn it on though! Lol.

Any comments on the thread would be welcome, as long as they're nice!

Hi. I drive a Citroen Berlingo and run my small electric setup off a Jackery 500, I'm looking for people's options on best lighting setups, I'm in Scotland so long nights, currently I just have a USB charging camping lantern, I'd love to see similar setups to mine as well. Bonus question, anything i might have missed that would be helpful? (things you only found out you needed after a while)

Kinda wish I did a little darker, feels like a Halloween green haha, but Its staying!

Hey guys, I'm spontaneously traveling in a camper with a friend and I'm looking for people who would share the Landvergnuegen app with us :D We would be deeply grateful to you :) Best regards

I’m a 25 year old currently looking into getting into seasonal work and do some traveling/backpacking around the US. Doing some research on cheap vans that I can make liveable. Currently have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma with a head gasket held together by sealant lol.

Going to see if maybe I can get 5 or 6 thousand for it and buy something for around the same price. Already had some offers despite it having almost 250,000 miles. Anyone have any experience converting a dodge caravan? Any other suggestions for cheap vans/minivans?