Hello vandwellers. I've been interested in tiny houses and van dwelling. I'm thinking of started my own conversion. I still don't know if I'll live in it full time, but I want it 4 seasons since I want to use it to travel during any season. And by travel, I mean at least a month at a time.
I live in Quebec, Canada, so I would appreciate if vandwellers from Canada could give me really useful tips such as:
- Van suggestions. I'm looking into a van without too much windows in the back (work van I guess) but still spacious enough to sleep, eat and place stuff. A van like this one would be good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IoC1dZ9kTk . As I don't know much about models, I'd love some model suggestions to start my search with. Ideally I'd want it to be 2 doors in the back like this one. What's the price range I should consider for a conversion? I can't spare much on the van, but I could probably go up to $3k.
- Power. I will need solar panels to power up my chargers, some lights, a 12v refrigerator and also run a laptop. What should I look for and is the installation hard? For a total newbie, should I get someone with experience in electricity and wiring? I would need the batteries to link to a few appliances and lights.
- Cooking. I would go with propane but I'd like to know the risks and if I should install one inside or just have a camping one? Ideally, I'd prefer if I could use it inside without too much risks
- Insulation and heating. As it's quite cold during the winter here, I would need insulation and heating. Is a propane heater good to go? Should I use a "camper" one? As for insulation, I'd love to know how you did it or what you used. I'm a total newbie in this, but I want to learn. For heating, I've heard buddy heaters are quite good and lower risk, would something like this http://ift.tt/2lEHPz3 be good enough?
- Kilometers/consumption. At which kilometers should I avoid buying? Is 150,000 kilometers safe to buy or should I try to look below that? And what do people think is a good L/h gas consumption for such a van (as the example I linked). I would prefer having a low gas consumption if I am to travel with it.
- Frame. Would you recommend stipping the frame of the van or keep it and just deal with it? Also, screws into the van or not? By that, I mean if it's better to just build a "removable" frame instead or screwing everything inside to the van... For example, I really love this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLRavMmdpc but he removed the plastic frame. Is it possible to not remove it or would that makes things much more smaller? Also, I would need insulation, should I leave a bigger gap (which means I would need to remove the frame to do it and save space? The guy does not recommend it for new people.
I don't really mind if I make mistakes at first, but I think there are a few steps I should really do well the first time (such as the frame, insulation and electricity/solar panels.
I'm looking into getting some help to do it though, but for now, I want to know what to look for so I can start buying and planning everything.
Any other tips are welcomed. I've started looking for vans, but I don't want to commit before I hear some suggestions. I did read quite a bit of information, but I would also love to hear what people have to say, and if you also are in Canada, that's even better.
Sorry for all those questions, and thanks. Just trying to compile the info and make wise purchases. If you got purchase links to the stuff you are using (propane heater, solar panels, etc.), it would be even better. :)
Submitted February 13, 2017 at 05:36AM by goddessofthewinds http://ift.tt/2kmaxna vandwellers
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