/diy/ - Do It Yourself

[Anonymous No.542967]

/diy/, tell me if this is a good setup and if not, how I can improve it:

-Get a vehicle like pic related
-Curtains for the windows and windshield for the inside
-Turn entire van portion into a room with a matress on floor, bug out bag for everything necessary to live minus the actual food, food, water, clothes.
-Cut a portion of the roof out and make a moonroof and use a solar panel as the top with a cover.
-Get another solar panel that gets stuck in the windshield from the inside that can be removed.
-Get a portable AC unit that can run some cool air for summer.

Just need to know:

Is this possible on a low budget and legal in the U.S.?
How do I go about getting internet?
What other problems would I run into?
Thanks /diy/

[Anonymous No.542988]

Google Van Dwelling. It's doable. Your plan is bad though.

[Anonymous No.542999]

>>542967
for internet you could get a mobile adapter (from a cell phone company)
however
that's not gonna be nearly enough solar panels to run even a tiny AC unit

[Anonymous No.543001]

>>542999

...seriously? Two solar panels can't even run a small ac unit?

[Anonymous No.543002]

>>543001
...and the dream dies.

[Anonymous No.543048]

>>543001
the smallest RV units take like 1000 watts to run at all
even converting a car AC setup still needs at least ~1 hp, or 750+ watts

-----

solar panels are a great idea, but they cost a LOT of money and don't put out very much power unless you're in the Sahara desert. And in that case, a dinky AC won't do much even running full-blast all the time. which it won't.

[Anonymous No.543057]

>>542967
What ever you do, don't get a chevy express.

[Anonymous No.543078]

I notice van dwellers and bugouterers always want internet access in their van.
Seriously. If you're cutting fat on your budget and you're building a bug mobile, the fuck are you wanting internet for?

[Anonymous No.543105]

>>543078
Because its 2013 and you do everything on the internet.

[Anonymous No.543106]

>>542967
In most places there are laws that make "habitation of a vehicle" a misdemeanor; you would not be allowed to park it on the street and live in it, and not even likely on private property in view of the street even with the property owners' permission. The reason why is to discourage transients who live in their cars because it tends to attract criminal elements. You'd probably have to rent space somewhere that allows camping in order to live in it legally, and you wouldn't be able to do that all year 'round because most campgrounds close at some point in the year.

[Anonymous No.543108]

>>542967
To continue a train of thought from>>543106

Eventually...winter arrives, and the AC is no longer needed...heat is though. If your living in the northern States, your fucked...you will never insulated the van well enough to retain heat, nor will you be able to generate enough heat (quietly) to survive...

I thought about trying this...but dismissed it...I live in Eastern Ontario Canada...where we get summers at 30C and winters at -30C...

A 60C difference in a matter of months...not including the snow factor, which can be an issue.

Think wisely young Padawan...

[Anonymous No.543127]

Can do just have to change your expectations and such.

Good gasoline van(diesel cheaper fuel usage wise, much more expensive repairs, maintenance)
Insulate that fucker with good insulation, plastic and such. Less windows the better both for insulation, privacy, and reducing getting harassed. Cooling via fans a major must do, getting a Mr. Heater propane heater and venting that and any batteries a must do. Don't bother with shower installation unless you are rich.
Get a gym membership at a decent place with
1) Free plugins(recharge/laptop/etc)
2) Free showers(even if limited to once a day)
3) Decent equipment/TV's in cycling room/etc
4) Free WIFI(internet is key)

Get high insulation 5day or longer cooler with 12volt draw for cooling
Get propane 2 burner stove and 12volt microwave(not all gas stations allow/have microwaves) Can opener, basic necessities of cooking in little amounts
Water jugs with water treatment tabs(city water will last a week or two in the dark)
One of those shower bags and curtain rigs for emergencies, charge controllers(with plugin for mains), solar panels(cheap for the bang), install on roof via antenna hole(seal it properly, and mount them properly) high capacity capacitors and a could golf cart batteries in series/parallel(# them so that you can rotate them for better usage), a good 12v to 120v adapter(more efficient/more expensive/ more bang for your buck) 12 volt EVERYTHING lights(LED), fans, coolers, microwaves, etc.

All in all a LOT cheaper than an RV, less likely to be harassed(make sure to advertise for a business(GYM?) and/or run a job out of it too. If the Walmart actively supports RV's in their parking lot, the town is decent for you, otherwise look elsewhere.

[Anonymous No.543137]

This was made by a /diy/er.

[Anonymous No.543598]

Plenty of people live in RVs in campgrounds designed for the purpose and do it year-round in Southern climates. Nothing unusual at all. There is ample equipment made for outfitting any vehicle you want to mod, and a van would be fine. Ensure the van is in good condition. Many campgrounds have wifi free. (I just set up a Puppy Linux PC for some poor friends who only need to surf da web. It's super-easy for them to connect with.) You don't need AC unless you live in the desert. People lived in the US before AC was everywhere. No AC would drop your electrical needs to basic 110.

Now go fucking Google. Solar chargers can keep your vehicle battery up easily but aren't suitable for more than running LED lighting etc.

[Anonymous No.543614]

>>542967
Learn how to crack WEP keys with backtrack and use a portable router with a cantenna to search for networks. A cantenna boosts wifi range to up to a mile or more so you can discreetly use other peoples internet from blocks away if you have a steady power supply to your laptop.
http://www.wikihow.com/Break-WEP-Encryption
http://www.ehow.com/how_5666755_build-cantenna-wifi-antenna.html