r/vandwellers

Came across a good deal on a open box/cosmetic damaged 11gal marine water heater. Thinking to myself it will be sweet to add to my overall water storage, along with the larger water heater tank acting as a big water "battery" thinking it will help me use less electrical power to heat once im at camp.

For whatever reason it came to me as a shower thought this morning that once my fresh tank is empty, my water heater becomes an inaccessible reservoir lol. Currently have a 10gal fresh, 13gal gray - which seems goofy, but i bought it this way, might switch them around if I can sanitize the gray tank.

Is there anyway to make the water heater supply accessible? My first thoughts are to have a second loop with some kind of inline pump that can handle hot water if such a thing exists, but I realize I would also need a vent somehow to allow for air to come in the tank, and some way to idiot proof it to make sure I turn off the electrical heat side once I get to this point.

Not the end of the world if I cant. Just annoying I could have got a 6 gallon for the price I got my damaged 11 gallon, and i probably could have fit the 6 without much modification, the 11 im going to have to redo my under sink arrangement.

Done a few long drives where things have gone wrong miles from anywhere. Got tired of either having nothing useful or lugging a disorganised bag of tools.

Working on a concept for a compact portable tool chest that actually fits in your boot and opens like a proper workshop. Curious what you'd consider essential in something like that.

What do you carry currently?

Ok, I am admit it! One of my favorite ways to end a day - even after spending the day in nature - is to power up a computer and watch a movie. I have considered getting an LED tv - as big as I can fit inside my camper, but they are heavy and use a lot of electricity. My next thought is to get a mini projector. Giggle tells me that there are many that run on 12v. Has anyone used one of these in your camper? Do you have any suggestions about use/storage/placement?

Hi all! So I’m moving to Oregon after I graduate from nursing school. I’m running into the problem of residency so I can get things like divers license, new plates, taxes, and permanent address for work which a hospital will most likely want after I work there for awhile year+.

So after some research, I’m seeing my only real option being to make some friends and find someone willing to allow me to use their residence as my “permanent address” even though I won’t be living there. I would be more than willing to pay monthly ofc for the trouble. The question is though, how to find these people??? Is this mega dumb, has anyone ever done it successfully? I’m open to all ideas!

Hi all! I graduate nursing school next spring and plan to do car/van life in Oregon while I work at a hospital. Motivations include paying off student loans quickly and being surrounded by beautiful nature hehe.

Anywho, I'm running into the issue of what to put down for an address. When I initially apply for jobs, I can obviously use my current address but they will most likely want something updated in the future. Any ideas? I have no friends in state (yet) to ask that sort of favor of. Please tell me my dreams aren't over!

I will prime the bed of my p'up next week, then apply the bedliner after that. I am thinking now about my electricity needs. I will use mostly 12v inside my camper but would like to have a couple of 110 outlets just in case. I am thinking of mounting a small fuse box in the front of the camper connected to the truck's battery. I want to have a quick way to disconnect the canopy from the truck if I ever remove the camper. What is the name for this kind of connector? Also, what kind of thickness of wire do I need to connect the battery to the fuse box in the camper? It will be about 10' long. Please comment on any other aspects off this project.

Installed in past couple days with numerous poop deposits.

I have an extremely sensitive nose and was ambivalent about a compost toilet, but for full timing a cassette or bucket toilet won't work.

No smell. Emptying the pee jug is a little hassle which will get better with practice.

Direct wire to bus bar?

Anderson connector?

Auxiliary Power Outlet (cigarette lighter)?

Other?

I'm looking for a way to wire multiple locations for a fridge cooler. There will be one primary location, but I might upgrade to a larger cooler eventually, which would require relocating it to the other side of the camper.

I was thinking an Anderson connector in each location would be relatively easy, and flexible for changes later.

A bus bar wouldn't be that much more effort, but not as plug and play later on to add/remove appliances.

The aux power outlets never seem to work out for me - loose connections, lower amp rating, etc.

Thoughts?

Mod Introduction - MacroonFriendly

Whats up? Real name is Ryan.28. Metal Punk Rocker, Poker Player, jam with guitar and drums, getting back into skateboarding, bmx and living freer then ever. Had this van (2013 chevy express 1500), since February, was in a 2015 Jeep Cherokee since February 2025.

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I started off by one-off concerts in my jeep instead of hotel, and weekends for years. Then in late December 2024, I unfornately went thru a bad drug/alcohol dependency issue, which left me in job-less, criminal and then homeless in February. I just treated it like camping (just longer). June i got blackout drunk in Philly during the day and got hit by a car, woke in hospital and suffered injuries to neck, shoulders and back still being repaired/rehabbed. February I got this for about 3,000USD and put only 1,500USD to service it up and repair a few things. Much more spacious etc. I recently just went back to work finally and looking to trade up to a high top, no build like this end of the year maybe next February. Why hightop? Girlfriend wants more space and a little more glamorus appeal. (should just get a g20 or 80s ram van 😉 I will work mainly summer/winter when outside/inside is not favorable and relax from working in spring/fall.

Goals I have in moderating this subreddit is cleaning up the spam, and low-quality posts, the FAQ and continuing to make this kind of life accessible to all even if its a van or another vehicle. (active in urbancarliving and vagabond a lot) We are (the mods) are already doing these as I post this.

I usually am at small music venues in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, DMV checking out punk or metal shows and such. Weekends with girlfriend, mohawk is ALWAYS up and yep still do it in the van even! haha. Thanks for taking the time to read. Feel free to hit me up for any chats, help, etc.

I need to replace my auxiliary AGM battery and am considering my options. The van accessories don't pull a lot of juice...the main use is for LED lights, marine pump for wash-off hose, and a PROPEX heater. I've gotten away with 100 AH easily in the past.

• I would be using the van for weekend / max weeklong trips primarily, year round, in the mountains.
• Sometimes in the dead of winter so COLD is definitely a concern for both availability and chargeability.
• I've got a solar trickle charger I can use to keep it topped off when not in use, but primary charging is through the vehicle electrical system.

Here is what AI tells me:

"The best auxiliary battery for van dwelling in Colorado is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a built-in self-heating function and low-temperature charging protection. Standard lithium batteries suffer permanent damage if charged below 32°F, making self-heating units a winter essential in the Rockies"

My very-trustworthy neighbor has LiFePO4 in his popup camper and swears by it (but is using it primarily for summer trips)

I assume that many full timers start their journey wandering from place to place. As time goes by I assume that most fall into a seasonal routine. Do you have a seasonal routine, or do you still wander? What's your routine?