r/vandwellers

Living in PNW and building out our van. What measures do we need to take to avoid mold and moisture, or is it somewhat unavoidable? Part of the reason we want to be in the van more is because of unexplainable chronic health issues and already suspect mold playing a role. We always feel better when camping or traveling

We will be doing roof fans, thinking about proper insulation, considering if vapor barriers are good or bad, ventilate under mattress, monitor humidity

Whats everyone's experience with this especially those in rainy areas like the pnw and anything you have to add

I’m losing my goddamn mind.

Been living in my van for several months now and there has been this horrible sometimes subtle and sometimes more obvious musty sweet nutty smell in a specific area of the van, but I cannot for the life of me track it down. Every time I try to localize where it’s coming from, the smell just goes away and all I can smell is what I’m actively smelling (cushions, trash bin, bathroom, etc.). I’m losing my mind, it makes me feel so horrible. I feel so hopeless about finding and eliminating it because I CANT FIND IT. WHAT THE FUCK IS IT.

I am hopeful it is not a dead rodent because I have a dog and I think she would be interested in a rodent? I fear it’s mold. I have spent a good amount of time in the PNW and humidity levels have been higher than they should have been, though I always have a window open and roof fan running.

I can’t afford the time or money of a van tear down, but I also can’t keep living like this. I don’t have a home to go back to to do a deep clean or minor tear down, this van is what I have for now.

I just really needed to vent. Maybe someone else is struggling with this or has struggled? It’s making me go crazy.

I'd like to go down to Mexico for three months in January and I'm wondering what it's like when you have a dog (which tends to limit your activity options) and want to do more than just beach camp.

I've found a lot of posts from folks talking about Mexico vanliving, but they've mostly been from dog-less vandwellers, and the few folks that did it with dogs only seemed to be beach camping (at least, based on the photos they posted).

Is there more to it, or is that mostly all there is for us be-dogged folks? I'd really like to immerse myself in the culture and people as much as possible, which tends to be difficult when you're hidden away in a beach camp spot, and would love to hear about what life is like down there for gringos with dingoes.

Thanks!

I feel like I always see people with surfboards or paddle boards hanging off the side of their rig, or bicycles that live on the back. For those of you who do this, have you had any close calls with people trying to steal your stuff? Do you take it inside the van when you sleep or when you are just otherwise not around your van for the day?

Hey people, I've searched here, I've googled and I've used AI search assists and still haven't found an ideal setup I really like.

I'm wanting forward, rear and side cameras. Starting a new van build and I don't have windows in this one. I will be 'stealth' camping in more residential/industrial/suburban areas while travelling for work.

I've looked at local dvr type systems from more expensive truck fleets to mainstream brands like Blackvue to cheaper amazon setups.

Ideally this is what I'd like;

All cameras able to be live and monitored in cab while driving (big 4x4 van so it'd be nice to have traffic monitoring plus trail monitoring), as well as viewed live in the living area either on my tablet, TV or a separate monitor screen (for security at night).

Recording ability for all cameras.

Parking mode with recording and ideally motion detection but not neccesary.

Crash detection and recording.

Remote viewing ability to check in while away.

Must have high quality cameras (Sony Starvis 2 sensor or similar), waterproof etc.

Is there an out of the box system that exists? The closest thing I can think of what I'd like would be Tesla's monitoring system. Can be viewed and record while driving to capture accidents, but will also monitor while parked for security, with 360° views.

Searches seem to be coming up rather empty to meet the requirements and I really thought there would be an all in one solution but maybe not.

I stripped the screw holes out and I’m trying to come up with ways to make this repair. So far, it’s been epoxy a small piece of aluminum behind to hole and go with a slightly longer screw or go with an M4-5 rivenut.

TL; DR - What's a regular routine on a crosscountry trip? I kinda don't know what to do.

Driving a van from the West Coast and heading to Florida for a 2-week excursion, then flying back West (flight already booked).

The plan is to sleep in the van most nights, and rent a cheap motel/Airbnb every 2-3 nights. I'm going to sign up for PF for showers and exercise, and sleep at truck stops and in discreet places.

I have a few cities in mind to visit: Vegas, Albuquerque, maybe OKC, Austin or SA, maybe a Gulf of Mexico city, Baton Rouge, then straight to South Florida with a stop or 2.

I'm going to figure out motels, cities to visit, things to do on the fly.

The question is, what to do? Just wanted to get some ideas.

1. How do you guys spend your days?
2. What does a morning routine look like?
3. Will I get bored out of my mind during idle time sitting in a van?
4. Will I go crazy driving 8+ hours daily every other day?
5. How to meet people in a chill way to have conversations?
6. Any and all advice/insight is appreciated.

Has anyone here used a tent-rated/camping wood stove or pellet stove in their shack or camper trailer?

I’m specifically looking for people who have actually used these types of tent/camping stoves in a shack, camper, or similar enclosed space, because I’m interested in doing it myself.

I have room in my camper, and one idea I’m considering is removing the gas stove, furnace, and part of the counter to make more room for the wood stove setup. I don’t use the gas anyway, so I’d rather use that space for something I would actually use.

I’m looking at tent/camping stoves because I’m trying to keep the stove around $200 or less, and I have extra money for the piping, shielding, and other safety equipment.

I’d especially like to know how you set yours up, what you used for heat shielding around the stove and stovepipe, what stove you used, and how you handled the pipe going through the camper.

I’m just trying to hear from people who have actually done this and see what worked for them and what they would recommend or do differently. It’s getting cold where I am, and electric heat isn’t very good here either, so I really appreciate any help, advice, pictures, or ideas!

Feel free to drop links to stoves you think would be good for what I’m trying to do, or links to the stove you personally used. I’d love to have some options to look at.

My arctic tern airplus fan stopped opening and closing on its own and emits a high pitched squeal unless I close it manually. Fan works fine. When opening using the knob it seems the effort has gone up recently. I installed it in May, only used it a maybe 20-30 times. I pulled the cover plate, nothing is amiss. Any ideas on what could be wrong?
I didn’t impact anything, the van sits 5 days a week.

Anyone know how to contact arctictern for parts or service info? Any help is appreciated, I have a trip next week

Never van-lifed before, but my family has to move near Loudoun county and the only affordable option I can think of that fits all of our needs is living in a class A motorhome. I want to avoid needing expensive nightly campsites for sleeping, and hookups for electricity.

My questions are this:

1. What locations/businesses could we alternate between to be “stealthers” for overnight parking (I’m fine with getting a gym membership or patronizing places like truck stops)

2. How could we generate energy in the most affordable way? Id like to have a fridge running to keep groceries so I can cook and feed our toddler. I’ve heard solar panels and generators are quite expensive, but are they worth the investment?

3. If we need to plug in to a campsite with plumbing and electricity, what’s the best option (affordable, safe, family friendly)

4. How much would light travelers spend on gas each month for a 36 foot class A rv? Im assuming they run on diesel.

Sorry if I sound like a complete newb, I really want to give this option a through examination before committing my family to it because I know it can be quite hard and unpredictable, but the affordability can’t be beat and it may be our only option financially.

I'm looking to buy a van, ambulance, small bus, or box truck to convert and travel the whole country in. I'm not buying a sprinter I know that. I'm 6'4, I have a dog. I'm also looking for something with towing capability so I can bring my motorcycle. I'm anticipating having to slouch inside the vehicle unless it's a box truck. I'm not fancy. Foot pump sink, butane camp stove, I do want a decent travel fridge. Budget, hopefully 20k all in to getting on the road the budget can increase, but I don't want it to lol. Cheaper the better for most everything but the electrical, and if there is stuff you went cheap on and regretted let me know, everything is subject to change if the consensus is different then what I believe. 1 am mechanically inclined. What should I be looking to buy? ~

Hello there,

We wants windows all around. The options are taking a passenger van or a cargo and add 5 windows (2 back, 2 passenger side, 1 driver side).

I’m seriously leaning toward the passenger option: factory installation, less chance of leaking It’s probably be a 10yo transit, we will have to deal with airbags, ducts, heater in the back, etc

Before committing , I would love to hear any feedback for passenger dwellers or cargo ones that installed windows with no leak after several years.

Thx!!