Ok so I'ma broke college student and will be living in my 1983 VW vanagon. I'm moving up to San Bernardino to finish school...first time living in a vehicle. I already put a second battery and hooked up a power inverter to run small appliances. Anyone have any ideas of how I can get by living in a van and going to school?
2006-07-25 12:34:02 · 10 answers · asked by ogarcia_02 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I know not to invite people over that would suck...what am I gonna do be like hmm this is my steering wheel and umm I eat, sleep and spend my time is this seat. As far as showering I was just thinking of parking somewhere near the university so I could use their stuff. Or I could always go jump in people's pools at night, jk.
2006-07-25 12:52:24 · update #1
Well I figured out the battery problem by getting a deep cycle battery like the ones in motor homes and to keep it charged I have a solar panel. I have flourescent lights inside for nighttime. I dont get any financial aid nor can I get any loans because I'm still working on my legal residency status. I can be here but cant get any aid.
2006-07-25 12:56:42 · update #2
I did this too during the '70's. Used a old GMC Box van it was a little bigger than a VW. Put a roof rack on it to store big stuff and very small cabinets inside to keep stuff off the floor. Biggest thing I found was I had to stay organized. Everything had a place and it had to stay in that place or the clutter will drive you nuts. A roof rack will allow you to keep things that you would normally just do without. Propane bottle mounted on top with a solar panel or two to recharge the batteries during the day. I said batteries. Get about 4 deep cycle ones and recharge them with the solar panels and you will have enough power for most of the night. Rebuild the front seat mounts so you can mount them under the seats length wise accross the cab. Be sure that the new box is lined with something like RhinoLiner or LineX pollmer coating to prevent rusting. Use a low amp draw fan to exhaust the fumes from the box and have an inlet from out side to supply fresh air. Make sure the box is completly sealed from the cab so as not to allow fumes into the cab. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AT LEAST TWO. First aid kit large home style. Camp Shovel, propane camp stove. Propane heater with exterior venting. A COMFORTABLE BED is a must. Design it so it folds up against the side of the van behind the drivers seat. An icebox with a drain. A Porta Potty. A porta shower.
After a few months you will either be completely crazy or be adapting well to your suroundings.
OH and one other thing. A few boxes of baking soda. You will soon become aware of how nasty the human body can smell if you cannot get to a shower at least daily. Baking soda will absorb almost all odors when applied to almost any part of the body. Under arms, in the shoes, private areas etc. It also makes good tooth paste when used with water.
Best wishes in your education -- camping out and formal.
2006-07-25 13:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by .*. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will need a lot of patience and an attitude that won't quit! Why don't you try talking to a college counselor and see if that person can help with living arrangements? You might be surprised. You could possibly live on campus and work on campus as a work study student for extra money. Or maybe they know of someone you could live with and help out with home repairs/yard work to pay your way. OR maybe they know of someone who would just let you park your van in their yard. The San Bernardino area is not safe at all. You could be putting yourself in danger living in your van if you were not parked in a safe place.
2006-07-25 12:43:33 · answer #2 · answered by papricka w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your either gona have to find some place to hook up a batt. charger to it or keep it running alot which means more in fuel than a apartment--invertors do bad things to batterys that arent being recharged as they make their drawfor their power needs----they were designed and built for big trucks and motor homes not the average car.--and dont forget soap and water !! 100%atta boy for going forward but find a roomy or something it aint free to live in your van either--good luck to you -best wishes
2006-07-25 12:44:06 · answer #3 · answered by michael_stewart32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wayne, you scare me, bu tyou are informative. by the way, if you need alot of baking soda, go to the pool section of walmart. You can get a huge bag of it for really cheap. (they use it to adjust ph in pools)
2006-07-25 17:26:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont ever invite friends over. that would be imbarrasing. I am sure you can use student loan money for rent. thats what I do.
2006-07-25 12:37:38 · answer #5 · answered by flutterflie04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey looser, think of all that you need to live in a house, and put in to your van. you are gonna stink. this has to be the stupidist idea ive ever heard of.
2006-07-25 13:08:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Make sure its down by a river.
2006-07-25 12:37:24 · answer #7 · answered by ?Cheshire Cat? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, you'll be just fine,. Hook into a area that has restrooms!!
2006-07-25 12:37:20 · answer #8 · answered by GreatNeck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bucket for a toilet.
2006-07-25 12:37:06 · answer #9 · answered by Jenny A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How are you going to shower???
2006-07-25 12:37:45 · answer #10 · answered by Ellyn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋