Someone suggested I start a thread here about my upcoming travels in a van.
For what it's worth, I own an '07 Vibe, love it!!! I'll be hitting all 50 states, 48 of them driven, in remembrance of my late husband who lost his 2 year fight with cancer at age 40. I would consider taking my Viber, but would be kinda cramped. I plan on staying in zero motels and will be cooking most of my own meals, so comfortable sleeping and a pseudo kitchen is important.
I bought this van for $2500.. I can almost stand up straight in it, just have to tilt my head a bit, I'm 5'6". There is a full size bed across the back that is super comfy. Eight inches of memory foam that is super ahhhh!! Mounted a used desk in there which will be used for cooking and writing. Have a battery jumper pack that I strapped on there that powers just about anything from my laptop, fan, recharging phone and portable dvd player. It also can jumpstart my van or air up a flat tire. I can charge it up through my cig outlet while driving. Also have a small jumper pack that can power any USB device, as well, or jump start a dead battery. Will be looking to add a deep cycle battery under the hood when I sell my RV, hopefully this week. Want to try to rig it up to charge up while driving with the alternator, then powering things needed while not driving.
Still experimenting with the food. I'm usually just a water kinda gal, so I'm okay there for drinks. Have 4 one gallon jugs sitting behind the desk on the ledge below the window and more room under the bed for more water storage. Don't really have to be super cold to drink water, either, I can drink water at any temp. Will be stopping for fresh food often. Chance to walk around, stop and see places, and get fresh food is the goal. I have a one burner butane portable stove that I will cook on, and some nesting pots and pans to cook with, and all the utensils. Paper plates to cut down on washing. Have a squirt bottle with dish soap and a bit of alcohol for cleaning and a squirt bottle with water for rinsing. Plastic dish pans for sinks. Have freeze dried food and can goods so far. Granola bars or oatmeal for breakfast, sandwich stuff or soup should be easy lunches, and dehydrated meals, fresh food, or canned for dinners in the evenings to cut down on eating out.
Have a porta-pottie that doubles as a seat under the desk for when needed. Double bagged, kitty litter, does not smell, take out with trash. People throw away diapers, what's the difference?? Anyways... The shower thing is the hard one. I have a squirt bottle with water and witch hazel mix and wash rags, and baby wipes to refresh. Hair is below shoulders so that's the hard one, have been conditioning myself to not wash it as often, thereby making the oil glands not over produce from constant stripping from shampooing, it's getting healthier as a benefit. I can go about a week before it looks a bit greasy. I have a solar shower setup, just throw it on the dash with water in it to let the sun warm the water then throw hair over a dishpan to catch it, if needed. Would like to figure out a shower set up using the back doors, but haven't yet. There are sooooo many state parks that have showers that are coin operated, along with truck stops with showers, it's probably a non-issue. So far, though, I've driveway surfed at places with showers, so this will be a new experience to overcome.
Have only done 2 states so far, Texas and Kansas. When the RV sells, I will have the funds to start knocking down the rest of the states. Can't wait!! Although my Vibe looks at me with a sad face when I'm going to the van sometimes, lol.
Here is the inside setup:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nmwpkqMLXA/V ... C00090.JPG