That is an incredible idea, thanks for sharing.

I will add that one to my list, thanks

Thanks, that is so helpful.

Yes we did that all the time growing up. Some farmers hang a bar magnet on the rear bumper of the pickup truck to pick up nails on the go... Real pain in the butt, all my flat tires usually from a nail or screw...

@@alanschaller5869 We have always done this! Getting a flat on a livestock trailer full of moo cows on a 100° day is an experience to be avoided.

That's right! 😉

No problem. Caravans are a great option. The transmissions in them aren't the best so have that looked at, but otherwise great value for the money and still a lot of room to work with. Good luck!

I have one and I wouldn’t trade it for the world because the more you have the more stress that can go along with it! Happy van living

I have a 2012. Love it. Do check your transmission prior to purchase. I’ve never had an issue. I do use full synthetic oil.

Me toooo! Almost word for word. ❤ it seems a bit scary for me with so little income and trying to figure out how I'm even going to find a van but also excited to try this life and meet other senior friends.

I'm suspecting that plugin hybrids and EV's could be an option, about 76% of publicly accessible charging stations are free level 2 EVSE's at hotels, restaurants, and department store parking lots such as Walmart. Being plugged in means the DC to DC charge system that recharged your 12v from the high voltage batteries would basically be running of the charger power and should not deplete and also the vehicles heating or AC could just effectively run off the plug power. Besides no one can blame you for being parked a long time at a level 2 charging station. I did see some new EVSE's at shopping center parking lots with card RFID readers so it looks like the property management are now outsourcing the EVSE's to third parties so the free power situation might not last much longer but even paying for an overnight stay at a paid parking lot with level 2 EVSE's that have no billing mechanism might be worth it and as those paid parking lots with level 2 EVSE's are often heated downtown parking lots, staying overnight at one while plugged in, might be a good choice if the temperatures hit minus 30 Celsius overnight. Somehow, I think the high roof cargo vans might have a problem getting into these heated garages especially if solar panels were installed but the usual cross over SUV or Prius should be good.

Hahahaha that’s exactly the feel i was going for 🤣 and what my life feels like sometimes!

Thanks for the tip! ✌️

Better than a hole in the ground?

That’s awesome. It’s such a good way to travel and escape winter especially. I’d recommend Arizona as well. It’s a great place to be this time of year.

Awesome, thank you!

Yeah, that's probably the best for small campers like minivans. Even just burning the stove for a bit before bed, making tea or something!

Thanks! That’s awesome, I wish you and the Pugs the best out there!

@@RyanKodakBrown thanks, you as well Ryan, safe travels.

Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos! 😊

That is awesome!

@@RyanKodakBrown 😊😊

That’s awesome. Best of luck out there!!!

@@RyanKodakBrown thanks Ryan! 😊

Thanks for sharing!

Hey now! It’s not that much stuff! I mean, it’s everything I own and a only just a little more than I truly need but very few possessions comparatively!!! Hahaha, jk. I’ve acquired a lot in the last two years. All my stuff used to fit in bike panniers before I got the van 🤷🏼‍♂️

Hi Jan. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best of luck with everything. I’m working on the next series of videos now 👍. What kind are your favorite to watch?

@@RyanKodakBrown hi ryan. Thank you for your reply. I like everything. They have such a special meaning. I guess one would be interviewing travelers and showing there arrangements as you just did. Im a nomad wannabe. Im in the same boat as a lot of people are in. The nomad life is so wonderful. Meeting good people. Also the freedom and peace of mind. Being our own boss. Camping.picnic. cruzing around sight seeing. Work on the road. How fantastic. We all face challenges periodically anyway. Car troubles to. The best part is wherever we go. We have our home with us. Have a flat. Our home is with us. No motels or taxi cabs to call. Expensive. And can save money to. We might be homeless but not houseless. How wonderful is that. Staying on a budget is important. I love these videos. I feel so good watching them. And how people realize the nomad is a wonderful different kind of life. Also a new life for happiness and joy. It might not be for some people. But at least try it out part time. Sleep in the vehicle in the driveway. Practice. Picnic at a nice park. All this before you decide not to do it or actually do it. Pack up the kids and just do it. Talk about camping. Get good ideas. Take a vacation. Or do it on weekends. With kids wait until school is out. On weekends if you have a house picnic in the back yard as if you was traveling. Enjoy the freedom and happiness. Love you all. Jan from texas. Oh. My problem is. My husband is hardheaded and dont want to do anything i want to. He has been out of work 6 mo. Before the pandrmic. My soc.sec. ckeck is medium small. Gotta pay some bills. Bad credit from the pandemic. Thank you all. And ryan to.

That's amazing and thank you! "Do it while you're young" is the best advice ever. Wish I had started even sooner! I think I compensated for years of backpacking and Bikepacking (ultra-minimalism there) with the van! Hahaha, finally a little space of my own and I filled it to the brim 😂 I'm happy for you guys, too, and that you've found a beautiful balance with travel and the comfort of a home. Take care and happy trails!

That’s awesome. My mom hosted exchange students as well, most of them were from the Middle East. Enjoy the camper van and safe travels! ✌️

Glad it was helpful!

That’s amazing and I’m so excited for you! I wish you the best of luck and happy trails! I appreciate the kind words, thank you 😊

That it is, just like life! 😊 Safe travels and happy trails ✌️

Thanks man!

Hahahaha, it's hard not to be when you live off grid ✌️

Hahaha, that's what it feels like sometimes! Good luck and have fun out there! ✌️ (P.S. the girlfriend is now my wife 😊)

@@RyanKodakBrown yaaaaay!! How wonderful that you guys are married now!! What a gift for her that you're proud to say that. How refreshing that is!

Thanks man! Will do!

4 years of accumulation....

Belgium was awesome and it was great seeing my brother who lives in Germany as well. Thanks Buddy!!!!

Thank you! I wish you all the best in your endeavor’s ✌️

Hahaha, he is awesome and an inspiration!

Yeah, it’s so simply and multi-purpose.

Thank you! Don't get too caught up gear, though! You'll figure out what works best for you ✌️

That's a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion

Thank you, happy trails ✌️

Thank you! I was afraid I might have gone into too much detail… Glad you enjoyed it! 👋✌️✌️

@@RyanKodakBrown It was perfect!

The suspension was replaced a couple years ago, but it’s a very good suggestion! Had I the money, I’d even use a spacer kit to raise it an extra inch or two. The van is, a little, more organized these days 😅, even added a roof box. Thank you! Maybe you still can!?

Yep! My whole life

Thank you! It feels comfy too

Thank you! I’m a bit ocd, must admit. And, if I’m being honest, that was REALLY messy for me 😅. Organization is soo important in tiny spaces. It’s crazy and frustrating sometimes how quickly the van dissolves into total choas! ✌️

Ohh I know I lived in a fifth wheel and I only have what I need that's it.😂. Nahhh messy. Thank you for sharing your videos. Can't wait to see your next video

That's awesome and I'm glad you found a useful idea in the video! I always figuring out more tips too and really should strap more things down. It's always on the back of my mind, for sure...

Thank you! 😎

I've thought real hard about getting a small trailer. Something bigger than a teardrop though, scampi or something with a bed at one end and a table at the other with a small kitchen in between! Next time, I'm getting something I can stand in that always has a table at the ready! Interesting about the Wonder Wash! Never heard of it. I pop into towns every week or so anyway so I don't mind the laundromats. It's a good time to get other chores / work done and one less thing to carry. ✌️

Thank you! The coyotes here are crazy, never seen so many in my life. ✌️

Thanks man! Will do ✌️

Awesome! Good luck and safe travels ✌️

No problem!

Oh, that's awesome. I hope I cross paths with him someday. Safe travels to you as well!

Yeah, it's not all that easy to find anywhere, unfortunately.

Thanks for watching! 👋✌️

Hahaha, amazing and perhaps a little embarrassing 😅🙈. Happy trails!!! ✌️

Oh wow, that’s amazing work and I’m grateful for folks like you. If you can put a cargo box on the roof, especially on if the big ones, you can REALLY haul a lot in things. Good luck with it all, especially that new motor.

Thank you 😊.

Thanks, you too!

Awesome, thank you!

Thank you!

Awesome! 😄

Thank you! I really love Arizona, at least in the cooler months! 😅 Not quite Camp Verde! The video was filmed closer to the Superstitions. I do have a carbon monoxide dector in the van! I really should have mentioned that in the video because it is important. ✌️

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

Hahaha, gotta have that coffee! No problem, glad you enjoyed the video ✌️

You are so welcome!

Thank you!

Hahahaha she was my inspiration 😉

That sounds really cool. I've given some thought to lifting it but doubt I ever would 😂

Hahaha, I could have kept going too! There was still a lot in there 🤪😂🤷‍♂️

@@RyanKodakBrown would love if you did another video in a few months!

Thank you! Glad you got something from my rambling 😊

hahaha, it really is

I have and used to eat a lot of canned chicken and fish like tuna and salmon. I stopped eating canned fish because I worry about heavy metals (I was eating a packet of tuna a day on trails) and the meats just scare me now 😅. I avoid processed foods as much as possible. Gotta say though, corn beef hash is SOO good! 🤤

Thank you ✌️

Around China?! Sounds like one hell of an adventure! Best of luck with everything and safe travels 🤙

Awesome. Good luck with the build!

Thanks man! My dad had an extended Aerostar growing up. Damn did I love that thing! I tried finding one but they were all so old… oh well. If I removed the passenger seat my life would change, my gf would have nowhere to sit and wouldn’t be very happy! 😉 I love hiking and climbing mountains and definitely plan to spend more time in Utah. It’s such a playground for people like us!!!

Hey! I hear you. I stored them in a friend's shed for the same reason. Although, a built camper van may sell for more... Good luck with the build and happy trails!

@@RyanKodakBrown That's a good point! Unless I can directly transfer the build to a new van, I will consider that option!

Thanks!

Thank you! ✌️

Thank you! All the best to you as well 😊

Hahaha, there is so much room in these things. I just added a roof box and now there is even more room! Needed it because my girlfriend just moved in and, well, I have a lot of stuff 😂 ✌️

Hahaha, I’ll be getting a roof box soon to better organize and make more room for my gf who joins me next month. Even still, I hardly believe how much i have in here 😂 Okay, I’ll add a video like that to the queue.

@@RyanKodakBrown awesome thank you for considering that as a video idea! It seems like "the knock" is what scares lots of van dwellers

Glad it helped!

Thank you!

Same! I moved to Belgium last year and miss the nature dearly.