You Simply Don't Need All That Extra Stuff

Today I spent quite a bit of time reviewing some video footage on YouTube that has been posted by people who have converted their vans.  They converted them so that life on the road full-time would be easy and convenient.  I'm beginning to question that.

In my 2011 Ford E-250 Super Duty Van I only put a bed platform with a double-size mattress on the top of it.  I use a fold up table I purchased at Wal-Mart for under $40.00.  This holds anything I need it to such as a small propane stove, lap top computer, small convection oven or most anything else that is small and portable.  When I'm not using the table it folds up and goes under the bed platform and is totally out of the way.

Storage is also a simple solution.  Fold your clothes and put them in plastic tub with a sealed lid.  This keeps out moisture and bugs and is also stored under my bed platform.

Seating is simple as I use either a fold up lawn chair or just sit on the edge of my bed.  I pull the table up close to the bed and it works just fine.

Bathroom facilities are pretty much everywhere you go so I saw no need to build in any kind of permanent type fixture.  Showers are also available in most every truck stop and cost around $5.00 per use.  This allows me to save room in my van as I don't need to have any kind of black water tank.  Grey water is simply plastic water jugs that can be filled at any rest stop or truck stop without any trouble and it is free.

So you see I just can't justify all of the expense of putting all the fancy stuff in your van.  Even if you're living in it full-time what I've listed as to what I put in my van is quite sufficient and creates a comfortable living environment without crowding up all the interior space.

At night I put up my curtain which is simply a heavy black out shower curtain hung on a flexible curtain rod which fits right into the small space near the ceiling of the van.  One in back of the front seats and one over the rear windows keeps light out with no problem.  As my van has no side door windows that isn't a problem and the inside of the van is nice and dark at night.  During the day the curtains are stored and I am happily on my way down the road or I just pop open the side doors and enjoy some fresh breeze, ocean waves breaking on the shoreline and listen to some good music or read a book.

Life is good and you really don't need all the "extra" stuff...which really is just "stuff."  Getting rid of stuff was my intent from the very beginning and though it was tough to do at first I managed to pare down enough to be comfortable while still not being crowded.

Consider this as you prepare to hit the open road.  I think you'll enjoy your life as you travel without the problems of trying to find a place for everything.

Excellent Van Conversion of Ford E250/super duty

Here's the beginning of a Ford e-250 super duty cargo van.  It is like the one I own and I'm looking forward to once again converting it for travel.  Pretty simple build and works in most situations.

I won't be adding all the fancy stuff he's included and in my next posting I will explain why and what my reasoning is behind my decision.  Be sure to read it.