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Hi Darren, how’s it going?
Hi Darren, how’s it going?
I do have a small ceramic heater which runs off the leisure battery. From Roadsmart if I remember right. It’s not brilliant but just enough to take the chill out of the air in the mornings if I flip it on ten minutes before getting up. I bought a good quality down jacket from go outdoors for the cold evenings. It does the job just fine. Thinsulate gloves and hat when it was really cold helped no end too.
I’m planning my next van now. Soon as I hit 100K ill be getting another vivaro. Got some big plans for this one though now I’ve got a bit of experience of the van life. About 18 months away I think, so this wagon will be looking for a new home then.Hi Darren, how’s it going?
Hi Darren, how’s it going?
I do have a small ceramic heater which runs off the leisure battery. From Roadsmart if I remember right. It’s not brilliant but just enough to take the chill out of the air in the mornings if I flip it on ten minutes before getting up. I bought a good quality down jacket from go outdoors for the cold evenings. It does the job just fine. Thinsulate gloves and hat when it was really cold helped no end too.
I’m planning my next van now. Soon as I hit 100K ill be getting another vivaro. Got some big plans for this one though now I’ve got a bit of experience of the van life. About 18 months away I think, so this wagon will be looking for a new home then.18 months in the Vivaro
Well, it’s been nearly 18 months since I moved into the van and I’m loving it to be honest.
I’ve been all over the place working, from Newquay up to Edinburgh and loads in between and have saved a fair amount of money I would have paid in digs.
I’ve joined 2 gyms (the gym and pure gym) to cater for washing. They have almost 200 between them around the country so usually I’m not too far from one. It’s got me back into training again so that’s another benefit.
The van hasn’t changed at all except for those poxy inverters I had. I ended up buying an inverter generator for my power needs and so far so good. It’s fine for my microwave, toaster and George foreman grill and not too noisy either. I use a Trangia 25 with a gas burner for any other cooking I do.
I have changer my sleeping equipment too. The blow up camping mat has been changed for a memory foam mattress and the cheap argos sleeping bags have been given away to my nephew and replaced with a quite expensive one recommend to me by a carp angler I know. What a difference it is too. Warm and cosy in the winter and cool in the summer. Excellent purchase.
Anyway I’m off to Preston Brook for the next few weeks working on a pharmacy warehouse so let’s hope it’s going to be a nice spring and summer.18 months in the Vivaro
Well, it’s been nearly 18 months since I moved into the van and I’m loving it to be honest.
I’ve been all over the place working, from Newquay up to Edinburgh and loads in between and have saved a fair amount of money I would have paid in digs.
I’ve joined 2 gyms (the gym and pure gym) to cater for washing. They have almost 200 between them around the country so usually I’m not too far from one. It’s got me back into training again so that’s another benefit.
The van hasn’t changed at all except for those poxy inverters I had. I ended up buying an inverter generator for my power needs and so far so good. It’s fine for my microwave, toaster and George foreman grill and not too noisy either. I use a Trangia 25 with a gas burner for any other cooking I do.
I have changer my sleeping equipment too. The blow up camping mat has been changed for a memory foam mattress and the cheap argos sleeping bags have been given away to my nephew and replaced with a quite expensive one recommend to me by a carp angler I know. What a difference it is too. Warm and cosy in the winter and cool in the summer. Excellent purchase.
Anyway I’m off to Preston Brook for the next few weeks working on a pharmacy warehouse so let’s hope it’s going to be a nice spring and summer.Sounds like a nice project. I
Sounds like a nice project. I’ve done a similar thing with my vivaro. It’s a compromise with carrying my tools and having enough living/sleeping space.
I built a bed first out of 11/4 ” softwood clad in 1/2″m.r. mdf then built around that. My tools are accessed through the rear doors and also stored under the bed.
I’ve been shopfitting for donkeys years so I know what I need to carry tool wise.
I can stay in the van quite comfortable for weeks on end now. There’s room for a microwave, t.v. stove, clothes storage, cool box and me……
Showering is taken care of at local gyms or leisure centres where I’m working.Sounds like a nice project. I
Sounds like a nice project. I’ve done a similar thing with my vivaro. It’s a compromise with carrying my tools and having enough living/sleeping space.
I built a bed first out of 11/4 ” softwood clad in 1/2″m.r. mdf then built around that. My tools are accessed through the rear doors and also stored under the bed.
I’ve been shopfitting for donkeys years so I know what I need to carry tool wise.
I can stay in the van quite comfortable for weeks on end now. There’s room for a microwave, t.v. stove, clothes storage, cool box and me……
Showering is taken care of at local gyms or leisure centres where I’m working.inverters
Buy a good make pal. I’ve had 2 pack up on me in the last 11 months. I’m giving up on them now and getting an inverter generator instead. I’ll be ok for a few months yet but by the end of September ill probably need one.
There quite expensive but you get what you pay for in the end.inverters
Buy a good make pal. I’ve had 2 pack up on me in the last 11 months. I’m giving up on them now and getting an inverter generator instead. I’ll be ok for a few months yet but by the end of September ill probably need one.
There quite expensive but you get what you pay for in the end.On the sea front is fine. I
On the sea front is fine. I spent a few weeks sleeping there while I was working in Burgess Hill last year. The only trouble I had was when a load of gypsies took over the car park by the marina. Every night they were on the lookout for something to nick. I caught them looking into the cab of my van twice before I decided to move on.
The other weeks I was there it was fine. There were always a few vans parked up every night so it was quite safe. And as a bonus I could use the gym. Sorted…On the sea front is fine. I
On the sea front is fine. I spent a few weeks sleeping there while I was working in Burgess Hill last year. The only trouble I had was when a load of gypsies took over the car park by the marina. Every night they were on the lookout for something to nick. I caught them looking into the cab of my van twice before I decided to move on.
The other weeks I was there it was fine. There were always a few vans parked up every night so it was quite safe. And as a bonus I could use the gym. Sorted…I converted my vivaro a few
I converted my vivaro a few months ago and haven’t looked back.
Mines quite cramped as I have to carry a fair amount of tools with me but it’s perfectly big enough for just me.
All I would say is draw things out on paper before getting stuck in.
My mate who I work with just attacked his Renault Master and made it up as he went. Lol. Let’s just say he ain’t a happy vanper and he’s looking at ripping the lot out and starting again.
Good luck mate…I converted my vivaro a few
I converted my vivaro a few months ago and haven’t looked back.
Mines quite cramped as I have to carry a fair amount of tools with me but it’s perfectly big enough for just me.
All I would say is draw things out on paper before getting stuck in.
My mate who I work with just attacked his Renault Master and made it up as he went. Lol. Let’s just say he ain’t a happy vanper and he’s looking at ripping the lot out and starting again.
Good luck mate…Looking good mate. I
Looking good mate. I converted my vivaro earlier this year and so far so good. Did all the usual things, insulation, carpet, leisure battery and inverter, microwave etc.
I use large bottles of water too with no problems. Its just me in there though….lol I don’t mind roughing it a bit.
