How to live in a van.
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Chit Chat
Forum Discription: Non Boating Related Discussions
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10962
Printed Date: 18 Sep 2025 at 9:36pm
Topic: How to live in a van.
Posted By: up4air
Subject: How to live in a van.
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2011 at 8:33pm
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This isn't down by the river, but it's applicable just the same. In case you were thinking about it, here's a few pointers, although I am still wondering how you would receive a package from UPS. Perhaps those with first hand experience can add their own wisdom.
http://vimeo.com/groups/17054/videos/22674336 - How to live in a van ------------- More water, please. |
Replies:
Posted By: Leland
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 6:28am
| you can have packages sent to any UPS store, then just pick them up. |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 6:51am
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------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: irenen
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 9:06am
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...or just cough up $5 for a KOA shower, heaven forbid. ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. |
Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 9:30am
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5 dollars for a shower? good god thats a lot of money! ------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 10:56am
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yeah you can get a foot long Subway sandwich for that! :) Who needs a shower anyway if you're always in the river? ------------- More water, please. |
Posted By: Leland
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 12:36pm
| the coin operated showers at Washington State parks are some of the best cheap showers anywhere. No need to KOA in Washington! |
Posted By: STLboater
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 7:04pm
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------------- Kayak Academy Whitewater Instructor |
Posted By: tiziak
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 7:24am
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That $5 could buy you 3/4 of a beer in Seattle.
Beer > Shower ------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Daniel Patrinellis 360.434.4616 |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 9:54am
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 12:33pm
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http://www.outsidevan.com/camping.php - Vanning it in style. ------------- More water, please. |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 12:41pm
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 9:10am
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Listen, kids:
How to shower in a van: 1.) Fire up the Coleman two burner with two pots of water filled from an assortment of gatorade bottles and gallon jugs. 2.) while its heating up (it just needs to be warm), lay down a folded tarp on a moderate slope next to your van so the grey water runs underneath your van. Keeps your feet clean, and keeps the area around your van dry after you pick up the tarp. 3) at a whitewater fest? Concerned about privacy? Maybe your neuvo puritanical paddling partners are upright about nakedness cause they didn't boat in the golden age: the 80's. Whatever the case, you can cater to these people and their insecurities by simply opening the rear doors of the van and drawing a tarp. Now you got a full blown shower stall. 4.) Two pots of water and Dr. B is all ya need, G. You oughtta have enough water left over to shave as well: I use the mirror on the passenger side to fine tune my handsome visage. fu*k Kao- alls I wanted was access below Boulder Bend. They wouldn't play ball. Obi Van Kenobi knows other access points. But look out! Sometimes Anikan is at the wheel. Po-Po don't care though: these aren't the droids you're lookin for. Move along. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 9:12am
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Don't confuse gatorade bottles with clear liquid vs. Those containing more... yellowish fluid. For more information consult The Trailer Park Boys. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 9:17am
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Some of my fellow members of The Van Clan turned me onto an excellent interior organizer: playboats. Very akin to the fancy cabinets found in the cabin of a sailboat. Finally found a use for that thing. Small items that need to be reliably found stay put while cornering at high speeds on the way to the put in.
Rather rock El D on the play run anyhow. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 9:39am
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Life in a van is not complete without a dedicated "Van Groover", to be sure.
A simple rectangular brown wastebasket like those traditionally found in offices works well. You don't need any expensive "wag bags", that is hogwash, and not sensible for the frugal drybag. Safeway grocery bags. Use of the van groover is a technical process not without its perils, so listen up. All you squeamish bourgeoisie and urbanites with flush toilets: find another thread 'cause Yall ain't never gonna qualify as dirtbags anyhow. Stop Front'n! Ok- 1.) CAREFULLY fasten the handles of the safeway bag(s) to the sides of the waste can's short axis. 2.) Open rear van doors. Hang a tarp if you may be seen. Many dirt bag practices should remain invisible to the non-dirt bag. They are fearful people. 3.) Place the groover against the rear bumper, centered, with the long axis out away from trailer hitch. What? Your van ain't got a hitch? 4.) Stand on your bumper, grab onto the underside of your bed assemblage, and squat. 5.) Accuracy is key. 6.) CAREFULLY twist up the bag(s). Wash your hands like mama taught ya. 7.) Be sure to return your "deposit" to where it came from: the nearest safeway garbage can. If this is not possible within an immediate timeframe, any garbage can will do. Further protection from offensive odors can be achieved with an empty Juanitas chip bag. Add some Orange peels. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 9:53am
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But the best thing about being a Van Man who boats is this:
You never have a shortage of real estate to dry your gear upon. Screw hanging a clothesline. That just slows you down when it is time to peel out to run shuttle in the a.m. Any side of the van can dry clothes, depending on the angle the sun shines from. The bomber stays upon which my not so bomber mirror is afixed works best. But you gotta move your gear to shave. It's raining? Clotheslines inside with adequate ventilation to airdry the often overpowering fragrance of gear. Tarpage is key. I recommend a minimum of five. Don't go for the blue ones. The brown and green ones blend into the natural landscape more. Two large tarps get you a veranda and a back porch, under which you can greatly expand your living space on those rainy days. Don't waste time when you roll up to camp: get level, and park at appropriate distances from the trees you'll need to tarp up. Tarp up immediately at the slightest sign of weather. This is the PNW afterall, and chances are if it ain't gonna rain, you'll want shade. Be wary of high winds and engineer your tarp arts accordingly. Lots of cordage and the occasional tent stake are key. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 10:08am
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For tips on how to maintain a complete "vanhold" as a couple with two cats, you'll have to consult Washington's hardest hitting rafters. Next time you see them ask them how they manage the litterbox, or how they manage to shuttle an entire drunken posse of rafters and Kayakers, gear included, without removing a single item from their van or compromising their dry bedroom.
This couple has swank accommodations even an FBI van would envy... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 11:05am
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Had good luck with the solar-shower posted below on our last road trip. Easy to use heated water from a stove to get the temps up if the sun isn't cooperating. http://www.hotcampshowers.com/inc/sdetail/727 ------------- -Jay |
Posted By: GHannam
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2011 at 12:40am
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Love the How to Live in a Van video. Kinda makes you think, ya? jP-- I MISS YOU and all your insights!!! *HAHA*
 I'm a fan of that solar-shower. Think I'll get one to try it out!!!
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