If you had a van- a place where you could stretch out- a really good mattress pad, a couple of good quality pillows. An LED lantern. What else?

If you were living in a vehicle indefinitely, what would make you feel more at home?

A portable radio. Perhaps a solar panel charger.

It can get cold in the Cincinnati area. How about a decent sleeping bag?

Windowshades

A 12V portable fridge/freezer (made by ARB OR Dometic, among others).

When I first moved to Colorado, I knew no one, had a broad plan, and ended up living in my car for about 6 months, through winter.

Something I wish I had then was a small source of heat.

If it were a van, an extra battery and a solar panel on the roof to recharge the batteries. A Coleman stove, maybe a 12 volt cooler that could run off the batteries and allow you to have some food for a few days instead of having to get fresh food from a supermarket every day. A small propane heater for cold nights to turn on for a while, but one that also has a carbon monoxide detector so you don't kill yourself.

Last summer I watched a lot of youtube videos of people that live year round in vans and cars. A lot of good ideas there.

I know a passenger van can fit a full sized bed behind the first back passenger bench. Granddad did that on our CA trip.

To the question, there will be a need for privacy such as solar shades.

There will also be a need for power that isn't necessarily provided bu running the vehicle. Perhaps solar or a drop cord to the nearby market?

I would suggest a heated mattress pad and leaving the windows partially cracked to allow the moisture from breathing to eacape. A small fan to exhaust or intake air will also help.

Perhaps a Fire tablet to connect to the world and potentially stream entertainment. Given the budget I saw, maybe someone has credentials that could be shared or added to cheaply.

I can offer up a web based email account if needed.

Clean safe heat, light and privacy.

Everything mentioned so far and some kind of rain gear in case you need to get out in bad weather and a flashlight.

How about a good laptop computer if he doesn't already have one? (I can help out there.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,

Cheap heat that will be too much for the space:
3# metal coffee can

1# metal coffee can

Place 1# inside 3# with a buffer of sand on all sides and bottom

Insert 1 roll of toilet paper (cheap single ply is just fine)

Add 1 bottle of rubbing alcohol to tp in can

Wait 30 seconds and ignite. Will burn for hours. No fumes. Little if any ash.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Windowshades

When traveling alone I normally just pull into a rest stop, these make a huge difference.

I think I got my set from amazon, they stick to the window.

These and a woobie are always in my truck. A pillow helps as well.

Mr. Heater Little Buddy Portable Heater and some big sheets of reflective insulation for the headliner.

Refill adapter to refill those one lb canisters from a 20lb tank, and a 20lb tank that can be chained down at my campground. A pair of needlenose pliers to work the release valve on the 1lb canisters.

21 watt solar charger and battery bank to keep my cell phone charged.

Thermos to keep some hot water around.

Privacy. Windowshades.

Indeed.

That hadn't occurred to me but it would if I spent a night in a car, wouldn't it?

Some kind of rig to make a hot/warm water shower...

camp stove

In no particular order, after the vehicle has been selected:

- Gym membership, or a local community college. Either means you can use the facilities - showers. National Parks another option, but no overnight parking. Caravan parks for a few nights.
- Safe parking. Walmart might be okay; hospitals, hotel parking lot along the interstate, truck stops., a retail store.
- Car sunshade, front windshield.
- Valuables? Bank security box.
- ID, drivers license, car and insurance documents on your person, at all times.
- Secure the car, steering column lock.
- Private mailbox.
- pay as you go cellphone, calls/text only.
- public libraries have free internet and computers/printers
- maps, maps, maps
- battery powered small radio
- toilet paper cheap
- towel, small hand towel, beach towel
- Snow shovel for some
- Blankets, pillow, mattress-12v inflatable
- rain jacker, good boots, socks, layering
- Two coolers; one small one medium
- Porta potty? Not cheap are they
- Backup battery/jumper, air compressor
- Butane cooktop
- Ziplock bags to store bathroom, hygiene and other items
- plastic bag for the used clothing, ready for coin-op wash day. Keep the used separate from the unused
- flashlight
- protein, energy bars, tuna and crackers, bottled water, powdered milk, ziplock bags.
- first aid kit
- No illegal activity, Got a habit? Kick it.
- personal protection. State and federal laws.

In Seattle, the number of invisible homeless in old, rusted, creaky RV's are on the rise. Most of the cities enforcement will give you a pass to park on the street.

Others will have more to list.

--chris

Insulated van walls, window shades yes. I would avoid a heater inside, good chance of CO poisoning. I have traveled to Baha, Mexico, many times van camping, plus to Alaska, etc.

If you have to sleep in a town and do not want to be rousted by police, best to have a spot on the floor that can be covered over.

Also a vent in the ceiling is excellent, so the vehicle does not smell like a bedroom. Keep the vent partially open at almost all times.

A gun, definitely. Back when I was 27 y.o., I had moved 100 miles away without a new place lined up. Lived in my van for 2 weeks. Once parked in a quiet area in Oakland, CA. Woke up with two guys in tee shirts saying "We is da police, we need to see your ID". One was rapping on the windshield with a pipe. They wanted me out of the van to question me. I said okay, to buy some time.

I could see them through the one way side windows, and they both had large kitchen knives ready to slice and dice. I was able to quickly start the car and drive away. Surprisingly, they followed me! I got a security guard to pull his car over, and then the "police" took off.

So a little protection is good.

For cooking, I just cooked outside which kept the van much cleaner. An electric cooler is very handy, but should have it's own battery with a "battery combiner" used to connect the two when driving. Solar panels would be very helpful.

A long time ago, I was forced by circumstance to live in my van. What I would have appreciated most were a comfortable bed pad and a warm sleeping bag/bedding. Followed by a decent camp stove and liquid storage.