I've talked to you all about my divorce previously (15 years, wife decided she wanted to leave as soon as she graduated and got her degree after I supported her and worked multiple jobs).
She's officially moving out in two weeks. Then, my lease ends in just five weeks.
Landlord already told me they're going to be selling the home and also raising rent nearly 40% if I wanted to stay. Can't afford it. Have no where to go.
Going to transition to being a 'nomad', selling the remaining few things I own, and just bouncing from airbnb to airbnb along with camping. I figured this would be a good opportunity for me to get out, travel, visit national parks, kayak, camp, fish, see the US and get my mind off everything. It's not stable. But I can't find anything. Everywhere requires "3x income" or some ridiculous score that I don't have.
Anyway. Not sure why I'm posting this here. Guess I just wanted to share with you all since I never did give any updates from my previous posts about "what should I do?"
So, really, for me, the storm is here. And the "build back better" now makes so much sense in my personal life. Weird that now I now have to suddenly build my life back. I've completely lost my identity.
No clue where this road is going to take me. But it's either 'get busy living or get busy dying.'
Say a few prayers for me. God has been good to me recently and has gotten me into the 'acceptance' phase of all this.
Edit: By the way, if anyone wants to give me a follow over on X, I'll be documenting all of my journeys. Hoping to one day get some camera gear and a drone and film everything. Might make some personal podcasts and documenting my testimony. Maybe it'll help someone in the future. https://twitter.com/@thinktankfranks
Thank you. One major issue I'm having is if I remove the seats, the air bags will not deploy. I have a new ford explorer. So I have to work with a more limited area since the seats have to be down instead of removed. This is causing issues as I originally intended to take out the seats, build a platform, and store all of my things and clothes and stuff underneath the platform. Ran into this issue and now I can't do that. I was originally going to install a composting toilet in the back but, with limited space, I now can't do that. I tried to get things set up the other day with bed, power station, and some other things, and it's ridiculously tight. I think I might build a horizontal platform running from each side of the vehicle that's kind of 'lifted up' above the bed area. Then on that platform I could put my power station and free up some space for cabinets. Really difficult to try to plan all this by myself.
For wifi, I was either thinking starlink or this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YKB6VMN?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_B6NNV09AY1FGYVT1WCWQ
What do you think about that device? It'll of course only work in areas where there's cell reception.
Maybe both so that I have a backup? Starbucks is a good point, too.
Overland Cruiser.
I am looking to build one with a Japanese Car - like a Rav4 or Sienna. Same thing, platform. You should be able to remove the back seat, here's why, think of all the police vehicles that run w/o a back seat. They either have the fiberglass / plastic bench or a platform cage for a service animal. If you're also looking to remove the passenger seat too, I can see an issue, but all of these can be worked thru without too much stress. Either coding or a lot of times, a small resistor inline for that sensor will resolve, details should be able to be harvested in the forums. One thing to search on is "overland cruiser build" that will do the platform as you're seeking to do as well.
As far as your wifi, I have zero experience with that product, but I would worry on the limitation. Personally, you're better off with something like Cricket unlimited plan on a cell - hotpoint. Data caps is what you need to be aware of, especially if you're going to work mobile. You can sometimes freeload from McDonalds- Interstate rest stops - starbucks. Most of these places have a limited broadcast range of their equipment, so boosters and things like a "cantenna" can make it more convenient to work from your vehicle versus going into the establishment. You can go really deep in this space. Learn how to protect yourself too (wifi aspect not physical security aspect- that's a different topic).
I would love to build my overland cruiser with a platform bed, a foam fold out mattress (amazon) or a mattress topper or two. Think comfort and also make sure that platform is level. Nothing worse than sleeping at an angle. IMHO, the priority is the platform, then bedding and privacy. Storage can be milkcrates for the interim. Dont pack for Armageddon, people tend to bring way too much crap. That is why I mentioned the term, wants versus needs in another post. A trial run and as you make life on the road will show you what you need and dont need. Plus, you can build out cubby holes etc as you travel around. KISS method to start. One bite at a time. Since you will be working mobile, you REALLY need to work out the power and data connectivity.
As far as toilet, you can bucket method or look and plan your trips use the facilities you find on the road. That small of a space, I wouldn't be looking at a permanent device.
example of a forum for info.. https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/tags/airbag/
thanks so much for all of your help.
I did spend a lot of time researching the airbags issue on the forums and read several people had their cars at dealerships for weeks just trying to figure it out. Honestly it's not something i'm probably going to be able to solve alone. I'm probably just going to proceed with doing it with the seats folded down. Keep one rear seat in place and work from that seat - with a fold down table. Then have a twin sized bed on one side of the trunk with a 3 inch memory foam and sleeping bag on top. Other side will have a pull out drawer for cooking. Top of that will be storage area to store clothes and things. Starlink for internet. Car fridge will be on floorboard of second row, then power bank and other things will be on a shelf running horizontally across the car (which will basically be above my legs while I'm sleeping in the twin section). Going to have the rooftop tent too, but the car sleep section will be for when it's either a) terribly cold out and the tent is impossible or b) weather is extreme and inside the car makes more sense. Wanted to give myself both options. Would you agree?
AC is yet another concern and I've read about eco wave 2 but then I have to run the hoses out the window somehow. They make an adapter for the sprinter ,but not my vehicle. I've read it's not a good idea to leave the car running for long periods of time for AC. I've found some very small evaporators for $100 each and thought "what if I just buy 5 or 6 of these?" I wonder if that would work. But I'm in high humidity area. And I've read they dont work well in that situation and make things worse.
Honestly I have a lot working against me for what shouldnt be too difficult as I know there's a lot of people that do van life.
You'll figure it out as you make the trips. There's gotta be a solution. I know from the other end, people who have mimic'd airbag sensors when the resale the cars at auctions, so I know there are a few fronts on this so in time, I am sure a solution will appear for you. Please check out 12V to 110V car inverters - ebay or amazon. Plenty on there for 30 or so bucks. You can use this to charge up the batter packs. If you do move up to a van at some point, you can look at setting up a secondary AC system. I would also look at LiFePO 4 battery pack build and a HD alternator or secondary alternator. At that point, you can run AC or Heat overnight or during the day. again goals to work towards, crawl, walk, run.
I am all about having everything contained in the vehicle, so I am not looking to do the roof tent, I get it and not slamming it. Just make sure you have enough length for your height. I am 6' so it's borderline for me in the smaller platform, but I am also trying to not go with a van. My whole thing is stealth stealth stealth and city camping. If I was boondocking, I would consider a tent more often. I want to be able to pull over on a street or parking lot and blend in and avoid the law and nosey neighbors.
Keep in mind, a car will get cold and will get warm as you know. I am sure you're already thinking this, but plan your seasons accordingly. Real serious on slab city, CA. This would be idea for winter months (I have zero idea or your geography, but you get the concept of cheap camping and milder climate for winter. I would also strongly recommend iOverland Legacy app. When you're in a better position $$, you can build out a van with insulation and a battery system to run ac - heat 24x7 as needed. As far as running the vehicle for hours to heat or cool, it's wear and tear and fuel, not very efficient and will cost a lot in fuel and maintenance. You will have to travel to areas that make sense seasonally. Just simple fan in the window will help you a lot in the heat or warm season. They have ones that are even solar powered. Air movement in that situation is your friend.
We're all going to enjoy your updates and living vicariously thru your next chapter and adventure.
Much appreciated. Yes, I'm carefully planning my itinerary based around climate. I'm thinking I need to go north for now, maybe up into Montana and Colorado until end of October, then down into Texas, Arizona, Nevada, etc. Then back over to Florida. I'd like to go into Tennessee, too, as well as the Georgia mountains, so those might be my first trips. Though it's still pretty hot. Maybe Colorado first then back over into Tennessee come October.