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[The Van Man Can]

Hey!

Unfortunately the area of I live in has a homeowners association that does not allow work on vehicles of any kind in the driveway (lame). Those that know San Diego, know that backyards don't exist in most densely populated areas of this city. With a high roof van, it cannot fit in the garage, so that's not an option. Where are locations that you all have used to work on your van? Where did you find that location? And how did it work out? Looking for any answer, general or specific to the San Diego area.

Cheers,

The Van Man Can

[Camper_Dan]

Greetings and Welcome!

I think homeowners associations should be outlawed.

Some areas have "Maker Spaces" but they may also go by other names.  Sometimes you can rent a spot in a warehouse.  Some people build theirs in the parking lots of big box stores, so their close to the supplies they need to buy.  Storage places might be another option. 

A few years ago while visiting Slab City, a guy rolled in with his van full of supplies, and with the help of about 20 of us willingly volunteering to help, just to give us something to do, we converted it in a single day.  Food and drinks were abundant, but I'm not sure who provided them.  It was a great day that everybody enjoyed.  I have participated in several similar builds at Slab City as well.  A great bunch of people with amazing skills at all levels and of all types.

I built mine over the course of several days mainly through yard sales, Craigslist, and Thrift Store finds.  Since mine is a window van, it required no extra work on the floor, walls, or ceiling, one of the hardest and most expensive parts of any "build".  For me it was as simple as removing the back seats, and moving my  new furniture in and fastening it down.

My current "No Build" conversion cost only several hundred dollars, vs. a previous cargo van "build" that cost thousands.  There is no comparison between the two, my current window van conversion is about a million times better and more comfortable than anything anybody could have accomplished with a cargo van.  Window vans offer you so many advantages and save you so much money it's amazing.

Cheers!