Van Build On A Budget | A BIPOC Vanlifer Guide
- Natasha Jain
- Sep 13, 2021
- 13 min read
Updated: Sep 29, 2021
A Van Build Budget Starter Guide
Written by @the_DNA_Collective
Denise @wayfaretowellness + Natasha @asha_art.n.soul + Anaïs @anais.moniq
Welcome Road Fam, thanks for pulling up!
A couple of my friends and I put together some tips and tools, to help get you started on building the van of your dreams—on a budget that suits your needs. With a global shift of operations, houselessness and remote work on the rise, and prices on lumber skyrocketing as perversely as the housing market, some of us our opting out, jumping ship, forging a new life in what may feel like a post-apocalyptic reality to some, all while being mindful (and melanated). It's no surprise, we could all use a lil help now and again, wisdom, knowledge and tools are not always afforded to the masses, so share the love and help spread some free resources. There is another way out of grind culture, stepping into a life of intention and time travel. Vanlife teaches us about our limitations, what we are capable of, we face our shadows and our fears, and it is some of the most valuable growth and healing you will ever have the pleasure of not having to pay for.
But before all that dreaming, let's focus on the hear and now, the achievables. The home rig is what will transport us to those experiences, will house us when gentrification, trauma and houselessness abounds? Is this a stepping stone for me? How long might I live this way? What are my active needs? How can I use what I already have around me, or repurpose an item until I can afford my lesser-immediate needs? What ARE my basic needs?
With folx at the forefront of this movement, we see endless brand deals, expensive, name brand, tricked out, gassed up, top-of-the-line beasts, but the truth is, most of us who more immediately might need to live this way, have a lot of know how to share. This isn't just for the gram, we going all the way off-grid to show you how we did what we could with the savings we had, to each build our little piece of freedom. Investing in Black joy, love, equity, community, self care and wellness in the outdoors, while being, you guessed it... hot as hell (that beautiful desert tho...) Below, we will hear from some fellow peoples who live nomadically, and have converted their vehicles into rolling homes, on a tight budget.
Sample Van Build Budgets from the BIPOC Vanlife Community:
Let's see how we measure up! @lovellandparis
RIG TYPE: (First Rig) 2012 Nissan NV2500 Low Roof Van
BUILD: Self-built for full-time travel
Cost of build: 1,100
RIG TYPE: Ram ProMaster
BUILD: Self-designed (carpenter-assisted) for full-time travel
Cost of build: $2,800
RIG TYPE: 0’6H, 14’L cargo Step Van
BUILD: Self-built for full-time travel
Cost of build: $8,000
RIG TYPE: 2009 Workhorse W42 Step Van
BUILD: Self-built for full-time travel
Cost of build: $9,500
RIG TYPE: 2019 Ram ProMaster
BUILD: Self-built for full-time travel
Cost of build: 11,000
RIG TYPE: 2019 Ram ProMaster
BUILD: Self-built for full-time travel
Cost of build: 11,000
Van Build Origin Stories
Anaïs:
After saving for two years and researching for 10 months, I bought a 1996 Freightliner retired FedEx fleet vehicle. For a 10’6H, 14’L cargo step van with 270K+ miles and diesel engine, what was $10-$12K at dealerships, I paid $6K to the original owner.
During my build, I sold the roll-up garage-style back door, saved metal panels from the ceiling to use for the build, removed a metal runway from the cargo floor, and salvaged parts for a swing-style back door from a metal yard. I serviced my truck near the airport because there was more access to fleet vehicle parts. I saved $8K for my build: the top priorities outside of insulation, ventilation, and solar were a bed, a toilet, and a sink. I wanted to move in asap and build out my storage, tiny wood stove, and a writing desk on the road. Then the pandemic hit a year later and I didn’t move in until the 2020 election.
The advantage of building on the road is that I know I will have very few regrets with my design because I have experimented with so many ideas, as well that I have been gifted, and also have thrifted, so many pieces that should have been hundreds of dollars.
Natasha:
My biggest tip is checking in with yourself about what you personally want and need vs. what you see others doing. There is more than 1 way to “vanlife.” After realizing that I would save more by self-converting, a mid-grade vehicle would be the most value for what I wanted to achieve. So, I sold and saved for close to 2-3 years until I could trade in my Jeep for a new, empty Ram Promaster 2500, and paid the rest in cash. During the time period of saving, I had to figure out what kind of rig what right for my specific needs and wants that aligned with the lifestyle I intended to live, like the difficulty of terrain and travel environments, and all the ways that I wanted to dwell, be it city, boondocking, campsites, off-roading, or all of the above. I took my time and asked myself 12 life category questions adapted from a self-help seminar, which helped me shed light on my unique van life story needs. I then began to amend my lifestyle to transition to a life on the road as a digital nomad. I really enjoy that my rig can fit in a parking spot, and the Promaster is significantly cheaper than the Sprinters or brand new RVs so that I could buy new for a reasonable price. I tended to go to middle-grade and eco-friendly materials, and I am happy I could make this investment.
Find The Right Rig For You
Budgeting + Purchase + Negotiation
Anaïs:
Imagine the life you want first and design a rig to fit your dreams. Approaching vanlife was a step towards my long-term goal to buy land and my short-term goal to have constant access to travel while I work. I wanted to be safe, cozy, and self-contained. Great city parking wasn’t a high priority for me, but I knew I would be looking for industrial areas when urban camping. I wasn’t worried about commuting anywhere quickly, but going up a mountain, I do cap out at 35-40mph.
Size, parking preferences, and daily routine will determine whether you buy an RV, school bus, Step van, or whether you buy a shuttle bus, cargo van, or SUV. Once I purchase land, I will already have a 90sqft tiny home to live in during development, with the option to repurpose it later.
Avoid buying from car dealerships but use their prices as the max. cap for what an owner could charge for a rig and work you way down from that price. Facebook Marketplace has endless options to filter through and is far less of a headache than sifting through the wastelands of Craigslist or taking risks with online auctions.
For each negative discovery you make, mark off $250-$500 from the asking price and be firm as these are problems you will have to fix. Walk away if they are unwilling to negotiate at all.
Use all available resources to commit to your layout and rig needs: make a plan, draw sketches, pour over Pinterest boards and YouTube vanlife videos.
When viewing vehicles, take a notebook and if possible wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Write down your 5 non-negotiable needs and your ideal budget range. If you are a solo woman buying a rig, you should plan to get under any truck you really like, even if only as an intimidation factor to the seller; they think you don’t know ANYTHING.
Check for any leaks on the pavement or any shiny buildup under the hood. Check for light leaks inside the cargo or holes underneath the truck. Kick the tires and make sure there’s still a deep thread in between its grooves. Listen for odd sounds when test driving. Rev the engine while parked; if you see dark smoke from the exhaust, that’s bad.
Natasha:
Before beginning your search, you’ll want to identify your budget, whether you need to finance in installments, have a trade-in, are putting money down payment, and/or paying in full upfront. Gently used vehicles and keeping your options open to the vehicle type will open up more options for lower-cost options. Other factors to consider are whether you are open to doing a full or partial build if you will be doing your own maintenance/repairs, and how stealthy you need to be for the kinds of areas you plan to inhabit. While considering these options, it’s helpful to browse places websites like Craigslist (search: “campervans for sale”), Sprinter forums, YouTube (search “van for sale”), and even social media like Instagram (search: #vanforsale) or Facebook Marketplace and believe-it-or-not, even eBay. Around your local campground, you may find new and used RVs sales lots hoping to appeal to campers.
When considering a purchase, start early, so you aren’t tempted to make an impulsive purchase outside your budget. Factor in the vehicle’s mileage, engine’s capacity, and longevity, any necessary repairs, as well as Gas vs. Diesel. These factors will directly affect your monthly budget in terms of fuel, maintenance: imported parts, repairs at public vs. private dealerships, and resale value. Ask yourself, what will I need to change to make my rig livable?: Exterior Additions, Height, Stealth, Climate-specific Insulation, ventilation/windows, child seats, etc. Building as you go allows for financing your build over time rather than all at once, investing time and patience while allowing you to learn your tiny home needs.
When negotiating a used rig, express a modest interest (you don’t have to be grumpy), take your time doing a thorough inspection in front of your salesperson verbally noting any body-damage, dings, rust, wear-and-tear, and any concerns you have about needing to finance making those repairs, large or small. Often these rigs were the owner’s beloved rig, and they want to know it will be going to a good home and more willing to negotiate. If buying from a dealership, ask about whether they can make the repairs before you purchase or how much they are willing to take off so you can make the repairs on your dime and time. Don’t underestimate the emotional aspect of building a relationship with your seller; If folx know you’re interest and your genuine concerns, they are subconsciously more invested in making the deal happen.
Whether To Convert A Van, or Buy One Already Built-out?
Anaïs:
Buying an RV has the advantage of driving off the lot fully loaded and the option to be renovated quickly, if necessary. Buying an empty vehicle has the advantage of complete customization. Building without experience might mean several renovations to reach your ideal layout or requesting volunteers and hiring help if you do have time restrictions.
Use a few weekends to scout the OfferUp app and Habitat for Humanity Restore locations to find second-hand furniture like cabinets, drawers, sinks, doors, tile, and more. With a good foundation of insulation, you only need to focus on mounting each thrifted piece to the van’s body. If time is a non-factor and you want to build from scratch and get ready for 500 hours of YouTube University and a lot of outreach to the Instagram community for advice. Consider hiring someone for any project you are too hesitant to approach, like electrical or welding.
Natasha:
Pros and cons of both: Time and money.
Peace of mind (at least for a while), warranty, roadside assistance, loans, and up-front costs, Long term maintenance, learning new skills, making additional customizations for functioning according to your needs, being able to get up and go, learning how to make repairs, inheriting issues or broken parts, used or older rigs are usually more affordable (ideal if you have some mechanical knowledge), engine replacement, sourcing parts out of stock or date, looking stealthy, matching existing aesthetic when making alterations, upfront honest information about, getting up to date records on rig’s health/maintenance, not having to buy/rent/borrow tools, or having someone else build out your rig for you!
Learn what aspects of a van-build you can DIY vs. purchasing pre-done: If you are buying a partially built rig, find out if it is insulated according to your needs. If you need more windows, this may be difficult to do on a built-out rig after the fact. Plumbing and electrical are 2 of the most challenging parts of the build. Insulation is step number 1, cutting out any roof vents for fan/skylight, etc. Solar is another element of electrical that can take some time and effort to get onto your rig. Framing is another heavy project, though you can achieve it with time, patience, and guidance. Cosmetic carpentry and décor can come later and can more easily change as your needs do (i.e., Clothing storage, toilet, and gadgets). There are so many ways to live in a van, essential being shelter (insulation), a place to sleep, food, water, and gas.
What's A Low-end Cost Estimate For A Minimal Solar/Electric Setup?
Natasha:
This is a current estimate, prices may vary or change frequently. We are listing some reasonably-powered low-end options below, for a place to start. Some low-end solar solutions we found for permanent and portable use (see below), range from $320—$1100+
Buying "used" can be a great way to save even more on upfront costs. Please note, that the estimates below are for "new". Pricing only goes down drastically from here if you are shopping for similar items "gently used" or "like new" used items. Be sure to ask the seller questions about ware and tear, careful not to get too impulsive and end up with something that is almost depleted)
Permanent Mounted Full Solar Setup Estimate (Breakdown): Sample Estimate $1100
Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Solar Starter Kit — $500
Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Power Saving Mode — $230
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt 200Ah — $372
Pro: Less expensive up-front option
Con: Don't discharge below 50% as it lowers battery life
Portable Solar Generator Stations: $320—$450
(Battery/Charge Controller 160w + SolarSaga 60W) — $320
(Battery/Charge Controller 200w + Foldable Solar Panel 50W) — $450
Ventilation
Do not skimp out on ventilation options! There will be times where you need ventilation but might not want to have your windows down or doors open. Fans can help suck condensation out! Roof fans are the way to go.
Reasons To Ventilate Your Rig
• Regulate internal climate
• Combat humidity and condensation
• Combat odor and pollutants
You don’t need to go with brand names like Maxx Air or Fantastic Fan, standard roof fans, USB and 12V fans can be budget friendly (try ebay and facebook marketplace or your local marine or parts wholesaler). The most important thing about ventilation is to help create a cross breeze: somewhere for air to come in and somewhere for it to go out, which creates a wind tunnel to cool off, vent machinery, steam or condensation. AC is very expensive, incurring cost, energy-pollution, and requires a constant hook-up to an energy source.
Refrigeration
Anaïs:
For refrigerated food storage, there are several options: a chest-style fridge, an upright fridge, a cooler, or none at all.
The number of people dwelling in the vehicle and the space allotted for a fridge will determine what size fits your needs. A chest-style unit will be more energy efficient as cold air will sink and remain inside the fridge. They can range from $400- $1400 depending on the capacity and brand. An upright fridge will release every time it’s opened but has the advantage of being easier to organize. Mini fridges start around $70 and larger 12V upright fridges can go up to $400. A cooler can be a hassle to refill weekly with ice, but is a good budget-friendly option, under $150, that’s also portable for camping or kayaking.
Not buying a fridge at all means eating out more and storing more dried or canned food. Without a fridge, you can buy fresh items if you know they’ll be cooked or consumed immediately, but colder climates can extend the storage of fresh food when necessary.
I chose to start vanlife with a cooler for its multiple uses and cost-efficiency. When I upgrade to a chest-style fridge, I will still use my cooler as extra seating and portable food storage.
Insulation
Natasha:
Wool Insulation— $$$ (R-Value: 13—16) (Cost varies depending on R-value) Made from shearling or the wool from, you guess it, Sheep! With that said, the material smells like a barn, which could be seen as a pro or a con, though the scent tends to be covered up well when you build your walls. This is an eco-friendly, air-purifying, bug-resistant, moisture-regulating, relatively sustainable option that is fire and mold resistant, and easy to work with. If you have any allergic reactions to wool, you may want to reconsider this option, as this could take a toll on your health overtime. It tends to sag overtime, so consider how this will stay in place, as you may need to source more materials like adhesives, tape or string. My dog loved the fragrance, but I couldn’t justify the cost when I first started my build. Requires special order, not found as often at local hardware store.
Denim Insulation— $$ (R-Value: 6—13) (Cost varies depending on R-value) Made from new or recycled denim, which is resistant to water, and fire and would not sag over time. The denim is relatively eco-friendly, and free formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals. A great option for stuffing into small holes that get missed with rigid materials. This option is vegan-alternative to wool, and cleaner/safer than fiberglass, and has little to no scent. The higher R-value options can also help quite a bit with sound-deadening. You can opt to use spray glue or take a greener approach by lightly taping or securing in place with twine. Can find with lower R-value at hardware stores (usually a 6 R-value) and higher value through special order (around a 13 R-value)
Foam Insulation— $+ (R-Value: 3—10) (Cost varies depending on R-value) Rigid foam insulation is a great option for flat surfaces that could otherwise sag overtime or will have some weight, and is easy to find and a relatively low-cost material. Expanding spray foam insulation is the liquid-to-solid form of this option, and is an effective for filling in gaps that may be otherwise hard to fill, which will give you an even higher R-value. The down sides are that spray foam is difficult to remove and chemical based, which is something to consider when living in a small contained space, as you can inhale the fume-less chemicals that can become airborne especially in hotter temperatures. Foam insulation board is easily and most commonly found at hardware stores nationwide. Spray foam insulation is pricier as it requires a professional install, so you will need to set up an appointment where the price of materials is included in the install.
This is what I suggest investing money and some thought into.
After months of research, I went with denim insulation ($$) and a layer of Reflectix. I was looking for non-toxic, cruelty-free, sustainable materials. I was able to find13 rated denim insulation made from recycled second-hand jeans and jackets, which I sourced from a company called (Soundproof Cow). If nothing else, I would have a somewhat temperature-controlled shelter to call home, no matter where I decided to travel.
Some Build Items We Enjoyed
+ by all means, do you.
Buttal Tape Dicor BT-1834-1 1/8″ x 3/4″ x 30′
Caulking Gun **
Clamps **
Crimpers**
Denim Insulation (R-Value:13)
Denim Insulation (R-Value: 6.3)
DuraLast Jump Starter **
Kreg R3 Master System With Classic Clamp **
Mr. Buddy Heater **
Renogy Solar Panel Kit**
Rustoleum Oil Based Enamel Paint
Ryobi 3-in-1-Piece Drill and Drive Kit **
Ryobi Jigsaw**
Sound Deadening
T-square**
UNIKON Portable Foldable Bathtub
Self Leveling Sealant
Self-Tapping Screws
Voltage Meter**
Wire Strippers**
(**can buy used)
Wiring Essentials:
Van Builds In The BIPOC Community To Lookout For!
Looking for more Van Build resources by Black Consultants?
Lovell and Paris Lee are Navy vets, full-time students, and Black digital nomads. They are currently building out their second rig and have an abundance of tips and tools for those who are thinking about – or are in the midst of their own van build. You can follow their build @lovellandparis on Instagram and reach out for consulting or van build resources at www.novelkulture.com
Resources:
DualEx Van builder https://youtube.com/c/DualEx2x
Garry Pullen, Van Builder @Whatz.hiz.faze YT https://youtube.com/channel/UCCMIX3CN3ourNuAsyG-FgWg
TinyHomeTruck’s Unoma Haus Design https://instagram.com/unomahaus?igshid=18ob53o6mac65
Lovel & Paris — Budget consultants https://instagram.com/lovellandparis?igshid=1da7as0i9z5fp
https://www.blacknomadsmeetup.org/post/starting-vanlife-on-a-budget
https://www.blacknomadsmeetup.org/post/types-of-nomad-vehicles
PDF resource https://diversifyvanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Van-Build-on-a-Budget-A-Resource.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMpDThnqVI&feature=youtu.be
https://www.blacknomadsmeetup.org/post/starting-vanlife-on-a-budget
https://www.blacknomadsmeetup.org/post/starting-vanlife-on-a-budget
https://www.blacknomadsmeetup.org/post/types-of-nomad-vehicles
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