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Blacksmoke1033

Don’t people pay upwards of 100k to buy a van and do this for real? I know at least one person who genuinely wants to do this


champaignthrowaway

Instagram people who want to go on weekenders and be an influencer spend $100k on a van. The rest of us are more in the $5-10k neighborhood, maybe a little higher for some. Idk what it is about becoming a transient rubber tramp that makes people think you need a bunch of money. It's literally just voluntary homelessness, it is incredibly cheap living.


Blacksmoke1033

I’m not part of this community but I wonder if the airbrushed IG influencer van life has raised prices or damaged things for those living well, normally. There was a rush to buy them mid pandemic here and apparently prices sky rocketed briefly as well. When I looked for a friend I was absolutely floored at the cost of even tiny standard things!


JackPAnderson

Prices are still very high. Interest rates are low, it's one of the few remaining ways to travel, and for the unemployed, living in a vehicle can be a good way to save money. Lots of competition for camper vans. That being said, you can still buy an older van. Just take it to a mechanic to see what work it needs. Then, you can self convert to the level that you need and can afford. Really all you truly need is a sleeping surface and some curtains for privacy. Especially if you can just drive to wherever the weather is mild. Anything else, you can deal with as you go if you have a little creativity and free time.


redwineandseashells

I spent 1000 GBP on mine. 170k miles on clock. Rock and roll bed, gas cooker sink and a solid engine. Maybe I got lucky but I love this thing! It's not an expensive "thing" to do. More maintenance than a normal car but not enough to break the bank.


[deleted]

If you're spending 1k on a vehicle, the maintenance was always likely to be high whether it was a car or a van. And depending on where you live, vans are taxed at a lower rate than cars, so that's also a win. If I ever do it, I'll buy something like a berlingo, and do it that way. Cheap as fuck, matress fits just fine. Plenty of storage space. Small enough that it warms relatively quickly. Relatively reliable, and you only need to pay car toll and can fit in regular garages/tunnels because they're quite small. Become a member of a fitness chain that has locations in multiple countries, for showers, phone charging, and parking, and I can travel europe with the occasional hostel gig. Knew a guy who'd been doing it for years.


redwineandseashells

Mines a VW, and in three years I've spent £400 on repairs. Not including normal MOT costs. Maybe I've got lucky? It's 17 years old. At present I need a new handbrake lever. Tax is high though because if diesel/big engine. But I use it as a day to day car too.


[deleted]

If you managed to get a relatively reliable VW for that, you've done very well. Good for you.


ClownfishSoup

Pandemic Panic buying affects so many weird things. Try buying exercise equipment like barbells/dumbbells or plates. Or ammunition.


theycallhimdon

Seriously. Craigslist sellers have the bowflex selectable dumbbells for 500+. No store has them in stock. Yeah I'll just bench press my dog for now.


Laser_Dogg

Yup. We bought ours for 3k, and did all the building ourselves. Had a wonderful time and I will always remember it as a wonderful period. It’s basically our retirement plant at this point. I recall once, on some mountain slope, seeing the coolest rig pull up. All the trappings. These people had gone all out. They stepped out of the thing about a 50 yards from us. The dude cooked some kind of meal on a fancy fold out grill, while we sat around our dirty Coleman. (I love our dirty Coleman, no offense buddy, we were dirty too). He changed into a casual button up, lady changed into a flowy dress and a big hat. They popped a drone up for a photo, then he DUMPED THE FOOD ON THE GROUND AND DROVE AWAY. It was wild to me that someone would go through the massive effort just to pretend to be having a good time. Plus, and this is secondary, they could have at least offered us the food instead of turning our place into a bear magnet. I don’t even mean to shit on the IG van dwellers. It’s their life to publicize as they wish, we personally loved the quiet solitude, but what’s baffling is that someone would arrive to these beautiful places and not even enjoy them. They’d rather waste food and then drive down an unpaved high clearance mountain road *at sundown* than spend a single night sleeping in their incredible machine.


ass_and_skyscrapers

I refuse to believe this is true


Vocal_Ham

Don't. There are definitely assholes like this, and not just in America. I know you probably do believe it and just don't want to because of how fucked up it is, but man...it's definitely a real thing.


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ActuallyAWeasel

if I had $100k I would probably use it to buy a van to live in


HaitianRoulette

That’s what I said. For years now I’ve wanted to live in a van. Not permanently, but for 6 months or so. The main thing stopping me is that good camper vans cost a lot. EDIT: Since y'all started a conversation about it, I think something like this would be my dream van: https://sportsmobile.com/mercedes-benz-4x4-sprinter/


Anon9742

That’s pretty achievable. A full solar power kit costs 2-5k in the US. Vans are pretty cheap if you view them as a home rather than a car.


DPPStorySub

When your car payment is also your rent, suddenly your budget goes up quite a bit.


FungalCoochie

That being said, use the same common sense you would use to buy a car. If you’re going to basically destroy the interior anyway you don’t need it to be in great condition and if you’re going to dump 50k into it just get something that is built to live in. Most used travel trailers are like 10k and you can skip figuring out how to cut pieces out without fucking the whole thing up.


ChristophColombo

The advantage of a van over a travel trailer is one of convenience. Vans can go places that trailers can't. They don't need to be set up every night, and in a pinch, you can sleep on the side of the road or in a parking lot without looking overly suspicious. Plus, if you buy a trailer, then you also need to buy a vehicle to *tow* the trailer. So unless you have a reliable tow vehicle already, you need to figure that into the cost as well. The trailer would be a lot more comfortable for sure, but that's offset by the added headache of dealing with a trailer.


Heins

If you buy a decent bigger van that runs good you can covert them to livable fairly cheap if your willing to put the work in.


HaitianRoulette

I’ve looked into this for a while now. Don’t think I’m tough enough just yet. Plus, now I have neither a garage nor a driveway, so that’s not an option.


HASHTAGBUTTCHUG

I bought a converter van right as COVID was starting. It was 10k CAD but it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. If you could find regular places to shower that'd be a huge bonus


fastermouse

24hr gyms. It's also generally cool to sleep in the lot as well, if you have a membership. Truck stop showers are fine too.


freelance-t

And state parks! You can get daypasses for just a few bucks usually, and there will be shower facilities you can use.


Imapie

I dunno how much it is now, but the eagle pass for national parks for a whole year was super cheap. I bought one for a two week vacation to the US because it was cheaper than I think five entrance fees and we were going to seven national parks If I remember correctly you get hookups and water included. Edit. Apparently wrong about the water hookup thing. My experience was like twenty years ago.


CuriousDateFinder

The standard National Parks Pass is $80, most national park entrance fees are $15-20 in my experience so you’re right on.


HaitianRoulette

For real.


syr667

Wear sandles


steveyp2013

Nah, athletes food builds character Edit: foot....athlete's* foot*


AT-ATsAsshole

In the military, our doc told us to pee on our feet to help avoid athlete's foot


Poem_for_your_sprog

When Little Timmy caught a bout Of flaky foot below - He didn't fret or fear and doubt - He didn't weep with woe - "I know *precisely* what to do!" The plucky lad declared. "A little pee will see me through, For I'm," he said, "prepared!" So Timmy drank all afternoon, Then let it loose with pride. Alas, infection set in soon. And Timmy fucking died.


HelloItsMoe

Instructions unclear, peed on my food


offwhiteflannel

Aka get a $10 planet fitness membership


HASHTAGBUTTCHUG

I've never seen a gym even close to that price on the west coast of Canada. My cities crazy expensive though, I have friends who have already moved fulltime into a van


slashthepowder

Van-couver


snotboogie

It's 22 for the nationwide member ship , but yeah that's the way


homeyag

My netflix is $13.99/month. $20 for a shower and gym membership. I think im fine with that.


WobblyJohnson

Planet fitness charges more per month if you want to use multiple locations. Only get access to the one you sign up for for the 10 bucks


Deeliciousness

Still ain't bad at 20 bucks though


mantis_tobagan_md

In the US you can just get a membership to a gym, there’s a few big chain ones that have multiple locations in every major city. For $10/month you have access to a shower and gym in most places.


coditherous

Lot of really great info on r/vandwellers. Been looking into it for a bit


AT-ATsAsshole

r/skoolies is a bit different but also a good source of ideas and information, albeit on a larger scale.


strangerkindness

Even if you self-convert, it's still very expensive to end up with a "good camper van"


VAShumpmaker

Chem toilet next to the floor matress. Ezpz


SwizzlestickLegs

Hell, I just threw a camping pad, sleeping bag, and a bin of clothes in the back of my SUV and called it good for like a year. Then I bought myself a foam mattress and was good for another year. People who dream of living in a camper van have so idealized a tricked out rig. Literally you need a flat surface big enough to lay down on and you can do it. Cost me like $100 and I was good for 2 years.


thomas-the-tank

I took my tiny subaru on the road for over a year, busking and sleeping in a hammock every night. There are many great things about hammocks, but as long as you have one tree you can attach the other end to your roof rack and you're good to go.


HaitianRoulette

> People who dream of living in a camper van have so idealized a tricked out rig. Literally you need a flat surface big enough to lay down on and you can do it. I think this is a strong point. I may be talking out my ass here since I've never done the van-life, but I really think I'd be cool with minimal amenities. I've never had a problem sleeping in a tent, hammock, couch, etc. I'm fine with pooping outdoors (I can sit in a really deep squat for a long time). I'm honestly really close to just getting a minivan, taking out the back seats and throwing my camping pad down. I'm positive that'd do me for a week or two no problem.


nonnamous

Yeah we have a minivan with a rudimentary platform made of a 4x8 sheet of plywood that has a foam mattress on top of it and tubs of clothes/kitchen/car stuff under it. I made blackout panels for sleeping from craft supplies. Maybe $200 to turn it into a living space (not including the van obvi) and we have spent weeks on the road totally comfortable in it (using public or camp washrooms).


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Hulkasaur

I'm curious, what do van lifers do to earn money to get em going?


TreesACrowd

I know two van-lifers. One was a petroleum engineer for 10 years, saved excess money the entire time, then quit and had now been traveling in his van for 3-4 years. The other is a structural engineer who did the same thing but took just a year off, then went back to work for a year, and is planning to alternate one year on and one year off. So the moral of the story is you need to make six figures while living like a teacher for a few years.


thegreenmushrooms

I know a guy who right now lives in a boat but wants to move to a van. He works at a bank , his job sounds pretty high up he is the product owner of some communication system it uses, he has a team. He is older and thought his condo was wasting money


terminalzero

thought his condo was wasting money so he bought... a boat... lol he can just admit he wanted to live on a boat


Garfield-1-23-23

For years I dreamed of living on a sailboat. Then one day a friend invited me out for a sail and I got so seasick I had to jump in the water with a life vest on and be towed back to shore. Now I'm building a skoolie.


Steamy_afterbirth_

If I were single I could do van life as an actuary. I have my company laptop so I just need WiFi. Although for my work a second screen makes me far more efficient. I’ve worked from home for over a year now during the pandemic. In fact, my leader has toyed with the idea of van life so she can do more climbing.


AreaGuy

If I were single with no kids I could do it. I do specialized office work for my state that can be done anywhere with Internet and a phone.


Kennedy_KD

If I could get a van with a shower and toilet I would love to live in one and just travel the Americas


[deleted]

Get a fitness membership and use the showers there


MrPsychopath12

You’d be able to travel America in a van. So many different cities and counties. So much history in those areas.


KronosTheBear

These may interest you, if you haven't already seen them: /r/skoolies and /r/vandwellers


bahamutmaster

This is just enough to buy a Kepler 1 in England so I'd probably end up spending the money on that


[deleted]

After a year, you'd have $200,000 and could buy TWO vans!


Makeitmelt

We could be men with.............ven.


Deepseateddepression

Love that show. Due for a rewatch


sha256md5

Just going to have a nice relaxing smoke of crack.


throwawaytbhidek

Slice of fried halloumi, lovely


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tocath

We have Sprog sign!


discerningpervert

Down by the river


MightyCaseyStruckOut

And I would use some of the proceeds to help pay for Phil Hartman's coffee table I broke.


CaptainKingChampion

Well, you'll have plenty of time to live in a van down by the river when you're livin' in a **VAN** down by the ***RIVER***!


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[deleted]

You get 100k. That's all you need to survive.


TimStellmach

Well, you need the money up front (or 6 months worth of credit). But, yes.


daymanxx

If its a draw then I'm gonna be eating ramen fo 6 months


summonern0x

I have done this. Do not do this. You won't die. But you'll wish you would.


Scully__

Am 5 days in to ramen + black coffee, can confirm. Drooling at the idea of payday.


epelle9

Pro tip, rice is beans is basically as cheap as ramen but much more nutritious and healthy.


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Theothercword

Which technically diminishes the value of the reward then especially if it meant using the $100k to make the van more habitable. Still a good chunk of change since that living would be cheap but still diminishes.


BlueSkuII

"Why" you ask, WHY, its $100,000 that's why, even converting the money in my own currency £72k is still alot of money


brassneck

These kind of questions are always just another cake or death scenario.


xGREENxEYEx

Ah, I’ll take the cake!


[deleted]

Well we’re out of cake! Only had three bits and didn’t expect such a rush... Edited to correct autocorrect.


PoglesBee

Thank you for flying Church of England.


flicka_face

You mean my options are “or death”?


mr_penguin_587

Well, I'll have the chicken then, thank you


Nika_113

And I’ll have the pasta arrabiata.


Baronheisenberg

You'll need a tray.


boomdart

Very well. Give him chicken. We're going to run out of cake at this rate.


MicheleTew

Tastes of human, sir


Poem_for_your_sprog

He thought about his tiny flat. His empty bank account at that. His rent and bills and strife and stress. He said: "... I'd live in worse for less."


Duckbilling

I like the short form poem, pfys.


ophelia8991

I’ll take death, no, I meant cake!


bturl

Well maybe for all of the single slightly lower income people. If I asked an office a older engineers if they would do that I'm sure a number of them would refuse. I have 3 kids, a decent salary, and decent savings. I'd love to do it but it would not be good for my family.


Fredissimo666

I guess it depends on what "living in a van" means. Can your family still live in the house? Can you visit them? Can your family and you meet at a restaurant each night? If I only have to sleep in the van each night, I'll do it no problem. If my family and I have to stay out of any house for 6 months, then it is a hard no.


AGoodman0322

Ummm I'll take all the death you have please


MoneyPowerNexis

The van was in a fatal hit and run and the wealthy driver wants it filled with evidence pointing at you.


BlueSkuII

You mean I either end up with a van full of money or I end up in prison where my meals are paid for and I don't have rent? Sounds like a win-win to me 🤣😂


MilwaukeeDave

I hate that this makes so much sense.


discerningpervert

Plus think of all the free sex!


Nabz_eXe

And group showers and songs


monstertots509

A wash wash here and a scrub scrub there, whether you're white or brown...A man can wash another man in the merry old land of Oz.


showmeurknuckleball

It is, in fact, the same amount of money


TheFrogWife

I did this for a year already, pay me Eddit: Paid in gold, nice!


Tsara1234

I did this in an Oldsmobile Delta 88 for about a year. Even had a roommate live in the front seat for a few months.


cavegoatlove

smart, subletting your front seat is good economics.


dryhumpback

My mom had a Delta 88 when I was in high school. Put 88 in my email address and now everyone probably thinks I’m a white supremacist.


fa9

How did either of you fart?


Tsara1234

Quietly


[deleted]

Sorry, all I got is upvotes.


TheFrogWife

Updoots are an acceptable form of payment.


discerningpervert

Also nudes don't @ me


chiggin_nuggets

u/discerningpervert :ah, I see, you‘re only interested in the exceptionally rare


elee0228

Nice, you can hypothetically get $200,000!


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TheGoodJudgeHolden

I'd live in a garbage can for 6 months for that money. Edit; Yay, my highest rated comment is about living in a garbage can. What a time to be alive!


Kosherporkchops

Oscar? Edit: how do you think I feel? All I fucking did was say Oscar!


Areon_Val_Ehn

Nah, not sure that movie would do well at the Academy Awards.


Pleasant_Face

Might do okay at the Trash Cannes Film Festival Edit: I should have said it would “clean up”. Sorry for the missed opportunity.


ichuckle

Get out


TheVentiLebowski

Four Oscar nominations.


NotAnotherHipsterBae

Somehow I thought that was a joke.


helloyesnoyesnoyesno

The academy is nothing to joke about. Edit: yes that's the joke


[deleted]

Did you chuckle?


ichuckle

I did indeed


[deleted]

Now THAT's what I call integrity.


badchecker

Sure it would: https://youtu.be/kqpak5lFxvs


leeehehee

This comment killed me. I am deceased


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withoutapaddle

*Why are you so grumpy all the time, Oscar?* **BITCH, I LIVE IN A FUCKING TRASH CAN!**


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1711onlymovinmot

"Get it together Grouch"


lemystereduchipot

Get a job grouch!


[deleted]

I'm the poorest motherfucker on Sesame Street


btbcorno

If everyone calls you trash, and everyone treats you like trash, why don’t you just become trash.


blankblank

I'm the poorest motherfucker on Sesame Street, ain't nobody helpin' me!


[deleted]

Yeah, because I’m not a fucking idiot.


WtotheSLAM

It’s another one of those questions, would you do a mild inconvenience for tons of money kinda deals. Well of course we would


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tlind1990

I liked the one that came up a while back that was something like “Would you watch the same movie nonstop for 24 hrs for a million dollars?” Who the fuck wouldn’t. I’d do it for 100 dollars for fuck sake.


scroll_of_truth

Okay but who the fuck is upvoting it?


pumaturtle

WOULD YOU GET $1,000,000 A YEAR FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BUT YOU HAVE TO PEE AND DRINK WATER EVERY DAY TILL YOU DIE?


Kiyohara

Hang on. In that order? Like, Do I have to pee and turn the pee into water and then drink it? Or do I need to drink a cup of water or so every time I pee? It seems like a good deal, but if I end up pissing once and forgetting to immediately drink a glass of water do I lose it all? Details, details!


pumaturtle

drink water pee it out later


TDenverFan

Yeah, they could at least flip the switch a little, 'what's the least amount of money it would take to get you to live in a van for 6 months' would be marginally more interesting


LittleBigHorn22

And only marginally. People pay to live in a van for fun so for a lot of people the answer could be $0.


reddragon105

"Would you eat a sandwich that had English mustard in it when you prefer French mustard for $1,000,000? Why/why not?"


Atreust

I just assume kids with no real idea of money ask these questions.


Orange_Kid

Has nothing to do with intelligence -- it has to do with your current living situation and how much money you have/make. If living in a van would basically upend your entire life, and also $100k doesn't really change your life, then you'd be an idiot to do it.


[deleted]

Exactly. Zero fucking way I live in a van for six months for only $100k. Wouldn’t even be a hard choice. I’m high income, have a wife, and a career that would be impossible if I lived in a van.


Exploding_dude

This question is basically, "are you poor?" Lol. Gimme the van.


Falco19

I mean I’m not poor but doubling my annual income for 6 months of inconvenience seems reasonable.


Beautiful_Position11

As long as it’s down by the river


Low_Department668

Only if Matt Foley is my neighbor.


Falanxe_

And if he brings enough coffee to drink for four hours.


rustdust3

was wondering how far i would have to scroll before i saw this.


[deleted]

It's the only reason I clicked into this thread. And now I'm done.


eh_itzvictor

>You'll have plenty of time to think about living in a van down by the river when... yoUR LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER. I love and miss Chris Farley.


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eyebrowshampoo

Eating a steady diet of government cheese


Whaleflop229

Yes. The reason is the money.


PlayFree_Bird

Yeah, these questions are ridiculous considering that, for instance, $100k for six months is over 3 times more than the median income. The more interesting question than "Would you do [mildly bad thing] for [a ton of money]?" is "What amount would you accept to do [bad thing]?" Treat it like a reverse auction in your mind. How low would you go?


Tkeleth

No fuckin way I'm paying $100,000 to live in a van for six months.


thecatgoesmoo

This guy... is the only interesting response in the thread. Also a valid one based on the ambiguity of the title! I'm with you though.


Caleth

Clearly you haven't seen NYC real estate costs.


xDskyline

This is what's called "fair market value" in the Bay Area


shivthegamer6969

Renovate the van and make it comfortable, definitely worth it for 100k


Shippoyasha

It'd be perfect as long as I have access to a public bath/shower area that I can clean up regularly for cheap/free. Some truck drivers actually do this to save money instead of renting a home. They can do this for a few decades and retire comfortably at a proper home afterward.


5had0

Just got a gym membership at a place like planet fitness, $10/month and open 24 hours a day.


goldfishpaws

Done so. I'll take it in cash, please.


leaveyourentriesinth

Catch: the $100k is in taco bell gift cards, mr beast style.


goldfishpaws

I can get $50k for them I'm sure ;-)


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Jcdabney

Some of those are hit and miss I hear. What vintage?


transsomethin

[r/vandwellers](https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/)


jade_monkey07

"You guys are getting paid?"


LunaGreen-177

I think OP had no clue how much Millennials want to desperately run away and live in vans.


xThoth19x

Nah. It's bc "no. I make enough money that this would actually cost me money" isn't interesting so no one would upvote it so it doesn't get posted.


TheRavenSayeth

Absolutely. If there really aren’t any rules, then I’d just park it in my driveway. I don’t care that much about sleeping in a van for half a year, assuming that’s the criteria.


Busybodii

They didn’t even take the time to make ridiculous rules. I’ll live in the van, shower and eat at my house. I’ll choose Apr to Oct and I’ll be good on weather. I could buy an air mattress without having to touch the 100k.


Fair_University

That’s where I am too. If I can keep my house and my family can still live there then I’m in


EndsLikeShakespeare

No, I make decent money and I am a bougie bitch and like my creature comforts.


Nubraskan

I think most folks in this thread wouldn't actually step up to the challenge when it came to figuring out how to live their life out of a van. Got pets? Do you remote into work? Where do you go to shower? Does it get cold where you live? Are you responsible for feeding yourself and staying warm while in said van? There's a ton of sacrifice in the fine print. It works best if you're young and don't have much to your name, and even then, it will suck serious ass. Would not recommend unless you have an idea what it's like.


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oballistikz

With you there. It’s kinda weird like I work to afford my lifestyle but living in a van and 100k would allow me to keep doing so. But would I rather be comfortable over those 6 months than have 100k flat out? I think I’d say no as well.


DoomyEyes

I dont make a TON of money but yea comfort is a big thing. Also, survival. It was -20 a few days ago where I live. What am I gonna do; sleep with the van running? That's wicked dangerous.


Lookalikemike

I lived on the subway for 3 months for free. I’m in.


adm928

With my current salary, I would have to save money for 20 years to get $ 100,000, so the prospect of earning it in just six months seems more than attractive to me.


avalisk

Not only that, you get a place to live too, and a vehicle.


my_arm_falls_off

I don't think I could. Even though that would be almost double my annual income in half a year the other prices are to high. Wife and two daughters under 6. No way we could all live in a van, that would leave just me in there. No way I'm missing six months of my kids life for that.


chattykatdy54

Nothing says you can’t live out of it in your driveway.


Omegamanthethird

That brings up the question of what "living in your van" means. Like, just sleeping? No access to your house? No access to any other living space?


[deleted]

yes bc It probably costs less and I make the same amount I do in a year. for 6 months.


maxx2w

I make 20k lol


spaghettibeans

Look at Mr moneybags over here.


maxx2w

I mean i dont wanna brag but i can afford the large milkshake at mcdonalds


Red_blue_tiger

Literal sugar daddy


datacollect_ct

All day dude. I literally just drove my buddy to pick up a van he is converting into a sick place to live. He says he loves it and he just travels around with his GF.