Thinking Biggish

So I had another thought, what if I had to live in it for a few months for whatever reason, work related in area or a problem, I saw a Ford Custom converted into a camper, it was shorter and smaller than I’ve seen before, I asked to have a look inside as I am wanting to do the same and the young couple around my age was happy enough to do so.

They recommended some type of vans a VW transporter and  Renault Trafic, Ford Transit etc.  They all said they’re the same size small enough for most high restrictions and short enough to park in pubic places and then they showed me their blueprint for their conversion to show how they planned an “off the grid no expenses spared” camper for a year of traveling around england .  They’ve spent more than I ever will but it helped me to plan mine.

In return I provided them with locations to visit for sunsets and sunrises  plus good quite areas to sleep in the area as they’re from cornwall.  The couple also told me that their insurance is high and told me which was £460 more than mine which they decided to add in their own loan when they bought the van.

 

The couples money plan on basic explanation:

Van + Insurance on a bank loan plan

The conversions on their income which was split into 50/50

Enabling the van for road use: From selling their electronics from the flat they stopped renting.

I asked about other furniture they had they told me that they’re planning to come back for a year and go off again to the EU they only had a sofa, TV, Books, DVD player and PS4 which they sold apart from the sofa which is at a family members until they return they never had a car so this is their first transportation of their own.

 

I’ve been looking at vans at these sizes but had a hard job looking for a decent price that I can work with, it is either places asking for £14,200+ for a 80,000 mile+ van when there is a 120,000 for £5,000 but I have slowly seen these prices change with the miles around 80,000  going into the single thousand digit, as soon as I find one that is fitting for me I am going to look at it and depending on the history will depend if ill grab it.

If a dealership or person offers me the caddy maxi at a low price with the low miles  I might grab that.  I am not  fussed with size but it will be a little nicer having extra space for two-three people. All im thinking of for myself from Most on my mind to least.

• Petrol/Deisel  running cost (how much will I spend a day/week to keep it going for work and none trips)
• Current miles and history of vehicle. (if its had too many fail ,then why)
• Insurance (Which will be more than £1,100 a year)
• M.O.T (No idea if its more than a car or the same)
• Road Tax (Will be more if its older with a bad Co2 rating)
• Where to put it during work ( wont be able to park in customer carpark all the time)
• Where to put it at home (New houses increased more cars parking)
• Finding a place to sleep whiles out and about. (Will it be easy to park it and be unnoticed if im in a populated public area)

Visual Planning

I made a quick basic visual planner so I can see what it may look like  when I add the bed sofa and the counter in so I can start planning what else to do.

SofaBed: This will have 2 small compartments and 2 medium compartments.

1 small: Will be for the bedding which is a pillow and covers. (the sofa bed will already be padded out)

1 Medium will have the breakdown gear.

2 Small: Will have clothes

2 Medium: Will have the portable emergancy toilet.

I decided if I have more room then I can add a third small area for extras

The Desk/Kitchen area

A small sink that has either a pump action tap or a normal basic tap, I plan to use a decent small portable gas cooker that I can put away when not in use which will be good enough for hot drinks and hot food.

Below  on the floor inside the desk/kitchen will be a bottle of water and another empty bottle for water waste.  in another section next to it will be a cooler to place food and drink in, with an option to use the electric through a 12v  that will be linked to the second battery.

 

I will have two types of lights, one running off the second battery and L.E.D  push normal battery (aa/aaa)  on the ceiling and walls.

 

Spread around will be several 12v for charging my phone and any other electronics.

At the back of the van on the roof is a   manual open and close vent close to the cooking area.

I  am considering to get a solar charger on the roof to keep the second battery charged, as I will be using small amount of power most of the time and possible a plug in heater for cold nights I will get one that can charge a battery that can last least 6-12 hours on full charge on heavy use.  Ideally I will have a charged phone and a warm room. during the day the battery gets charged to half or full by the time I get back or come to use it again.

This van will be used for a weekend 3 nights or a week the most.

 

Serious Planning

Here is my thinking process right now.

This step is the serious part, MONEY! You can always borrow money as long you can pay back and manage your income, I’ve been bad about this with the “I’m bored I’ll pop out and spend”  which I end up regretting and now I have controlled it, with money  thrown aside for my future adding up and without touching it I have found some good news. I have a good credit score which shouldn’t be a shock as I am young and have paid back companies I’ve owed on time and or settled an agreement for a short-term when I faced a struggle such as my motorbike,  mobile phone and so on.

If I decided to grab this loan soon as my next pay cheque arrives I technically should be fine on paying back as long I work 4 days a week for 7-8 hours a day. But I am planning to do extra hours a day and keep working 5 days a week until the “conversion” is complete then I will go back and look at my finance status of how much I got to pay back and the how much of the extra income went towards paying back and how much I have of that extra income left.

However I will be smart about this and take my time, allowing my income to stack up, do extra hours and help out my parents with their construction saving them money and receiving a portion of that saving as payment to go towards my camper conversion, I will also be selling some stuff in my house that I own and don’t use which will be split 50/50 by x amount  going to my savings and x amount going to the loan repayment.

I also found a form of some auto generated income from my own personal work this will be a bonus at the start as I will get very little to none a month of income until I build up my reputation in the world of photography and videography this is a goal of a start of my new career, a main reason why I am going travelling around England.

Overall: The money I tend to borrow will be a long term loan which means It will be cheaper to pay back monthly and affordable now, when everything picks up then I should be able to throw extra in a month when I can to shorten the loan time, I won’t get a bonus as such but It means I can stop worrying about giving money back and start making a proper full income and only paying off a handful of bills until I have my foot down solid in life.

A Story of  my life.

Out of 0 hour contract dead end job to a future self employment career

Parents on board

In my previous blog I mentioned how I was planning my camper idea with half of the planning shared to you,  I told my folks what I am planning with a semi detail explanation and they seem to be on board and supportive,  happy about how I have planned it all. My Dad wants to see the details on paper which is fine because he is willing to help by giving advice and a hand when/if  I need it  but borrowing money is all on me, if he offers me a loan instead of the bank that will be mentally easier but I do not want to  count all on him as it is not fair and dad wants to buy mum a new car as her freelander is also falling apart in the mechanical engine way so I prefer him to support mum  financially.

Dads role: Providing advice and ideas that I may not thought of during van purchase, insurance if he is able to (if not no problem) helping with schematics of the conversion.

Friends: Several friends offered their helping hand in parts that they’re experienced with to teach me and offer a helping hand and advice. (carpenter, electrics, modifications)

As you can see, Dad will just be helping from the side line as I do what I can myself and my friends are offering their experience if I get stuck or become unsure of anything, none of them have asked for money but If I use their help I will repay them in one way or another (seaside BBQ!)

 

This looks like a green light!

 

Conversion Planning

I’ve decided to jump to the VW Caddy Maxi LWB conversion plan to my best ability and then stopped having an awesome realisation that if for some reason my Dad decides to leave me alone to get the van and to insure it meaning I will borrow a little more money the plan of converting will not hurt my pocket as bad as I previously thought.

Also I am planning with the most expensive way and moderate so before I put everything into plan, I can go out get the parts I need accordingly by looking for the best price so I know I will always have enough. so the basic plan overall is

• Borrow £7,000  (few hundred more than I need and not to touch it unless it’s an emergency) to purchase the van and insure it.
• I get paid every two weeks which is roughly between £400-£450 depending on hours and time of day (always can do over time)  I throw 125 or more aside with my savings I already have so I can pay off what I borrow every month.
• Conversion Step 1: Buying Insulation, flooring and wall + ceiling. which will roughly cost me £156 give or take. possibly £200.

Step 2: More money aside and increased to pay back whats needed.  I will hook up a leisure battery up that will also charge as  I drive with an on/off connection for lighting and charging my phone and laptop up. (Minimal to start with) i will also buy L.E.D battery lights as a backup or a dimmer light setting.

As step 3 arrives My first month of returning the borrowed money i not far and depending how my constant income goes depends how much I will throw in and this will tell me how fast or slow the third step will be  (There will be an agreed minimum of payment but if I can throw more in I will)

Step three will be the most expensive part on time and possibly money depending on materials and  if I mess up. I will make a bed/sofa/container so I can sleep and store my clothes and other bits as separate sections under the bed  The “kitchen” will be a basic counter with a sunk in sink with a hand pump tap (possibly)  with draws for food, a bin water waste and water.  I will have a camp style gas stove at first but decent enough to cook good real food. (reminder: Carbon Dioxide alarm needed)  So I can use this to eat on, work on and to cook on, the sunk in sink idea is so I can have a cover over if I need some extra room. (may stick with it may not)

A second Camper: I’ve decided if someone else wants to join me and my trips in the camper all  I will need to do is make a second bed, a “extension” which will be a basic piece of wood which then can be placed away out of sight, this might be the divider of the container under the bed.

(Flip up sofa/bed? to enter container?? mock model needed)

Step 4: Add the fun bits in! Bed covers, pillows, cutlery, plates, cups, mugs, whatever I need to live a keep myself occupied.. (maybe a small bookshelf)

The idea is to spend little time inside the camper and more time exploring taking high quality pictures and video clips but any time I need to spend an entire day inside I can without cabin fever.

security: The vehicle will have one anyway however for the backdoor I might buy an extra one so no one can shimmy the back doors open with me inside which I can lock and unlock from the inside. (a little expensive maybe but optional depending how I feel)

Below is the vehicle size of choice.

 

 

 

My Best Bet

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQV9thBYhX/

Camping can be either cheap or expensive depending where you go and how long you go for and so on, involving a camper can be even more if you don’t plan it all properly, another reason why I am writing a blog which I can read back on later to see what I have previously thought and currently.

My best chance of having a camping van dwelling England exploration adventure is to think alternatives of campers which has started from a Car/SUV which I do not really feel 100% on but willing If I must or buying a VAN and converting it which will be expensive in the short term depending on size and what I plan to do.

Researching for months (before I even started to blog out my thoughts online) I have always came across Transits converted and I have always seen them around on the road during work and whiles riding my motorbike which has inspired me to do my own but I have a smaller budget, yes I can buy a transit for £400 with decent miles for the current state and insurance is a little cheaper than my car but  then running it and converting it will be twice as expensive if I go for the same big vans like I have seen!

Thinking to myself “This will replace your Ford Focus” I decided to downsize that idea a little and started a month worth of research on the smaller vans that are a car size van but a little longer like the VW Caddy Long Wheel Based. After seeing several youtube videos of other people doing theirs for 1-2 people sleeping space I have seen what went well, what some people could have done differently and how it has effected the vehicle whiles in transit.  (Main lesson, spread the weight or you will feel the vehicle favouring one side… specially when you break!)

Double Thinking: If I go Used, mileage is medium to high with few dents in the body work at a reasonable price for some and able to haggle the sellers down a little as they will expect not to be selling it at the asked price if they’re smart!

If I go NEW I will have to borrow some money but not as much as if I went to buy a second-hand car, yes I can then order whatever custom work I need like window(s) for an extra price but reduced time of converting knowing it should last me absolutely longer than second hand.

My business partner : I will need some help regardless at I have been lucky enough to reseve help from my Dad on insurance all I will have to do is persuade him why I want to do this, maybe I can use this conversion into a Father and Son project so he can teach me some life skills, bonding some more and also show him I am capable of some bits he might be unsure of maybe even showing him some neat litte tricks I’ve learnt.

The building side:

Apart from adding window(s) and a top hatch for smoke to escape out of I will be wanting to do it all, cutting wood down to make a main frame for a cooking top/desk in one, a small sink hidden but easiy accessable.  Bed/sofa/container in one and the insolation, lights and carpits.

The best thing about this will be I can build it for England trip and when I am ready knowing what I will need for longer trips I can upgrade knowing where everyhing is and how it is built  with confidence.

2-3 months It might take me but that is enough to earn more money as I go.

The Point of Travel

I’ve slowly been telling people about my planning and some are asking “Ed, why are you willing to travel even alone ?”

At first I had no real answer but “Why not” then I realised why I want to do this with friends and without.

My history.

When I left school I had no idea what I  wanted to do and who I will become, I tried most of my hobbies such as animation, web design and film making, this did not end with great results as the college I went to did not have any resources about the subjects that they kept hidden from their students and paying students,  I ended up working.

In my early work years I’ve worked for several companies including the Family business of manufacturing which I had to prove to my dad I could run a company when he goes away to either meetings or a holiday (which was a challenge at first but became worth it.) when I thought I had a career set liquidation set in, I went to college got my qualifications in Sport Science and Exercise to become a GYM  trainer but soon as I got my qualification GYMS did not want my qualification level but they wanted the next one up which means more money I could not afford at the time.   I currently work in fast food as a maintenance guy (An odd Job guy) doing bits of work the younger staff does not want to and having to think outside the box now and then.  Some staff members even some managers even the younger ones think I hardly do much but most of my work is background work, hardly getting notice apart from the store manager who knows what I do.

Answering that question:

I want to travel for several reasons

1. History of England, this Island is full of history which I want to learn more about
2. Meeting new people and learning new things about a lifestyle around the Country
3. Possibly finding a career on my  trips
4. Becoming wiser, well… wanting to be a better person than who I am now, personal improvement.
5. Sharing the Country with the rest of the world and maybe finding out for myself why many people enjoy England as a holiday spot.

 

Possibly found a car:

I have been looking hard for a high ground clearance vehicle that does not exceed a price of £17,000  with  low mileage that I can throw gear into and also use as a backup roof over my head if need be, until I get a vehicle I will keep this a secret until my first video, something for you to look forward to as I will share what my first destination spot will be in the near future.

For now visit my youtube channel youtube.com/edwardramseyfilms

I have short videos of little trips I have done in the past before thinking about traveling.

The Plan to Unlocking my Adventurer achievement

During my childhood, throughout my teenage life and early years of being an adult I have travelled around the world visiting new lands in luxury hotels and a handful of camping spots however I never have seen  an amazing view of the hills  overlooking the green of England,  hiking up the mountain in Europe camping and going further up to see what it is like living in the clouds.  Its a need a desire and a challenge I crave for.

I’m Edward Born  1990 in England and I want to learn more about England but I have a condition if I sit in a history class I fall asleep!!! How Insane! (Yes I am kidding.) I love history but I hate sitting in a classroom and looking at pictures when it is out there for me to see with my own eyes, also  you will never know what else you will discover.

 

The Planning so far

• Funding: Quitting my job whiles I go exploring is not an option, I would love to work a full year and then go out exploring however I do want to work between trips so the idea is I will book off my days off  according when I want to go and work will see my days off as the usual time off  and the further out I go the more time I will need off but I can plan it as my holiday time (holiday pay) and if I have run out of holiday time If wanted to, I could take it as extra time off  that I am able to do.
• Locations: Where will I go, how will I find places I don’t know ?  Thankfully we live in the age of the internet times so it is easier to hear about cool things, magazines, friends and family that has travelled already and getting advice from travel agents and any new people I meet during my travels.
• Transportation and sleeping I have a full car driving licence so I will be driving to places most of the time, I enjoy driving long miles seeing new sights along the way, but first I need to replace my car I currently drive a Ford Focus, It is slowly falling apart and starting it is like flipping the coin, if heads it starts if tales the car won’t, I can’t have this if I decide to go far as…. Scotland so I am looking at new vehicles for the long-term, currently writing this I am looking at Jeeps (I love off road driving.)           Sleeping, I will always travel with a tent and camping gear, looking up camp sites and hotels to stay in, if the worst comes then a night in the vehicle might happen.
• emergency In a case of an emergency I will always have someone knowing where I am and anyone I know If I am traveling near I will contact that person so if my vehicle breaks down for a simple reason and need help I could call, if its a medical thing, I have someone familliar around.
• Travel buddy or solo: Well Both! If someone wants to come then fine they can if able but sometimes i know I will want to travel solo which puts me out there having to talk to the public if I get lost or even wanting to know any good areas than the chance of going to my friend “Look this up” which I feel cheats the idea of traveling

 

There is probably many more points to mention but you’ll get the idea and maybe I will think of more.

 

I want to document my travels to the world, not to show off a “amazing life style” but to share my experience to my friends, family and other people with the same idea, to prove to the world that having a Job that only provides a low income and or just a job that seems to take up most of your life, if you plan and keep to it you will do somthing and this blog and soon vlogs will be a form of motivation to keep going as I love to create things to show other to inspire people in ways others has inspired me.

 

What do I expect?  I have no idea, everything and anything from car break downs and having to fix myself, getting lost, enjoying a moment I lose track of time,  a new life style, making friends, getting mad at times…. the works!