I can’t remember which of my friends taught me this acronym, but it is appropriate this week–Another Fucking Growth Opportunity! They (growth opportunities) always seem to come when least expected and always when unwanted. Just as plans are going along swimmingly, here comes AFGO! I blame this one on my friend Kent. He pointed out to me that I could build my own custom van, designed exactly however I can imagine it, with whatever floor plan best suits us (me and Cosmo), and with whatever amenities I desire. I argued. I’ve remodeled a house and practically re-built my current commercial property. I know the amount of work it takes and I know that a 6 week project can easily turn into 6 months of torture! Still, Kent persisted. “You could get EXACTLY the tiny home on wheels you want, without having to compromise on a single item, AND you could save between $30,000 and $50,000 dollars.”
I argued back. “Yes, but I’ve seen the DIY conversions. They always LOOK like DIY. If I were taking this camping for the weekend, sort of makeshift and funky would probably work. But I’m going to be LIVING in this! And I know my skill set. I could do this good enough to get by. I’m too old, and waited too long for this adventure to settle for just “getting by.” He pointed out to me that I would not do this myself, but rather be the “helper” on the project. I’d get someone who had experience, who has built conversion vans before, with lots of experience in carpentry and cabinet making and plumbing. Kent is an electrician, who has built his own vans before, so he knows exactly what it entails and knows how to do it. He offered to introduce me to a cabinet maker who builds interiors of high-end sailboats. I have to at least sit down and talk, right?
So off on a tangent I went this week, scouring the Google Machine for photos of custom conversion vans, and watching every YouTube video posted by people who have done their own conversions. I immediately ruled out 75% of the people doing the “how to” videos, when they showed their fresh water tank to be a gas can with a garden hose coming out of it. Nope! But then there were the other 25% with floor plans that I’d never seen before, with kitchens nicer than any Class B RV I’ve looked at up to this point, with lots of solar panels and Lithium ion battery banks that would allow me to live off-grid for days or weeks on end without ever starting the vehicle. I saw beauty of design not available in any “off the rack” camper van. And I’m intrigued.
I priced brand new Dodge Promaster high top vans. They list for $30,000. I searched the internet for top-of-the-line propane heaters, water heaters, stoves, refrigerators, sinks, and composting toilets (I really hate the idea of a black tank and if I design my own home, it will have a composting toilet, not a tank.) I priced lithium batteries, solar panels, and inverters. Those are the big items. The total came in at just about $10,000. Add in even $20,000 for someone to do it (and I think that is high) and I’m still under $60,000. That’s $30,000 less than I would have to pay for any recent model I’ve looked at. And I’d have the exact design and features that I want. It’s hard not to consider this as an option.
So I’ve asked my friend to set up a meeting with his guy who has done this before. It seems an extremely daunting option to me, but I absolutely LOVE the idea of getting exactly the home I dream of, and maybe walking away with an extra $30,000 in my pocket to start my journey. That sure would make the first couple of years worry-free to know I had that kind of money for anything unexpected that popped up.
We’ll see. I’m not 100% convinced yet, but I’m sure thinking that it is a very viable option.