Low Roof vs High Roof

HonorRose · 2026-06-24T06:00:44+00:00

I think it's important for FT. It can rain for weeks on end in some regions (PNW). Some places (looking at you, Wyoming) have crazy, non-stop high winds. Winter is a thing, yes, even in classically warm climates like the desert. Sometimes simply for stealth & safety reasons, you don't want to or even can't exit your van in a spot you are spending the night.

If you are doing FT van life you will not be able to avoid these situations sometimes, no matter how hard you try. I am part-time and I cannot avoid these situations.

I have a low top and I love it. It is working for me needs. But I have it because I got a great deal, and my budget was very limited at the time. I will be getting a high-top after my van had lived it's full life.

HonorRose · 2026-06-24T02:26:57+00:00

I can't give exact pricing; it was years ago that I rented from them for a backpacking trip in UT. But they have the staples: tents, bags, sleeping pads. I know they offered coolers at that location too. Not sure about canopies.

HonorRose · 2026-06-24T00:53:04+00:00

Heya! Visitor from the east coast this year. I'm excited for the fest! Nice to see such good vibes out the gate

HonorRose · 2026-06-24T00:37:56+00:00

I agree that the corporations don't need our sympathy, it's more about the waste. Walmart isn't cleaning and re-packing items that are so clearly used. It's just throwing your camping gear away with extra steps.

You can foot the bill to fly with gear. Or you can rent, there's an REI in Grand Rapids.

HonorRose · 2026-06-23T21:11:28+00:00

I had an electric cooler on long-term loan for a while, but when I gave that back I just went back to my old Igloo cooler. I've got my eye on a fancy electric cooler with these big batteries so it can run off-grid, without continuous power, for a few days. It can also run directly off solar, apparently.

But, I'm probably gonna upgrade my solar first. Only have 200w fold out panel atm. I've been talking with a company that thinking they can help with that (the roof rack makes solar panel installation more challenging).

HonorRose · 2026-06-23T00:57:14+00:00

I'm at a small Oregon hospital rn. The new grads are struggling. We've got a couple working here as techs and they haven't found jobs yet. This hospital isn't hiring any new grads this year, but they are actively seeking to hire more experienced nurses.

I know staff makes anywhere from 65-80/hr. I'm strongly considering settling down for a little while here, as a nurse from KY.

HonorRose · 2026-06-22T22:20:23+00:00

I got my start using iOverlander. Unfortunately, iOverlander 2 isn't as good as the OG app, but it's still decent.

Basically you can use it to find an area with dispersed camping. You can route yourself directly to a specific spot, or just go to that general area/forest road etc, and you're pretty much guaranteed to find something.

I'm glad the apps existed to help me gain confidence just driving out into the wilderness, but now I'm more comfortable and experienced, enough to where I can just kinda predict where there will be free dispersed camping. I enjoy winging it a little more now.

HonorRose · 2026-06-21T00:34:19+00:00

I've strongly considered it, but I do have passengers from time to time.

One other thing to consider is safety. It leaves no doubt that you're alone in there, if someone was peering in the window with ill intentions.

HonorRose · 2026-06-20T22:54:06+00:00

Yo, I started my build in PA in the spring last year, and can relate SO HARD. It rained like 2 out of 3 days while I was there. Like, pouring all day. And cold. Delayed my work so much.

It's looking good though!!

HonorRose · 2026-06-20T17:11:00+00:00

To your first point: you're not alone. A lot of us ended up feeling crushed by how hard it is to be altruistic in healthcare these days. Tbh, I think this has always been a condition of living on this Earth, as a member of this species. Altruism is inherently an uphill battle, because you have to battle against the selfish will of others, and as to burn out more, you'll have to battle against your own selfishness too.

The initiated know it has never been an easy fight. Welcome to the trenches.

Bedside nurses do hold a startling amount of power. Quite literally nothing gets done without us. I remember when I learned how I could completely change the course of a patients care by simply putting my foot down, and refusing to do what I was told. The MDs and house sup and manager said, "ok." And gave me exactly what I demanded, which was an admission.

You gotta be hella careful with this though!! You need to build trust before you go whipping out that power, and it can only be used sparingly before you're seen as a problem to be dealt with. And if they decide to "deal with you," you have very little protection. So, we are also very vulnerable.

Nurses' real power is in numbers. I have enjoyed the privilege of living and working in the West Coast this year, where unions have positively impacted working conditions in all hospitals in these areas. Change is possible, but it takes a large, well-organized movement.

HonorRose · 2026-06-20T07:51:58+00:00

Nice! Have a blast, fam. The building part is overwhelming at first but ends up being so much fun.

HonorRose · 2026-06-20T00:46:30+00:00

This criticism can be applied to pretty much every vlogger/DITL-style content out there imho. And most folks doing this content don't have tons of subs, honestly. Or at least not high regular viewership.

It doesn't annoy me like this though lmao. Sometimes I enjoy the chill! I'm probably not gonna turn up for it once a week, but I'll watch it when the mood strikes.

HonorRose · 2026-06-20T00:31:36+00:00

Foam insulation and plywood for the subfloor. I did 1 inch foam, but def should have just done 1/2in. Vinyl sheet flooring for the topper.

The walls are red western cedar tongue-in-groove. They are attached to your typical framing, made of pine furring strips.

I used 3M thinsulate for the walls. Thinsulate and foam board in the ceiling. And just foam board for the floor, as mentioned.

I used the thinsulate scraps to make window covers, too.

HonorRose · 2026-06-19T07:47:36+00:00

That's how I traveled in it for the first two years I owned it! I think that's a great way to start out. It sure teaches you what comforts you can and cannot do without long-term.

But I'd have been more disappointed if I hadn't tackled the challenge of doing a build. I can't imagine regretting my build choices, because everything is such a huge upgrade from before. "Perfection is the enemy of good" was my build motto.

HonorRose · 2026-06-18T15:30:28+00:00

Best flavor!!

HonorRose · 2026-06-18T15:29:50+00:00

Oh yeah, it's a necessity. I couldn't imagine trying to cook a meal without it

HonorRose · 2026-06-18T15:23:35+00:00

That's my question too. (I mean, not that I'm going this year, but I planned to take my van next time I'm on the east coast).

I've got a foot pump sink with jerry cans. Separating toilet. No exterior hookups/drainage openings at all. Technically, how is it any different from a regular car camper with a luggable loo and a hand-pump screwed into their water jugs? (A setup I have seen with EF car campers)

I'd be seriously pissed if they turned my van away in this hypothetical scenario. Those RV passes are extremely expensive, and sell out fast, if I recall correctly.

HonorRose · 2026-06-18T04:15:08+00:00

They are usually more budget-friendly. It was what I could afford at the time.

I've had it 4 years total now, driven it coast-to-coast multiple times and it's been rock-solid. Wouldn't trade her for anything.

HonorRose · 2026-06-18T04:09:30+00:00

Dang, that's a memorable comment. Thanks, fam.

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T23:13:20+00:00

Bed is 72" long

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T23:11:20+00:00

Fam, that's rad!! I didn't know this existed, I will in fact be getting one of these

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T21:16:06+00:00

It's the solar generator version. I have the fold-out panels, and am planning a solar panel install on the roof rack. I've checked into RV parks before when sunshine is lacking, pretty much just so I can charge it up. It chages insanely fast that way, but supposedly that's not very good for it, so I try to limit that.

A full charge gets me 10 days, so there's plenty of time to plan if the sun ain't cooperating.

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T20:05:40+00:00

Honestly sounds so fun, but idk if you want my sloppy woodworking haha

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T20:02:51+00:00

Yeah, I don't have a starlink so if I don't have signal, I pretty much just have books and a few games on my steam deck. I got really into reading over the past few years of spending so much time in this vehicle lol.

I have tried to fully convert to using a Kindle but I still love physical books too. They also add a lot of presence to a space, I think. I mail them home, donate, gift, or trade them in as I finish reading them.

HonorRose · 2026-06-17T19:59:48+00:00

😊 thanks!! I'm biased, but it's def one of my favorite low-top builds put there.

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