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The Micro-Mini Van Dweller: Cheap Living at It's Best

A Mini-SUV Can Get You Off the Beaten Path

By Curtis Carper, published May 08, 2008
Published Content: 378  Total Views: 150,115  Favorited By: 16 CPs
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This country is loaded with National Forests, what better place to spend some time while your traveling around the country. For some the cost of driving a Soccer Mom mini-van is more then their lowly budget will handle. Are they to be left to the wayside without access to the Stealth Van Dweller? Not hardly. Being successful in your desire to live in a minimalistic way is all hinged upon how little you really require to get by.

A very comfortable little home on wheels can be configured from almost the smallest car or SUV manufactured today. Small hatch backed cars or SUV's can easily accommodate the single Stealth Van Dweller. The Ford Festiva is such a candidate, by removing the passenger side front seat and folding down the rear seat you have plenty of room to construct a comfortable bed.

What better way then to use a vehicle that routinely gets 40mpg on the highway. With a range of 400 miles at a cost under $40, you can still afford that trip to Yellowstone, or the Black Hills.

That idea of hanging out in National Forest sounded pretty good too. With many narrow trails designed for loggers to access timber sales, a small four wheel drive can take you away from civilized areas allowing you to camp unnoticed for practically no cost. What better way to wile away the days during the summer, head north into the wilderness.

The Suzuki Side Kick 4-door, also marketed as the Geo Tracker is an ideal vehicle for off road exploring and hiding out. Again remove the passenger side front seat and there will be more then ample room to construct a comfortable bed. By raising the bed off the floor of the vehicle you will have plenty of precious storage space for cooking supplies. Construct a small closet behind the driver's seat and your clothes and other necessities will have a home as well.

I'm partial to the Geo Metro as I have one, with a high low range 4x4 system you can creep over some mighty intimidating terrain with ease. When your done, unlock the front hubs and head down the highway, easily getting +30mpg. Not many four wheel drive vehicles can make that claim.

Takeaways
  • Even a sub compact car can work as a Stealth Van Dwelling
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
 
What a great idea! It sure beats paying for hotels.

Posted on 05/11/2008 at 3:05:50 PM

 
Sounds lilke an adventure, but do you think there'd be room for my three medium-size dogs?

Posted on 05/11/2008 at 8:05:01 AM

 
To be young again . . . . ;-)

Posted on 05/10/2008 at 3:05:17 PM

 
Very interesting article on travelling.

Posted on 05/10/2008 at 11:05:02 AM

 
Your well-written article The Micro-Mini Van Dweller: Cheap Living at It's Best offers tips for comfortable touring at a lower cost.

Posted on 05/10/2008 at 5:05:38 AM

 
Very good suggesyions here, nicely done, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 05/09/2008 at 4:05:07 PM

 
Good suggestions for travellers...

Posted on 05/09/2008 at 2:05:00 PM

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