how-to Homeless in Tacoma?

I might just go to WalMart

took my two 6gal BPA-free jugs there today to fill at the self-serve water dispenser 39c/gal

then coiled a bike lock a million wraps in the bed to a rail cleat to keep it standing up because I tried a ratchet strap and was too big

 

When you mentioned Lifestraw, I just thought, get a bigger version of that.

 

I camped in my truck for weekend trips and while it was fun for what it was, it doesn't beat an actual home. I also traveled from LA to Vancouver Canada and slept 60% of my time in my truck. It was a great experience to do so but I wouldn't/couldn't live out of it 24/7 for a long period. While I can't, that's just me and everyone is different. I have a lot of different reasons why I couldn't and spending the additional $ to live comfortably is worth it to me. However, if I was forced to, I would have to, I'll just make the best of it.

Sounds like 1-4 months in the spring in the summer season isn't too bad. I wish you the absolute best in your endeavor.

 

It Begins

I emailed EcoFlow to ask if their power station accepts charging input from a ‘ Y adapter’ (two into one) so I can have Solar and Cig Lighter plugged in at the same time

they said No. That it can’t detect switching between both.
Or to charge with both at the same time.
I imagine Jackery can…

gotta say that’s inconvenient. I’ve switched plugs maybe 5 times today

that can’t be good. Electrical connectors are usually meant to stay always plugged in.
unless I get the Y Adapter and run a manual switch…

 

I've got the EcoFlow River and I plugged the solar panel into the 12v input and plugged the 120v cord into the stock inverter. I installed a 120v ac outlet inside the cab and while in there I did the 400w anytime mod so I could have enough electrical headroom to plug in the EcoFlow and a couple of other things at the same time. The EcoFlow does switch automatically from the 12v to the 120v.

If you don't have a stock inverter I'd consider installing one, I wish I had a 750 - 1000w inverter so I had more room for..... Activities? Actually my EcoFlow has a "fast charge" mode but it runs at 660w, which is much greater than the 400w stock inverter. I'd also upgrade to a true sine wave inverter as the stock inverter isn't.

 

Awesome, was thinking of trying this. I believe the truck has an inverter because there’s a factory outlet in the bed. And button left of steering wheel
“400W
AC 115V
100W”

unfortunately though when ordered 400w Anytime Mod they ran out of stock. The second option one with an outlet to fit into the console. That sounds like the way to do your method.
I guess I’ll see if I can find any other places that might have it.

if the truck does have an inverter I’ve heard whatever comes stock tends to not be that good anyway

 

In this day and age I’d just sell the taco and that’ll pay for a few months rent until you have it figured out.

 

Inside the city limits i would be worried about having all of my belongings in the truck and it gets broken into.

I have camped out ofy truck for months at a time, but that was at campsites. But the price of campsites has gone up a bit in the last few years.

I think it just depends on the area, I've never been to Tacoma...

 

i had to look. that truckhouse is $350k? is that right?

you would be way ahead in money with sprinter van conversion. if the $350k is legit.

 

what’s the difference between this and all the people you see doing
-overlanding
-semi truck
-vanlife rig
etc

Nothing

Sell it then not have wheels to get around
buy some overpriced POS
and lose a truck you know, that’s modded and been with you for I don’t know how many years, moves, experiences, adventures and what it has to offer

rent is money down the toilet you don’t get back. Same money into the truck you get to keep.

this thing starts up every time and has never had a CEL. It’s always there ready to go. Feel like I can depend my life on it. Can’t say that about most other vehicles

I mean If you’re in a safe area. Stuff inside locked down. And you near the truck. And setup a bit discreet. With it locked. I don’t think someone is gonna break in

I do have a National park pass. Problem with that is I think it can only be used at a National park which the closest ones are far away and tend to be something people take big road trips just to spend time in specifically, but not something nearby.

regular campgrounds are nearby. I’m guessing the pass won’t work there and that they’re likely $20/day which is expensive and defeats the point. $600+ just to park on a patch of dirt.

when BLM land is free. I just have to figure out where/what BLM actually is nearby.

Spent the night at the base of mountains. It was fine. Only gripe is it was windy af

showered at the gym. Brushed my teeth in a cup and threw it away. Using WaterPort. It was great.

only thing I haven’t figured out, I think, is cooking. I just have a $10 nordicware pan, 2 burner cooktop, that’s it.
Gonna need to figure out more than that like cookware containers utensils etc

Food choices may change a bit. Bread for example easy to store and eat.
Vs the type of shit at Costco that requires a microwave

Mexican food seems uniquely suited to this type of cooking. Aka on a cooktop; tortilla, meat, etc

 

Microwave stuff reminds I knew a dude that would put a pizza hot pocket on his dash. Leave it there all morning and then eat it for lunch saying the sun cooked it enough. I would 100% not recommend this. Just a funny story. But yeah tortillas are a great option. It takes a while for them to go bad. You don't have to even eat them up. I've snacked on just a tortilla plenty of times. Canned beans, corn, etc. They aren't as healthy as fresh but they work. Bags of rice are cheap. I would buy a big bag and open it and separate them into smaller ziplock bags. Wet wipes are a life saver too when you don't have easy access to a shower. Get comfortable pooping wherever. 24 hour gas stations and waffle houses. It seems after the pandemic lots of places that use to be open 24 hours are not anymore.

 

Boil lentils and rice from the bulk food aisle at the co-op. You can live on lentils, pepperoni sticks and fig bars. A little fresh fruit and veggies, you'll be fine

 

I used to put hot pockets in foil on the 2L pancake engine of my VW bus before driving to the coast. A half hour drive out then they'd sit a couple hours if the waves were good. That gave just enough time to make them pretty decent.

 

live?

or hit daily required macros at 190lbs of muscle deadlifting 500lb running miles every day

(140g+ protein, ~200g carbs or more, 2000-3000cal+)


Had a eureka idea. Seal window. Run extension cord from bed outlet to charge EcoFlow simultaneously from engine

And solar plugged into other port at same time

reality: EcoFlow not accepting power from bed outlet for some reason

I wonder if upgrading the stock inverter to a stronger unit is the answer
I hear the term ‘Bestek Pure Sine Wave’ of different watt varieties a lot

 

Pretty sure there’s a rubber grommet/plug in the firewall behind the glovebox. Run the appropriately sized cable through there, appropriately fused at the battery, and put a decent inverter under the passenger seat.

 

Get used to Top Ramen. It's cheap, easy to make, and stores forever.

I did "van life" before it even had a name. I climbed on the road for 6 years working as little as possible and climbing as much as possible. My cook wares consisted of 2 burner Coleman, a 12" cast iron pan, a 1 liter pot and a 2 liter pot. All that stored easily in a rubbermaid container. My main staples where Top Ramen, eggs, potatoes. Some combo of that got eaten at least once a day. Beef and chicken at least a few times a week.

One thing you will learn to value above most else after a stint living out of a rig is indoor plumbing. I will never take hot running water and a flush toilet for granted as long as I'm alive. lol