Single Mom Roadschooling Van Life Adventures with Kate & Mel
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
      • The Backstory
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • Friends on the Road
    • Sea World - Orlando
    • Aquatica- Orlando
    • Treasure Island Florida
  • Resources
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • Roadschooling
  • YouTube
  • Contact
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YOUR CART

Step-by-Step DIY Van Conversion

Our DIY build. 
Please read our 
disclaimer (you know, the one that says we are not experts!)
Finding a Van
Vanlife has become quite a "thing" and as such, cargo vans are selling like hotcakes! As soon as the potential buyer locates their find, it's sold right out from under them in the blink of an eye.  If you have spent any time on social media, you will know that people are (as of July 2020) starting to travel long distances to snag a van.  We sure did!

Van searchers can still visit your local neighborhood dealership and peruse the local marketplace listings in the for sale by owner (or, FSBO /"fiz-boe") section. 

The Long-Distance Search
But, what if your efforts are in vain? 
You, like many other soon-to-be vanlifers, will need to widen your search. For example, you can use a national database such as CarFax.  They allow you to filter your results based on make, model, year, and mileage.  Plus, you have the added feature of searching within a specific distance.

Once you find your long-distance van love, you can check to see if there is a delivery option - or you can make a road trip out of it!  (We flew from California to Florida to drive our baby home.)

So, how will you know when you find a great deal? 
Now that you are willing to travel to the ends of the earth to find your new tiny home on wheels, how will you know when it's real; when she's the one? Research, of course!  Grab a notebook or your favorite electronic writing utensil and start a log of available vans that you would consider buying.  Once you have a list of at least 15 or 20, you will have a fairly solid idea of what "a good deal" is.  

Our Pre-Purchase Search
​Here is a sample of our list that we created April 2020 - July 2020...


2015 Transit | 26,506 miles | $22,990 | Location unspecified 

2014 Nissan Cargo | 26,234 miles | $19,999 | Location unspecified

2006 Dodge Sprinter | 105,898 miles | $8,998 | Illinois

2014 Transit | 66,349 | $14,203 miles | Location unspecified

2005 Dodge Sprinter | 144,635 miles | $12,000 | Location unspecified

2016 Transit | 66,799 miles | $19,000 | Location unspecified

2016 Transit | 61,566 miles | $28,995 | Location unspecified

2015 Transit | 70,045 miles | $16,995 | Location unspecified

2014 Mercedes Sprinter | 68,683 miles | $21,990 | Florida

2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 69.667 miles | $24,600 | Flint, Michigan

2008 Dodge Sprinter | 82,391 miles | $14,980 | Kentucky

2012 Mercedes Sprinter | 64,490 miles | $17,495 | Illinois 

2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 67,123 miles | $27,992 | Location unspecified

2017 Mercedes Sprinter | 37,500 miles | $32,999 | 
Location unspecified

2006 Dodge Sprinter | 119,000 miles | $13,995 | Washington (state)

2015 Transit XLT | 59,328 miles | $16,885 | Sacramento, CA

2015 Transit XLT | 31,098 miles | $33,998 | Sacramento, CA

Sacramento was an hour and a half from us (we were in Chico, CA), and this listing really compelled us to grab Eliza the second we saw her.

Our Purchase:
2018 Transit | 9,739 miles | $25,977 | Orlando, Florida

Hope this gives you an idea of what was out there in the Summer of 2020 and sparks some motivation to continue the hunt for your perfect gem!



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Kate & Mel

Meet Us
We are Kate & Mel, daughter and mother wannabe van life nomads who have set out on a (sort of) gypsy life adventure in our soon-to-be converted van.  Join us!

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#mommysgotavan #vanlife  #familyvanlife #roadschool #roadschooling #vankids #vanmom #homeonwheels #gypsysoul #campervan #vanlifegirls #vanlifewithkids #wanderluster #fulltimetravel #solotraveler #nomadlife #hippiespirit #travellife #vanconversion #nomadfamily 

Single mom and kiddo set out on a nomad, van life, roadschooling lifestyle. Watch the beginner diy van conversion, first time homeschooling on the road experiences, and newbie family van life adventures unfold.  
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Melinda is the Director of Family & Children's Counseling Services, a therapy practice in Northern California, and author of the first National Supervised Visitation online training program. Her therapy blog can be found at The Motley Ms and her business consulting page can be found at MelindaHaynes.com.