Vanessa is my love, and she deserves to be written about. As well as other van life specific events and changes.
My wonderful friend helped me install new drawers in Vanessa. Totally maximizing some of the space in the rear beneath my bed. I am super excited about them.
The left side, which is empty for now, will hold a removable plastic drawer storage solution. This is so I can continue …
I finally did it. I found the people and got them to fix the brake lines. I am very happy about that. I realize my original estimates of repair costs were extreme. That's partly because the mechanic I found I trust most is at a dealership. Partly because I am …
I went to another mechanic to ask for quotes about the things my other mechanic suggested. OF course they're willing to do for less, but I'm concerned. I really need to get on this if I'm going to leave for the winter. And yet I'm trolling along like the sun …
I got word from my mechanic about my brake fluid leak. It is catastrophic. Vanessa needs over $4,000 of repairs. I only got one year and three months out of her. Not the two I had hoped for.
I can hardly process this right now. I feel it's over …
HaHAhahaHaHaha. OMG. Perfect. So the brake light came on beeping at us mid day. After thorough investigation I discovered a leak in the rear brake lines. A junction box of some kind is so corroded it's leaking. Well that's my guess.
After considerable research I threw some more fluid in …
For a couple days now we've dealt with a squeaky belt. It is no surprise the belt it likely too loose.
The belt doesn't always squeal. Sometimes it does when we first start the engine. Sometimes only after raising the RPMs. Most of the time it is light and goes …
What a trip. The part came in. I found out there was a small tire change shop that does minimal repairs right across the street. Easy enough to boot up Vanessa and spill over. Let's see if they'll lend us the tools.
I walk over to the tire place. Ask …
In lieu of another day of questions, I opted to order a part through a local parts store. I didn't want to wait until monday for the chance that a dealership or junkyard had the part only to find I had to order the part anyway. So I ordered it …
What a fucking day. First, the A/C just fails. After leaking something through the floor vents for a couple days, the A/C just stops pushing cold air. Leak? Compressor? Fuck.
Then, minutes later we take a tight turn and suddenly the van doesn't want to turn. We pull …
I figured she might, but not for this reason. Apparently, both ball joints are "loose".
I was livid. I cannot afford something like that. Or maybe better, I don't want to afford something like that.
I zipped home and did some research. Immediately I came upon a document from Mercedes …
I have been on the road for 90 days in Vanessa! I wanted to try to write some words about the experience from this context.
So I got that new DC plug for my laptop charger a couple days ago. And I finally figured out how to use my multimeter properly so I can measure the amperage cost of using my laptop.
I should probably also learn the math as to why this is, but …
So fun thing. I totally lucked out yesterday when I got up from my laptop to realize the van battery died! Someone was around almost immediately to jump me :)
