{"id":44528,"date":"2025-07-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=44528"},"modified":"2025-07-17T10:58:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T17:58:50","slug":"vehicle-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/vehicle-living\/","title":{"rendered":"Vehicle Living"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Public safety gear catalog<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urban camouflage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Jeep is camouflaged to look like a commercial fleet vehicle. I made up a fake company name, appropriated a 1950s-era logo that once belonged to a nuclear energy mutual fund, painted safety stripes on the back, and plastered a fake vehicle number all over the place. I also added flashing yellow lights in the rear window, and a police-style spotlight and rubberized push bumper to the front. VERY FUN accessories \u2026 and useful too (when used with discretion). The spotlight is incredibly versatile \u2014 you can point\/rotate it while sitting in the driver\u2019s seat \u2014 and it\u2019s come in handy countless times for roadside emergencies, setting up campsites, or finding house numbers on dark streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This urban camouflage guise is very useful for parking in yellow zones, urban\/industrial exploration, and crime deterrence. And the thing is\u2026 it really works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spotlight, bumper, and rear flashers came from my *all-time favorite* mail order catalog: Galls, \u201cThe Authority in Public Safety Equipment and Apparel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a gold mine, full of handy things that you didn\u2019t think you were allowed to buy. \u2014 Todd Lapin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vagabonding tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

VW Vagabond<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This couple penny-pinched their salaries for several years, bought a VW Van, and drove it around the world (US, South America and Africa). They share what they have learned on one of the most helpful websites I\u2019ve seen for this sort of thing. I really like their sensibility and advice. Very reasonable and very wise. They also \u201creview\u201d the tools and stuff they found vital in their small traveling home on this page. Click on a tool to see more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They give good advice about shipping vehicles (very complex) and even saving up enough to make the journey. They have a book, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While living in a VW Van for three years, they got the idea that even this lifestyle was too complex so they get simpler for the next stage. They are now bicycling across Asia, another adventure and great idea. They are riding recycled 1980 mountain bikes. As usual they have all kinds of great tool reviews (water filters and the like).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the reason their advice and website is so useful is that they have no sponsors \u2014 a rarity for ambitious trips like this these days. It keeps them honest and useful. Check \u2019em out. \u2014 KK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips for American nomads<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dwelling Portably<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical advice about being homeless or low-budget in-motion by choice \u2014 camping on the edges, living simply, getting by on the road and loving it. This old-fashioned zine crams tons of tips onto a few sheets of paper printed in minuscule 6-point type. Holly and Bert Davis have been publishing this resource for several decades (formerly called Message Post) so they have a no-nonsense perspective. It\u2019s for modern nomads in the US choosing alternative lifestyles to working 9-5 in the same place. You get hard-won need-to-know wisdom like: How to live in cars. How to buy staples for 25 cents per pound. Can you camp in U-Hauls? Where can you find a cheap dentist? The dangers of social services taking kids without a house. Fixing a free bike for long-haul travel. etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone should live in near-poverty at least once in their life, and this humble newsletter provides guidance and inspiration of how to learn the max from it. \u2014 KK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n