Looking forward to this sub. I can't wait to see the content.
Looking forward to this sub. I can't wait to see the content.
How much does it cost to pump out the shit tank?
How much does it cost to pump out the shit tank?
Flying J truck stops had cheap fuel and free waste dumping.
Flying J truck stops had cheap fuel and free waste dumping.
Lmao.. That was a question I had when I first started. Actually.. If you are camped where you have sewer connection that is the best option and it's part of your site rental expense. If you have to store your waste until you move there are some convenience store locations that have dump station. Some Love's Travel Stops have them and they charge around $10.
Lmao.. That was a question I had when I first started. Actually.. If you are camped where you have sewer connection that is the best option and it's part of your site rental expense. If you have to store your waste until you move there are some convenience store locations that have dump station. Some Love's Travel Stops have them and they charge around $10.
What's a good motorcycle setup? I'm thinking a decent small RV with some sort of setup to carry a small motorcycle along. One you setup camp, grab the MC and head out for some fun.
What's a good motorcycle setup? I'm thinking a decent small RV with some sort of setup to carry a small motorcycle along. One you setup camp, grab the MC and head out for some fun.
Get a toy hauler.. Here's a starting point for you.https://camperadvise.com/small-lightweight-toy-hauler-trailer/
Get a toy hauler.. Here's a starting point for you.https://camperadvise.com/small-lightweight-toy-hauler-trailer/
Retired. We spent 2.5 years in a 33ft travel trailer. This past summer we sold our house we had rented out, and bought a house closer to our new great-grandbaby. We still have the trailer, but won't be "full-timing" for the fore-see able future.
We would pick a area we wanted to explore, then find an RV park and take a space on a monthly rental with full hookups (electric, water, and sewer). Then take day trips to visit attractions.
When traveling we would usually only drive 220-250 miles per day, which was a tank of gas in the truck. Mostly because getting in and out of gas stations with the trailer was sometimes extremely difficult. And we are retired, what's the rush? The wife is a bit OCD, so we always knew where we would stop for the night, and had a reservation.
Our very first trip was from TX to Sundance, WY. Less than an hour after getting set up in the RV park an un-forecasted thunder storm came thru. A tornado touched down .5 miles away, and we got baseball size hail, then torrential rain for 15 minutes. Our pickup was totaled. Every external thing on the trailer was gone or smashed. We were lucky the trailer was parked so that the hail hit mostly the rear of the trailer. At least 10 of the big Class As and 5th wheels were totaled, windows smashed out then filled with the rain. Good times.
Retired. We spent 2.5 years in a 33ft travel trailer. This past summer we sold our house we had rented out, and bought a house closer to our new great-grandbaby. We still have the trailer, but won't be "full-timing" for the fore-see able future.
We would pick a area we wanted to explore, then find an RV park and take a space on a monthly rental with full hookups (electric, water, and sewer). Then take day trips to visit attractions.
When traveling we would usually only drive 220-250 miles per day, which was a tank of gas in the truck. Mostly because getting in and out of gas stations with the trailer was sometimes extremely difficult. And we are retired, what's the rush? The wife is a bit OCD, so we always knew where we would stop for the night, and had a reservation.
Our very first trip was from TX to Sundance, WY. Less than an hour after getting set up in the RV park an un-forecasted thunder storm came thru. A tornado touched down .5 miles away, and we got baseball size hail, then torrential rain for 15 minutes. Our pickup was totaled. Every external thing on the trailer was gone or smashed. We were lucky the trailer was parked so that the hail hit mostly the rear of the trailer. At least 10 of the big Class As and 5th wheels were totaled, windows smashed out then filled with the rain. Good times.
That is one of main things we keep focus on is the weather. Your RV style is pretty much what we do, the monthly rental for a nice spot ie, base station. The longest travel day we had was from Central Minnesota to Souther Missouri. It was 11 hours. Sorry to hear about your hail damage. It's the only time you like insurance.
That is one of main things we keep focus on is the weather. Your RV style is pretty much what we do, the monthly rental for a nice spot ie, base station. The longest travel day we had was from Central Minnesota to Souther Missouri. It was 11 hours. Sorry to hear about your hail damage. It's the only time you like insurance.
I was surprised by the insurance. They sent an independent adjuster from a town 50 miles away 5 days later (after the 4th of July weekend). Had checks in the mail in 8 days. I was kind of disappointed, the damage to the trailer was just under the threshold of being totaled. But ended up ordering most of the parts on-line and doing the labor myself. This was in July, and because of all the damaged RVs in the area from the storm, the earliest we could get a repair shop to look at it was Dec.We didn't want to stay in WY for 6 months and be there for winter! Got a portable A/C to use until we found a shop that could replace the rooftop one.
I was surprised by the insurance. They sent an independent adjuster from a town 50 miles away 5 days later (after the 4th of July weekend). Had checks in the mail in 8 days. I was kind of disappointed, the damage to the trailer was just under the threshold of being totaled. But ended up ordering most of the parts on-line and doing the labor myself. This was in July, and because of all the damaged RVs in the area from the storm, the earliest we could get a repair shop to look at it was Dec.We didn't want to stay in WY for 6 months and be there for winter! Got a portable A/C to use until we found a shop that could replace the rooftop one.
Good for you for doing a lot the repairs yourself. It really helps to be inclined to do any repairs. I kept most of my essential tools for doing repairs. I've even made a few side $$ helping others.
Good for you for doing a lot the repairs yourself. It really helps to be inclined to do any repairs. I kept most of my essential tools for doing repairs. I've even made a few side $$ helping others.
I was a van dweller for a year traveling around
I was a van dweller for a year traveling around
I'm curious why you quit. I can imagine living in a van would be difficult.
I'm curious why you quit. I can imagine living in a van would be difficult.
Something bad happened at Slab City and I decided my trip was over.
I spent a large portion of my time exploring Joshua Tree without another soul in sight.
My van had everything I needed including a small bathroom with shower and I didn't mind living in it but at the same time it's not something I would want to do permanently.
Something bad happened at Slab City and I decided my trip was over.
I spent a large portion of my time exploring Joshua Tree without another soul in sight.
My van had everything I needed including a small bathroom with shower and I didn't mind living in it but at the same time it's not something I would want to do permanently.
Been toying with the idea for a while now. A few more bases to cover first yet.
Been toying with the idea for a while now. A few more bases to cover first yet.
Please ask questions. I'm not an expert but have researched tons.
Please ask questions. I'm not an expert but have researched tons.
What's your opinion on webasto heaters (vanlifeoutfitters.com)
What's your opinion on [webasto heaters](https://www.vanlifeoutfitters.com/installing-webasto-heater-in-camper-van/)
My tip is the chinese ripped off the webasto's years ago. So you can get a unit exactly the same for almost nothing from the usual chinese sites.
My tip is the chinese ripped off the webasto's years ago. So you can get a unit exactly the same for almost nothing from the usual chinese sites.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I don't know much about them. It seems like a nice product for van build projects. I like the idea of using gasoline rather than LP.
I don't know much about them. It seems like a nice product for van build projects. I like the idea of using gasoline rather than LP.
I don't like LP for smaller places. Too much condensation which eventually brings mold. Forced air is the way to go for me.
I don't like LP for smaller places. Too much condensation which eventually brings mold. Forced air is the way to go for me.
We have forced air with LP as a fuel source. Hardly any condensation.
We have forced air with LP as a fuel source. Hardly any condensation.
My wife and I loved tent camping. Then in 1996 we found an affordable little Toyota Dolphin motorhome. Used it so much, we quit our jobs and became 3-days-per-week part-time servers at Denny's in Spartanburg, SC. Easy work. Like OP, we gave away all of our possessions and stayed in the RV full time. Parked out behind Denny's on work days, then up to the Appalachian Mountains or over to Myrtle Beach every week for a year and a half. A wonderful life with ne downsides. With no rent or bills, we covered all of our expenses. Everybody at Denny's envied us. It was a magical time.
But then, 'the daughter' in Florida went and had a daughter of her own, so we moved down there and bought a house (sob!) and became regular folk again. Grandparents.
My wife and I loved tent camping. Then in 1996 we found an affordable little Toyota Dolphin motorhome. Used it so much, we quit our jobs and became 3-days-per-week part-time servers at Denny's in Spartanburg, SC. Easy work. Like OP, we gave away all of our possessions and stayed in the RV full time. Parked out behind Denny's on work days, then up to the Appalachian Mountains or over to Myrtle Beach every week for a year and a half. A wonderful life with ne downsides. With no rent or bills, we covered all of our expenses. Everybody at Denny's envied us. It was a magical time.
But then, 'the daughter' in Florida went and had a daughter of her own, so we moved down there and bought a house (sob!) and became regular folk again. Grandparents.
That is the hardest part for us, not being close to our grandkids as we used to be. We do head to our home state for the summer where we are closer however. They love to come camping with us.
That is the hardest part for us, not being close to our grandkids as we used to be. We do head to our home state for the summer where we are closer however. They love to come camping with us.
Granddaughter got married last year. We're living mortgage free on five acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains I so love. Only live once!
Did van living twice with the wife. Got along great. Went from New Orleans LA to California, goofing off along the way. Spent two weeks in Yosemite (nice!) in February (ice!)
Kinda miss doing that stuff.
Granddaughter got married last year. We're living mortgage free on five acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains I so love. Only live once!
Did van living twice with the wife. Got along great. Went from New Orleans LA to California, goofing off along the way. Spent two weeks in Yosemite (nice!) in February (ice!)
Kinda miss doing that stuff.
I have 1.5 years in a 5th wheel.
2013 model. 32.9 ft long
Better than an apartment.
I have 1.5 years in a 5th wheel.
2013 model. 32.9 ft long
Better than an apartment.
Excellent.. What part of the country are you in?
Excellent.. What part of the country are you in?
Arizona
Arizona
We'll be there next winter to visit a friend. Gotta love AZ.
We'll be there next winter to visit a friend. Gotta love AZ.
How do you manage things like security? Say, for example, some “teenager” decides he wants to break in.
How do you manage receiving letters and packages? I imagine you need to rent a PO box.
How easily can you connect to the internet? Do you have consistent service, or does it get spotty depending on location?
Is it viable to use a desktop in an RV, or does the possibility of bumpy rides make a laptop the safer choice?
How do you manage things like security? Say, for example, some “teenager” decides he wants to break in.
How do you manage receiving letters and packages? I imagine you need to rent a PO box.
How easily can you connect to the internet? Do you have consistent service, or does it get spotty depending on location?
Is it viable to use a desktop in an RV, or does the possibility of bumpy rides make a laptop the safer choice?
Security.. https://poal.co/c/4ad834e1-01ab-42e1-8961-246b2edee951
Letters and packages... Really good question. We have a remote mail service that handles our mail. It's an actual street address. Our mail goes there, we can access thru an app where we can have the mail scanned, trashed or forwarded to us. Usually we are staying somewhere that will except packages for their guests. We found a lot of state parks will also do that.
Internet.. Last year we were in the most beautiful spot right on a nice lake. It was a perfect spot except no cell service at all. We were there 2 weeks. We had to drive about 10 mile to get a connection. At first we went thru a withdrawal period and then we just went and did the things we wanted to do with this lifestyle, hike fish and just explore. Usually that isn't a problem however. If no wifi we use our phones as a Hotspot and also screen share to our Roku for TV. We are at a private park now that has wifi included.
We use a laptop just because of space concerns. If you have the room by all means, bring your gaming rig.
Security.. https://poal.co/c/4ad834e1-01ab-42e1-8961-246b2edee951
Letters and packages... Really good question. We have a remote mail service that handles our mail. It's an actual street address. Our mail goes there, we can access thru an app where we can have the mail scanned, trashed or forwarded to us. Usually we are staying somewhere that will except packages for their guests. We found a lot of state parks will also do that.
Internet.. Last year we were in the most beautiful spot right on a nice lake. It was a perfect spot except no cell service at all. We were there 2 weeks. We had to drive about 10 mile to get a connection. At first we went thru a withdrawal period and then we just went and did the things we wanted to do with this lifestyle, hike fish and just explore. Usually that isn't a problem however. If no wifi we use our phones as a Hotspot and also screen share to our Roku for TV. We are at a private park now that has wifi included.
We use a laptop just because of space concerns. If you have the room by all means, bring your gaming rig.
Very cool, thank you for the insight. I wish you and yours great success and happiness in your endeavors.
Very cool, thank you for the insight. I wish you and yours great success and happiness in your endeavors.
I know an RV dweller(cheaper to live and blabla) and he still owes me 1k.
I know an RV dweller(cheaper to live and blabla) and he still owes me 1k.
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