Another desert dweller here
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We're about to get a 1979 Midas 2000 with 66,000 miles. Total newbie and getting ready to make the jump to RV living when the wheels come off our current city renter "lifestyle"<br>Handy with tools and all technology involved with RV systems, luckily.<br>Still reading and soaking up everyone's knowledge.<br>Thanks for the great site!<br>Here, I hope, is a link for an ad for a Midas that's a year earlier.<br>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978...per_Parts_Accessories&hash=item562f25a1a6<br><br>
dragonflyinthesky
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<P><FONT size=4><b>Welcome Zap <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif"> You found the best site out here.</b></FONT></P>
bobbert
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Cant wait to read the stories you have & ones you'll encounter in the near future!
Warm welcome muchly appreciated.<br>The change to full time RVing is still just an option.<br>The process for us will be securing a functional RV, testing the living arrangements and then the decision and schedule to make the leap.<br>Circumstances may dictate a change or acceleration of the process.<br>Being ready extinguishes fear.<br><br><br>
simply lesa
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Welcome - Preparation does help quell the 'fear of the unknown' -- if your use of the "We" includes children then you have more stability to provide and stepping outside of comfort zones can be challenging. <div>Please remember to Keep It Simple and Travel Light as you downsize and wiggle in with the rest of us! And when you are ready "Just Do It!"</div>
Yes indeed. The first issue seems to be making the ship seaworthy. Deep sixing the flotsam and jetsam will follow, all the while expanding and securing mobile income and changing landlubber's habits.<br>Sorry for all the nautical terms, seafaring was in my family's background. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>No children, but a few small dogs.<br><br>
The seller of the Midas was either a liar or woefully ignorant. He showed the nice interior and repeatedly told me how good the engine ran. When I crawled under the rig he became defensive and started pressuring me to "make up your mind" I saw a bad suspension and a melted bundle of harness hanging down, which probably explains why none of the systems worked despite his promises that they did. I played dumb to see how far he would take his charade, but he knew the jig was up.<br>Either he was ignorant and was defensively embarrassed or he knew exactly what he was doing.<br>He said" Well its time for you to go!" in a faux friendly way.I turned my back, walked to my truck and drove away.<br>(Maybe this post should be moved to the 70s RV thread)<br>
WanderingRonin
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Welcome, Zap! Am in the same transitory mode at the moment myself.<div>Just secured a van, but yet to outfit it. I got a month to go and then my lease will be up.</div>
What an education!<br>Since beginning this exploration of RV living I've gone through the full spectrum of soaring hope and excitement to crushing hopelessness and despair. <br>It appears that the majority of RV and van dwellers have a guaranteed income from a variety sources. The few that don't collect a guaranteed income are hiding by "stealth" and living a borderline hobo existence. We don't have SS, food stamps, savings or any other income other than what we can generate by working using our own skills and knowledge.<br>The work I perform and am a recognized expert at isn't in demand much these days. I started my own business 14 years ago when the economy was much better. I'm a self taught "leak detective" , finding buried plumbing leaks and mysterious pool and spa leaks. A few years ago I was happily self-sufficient and supported us on the 2 to 5 calls a day coming in from contractors and homeowners. Those times are gone. My wife walked away from a good paying but tortuous job working for a government inflicted tyrant. <br> We became complacent and didn't adequately prepare for a rainy day. I remember a few years ago an Eeyore-like friend warned me that hard times were coming. I blithely told him the economy may take a downturn but it would be light and temporary and the US economy is too strong to crash.<br> We now find ourselves with hardly any opportunities except part-time minimum wage jobs working in service jobs like fast food or commission only jobs selling or trying to sell things no one wants or can afford, and being tied to a single city location.<br>It was the desire to overcome the downturn that brought me to this site. One RVers blog is all sunshine and goodness. As I read their blog it became clear that they entered the RV life on a golden parachute. Something we don't have. With fuel prices high and income opportunities low it appears that RV or van dwelling is as much out of reach as the moon.<br>After the past two weeks of looking at RVs and vans and studying the options, I can only conclude that we are screwed. I've given up on the notion of RV or van dwelling and am now resigned to minimum wage servitude and hopelessness. We are both skilled, fluent and grown up. In the southwest we must compete with teens and "immigrants" for the few entry level jobs. We have websites and blogs that bring in pennies per day but are now faced with homelessness. A bicycle, tent and a back pack will soon be our version of the good life. It is our fault and cannot affix blame to anything or anyone but ourselves. I suppose I should have gotten that boring drudgery filled government job when I was young.<br>No way out.<br><br>
<div><br></div><div>You are discounting the eventuality of government layoffs, which are already taking place at the local, county, and state levels. If you have the tools to apply the skills, you'll have the opportunity to help people keep what they already have usable when they won't be able to replace whatever just broke. Those who live in a paid-for mobile abode don't have to raise money to pay the mortgage, rent, or utilities, and are better able to go where the opportunities are than those who are trapped in immobility. Entitlement income will become almost useless as a result of inflation, for which the only defense has always been a supply of real money.</div>Zap said:
I have explored the possibility of RV repair since my work history and business background meshes with RV upkeep. The challenge is surviving until winter, keeping a vehicle and getting to the spots where RVers congregate. I have a work background in HVAC, sheet metal fabrication and customer service and an educational background in HVAC, metallurgy and non-destructive inspection. <br>There is a <i>very</i> slight chance I may show up in Quartzite with my tools and a very hungry appearance this winter. Survival until then may require selling the vehicle and tools tho.<br>I'm sniveling but at least I always try to get back up when I get decked. I've accepted the possibility of a bicycle -borne comeback at some far off date.<br><br>
dragonflyinthesky
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<P><b>Please try not to sell your tools. Once gone it is very hard to replace what could lead to at least a partial livelyhood or barter system.</b></P>
<div><br></div><div>If you have the tools, what is keeping you from making money keeping the HVAC systems working in a nation besieged by triple digit temperatures? HVAC is one of the few skillsets in constant demand.</div><div>Quartzsite is very comfortable in the winter, with little need for air conditioning. Right now would be more lucrative than the winter.</div><div>I can identify with the sniveling, BTW, I have a 20 year clean class A CDL, but don't want to go back to long-haul, which is screaming its head off for drivers right now.</div>Zap said:
cyndi
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<FONT size=3>Zap, You may want to post your general where-abouts, you may find some business there. I, for one, would love to know someone in my area that could help me out with ods and ends. When it comes to finding general help in my area our choices are limited... basically tweekers looking to burn you. I'd love to be paying someone from here for some of the stuff I need done.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>Also, if you post your blog and website links I know more than a couple people who visit friends' blogs and click links to add to the penny earned or make their purchases from friends' amazon stores.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>You might also find a ride to Quartzsite and there are jobs to be had there in the snow bunny months. Maybe I should say there MAY BE jobs in the winter months. Times they are a changin'</FONT><br>
