Arg, grr. Could use some advice from sages.

[frickinducky]

Okay, hubby and I have been living out of a 1988 for e150 camper van and tent since June.  If I were a healthy and normal person, don't think this would be a problem.  But I do have a chronic health issue and - wait for it - 2 dogs and 3 cats.  Despite training the cats to leash and what all, it is more then I can deal with sans crying on too many days.  Plus, the dang cops keep bothering us.  That is a big deal for me.  We are thinking about a SUV and small newish (20'?) trailer.  I would love to have a toyota sequoia, but hubby wants carpentry tools and two small cross terrain bikes.  Could really use some suggestions for our next set up.  Like I said, 2 dogs, 3 cats, his tools, and a 300 lb canvas camp tent and set up.  And my need to be a total gimp on occasion. We do dry camping, but will have a few months near cities in S Cal while he works at a special farm.  Am thinking SUV/Truck with a decent trailer may = less bother and a bit more comfort when I am in badness, but I am at a loss after researching for days.  Who knew mobile life got so crazy complicated? 

 

[Guest]

no advice, but your funny

 

[Kevin H]

Welcome to the forum. &nbsp;Sorry to hear of the troubles but I can relate. &nbsp;As to the truck trailer combo. &nbsp;Could work real good. &nbsp;One suggestion tho - find the trailer and then get the truck. &nbsp;If you get the truck first you may be limiting yourselves in the trailer. &nbsp;Do some research and see how much weight the trailer weighs. &nbsp;Add the bikes, tools, tent, yourselves, 700 - 1000 pounds of stuff per person (that's the general guideline for full time living), critters and anything else you live with. &nbsp;That is the weight you need your tow vehicle capable of handling.<br><br>DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THE RV SALESMAN TELLS YOU ABOUT TOW VEHICLES. &nbsp;They are notorious for saying a small SUV or other vehicle can handle a lot of weight. &nbsp;They just want the sale. &nbsp;They do not care about you or your safety, now matter what they tell you.<br><br>This is a great forum. &nbsp;Let me share another one that is primarily geared to full-time RVers &nbsp;- <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><a href="http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;">Escapees</span></a></span></span>. &nbsp;Between these two forums, you should be able to get all the info you need to make a smart and safe purchase.<br><br>Also, if you find a particular trailer that you are interested in, Google the brand and see if there is an owners' forum. &nbsp;People who own that brand will share a wealth of real-time experience and knowledge.<br><br>Good Luck and Happy Trails!!<br><br>-- &nbsp;Kevin

 

[RV-Kitty]

Okay, hubby and I have been living out of a 1988 for e150 camper van and tent since June. &nbsp;If I were a healthy and normal person, don't think this would be a problem. &nbsp;But I do have a chronic health issue and - wait for it - 2 dogs and 3 cats. &nbsp;Despite training the cats to leash and what all, it is more then I can deal with sans crying on too many days. &nbsp;Plus, the dang cops keep bothering us.

<br><br>You need to find a more secluded place to park your van. Or make it less obvious you're living in it - or both.&nbsp; Two adults and 5 pets are a lot for a camper van. They must get bored and restless and have no space to call their own. <br><br>

That is a big deal for me. &nbsp;We are thinking about a SUV and small newish (20'?) trailer. &nbsp;I would love to have a toyota sequoia, but hubby wants carpentry tools and two small cross terrain bikes. &nbsp;Could really use some suggestions for our next set up. &nbsp;Like I said, 2 dogs, 3 cats, his tools, and a 300 lb canvas camp tent and set up.&nbsp;

<br><br>At 300 lbs that must be quite a large tent w/setup.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; Trying to hide such a set-up wont be easy. I would think (depending on your funds) that a used 20 to 28' RV would be your best option. But where will you park it?&nbsp; Have you considered a used Class-C RV?&nbsp; You wont have to tow it and can park it almost anywhere for a 24 hr period. The pets would have more space also.<br><br>

And my need to be a total gimp on occasion. We do dry camping, but will have a few months near cities in S Cal while he works at a special farm. &nbsp;Am thinking SUV/Truck with a decent trailer may = less bother and a bit more comfort when I am in badness, but I am at a loss after researching for days. &nbsp;Who knew mobile life got so crazy complicated?&nbsp;

<br><br>It shouldn't be all that complicated. You may have jumped in before you did enough research on the subject. <br><br>Right now we'll be living in our 28' TravelTrailer, with 4 cats, for 3 months. We snow-bird to FL to avoid the cold TN winters.&nbsp; If we had to live in it forever, we could.&nbsp; It's like a small apartment. We set up a screenroom from Gander Mountain (cats can't escape from it) that we and the cats get to enjoy.&nbsp; To avoid too much clutter in the RV, we have a Wal*Mart Gazebo with the wind curtains. Kind of looks like a tent. When on the road we spend nights in Wal*Mart parking lots.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[peacetara]

<p>In my experience to avoid cops (for anything, not just van dwelling) you want to fit in and be like everyone else around you.&nbsp; For van(/rv/whatever) dwelling to me, that means you want the vehicle to be parked next to other vehicles that look like yours.&nbsp; If you have a big white cargo van, you want to be parked next to other cargo vans, for RV's you want to be parked next to other RV's (so you want to be in a residential section that is of the same "quality" as your RV is)..whatever that is.&nbsp; This is my advice, for what it's worth. Of course the best way to avoid them is to spend time on public land (BLM, NF, etc)&nbsp; Plus for me anyways, nature is WAY more interesting than big cities.</p><p><br>I have disabilities, and it can be tough sometimes.&nbsp; It sounds like you had a lot of downsizing to do!&nbsp; Maybe you can work out free parking @ the farm, to keep an eye on the place, for when you have to be near cities?<br><br>I'm solo in a giant cargo van, so I have room to spare, but it sounds like you need every inch of space you can get!<br><br>Anyways, I wish you lots and lots of successes!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara</p>

 

[stude53]

My opinion:<br><br>A 21' cargo trailer with back ramp door and a side entry rv-like door could be setup in two sections with a sliding door between the two.... a front living/sleeping room and a back garage/tool room/shower and toilet area. With the door between open, some room for them to roam for the pets yet still room for your trail bikes. <br><br>Need more? A screen room around your side entry door can be a outdoor dining room and exercise/play room.<br><br>I've seen this done and towed with a 3/4 ton van.<br><br>Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

good advice here as trkcmp says don't believe the rv salesman.&nbsp; also don't believe the truck salesman or the vehicle manufacturer for that matter.&nbsp; they all stretch the truth.&nbsp; pulling a long trailer with a short wheelbase vehicle is no fun even if you are under the gvwr and as for those gvwr stay well under the manufacturers rating.&nbsp; i don't know were they come up with these numbers but, in my experience they are not real life.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[frickinducky]

Thanks for the responses. &nbsp;It is all a bit crazy making. &nbsp;

 

[accrete]

I read through the thread and it's good advice. My two bits.<br><br>My wife and i have a 1/2 ton regular body Chevy "Camper Van" with high top. Have all the basics in it (bed/storage/bath/shower/kitchenette). We have a 15ft ~2100 lb fiberglass trailer on order that will have the same. All completely off grid useable. It will be our two-room-condo on wheels.<br><br>The difference is that we don't have any furry critters around the home-on-wheels. That would add a level of complexity to our lives we are not prepared to include. You may love them with all your heart...i just wonder if there could be a warm loving fixed home/family somewhere that would allow you &amp; your hubby to do this life-on-wheels in an easier fashion?<br><br>The advice on blending in is great. Same with seeing if you can park the rig(s) at the "Farm". Maybe if you approach the owner with the idea that there would be an extra set of eyes to keep an eye on the place it would open up an opportunity to stay?<br><br>Best Wishes,<br>Thom

 

[frickinducky]

I know the critters makes things complicated. &nbsp;They get walked two hours a day (3 walks), have a "play pen". &nbsp;Honestly, my boys are more important in some ways than hubby. &nbsp;I may be a bit of a crazy cat lady (but only to the point that I can afford what may be needed for my companions, three is my limit) I had thought about placing them, but two I can't. &nbsp;They have urinary issues that many would not put up with or have the time to deal with, even after the surgeries. &nbsp;I made the mistake of placing a cat when I was younger who had urine crystal issues with a woman who had tons of money. &nbsp;Even after explaining dietary needs and the kitten's issues, she made all the right promises but put the cat down 2 months later because Sheba dripped once in a while. &nbsp;Just cant do that again. &nbsp;<br><br> I may place the healthy one with my son (and send money every month for care), but the other two actually have adjusted well, enjoy the walks, curling up by the fire, watching the world. &nbsp;The mama cat was with us from day one of considering this life style and my boys have been in training since they wee fur balls (mom was a feral rescue - placed the 4 of 7 who didn't have issues, stupid enough to fall in love with the rest.)<br><br>So after reading more throughout the forum as well as comments, I am really leaning toward a 5th wheel (more space, safer to tow), crew cab super duty of some sort. &nbsp;We can afford a new enough rig that we look "respectabl<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">&nbsp;</span>" and I really think once we are out of the New England area, it will be easier. &nbsp;We will just have to go slower, no big deal. &nbsp;My question I guess is how are these for boondocking in remote locations? &nbsp;I have done a cost benefit analysis, but real life experience is far more meaningful when the basics are considered. &nbsp;We are both not crowd oriented, cities ain't us. &nbsp;That was the big appeal. &nbsp;See the actual land, meet those who are more akin to us, I do my schtick, he does his craftsmanship. &nbsp;We can be our strange selves and travel.&nbsp;<br><br>Hubbs will have to ride his bike a bit for work while we are in Cali, but this seems like a good compromise. &nbsp;Space for all, good storage, some comfort for me, store-able for moderate cost when we want to really camp in a remote locale and break out the tent. &nbsp;<br><br>How have others found this set up to be for blm and the like?

 

[Seraphim]

Consider a cargo van and trailer, or a pickup with a cap/small in bed camper and trailer. Either vehicle could do double duty as the tow vehicle and a spare place to sleep, as a place for tools and Atvs, and having a vehicle with a separate enclosed area may provide a separate space for the animals on occasion. You could also park the trailer in a remote location, and use the van/ truck in the city for several days a bit more stealthily. You could stay in the trailer for a day or two if DH had to be elsewhere: he could sleep in the truck/van.

It took DW and I two years to choose what to upgrade to from our camper van. We have a slide-in truck camper. More room than the van, but can get to more places than a larger RV or trailer. We can park the camper and use the truck. Versatility and double duty can be important.

Just some thoughts.

 

[accrete]

: ) Learned a new word today. "<span dir="auto">Shtick". Thanks!<br><br>I agree with </span>Seraphim on cargo van (which is what you already have, and us too) and small cargo trailer (or like us a small fiberglass camp-trailer).<br><br>Your 1/2 ton van won't tow allot, BUT if you are careful it will pull what you _need_. When researching the converted-cargo-trailer idea i found what i believed to be a really nice one built in Wisconsin.<br>(check it out here: <a href="http://fibertechservicesinc.com/snowmobile_trailers_AH18.php" rel="nofollow">Their 18foot + 5foot V nose looks really nice</a>! <br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://fibertechservicesinc.com/media/snowmobile_trailers/DSCF0208.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>It is as pretty a rig for this sort of conversion that i've found AND the frame is aluminum! Talk about a generational trailer. I think the price is $7200. ?? Then do your conversion on top of that. But the empty weight is only 2200lbs and your van can pull ~5000 to ~8000 so you have room for some conversion, IMO. Make the systems simple and you could make it happen.<br><br>They also have a 14 footer + 5 foot V nose for $6200. <br><br>On the idea of a 5th wheel? I have seen them in the BLM camps we have frequented in Oregon/Washington while prospecting but the maneuverability is not what a van/truck + pull trailer might be off pavement.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Thom<br><br><br><br>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

THat trailer looks so huge to me <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[accrete]

That is sorta what i came to also...it's big! but really if any of us were at an rv show we'd probably be looking at trailers at least ~20 or up soooo... 18feet on the floor plus the 5 foot V nose is not that all that big. As i posted they do have the 14 footer : ) <br><br>I spoke with the owner/builder and he can do just about anything inside one wants.

 

[frickinducky]

Nice trailer! &nbsp;That is along the lines of what we were first thinking, though we were only looking at 8'. &nbsp;

 

[accrete]

If you follow the link to &gt; <a href="http://fibertechservicesinc.com" rel="nofollow">their website</a> &lt; you will see they have a cute little 12 footer + 2.5 foot V nose&nbsp; ($4,200 base price!). That is actally the size Cari and i settled on. . . just before we found (and ordered our <a href="http://www.parkliner.com" rel="nofollow">2013 Parkliner</a>) 12ft fiberglass travel trailer. <br><br>Obviously as you see in this photo...the manufacturer is able to do just about anything inside and out for you.<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://fibertechservicesinc.com/media/green-trailer.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>

 

[sparky1]

thanks---great link, nice looking units.<BR>I have a 13 ft Casita with all the frills,