Cars - SUVs - Mini-homes on wheels?

[simply lesa]

Hi guys (&amp; gals)!<div><br></div><div>Just wondering who's living in the "other" or "Miscellaneous" vehicles -- looks as if I may be joing these ranks first in my Mobile Lifestyle. &nbsp;I found an SUV that's pretty sweet for the money and yes, I'm on that good ole SS fixed income thingy that keeps some of us budget bound!.... &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I'll keep you posted on my 'wheelie home' ASAP.</div><div><br></div><div>Please share some of your stories and pictures - I so love seeing what you got going on.&nbsp;</div><div>The photos and stuff of a Prius dweller and a few Van dwellers as well as one MiniVan dweller have given me many ideas.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks in advance,</div><div>Keepin It Simple,</div><div>Lesa</div>

 

[Stillwater]

Keep digging. Lots of good info here, from what I've seen. Nice group of people, too!<br>

 

[simply lesa]

Well I got it!!! I have a new-to-me 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4! Woohoo!<div>I got a really good deal, new tires &amp; brakes etc and no probs - my sister is a bit jealous&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">. &nbsp;I have my camping gear from the AT attempt (well, 170 miles - nothing to sneeze at) and my minimalistic and nomadic nature -- I'm gonna set up sis's big tent and get back outside in the next couple days. &nbsp;Next week I'll probly take a trip to see the neices &amp; nephews up country a bit.&nbsp;<br><br>I will keep you posted as I go - I'm searching for one of those pop-up style shower/porta potty shelters I think that's an essential addition for a starter - gotta change clothes and stuff <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

good for you! i have the pop-up shelter from cabela's, and love it. be sure to stake it down on breezy days. don't ask me how i know....<div><br></div><div>keep us posted how it goes. pics are good!</div>

 

[stude53]

Lesa,<br>Congratulations on getting your Ford Explorer!<br><br>Here's another story on an SUV with some interesting ideas.<br><br><A href="http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Blazer_Off-Road.html" target=_blank>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Blazer_Off-Road.html</A><br>

 

[Butternut]

<font face="Georgia" size="3">I live in a Jetta. It can be done! Just a question of how much stuff you can do without.</font><br><br><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qgG6n7D2ngM/TcG9J4cV1fI/AAAAAAAAADs/3vF42FYfPgc/s1600/Ware+058.jpg" width="314" height="406"><br>

 

[vonu]

<font face="Georgia" size="3">I live in a Jetta. It can be done! Just a question of how much stuff you can do without.</font><br><br><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qgG6n7D2ngM/TcG9J4cV1fI/AAAAAAAAADs/3vF42FYfPgc/s1600/Ware+058.jpg" width="314" height="406"><br>

<div><br></div><div>What do you do for privacy, if anything?</div>

 

[Butternut]

<font face="Georgia" size="3">I live in a Jetta. It can be done! Just a question of how much stuff you can do without.</font><br><br>

<div><br></div><div>What do you do for privacy, if anything?</div>

<br><br><font face="Georgia" size="3">I've made black out blinds that adhere to the windows with velcro. I drive the car during the day so this is easy to take on and off at night and in the morning. There are curtains between the front and back seats and at nights people don't notice there's anyone in there. Very cozy<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></font><br><br><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QuaioUfeOY/TfToM8M15-I/AAAAAAAAAHU/V8-QtcU-gNo/s1600/shades+002.jpg" width="437" height="390"><br><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bIhUFl8VGw/TfToMbuamnI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/bME9IbL1G_E/s1600/shades+001.jpg" width="438" height="376"><br><font face="Georgia" size="3">There's normally not that much clutter in the front seat...</font><br>

 

[vonu]

<font face="Georgia" size="3">I live in a Jetta. It can be done! Just a question of how much stuff you can do without.</font><br><br>

<div><br></div><div>What do you do for privacy, if anything?</div>

<br><br><font face="Georgia" size="3">I've made black out blinds that adhere to the windows with velcro. I drive the car during the day so this is easy to take on and off at night and in the morning. There are curtains between the front and back seats and at nights people don't notice there's anyone in there. Very cozy<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></font><br><br><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QuaioUfeOY/TfToM8M15-I/AAAAAAAAAHU/V8-QtcU-gNo/s1600/shades+002.jpg" width="437" height="390"><br><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bIhUFl8VGw/TfToMbuamnI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/bME9IbL1G_E/s1600/shades+001.jpg" width="438" height="376"><br><font face="Georgia" size="3">There's normally not that much clutter in the front seat...</font><br>

<div><br></div><div>Sounds like a lucrative business prospect with all the future cardwellers coming on line.</div>

 

[simply lesa]

Wow - way kewl!<br><br>So I've been couch hopping (different from Couch Surfing which is related to the website....couch hopping is w/ppl I already know and didn't use the CS site to contact)... ever since I got the Explorer.&nbsp; I'm staying w/family off and on and geez...I'm so done with that.&nbsp; I clean, wash dishes, paint walls and generally clean up other ppl's messes or cook for them so I can have the 'honor' of sleeping on their pet infested couches or to have the other 'honor' of hanging my hammock in their junk room.... I'm sooooooooo done!&nbsp; So this morning I'm thinking why I haven't already just moved into the Explorer and gone to sleep in the local Wally World parking lot?&nbsp; Good q isn't it!&nbsp; So after my niece returns from work tonight, I will discuss what she wants from dear Auntie Lesa before I actually do that and leave... OMGosh she just informed me that one of the Giant dogs is preggers so she is NOT getting rid of it! 4 cats, 2 HUGE dogs in a leaky wow, it's incredible mess of a house trailer.... <br><br>Because of the Explorer purchase, I a low on cash until early next month, so I need to make do a bit - the windows are tinted and close to black and I probly won't have a curtain yet (or I might surprise myself).&nbsp; If I could just sell the Gregory backpack that's only been slightly used! then I'd feel more comfy about my money.&nbsp; I'm also a bit concerned about being warm enough as I have felt cold at night even in the houses up here in the good ole North East of the USA.&nbsp; (I was spoiled with that weather in Central America the past 5 years!)<br>Okay - so I guess I should just blog this .... and will now copy and paste<br>So if you want to see more it will be at simplylesa.blogspot.com<br>Oh and I don't have a camera right now...so bare with me as I get a little more together - at least the libraries in the US have computers we can use!<br><br>

 

[Les H]

Hi lesa,
I hear you on the chill of the NE. I just left upstate ny a few months ago and landed in NW Alabama, near the Ga/Tn border. I even sold my snowplow! Most people I know are happy ( myself included) with the " Buddy" heaters ( lil' buddy or larger Mr. Buddy) propane heaters. Mine was about $80 a couple years ago, and I run mine on low most of the time. Get a battery powered carbon monoxide detector as a backup to their automatic low oxygen shutoff. Or just move to warmer climates, your 'home' has wheels! Enjoy the new to you ride!
Les

 

[simply lesa]

Hi all,<br><br>Just a quick update - the Explorer gave me a couple nites of experience and basic comfort in a Maine WallyWorld parking lot!&nbsp; The brakes had started that scraping noise - I finally contacted a nephew and was able to get those replaced/repaired for under $150 (whew! I was worried about the money for sure - I sold my hammock camping set up and my brand new portable hammock with stand and I don't owe anyone!)&nbsp; <br>Now the Explorer is a good, very clean vehicle - and it works although I was really looking for a mini-van/van at the time I found this.&nbsp; So during the conversations with mechanically inclined men while the brake job was happening - I found a mini-van for a price I not only like - I love! So I am selling the Explorer -- can we call it 'flipping' (like they do to houses?) this will let me pay off the personal loan I took out, give my nephew a little money and a pizza nite&nbsp;for helping with the repairs, buy the mini-van and probably outfit it with the essentials! Isn't life interesting?<br>I put a for sale sign in the window yesterday afternoon and already have an interested party who's headed to the bank!&nbsp; <br>I'll keep you posted (still no camera - promise I'll work on it tho)<br>Thanks for your continued encouragement - even if I'm not posting, I am reading!<br>simply,<br>moi<br>

 

[simply lesa]

Hi all,<br><br>Just a quick update - the Explorer gave me a couple nites of experience and basic comfort in a Maine WallyWorld parking lot!&nbsp; The brakes had started that scraping noise - I finally contacted a nephew and was able to get those replaced/repaired for under $150 (whew! I was worried about the money for sure - I sold my hammock camping set up and my brand new portable hammock with stand and I don't owe anyone!)&nbsp; <br>Now the Explorer is a good, very clean vehicle - and it works although I was really looking for a mini-van/van at the time I found this.&nbsp; So during the conversations with mechanically inclined men while the brake job was happening - I found a mini-van for a price I not only like - I love! So I am selling the Explorer -- can we call it 'flipping' (like they do to houses?) this will let me pay off the personal loan I took out, give my nephew a little money and a pizza nite&nbsp;for helping with the repairs, buy the mini-van and probably outfit it with the essentials! Isn't life interesting?<br>I put a for sale sign in the window yesterday afternoon and already have an interested party who's headed to the bank!&nbsp; <br>I'll keep you posted (still no camera - promise I'll work on it tho)<br>Thanks for your continued encouragement - even if I'm not posting, I am reading!<br>simply,<br>moi<br>

 

[stude53]

Lesa,<br><br>Sounds like you are alert and looking out for good deals. I know you wanted a minivan and now you will have one. keep us posted.<br><br>Bob (aka stude53)_<br>

 

[user 423]

The mini-van will be roomier and better on gas, so that's an improvement. As long as the repair bills don't get too bad. Good luck.<br>

 

[simply lesa]

A quick(ish) update!<br><br>I sold the Explorer and made a little money in the deal.&nbsp; Hoping to finalize the transaction today then I am outta here ASAP with backpack.&nbsp; Doing some downsizing and phone calls today, I am planning to take public transportation to Pennsylvania where I can be closer to my son.&nbsp; I can trust his judgement on all things mechanical and electrical (women not so much - lol)&nbsp; anyway he's wanting to go van-dweller/full-timer as well so we can do projects together.&nbsp; Wish me luck!<br>

 

[4x4tour]

Good to hear that you'll be with your son.&nbsp; Keep us posted...<br><br>AJ<br><br>

 

[stude53]

Best of luck and GodSpeed, Lesa<BR><BR>Bob<BR>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Good luck Lesa! Having just moved into my van (and slept in it first time last night), I have to say, it's not much of a change for me. It feels great to be on one's own... no apartment of mortgage on your back... free as a bird...<div>I think of my van as a home that's fully paid for and has NO property taxes...</div><div>That thought makes me smile at nights.</div><div>Enjoying the freedom so far so it's going great!</div><div><br></div>