I just read your comments from more than a year and a half ago. Not only superbly written, but addressing the concerns of many of us who cannot quite embrace a van dweller lifestyle (i.e. travel trailer, Class C, Class A). As it is often stated, "rarely does one stay with their first mobile living choice." Most of us can imagine living in a van, but the actuality of long term is incongruent for many. Thank you for your insights.
Absolutely, and I will also be replying to the other's here in a few! I have spotty internet connection at the moment.
For me, it was great living in a van, but there are a few things I would like to change for full time living. Mainly comfort things that I do not mind paying a little extra for in the long run.
1. I am 6 foot 3, and even my high top chevy cargo van I could not stand up, my main issue was when getting dressed. After a while having to get dressed laying down or having to find a place to run in to get dressed wasn't working out too well! I would also like a little more head room when cooking so I dont have to basically sit on the floor. So the extra head room is my first factor that I would like to change!
2. I would also like to have a toilet, and a means to shower in my trailer. I had a gym membership, which worked when I was around the gym. But I would like to have the convenience of being able to do so comfortably in a trailer. Sure, you can do your business in a plastic bag inside a bucket, and you can shower with a spray bottle. But, when you have female company for the night, or even after awhile. It kind of gets old, and believe it or not some people find that gross (particularly the less outdoorsy people). I would much rather pay slightly more to have these "comforts", and contained waste tanks that I can dump when needed. To each his own.
3. Which leads me to my next reason! Tanks! Fresh water tanks, grey water tanks black water tanks! Having to go in the night happens in a van, using plastic bags and what not can lead to gross smells that require you to have to get out of your van and find an appropriate dump place for said bag. Not only do I care about the environmental impact of dumping waste, but if I can keep certain smells out then I would like that. I also like the idea of having my waste in a contained tank, as well as my drinking water and used sink water. All of these things are not necessary to live, but they are nice. Some people will say hey thats more stuff to break and need to get fixed. But to me, its still worth it!
4. Safely using propane for cooking, heat, and refrigeration. In a van, you have to be very careful when using your propane cooking stove, or even your mr.buddy heater! Often times, I would use a coleman camping stove, the chances of leaks, gas buildups, and fire (in my opinion) are much greater when using these stoves over using an actual stationary stove built into a trailer, that is meant to be used inside a camper. These coleman stoves are generally meant to be used outdoors, and cooking out doors is not always an option. Same with the heater, if I have a propane built in heater in my TT, I feel a little safer using it than having to use a Mr/Buddy heater and make sure nothing is within a certain range that is flammable and not dozing off with it on. Also, proper ventilation. I hear way too much of accidents happening i personally think that using these appliances that are made to be used inside a camper have an advantage over using camping quality gear inside a van.
5. Storage! The companies that make TT's pay the designers fairly well to make the most use out of every square inch (usually). Although you can almost always find a DIY alternative for a van, I feel that a Travel Trailer is made with maximum storage use in mind. And also have better, more secure storage (cabinets and stuff) that wont rattle your ears off when going down the highway.
6. Designated "areas". In a travel trailer you have your kitchen area, your bathroom area, your bedroom/sleeping area, usually a small table or eating area. In a custom van, things tend to kind of blend together and can be a little confusing, especially when you are first getting started. For me, this effected the "flow" of things. Having food storage under the bed, and my cmaper stove in the other corner of the van made things not "flow" as easily. Its nice to have a feeling of having different "rooms" inside your small home, instead of having everything just spread out everywhere.
Of course these are all things that vary to each persons wants and needs. But this is how I see it. And honestly, i could continue for hours about why I would like a Travel Trailer. To me, it just makes sense. If you are trying to live off little money, and do not mind giving up a few comforts, then the van life is great. But after a year of doing that, I am ready to step up the quality of living just a tad. Ill probably add more to this post a little later on, but those are the first things that came to mind.