Danish ask for help

[Maxine]

I want to participate in the meeting in Phoenix in January 2017!
I would like to buy a High top Van to live and drive in to see your wonderful country!

Where in the west is it best to look for a high top van?
How long time in average do I need to find a good van at a Cheap price? I will need to land in your country early enough to get one ready for the Rubber meeting!

I cant bring anything with me in the airplane, so I need to start from 0. That means:
High Van
Work Tools
Kitchen Tools
Toilet
Heat
Bed and linned

van insurance
my insurance
and....

That means I cant use too many $ on the Van
I DO believe it is possible and I WANT it to happen.

Advise and ideas on how to approach it would be nice. 

Maxine

 

[WheelEstate USA]

When are you planning on coming? Where will you stay while looking for your van?This time of year is when Phoenix starts to get really hot. It is a big city so there are lots of vans in all price ranges.

 

[akrvbob]

She's coming to the RTR in January.

The most important thing we need to know is your budget, how much can you spend on a van in US dollars?

Have you considered a towing a trailer? Then all you need to do is find a good reliable vehicle to tow the trailer, that's much easier than finding a high top van!!

If you are okay with towing, I'd buy a high top cargo trailer and convert it. That is fairly cheap and super easy to find. At the RTR, we will help you build it!!
Bob

 

[masterplumber]

If you come, we will build it! I like that, and I'd love to help also. I agree with Bob that a trailer would be easier to come by, but I think a van will serve better if you plan to travel and see the country after the RTR. Just easier for most people to drive and park. If the budget can swing it, I'd look at the 10' box trucks that the rental companies sell used. They have full standing height, and are much easier to do a quick build on due to straight walls etc... You could actually contact the rental companies ahead of time, and have a purchase arranged in someplace like Phoenix. They would probably pick you up at the airport when you fly in, and you could take delivery of the van right then. Stop by a camping store after that and purchase a cot and sleeping bag and some bare essentials, then head to the RTR in Quartzsite. That way you wouldn't waste any extra time and money while shopping for the van. While in Quartzsite we could help with a simple build - couple of cabinets and counter for cooking etc... and then you could hit the road. When you are done traveling that would be an easy van to sell as it could be converted back to a work van really easily.

 

[Maxine]

When are you planning on coming? Where will you stay while looking for your van?This time of year is when Phoenix starts to get really hot. It is a big city so there are lots of vans in all price ranges.

I will try to come to the RTR in January. Looking forward to seeing you all 

Maxine

 

[Maxine]

I am thanking you all very much. It takes stones from my heart that you are helping me so much.
I am confident that it will all come together with you on my side

I will now look some more into your info´s and learn as much as possible and ask away as it comes.

Hug from Denmark

Maxine

I did see this one as an ideal car, but I cant buy now. What do you think of that as a living car?
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/5468796522.html

 

[wagoneer]

How large are you and do you have any skills? If I were in your place I would be looking for a minivan, instant stealth not too big good on gas or a station wagon any vehicle you can lay down in and be comfortable. In the west you will be spending most of your time outside and really only need rolling bed and shelter.

 

[wagoneer]

Can you get a friend to come along? so much more fun with 2

 

[Maxine]

Can you get a friend to come along? so much more fun with 2

I will have my wife over for 2 weeks but then she must go back to work. Then I will carry on alone. I will be trying to meet you on my way true the country (south, I need warm weather )
You can learn me a lot and there is so much I dont know:
Laws, ways you do things, new names and prices on food items, names and places to go that is safe and with beautiful nature, your way to have humor in,.......Gosh I am looking forward to meeting you all

I am certain it will be a journey where I will find my inner peace, meat a lot of good people and learn a lot.

Maxine

I am about  5.25 feet (1.65 cm) Ellen is about 5.50 feet (1.70 cm)
We have a big wood workshop an I have been teaching ScrollSawing for people from the Nordic countries in about 10 years. We are very good with our hands and are confident that we (with your help) can do all 
We just dont have any tools and dont know your way of buying stuff and measuring out. But that is just small stuff to solve 

 

[Ballenxj]

I did see this one as an ideal car, but I cant buy now. What do you think of that as a living car?
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/5468796522.html

WOW! If I were still looking for a van, I would look at that one quite seriously. You could build that into a very nice apartment on wheels.
I'm not sure how good it would be for traveling across the US though. As folks have suggested, a mini van might be better for that.
Good luck to you.

 

[Maxine]

WOW! If I were still looking for a van, I would look at that one quite seriously. You could build that into a very nice apartment on wheels.
I'm not sure how good it would be for traveling across the US though. As folks have suggested, a mini van might be better for that.
Good luck to you.

Hi Ballenxj
I admit I dont know much about vehicles so I need to ask:
You are not sure about traveling across the US in that. Is it becauce it is expensive in gas? or?

Maxine

 

[Ballenxj]

You are not sure about traveling across the US in that. Is it becauce it is expensive in gas? or?

Hi, yes, I'm mostly referring to fuel economy. From what I have read, most of those are geared more for driving around town.
The good news is from what I can see it looks to be a Chevrolet drive tran and chassis.
If you're not in a big hurry it would still be a good choice, especially when you consider how much you would save on motel rooms.
There are a few guys on here that are really into these type of step vans, and I hope one of them show up to give you more guidance.

 

[Maxine]

Hi, yes, I'm mostly referring to fuel economy. From what I have read, most of those are geared more for driving around town.
The good news is from what I can see it looks to be a Chevrolet drive tran and chassis.
If you're not in a big hurry it would still be a good choice, especially when you consider how much you would save on motel rooms.
There are a few guys on here that are really into these type of step vans, and I hope one of them show up to give you more guidance.

I am not able to buy it now. I have no where to put it
I need to wait until I arrive in December or January to buy a vehicle.
I am just trying to learn more and decide what I want when I land.

Looking forward to meet you

Maxine

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Just out of curiosity, how long are you planning to stay on this side of the pond before returning to Denmark?  Is your plan to sell the van at the end of your trip, or?  It might be possible to store the van when you leave if you plan to return for more travel in the not-too-distant future.

Also, keep in mind, if you come over and you can't find a good van in your price range that you are comfortable with, you could RENT a van for a couple of weeks while attending the RTR.  Always a good idea to have a Plan B. You might even look into having a rental van reserved with Penske or Budget or U-Haul, with the idea that you will cancel your reservation if you find one to buy.  This will guarantee availability and you will know in advance how much Plan B will cost.

 

[Maxine]

Just out of curiosity, how long are you planning to stay on this side of the pond before returning to Denmark?  Is your plan to sell the van at the end of your trip, or?  It might be possible to store the van when you leave if you plan to return for more travel in the not-too-distant future.

Also, keep in mind, if you come over and you can't find a good van in your price range that you are comfortable with, you could RENT a van for a couple of weeks while attending the RTR.  Always a good idea to have a Plan B. You might even look into having a rental van reserved with Penske or Budget or U-Haul, with the idea that you will cancel your reservation if you find one to buy.  This will guarantee availability and you will know in advance how much Plan B will cost.

Hi Optimistic Paranoid
I am honest to say; dont know! I know that I can only stay for as long as 6 month with a normal visa, but....
I need to say, time will show

About the plan B, it is a good idea, Ill look into it. Thanks

Maxine

 

[masterplumber]

Optimistic Paranoid, both good ideas. a couple years ago one lady did fly into Phoenix and rented a simple Uhaul van, through some camping supplies in, and came to RTR. I also know a guy who has about 5 different motorcycles stored around the world, so he can just fly in for a few weeks to months and explore different areas. He had already ridden around the world several times so he knew the areas he wanted to spend more time in. It was cheaper to buy a local bike in those areas, and store it long term, than to ship his bike to each place each time he wanted to go there. even if he only went every year or two. Bikes and storage in third world countries are much cheaper than here, but there are cheap storage places in towns like Parump, NV and Erinberg, AZ.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I am honest to say; dont know! I know that I can only stay for as long as 6 month with a normal visa, but . . .

Of course, I don't know what your financial situation is, but at the end of six months, you could just drive across the border into Canada for a while.  Lots to see up there, too.

Don't know how long you could stay in Canada, or whether it would be long enough that you could then come back into the states for another 6 months.  We have some Canadians here, maybe one of them knows.  There would be absolutely no problem with a van with US plates and insurance in Canada.  I've been told my vehicle insurance policy is valid in Canada, I just have to request a free Canadian Insurance card from my company.

I'm looking forward to a trip to Newfoundland to see the place where you Vikings landed here in North America . . .

 

[Almost There]

Of course, I don't know what your financial situation is, but at the end of six months, you could just drive across the border into Canada for a while.  Lots to see up there, too.

Don't know how long you could stay in Canada, or whether it would be long enough that you could then come back into the states for another 6 months.  We have some Canadians here, maybe one of them knows.  There would be absolutely no problem with a van with US plates and insurance in Canada.  I've been told my vehicle insurance policy is valid in Canada, I just have to request a free Canadian Insurance card from my company.

I'm looking forward to a trip to Newfoundland to see the place where you Vikings landed here in North America . . .

Canada has the same policy as the US does - 6 month visitor visa, no written paperwork if you're from the US but from Denmark 'Maxine' would have to apply for a visitors visa from Denmark. It's not obtainable from the US so it would have to be applied for and granted before entering the US.

Yes, you could conceivably get another US entry visa but again, it has to be applied for from country of origin and I don't think they do them that far in advance. I might be wrong though!

Also, each country will require some proof of means of support/income etc. A visitor visa for either country does NOT allow the visitor to produce goods for sale or otherwise earn an income while in the country unless it's a work permit which is an entirely different animal from a visitor visa.

 

[Maxine]

Hi Optimistic Paranoid and Almost There

I think I need to take one thing first. Come to US and find a vehicle. Then take my time to feeeeel the land and the many smiling people.
IF I find the peace I need so much, and I can see my life in it, I will find a way to stay. That is for sure!
I am living from a disability Check and I can take that with me to a permanent stay in US.

The first stone for me is to find a vehicle and to be able to live in it. I have NOTHING when I arrive so there is a big work ahead of me.
Do I find a finished vehicle or do I need to build it:
Tools
Wood
Mattress and bedding
Something to heat whit
Toilet
Stove of some kind
-----
Gas
2 x Cutlery
Pot and Pan
Cleaning stuff

I think that is enough to get startet
From there on of, I will need to land my feet on the ground and find balance.

Ohhhh I am impatient...
Maxine

 

[rvpopeye]

Maxine
We call that "hitch itch" .

There are lots of really nice people here in the USA (especially so on this forum)
AND we have the OTHER kind of people too ( like everywhere).

If you find you are near those other people , or if you just want to see something different out your windows . When you live on wheels , all you have to do is turn the key.