don't know what to dooooo

[elaineremains]

<span style="text-align: left;">so hello everyone... my husband and i have been thinking, i know we have time to decide before my husband retires or loses his job, but my heart is set on living in a RV, even though my husband wants to stay in an apartment near his work right now<br /><br /> but both my husband and i have a bad feeling about the land we own, it's a rv park/resort type deal, and the woman is charge is mean as a snake, and we're pretty much sure we don't want to live there, ever... but i do think it was a good investment at the time for our money... but now i have no clue what to do, because my heart is still set on an RV, but we don't know what to do with an RV, you know? hubby doesn't want to travel around, he's just not that type of person, and we're not sure where/how to live... any suggestions? need some brainstorming... we have time to think, but if my husband loses his job, i want to have a plan in place! <br /><br />does anybody know how to sort of live 'off the grid' in an airstream? can that even be done? &nbsp;or do i have to buy a different kind of RV? &nbsp;it would be nice to buy some cheap land with no hookups, but i can't wrap my head around that either, ideas? i need some brainstorming from all you peeps who know how to do this!<br /><br />cheers everyone!!!</span>

 

[katelyn]

i've been thinking about getting a travel trailer myself and figured that it is cheaper to live on a campground w/o electricity-just a generator-than to have an apartment. campgrounds managed by the dnr/forest service allow you to stay for 14days, then you can go to another one. they have water, toilets, awesome scenery and nobody bothers ya!&nbsp; not sure what area you're in but you can get a national park pass if you're retired for free and camp half off, nps.gov.. hope this helps<img src="images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;&nbsp; http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml

 

[elaineremains]

thanks you guys, yeah we have been thinking of getting another piece of land in the states, i'm from canada by the way, i live in british columbia, we are close to the border but dont' think the weather would be any different in washington, actually maybe it would be...<br /><br />and katelyn, we are not retired yet, and not sure how the parks are in canada, but my husband doesn't want to move around much at all... tho the 'awesome scenery and nobody bothers ya' would appeal to him lol thanks for the ideas!<br /><br />so i'm probably looking at getting a type C instead of an airstream i guess?<br /><br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

You can do this in an airstream or class c very easily. The main question you need to answer is what you're willing to live with/without in conjunction with what you can afford. That being said you're in a bit of a quandary since you and your hubby are at opposing ends of the want spectrum here. It seems to me that this part should really be worked out before committing either way.&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[Les H]

At the last vandweller GTG ( get to gether) I attended, there was a couple who live(d) in an airstream off grid near Murphy , NC. As someone who moved from upstate ny to north Alabama,I can promise you that even a few hundred miles south will make a difference in weather in the winter AND summer. I know of several couples who are or were at odds over traveling, and managed to come to some kind of agreement, whatever it was. I have lived all over the east coast, and my wife never lived more than three miles from where she grew up, untill we moved 1000 miles. Sometimes, when I travel, I go by myself, other times, she comes, still others, the whole family is involved. Try to come to some happy medium, so as not to get totally caught unaware when/if the job loss occurs. Mabye sell the campground land to a person who lives in Fla year round that would like to escape the heat?

 

[elaineremains]

hi you guys <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> hubby and i aren't really at odds, neither of us want to travel in the RV, but hubby is all for getting a second lot in the states, so maybe we don't have to live off the grid after all...<br /><br />i think getting a large class c would be better for moving back and forth, frankly i think hubby is scared of towing a trailer...&nbsp;<br /><br />he's also a little nervous about having to fix things, which is why he loooves the apartment because it's not his job haha...<br /><br />and he's nervous about living in a small space, we have to have a place for both of us to sit at our computers, we are big computer people... places for us to sit at our computers is frankly the biggest problem i see with living in an RV

 

[sl1966]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood you then. When you wrote that your hubby wants to stay in the apartment I missed the part about him only wanting to do that for his job at this time.&nbsp;<br /><br />A good starting point would be to go to RV dealerships and look at different rigs to get an idea of what the living space will be like. <br /><br />Things always break and it seems to be doubly so in RV's. Everytime you drive it you're basically putting your home thru a minor earthquake. Repairs are inevitable so you'll either have to invest in a great warranty or learn how to fix things yourselves. I've seen a few mobile RV repair businesses where I live but don't know how common they are anywhere else.&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[dborla01]

Elaine, I saw on you tube a video of a couple who&nbsp; are missionaries and live in a 24 ft gulfstream class C. wife has a computer area and I guess husband can use the bed for his work. So, those rv's are affordable and have been around for awhile. Just a thought. Good luck from Darrell.

 

[elaineremains]

well i think we are BOTH enjoying the freedom of the apartment for now, a window broke and all we had to do was call the landlord! it's like a miracle lol<br /><br />i will take a look and see if there are mobile repair businesses, thanks for the tip!<br /><br />and Darrell, wow in a 24 footer? i tried to find the video on youtube, but couldn't, only RVs for sale...<br /><br />right now i'm thinking of things breaking down, and that's got me in a bit of a bad vibe about it lol<br /><br />thanks you guys!!

 

[Seraphim]

<span id="post_message_1274105784">hi you guys <img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> hubby and i aren't really at odds, neither of us want to travel in the RV, but hubby is all for getting a second lot in the states, so maybe we don't have to live off the grid after all...</span>

<br /><br />If youre going to leave it in one place for more than a fwew days at a time, I'd go for the trailer. A class C if you think you're going to move every few days.<br /><br />Different advantages: with a C, you'd want a 2nd motor vehicle for everyday travel. Good gas mileage and it acts as a spare if the C breaks down while travelling. More expensive to have two motor vehicles purcase and repair wise, but if you drive a lot the car will get better gas mileage around town. More insurance insuring two MV over a MV and a trailer.<br /><br />Trailers offer more comfortable room less expensively. If the MV part of a C breaks down and can't be repaired, you have to replace the entire unit. With a trailer, you keep your 'home' and only replace the tow vehicle. Especially convenient if it takes you some time to replace the MV.<br /><br />It depends on what you plan to do. Pulling a trailer isn't difficult, and makes sense if you're planning to park for a while. If you're like us, we pull in and leave early the next day.<br /><br />We have a truck camper: we can put in on the ground if we're going to stay awhile, but normally just leave it in the truck. We can pull a second MV if we wish.<br /><br />Good luck and welcome to the group.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[elaineremains]

thanks Seraphim... ok, but having a truck registered for pulling the trailer semi annually, doesn't seem to make good money sense, since my husband doesn't want to pay that much for insurance repairs and gas for two vehicles... if we get a trailer i would rather go back to the off the grid living on some cheap land somewhere on the outskirts of a town.. but if i did go for some cheap land it would probably be in a COLDER part of british columbia, brrr for the winter! confused again lol

 

[stude53]

Elaine,<br /><br />My grandpa used to say "I can always put on enough clothes to stay warm, but I can't take off enough clothes to stay cool without being arrested!" &nbsp;<img src="../images/boards/smilies/nono.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Good luck with your decisions.<br /><br />Bob&nbsp; <img src="../images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[sl1966]

<p>If you get the class c, and only the class c you'll be driving it to the market for groceries each week (or where ever you may need to go). You'll spend more in gas not to mention put your home at risk each time you take it out on the road for the following possible scenarios. If it breaks down or you get into an accident where do you guys plan on staying while it's in for repairs? Some shops will allow you to stay in your rig during the repairs but some might not due to liability issues. Also many who live in class c's get a toad (tow a smaller more economical vehicle) to get around town in at their destinations.</p>
<p>The tow vehicle travel trailer combination allows you to keep living in the trailer should the tow vehicle go into the shop for repairs. This seems like the better setup based on how you guys are intending to live. The cost of insurance is for one vehicle and one travel trailer instead of a class c and a vehicle.<br /><br /><br /></p>

 

[Seraphim]

ok, but having a truck registered for pulling the trailer semi annually, doesn't seem to make good money sense, since my husband doesn't want to pay that much for insurance repairs and gas for two vehicles...

<br /><br />Don't NEED two vehicles. An SUV can move a small trailer when necessary, gets reasonable gas mileage for every day driving. Once you decide which type of RV suits your lifestyle, then you can get down to the nitty-gritty of choices.<br /><br />Same with us - we can ground the camper whenever necessary and drive just the pickup. <br /><br />+1 to both posts above.<br /><br />It's easier to heat a unit without shore power than to cool one, I believe. A generator won't always be welcome in campsites (for AC or other power).

 

[sl1966]

Adding to Seraphim's generator/power bit.<br /><br />If you're in an RV park that offers all the amenities, they will always have shore power as well. No need for a generator, or solar power there.&nbsp;<br /><br />If you stay in an RV park that doesn't offer shore power you'll have to go with a generator and/or solar power setup. And as Seraphim pointed out, not all RV parks allow generators to run past a certain hour. If you have solar power you'll be limited to however long 50% of the battery capacity lasts you.<br /><br />Running a generator when boondocking isn't issue since it's not an RV park there are no rules about when you can or cannot run it.&nbsp;<br /><br />Solar power gives you a renewable power source every day, but can have limits based on the size system you get. The bigger it is the more it costs of course, but you'll have more power. There are certain rules that govern deep cycle batteries like never using more than 50% of your total battery capacity. To use more than 50% damages the batteries, and reduces their life.&nbsp;<br /><br />Sorry to throw all of this at you at once, but it's also stuff to be considered depending on where and how you plan to live.<br /><br />

 

[elaineremains]

ok, well thanks for all the stuff to think about, except for taking off my clothes when it's hot, i didn't get that bit lol<br /><br />of course i knew we would have another small car with the class C, but didn't realize the class C would have to be insured for driving if it was going to be parked for 6 months...<br /><br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

ok, well thanks for all the stuff to think about, except for taking off my clothes when it's hot, i didn't get that bit lol

<br /><br />He meant that it can get so hot to the point where there's no clothing left to remove to bring you any relief from the heat. It gets that hot here in the southwestern deserts during the summers.<br /><br />

but didn't realize the class C would have to be insured for driving if it was going to be parked for 6 months...

<br /><br />You don't have to insure it if it's not moving per se, but there's no telling what can happen. Even though it would be stationary it is still a vehicle at the end of the day, and insurance companies will expect premiums paid accordingly regardless of whether it moves or not. I mean if something were to happen to it, or the contents inside, you can't expect to be reimbursed for the loss of them without it. Here's just a few things off the top of my head that have happened to full timers rigs. A drunk driver can crash into it (without liability ins), a fire can break out, acts of nature, or someone steals it for the goods inside.<br /><br />Now if you and hubby are well off enough to suffer any of these calamities without any sort of a major financial setback, more power to you!<br /><br />

 

[elaineremains]

alright, this little convo thread has pretty much made me feel like renting an apartment until i die lol thanks for guiding me in the right direction <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Seraphim]

You don't have to insure it if it's not moving per se, but there's no telling what can happen.

<br /><br />That's not always correct. In Ohio, if it has an active registration it must be insured. Ohio BMV sends out random letters demanding you prove a particular vehicle (for which you have a&nbsp;a current set of plates)&nbsp;is either insured, or you no longer own it. Tell them you no longer own it, and they cancel the plates. If you own it but can't prove insurance, they can cancel your drivers license and all your registrations.

 

[sl1966]

That's not always correct. In Ohio ...

<br /><br />I was getting to that. They are Canadian. Elaine mentioned they live in the Vancouver area where they plan to boondock for at least part of the year. I've got family there and know from my cousin that he doesn't pay insurance on a car because it's non-operational. California has something similar where you don't have to get it or pay if you sign an affidavit of non-op. Since I'm not intimate with the laws in Canada they might not have to while they remain there, but would they want to risk it?<br /><br />Coming into and spending six months in the US is different. They would have to find out what they do or don't have to get, but I'm positive the US would require insurance on whatever is in their name while down here.<br /><br />