Hi all, for most of my life I've called New England my home. When I was 18, I hitchhiked across the country (to the coast of Oregon) and vowed that I would never allow myself to be so burdened by life's pressures that I couldn't do something similar within a year or two of my deciding that it's time to see the country again. Thirty years later, I find myself close to making that move. I've yet to secure a vehicle but the homework has begun. I look forward to socializing and learning from all of you fellow travelers. I'll see you around!
From Sea to Shining Sea
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To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
Scott3569
Well-known member
Awesome, Sometimes you just need to get out there and do it.. I am from your neck of the woods, Upstate NY..
How much research have you done? Are you mechanically inclined? (if so, could reduce the cost of you vehicle greatly)
Do you plan to build out a vehicle?
How much research have you done? Are you mechanically inclined? (if so, could reduce the cost of you vehicle greatly)
Do you plan to build out a vehicle?
Thanks for the reply, Scott. I'm a few hundred miles from you in NH. Since I'm more inclined to be a full time boondocker, I've been looking into the various class B's that would suit me. I'm also strongly leaning in the direction of something a little large and more dependable. By that I mean I'd really like to get into an imported Isuzu Elf. (I've never been a fan of American vehicles of any kind) ..Fortunately, I live not too far from an importer. I'm mechanically inclined enough to change starters, alternators, fluids and such but would probably struggle with dealing with faulty generators, refrigerators and all of the other unique things that make an RV an RV. I'd much rather get into something that's already built rather than build something where the options always seem to be endless. The way I figure it, I have plenty of time to do my homework while I deal with the current debt situation. By the time that's wrapped up, I should be ready to roll.
Tony's Dream
Well-known member
Like you, I have plans to travel all over this great country. I have mapped out about 15 trips so far, with my frist trip into Wyoming in June. As others have commented, you need to map out your journey to take full advantage of things to see.
user 30781
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Captain Beefheart?
Mapping the first leg of my journey is one of the last steps that I'll be taking and that's not going to be happening for quite awhile. Interestingly, when I made my trip to Oregon so many years ago, I met a couple that traveled the country (full time) in their RV. I can't recall his name but her name was White Cloud. Anyway, they never used a road map and instead let their intuition guide them. I can't say that I'll be quite as care free but they're definitely an inspiration for me to get back out there.Tony\ said:
Tony's Dream
Well-known member
Van Vliet said:
That works if your idea is to simply travel to your final destination, without really caring what is in between. As many people in here will tell you, its the little things along the route that makes the journey so worth while.....and so many people drive right past some really great spots. So, I may map out 300 miles on the interstate, but I am looking along that stretch for anything worth while to stop and see. My plan might be 7-8 days long....but it it takes me 15 that works too.
@Tony's Dream, on the contrary, I actually care very much about what's in between. So much in fact that I have no intention of driving at night for a fear that I might miss something but since this journey is still quite far off I'm currently focusing more on taking in as much info as I can in regards to all aspects of van life. ie. What's the right vehicle for me, how to set it up, where to boondock, etc. etc.Tony\ said:
Tony's Dream
Well-known member
Awesome. I have the same concerns. When I first started planning, I was trying to figure in where to stop each night and where ai was going to stay. Then I reversed that and thought....I will just travel along and see what I want to see, then around 4:00 start thinking about finding a place to stay. Life is so sweet.
There are definitely a lot more on-the-fly options on the road than there are when bedding down in the same location every night. Speaking of options, I've flip flopped on my original idea of finding something class B and I'm focusing more on some kind of Japanese mini van due to the fact that stealth seems to be a bigger priority than I had originally thought. Hopefully I can hammer something out within the next few years.
highdesertranger
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Stealth is a fallacy. Your not hiding from anybody that wants to know. Doesn't matter what type of vehicle you have or what you do to it. Highdesertranger
I think stealth is more about whether you improve the neighbourhood, give it a bad image or nobody notices. The only time I've had anyone notice my location it was a cop who saw my light and stopped to see if I needed help. If I have streetlights instead of trees I often park near the overnight staff who are stocking shelves at a large supermarket.
RoamerRV428
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get the vehicle soon, hit the road and don't look back 
SO many of us want just that and if this is your time you jump on what you want and go all in towards it!
we might just see ya out there on the road!! ya never know
SO many of us want just that and if this is your time you jump on what you want and go all in towards it!we might just see ya out there on the road!! ya never know
Thanks for the replies, MG and Roamer. I just got hit with another large financial set back this afternoon so hitting the road is not going to happen for at least another 3 or 4 years which gives me plenty of time to learn and make plans.
I'm just getting ready to return to the road, four years after getting hit in the head with a car. One of the things that has kept me entertained and interested is quality maps and map books. The books I have list provincial and national parks and lots of other interesting places. Lots of relevant info in folders on the favorites bar. Sometimes the only place I could go was in my head, so I went.
eDJ_
Well-known member
10 or so years ago a person may have been able to pull off the "stealth" camping in the town.
The best example I ever saw of it was a guy's rig in Lexington, Ky where he had added a high top to a Ford Van. What was different was that he didn't remove the cargo van's original metal top. Instead over the passenger's seat in the front he had built a concealed hatch thru which he could enter the upper chamber sleeping area.
In the lower area he had cardboard boxes towards the back and some straps that ran from side to side to contain the boxes at the back door. Really just looked like a cargo van. (if you didn't question why the high top was even on the Van) But at a quick glance the interior of the Van just looked empty....nothing to see here.
But as the whole Van Nomad thing has caught on Stealth has given way to "Stealthy". There is no such thing as privacy anymore it seems.
When I was in my early days of Van travel I often chose to park on Gas Station parking lots. Those that closed at 10 pm and had a bunch of vehicles that were parked there to be serviced in the garage of the station. But that meant that I would be moving on somewhere around 5 am. And I did that by asking the owner's permission. (explaining that I was traveling after filling my tank and buying a bag of ice if he had ice etc) But I was a well groomed youngsters then and could speak to being out job hunting and get a break from the station owner)
The best example I ever saw of it was a guy's rig in Lexington, Ky where he had added a high top to a Ford Van. What was different was that he didn't remove the cargo van's original metal top. Instead over the passenger's seat in the front he had built a concealed hatch thru which he could enter the upper chamber sleeping area.
In the lower area he had cardboard boxes towards the back and some straps that ran from side to side to contain the boxes at the back door. Really just looked like a cargo van. (if you didn't question why the high top was even on the Van) But at a quick glance the interior of the Van just looked empty....nothing to see here.
But as the whole Van Nomad thing has caught on Stealth has given way to "Stealthy". There is no such thing as privacy anymore it seems.
When I was in my early days of Van travel I often chose to park on Gas Station parking lots. Those that closed at 10 pm and had a bunch of vehicles that were parked there to be serviced in the garage of the station. But that meant that I would be moving on somewhere around 5 am. And I did that by asking the owner's permission. (explaining that I was traveling after filling my tank and buying a bag of ice if he had ice etc) But I was a well groomed youngsters then and could speak to being out job hunting and get a break from the station owner)
