Hello from Houston!

[travelsizegirl]

Hi there! Thought I'd tell you a little bit about me. I'm a 28 year old female and I have pretty serious wanderlust. My fiance and I traveled full time across the country for 8 months straight once before, but we stayed in hotels/motels and it was very expensive. He has since settled into a skilled career, but my wanderlust is starting to make me restless again. I'm thinking of hitting the road periodically for a few weeks or months at a time, and I figure setting up a live-in vehicle could save me a lot of money. I'm thinking about buying an SUV or something that would blend very well in urban areas, but would also do well if I wanted to camp in national parks or the like for short periods of time. I've read that the Honda Element might be a good choice, or a GMC Yukon? If anyone can point me to some other good options I might consider, that would be great. It would just be me, and I'm tiny (5'2") so I think I'll have a few more options than a great big guy. I probably won't be ready/able to hit the road for many months, maybe a year, so I've got some time to research and get to work on tricking out my ride.

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, travelsizegirl! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

One of our members lives out of her prius and I've been in a small station wagon for the past year. Anything larger would seem palatial. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your plans and adventures.

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome!! I've known many women who had wanderlust but hubby had to stay at home and they did just what you are wanting to do. I think it nearly always works out well. Sometimes the relationship is greatly improved, wifey is happier and hubby misses her and they both gain Independence.

The one concern with an SUV like the Yukon is the MPG. Both the Suburban and Expedition can be gotten with diesels that will help. Plenty of room but good MPG.

I've known people living in an Element and it worked out well and they get decent, not great MPG.

The biggest problem with all of them is the low top, they feel pretty crowded. But like Cyndi said, they are mansions compared to living in a car so it's all relative!

Have you ruled out a mini-van? They have lot of advantages to offer you!

Here is a blog post I did on a couple who lived in a Jeep Cherokee! I'd give serious thought to one of them!
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/living-jeep-cherokee/

Bob

 

[travelsizegirl]

I guess I'm just a little biased against mini vans because they make me think of my mother toting four kids around. I might work on seeing if I can get over that if I see that a mini van might be beneficial over an SUV. I'm not incapable of changing my perspective.

The Jeep seems to have a really low ceiling. I think I might feel cramped in it. I'll do further investigation.

A little more info about me and my needs/situation. I work as a consultant, so I can work in any city of substantial size, and frequent stops in cities for work will be my way of keeping up with the bills (and hopefully putting plenty in savings since my living expenses should be low!). This is the main reason why I need my vehicle to blend. I need for clients that I meet to be completely unaware that I'm living in my vehicle, even if they see it. I charge quite a bit of money, so I can't be in a beater or it doesn't inspire much faith in my abilities. Also, I love to go out for nightlife when I'm in cities, and I don't want my vehicle to be a sore thumb if I go to a nice place.

But I also want the ability to get away for a while. Head into the woods of a national park or something for a week or so and know that my vehicle has everything I need. I want to be able to sleep, cook, and store everything in my vehicle... no tents. I'm wondering, actually, if cooking is entirely necessary, or if some of you get by with raw foods and prepackaged meals that don't require any heating? I saw a guy on YouTube that had a pump-handle sink installed that drained out the wheel well (sp?) of his van. That was pretty neat.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks for the warm welcome. Please feel free to say hi and give me any thoughts or advice!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I part timed in a minivan and it wasnt bad. They make some pretty nice ones that shouldnt be too out of place. I just had reg tint windows but no one noticed i was in there. Parked outside my sisters and she asked where i went cause she saw it outside 'empty'

 

[SoulRaven]

Welcome! I'm new too and sounds like we're twins in size. :shy:

I didn't have time on my side but have managed to make a 2 door car somewhat liveable while I work on obtaining something larger.

I've spent a couple nights in a friend's SUV and the back was just slightly too short for me to stretch out in (I'm 5'2" as well). The ability to fully extend my legs while lying down is an essential criterion for me. I'd hazard a guess that some SUVs have a few extra inches that could make all the difference.

You might want to check out Suanne's Toyota Prius setup for inspiration - it's smaller than what you're thinking but could give you a good idea of what's possible.

Looking forward to following your journey!

 

[travelsizegirl]

Thanks for the responses, Dazar and Bitty. It's nice to get such a warm reception... on the internet of all places. Haha.

Quick question: In which forum would I find info on SUVs? I see vans, cars, trucks, etc. It is not obvious to me which forum might contain some info and examples of SUV-livin'. Help?

 

[travelsizegirl]

No, I haven't even considered it. I really want some room to feel comfortable. Plenty of bed space, storage space, and maneuvering space. I want to feel as spacious and uncramped as I can, while still having a passable vehicle I can park outside of office buildings, hotels, restaurants, etc that doesn't undermine my professional appearance. I'm thinking SUV, or maybe mini van are probably the only options I'll consider. I'm more interested in the SUV, but I'm willing to consider a mini van. I was hoping someone could point me toward some examples of SUV conversions, or which forum on here would contain SUV info.

 

[akrvbob]

I sent you the one post about the Wrangler, and here is another about living in an older full-size blazer--should be similiar to the Yukon:

http://www.cheaprvliving.com/other-conversions/full-size-suv-conversion/
Bob

 

[travelsizegirl]

Thank you!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i like suv conversions but they are usually tightly packed swiss army knives. i think most live out of them than in them. manueverability is probably you biggest sacrifice, but it seems stealth/camouflage is you biggest worry so might be worth it.

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what about something like a honda element..is like a hybrid suv/minivan and there are conversions on utube for that

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[KayakGirl]

Hello and welcome Travelsizegirl -- I hope you will continue to post your decisions and ways you make your new vehicle, whatever that ends up to be, "home". It will be fun to see how this progresses. Many blessings to you!