Hello from Ohio

[2TheStreet]

Hey everyone!
I've been interested in living on the road as long as I can remember but never acted on my dream but I hope to in the future. I'm in the planning stages and will be for a while but it's nice to visit a forum with roadies that have a wealth of experience.

I've been weighing the pros and cons of living in a Class C motor home, class B van, cargo van, small cargo van, pick-up truck with bed camper, truck+ travel trailer, cargo van + travel trailer, station wagon, etc, etc. All of these option have their pros and cons but I really feel a cargo van is one of the best options when factoring in it's ability to be stealth and get decent MPG. However, adding a small travel trailer with a cargo van would be good too but then you lose your ability to be stealth and reduction of MPG.

I want to travel as much as possible and reduce my expenses as much as possible. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Bdog1]

Always that push and pull between small and agile or large with more comfort.

Lots of variations here to research.

 

[2TheStreet]

Always that push and pull between small and agile or large with more comfort.

Lots of variations here to research.

What are your thoughts on a Cargo Van + Travel trailer?

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums! 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.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome to the tribe from another Ohioan. Looks like several Ohio folks have showed up on the CRVLiving doorstep. Guess we are rats trying to abandon ship before enduring to many more winters.
Dragonfly

 

[Bdog1]

Currently the wife and I plus two dogs "camp" out of a van. We usually stay in good weather and hang out in campgrounds for a few weeks at a time, so we are very part-time! We do eye up all the trailers and the conveniences would be nice, but so far looking is all we've done!http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/15/9d2858491402f63de62378d309aef6fe.jpg[/IMGp
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[IMG]http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/15/d84dbd8b52a54ff97b061b961ef30cdc.jpg

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Fun to make friends on the road.

 

[rvwandering]

This is such a personal decision that it's hard to give advice on what is best for another person but here's goes anyway. :-D

Where will you be camping and traveling? Stealth is totally unnecessary if you're planning on boondocking on government land or staying in parking lots where it's accepted such as big box stores and casinos. Stealth only becomes important if you're planning on sleeping on city streets for long periods of time.

How much room and how much comfort do you need? A good way to try it out is to mark off an area of your house and set it up as you would if we were actually living in a van, trailer or RV. How will you handle personal hygiene, cooking, entertaining yourself? Do you need to be able to stand up?

The ability to go almost anywhere while having a very high level of comfort was important for us so we chose a small class C and have been very happy with our choice. I've noticed a lot of switching of vehicles from larger to smaller, smaller to larger and even complete changes of configuration. You may go through several options before you find what's right for you.

 

[2TheStreet]

This is such a personal decision that it's hard to give advice on what is best for another person but here's goes anyway. :-D

Where will you be camping and traveling? Stealth is totally unnecessary if you're planning on boondocking on government land or staying in parking lots where it's accepted such as big box stores and casinos. Stealth only becomes important if you're planning on sleeping on city streets for long periods of time.

How much room and how much comfort do you need? A good way to try it out is to mark off an area of your house and set it up as you would if we were actually living in a van, trailer or RV. How will you handle personal hygiene, cooking, entertaining yourself? Do you need to be able to stand up?

The ability to go almost anywhere while having a very high level of comfort was important for us so we chose a small class C and have been very happy with our choice. I've noticed a lot of switching of vehicles from larger to smaller, smaller to larger and even complete changes of configuration. You may go through several options before you find what's right for you.

I had my mind set on a Chevy Express van or a Nissan NV high top for a long time but lately I've been thinking about a Class C or a cargo van + a small travel trailer. Honestly, I don't know what I really want because I have no experience with living on the road, just watching youtube videos, reading posts and websites. The only experience I have is boondocking in my mom's conversion van on a long trip down south when I was a kid. We boondocked out of a school parking lot down south somewhere and it was fun. I loved that van, however, it would be nice to be able to shower in a rig rather than washing up at a tiny sing all of the time or going other places to wash up. At one point I thought a 5th wheel trailer or travel trailer would be feasible but I like the idea of being able jump in the driver's seat and getting out of dodge quick like you can with a van or RV. With a trailer of any kind you are a sitting duck.
Really, I have cash to buy anything I want so it's not a matter of what I can afford but rather what will be the best option for me. I'm cheap though and would like to live as cheap as possible. My goal would be to travel about once a month or every two months, so a class c could be a great option and I would have the comforts of home.
Touch decision to make but I have plenty of time to continue planning but I want to be 100% decided when I pull the trigger.
Thanks to all of you for your input.

 

[janncoo]

Welcome from a fellow Buckeye. We are inexperienced and are just learning. We have a conversion van and pull and 6x10 cargo trailer. Minimal changes to each vehicle as we hope to get the feel for what we need and want from our experienes and others. Jan

 

[2TheStreet]

After careful thought, I think I'm going to go with either a small 5th wheel or TT with a cargo van or p/u truck pulling it . Although, a TT/5th wheel can be cumbersome to park and/or back out sometimes, I feel this is a good solution that will allow you to park the trailer and use the other vehicle for errands, etc. Also, you don't have to worry about your home being towed to a shop should you incur a breakdown like you would with just a van or MH. The only major drawback is you don't have the luxury of being able to have access to the driver's seat within the vehicle, also you can't be stealth. However, I feel not worrying about having your home and everything you own end up in a repair shop trumps those disadvantages. 1 ton P/U + truck camper is out of the question because they just provide too little space for their high cost, you also have to upgrade the suspension on the truck when you put on of those behemoth campers on the truck bed.
With a cargo van + TT you not only have the best of both worlds but you will be able to use the cargo van as a garage/storage space. However, i would skip a home-built trailer and get a small pre-fab travel travel with everything you need in it.

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Cargo van + a small Scamp TT (can get with shower/bathroom). Thoughts?

 

[KayakGirl]

Welcome to the group! You will learn a lot from the generous and kind members here. Enjoy the journey to your dream rig.

 

[akrvbob]

Something to think about is to buy a 1 ton van and try living in just it. If that doesn't work you can always add a cargo trailer or travel trailer. That give you lots of flexibility to grow or stay small.

The only thing you lose out on is the 5th wheel, and if you are debating living in a van, it's probably too big anyway.
Bob

 

[Seraphim]

Van and TT are fine. Van could be outfitted for day trips away from the trailer, but still have homey comforts. But I like Bob advice about trying the van first.

We have a truck camper. More space than our old B. The truck is a crew cab, and we keep most of the camp stuff where the back seat used to be. Drop the camper in a spot and travel in just the truck. We have option of towing something - boat, trailer, or car - if we ever wished to. There are places we can get to in the TC that would not be possible with a trailer. Not too many, but some. The truck is also 4WD.

One question to ask yourself is: are you going to live IN the unit, or live OUT of it? Were I single I'dhave the class B back. But we use our unit as a hard shelled tent. If it were a larger trailer, we might end up couch potatoes. Lol. Being in a smaller space forces us to get outside and enjoy.

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I had my mind set on a Chevy Express van or a Nissan NV high top for a long time but lately I've been thinking about a Class C or a cargo van + a small travel trailer. Honestly, I don't know what I really want because I have no experience with living on the road, just watching youtube videos, reading posts and websites. The only experience I have is boondocking in my mom's conversion van on a long trip down south when I was a kid. We boondocked out of a school parking lot down south somewhere and it was fun. I loved that van, however, it would be nice to be able to shower in a rig rather than washing up at a tiny sing all of the time or going other places to wash up. At one point I thought a 5th wheel trailer or travel trailer would be feasible but I like the idea of being able jump in the driver's seat and getting out of dodge quick like you can with a van or RV. With a trailer of any kind you are a sitting duck.
Really, I have cash to buy anything I want so it's not a matter of what I can afford but rather what will be the best option for me. I'm cheap though and would like to live as cheap as possible. My goal would be to travel about once a month or every two months, so a class c could be a great option and I would have the comforts of home.
Touch decision to make but I have plenty of time to continue planning but I want to be 100% decided when I pull the trigger.
Thanks to all of you for your input.

One thing to research are the old Intervec Class Bs. They are completely equipped vans with showers, overhead sleeping, couch converts to bed, etc. we loved ours, but just too tight for the two of us for periods more than a month. For one person: ideal.

 

[2TheStreet]

I like the 4x4 truck + camper but truck campers are much more expensive that a travel trailer with less room, also from what I heard you have to upgrade the truck's suspension to accommodate the camper. Newer Class B's are super expensive these days and older ones can be a money pit.

I think I will take Bob's advice and start with a van and see how it work out and there go from there. I'm seriously thinking about getting a clean pre-owned Nissan NV2500 High top and customizing it. I've seen them for as low as 13k. If I get antsy in the van then I can add a 13" scamper with bathroom/shower.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Several years ago I went through the same process you're going through now. If you want to travel, you want good mileage. But, you want room. I decided on a 2002 sprinter van. It's a 2500 with high roof and extended wheelbase. I get 25 mpg, but I cruise at about 62mph and work hard at my mileage. It's bigger than my first college dorm room, and it served me well for 4 years. It only had 315,000 miles when I bought it, it has 400k now. I bought a new 2014, but the good news is my 2002 is available. She runs great, and I'll sell it for $3500.

 

[gypsychic]

Oh, HB I wish I had the total $3500 right now. I'd snap that up. A sprinter hightop with extended wb is my dream. Even with 400k. Well somebody will get a great intro to vandwelling! I should look and see if you have pics of either one, your 2002 or 2014. I want to look and dream some more.

Cheers,

GypsyChic

 

[whichlers?]

Hello from Ohio as well! Figured I'd just introduce myself here rather than starting a whole new thread. Love the site, and have been lurking around for a few months. I opened an account after we bought our rig; a 2000 GMC Safari. All of the tips and tricks i've found on here have been invaluable as my wife and I have begun our preps. We'll be the ones in a maroon van with red and blue kayaks strapped to the top. Come say "Howdy."

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Lots of Ohioans looking to get out.
When we all are ready to leave, can I play Moses and lead the Exodus over the state line?
I'd be leaving now but a plague of snow and locusts just descended upon Ohio.

 

[Seraphim]

Moses never got to see the promised land...

*grin*

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Moses never got to see the promised land...

*grin*

Aw shoot, your'e right. I would be dead in 40 years anyway. I better think this through again.