ViaVacavi
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2015
- Messages
- 181
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I've been lurking around here for a little while after stumbling across vandwelling a couple years ago.
For the longest time, I wanted an RV and to travel. I didn't want to invest a lot of money into it, so I ended up finding an old retro class A Apollo 33' motorhome that was on its way to the scrap heap and renovated it in 2014. I ended up loving everything about it - the camping, the feeling of freedom rolling down the road with everything I needed to survive, quiet nights at camp, you name it. In the last two years I've probably spent 100+ days in this remodeled RV. (I kept a detailed blog of my renovation: https://81apollorestoration.wordpress.com/ . The blog is in reverse order, so it's best read from the end backwards)
So anyways, while I've loved so many things about this big class A, I also didn't like a few things. The gas mileage is atrocious, it is very large which limits places you can go (pretty much campgrounds only), and there is absolutely zero stealth factor. These things had lead me in the direction of looking at class B rvs, including Rialtas and LeSharos. During this research I began finding out about how common vandwelling is and seeing so many neat conversions that I couldn't help but get sucked in. Before I knew it I was subscribed to over 50 vandwelling youtube channels, instagram feeds, facebook pages... I had bought and read every book I could find on the subject (Including Bob's great book, Vanabode, Walden on Wheels and several others).
I'm 40 years old and have always wanted to retire early and travel - and vandwelling fits the bill perfectly! While I'd love to just drop my job and go, I do have a 7 year old and an 11 year old still at home, so this is going to be a slow transition for me. Financially, I've set myself up pretty well to retire around the age of 50 and enjoy life. I work a very good paying job which also gives me 2 weeks off per month (due to 12 hour shifts) , so until my responsibilities of raising kids are finished, I plan on many fun trips in the van including extended trips.
Just thought I'd finally say hello. I'll be starting a build log very soon!
For the longest time, I wanted an RV and to travel. I didn't want to invest a lot of money into it, so I ended up finding an old retro class A Apollo 33' motorhome that was on its way to the scrap heap and renovated it in 2014. I ended up loving everything about it - the camping, the feeling of freedom rolling down the road with everything I needed to survive, quiet nights at camp, you name it. In the last two years I've probably spent 100+ days in this remodeled RV. (I kept a detailed blog of my renovation: https://81apollorestoration.wordpress.com/ . The blog is in reverse order, so it's best read from the end backwards)
So anyways, while I've loved so many things about this big class A, I also didn't like a few things. The gas mileage is atrocious, it is very large which limits places you can go (pretty much campgrounds only), and there is absolutely zero stealth factor. These things had lead me in the direction of looking at class B rvs, including Rialtas and LeSharos. During this research I began finding out about how common vandwelling is and seeing so many neat conversions that I couldn't help but get sucked in. Before I knew it I was subscribed to over 50 vandwelling youtube channels, instagram feeds, facebook pages... I had bought and read every book I could find on the subject (Including Bob's great book, Vanabode, Walden on Wheels and several others).
I'm 40 years old and have always wanted to retire early and travel - and vandwelling fits the bill perfectly! While I'd love to just drop my job and go, I do have a 7 year old and an 11 year old still at home, so this is going to be a slow transition for me. Financially, I've set myself up pretty well to retire around the age of 50 and enjoy life. I work a very good paying job which also gives me 2 weeks off per month (due to 12 hour shifts) , so until my responsibilities of raising kids are finished, I plan on many fun trips in the van including extended trips.
Just thought I'd finally say hello. I'll be starting a build log very soon!
