Hello from the PNW

[Headache]

Hello everyone!  I've been lurking for quite a few years and now I have a van I can work on.  I was looking for a high top but they seem to be getting rather extinct up here(or too far away) so I'll just have to work it out with the 2001 Ford E150 Club Wagon I got for $750 which is nothing to sneeze at.  I don't want to drag a trailer down but I may pick one up while I'm down that way.  It will be myself with cat and dog traveling.

I'm on a fixed income, it's just too damn expensive up here to do anything and I like snow!  My end goal is to buy a small patch of dirt in northern NM next spring for a "home" base.  I also own a former rental moving van that I'll build a living quarters in and move it down there with my personal belongings to be lived in on the property.

That's it for now.  I'll get a build page going as soon as I start working on it!  *IF* I can swing it I'd love to make it for the RTR in November and camp around until spring when I head over to the property.  Is there a post up for it yet?

 

[Headache]

Sorry, forgot to add a pic of my van!

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Headache !
Ask anything you need to know.
Scan the site for lots of great stuff already posted.

What's wrong with that truck ? Besides the roof leaks.........

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, headache! The RTR is actually in January. Hope to see you there!
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/gatherings/

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.

 

[towhee]

Welcome Headache!

There are a number of us north-westerners here on the forum.

Your van looks like quite a good deal. Keep us posted on the build.

I am in Oregon and have been looking for a full size high top with no luck so far. I guess I'll stick with my Previa until I find something I like better. I sure like the sunroof.

 

[Headache]

What's wrong with that truck ? Besides the roof leaks.........

The exhaust leaks, I have to get a brake line replaced and swap out a tire.  Oh and I have to cut a bleach bottle to make an oil catch bucket for the air ride compressor.  After a few hundred miles the drivers side of the rig starts getting blotchy!  Those plates were notorious for leaking!  As far as the roof it's the drivers side front corner of the "attic" that leaks and the rest comes from condensation.  This summer a buddy is climbing up there, scrubbing it down and taking a look at all the seams.  If everything is fine I'm going to have him seal up all the seams again then coat the aluminum roof with an insulative fiber coating.  Then the new tarp goes over it until the move down to NM.

That's my future "house" and after living in the van for awhile that big box is going to feel spacious!

 

[Headache]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, headache!  The RTR is actually in January. Hope to see you there!

Thanks cyndi!  I guess I confused myself because I meant to say I wanted to go down in the fall, buy the long term pass if needed there and float around with others in Quartzite AND also attend the RTR.  Sorry about that!  Since it would be my first time doing this I'd like to be around others.

 

[Headache]

I am in Oregon and have been looking for a full size high top with no luck so far. I guess I'll stick with my Previa until I find something I like better. I sure like the sunroof.

I guess I'm glad I'm not alone in this search!  I will find one eventually I just have to make sure I have the cash right then to buy it.  The reason for wanting to have a nice comfy van is I'll be traveling around the nation collecting genealogy information.  I'll need a comfy place and decent internet service so I'm going to have to look at phone plans too.  I use way too much data....

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum  

I like your plan and fixing up the Truck as a Home to park in NM may serve you well.
You could travel back and forth and go sight seeing along he way when you migrate
twice a year.   Fixing up the Van with a bed in the back,  a kitchenette, and ice chest
could be a great enabler for traveling a considerable distance.  (save you $50 bucks
a night in a budget motel and if you cook some of your meals aboard that could save
you more that can all go into the gas tank for your travels)  And if you are getting less
than 20 mpg,  that could mean 500 miles of travel if gas is $2 a gallon. (perhaps 300
miles if gas were $3 a gallon)

This site has a trip planner in the upper left and show you free campsites along the way.

https://freecampsites.net/

Tripomatic will show you sites to see along that same route (it even does international travel)

https://travel.sygic.com/#/?wizard&map=4,38.51379,-82.35352&type=poi

 

[towhee]

I guess I'm glad I'm not alone in this search!  I will find one eventually I just have to make sure I have the cash right then to buy it.  The reason for wanting to have a nice comfy van is I'll be traveling around the nation collecting genealogy information.  I'll need a comfy place and decent internet service so I'm going to have to look at phone plans too.  I use way too much data....

The unlimited 3G Verizon could be good for you. It's a wireless hotspot.  Look for the long active thread on the cell phone sub forum on that topic. Many people seem to be enjoying it.

 

[Headache]

The unlimited 3G Verizon could be good for you. It's a wireless hotspot.  Look for the long active thread on the cell phone sub forum on that topic. Many people seem to be enjoying it.

I did thanks!  I've tried to avoid Verizon for years because of cost and right now I'm using Consumer Cellular for data and phone because my interwebs is coming from cable.  This has been a good option for the most part because I have PTSD and social anxiety quite often and remaining social(not isolating) is important so it's been my go to when anxiety attacks are possible.  It's VERY easy for me to use 30-40mb and possibly up to 80mb.  I get my education online as well as game(one of my social connections has been World of Warcraft) and when I cut the cord my TV watching will transfer to streaming hence imagining 80mb.

Right now I'm looking for threads regarding tv watching.  I don't use it to avoid people but it's a good "buffer" when I'm getting stressed.  It will be a slow but good transition.

 

[wagoneer]

Look into antennas for true HD I get about 15 channels in QUARTZSITE PBS INCLUDED. and free (after buying the antenna)

 

[Queen]

Hi Headache! Welcome!!

Love northern NM, one of my favorite places on earth.

 

[VanGrrl57]

Hello and welcome!


VanGrrl57

 

[rvpopeye]

Tha problems with the truck don't sound so bad , That will be a nice base and building in those boxes is a breeze (everything's square compared to a van !)
I was going to mention the LTVA season pass , it's a great deal ! You'll find LOTS of good people to hang out with waiting for the RTR and a bunch of family at RTR ! Q is a pretty nice spot to spend the cold season !

Keep browsing the forums for ideas with your build(s).

I use an over the air antenna for TV too and it works real well in most places , and when it doesn't I figure I'm probably in a great spot to watch nature !!!!

The hotspot thread is a good way to get internet on the road too . I have a Straighttalk 4G hotspot that uses Verizon towers and it works great (if a little more expensive than the 3G ones on the on that thread) . I'm thinking the 3G ones might be a way to save a little more , hey , every little bit helps !

Post anything you need to know and hope you enjoy being part of the tribe as much as I do !

 

[Headache]

Will do rvpopeye! I just have to bridge the gap between leaving here in the fall until I get everything moved to that piece of dirt in NM! Mostly I need good internet access parked there at Quartzite and for a little time in NM because I'll have decent interwebs there at the property, and I'll still have to come back here and pick up the "house" and drive it down.