madrecpally
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2021
- Messages
- 7
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Hello and good morning.
I want to escape my life and started planning it last year but Covid hit and I got stuck. I tried buying a Van but sold it after learning of all mechanic problems. Then I looked into an Truck and RV but the MPG kills me and Id rather stealth camp as much as possible. Part of this post is for me to lay out my thoughts and hopefully it will help me decide.
Im not sure the best method for me to live on the road and travel the US and eventually Canada is. Iv read hundreds of pages on here and learned a ton of great information but I am still uncertain if what I desire is even possible or feasible.
Iv about just gave up and buy a Prius but like the Van and Truck/RV situation I am afraid I am overlooking vital information.
Goals: Drive cross country to National Parks as well as visiting festivals and events. I used a 2019 schedule of things I wanted to see and it would require about 48k miles per year as I love driving and it relaxes me (one of the few things that does).
MPG example on 4k miles a month with gas at $3/gallon:
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Now that I have narrowed it down based on MPG I am concerned if it will actually work in terms of comfort. I like confined spaces so a Prius wouldn't bother me but a Rav4 or even Highlander would likely be more comfortable driving.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Country roads would mean a Rav4 would likely be best since they come with AWD and have better clearance. No extreme off roading but dirt roads and forest service roads would be ideal.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]AC is important for my comfort and its the main point why I am looking at a Hybrid. From video's and post it seems the hybrid kicks on/off at night and the frequency depends on the outside temps/humidity. Some of the most common places I will be is Florida, Texas, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Southern CA and the temps in these locations are always on the high side. [/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]What are ways I can plan for this heat? Should I avoid getting a moonroof (I really want one to star gaze). Is white the best color? Can I add more hybrid batteries so the AC last longer without turning the engine on? What ways can I find that will allow me to be more comfortable not only sleeping in the car but working on my laptop for hours at a time. How much difference will a Prius and Rav4 be due to the size difference?[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The AC issue is my biggest concern ATM. The cold weather I can deal with but heat I can not and sadly I can not follow the cooler weather due to the festivals/events I want to attend.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Sorry for long post but this helps my thinking process and hopefully I get feedback that either helps prevent a mistake or advice on how to make it work. Thanks for reading.[/font]
I want to escape my life and started planning it last year but Covid hit and I got stuck. I tried buying a Van but sold it after learning of all mechanic problems. Then I looked into an Truck and RV but the MPG kills me and Id rather stealth camp as much as possible. Part of this post is for me to lay out my thoughts and hopefully it will help me decide.
Im not sure the best method for me to live on the road and travel the US and eventually Canada is. Iv read hundreds of pages on here and learned a ton of great information but I am still uncertain if what I desire is even possible or feasible.
Iv about just gave up and buy a Prius but like the Van and Truck/RV situation I am afraid I am overlooking vital information.
Goals: Drive cross country to National Parks as well as visiting festivals and events. I used a 2019 schedule of things I wanted to see and it would require about 48k miles per year as I love driving and it relaxes me (one of the few things that does).
MPG example on 4k miles a month with gas at $3/gallon:
- Truck/RV/Van: 10-15MPG
- $1200-$800 a month in gas
- SUV Hybrid (2018 or older) - (2019 or new): 30MPG - 40MPG
- $400 a month in gas for 2018 or older and $300 for 2019 or newer
- [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Hybrid (Prius or similar): 45-55mpg[/font]
- $266-$218 a month in gas
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Now that I have narrowed it down based on MPG I am concerned if it will actually work in terms of comfort. I like confined spaces so a Prius wouldn't bother me but a Rav4 or even Highlander would likely be more comfortable driving.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Country roads would mean a Rav4 would likely be best since they come with AWD and have better clearance. No extreme off roading but dirt roads and forest service roads would be ideal.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]AC is important for my comfort and its the main point why I am looking at a Hybrid. From video's and post it seems the hybrid kicks on/off at night and the frequency depends on the outside temps/humidity. Some of the most common places I will be is Florida, Texas, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Southern CA and the temps in these locations are always on the high side. [/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]What are ways I can plan for this heat? Should I avoid getting a moonroof (I really want one to star gaze). Is white the best color? Can I add more hybrid batteries so the AC last longer without turning the engine on? What ways can I find that will allow me to be more comfortable not only sleeping in the car but working on my laptop for hours at a time. How much difference will a Prius and Rav4 be due to the size difference?[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The AC issue is my biggest concern ATM. The cold weather I can deal with but heat I can not and sadly I can not follow the cooler weather due to the festivals/events I want to attend.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Sorry for long post but this helps my thinking process and hopefully I get feedback that either helps prevent a mistake or advice on how to make it work. Thanks for reading.[/font]