Hey everybody

[kingsnake]

Thought I'd formally introduce myself. I posted once a few months back but that was it.&nbsp;I am definitely interested in living out of my vehicle or a trailer. Mostly just trying to get a good picture of what to expect, and what to do with what I've got.<br /><br />Currently i'm in an apartment but its looking like the wife and I are separating indefinitely.&nbsp;My initial/prospective setup:<br /><br />1999 GMC Yukon 4x4 SLT<br />my dog, Loki. American Staffordshire Terrier, about 65lbs.<br />Thinking about our cat coming with me too.<br /><br />Issues that might make this difficult:<br />I have a full time job. (At a mall, has family restrooms for privacy)<br />Pet(s) in vehicle.<br />Making money.&nbsp;<br /><br />Questioning whether or not this is even do-able. If so, should I try and go bigger than just the Yukon? I have envisioned a raised mattress platform with storage underneath. I see the obvious benefits to other rigs, money is tight though. Should I Sell/trade Yukon for something else, if I am sure I want to do this?&nbsp;<br /><br />I really just want to save some money and live like this for a while. I am in Arizona, so I figured its a good spot to be for this type of lifestyle choice.<br /><br />Id say right now my biggest questions are about pets and money. I read up on the posts already posted in the pet forum. Different opinions and people always get so passionate about animals.&nbsp;<br /><br />I like to camp and travel alot also. It really is my happy place. I've driven upwards of 17,000 miles around the US from NY, ORE, AZ, TX and in between.<br /><br /><br />Thanks alot!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[Les H]

Hi kingsnake, welcome. We have members who live in compact and subcompact cars, so what you have in mind is Definatly doable, though the pets will be a big added challenge. Sorry to hear of the split, keep posting and checking in, and best of luck.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Welcome aboard, King!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Yeah, the pets thing definitely complicates matters.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Keep us posted on how U handle the situation, &amp; g</strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">ood luck!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /></strong>

 

[She]

Hi there Welcome!!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;Yes pets do complicate things a bit. I think we get so riled up about them because they are helpless to what we are doing. We worry about the heat and the freezing cold and they have no choice in the matter. Hopefully you will figure things out. Do you live in a cooler climate or where it is hot?

 

[sl1966]

Greetings &amp; Welcome!!!<br /><br />

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[joey]

<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" />

 

[WanderingRain]

Sorry to hear about the breakup, man.&nbsp;<br />In my experience, living in my van is tough enough on my own. I don't know about having pets. I have a friend who leaves her dog in the car but that is in cooler climates and she comes out of her work every now and then to check on him regularly.<br /><br />I currently am like you: I am working in an office during the day and camp in my van at night.<br />I think I've firmly established the presence of my van at the office complex at all hours and was quite open with management telling them I do work late into the night so it's become normal to see my van out there. <br /><br />IN actuality, the van never leaves at all except to go on errands or when I have to go get food. Sometimes I'd go out of town. I park in only 3 spots regularly and rotate them --they are all located under a street lamp on the edge of the parking lot. And to add to the stealth, there is another white van in another complex that is always there. In their case, it's a transport van for patients (it seems to be some kind of clinic). And a further bonus I found is that aside from our office (which pretty much runs 24 hours), there is one other business here that also runs 24 hours -- yet another clinic. So there's always cars pulling up to it in the dead of night just like ours here.&nbsp;<br /><br />So it kinda was a lucky break for me and the van just fits in because other employees of my company are also workaholics who pull all nighters or they are employees of the clinic nearby who also have to come in at odd hours when there are emergencies.<br /><br />I once took my brother's dog to a 24 hour veterinary hospital and also noted that there are always vehicles there all the time. I filed that away as another possible camping spot.&nbsp;<br />I also camped out at a motel parking lot as there's plenty of other vehicles there.<br />Oddly enough, I also tried camping in my former apartment complex. Folks were used to seeing that vehicle there and would not question it. (I still do my laundry there about twice a month.)<br /><br />But seeing as I am unmolested where I am, why drive farther when I can wake up, dress and emerge discreetly from my vehicle when nobody is looking? Sometimes, I back it up to some foliage so I can exit out the back... other times, I simply peek... then pull open the curtains separating the driver's area from the sleeping area and slip into the driver's seat. People passing by think I just A) got there and are preparing to lock it up or B) I just entered the van to retrieve something before going back into the office.&nbsp;<br /><br />But yeah, there's folks on here who do live with their pets in their vehicles. Just ask I guess.&nbsp;<br />Good luck with your future plans!

 

[stude53]

<span id="post_message_1275826358"><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, KingSnake! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /></span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span></span>

 

[Doc T]

Welcome to the tribe! too bad about the break up. Actually I don't know anyone who doesn't have one or more pets! I know they are out there though.
I did van dwelling in AZ. (Mesa and Glendale as well as Payson) People get really bent out of shape if they find out you have an animal in your vehicle during the heat of the day, in that area.

I solved that problem by putting my dogs' water dish where it could be seen and a fan (run on batteries) where it could be seen. Making sure there were windows cracked helped too. If I could have put my dog into a wired kennel, with fan and water and not have it seen by the public that would have been best. None of my dogs have been barkers unless someone gets too close to the vehicle.

Yes dogs are a pain when city dwelling, but they are also a wonderful companion and early warning system. Once you are out of the city, they are nothing but a joy. If you take your cat, you can teach it to walk and go potty on a leash. I would suggest you take them camping a couple of week ends if you can to get them used to their new homes before it becomes permanent.

I highly suggest making the RTR in Quartzsite in January if you can,as there will be lots of people there to answer your questions. You may find like many of us that your needs and wants change over time.

I dwell in a PT Cruiser with homemade add on tent/shelter, to the back when I am not in the city. It is plenty of room for me and I have experienced everything from a med. size car to a suv simular to your Yucon, to a 28 foot RV, to a 16 passenger van. So far I like the PT Cruiser the best, but may want a converted cargo trailer some day.