Hi All!

[Lisa Bee]

After years for wishing, research, and prep, I am finally planning to get on the road in the beginning of May. So today, I officially registered on this wonderful site, hoping to learn and meet other like minded van dwellers. Yesterday's video left me wondering if it's really better to put off getting out of the big city(which I was already trying to escape, before this crisis!) since I'm a newbie, or to just go for it as planned May 1st, with the hope of a better, happier life on the road.
I realize that there will be challenges, but is this life really so difficult the first year? I feel like any difficulty has to be better than feeling like I'm in prison in my apartment.

Can anyone shed some light on what difficulties they were referring to? 
Thanks so much for your thoughts; I'm so happy to finally be amongst you all!
Be well!

Lisa Bee

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Lisa Bee! Everyone doesn't find their first year to be difficult. It's a fairly easy and enjoyable transition for many of us but some of the difficulties people experience are loneliness, breakdowns without an adequate emergency fund, a feeling of lack of purpose, and a basic lack of camping experience which makes everything overwhelming.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Lisa Bee]

Thanks for the warm welcome and intro. Feel free to share some of the difficulties of the first year on the road, so I can decide if I really need to wait, or if it's nothing I haven't dealt with before.

 

[nature lover]

Lisa Bee - Welcome - I am also planning on going full time on May 1. I have been a life long camper and a part time van dweller for years. I was not at all afraid of doing this, its something I have been wanting and doing sometimes for a month at a time all of my life. Then this corona virus pops up and suddenly there are doubts. The fellowship of other van dwellers was something I was looking forward too; even counting on. I am still going but with lots more questions. I will not be denied. I still think we will have others to be with even if only on this forum. Be encouraged and reach for your dreams. (Just don't hold me responsible if they don't work Yes that was meant as humor. I believe it will work if you work for it.

 

[maki2]

Difficulties? Oh the usual thing, figuring out how best to adjust your build so it functions best for you. Figuring out where to go and when to go there. Learning what will work best for you for cooking, cleaning, food storage and prep. Getting you personal hygiene sorted out and things like what clothing will be the best, how much of it you need as well as doing laundry. Water for drinking and hygiene and how to keep yourself well supplied with enough but not too much of it. Getting used to what is needed to keep your electrical needs met and how to keep your batteries in good shape so they have a long life span.

What to do with your time, some people do struggle with that quite a lot. A lot of people are used to being entertained with TV, videos, going out to eat, having other people around to talk to most everyday. I have seen newbies show up in this forum who within just a few weeks time find they just can't handle sitting in their vehicle with no one they know around and no clue what to do with the empty hours when they are not driving down the road. TV is truly an addiction that fills up a lot of empty hours. Not so bad if you were always a reader who will enjoy lots of time to read as much as always wanted to. Or if you were always an outdoor type who would rather go for a hike than watch TV.

Then there is the issue of days and days of rain cooped up inside a very small space. Plus it being much too hot part of the time and/or way too cold part of the time. It is very different than having space to stand up and walk around inside a building.

Some people will never adjust to living without the kind of flush toilet they have always had. They will just find it much too gross to deal with portable toilets, or black water tanks or pooping in a bucket.

The person most likely to adjust the quickest are those who are very independent, resourceful, not prone to anxiety, who just love going camping and don't mind the discomfort. Who enjoy variety, who find it fun to adapt to news ways of doing things. Who enjoy being in unfamiliar surroundings and don't mind the challenge of trying to figure out where to go and how to get there. Who can deal with emergencies such as getting broke down in the middle of nowhere. Who understand that not everyday is going to be a great day and can roll through those bad days without having someone right next to them to lean on. That last one can be pretty darned tough at time if you are used to having friends and family nearby.

 

[barleyguy]

Difficulties?  Oh the usual thing, figuring out how best to adjust your build so it functions best for you. Figuring out where to go and when to go there. Learning what will work best for you for cooking, cleaning, food storage and prep. Getting you personal hygiene sorted out and things like what clothing will be the best, how much of it you need as well as doing laundry. Water for drinking and hygiene and how to keep yourself well supplied with enough but not too much of it. Getting used to what is needed to keep your electrical needs met and how to keep your batteries in good shape so they have a long life span.

What to do with your time, some people do struggle with that quite a lot. A lot of people are used to being entertained with TV, videos, going out to eat, having other people around to talk to most everyday. I have seen newbies show up in this forum who within just a few weeks time find they just can't handle sitting in their vehicle with no one they know around and no clue what to do with the empty hours when they are not driving down the road. TV is truly an addiction that fills up a lot of empty hours. Not so bad if you were always a reader who will enjoy lots of time to read as much as always wanted to. Or if you were always an outdoor type who would rather go for a hike than watch TV.

Then there is the issue of days and days of rain cooped up inside a very small space. Plus it being much too hot part of the time and/or way too cold part of the time. It is very different than having space to stand up and walk around inside a building.

Some people will never adjust to living without the kind of flush toilet they have always had. They will just find it much too gross to deal with portable toilets, or black water tanks or pooping in a bucket.

The person most likely to adjust the quickest are those who are very independent, resourceful, not prone to anxiety, who  just love going camping and don't mind the discomfort. Who enjoy variety, who find it fun to adapt to news ways of doing things. Who enjoy being in unfamiliar surroundings and don't mind the challenge of trying to figure out where to go and how to get there. Who can deal with emergencies such as getting broke down in the middle of nowhere. Who understand that not everyday is going to be a great day and can roll through those bad days without having someone right next to them to lean on. That last one can be pretty darned tough at time if you are used to having friends and family nearby.

Great post.

I'm also a part timer, but in a fifth wheel rather than a van. A van would honestly just be too small for me. My fifth wheel is about 300 square feet, and feels like a home to me, whereas I think I'd be miserable in a van, especially when forced inside by rain. As Bob says though, each rig is a trade off between comfort and freedom. A van gives more freedom, where a larger rig may give more comfort.

I think everybody that goes out will have issues of some kind, so being flexible and not easily upset and a little bit impervious are important.

My first 3 months on the road I had the circuit board die on my fridge, which was easy to replace but cost about $150. I also had one of the front leg motors on my fifth wheel die, which was about $250 and delayed me a week later than where I planned to be. Other than that it was pretty smooth, and both the lifestyle and people I encountered were mostly wonderful.

Each person's challenges will be different, but it's important to be able to solve problems and still stay happy.  Also, as Maki mentioned, the climate control in an RV or Van is not the same as a house. You'll probably wake up to a cold space, be a little hot in the afternoon, and have situations that put you in rain or wind.

Overall though, I believe it's statistically safer in the wilderness than the city, even with the current situation, and it's a lifestyle that you'll love, if you're the type of person who loves it.

Welcome.

Cheers,

Harley.

 

[Lisa Bee]

Thanks All! I only mention "difficulties", based on the last video Bob posted , where they suggested that the first year was really tough and if you can stay in an apartment for now, it is advisable.

Personally, I think the act of just getting out there anyway (unless of course there's a new law about travel) would be wildly good for the psyche!

.

 

[barleyguy]

As far as a "new law about travel" I recommend doing a Google search on "constitutional right to travel". Generally speaking, any law that restricts free travel would be unconstitutional, and case law has backed that up in the past. (IANAL)

 

[B and C]

Ummm, does a doctors quarantine constitute false imprisonment?

 

[barleyguy]

If a person is actually infected with something, and is quarantined for the reason of actually being infected with something, possibly not. But in the case of 0.0005% of the population being infected with something (as is the case last I heard), quarantining the other 99.9995% in a non-voluntary manner might actually be a violation of due process.

 

[B and C]

Oops! Welcome Lisa! I get sidetracked easily. I think your question was answered pretty thoroughly. It will be tougher if you have never been camping.

I am not a doctor, lawyer or politician to answer the above.

 

[barleyguy]

Oops!  Welcome Lisa!  I get sidetracked easily.  I think your question was answered pretty thoroughly.  It will be tougher if you have never been camping.

I am not a doctor, lawyer or politician to answer the above.

Yeah, my apologies for the sidetrack as well. But I do think the concept of legally restricting our travel was on topic to Lisa's comment.

Experience camping compared to enjoyment of nomadic life is an interesting concept as well. There are examples of people who never went camping and love being a nomad (like Robin from Creativity RV for example), but having some experience is definitely a helpful thing. Being a scout as a kid or having parents that went camping, or camping yourself sometime as an adult, would definitely provide valuable knowledge.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums   

This Corona Pandemic has things up in the air for right now.  Many of the comforts for those who are nomadic have been closed now and it will have a big impact on the nomads.  

In the past one of the nice affordable things to have was a membership to any of the nationally networked gym's such as Planet Fitness. (just using it as an example)  For cheap you could get a membership that would allow you to use any of them in your travels.  There you could get a shower & clean up,  recharge your tech stuff, watch TV, WIFI, socialize some, work out in the gym,  etc.   Similar with restaurants & fast food places where you could eat, relax, and WIFI.  Laundromats are listed on some websites or Facebook dedicated to making their locations known & available to travelers.  This leaves one's rig as their travel vehicle, bedroom, and small kitchen.

But with many of these facilities closed or closing the difficulties are multiplying now for full timer's.

One of the most important things anyone should give consideration to is maintaining a good diet and proper nutrition. 
Breakfast being one of the most important meals.  If you are by a Taco Belle you can get a decent breakfast there cheap
and make you own coffee (Tang or whatever).    Good nutrition will be very important to your health & regularity when on the road.  (did I hear difficulty mentioned?)  Prunes will keep as they are dried fruit and last 10 times longer than the cultures in yogurt. (without refrigeration)  An avocado may have twice or more the potassium as a banana. (buy them green and wait until they are beginning to turn black and they may keep longer than bananas)  Dried pineapple contains bromelain which is an enzyme good for 
digestion of proteins.  A teaspoon of honey at bedtime may serve as a natural sleep aid.   But knowing about this stuff can
help make the difference for you avoiding personal difficulties with your health.  Then most of your concerns may be directed towards your rig and it's care.

 

[LERCA]

Hi Lisa
From another Lisa   In California a lot of campgrounds and parks are closing. Can you wait and see or do this part time? The best way to learn is to do it part-time. Some of us got tossed in full- time and if you have other options I’d use them first. Best of luck!

 

[maki2]

If a person is actually infected with something, and is quarantined for the reason of actually being infected with something, possibly not. But in the case of 0.0005% of the population being infected with something (as is the case last I heard), quarantining the other 99.9995% in a non-voluntary manner might actually be a violation of due process.

 You are talking about individual rights which are important but in an emergency situation those individual rights can be temporarily restricted for the greater good of the country. We are not yet there and hopefully never will be but the bottom line is that Federal Government has the right to do that if it is ever needed. It is highly unlikely that the Covid 19 crisis will result in such a situation.

This crisis is currently invoking and authorizing measures under a set of federal regulations for " Public Health Emergency". Each of the various states has similar measurements it can take to protect the Public Health that are part of the governing regulations of that state.
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/Pages/phedeclaration.aspx