AbuelaLoca
Well-known member
Hello from the Crazy Grandma (also known as Belinda the Editor over at youtube)! Before I give a big intro, I just want to say a really, really big thank you to Bob Wells for having this forum!! I cannot begin to relate how much information I've learned just from reading topics the past week or so! I also want to give a shout out to Carolyn's RV Life... If I hadn't found her I wouldn't even be here believing I could actually do this before I am at the retirement age! And, finally, I want to say hey to those who are NOT at the RTR (like me)... we're gonna get there!!
Y'all are just sooooo full of information and encouragement and great, "out of the box" ideas!! One of the best for me is to live like I'm already in the van... duh! This was such an epiphany! I'm getting ready to move into one room of my house and see how little I can live with! I've already called the kids to come get what they don't want me to sell off LOL
So, anyhow, I'm an empty-nester in freezing Missouri and I've been wanting to live in an RV and travel for my whole life (it seems). Only recently has the reality of a van come into play... because of all the fabulous videos on youtube... gosh the wealth of information! I actually have a plan, instead of a dream! I plan to be in a functioning van with an online income and ready to leave my home state by June of 2018.
I will post all questions (I still have a lot even though so many have been answered here) in the appropriate topics, but here are a few of my concerns... I have absolutely no idea what the best van for me is. I really, really think I want a high top so I can stand up in it (this has to do with a health issue), but I don't want it to be so comfortable that I don't get out of the van as much as I should and really want to... I feel like if I'm forced to get out of the van it will be healthier for me!
Because of the health issue, hauling water will be a pretty big issue... I really like the idea of draining the sink out the tirewell, but I haven't seen a lot about this, especially with the types of soaps it's safe to use... so far, folks just say, "We use safe products to save our earth", but don't say what the products are. Also, I'll want more information on water pumps! And a water heater... I know the more convenience, the higher the price, but I don't think I'll survive long without easy peasy!
I want to research the pros and cons of taking out the passenger seat and putting my dog crate there... I see it done, but haven't seen any "how-to" yet. How safe will my dog be there? How do I keep the crate from moving... things like that.
How much freakin' solar???? I know everyone asks this one and I've read tons on it, but it's still all just greek to me! While I feel like it's the last thing most folks worry about for their vans, it's very, very important to me because I will need to use some sort of appliances for smoothies, juicing, slow cooking... my health, you know ;-)
So... my plan... I need to have a mechanically sound van by May of 2017 (I don't want to fix my car up to get it to pass inspection). I will drive the van to work and home while fixing it up inside. I plan to move out of my rental house by August of 2017 and try to live in the van while parked at my daughter's house to continue working on it and saving more money. I plan to quit my job and start driving around the country by June of 2018! I'm still working on a plan of what items I need to buy and when to install and such... I need to buy the most expensive items first to get them out of the way! And just how important is insulation? And how cheaply can I get it in there? These are just rhetorical questions for now!
ANYHOW... Hello fellow freedom seekers! So glad to be here and to meet you all! Can't wait to get out there and "see you all down the road"! (ala Debra Dickinson)
Y'all are just sooooo full of information and encouragement and great, "out of the box" ideas!! One of the best for me is to live like I'm already in the van... duh! This was such an epiphany! I'm getting ready to move into one room of my house and see how little I can live with! I've already called the kids to come get what they don't want me to sell off LOL
So, anyhow, I'm an empty-nester in freezing Missouri and I've been wanting to live in an RV and travel for my whole life (it seems). Only recently has the reality of a van come into play... because of all the fabulous videos on youtube... gosh the wealth of information! I actually have a plan, instead of a dream! I plan to be in a functioning van with an online income and ready to leave my home state by June of 2018.
I will post all questions (I still have a lot even though so many have been answered here) in the appropriate topics, but here are a few of my concerns... I have absolutely no idea what the best van for me is. I really, really think I want a high top so I can stand up in it (this has to do with a health issue), but I don't want it to be so comfortable that I don't get out of the van as much as I should and really want to... I feel like if I'm forced to get out of the van it will be healthier for me!
Because of the health issue, hauling water will be a pretty big issue... I really like the idea of draining the sink out the tirewell, but I haven't seen a lot about this, especially with the types of soaps it's safe to use... so far, folks just say, "We use safe products to save our earth", but don't say what the products are. Also, I'll want more information on water pumps! And a water heater... I know the more convenience, the higher the price, but I don't think I'll survive long without easy peasy!
I want to research the pros and cons of taking out the passenger seat and putting my dog crate there... I see it done, but haven't seen any "how-to" yet. How safe will my dog be there? How do I keep the crate from moving... things like that.
How much freakin' solar???? I know everyone asks this one and I've read tons on it, but it's still all just greek to me! While I feel like it's the last thing most folks worry about for their vans, it's very, very important to me because I will need to use some sort of appliances for smoothies, juicing, slow cooking... my health, you know ;-)
So... my plan... I need to have a mechanically sound van by May of 2017 (I don't want to fix my car up to get it to pass inspection). I will drive the van to work and home while fixing it up inside. I plan to move out of my rental house by August of 2017 and try to live in the van while parked at my daughter's house to continue working on it and saving more money. I plan to quit my job and start driving around the country by June of 2018! I'm still working on a plan of what items I need to buy and when to install and such... I need to buy the most expensive items first to get them out of the way! And just how important is insulation? And how cheaply can I get it in there? These are just rhetorical questions for now!
ANYHOW... Hello fellow freedom seekers! So glad to be here and to meet you all! Can't wait to get out there and "see you all down the road"! (ala Debra Dickinson)
