How do we get started

[Puppiesparents]

My name is Carolyn, on June 1, 2019 my husband, our German Shepherd and German Shepherd/Lab mix will officially begin our new life in our 2015 Dodge Journey, I’ve always wanted to live on the road, although I hoped it would be a small rv, but here we are 60 years old, a pension, our dogs and the open road, but as excited as I am, I/we are a bit nervous, so I’m hoping to get some tips, and hoping to meet new friends, thank you all???

 

[travelaround]

Welcome, Carolyn... I hope you have a wonderful trip, wherever you go. Welcome to the forum!

 

[MizMaggie]

Hello Carolyn .. congratulations! We have a GSD too and he loves the van life ... I hope you post often as I would enjoy hearing about your adventures.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Carolyn to the CRVL forums! 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. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the Cheap RV Living Forums.

Yours is a very common question.  In fact it was one of the first question I asked my Dad when he handed off his first Ford Van rig to me  as he had just bought a Class C.  Those were pre cell phone and internet days back then so all I got was a couple of campground atlases and a Rand McNallley road atlas.   But he did sit me down and spend an evening telling me stories of what he had learned in his trail blazing times. 

I have since used his notes and knowledge combined with my own and some of what I've read here since I came to make the two websites below.  

The first site is about fixing up a Van rig and even a trailer rig,  for those going about getting on the road that way. 

The second and I'm sure most interesting for you will be the edjautoservices site.  If you go down to the categories of links you will see Trip Planning and beside it Weather & Outdoor Safety.   The Trip Planning links to sites will be of most value as they can get you started on a trip and help with an itinerary  even offering suggestions of sites to see if you tell it how far off your given path you are willing to travel.  It is much better than relying on Tourist Information places along the Interstate. (so I've found)

The Weather & Outdoor Safety contains a link to NOAA's weather site.....SEE THE WEATHER HERE.  It shows an active 
weather map that loops to repeat itself so you can see what's coming your way and plan for it. 

It's all FREE,  so spend some time and become familiar with it.  I created it for folks that are new to this life.  Folks like you.  

 

[WanderingRose]

You start with your first step, or in your case your first mile.

It will be an adventure, will have its good days and bad, and life will continue to happen as you travel the country.

May you have many happy miles.

 

[ckelly78z]

A Dodge Journey might be rather small for the two of you AND those big doggies. Will you be tent camping ?

 

[RoamerRV428]

Congrats you guys are ready to hit the open road Adventures await!!

but I agree with ckelly. 2 larger dogs and 2 people in just a Journey? I hope a tent and possible screen tent etc. are included to give you some space, it isn't a lot of room in that vehicle.

Nice thing is when out and about you can find what you don't like, change things up a bit if needed and make it all suit you guys comfy!

 

[Puppiesparents]

Thank you folks, yes, we are looking into a tent (as I type), we have a small carrier that hooks onto our tailgate and a carrier atop our car, and yes, we’ll be learning as we go, Dutchess and Cuddles are always fine as long as they’re with us, this is definitely going to be an experience, but I must follow my own philosophy, I forever told people who are at a jumping off point in their life “the joy is not in the destination but in the journey”, so we’re going to soak up all the joy and all the experience with appreciation and gratitude to our Lord for allowing us to do it, thank you all, God bless

 

[jeanmarie]

In case no one else tells you this, get copies of your dogs' medical records. Keep them handy and keep them up to date. Dogs get hurt or sick, especially young active dogs or smart curious dogs. They chase rabbits, drink from puddles, and get tick bites. Some dogs will go forever with little trouble and some dogs get into trouble all the time.

 

[Puppiesparents]

Thank you JeanMarie, good advice, I’m putting that on our checklist right now, thank you

 

[Rajendora1]

First thing we did was get our cat chipped, just in case he got lost or ran away from fright. Our local shelter had a day they did chips for free, and then if you change your mailing address, you pay a fee to notify the company they get the chips from.

And Natures Miracle urine removal enzyme spray. >.<;; accidents happen, and the dog formula should work as good as the cat one. 2 to 3 applications and the oder is gone for good, depends on the humidity and how much it has to deal with.