Is it me or my boat ?

[Chief]

Hi All.
New guy. Married.  (Sorry ladies) 54 yrs old looking to ease out of the rat race and into nomadic or at least give it a try. At the moment my immediate concerns are ditching my accumulated stuff/toys, and finding a reasonably economic way to start trying this out. Van/mini van/utility trailer/buy/build ? I'm in a pretty decent place in life where I can start thinking this through. Hope I can find some ideas to get me in the right direction.

Peace !!!

Joe

 

[DannyB1954]

Hi All.
 finding a reasonably economic way to start trying this out. Van/mini van/utility trailer/buy/build ?
Peace !!!

Joe

The most economical way to see if you like the nomad life is use whatever you already have and try it. Put your stuff in storage and hit the road. Buy a tent if necessary, but many do live out of their cars. After 6 months, make a more permanent decision. You may find that you do not like traveling as much as you thought you would, or you want something that you can stand up in, or that is easier on fuel, (like a Prius). Nobody can tell you what will be the best rig for you. Every form of RV has advantages and disadvantages. what is perfect for one would be a pain in the arse for someone else. Where you RV will play a part in your choice. A stealth city dweller has a harder time living in a 30' Class A than a van.
The best advice that I have for you is do not buy new. You will take a large financial beating if you find it was not the right rig for you. Worst is having to keep that unit because you would lose too much to change. Very seldom do experienced RVers end up with the same type of rig that they started with.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Joe!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Welcome, Joe! Gt rid of all my toys to travel. I feel much lighter and better!

 

[Chief]

Wow guys thank you for all the helpful replies.
Danny B you kinda are suggesting a direction I had considered, now hearing it from someone else makes even more sense. I currently own a 2014 Toyota Tundra with 60,000 miles. Extended cab 4wd 6.5 foot box (appx) It's in great shape and paid for. I want to work with that if possible. Heck I'm getting happy just thinking about it LOL. I realize the drawbacks of a fiberglass/aluminum cap as I've had both on different trucks in the past, but as far as a camper and all the info I've found lately, a cap might be a great start !!! I saw one the other day that takes replaces the tailgate and gives a small entry door. It couldn't be that tough to insulate everything and it's a fairly economical option. Then perhaps a utility trailer WAHOO !!! Lol. 
  Yes I've been down the "Buy New" route with eyes wide open back in 2005. Kids were younger and my wife had to have new LOL despite my suggestions. So bought a new 27" TT, full financing. Used it for less than five years while making payments. Even camped in my backyard. Interest was waning and I was smart enough or maybe lucky enough to sell it outright with enough money to pay it off plus another 1300 to boot. I saw it coming before it happened LOL. Different situation now, kids are getting pretty close to finishing college, I'm creeping up on retirement, no major debt. My wife says she's not living in a trailer LOL, and I'm guessing she probably won't. We both still work but it would be do able. Anyway this is just a start, maybe I'll only be doing it part time. I'm just going to move forward as conservatively and economically as possible and see where it takes me. ...
Thank You again for the welcomes, tips, links, etc. Gonna see what I can find on truck caps. ...I'm pretty stoked at the moment. Makes this grind a lot more bearable looking forward for sure !!!!

 

[Chief]

Oh heck I meant to mention, I'm going to sell off my motorcycle, and I have a convertible that's going also. They are both in nice shape, but I got them on the cheap for good value. Both in nice shape and highly marketable especially this time of year. Going on craigslist. I won't get rich by selling them but it will give me a good chunk to start with !!!!

 

[ratfink56]

Saw a post yesterday on a facebook van group. The guy was using a commercial truck topper. Higher than cab height but not extended over the cab. And had a door. According to the guy it's built much sturdier than a normal topper. He said the construction made it easier to attach shelves to the walls.

 

[DannyB1954]

I think a cap for the bed is an excellent solution. One that is tall enough to sit in a chair or your bed is a plus. If you are handy with a saw, even build one. It doesn't need to be a masterpiece. Some lumber racks can be modified to make nice tents or frames for a shell. Attach some short pieces of tubing to the sides that you can fit PVC tubing into, throw a tarp over it and you have an instant Calistoga wagon. Take it apart when you want to hit the freeway. Lots of good videos on Youtube for truck camping.
I heard of a guy that liked to ride the rails, (as in jumping on a freight train hobo style). When people asked where he was, his wife just told them that he wanted to see the country by train and that she wasn't into that. She never bothered to tell them he was under the train, not in it. Part time is good. That is the direction I am heading.

 

[Emerald Bay]

Hello Joe,
   I started watching every cheap rv living video posted to youtube and I found so much information and idea's there.  There is a lot to think about.

Have fun,
Emeral Bay

 

[A Savage Adventure]

I think a cap for the bed is an excellent solution. 

Wish I had installed one before getting the toolbox in the back. Even a tonneau cover would have been a better choice since I am storing so much in the truck bed. Fortunately your post got me thinking and I realized there are tonneau covers for truck beds with the tool box.

 

[ratfink56]

I have seen the headroom increased by spacing the topper with 2x4s.

 

[Chief]

Looked around online last night at fiberglass caps, they make what I'm looking for. This morning I got side tracked watching the video of the woman with a Tundra and a hard side truck camper. Then I came back to earth with a fiberglass cap HA HA. I bought one back in 95 for my dodge ram. It cost 700 new. Now that cap is 2 grand new, but that was 23 years ago. It had about a 6" rise and was comfortable. That's what I'm looking for. Hopefully find a decent deal on a used one. Time will tell..