Itchy feet

[rich heritage]

Hi! <br><br>My wife and are are in the planning stages of our retirement.&nbsp; We've always loved traveling in our GMC Van, and we're thinking maybe we could hit the road full time with our small dog.<br><br>We've got lots of questions - most notably: what type of vehicle? Should we get a basic van and customize the interior? Should we buy a customized van or class B? Should we just bite the bullet and get a Class C (26' or less)?&nbsp; <br><br>Hoping that we can learn from some of you who live the life can give us the pros and cons!&nbsp; <br><br>Have a great day,<br>RH<br><br>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Welcome!&nbsp; I think it will depend on the level of comfort you wish to enjoy (space, need a shower/toilet, hookups etc), how much you want to move around and how much budget you have <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">

 

[peacetara]

I agree with DazarGaidin.<br><br>I have a few thoughts I'll add.&nbsp; I used to have a pretty bad case of RV's are NOT for me, but I'm starting to change my tune.&nbsp; I think RV's are for people that want to live *IN* their vehicle, and vans and things are for people that want to live *OUT* of their vehicle.&nbsp; By this I mean, do you think you will spend most of your time INSIDE the vehicle when you are not sleeping? If so, then I think an RV is probably the right choice, but if you like to take walks and be OUTSIDE of the vehicle most of the time, enjoying nature, or visiting museums, or city parks or working, or whatever it is you will be doing, if those things are outside things, and your vehicle is just the bedroom, then a VAN works great for that. <br><br>Basically, If you are going to treat your vehicle as a bedroom on wheels, then a van is a great option, you get a small but very functional bedroom but if you are going to treat it like your living room AND bedroom, then you might look for more space and into box vans, busses, RV's, etc.<br><br>But really I don't think anyone can make the decision(s) for you.&nbsp; Go to an RV show and wander around and think about living in one of those things, and then think about having to drive and haul all of that comfort around (and the &lt; 10MPG you will get with such a beast).<br><br>Right now and for the foreseeable future, a cargo van is the right answer for me.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Very good answer Tara. <br><br>&nbsp;Many years ago when we were much younger we spent a year traveling and living in a VW vanagon. Loved it! But a year was enough time living with a "bedroom on wheels" as Tara puts it. Now that we live in our little 25' class C we'd have a hard time giving up the comforts that the extra room allows.<br><br>&nbsp;Do you still have the van? Why not try taking longer trips and see how it all works out. You'll get a better idea of what you like and need to live fulltime in a vehicle. There are so many options that it's hard to make a decision.

 

[mockturtle]

I have found my 24' Class C to be just the right size.&nbsp; It has a bath with separate shower/tub and plenty of storage capacity and yet will go just about anywhere.&nbsp; If I ever order a new one, it will have 4WD, otherwise it will be the same.&nbsp; I also have had a small trailer and towed it with an SUV.&nbsp; That is probably the most cost-effective solution of all.&nbsp;

 

[bk2valve]

Tara hit it on the head for me as well...I agree completely with her with the addition of taking weather into consideration....it is all well and good to travel with the sun, but there will be days and sometimes weeks with wind, cold or rain or any combination of them and one has to be aware of how that will affect them in whatever they choose to use....(and age can be a real decider as well...things change and I need to be flexible enough to change with it)<br><br>Welcome from New Mexico to you folks....glad to have you with us...<br>Bri

 

[Lifemagician]

All the above is invaluable information.&nbsp;&nbsp; I would add that you can't do better than to read through the forums.&nbsp; Thread after thread after thread, no matter how old they are.&nbsp; If I had known about this place, the decisions I made may have been different, though I do not regret buying the van I did.&nbsp; Just that I am so much wiser now.<br><br>I would agree however, vandwelling, a bedroom on wheels, is fine for one.&nbsp; I can't imagine having to share the space.<br><br>Lifey

 

[akrvbob]

Having proven to yourselves you can be happy in a van, a Class B might be perfect. I know several couples who live happily in a Class B. <br><br>But be realistic and honest with yourselves, this won't be a trip with a beginning and end, it will be the rest of your lives. After a van the Class C will be a mansion and might be perfect.&nbsp;<br><br>It will also allow you to pull a towed vehicle (toad). Having to break camp to take every trip gets old fast. A toad that gets high mpg would be a huge plus and make your life much better. <br>Bob

 

[rich heritage]

Thanks, All, for the great replies.&nbsp; We've taken multiple multi-week trips in our GMC Van - it was great.&nbsp; Could we do it for months/years? Part of us thinks yes...(notice I said *part*) lol.<br><br>Bob, you brought up a really great point. We might want to haul our motorcycle with us.&nbsp; (Can you guess from my handle what kind it is?)&nbsp; &nbsp; I can't think of anything more fun than heading someplace and riding thru the mountains on the bike. (OK, I can think of a few things, but I won't discuss them on this forum.) ;-)<br><br>Mockturtle's 24' sounds perfect.&nbsp; We're not considering anything more than 26'.&nbsp; <br><br>We're heading out today to look at a few Class Cs.&nbsp; Not buying, but seeing what options are.&nbsp; <br><br>Have a great day!<br>Rich

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

If you have a bike, and you can afford it, then then larger rv sounds right up your alley.&nbsp; You can park and use the bike for gettin around the area.&nbsp; Good luck and let us know what you get <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak