Just a hello

[JDC]

Old, ugly and getting stupider by the day but happy.&nbsp; My wife and I are thinkin' 'bout RVíng again.&nbsp; We VW van'd in the 70's, C-class tripped in the 80's and 90's and been off the grid a'buildin' for the last ten years way, way out on a remote island up the BC coast.&nbsp; Lived on our sailboats for 11 years somewhere in between.&nbsp; The hardest endurance test was 14 years in the %$# urban cul de sac trying to be normal and raising two kids - who are great!&nbsp; But what a hell-hole way to do it!&nbsp; Shoulda just taken 'em along for the ride and spared them the brainwashing machine.&nbsp; Thank God they are healthy and good.&nbsp; Well travelled too, I might add.&nbsp; They caught the bug. &nbsp;<br>I am kinda curious as to what people thinks makes the perfect RV...?&nbsp; I am not a fan of the big, tail heavy Class C's and except for the littlest TREK (24 feet) there is no class A that appeals.&nbsp; So, that seems to leave the Class B's.&nbsp; I am partial to the Airstream B190 but that is still a bit 'obvious' as a stealth.&nbsp; I've been thinking of converting a step van and painting a commercial sign on the outside like WESTERN SEPTIC TANK CLEANING SERVICES or something.&nbsp; Atlantic Center for Disease Control, complete with fake logo? But most step vans run harsh.&nbsp; Plus I am getting older and can't do the mods on a remote island.&nbsp; I am biased against Chrysler based vehicles but I might make an exception for a Cummins.&nbsp; I'd really like 4WD.&nbsp; Nothing is quite as stealthy as a vehicle that can climb over the ridge.&nbsp; I am also wondering what colour?&nbsp; Black, of course...but maybe dark green?&nbsp; Or a semi-camoflage that is blocks of greens and black?&nbsp; Destination?&nbsp; First direction is SE USA.&nbsp; Haven't seen that part of the world. Been most everywhere else but, of course, places change over the years so there is still plenty to check out again.&nbsp; We have $2000 a month in pensions so we should be OK but the rig has to be debt free and reliable for that.&nbsp; I think.&nbsp; What do you folks feel is the minimal income for full-timing given that the trips will vary the budget due to fuel? &nbsp; &nbsp;

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome JDC and wife. Wow. You folks have lived a life many have dreamed about. You sound pretty secure with a lifestyle of your choosing.<br>No advice, I don't have any for free spirits like you two. Makes me more determined to get my little dog and pony show on the road.

 

[JDC]

Well, thanks for the kind words and I guess we do think we have been pretty lucky.&nbsp; Just to be able say we are happy is pretty neat.&nbsp; But the key for us has been learning.&nbsp; Getting to do something new.&nbsp; And RVíng has come a long way since the VW vans of the 70's.&nbsp; There is still so much to learn about.&nbsp; I am here on this forum to learn again.&nbsp; That is half the fun!&nbsp;

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome JDC!&nbsp; $2000 a month is a pretty good amount for fulltiming. Boondock as much as possible and stay put if the month lasts longer than your money.<br><br>&nbsp;Don't worry too much about stealth unless you're planning on staying on the street in residential neighborhoods. Big box stores don't pay much attention to vans or RVs and you don' t need to be stealthy on public land. A light colored exterior is best for staying cool. Some members who have darker vans have painted the roofs white to try to stay a little cooler but it's still not as good as having a completely white or light colored van.<br><br>&nbsp;Good luck with your search!

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hello JDC and welcome,<br><br>There is no one-fits-all rig, it depends on your particular&nbsp;needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;For instance, will you live in it full time or part time? Do you plan on doing a lot of mileage? Will you be out exploring all day, using the rv&nbsp;for meals and sleeping only or will you spend a lot of time inside? Can you physically deal with the challenge of a cargo, passenger van/mini van or do you need to stand-up inside your rv? You lived on a boat so you can do small but do you want to do it again? A good approach might be to figure out your needs and then find the rig that meets your requirements. Just my 2 cents,<br><br>Have fun in your future travels.<br><br>Nicole

 

[blkjak]

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>welcome&nbsp;.... blkjak</strong> </span>