just joined

[SoulRaven]

I'm from CO , and see living in an small teardrop trailer in my future.  
I'd like to learn as much as I can about the legalities, since I will not have a permanent address; as well as all of the other 
PRO's and CON'S.

 

[WriterMs]

Hi and welcome!

Wow, a teardrop for full-time living? Well, there are a few on the forum who live for months of the year out of a Prius, so we'll all be interested in how that works out.

There are a handful of states that are more friendly to full-time RV living than the rest of the country. And you'll find several older conversation threads on those states on the forum. For instance, in the "Commnications and Getting Mail" section of the Forum, you'll see a not-too-old thread that Bob started on becoming a Nevada resident (how he does it).

I'm a resident of South Dakota because that state has a set=up where you can be a resident with only a mailing service address (and proof of overnight stay of one night). The mail services companies' web sites give details on how you become a resident and you can even pay them a small fee to help you do it.

Here's a link to the company I use in Madison, SD, as an example:

http://www.mydakotaaddress.com/

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, pnolans! I've met a couple people full timing in a teardrop so it can be done. As long as your knees hold up you should be fine!

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.

 

[SoulRaven]

Hi and welcome!

Wow, a teardrop for full-time living?  Well, there are a few on the forum who live for months of the year out of a Prius, so we'll all be interested in how that works out.

[snip]

A tear drop for full-time living?  I don't expect it to be pleasant, but hopefully , possible.  And it gives me a chance to visit relatives and friends I haven't seen in 20 years or more. 
I'll be forced to live on what Social Security benefits I'll get (if any!    )  And I'd prefer to live in the woods than on the streets.  
I'm 63 and want to "retire" by 66.  No way I can afford rent after that.  

Thanks so much for the suggestions.... 

Pat

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[WriterMs]

Pat,
You can find out exactly what your social security payments will be at various retirement ages -- even what you'd get if you retire now.

Below is a link to the "planning" page and you'll see a blue link to the "Calculators" on the left column.

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/index.html

 

[rvpopeye]

I'm 63 and saw no real reason to wait ,
the difference in payments will break even when I'm around 80 !
Actually stopped working at 50 and started workamping to fill in till 62!

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm 63 and saw no real reason to wait ,
the difference in payments will break even when I'm around 80 !
[snip]

Hi rvpopeye,

That is only a small part of why I'm waiting 2 years.
1. I have personal and financial obligations to meet.
2. I currently have a decent job with a decent salary.
3. I would like to have the 2 years to prepare for living on the road. Gives me time to do test runs, and camps ... see what the National Forests and BLM
    camping is like and what the "authorities" are like.  
4. I don't HAVE a teardrop yet.  So over the next 2 years I will be getting one, getting my Jeep Cherokee up to a higher level of reliability. It's a 98 xj with a rebuilt engine. 
    The tranny and transfer case are ok... but I may replace them just for "belts and suspenders". 

And at 63, any $$ I make comes out of my SSN payments.  Yep, I can get around that, but that's just one hassle I don't want to mess with. 
Next month, I turn 64 (any Beatles fans out there???   )

 

[Suanne]

Welcome to the forum pnolans!  

For several years, we had a reproduction 1950's Kit Teardrop Trailer, it was 4.5'x8'.  When I was preparing to go on the road, I seriously considered using our teardrop, or even building a smaller one to tow behind my Prius (e.g., 3'x8').  But, as it turned out, I realized I could live out of my Prius just as easily as I could live out of a teardrop.  And, I've been a part-timer in my Prius now for over 6 years.  We no longer have the teardrop.  

You asked for some pros and cons, so here are some off the top of my head.

Teardrop w/Tow Vehicle Pros:
 - Dedicated bed (teardrop is basically a bed on wheels),
 - Enough overhead space to sit up and lounge in bed,
 - Dedicated kitchen (most teardrops have a galley in the back behind a hatch),
 - Plenty of storage space in your tow vehicle for clothes, toiletries, food, and camping gear,
 - Teardrops are usually light and easy to tow,
 - Teardrop community is very helpful, outgoing, and friendly (check out tnttt.com).

Teardrop w/Tow Vehicle Cons:
 - During bad weather, need to go between teardrop and tow vehicle for supplies (clothing, toiletries, food, gear),
 - Also during bad weather, may feel claustrophobic if spending most of your time lounging in teardrop,
 - Also during bad (windy) weather, tent/awning/covering will blow away or get torn apart,
 - Getting in and out of the sleeping space is awkward (need good knees and/or good flexibility),
 - When getting into teardrop bed, no place to put dirty/muddy/wet shoes for easy access in morning (without getting bed wet/dirty),
 - Teardrop is an extra vehicle to license, insure, and maintain,
 - Backing a teardrop is an extra challenge (due to short distance between wheels and hitch),

Other thoughts and questions:
  - Depending on your personality, this may be a pro or a con -- Teardrops are cute, they attract attention and questions.  For example, when getting gas, we always planned on spending at least a half hour extra in anticipation of questions while fueling up.
  - Make sure you have a top vent/fan or some other method for air circulation while you sleep in a teardrop, otherwise you'll run low on oxygen and have lots of condensation.
  - As with towing any trailer, make sure weight is evenly distributed with the heaviest items over the axel.
  - How much electric power will you need?  We had a house battery that was charged while we towed our teardrop.  If you are camping a lot (and not driving), how do you plan to charge your house battery?  Solar panels on your tow vehicle?
  - If you can, go to a teardrop gathering to learn from those who use them.  Information on gatherings at tnttt.com.
  - If you can, go to a Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) to learn from those who live out of their vehicles (next one is in June near Flagstaff, AZ).

The years of using our teardrop helped prepare me for living small out of my Prius.  If backpackers can live for months at a time, using only what they can carry on their back, you can certainly live out of a teardrop should you find that's your best solution!

Enjoy the planning and preparing ... I think it's fun stuff!

Suanne

 

[SoulRaven]

[snip]

 - During bad weather, need to go between teardrop and tow vehicle for supplies (clothing, toiletries, food, gear),
 - Also during bad weather, may feel claustrophobic if spending most of your time lounging in teardrop,
 - Also during bad (windy) weather, tent/awning/covering will blow away or get torn apart,
 - Getting in and out of the sleeping space is awkward (need good knees and/or good flexibility),
 - When getting into teardrop bed, no place to put dirty/muddy/wet shoes for easy access in morning (without getting bed wet/dirty),
 - Teardrop is an extra vehicle to license, insure, and maintain,
 - Backing a teardrop is an extra challenge (due to short distance between wheels and hitch),

[snip]

 - How much electric power will you need?  We had a house battery that was charged while we towed our teardrop.  If you are camping a lot (and not driving), how do you plan to charge your house battery?  Solar panels on your tow vehicle?
  - If you can, go to a teardrop gathering to learn from those who use them.  Information on gatherings at tnttt.com.
  - If you can, go to a Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) to learn from those who live out of their vehicles (next one is in June near Flagstaff, AZ).

The years of using our teardrop helped prepare me for living small out of my Prius.  If backpackers can live for months at a time, using only what they can carry on their back, you can certainly live out of a teardrop should you find that's your best solution!

Enjoy the planning and preparing ... I think it's fun stuff!

Suanne

First, 
Thanks a lot for the wealth of info... As you implied, the cons sound very much like backpacking in foul weather.  Muddy boots, boredom when the weather is bad, 
having to get out for supplies... I get it.  But it won't be a "retirement home", "nursing home"...  

And I PLAN to use solar panels... a good friend is experimenting with them, himself.  I also have a colleague who frequently camps with a small pickup and a "Little Guy" teardrop... and uses solar panels.   I plan to buy one and test it out myself, with just my Jeep .  

You're right, planning and preparing are fun!  It moved me to join this forum with so many helpful people. 

Thanks again, 

Pat

 

[SoulRaven]

Eight months later, I finally got my vehicle.  I went with a Haulmark 6x12 cargo trailer, and plan to convert it myself, with help from friends and input from other board members.  

A lot has happened this year.  I informed my boss that I planned to retire 1/1/2017 and got laid off effective 10/28/16!  Caused a few changes in plans!  

I just back from a trip to Waco, TX to pick it up (I live in Colorado Springs, CO)... 

In many ways it was a weekend from hell; but prepared me for how to deal with some of the things that can go sideways on the road. 
I'm home, I'm warm (there was a winter storm this weekend), got to visit my son in Austin and my sister in New Braunfels. 
That was a blessing.  And I'm more committed than ever that this is the correct path for me. 

I very much appreciate this forum and the folks that participate in it.  I've met two during this past year that have proven to be really decent people. I have a lot of hope for the future. 

Thanks,

Pat

 

[RVtrek]

I went with a Haulmark 6x12 cargo trailer, and plan to convert it myself, with help from friends and input from other board members.

Congrats on getting your trailer, and let the journey begin!

 

[rvpopeye]

NICE BOSS !
Actually that's not that uncommon. It's the new corporate mentality.
(They probably plan on replacing you with a know nothing , do nothing at minimum wage..)
Don't worry , you have a new company to go to , the company of like minded friends.

Good to hear you found your new home.

We'll be waiting for the story of that trip !

 

[DannyB1954]

Congratulations. I think the cargo is a better choice than teardrop. I have a 30' RV, (too big), and a van, (maybe too small). I now have my eyes on a trailer to pull behind the van, (if it is still available when my SS check comes on the 28th). Always the story of the three bears. looking for the one that is just right.

 

[SoulRaven]

Great news that you are moving forward. Yep, I hear it all the time, give notice at work and you are done which in the end will cause many to just wait until the end of the shift on the last day to give notice. Will look forward to your sharing your "journey"

 

[SoulRaven]

Great news that you are moving forward.  Yep, I hear it all the time, give notice at work and you are done which in the end will cause many to just wait until the end of the shift on the last day to give notice.  Will look forward to your sharing your "journey"

The Trip from hell (and yes, I know it could have been much worse! )  
As far as my journey went... the agent for Haulmark discovered an issue about the delivery the day I was going to pick it up. 
I ended up meeting a delivery guy that he hired in a WalMart parking lot.   It took all day to make this happen.  
I was in Waco, TX , which is on the Freeway corridor from Dallas to San Antone... heavy traffic, fast nutty drivers, lots of tight lanes and lane changes .  First time ever driving anything bigger than say a 4x8 Uhaul... lots of stress. 

My dog, Taz , was freaking out... he jumped up in the front seat twice while my son and I were driving back to Austin.  More on that later.   

Again, since I am new at driving a trailer, I got stuck twice and had to have someone help me to back it up.  Again, never driven a trailer this long.  

Then the weather hit when I was just south of Lubbock.  Got down to about 3 degrees in a few hours.  I ended up spending two nights in a motel... Colorado was socked in and roads shut down.   Spent a lot of time watching YouTube video's about backing up a trailer... I have a much better idea how to do it now.  I had forgotten what little I did know from a long time ago.  

Left Sunday morning, heading back to Colorado.  About 20 miles north of Lubbock, while walking my dogs away from the Interstate, my dog Taz got off of the leash.  Next thing I see him hightailing down a 1 lane dirt country road.  Away from me. 
the "ignoring therapy" didn't quite work. Took me an hour to find him, driving around, stopping at farmhouses, asking if they'd seen him.  Was on the phone with my sister , asking for moral and prayer support , when I saw him running toward me about a mile away.    Wow!  I ignored the vet's instructions and gave him *2* of the tranq's she had given and told me to give IN ADVANCE. He calmed down in about 15 minutes, and was calm the rest of the trip.  Clearly, in advance was not the solution. We'll see if this is. 


I had to drive through a little bit of snow... again , a first for me with a trailer.   That was no problem, I just drove slow and steady and made NO sudden changes. 

So, yep, it COULD have been worse.  And I rolled with most of the punches , trying to learn as much as I could from them.  So, all-in-all, a success.

 

[jimindenver]

Last time we were down that a way it was torrential rain and tornadoes, kinda reminded me of back home in Michigan. As for the trailer. Take it to Walmart at night and back it all the way around the outside one way and then the other. That will give your mind time to adjust and by the time you are done you should be able to drop it into any spot in the lot.

 

[rvpopeye]

That right there is called "a road adventure" you made it back safe so it was "a good road adventure" !

 

[SoulRaven]

Last time we were down that a way it was torrential rain and tornadoes, kinda reminded me of back home in Michigan. As for the trailer. Take it to Walmart at night and back it all the way around the outside one way and then the other. That will give your mind time to adjust and by the time you are done you should be able to drop it into any spot in the lot.

I've been doing a lot of practice just like that... Thanks, Jim!

 

[hitower]

I would have just sat all back of the bus and given a "Today Notice" Excuse me BOSS-MAN TODAY I am retiring.....

Sorry about the early RIF though. Hope to see you at the RTR in 2017.