Maiden Voyage

[Beach Bound with Hounds]

Hello Everyone-

So I am finally getting ready to leave right after Easter Sunday after about 6 months of preparation. I am currently deciding between the Ford Transit Connect Cargo,  a Ford Transit 250 or a Ford Transit 250 with a long wheel base. I would love the extra room but am worried about the maneuverability since I have never driven this type of vehicle. I am test driving all 3 tomorrow so stay tuned.

I am from Charlotte so for my first trip I want to stay on the east coast and am planning to start in the Florida Keys and slowly drive up the coast for about 6 weeks ending up in the Great Smokey Mountains before heading home. If anyone has any experience in this Florida to NC trip please feel free to give any input as there is so much information about going to the dessert but I won't be doing that until next winter. 

I think I am well prepared but of course I don't know what I don't know and there are bound to be surprises. My question is this.....what were some of the things you did not anticipate but wish you had better prepared for? Not things that were beyond your control but things you wish you have anticipate. I have watched the videos on what to bring...but I know there will be things that I will say to myself...."why didn't I think of that?" LOL.

Hope to meet up with some fellow dwellers so if you are in my east coast path please get in touch as I could use a boost of confidence.

Thanks in advance for any input or advice.

Randi
Bubbles & Squeaky

 

[SoulRaven]

Oh how fun! Test driving day. Post your thoughts & decisions. Good luck on your new life and enjoy life as a vandweller. It's all it's cracked up to be
I like long wheel base Cargo vans the best, my personal preference is having more room.

Keeping an ongoing list of what you wish you brought helps for planning & adding things you forgot to list so no forgetting later. At end of a season, I try to do an inventory of what to keep, what to replace, what I need to get, or get rid of. It's mostly get rid of things by sharing with others along the way.

 

[Riverman]

Welcome to the forum... it's great to have you here .

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Randi to the CRVL forums! 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. highdesertranger

 

[jacks18614]

It's already too hot to go to Florida the high daytime temps are near 90 and the overnight temps are in the mid sixties in Fort Myers, now just knock off 5 degrees from those temps for Ocala NF.

 

[treefiddy]

Hi Randi, I wouldn't worry about the temps in Fl. if I were you. You seem to have a plan....stick with it, it sounds like a lot of fun to me!
Not saying you shouldn't take advice that you get here...but most of these folks here seem to think the south east is novansland, but if they were down here they'd probably have to rethink some of those preconceived notions.
I'm in n e ms and every time I come home ....it's hard to describe the feeling, coming home!
I too really enjoy the west, and I subscribe to the 'west is best' way of thinking, but coming back to familiar flora will always be the most calming for me! Lots to be said for the GREEN side too!
Enjoy your journey! I'm Dave

 

[user 13531]

Welcome to the forums Randi...

There are so many vehicle, trailer, rv options in general, who knew! Good luck on the test drives and the new adventure.

See you on the road...

 

[Rocky]

I would consider the Ram promaster they have a lot of good used ones on craigslist

 

[Beach Bound with Hounds]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I didn't realize the Promaster was so tall. That sold me and there are a lot of them with low miles at a good price.....HOWEVER, my test drives scared me off a little bit. I am going to make my first trip in my car with bare bones to see if I really do want to do this. All the sudden I am rethinking everything which
me think I really do need to go. 

Also thanks for tip on Florida being too hot already. I definitely don't want that kind of heat!!!

 

[Victor]

Follow your intuition but don't let fear stand in your way. Just prepare. Preparation can often dissuade fear.