Miscellaneous Questions

[Jack]

This seemed like the best place to ask some nagging newbie questions!

1.  What kind of documentation do you need to keep with you?  
2.  Are there any places (states, counties, cities, towns, etc.,) where it's illegal to be considered living in a van?
3.  Are there places where nomads generally recommend never going?  If so, why?
4.  What state is the best (tax wise, etc.,) to use as your home base for registration, insurance, and licensing?
5.  Making money from jobs while on the road.  What are the laws and do you declare the income?
6.  What's your best warning about nomad living?
7.  What's your favorite thing about nomad living?

 

[becida]

Oooh questions!

1. Drivers licence, Passport, animal papers, vehicle papers & assorted other day to day IDs

2. Yes

3. Unk

4. I'm partial to states without income tax.. This is a subject covered in depth other places. I'm a Florida resident & use Escapees as my mail forwarder.

5. I've workcamped & and paid my taxes.  Had to file as a non-resident in Iowa, Minnesota & North Dakota when I worked there, I got my withholding  back.

6. Have a reserve fund for when things break.

7. Seeing different places.

 

[Jack]

LOL You're like me. When I see people ask questions about a subject I can help with, I love it! Thanks for taking the time to reply.

1. That reminds me. I need to get a new passport. (I've gone through two of them in the past.) One of the things I'm most excited about is driving around Canada! What's the best way to keep important papers in a van? Fireproof safe?

2. Definitely want more info on this subject. Details would be great, or links to where I can learn more about this.

3. Hoping to hear from others about this. If there are places to avoid, I want to know. I don't look for trouble.

4. I'd love to hear from everyone about all the different ways they support themselves. Legally, of course! But, if there are "tax tips" to learn, I want to know those, too!

5. The only mail I get these days is addressed to "Current Resident." It's been that way for years. How important is having a mailing address? Can P.O. Boxes be used to help establish state residency? I imagine I'd have to register my vehicle (and get insurance) in the state I want to declare residency in, too? Come to think of it, I want to learn about all the possible tax write offs for living in a van. Mobile office write off?

6. Definitely no-brainer. Which makes me wonder something else - how do nomads handle banking? (I don't do credit cards, but I like Check Cards.)

 

[ronzey2+]

Ronzey2 here,don't know how to post something on Bob's website. Could someone please explain how to do that, I am challenged when it Comes to computers.I just want to make a simple post now and then, but can't figure out how to post something!

 

[highdesertranger]

ronzey you just posted that. do you mean start a new thread? but I see you have started 1 thread in the "Newcomers corner" so you got that right. I am confused, if you want PM me and I will try to help you. BTW in the "tips and tricks" you were given I believe it's in there. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

1.  What kind of documentation do you need to keep with you?
Same as when driving.

Passport stashed even better.

Birth Certificate original with your other important papers at a trusted friends who can FedEx to you.


2.  Are there any places (states, counties, cities, towns, etc.,) where it's illegal to be considered living in a van?

Very few where it isn't.

 

[Almost There]

1.  When I'm in the US (I'm Canadian), I keep my passport in a tucked away place (not on me). The passport ID number is kept in a fireproof box at my sons' residence so if I ever lost it, I have the number readily available for replacement. I don't carry my SIN card nor my birth certificate. Neither are necessary and if all of them are ever lost, it's a total PITA to try to replace any of them because you need the rest of them to get each one. When I'm in my home country I don't need to be carrying my passport anyways so I don't.

2. Technically, I'm never 'living' in the van. I'm travelling and camping. I'm a tourist. Even in my own province. Just because it's a van doesn't make it any different from any other RV. Ha, and I live in it year round...perpetual tourist...

3. I recommend not going any place you're not comfortable. If you start driving through a neighborhood and you're not liking the looks of the area, get the hell out! Simple.

That said, I don't recommend overnighting anywhere near a larger metropolitan area. For me, I prefer to drive through asap and head for the boonies. But then I don't like large urban areas to start with!...  

4. Can't help here - I'm Canadian. Texas and Florida are popular for nomads as is South Dakota. Tax rates only have to come in to play if you have enough income to put you in a tax bracket that you don't want. Health insurance, domicile regulations, auto inspection requirements all have to be considered if you're choosing a jurisdiction without wanting to use a family member as a home base.

5. Again, not much help. I work seasonally in my home province. I'm here to make sure I stay eligible for health insurance coverage anyways.

6. Overcome any fears you  have. I'd say 99.9 % of them are the result of misinformation and fear mongering from others.

7. Freedom!

 

[becida]

2. Technically, I'm never 'living' in the van. I'm travelling and camping. I'm a tourist.

6. Overcome any fears you  have. I'd say 99.9 % of them are the result of misinformation and fear mongering from others.

Beth has two really good points here.  Being a tourist camping in the national forest is accepted, living there is not. 
Her number 6 is spot on!

 

[Canine]

1. All of my documentation is with me with digital copies in the cloud.
2. I just assume I'm a criminal then keep contributing positively to society just like I always have. It works well, but it's not a guarantee.
3. I don't go to California, New Jersey, New York, etc. I would be a criminal going there because of what I own and my background. I don't want to become a felon, so I stick with states that allow me to not be a criminal for not doing anything wrong. Big cities in general suck. I'll go there, but seldom stay even a night.
4. There are threads and Bob has done a video or two on that. I'm in Montana. It's a close second to the best choices for me. It is geographically challenging, too. My set up won't last forever and may have to move to South Dakota.
5. Too vague of a question. I just work wherever I'm at then deal with the taxes with an accountant or tax processor at tax time. Taxes are soooo hard that I'm unable to do them correctly. I'm not the smartest dude, but I ain't stupid yet no matter how hard I try with just the tax forms, I can't do them.
6. I'm with a credit union because credit unions have the best customer service and are cheaper. I also do checks, 3 credit cards, and an occasional money order. Direct Deposit whenever I can. I severely limit my ATM usage so I don't get fleeced by the fees.

 

[Jack]

Thanks Robb, John, Canine and Almost There!  I appreciate everyone's time and responses!  For space, I won't quote everyone, but I definitely appreciate everyone's answers.  These were the nagging questions (the curious ones that put the cart before the horse) that feel good to have itched and off my brain.  Here are the responses that struck a chord with me:

1.  Keep original documents with a trusted friend who can FedEx them if needed.  Since I have no family of any kind, live very simply, and plan to do this full time, I was going to just bring it all with me and keep it hidden in the vehicle.  I just didn't know how that would work if my vehicle was stolen!  A contingency plan is definitely needed.

2.  "Technically, I'm never living in the van." - Excellent point.  Got it!

3.  Canine's answer.  I don't have a questionable background of anything that could get me in trouble but I was basically asking this question to find out if there are any known places that cause trouble for van and RV dwellers; any states or cities that, when their law enforcement sees vans and RVs, are immediately suspicious/weary of them and like to "keep and eye on them."

4.  I'm mostly keen on Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.  So if any of these states are good for setting up a permanent address, then I couldn't be happier!  If anything happened to ever take me off the road, I'll most likely be settling in one of these places.

5.  Filing taxes as a non-resident is a pain but, it's apparently part of the price for freedom so...

6.  "Overcome any fears you may have."   Already done.  If there's one thing I'm just not wanting to deal with, it's getting that dreaded knock in the middle of the night and being told to move on.  But, I plan to be more stealth anyway.  

6.  "I'm with a credit union."  Banking is something I'll definitely be looking more closely at when the time nears for me to hit the road.  Glad to be reminded of it now.  ATM fees stink.

 

[Canine]

Car registration fees in Wyoming are expensive! Since they don't have an income tax, they have to make up for it somehow. Just like Montana doesn't have a sales tax, but has high property taxes. Montana could very well be the cheapest place to register a vehicle 11 years old or older; my truck and trailer are registered for life! Permanent plates. $240 for the truck, $90 for the brand new trailer. It's kinda spendy for newer vehicles. No smog check stuff, either. The standard deduction next year will be doubled, so few of us will benefit from living in a state that doesn't have an income tax.

 

[becida]

6.  "I'm with a credit union."  Banking is something I'll definitely be looking more closely at when the time nears for me to hit the road.  Glad to be reminded of it now.  ATM fees stink.

I'm a credit union fan, my CUs do share branching so can access them from almost anywhere (https://co-opcreditunions.org/locator/ , I have the shared branching app on my phone too) .

When I need cash my FIRST thought is walmart. I can buy a dozen eggs or can of propane or anything, use my debit card & get up to $100 cash back. I can buy a candy bar & get a hundred back...

 

[Jack]

MORE MISCELLANEOUS QUESTONS:

1.  How do you deal with humidity/damp?  Even in cooler weather?  I find it impossible to sleep in.

2.  What should I be looking for in ground clearance?  I don't want to scrape bottom on sloped driveways or in the snow.  I also want to be able to drive down dirt roads, right to a lake, or off the beaten path.  Basically, deeper, more hidden places that larger trucks and RVs can't get to.  Would a 17' Class B be able to go these places easily? A passenger van?  Cargo van?

3.  Passenger vans and Class B vehicles - how's the insulation?  (I know they're a bigger pain to individualize than cargo vans.)

4.  On any used vehicle you purchase, is there a general guideline to the number of existing miles already on it that would be a deal breaker for you, even if it were a good price?

 

[lenny flank]

This seemed like the best place to ask some nagging newbie questions!

1.  What kind of documentation do you need to keep with you?  

Same stuff as an apartment dweller---driver license, birth certificate, SS card, passport.




2.  Are there any places (states, counties, cities, towns, etc.,) where it's illegal to be considered living in a van?

Yes. Many municipalities ban it. They are usually in places where there are lots of homeless people and the city doesn't want them there.


3.  Are there places where nomads generally recommend never going?  If so, why?


I don't go anywhere cold. 

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4.  What state is the best (tax wise, etc.,) to use as your home base for registration, insurance, and licensing?

Alas, the Real ID Act complicates this question. I simply chose the state where my sister lives, because it was the easiest way to have a residential address for ID.

5.  Making money from jobs while on the road.  What are the laws and do you declare the income?

I'd rather not end up in a federal prison for tax evasion. So I declare and file.


6.  What's your best warning about nomad living?

Go into it with your eyes open. YouTube and InstaGram depict it as a wonderful life of freedom with rainbows and chocolate rainbows. In reality, it's mostly dull boredom. We still have to do all the same day to day drudgery as everyone else--we have to make a living, we have to wash up, we have to do laundry, we have to cook dinner--but we do all that in a space that is smaller than the average prison cell. It is not a life for everyone.


7.  What's your favorite thing about nomad living?


I can go where I want, when I want, stay as long as I want, then go wherever else I feel like going.
[/quote]

 

[lenny flank]

MORE MISCELLANEOUS QUESTONS:

1.  How do you deal with humidity/damp?  Even in cooler weather?  I find it impossible to sleep in.

Ventilation is the solution to condensation. Crack the windows, or put a fan or two in the roof.

Forget all the stuff you you see on YouTube about using Damprid packs or salt or kitty litter or whatever. It doesn't work.

 

[becida]

MORE MISCELLANEOUS QUESTONS:

1.  How do you deal with humidity/damp?  Even in cooler weather?  I find it impossible to sleep in.

2.  What should I be looking for in ground clearance?  I don't want to scrape bottom on sloped driveways or in the snow.  I also want to be able to drive down dirt roads, right to a lake, or off the beaten path.  Basically, deeper, more hidden places that larger trucks and RVs can't get to.  Would a 17' Class B be able to go these places easily? A passenger van?  Cargo van?

3.  Passenger vans and Class B vehicles - how's the insulation?  (I know they're a bigger pain to individualize than cargo vans.)

4.  On any used vehicle you purchase, is there a general guideline to the number of existing miles already on it that would be a deal breaker for you, even if it were a good price?

1. Humidity- Get a fan (the O2 cool is good) or go somewhere else or plug in & get a dehumidifier/AC.

2. Ground clearance. I can't help you with that but it was not an issue with our '97 Dodge 3500 Pleasure-Way class "B" & we went up a lot of forest roads but we did get stuck in the sand by the John Day dam (COE land) in Oregon, a guy pulled us out.

3. I insulated my '86 Ford van because I took everything out. I didn't mess with the mini-van or any of my VW vans. The insulation question never came up with the Pleasure-Way... plus my idea is we have wheels for a reason. (That applies to #1 too).

4. Mileage & general rule of thumb... This is all in my opinion... Modern vehicles last a lot longer than they used to, I can remember when hitting 100,000 was a HUGE deal.

With modern vehicles I use 250,000 miles as my life expectancy guide. That's (ballpark) for having to deal with the expensive pieces (tranny/ engine kind of stuff).
Brakes, tires, belts, hoses, fluids, & an occasional alignment/repair are all normal maintenance things.

An example..  
We bought a 2000 Toyota with 140,000 miles on it to tow behind the RV. Using my 'ballpark" number of 250,000 miles it should be good for another 110,000 miles. We've been driving around 10k a year so that's another 11 years of driving. Works for me! I'll probably get something different to drive before then just to have something different!

If it had 200k on it I'd have had to rethink what I paid for it cause it was only good for 5 years..

Then there is the what kind of deal did I get question? Is it worth it to get the engine rebuilt? The transmission?

 

[Canine]

In regards to humidity, stop breathing so much or open a window.

Ground clearance, that varies. A lot of class Bs have a lowered floor, so less clearance, so keep an eye out for that. Just don't get a Grand Caravan wheelchair van or you will get high centered on a thin dime.

Stock insulation in just about any vehicle is going to suck.

 

[Jack]

Car registration fees in Wyoming are expensive! Since they don't have an income tax, they have to make up for it somehow. Just like Montana doesn't have a sales tax, but has high property taxes. Montana could very well be the cheapest place to register a vehicle 11 years old or older; my truck and trailer are registered for life! Permanent plates. $240 for the truck, $90 for the brand new trailer. It's kinda spendy for newer vehicles. No smog check stuff, either. The standard deduction next year will be doubled, so few of us will benefit from living in a state that doesn't have an income tax.

You're a great resource for information, Canine.  I appreciate the specifics because, even though I'm still in the planning and research phase, your info really scratches the curious itches of certain questions!  When I'm closer to my time to take off, I'll be visiting all of this information again carefully.  Thanks!

 

[Jack]

1. Humidity- Get a fan (the O2 cool is good) or go somewhere else or plug in & get a dehumidifier/AC.....

Rob, you've also been a great source of info that I appreciate.  
There's so much to learn.  Each question I research brings about five new questions!  The more videos I watch with people's van conversions, the more excited I get to make it happen.  I try not to get discouraged of the fact that I have no carpentry, electric, or building skills/tools.  Not having any family, and having pretty much been a hermit for the last 10 years, I don't know others with these skills to help me.
In the meantime, I'm researching for lighter materials to build out my van with instead of wood.  It seems like a lot of extra weight added to panel the van all around and build furniture with.  (Gas mileage is something I'm keen on making the most of.)  I love the look of wood, but not the weight.

 

[becida]

 I try not to get discouraged of the fact that I have no carpentry, electric, or building skills/tools.  Not having any family, and having pretty much been a hermit for the last 10 years, I don't know others with these skills to help me.

If you get past being a hermit there are vandwellers in the winter who know what they are doing and are willing to help you learn. 
I was serous about the air mat to sleep on, a lawn chair & tv tray for a table, a pota potty & blankets from the goodwill for curtains being enough for me...that would be enough to get someone to where they needed to be to learn & do it comfortably.

One of my first builds in my '86 Ford (I redid it several times) was a simple 2x4 frame held together with long screws (a Robi 18v drill-driver kit for <$100). I stopped at a big box store & bought a sheet of plywood, I had them cut it to fit on top of the 2x4 frame. Out in the parking lot I screwed it in place. I put my goodwill blanket on the plywood bed (to protect the air mattress), I put my walmart air mattress on that & headed for Arizona. 
I made the bed frame just tall enough to slide a 10gal Rubbermaid tote under it.