Need some info/advice

[ncwoman]

Hi Everyone~
My name is Rachel and I live in Asheville, NC. First a little info about my experience living on the road. About 15 years ago, I bought a used GMC conversion van (seats removed, back seats convert to bed, carpet), fixed up the interior to "live in" (curtain behind the front seats, stacking cartons for bookshelves, secured a small cabinet with drawers, small porta potty that stashed under the bed), etc. I had an old Coleman camp stove, ice chest, and general camping gear. I took off and ended up in Alaska, where I lived for a year (had to go indoors then). On the going and coming I spent close to another year visiting National Parks/Monuments, etc.

After living in Asheville now for many years, I'm ready to hit the road again - but this time with a little more comfort (older, now). When I left last time, I had no idea of if/when I'd ever settle down again. This time, I plan on going out for around 3-4 months, but will return to my little house here in A'ville.

So.....my current dilemma is what to travel in. I just bought an '04 Toyota Rav 4 which has been well maintained and seems to be in very good shape. But, the Rav 4 manual says it can only tow 1500 lbs...and I'd want to be on the conservative side of even that number since I plan on going west through the Rockies and other western mountains. I've done a little research and haven't found any travel trailers that, when loaded with gear and water, propane, etc. would be under 1500 lbs. I definitely don't want to stress the engine or transmission on the Rav 4 because I can't afford to buy another car for daily use. And, I'm not really interested in a teardrop since the kitchen is outdoors.

Financial constraints would make it challenging to own two vehicles - especially if I'm only going to use one sporadically for travel. However, if I do have to get a second travel vehicle, I'm wondering if you think OLDER RVs like a RoadTrek might be a good option? Or maybe just another van like I had before....but there goes the comfort. I don't know about car repair and will be traveling alone so really need a reliable vehicle.

I'd so like to hear from you with any ideas you may have. And thanks for reading this loonng posting.

Looking forward to more Happy Trails.....
Rachel

 

[ccbreder]

roadtrec are very nice rv's. one of these could tow your econo-car.

 

[Almost There]

roadtrec are very nice rv's. one of these could tow your econo-car.

Before you go ahead and get into an RV purchase thinking you can tow the RAV4, there's a whole lot of investigating to do. The towability of the car will depend on year, drive train, weight as well as the towing capacity of the RV. If it's front wheel drive, it will need a tow dolly for sure.

I agree that if you want more comfort than a van would offer, are only going to use it for several months of the year and want the economy of running the smaller car when based at home, then a smallish RV would be a good idea. OTOH, a van with a raised roof can offer some real comforts when outfitted nicely. I have no plans to rough it at all in the new van...it WILL contain all the comforts *I* want.

Just remember that, generally speaking, the older the vehicle, the more prone you are to repair bills.

Also, check with your insurance company about covering 2 vehicles, it may not be a cumbersome as you thought. A full scale RV is much cheaper to cover than some cars. Also my insurance company allows me to put 'storage' coverage on a vehicle when it's not being used. My an is costing me $12.00 a month to cover this winter since it's sitting outside waiting for spring..sigh!

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[ncwoman]

Hi CC....thanks so much for writing!

I have no intention of taking two cars....it'd either be the RAV4 towing a camper trailer OR having a second vehicle just for travel. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go the van route but not sure whether to look for an empty van and fix it up for travel or to look for something like a RoadTrek that already has everything in it.

It sounds like you have a van that you've outfitted - comfortably. I'd like to hear more about that. What kind of van is it? How old? Does it have a raised roof? Where did you find it? What have you done to make it comfortable to live in? I'm really interested in that idea and would love to hear more details.

Thank you also for the heads up that there may be a way to have insurance cover the "used only part-time" van or RV w/o it's costing too much. I didn't know that. Are there some companies that specialize in RV/travel vans that are only used occasionally?

I'd be grateful for any further info you can share......

 

[Almost There]

Hi CC....thanks so much for writing!

I have no intention of taking two cars....it'd either be the RAV4 towing a camper trailer OR having a second vehicle just for travel. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go the van route but not sure whether to look for an empty van and fix it up for travel or to look for something like a RoadTrek that already has everything in it.

It sounds like you have a van that you've outfitted - comfortably. I'd like to hear more about that. What kind of van is it? How old? Does it have a raised roof? Where did you find it? What have you done to make it comfortable to live in? I'm really interested in that idea and would love to hear more details.

Thank you also for the heads up that there may be a way to have insurance cover the "used only part-time" van or RV w/o it's costing too much. I didn't know that. Are there some companies that specialize in RV/travel vans that are only used occasionally?

I'd be grateful for any further info you can share......

Whether you look for something that is already professionally converted or a blank page will depend on how adventurous you are with DIY jobs. Some people need everything done for them and others like to do everything themselves.

Me, I got into 'vanning' in the mid 70's and owned and customized several over the years. I also spent 14 years on the road full-time all over the eastern seaboard of the US and only moved back to Ontario 7 years ago. I've never adjusted well to winter..lol.

You're lucky in the US, there are tons of conversion vans out there to choose from if you want to go that route. Me, I've never liked the interior layouts of the commercially done conversion vans and they're practically impossible to find up here so that was out of the picture.

I lucked out and found a 2002 GMC Savana 2500 that already had the fiberglass high roof on it. Sounds like a sales pitch but it really was an old man that owned it, he'd bought it brand new for towing his Airstream back and forth to Canada and his daughter was getting him downsized. They'd sold the Airstream, then the van and still had another trailer and 3 more vehicles to go...apparently he like collecting things..

Personally, I didn't want to go any further back that early 2000's for a van but finding one that wasn't beat to death being used commercially was a big problem. Most businesses don't even think about selling their cargo vans until they know that something major is about to happen.

To make it comfortable my way I'm putting in the following: a composting toilet, twin size bed across the back and a full kitchen with sink and 2 burner stove. I've chosen not to plumb in propane and won't carry loose tanks so I'm using an alcohol stove instead. To save electricity and to cut down on water usage, the sink will be outfitted with a 'galley faucet' - no pump, you pump it yourself. It also doesn't take up any extra space. Once again, no plumbed below floor grey water tank. It's easier to allow space for 5 gallon jugs - size of jugs limited by how heavy they are for me to carry.

The one (ok, two things) I insist on are fridge and freezer. I'm not looking forward to the cash outlay but after living in an RV with a dinky little freezer, there's no way I'll do it again. I do almost all my food prep from scratch and am a definite carnivore... The fridge will go in the kitchen unit and the freezer, well it's going to have to be put under the bed on a roll out tray. Both will be the top loading kind.

A swivel seat base for the passenger seat gives me a lounge/office/dining area that's quite comfortable. And of course drapes and cupboard space.

Since it's the dead of winter here, the van is sitting waiting for the snow to melt and I'm just accumulating cash for all this and sourcing all the parts. Come on spring...

And yes, there are insurance companies that do specialize in RV's. Once mine meets the provinces criteria for an RV (each jurisdiction has different rules), I will be moving the van to RV insurance. When I had the Winnebago I did move into a house for a short period of time and put the RV insurance on it down to storage insurance. I was also able to do it with the van this winter. It's really important to get proper coverage on a van especially if you're using it as an RV. Here, the contents of a vehicle (anything that's not nailed/screwed down) is only covered under your homeowners policy, not on your auto policy, not so with an RV policy. Also, a lot of policies only cover you for up to 30 days of use as an RV at a time. If you're either full-timing it or even snowbirding, you could end up with a problem in case of a claim.

 

[ncwoman]

Hi again CC - and a mighty thank you for all the info. While I don't feel like a newbie once I'm on the road, I certainly do when trying to decide HOW to do it - and you've given me some good ideas.

I'm definitely not qualified (expertise/knowledge-wise) to do any converting myself. If I go that route, my son has offered to come from Oregon and do it for me. But I'm not sure he knows all that'd be involved in such an undertaking. I'm inclined to start with an already outfitted van/RV but don't know if I can afford any that are from around the year 2000.....I may have to go with an even older one.

But you've given me something to think about and I thank you. If you have any further ideas, please do let me know. Otherwise, happy trails.

 

[ccbreder]

I have found that camping RV's usually have low millage, most of the problems are due to age. The camping parts are often very dirty and worn. If you have a mechanic friend to check and make repairs, an older camper would be a good choice. My self had a $2000, 30 footer I drove from Chicago to Jersey to Florida and back with very few problems. Having the toilet and shower, and automatic heat and air condition were the best part of that trip.
When I first did this life, I had a mover's quilt on the floor of a sedan delivery. Eat at restaurants, wash in restrooms. But then I was a young soldier and much tougher than now. The next van gained a fold down bed made from a closet door and cot mattress. Once i looped the USA in a pickup cab. I built a vw with upholstered pine folding bed and small gas stove, and an ice chest. across Canada, food store to food store. there were others. I like to build things. This one is a window van, no high top. It will have folding bed, water sink and stove. Potty chair because five gallon buckets get tired. Enough electric for fans and computer.

 

[ncwoman]

Wow.....you certainly have had a variety of campers. Being able to build things the way you want is a great advantage. Again, you've given me some ideas. Thanks. When I was in my van, I also had an ice chest and could keep only a day or two's worth of food. My stove was just an old Coleman camp stove that used liquid Coleman fuel. Had a Coleman lantern for light and a three gallon plastic container with water and a dishpan to wash in. That was perfect for then, now I'd like to upgrade the comfort level a bit.

 

[ccbreder]

Comfort is very important these days.

 

[jimindenver]

Wow.....you certainly have had a variety of campers. Being able to build things the way you want is a great advantage. Again, you've given me some ideas. Thanks. When I was in my van, I also had an ice chest and could keep only a day or two's worth of food. My stove was just an old Coleman camp stove that used liquid Coleman fuel. Had a Coleman lantern for light and a three gallon plastic container with water and a dishpan to wash in. That was perfect for then, now I'd like to upgrade the comfort level a bit.

Toss a Jon boat on top and you have our first camping set up. Had a blast in that old van and the forum builds reminds me of it.

 

[Patrick46]

funny connection to this thread...

I used to live in Hendersonville, and now live in Oregon too!! Whaddyaknow!!


I have a very cool mini pop-top camper we use ALOT. It's called a Kwik-Kamp. (unfortunately, it's no longer being produced.)...but there are several comparable other brands out on the market though.

We pull it behind our chopper, as well as our Scion XB (toaster-car) , so your car could pull it just fine!!
It only weighs #350 fully loaded, and has a queen sized bed in it, and a full stand-up changing area. I'm 6'2", and I can extend my arms over my head, that's how tall it is inside.
It takes 3 minutes TOPS to set it up, and that's while I'm drinking a beer and telling my audience how cool it is while I'm setting it up. (I've been timed, and I often have an audience too) Folks love this thing! WE Love this thing!!
It also has a ton of storage room in the belly of it, and you have full access to it whether it's set-up, or ready for the road.
I wonder if onna these would work well for you.




oh...and Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Seraphim]

We had a 96 Intervec Falcon up until a few years ago - a high top van van with all systems, including a sit down shower. They made the same unit on Ford, Chevy and Dodge vans with different names.



They can be found reasonably priced in various conditions.

---

And we just drove through Ashvilleon Wednesday lol

 

[Bdog1]

Google T&TTT or TNTTT for tiny trailers if you want to tow. I think an "egg" could be in the weight class. Think there 1000# dry. There not cheap, but, something like a Roadtrek is quite spendy too!

You might want to upgrade cooling on the rav?