New guy, 21 and considering the mobile lifestyle

[judycmomx6]

Shucks!! I just yesterday, bought one of those 800 gen.'s to mount on my teardrop trailer. That just figures! I am sure glad we have people like Bob around here, guess I should have asked first!

 

[johnny_canuck]

<font face="Arial">DG,</font><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">I didn't know that you lived in Vancouver. I found this post somewhere and kept a copy of it. It may help. I lived and worked in North Van many years ago. I have thought about moving to Victoria. I don't think of myself as a vandeweller. All I NEED is a warm bed, a place to eat. Keep clean. My truck is&nbsp;highly mobile and can park anywhere. I work in the winter in Ottawa for Home Care agencies. My certification is&nbsp;recognized&nbsp;in BC. I can get a lot of work there and work my own hours. Free camping on the island too.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial">Let me know what you think of these places to park.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Vancouver free camping</span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This is some info that I posted over in the Intro Section. I thought I should put it here as well. I may or may not update it with pictures?Enjoy...<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana; "><br> <br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">Thanks for the welcome Sandy. I agree, there are not many RV parks in this city that are cheap. I do know of a couple. One is under the Patullo Bridge, it's called Brownsville RV Park. I believe they will take "ANYBODY", no matter the age or condition of your van,trailer,bus or RV. There is a pub, laundry,showers and a mail service all on site. It's not the prettiest place in town, but it'll get the job done. I think it is about $300 per month for a spot, wich is the cheapest around. They may even have a website. It's right down on the Fraser River, so all the free fish you can catch. AMIX Salvage is a 5 min walk for all you metal scrapper's out there. There is also a decent peeler bar around the corner, McD's, Subway, Home Depot, Skytrain/Transit, walking trails ect; as well. All within walking distance.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">There are also a couple of seedy RV parks/hotels along the King George Hwy. but I don't know too much about them or the prices.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">Then there is N.Vancouver, where there is a 6-10 block area around the Lonsdale Mall where many RV'ers live year round without too much hassle from the city or cops. There is a small creek and wetland area with trails to walk along. Walmart and the mall,gas stations, restauraunts, transit and stores all right there at your door. Seabus is a very short walk to get over to Downtown Vancouver. People have lived in large RV's for many many years in this area, so it's seems very safe and viable. It's like a little community where everyone watches out for each other and their rigs.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">There is also the area around Strathcona Park on Prior St. right next to the Downtown core. It's an old neighbourhood with old houses and warehouses as a mix.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">These are just a few places that seem to be the most common in our city and it seems like the city and police turn a blind eye most of the time. I think it's great, NO RENT TO PAY!<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">I know of many other less conspicuous places in the city, with MILLION DOLLAR REALESTATE, and no rich PPL will bother you because they are not established neibourhoods with lots of houses around. Places right on the Pacific Ocean and Burrard Inlet.</span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">I hope this may help any new Vandwellers coming to the city and any Vancouver renters looking to become Vandwellers.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">I'm not entirely sure if this is a great idea exposeing these locations on the internet as it may make some upset.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">Therefore I give the moderators of this site permission to EDIT this post "IF" needed.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <span style="background:#EFEFEF">I don't think editing or removing it will do anything because, most everyone already knows about these places, and seem to ignore it anyway. Which is GREAT.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br> <!--[endif]--></span></div>

 

[Ryan24]

Hey DG, 22 year old guy here. Been out on the road for a little bit, wanted to toss you some encouragement. Sounds like with your mindset, you should be more than alright jumping into it.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>One thing, I did meet somebody last week grumbling about how it was impossible to get vegetable waste&nbsp;bio-diesel&nbsp;anymore. No idea if that is accurate or not, but something you might want to look into.&nbsp;</div>

 

[dg]

So I looked into the laws on campus and they clearly state no sleeping in campus lots, so to avoid the nuisance I'm planning to go with the private garage/yard route. I've got a friend renting a house with 5 roommates 10 minutes from campus, so I offered to "rent" his driveway and an electrical outlet which is probably the route I'll take. Because of this, stealth isn't as big a concern so I've been reconsidering a 19/20 foot class C as an option.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Pros being:<br>-Cheaper initial purchase than a truck + camper (which would offset the better fuel economy of a T&amp;C)<div>-Lower miles due to less use (as mentioned by someone in this thread)<br><div>-More living space and storage for the given dimensions</div><div>-Larger holding tanks</div><div>-Ability to access the drivers seat from the living area</div><div><br></div><div><br>With that, I've got a few questions:<br>-Are class C's measured from headlight to taillight, or does the length not include the cab portion?&nbsp;</div><div>-How would the overall dimensions of an extended cab, longbed truck + 8.5 foot camper (like the one in the attached picture) compare to the overall dimensions of a 19 or 20 foot class C? From pictures, the class C's look much more bulky and obtrusive, but perhaps the actual dimensions are similar?</div><div>-Would a 19/20 foot class C fit into a standard parking space?</div></div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for any ideas <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div></div>

 

[dg]

PS: Thanks for the info Johnny and Ryan&nbsp;

 

[blars]

Length measurements of motorhomes are somewhat fictional, if you want acuracy do it yourself.&nbsp; You might be able to fit in some large parking spaces with a 20' class C.&nbsp; My 28' widebody class A takes four spots.<br>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">

-Are class C's measured from headlight to taillight, or does the length not include the cab portion? <br>

</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">As Blars said, there appears to be no standards when the industry classifies the length.&nbsp; The most accurate personal measure I've discovered is to use the measurement as the internal living dimension. For a Class C, that means adding about two or three feet to the length (engine compartment).&nbsp; An A will be closer to the designated length. </p>

 

[dg]

Hey folks, here's an update... found myself a nice van with the 6.2L diesel <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> Decided a van would be the most efficient instead of a truck and camper. Not the most ideal for WVO (the 7.3 ford IDI would have been better), but the van was way too ideal to pass up for the engine. May need to replace the injection pump every couple years, but the money I'll save on fuel will make it worthwhile.<br /><br />212,000 kms, 4 burner stove, spotless oven, 3-way fridge replaced less than a year ago, rebuilt transmission within the year (shifts real nice), plus the previous owner was a contractor and knew 2 mechanics who did a ton of work with documentation. Currently getting settled in, school starts in a week and I'll be starting the veggie oil conversion. Stay tuned!<br /><br />Here's some pics, not bad for $7750 I'd say <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />

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[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Super nice! Congrats!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[IGBT]

Nice van!&nbsp; I love the diesel...should last forever.<br /><br />What type of engineer are you?&nbsp; I am an electrical engineer just south of you in the USA.

 

[dg]

Thanks guys! I'm taking the biomedical option in electrical engineering here at UBC. Decided I'd like to pursue firefighting instead, but will be using what I've learned to develop medical devices as a side venture.

 

[IGBT]

Wow, that is a big change (from EE to firefighter...usually people go from EE to software engineering heh heh).

Certainly plenty of fires here in the Northwest.

A lot of money in medical device design, but here in the USA we are very litigious. We complain about the high costs of healthcare but then we sue the crap out of any hospital, doctor or drug company that makes even the smallest mistake. Canada might be more reasonable.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>What an awesome machine!&nbsp; It's beautiful inside and out!</p><p>V.T.</p>

 

[Seraphim]

nice find!<br /><br />I think you'll enjoy the van, and be happy you got the diesel as well.

 

[vokus]

<p>Your going to have so much fun! <br />I have lived in a minivan and a BMW sadan of all things for 1 year, while doing 18 units in col, and doing a paid internship. Best time of my life!</p>

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Beautiful!