New to the Life

[GreyWolf]

Hi! My name is Joe. I'm 45 and I just bought a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 15 passenger van. I'm living in it while I'm working on the inside. Currently I'm in Pennsylvania, but I'll be moving to Texas in a few months. I have so many questions about doing this legally.

 

[travelaround]

Welcome Joe... I'm sure you'll get some good answers to your questions here. Are you planning to move to Texas in the summer? I want to go there, but won't do it until winter comes. For summer, I'm staying in the north country. Congratulations on getting the van.

 

[GreyWolf]

I plan on moving in the fall. It's cooler here for the moment and I have some things to work out before I go.

I'd like to buy a Sprinter van, but can't figure out how to do it. Insurance seems to be the big issue. Where would I pay that question?

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Joe to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. ask away that's what we are here for. highdesertranger

 

[travelaround]

Insurance is an issue for me. I had a problem getting it as a nomad - the insurance company wanted a permanent home address! So I bought what they offered as I still do live in an apartment at this time.

Why don't you open an insurance thread here:
Vandwelling topics that don't fit in other areas
https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=19

I'd be interested in what others are doing about insurance.

 

[B and C]

You need an address on your driver's license. This will probably determine what your insurance rates are, I know it does mine..

 

[travelaround]

Do you think it would matter to an insurance company if that address was a mail forwarding service?

 

[GreyWolf]

I was over at the escapees website. They say you can use their addresses for your own address on your license, registration & insurance.

I know States vary widely. In New Jersey, they want an actual dwelling place with an actual street address.

As far as legality, it appears that you must register your vehicle as an RV in order to be legal. This requires running water, built in stove & a built in refrigerator, as well as a black water & grey water system.

I hear/see that many are not doing that. Currently, I'm not doing that. Insuring your vehicle as a regular vehicle can result in your policy being cancelled if anything happens.

 

[HungryCoyote]

Hey GreyWolf,
Where in Pa. are you located? I'm in Philly. Been living full time in a Ford E-250 for two years now.

 

[lenny flank]

I was over at the escapees website. They say you can use their addresses for your own address on your license, registration & insurance.

I know States vary widely. In New Jersey, they want an actual dwelling place with an actual street address.

That is part of the PATRIOT Act, IIRC. It helps prevent terrorists from using fake IDs.
IIRC, some places fill that requirement for you by renting you an actual RV spot, which serves as a legal residency.