New user

[VanKitten]

good morning all,

I have been haunting this website for the last couple years.   I am a nomad.   I have been a nomad full time for the last 16 years.   I have not lived in one place (or even one state) for more than 3-6 months since my last child went off to college.   

One day the realization hit me.   I just don't want to live anywhere.   You know the song from "paint your wagon"....."I was born under a wandering star".  A line in that song hits me as so true....I never saw a sight that didn't look better looking back. 

So, this is the year I make the final break.   Buy a vehicle, stop renting, and live on the road. The more I look, the more I realize I do not think an RV is right for me.    I want the freedom to travel where ever, including the backwoods.    I have seen the RV parks, it isn't for me.

So, I have first started to learn about class B, then moved to van conversions, and finally think a full size SUV is going to be the right answer.    I would really like to have the off road ability of an SUV with the space and head room of a class B.    Looks like that isn't possible.   If anyone has a recommendation I would love to hear about other possibilities.


Anyway, hello everyone!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums RoamingKat! How about a 4x4 truck with a camper that has a pop up roof? It would give you head room but have a low center of gravity to allow you to go almost anywhere. The only draw back that I can think of is that it might be hard to keep warm in really cold weather.

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.

 

[BradKW]

Sounds like a slide in on a nice truck or an SUV towing a beefed-up expedition cargo trailer conversion might be a good bet for you...

 

[eDJ_]

Sounds like some sort of former Military field vehicle with a custom raised roof would best serve your needs.

This is a British Land Rover that I can imagine with a raised roof.

Otherwise a 4X4 Van with a raised roof may serve your needs.

I don't know if you would need such extreme tires and rims.

I'm wondering if anyone will come up with a 4X4 Ford Transit.   They are rear wheel drive now but have loads of options regarding engines and roof heights.  That 5 cylinder Diesel looks interesting.

http://www.caranddriver.com/ford/transit

 

[nobodyG17]

Good morning,

I would love to hear about you being a nomad for 16 years if you wanted to share.  Sounds like a heck of a story.

What you are looking for is possible but expensive.  I guess look into the companies who do the Transit 4x4 conversions would be as close to what you desire.

 

[WriterMs]

Hi, Kat,
Sportsmobiles may be just what you are looking for, but as mentioned, 4x4 vans are expensive.

Here is a link to the Sportsmobile "used" page:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/preowned-sportsmobile-west-inc/

 

[USExplorer]

If you take out the rear seats in an Expy or Suburban you should have enough headroom for sitting. Getting in and out won't be as easy as a truck bed camper, though, and you won't have as much headroom as a Class B. However, you will have the 4x4 capability of a truck with nearly as much storage space as a van.

 

[highdesertranger]

first off welcome. I would stay away from any 4x4 conversion(boy I have typed that a lot recently). buy a factory 4x4 and add a camper. or get a motor home on a factory 4x4 chassis. like a Tiger, Mockturtle(a member here) has one as does a friend of mine. highdesertranger

 

[WriterMs]

first off welcome.  I would stay away from any 4x4 conversion(boy I have typed that a lot recently).  buy a factory 4x4 and add a camper.  or get a motor home on a factory 4x4 chassis.  like a Tiger,  Mockturtle(a member here) has one as does a friend of mine.  highdesertranger

HDR, Sportsmobile vans are built on factory 4x4s aren't they? Or am I mistaken?

The Tiger is my dream machine (it is the rig of choice in a novel I'm writing now) but seemed like Kat is looking for something smaller.

 

[highdesertranger]

sorry there are no factory built 4x4 vans. the closest you can get is a AWD chevy, but they are not a 4x4. the only reason I can figure to why there are no 4x4 vans. is the liability. vans already have a high center of gravity add 4x4 it's even higher. then people would add lift kits and bigger tires, that's a disaster waiting to happen. highdesertranger

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

sorry there are no factory built 4x4 vans.  the closest you can get is a AWD chevy,  but they are not a 4x4.  the only reason I can figure to why there are no 4x4 vans.  is the liability.  vans already have a high center of gravity add 4x4 it's even higher.  then people would add lift kits and bigger tires,  that's a disaster waiting to happen.  highdesertranger

Mercedes sprinters come in 4x4 direct from Mercedes.  They aren't cheap though.  Around 48k w/ diesel engine.  Hard to find too, dealers sell them as fast as they get them it seems.

You can order a van from a Chevy, Ford, or Nissan Dealership direct and they'll have Quigley convert it,  Full warranty is in effect.  97% OEM factory parts.  They've been doing it since the 70's, I'd find it hard to believe they'd have the blessings from three manufacturers and been in business for 40+ years if they were no good. 

There are a few other companies that do the conversions as well.  The people that have them swear by them and you'd be surprised where they can go.  I'm actually playing around with the idea of a Quigley vehicle myself.

 

[mikEXpat]

Hi RoamingKat. Wow. 16 years. That's fantastic. I would loooove to hear your stories around the campfire one day.

I thought of a truck camper but am probably going to do a van with locking differentials because driving too far off the beaten path poses too many risks for me as a single person. Also, 4x4s are tough to work on, heavy, and don't get used enough to warrant the purchase. This is strictly based on what I have read here on these forums and elsewhere. Also, an SUV would mean that most of your waking moments would be spent outside. Weather and parking locations would play a factor here.

I loved watching the Enigmatic SUV video recently published. She seems to love her setup.

In any case, glad you joined the forum. I look forward to reading about your changes.

Mike

 

[akrvbob]

Here is a post I did on a lady who has lved the last 12 years in cars and SUVs. Currently she lives in a Mitsubishi Montero Sport. See the post here:
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/12-years-living-cars-suvs/

Did a video on how she lives in it--it's one of the best set-ups I've ever seen
Bob

[video=youtube]

[video=dailymotion]

 

[VanKitten]

Thanks everyone,

I think it is going to be a SUV for sure. Just need to pick.

I am quite used to living in small places. Not as small as an SUV, but I know I will fit into one easily. I have spent a lot of time on the road with all my "stuff" in a Toyota Matrix. An SUV will be lots bigger!

Up until now I have lived in a building... I am careful to qualify that because it hasn't always been and apartment or house. For several month is was an old RV (no A/C, very limited electricity, and no hot water). For a few years it was a single room in a bunkhouse alternating with a variety of houses or apartments. Often it was just a single motel room. You name it. Never longer than about 6 months at the most. No matter how much I have liked the place on arrival...I always get very eager to leave and move on. But, of all..I strongly prefer my vehicle. Oddly, I am more comfortable in it and on the road.

Now life permanently on the road is wildly appealing to me. I know I need to find the right choice of power supply and install it all myself. also, solutions for carrying water. I think that doing the work myself will be a great benefit .... Knowing all of that will make me more able to handle the repairs and improvements.

I have a friend that I can park at and work on the vehicle. Get storage, bed, etc built into it.
This coming fall would be the best time for all that.

 

[billybob200138]

Hi, hmmmm , think of needs? Meaning are you a desert tribe member or a black top tribe member? Have managed to be ok with two will drive but I ama member of the Eastern tribe Vandwellers. East of the Mississippi anyway.ha If your"'re going to stealth mainly in the east four will drive may be a bit of overkill? Four wheel drive vehicles can become expensive to maintain? I like simple vehicles. Everybody hastherechoice that they feel comfortable with. Remember the KISS principle. HoboJoe

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard the forums Roaming Kat.
Do whatever makes you happy and you can afford .
When/ if you start to think it's not just right , change the program to suit.!
The important part is being happy ..........

 

[akrvbob]

I have friend who lives for 6 months at a time in her Prius and for water she uses the MSR Dromedery bag. They are very expensive but extremely high quality, they will last you for life. Being bladders, they shrink as they empty and fit into small, odd spaces, which are abundant in cars and SUVs.
http://amzn.to/1pCpzYL
Bob