New van dweller

[Cottersl]

Hi! I am relatively new to vandwelling - I have been traveling in my 2013 Ford Transit Connect since early March. I started out in central California, have made it all the way to Connecticut and am now wandering slowly west - figuring it out as I go! I am hoping to connect with some folks on this site and get some good ideas - I am particularly interested in info on installing solar panels (cheaply!) and trying to find good and interesting places to stay. I am currently visiting my daughter just outside of Chicago - haven't decided where to go next...

 

[Wabbit]

Hi Cottersl and welcome! For solar related stuff, I picked up alot reading info and using the tools they have on this site.

http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums,Cottersl! 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.

 

[Belinda2]

Hi! I am relatively new to vandwelling - I have been traveling in my 2013 Ford Transit Connect since early March. I started out in central California, have made it all the way to Connecticut and am now wandering slowly west - figuring it out as I go! I am hoping to connect with some folks on this site and get some good ideas - I am particularly interested in info on installing solar panels (cheaply!) and trying to find good and interesting places to stay. I am currently visiting my daughter just outside of Chicago - haven't decided where to go next...

If you get to Maryland, let me know in a private message, so I get it right away. I'll give you plenty of tips for small space living and you can see my rig. You'd never believe it. I see van dwellers occasionally and approach them, because they NEVER know I am one too. I've got the batteries, etc. but only do solar in a very small way since I have a lifestyle that is extremely low profile. Take care.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Where to go next would depend on what you like to do.  It took me 2 or 3 years to get it figured out.  Chicago is expensive and congested.  Every 5 miles you have to pay a toll.  I've always wanted to go to the Ronald Reagan birthplace museum in Tampico, Il.  It's about 80 miles west of Illinios.  Here's a link: http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com/R_Reagan_Birthplace_Museum.html

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[Cottersl]

Where to go next would depend on what you like to do.  It took me 2 or 3 years to get it figured out.  Chicago is expensive and congested.  Every 5 miles you have to pay a toll.  I've always wanted to go to the Ronald Reagan birthplace museum in Tampico, Il.  It's about 80 miles west of Illinios.  Here's a link: http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com/R_Reagan_Birthplace_Museum.html

Thank you HarmonicaBruce - I know what you mean about the tolls - I was shocked! I am actually just here to visit with my daughter - then looking to stay away from the large cities and toll roads, I think!

 

[rvwandering]

 Welcome cottersl!

 You'll probably want to be in the mountains for the summer so I'd recommend Colorado, Montana or Washington state. If you pass through Kansas you can camp for free at many of their State Fishing Lakes - http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/KDWPT-Info/Locations/State-Fishing-Lakes

 A good place to find free and cheap camping spots is here - http://freecampsites.net/usa/
 And I've put free spots where we've stayed on a map - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zWUSQ5x4Gi9s.kBKwuXReQ0l8&msa=0&dg=feature - some are just good for an overnight stop but others are nice enough to stay for the full time allowed.

 Have a great trip west and let us know how it goes!