Newbie here looking to start vandwelling.

[moonmeditation87]

Hello im new tl the community. I have seen many videos on YouTube about vandwelling and decided i want to give it a shot. Most of my life has been spent traveling or homeless and on the streets in different states. Despite being homeless it was some of my best memories and i absolutely loved sleeping under the stars and the freedom. I tried the typical work life many times and just hated it. I felt trapped and always asked myself why am i doing something i hate so much? Money doesnt mean anything to me and i realized even making alot of money didnt fix the void i was feeling. Im going to be converting my kia sedona 2006. I currently have a dog but i dont know if she will be going with me or not. I feel it would take up more room and just dont know how she would do on the road but mkre importantly what id do with her if i had to go places for shopping ect. Any suggesstions would be appreciated.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome moon to the CRVL forums! 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. highdesertranger

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Welcome, moonmeditation87! I always equate having a dog to having a newborn baby. It seems if you're going anywhere for any length of time, Rover has to go too! Can't leave him in the hot car. In my last relationship we were always making plans, which always seem to get derailed by what to do with her two dogs. But that's just *my* perspective. I see a lot of people on here and in the YouTube videos who obviously make it happen. Though I know for a fact some *do* leave their pets in the vehicle for extended periods.

:dodgy:

 

[LathrenJames]

Hello and welcome! I use to travel alone and doing so I never had to worry about what to do if I wanted to go on a paddle or a long hike or into a museum, etc...I thought by having a dog along I'd be rather limited. I have one, now and I can say, in all honesty, that I worried for not much, at all and I wouldn't trade my traveling buddy for the extra freedom of traveling alone. Of course, the first thing I did was training. Good manners make for good friends when camping, especially. My dog is extremely socialized and loves traveling and meeting new people and their pets - so we are good. When I shop, I either leave the car running with the parking break on and take that risk or I am in and out in minutes. I also leave abundant water and park in the shade if possible - even for those 5 minutes which can get rough. If I have longer plans, I either take her with me - hiking or padding or I board her. She is always up on her shots. I carry her records with me and she is chipped with the contact information of old friends, should something happen to me. Her company is worth missing out on some things. Oh and the first thing she was taught is NO BARK!, She's very good with that and I know our neighbors probably appreciate that. I understand some dogs don't like to travel, though. Fortunately, mine does. Best wishes whichever way you go.