Newbie :)

[Corinne]

Hi everyone.&nbsp; Thanks for this forum, it really helps newbies like myself.&nbsp; I will be getting a new travel trailer, 23ft soon, by the end of this year perhaps sooner.&nbsp; I will be towing it naturally.&nbsp; I Love the idea of the freedom.&nbsp; I am basically retired and living on a fixed income in Arizona. I really look forward to selling my home fairly soon and living in a Travel Trailer full time.&nbsp; I've had it with rising HOA fees, rising power bills, rising water bills, rising everything!&nbsp; I'm done. &nbsp; I have no problems with living in a nice trailer what so ever.&nbsp; In fact, I'm really looking forward to it.&nbsp; I've already started my downsize, I Love it.<br>&nbsp;I hope to buy a small piece of land in Arizona to have a home base when I am not traveling.&nbsp; Raw land, I can handle that easily.&nbsp; I've also read about gear that will secure your travel trailer from being towed off by thieves.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I will&nbsp; be doing everything necessary to secure it..&nbsp; I'd like to go to Flagstaff during the summer months though and else where during the winter months.&nbsp; Any advice for a newbie would be well appreciated.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; What to look out for, how to park in between campsites, visiting the Grand Canyon in free campsites, which I found on line.... I won't be so 'stealth' because of my trailer but I can handle that and learn as I go.&nbsp; Thanks again and Kind regards to you all....&nbsp; "Cheers."&nbsp; Here's to our freedom!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Corinne.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br><br>

 

[KatieinKansas]

<font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hi Corrine,</span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Welcome to our group! ...And yes, a toast back to you &nbsp;in celebration of our freedom. &nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Katie</span></font></div>

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for the welcome Katie!&nbsp;<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Love it....<br>

 

[Corinne]

I'll be signing off for now, but will visit back later.&nbsp; Thanks so much everyone!&nbsp; So nice to have a gathering place for those who aren't "nuts" at all but wiser than most really, reaching out for their freedom and then living it.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; Peace to all here~&nbsp; I'll be joining the forces!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[judycmomx6]

Welcome Corinne! I can just imagine how expensive it is in AZ. It's bad enough here in the south, Id'e never make it on the west coast. I don't understand how they can get away with what they charge for everything out there. Anyway, we are glad you could join us, and are happy for your being able to escape the rat race. Your life will surely be better!

 

[Corinne]

Thanks Judy!&nbsp; I'm really looking forward to hitting the road hopefully by the end of this year, or before.&nbsp; The water bills here are $90 a month!&nbsp; Omg, what a rip off.&nbsp; The water I use is actually less than $5 a month.&nbsp; And the power bills are outrageous.&nbsp; I'm totally over it....&nbsp; The HOA fees go up, everything goes up.&nbsp; Just a really good reason to venture out on my own and meet new people while seeing all the sights in Arizona.&nbsp; <br><br>People are afraid to venture out of their comfort zones basically, the societal 'norms,' as you already know, that is why they look at this kind of freedom as strange, oddly!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I embrace it.<br><br>Thanks so much for the warm welcome.<br><br>Talk later!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[stude53]

<p><font size="4" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Welcome, Corinne! <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></b></font></p>

 

[Corinne]

Thank you both!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; <br>

 

[akrvbob]

Hi Corrine, and welcome. I love your attitude! If you don't mind I will throw out some general ideas for you. First, what will use as a tow vehicle? Personally I recomend a pickup, although you won't get the best mpg. It sounds like you are willing to live off-grid and a pickup will allow you to haul water to your trailer and take your waste to the dump without having to break camp and drag the trailer into town:<br><br><ol><li>Add solar panels and batteries and you become your own utility company. There is an outfit in Phoenix that has incredible prices on solar panels. Start a thread on solar and we will guide you through it.</li><li>You can buy a water bladder that has a built in 12 volt pump that fits in your pickup. When you need water you drive into town, fill the bladder, then go back to the trailer and pump it into the trailers water tanks. Simple!! After the water is transfered the bladder is small and easily put away. Or you can buy 55 gallon water drums and a 12 volt pump.n</li><li>You can buy a macerator pump that empties your black tank into a tank (commonly called a Blue Boy) that sits in the bed of the pickup and then you take it into town and dump it at any dump site.</li><li>Do you know about LTVAs? It is BLM desert land that you pay $180 and you can stay on the land for 7 months of the winter. Some of them have a dump station, garbage dumpsters and water. Some don't have any of those. Learn more here: http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Living_On_Public_Land.html </li></ol><br>You are in for a wonderful new adventure, let us help with any questions you may have!! Bob<br><br><br><br>

 

[Corinne]

Wow!&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for that valuable information Bob.&nbsp; I will be using a 1/2 ton Silverado for towing.&nbsp; It gets 24 hwy all by itself, the trailer, full, weighs 6500 pounds.&nbsp; It should still do pretty well and I don't plan on driving all the time or for hundreds of miles. &nbsp; I travel very light and I'm not 'in Vogue' at all so...!&nbsp; LOL...&nbsp; I would like to travel to Monument Valley Utah some time though.<br><br>&nbsp; I did not know about the bladder that you mentioned or the LVTA's.&nbsp; I will definitely do the research on that!&nbsp; I know I will be selling my home soon, but the more confident I get, and the more I know, the sooner that for sale sign goes up!&nbsp; lol...&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; I'm currently finding out the legalities of parking on my own humble piece of land, should I decide to go that route.&nbsp; Some places allow it some don't.&nbsp; But I like your idea real well and will be checking that out....<br><br>I will make this forum a home base.&nbsp; There is a plethora of information here!&nbsp; I so appreciate it all!<br><br>Thank you kindly, and have a nice day!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>P.S.&nbsp; The trailer is 23 ft long and has a built in generator, gas.&nbsp; It also has two Deep Cycle batteries that I plan on bolting down to the frame so they won't get stolen.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> &nbsp; I will also be purchasing that lock that goes in to the trailer hitch so no one can just drive off with it.&nbsp; lol...<br><br>&nbsp;It is a brand new Nash, I just love it.&nbsp; I've been researching the Whisper Honda generators, I might get the 2000 one as well for extra power.&nbsp; Only running satellite tv, laptop, propane stove and nice do-able bathroom, one slide....&nbsp; I haven't purchased it yet, I will once I sell this house. <br><br>Give my best to Homer too!&nbsp; Thanks again.<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Welcome. You're on the right track when you go with a Honda.<br>

 

[Corinne]

That's what I've heard too - from just about everyone!&nbsp; They are the most quiet I'm told.<br><br>Thanks!<br><br>