Newman

[Dgorila1]

Howdy everyone. New to this forum but I've been interested in full timing for many years. I was enthralled with the custom vans of the 1970's and read every van magazine they had at the time. Thought went deep into my subconscious after I grew up and had to enter the "real world" (jobs, marriage, kids, mortgage, bills and more bills, etc). I have become infatuated with van camping and living again as I work to free myself from materialistic society and my kids finish school and become adults in the next few years. I could never survive being crammed in a van with the wife, but she's not interested in the gypsy lifestyle so no biggie. I'm most comfortable rolling solo anyways.  I'm researching Class B Van rv's as well as building a panel van (E350, Chevy 3500, etc) to fit my needs. I want to get one to start using for weekend getaways and vacations to see if it will work for me on a full time basis in the years to come.

 

[ArtW]

Welcome! I'd build one out myself, if you're handy, makers cram all sorts of stuff you don't need into most RVs, though i have heard Roadtrek is an exception (purely 5th hand info)

 

[DreamTransit1]

........ I could never survive being crammed in a van with the wife, but she's not interested in the gypsy lifestyle so no biggie........ I want to get one to start using for weekend getaways and vacations to see if it will work for me on a full time basis in the years to come.

So got a plan for the wife if/when you go full time?
Mine made her own.....finally liberating me to go full time!
Should cash out of my half of the house within two weeks.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Dgorila1! You'll find a lot of good ideas here! Don't forget to post pictures and updates.

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.

 

[Dgorila1]

The wife isn't interested in rv's or full timing so once the last of the kids has graduated all bets are off. I want to travel the country and see everything while I'm still young enough and healthy.
I'm 6'4" tall so I'm researching what van will work best for me. I like E350's and Chevy Express 3500's (extended models) but I really think I'll need a raised roof to be comfortable. I like the size of the Sprinters but I'm not a fan of the Mercedes engines, or to be precise the cost to fix and maintain them. They're also much more expensive to buy than the other brands. The Nissan NV high top looks nice but once again is so new it is too costly to buy one affordably.
I do plan to buy a cargo van and custom build it to fit my needs. I'm hoping to get one within the next 12 months.

 

[DreamTransit1]

The wife isn't interested in rv's or full timing so once the last of the kids has graduated all bets are off. I want to travel the country and see everything while I'm still young enough and healthy.
........  I'm 6'4" tall so I'm researching what van will work best for me. ......... I like the size of the Sprinters but I'm not a fan of the Mercedes engines, or to be precise the cost to fix and maintain them.

My wife wanted out once all three kids completed college and were doing fine on their own.
We spent a lot of quality family time in the mini van, E-150, and finally the Sprinter, but  after six years it was totaled by a felonious driver saving me from the expensive repairs that would have been coming up soon.
I have an advantage over you.
At 5'5" I can do chin-ups inside my tall Ford Transit.
And I do!

 

[Dgorila1]

So got a plan for the wife if/when you go full time?
Mine made her own.....finally liberating me to go full time!
Should cash out of my half of the house within two weeks.

My wife wanted out once all three kids completed college and were doing fine on their own.
We spent a lot of quality family time in the mini van, E-150, and finally the Sprinter, but  after six years it was totaled by a felonious driver saving me from the expensive repairs that would have been coming up soon.
I have an advantage over you.
At 5'5" I can do chin-ups inside my tall Ford Transit.
And I do!

My situation is opposite. My wife thinks everything is fine. She likes having a husband without wanting to provide any of the duties as a wife or mother. Basically we're just roommates with only a common bond, the kids. I'm only staying in this long enough for the kids to have a stable home until they graduate. That's why I'm planning now for my exit strategy. Pay off all the debt, buy a van and outfit it for eventual full timing, and start working out again to get back in shape and stay healthy.