Hi, getting some good info here. So far the Captain's Logs are my fav area.
Maybe stating the obvious of course but I perceive many are here to live cheap or to do a longterm tour but my goal is a not just a larger degree of independence aka living off grid, but I want solitude. So many campsites are crowded, and for the family campers I can well understand the attraction, the conveniences.
But quiet and solitude, imho, thats the highlight, and thats why my platform is a diesel 4x4. I am still employed, still exploited, but at 57yrs I have had enough of it.
In a former job during the 90s I was a delivery driver over a three state area and also did service/warranty tech on the road. The stock was geriatric and bariatric, nursing gear, aids, etc. Some trips were 4 days, some 1 day. Did it for years, mostly on commissions. I had a taste of "the road". Long trips occasionally, but most trips were just daytrips: I would load up, sleep at home til 0300 then get on the road south to travel in the cool and miss peak traffic. I'd arrive at the first retailer at 0900 as they opened up and then work through the towns along the highway in the direction of home, arriving back about 2200. Then a rest day then a trip to the west or wherever. I cut down on costs sleeping in the van or wagon or pantec with roller door at the rear, sometimes beside the highway, sometimes at truckstops, once or twice in towns behind shops at loading docks. I never had a hassle except for finding fuel at the right price, sometimes I was running on empty trying to make it to a cheaper fuel stop. I can fix or at least diagnose most problems and cut corners to get back on the move. I swear by zip ties, cable ties, whatever they're called in your area -especially the metal ones - got me out of trouble a few times, and they're no weight to carry.
I also strongly recommend battery cutoff switches. I have witnessed two campervans catch fire. One vw camper was in the mcdonalds carpark. The firestation was literally across the street but it didn't help; it took hold too quick.
I have also been involved in two MVA involving helicopter medivac; please make a plan to get some first aid training and some proper kit if you haven't already.
Maybe stating the obvious of course but I perceive many are here to live cheap or to do a longterm tour but my goal is a not just a larger degree of independence aka living off grid, but I want solitude. So many campsites are crowded, and for the family campers I can well understand the attraction, the conveniences.
But quiet and solitude, imho, thats the highlight, and thats why my platform is a diesel 4x4. I am still employed, still exploited, but at 57yrs I have had enough of it.
In a former job during the 90s I was a delivery driver over a three state area and also did service/warranty tech on the road. The stock was geriatric and bariatric, nursing gear, aids, etc. Some trips were 4 days, some 1 day. Did it for years, mostly on commissions. I had a taste of "the road". Long trips occasionally, but most trips were just daytrips: I would load up, sleep at home til 0300 then get on the road south to travel in the cool and miss peak traffic. I'd arrive at the first retailer at 0900 as they opened up and then work through the towns along the highway in the direction of home, arriving back about 2200. Then a rest day then a trip to the west or wherever. I cut down on costs sleeping in the van or wagon or pantec with roller door at the rear, sometimes beside the highway, sometimes at truckstops, once or twice in towns behind shops at loading docks. I never had a hassle except for finding fuel at the right price, sometimes I was running on empty trying to make it to a cheaper fuel stop. I can fix or at least diagnose most problems and cut corners to get back on the move. I swear by zip ties, cable ties, whatever they're called in your area -especially the metal ones - got me out of trouble a few times, and they're no weight to carry.
I also strongly recommend battery cutoff switches. I have witnessed two campervans catch fire. One vw camper was in the mcdonalds carpark. The firestation was literally across the street but it didn't help; it took hold too quick.
I have also been involved in two MVA involving helicopter medivac; please make a plan to get some first aid training and some proper kit if you haven't already.
