Questions for all my transitions

[mothercoder]

As it stands now, I will be retiring mid-August of this year.  However, my lease is up mid-June and going month-to-month will increase the rent to nearly $1500/mo and I refuse to pay that.  I would consider attempting to purchase both the SUV and my TT by June but that would mean sacrificing on cost and therefore quality.  Also there is very little decent inventory where I live (DC area) and the cost of RV parks is exhorbitant – might as well stay in a $1500/mo apartment!  Therefore, the plan is to purchase the SUV and live stealth for 2 months until I retire from my job, pocketing what I would have paid for rent to put a big cushion in my savings.  Then I will start to head west and look for a TT as I travel. 
 
I will be looking for an SUV that is preferable ¾ ton so that I won’t find myself severely limited on the TT I can purchase.  I will still concentrate on finding a light weight TT but I do want to be sure that I have plenty of towing capacity on the SUV.  I don’t want to remove any of the seats from the SUV because I will want it to be something I keep for Plan B (a/k/a life if I decide not to continue full-timing).  Therefore, the seats will need to fold flat enough for sleeping and I have read it can be difficult with step downs and other issues to get something where you have enough of a level surface for sleeping.  I’m 5’4” so just need that much space. 
 
Any thoughts on which SUV would satisfy my needs would be appreciated.
 
For the 2 months I remain in this area, I will likely store most of my belongings in a storage unit – anything I don’t need day-to-day. 
 
I’m trying to figure out the basics of what I will need while stealth camping and then expand it a bit when I’m on the road heading west. 
 
Sleeping:  I don’t like memory foam and I’m considering getting an inflatable mat.  Are they comfortable for overweight folks or will I need more padding to get a good night’s sleep? 
 
Hygiene:  I will be at work all day so I can use the facilities there and other public restrooms until I settle in for the night. But I will need a bucket with a luggable loo lid for middle of the night needs.  I will have a gym membership for showering.  These will also serve me when I’m traveling until I find my TT but I’ll also keep some baby wipes. 
 
Meals:  I can store food at work for my morning and mid-day meals and there are microwaves and toaster ovens for cooking.  I could either eat out on the cheap for evening meals or get a single burner propane stove for quick, easy meals.  I don’t think I’ll need refrigeration while stealth but I will have a small cooler and ice packs which I can re-freeze daily at work.  But I will need something more when I start traveling.  At that point I will probably get a super cooler and insulate it but I’ll stick with the single burner propane stove until I have my TT.
 
Water:  Not much of a concern while stealth camping – a case of bottles for drinking is all I need.  I can chill a couple at work and toss them in my small cooler at the end of the day.  No water needed for hygiene while stealth camping.  I’ll get some gallon containers once I’m on the road.   
 
Entertainment/Internet:  I will have a MiFi set up in prep for being on the road but I also have internet access at work to download movies and books. 
 
Power:  I thought about getting a small inverter to charge phone and laptop and run a fan.  It’s going to be beastly hot and humid here for the summer.  I can be in places with AC until I settle in for the night but I’ll need at least a fan to keep me from dying.  I may also make a DIY AC unit with a cooler, fan and ice if necessary. 
 
Privacy:  Curtain to separate the cab area from the back.  Plasti dip on back windows.  Reflectix and front window shade screen to keep things cooler. 
 
Other:  I’m considering getting a screen room and a camp chair. I will want these anyway for the TT to enhance my living space but I also anticipate I will want to drive to higher elevations on the weekends when I’m not working. 
 
Anything I’m missing?

 

[Bdog1]

Maybe if you ask now you could extend your lease by 60 days?


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[ArtW]

Nothing I can see, though I'm not aware of any 3/4 ton SUVs with good folding seats (I'm behind the times, though, they could all have them so far as I know)

 

[DuneElliot]

My Yukon has fold-flat seats behind the driver but is only the half-ton model (you may have to do a Google search for models that have fold-flat seats) but there is enough room in the back for a twin-size air mattress and can fit a cooler, a dufflebag of clothes, a toiletries bag and a small tote of cooking gear alongside. With mid-large size SUVs you are going to have a third row of seats and I don't believe any of them are fold-flat because of the location of the spare tire under the vehicle and would have to be removed and stored. I could be wrong on newer vehicles, however, and you'd have to talk to dealers.

A different option would be to look at 1/2-3/4 ton trucks and add bed cap to them with a door vs a lift gate. These are just a stealthy and would be very similar in sleeping arrangements to an SUV and probably slightly easier.

 

[mothercoder]

Maybe if you ask now you could extend your lease by 60 days?


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I have already asked.  I can opt to go month-to-month after my lease is up but the rent will go up to almost $1500/mo.  I refuse to pay that especially for a place that is already half empty.

 

[mothercoder]

My Yukon has fold-flat seats behind the driver but is only the half-ton model (you may have to do a Google search for models that have fold-flat seats) but there is enough room in the back for a twin-size air mattress and can fit a cooler, a dufflebag of clothes, a toiletries bag and a small tote of cooking gear alongside. With mid-large size SUVs you are going to have a third row of seats and I don't believe any of them are fold-flat because of the location of the spare tire under the vehicle and would have to be removed and stored. I could be wrong on newer vehicles, however, and you'd have to talk to dealers.

A different option would be to look at 1/2-3/4 ton trucks and add bed cap to them with a door vs a lift gate. These are just a stealthy and would be very similar in sleeping arrangements to an SUV and probably slightly easier.

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll have to check out more on which models have fold flat seats.  I am not interested in a truck.  The entire idea behind an SUV is to have a vehicle I would want to keep should I ever decide not to full-time anymore.  I would not want a truck or a van.  I also don't think I'd enjoy having to leave the cab to go to the truck bed for the evening.  Maybe for someone else but not for me.

 

[Reducto]

You can always take the seats out and store them in a storage space in case you do need them later. If it were me I would probably just get rid of them completely, knowing I can likely find replacements at a junkyard. Rear seats are easy to find in good shape.

I wouldn't recommend an air mattress long term because they do develop leaks but it can work for a while. There are latex foam mattresses with no memory foam, you might take a look for something like that.

If you don't want to have to build a bed platform you can simply get a piece of plywood cut to size (they do this for free at hardware stores) and put things underneath it to keep it level.

 

[mothercoder]

You can always take the seats out and store them in a storage space in case you do need them later. If it were me I would probably just get rid of them completely, knowing I can likely find replacements at a junkyard. Rear seats are easy to find in good shape.

I wouldn't recommend an air mattress long term because they do develop leaks but it can work for a while. There are latex foam mattresses with no memory foam, you might take a look for something like that.

If you don't want to have to build a bed platform you can simply get a piece of plywood cut to size (they do this for free at hardware stores) and put things underneath it to keep it level.

I was really hoping to keep the SUV completely intact.  Storing it would be a problem since once I leave this area I will not be returning.  Are quality replacements at junkyards? 

As far as the mattress goes, I'm not thinking about a WalMart type air mattress but rather the self-inflating mattress of the type you'd get at REI.  They look awfully thin so I'm wondering about comfort. 

I definitely don't want to build a bed platform.  That's what I was trying to get away from with a van.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Several things.

You will want something between you and the floorboards, even an air gap from a simple platform. A backpackers mattress does not offer all that much insulation and traditional air mattresses offer none.

There are super lite weight back packing mattresses and there are big three inch thick ones as well so you will just need to shop around. Thermarest is one of the big name brands and I can attest to their quality and customer service. For instance if you find an old thermarest with the old school valve you can contact them and they will replace it with no questions asked.

As for the DC area and RV's have you been out 301 South or to Severn ... I want to say Route 5 maybe Route 2. There are a number of new and used RV dealers out that way. Also if you head West out Scenic Route 40 towards Cumberland there are ALWAYS TT's for sale.

For short term have you considered a tear drop that the SUV can pull? It's just a stop gap but it might give you some breathing room for a few months while you get the rest figured out.

 

[mothercoder]

Several things.

You will want something between you and the floorboards, even an air gap from a simple platform. A backpackers mattress does not offer all that much insulation and traditional air mattresses offer none.

There are super lite weight back packing mattresses and there are big three inch thick ones as well so you will just need to shop around. Thermarest is one of the big name brands and I can attest to their quality and customer service. For instance if you find an old thermarest with the old school valve you can contact them and they will replace it with no questions asked.

As for the DC area and RV's have you been out 301 South or to Severn ... I want to say Route 5 maybe Route 2. There are a number of new and used RV dealers out that way. Also if you head West out Scenic Route 40 towards Cumberland there are ALWAYS TT's for sale.

For short term have you considered a tear drop that the SUV can pull? It's just a stop gap but it might give you some breathing room for a few months while you get the rest figured out.

I didn't know about dealers out Route 301 - I don't think I've ever been in that area.  I can check it out but there's really no reason to buy a TT until I get ready to leave.  You can't stealth in a TT and RV parks are outrageously expensive out here.  It just makes more sense for me to stealth in the SUV and then get the TT when I'm ready to leave or as I'm heading west.  I don't want to get into buying something that's a stop gap and then having to get rid of it.  That would just be a hassle and a potential to lose money which I need to prevent from happening. 

I'm find going stealth in an SUV while I'm still working and then until I find a TT.  As for the air gap, I considered a cot with extra padding but I don't think that would be comfortable enough for me.  I'm 62 - I need something comfortable to sleep on.  If absolutely necessary, I could pay someone to build a short platform for me and toss a single mattress on it.

 

[gargoyle]

Air mattresses in the camping variety do come in thicker sizes..and they are warmer to sleep on.
I've seen them up to 4" thick. Shop around. Buy it and try it home, if you find it uncomfortable, return it. Some folks love them, others cant. I like the puckered top style, it lets in a little air movement. The flat style mats can get sweaty, since they are basically a plastic type fabric. Even covered with a sheet or towel, I still can get sweaty. The foam filled ones (self inflating) are easy to deflate and stow away.

Fan- The simple 12volt plug into your lighter fan is an easy solution. They don't kill my battery, I run it all night. $20-40 at any truck stop. Some rotate or have variable speeds.

Phone and laptop- They plug into the cigarette lighter?? Grab an adapter.

Curtain can be made or bought at any store. String can be tied across to fashion a clothes line/curtain rod.

Find a vehicle and take it on weekend trips. That will show you what you need. And if you are really ready. Some folks fall in love with the idea..then a month later realize it aint their cup of tea.?

A small stove is useful. A set of kitchen stuff (pot, pan, glasses, utensils, etc.)
Any folding lawn chair can work
Warm sleeping bag or blankets.

 

[DuneElliot]

Backpackers pad provide good insulation but aren't very cushy to sleep on and they're not very wide. I use my bedroll (with 1.5" mattress topper) on top of an air mattress in my Yukon, but as mentioned those spring leaks really fast and I only used mine half a dozen times before it became useless.

If you don't like memory foam have you thought about just buying a few regular foam mattress toppers in twin size and stacking them with a twin mattress cover to contain them? This is what I did in the back seat of my truck...it's very comfortable.

There are low-to-the-ground cots you can buy but you would likely need a longer SUV like the Yukon XL vs regular Yukon to make them fit which would be an easy and reasonably inexpensive platform to use, depending on which one you buy, but I don't know how feasible those really would actually be.

I don't think you really need a platform, just a good supportive foam mattress that can be cut down if necessary help everything fit better. Have a look at the offerings from Cabelas; they have a lot to choose from.

 

[mothercoder]

Air mattresses in the camping variety do come in thicker sizes..and they are warmer to sleep on.
I've seen them up to 4" thick. Shop around. Buy it and try it home, if you find it uncomfortable, return it. Some folks love them, others cant.  I like the puckered top style, it lets in a little air movement. The flat style mats can get sweaty, since they are basically a plastic type fabric. Even covered with a sheet or towel, I still can get sweaty. The foam filled ones (self inflating) are easy to deflate and stow away.

Fan- The simple 12volt plug into your lighter fan is an easy solution. They don't kill my battery, I run it all night. $20-40 at any truck stop. Some rotate or have variable speeds.

Phone and laptop- They plug into the cigarette lighter?? Grab an adapter.

Curtain can be made or bought at any store. String can be tied across to fashion a clothes line/curtain rod.

Find a vehicle and take it on weekend trips. That will show you what you need. And if you are really ready. Some folks fall in love with the idea..then a month later realize it aint their cup of tea.?

A small stove is useful. A set of kitchen stuff (pot, pan, glasses, utensils, etc.)
Any folding lawn chair can work
Warm sleeping bag or blankets.

I understand what you're saying about trying it on weekend trips.  However, this won't be my permanent situation.  It's only a stop gap while I continue to work and until I get my TT.  As they say, there are some things you can tolerate when you know they are temporary.  But that's also the reason why I want the SUV and TT in case I should decide that I am tired of traveling and want to settle somewhere new.  I don't want to have to go through selling a vehicle in order to have my day-to-day transportation.  If I do settle, it will probably be in the Tahoe area so this size vehicle would work well for me.

If a 12v fan won't drain my battery with it being on all night, then I will be okay. 

I will be able to figure out a curtain of some sort, I'm sure.  And I will keep a small pantry in the SUV and store the rest of what I will be keeping for the TT.  Of course, eventually it will all have to fit in the SUV when I retire and head out to find my TT.  But hopefully I will find a suitable TT quickly. 

Ye gads!  The next 7 months can't go by quickly enough.  I'm ready!   I have a couple hundred $$ in Amazon gift cards so I may start pulling together what I need soon.  At least it will make it seem like I'm furthering the dream.  That and selling what I have left.  I will likely get rid of all my furniture except for my bed and a TV.

 

[ArtW]

I'd offload the TV too, unless it's a flat screen, I can't find room in my TT for the 19" old school TV I own right now lol

 

[mothercoder]

I'd offload the TV too, unless it's a flat screen, I can't find room in my TT for the 19" old school TV I own right now lol

Oh yeah, I will.  I only meant for now until I move out of my apartment.  I have 2 TV's.  I'll get rid of one and then offload the last one when I'm ready to move out.  Once I'm in the TT I will be happy with my laptop for any viewing I want to do.