Salutations!

[Grizzly Stardust]

Hey all.

So I am gearing up for a 3-4 month trip on the road. I'll be traveling from Phoenix, AZ through Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, Calgary, Idaho, Utah and then hitting the rockies for awhile on my way home.

I'll be traveling in my 2008 Ford Escape. I'm the original owner, it has 80k miles on the odometer and I haven't had any issues with it in the last 7 years. It's a 4 cylinder with manual transmission so it gets up to 28 miles per gallon on the highway.

My plan is to target locations that have a Planet Fitness and Flying J in close proximity to one another so I can count on a good workout and shower each day and a place to sleep. I have no experience with van dwelling / stealth camping so it will take a bit before I'm comfortable stealth camping in other areas. I'd like to spend some time at national parks but I'm not sure how overnight parking works there.

The seats in the back of my Ford Escape fold down flat and I removed the front passenger seat. I'm 6'4 so I need a good amount of room to stretch out. I bought a nice futon mattress for 100 bucks from Big Lots and it fits perfectly back there, though the wheel wells do hug it a bit. I plan on buying one of the those Goal Zero electric generators to charge my phone and laptop at night and power my CPAP machine and whatever other small electronics. I'll keep a luggable loo seat / Home Depot bucket for emergencies. I just ordered one of those Coleman Xtreme coolers that promises it can keep ice for 5 days, I'll be happy with 3.

I'm being careful not to load my vehicle up with too much expensive gear. I'll have to operate under the assumption that everything can potentially be stolen and will need to be replaced. Aside from the generator and my CPAP machine, nothing else should be so costly.

I'll likely get a hotel room for a night or two each week, especially early on, to take a break from the small space and recharge the generator and stock up on ice for the cooler, etc.

I'm a couple months away from this being a reality. I'm putting my house up for sale within the next few weeks. After it sells, I'll get a storage locker for all of my furniture and other household stuff. I plan to hit the road by July 4th at the latest. I need to be back in AZ by late October for a wedding and I want at least three months on the road before that happens.

My main concern right is heat! I'm thinking once I get to San Francisco and beyond the weather should be pretty decent.

Alright. Give me all your ideas, criticisms and suggestions!

 

[towhee]

Hi grizzly,

Sounds like a good plan. I think that you will learn a lot in those months about what works well and doesn't work well. Your plan may even change as you go.

For example, when I hit the road I brought a portable shower that I didn't end up using. Showers just didn't seem that important I did a sponge bath and that was all I needed. So, as I went along I added things to the van and gave away things that I didn't use. I think that doing it is the only way to really figure out what you need.
best wishes to you and keep posting,

Towhee

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Grizzly!

If you haven't checked out Suanne's blog, you should. She's an expert in living out of a car. http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/

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.

 

[rvwandering]

 Welcome Grizzly!

  You have a great trip planned. As long as you stay along the coast or in higher elevations you should be able to stay cool enough. Eastern Oregon and Washington are hot in the summer but the coasts are cool. Stay in the mountains in Utah, Nevada and Idaho. Check the forecasts as you travel and change your plans when necessary.

 Anyone staying overnight in a national park must be in a campground or hotel but there's often a national forest nearby where you can boondock for free. If you're going to visit a lot of parks buy a pass - http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm  Entry fees for the parks are high so a pass may pay for itself if you go to enough parks. If you are disabled or over 60 the pass is free or just $10.00 and you'll be eligible for half price camping too.

 Car campers often take a small tent to use as a storage area when they stay at one location for awhile. This frees up space in the car or can be used as a bedroom. It's also a good backup if for some reason you must stay in a campground that doesn't allow sleeping in a car - rare but we seen this rule a few times.

 Are you close to any forest or BLM land so that you can take a few short trips to try everything out and get comfortable with your setup before you actually hit the road?

 Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[Grizzly Stardust]

What's the difference between a national park and a national forest? Pardon my ignorance. I'm just looking for a scenic and slightly secluded place to park overnight. I am not interested in heavy tourist areas.

I saw my parents tonight for dinner and I told them about my plans to take this trip after I sell my house. My mom was really upset and tried to talk me out of it. I don't think my dad cared either way but once he realized my mom was upset he tried to talk me out of it, too.

She used the terms "vagrant" and "hobo" throughout the conversation and basically seems to think this is my first step toward becoming a homeless person. By the end of the conversation, she was crying. I tried to explain this is pretty much just a camping trip and I'll be getting a new place to live eventually but she didn't want to hear any of it.

Anyway. I'm 30 years old, it doesn't really matter what they think but it's definitely unfortunate that they are so against it and upset by it. Honestly, it was a stupid decision on my part to bring this up tonight. I was having dinner with my mom because I won't be able to make it to the family get together on Sunday. I suppose I was being a bit insensitive.

Ah well, life goes on. Anyone else have a similar reaction after telling a friend or family member?

 

[Theadyn]

Hi Grizzly and Welcome!

Hang in there with mom... family can be tough. It's probably just new to her. Once they see it outfitted she might come around. My parents didn't understand at ALL what I was doing, until they saw it, now they think it's cool as crap. All of the safety issues I had an answer for. Do you homework, let them ask questions and be ready with answers, is all I can advise.

I had an '07 Escape up until last December, good vehicle! Happy trails!

 

[akrvbob]

Fear is a perfectly normal and reasonable response to such a radical idea, so be understanding with her. The best you can do is research the topic and gather the facts to reduce her fears. Go through the forum and the rest of the website and explain to her how you will do everything like go the bathroom, cook, stay clean. Try have solid answers for her questions.

Hope that helps.
Bob

 

[akrvbob]

Differences between National Park (NP) and National Forest (NF). There goals are totally different.

The Parks (NP) exist for only one purpose to preserve the outstanding natural beauty of that area. That is the only goal. (There are non-natural beauty Parks like Historic sites and the White House, they are totally different)

The Forests (NF) have multiple goals--they are commonly called "Land of Many Uses":

Recreation
Hunting and fishing are allowed
Dogs are allowed anywhere
Run cattle
Logging
Even some oil drilling.
Firewood gathering
Reservoirs and power generation

The practical differences are 1) the Parks almost always cost to get in and the Forests do not. 2) There is almost always free dispersed camping in the Forests, and it's rare in the Parks 3) much stricter enforcement of all the rules.
Bob

 

[rvwandering]

 Flying Js are rare in some parts of the country so if you need a place to stay near a city Walmart or a 24 hour grocery store would be easier to find. You should be stealthy enough to stay on the street if necessary.

 Out in the countryside you'll have many more options. National forests and BLM lands are very good for boondocking but some other possibilities are state forests, wlidlife management areas and utility lands. To find places in national forests google the forest name plus dispersed camping. This will usually bring up the forest page with a few well known and well used boondocking areas plus the rules for boondocking anywhere in that forest. Each forest may have slightly different rules but it's usually okay to boondock anywhere in the forest as long as you're not traveling across untrampled ground or camping too close to a water source. 

 BLM lands are similar to national forests.  http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/Recreation.html   Navigate your way through by clicking on the state, then "visit us", then "recreational opportunities". Each state manages it's own land so each has set their web page up a little differently.The Bureau of  Land Management has some established campgrounds but most of the land is opened for disbursed camping - find a nice spot and stay for a couple of weeks.

 This site has a lot of cheap and free camping spots - http://freecampsites.net/usa/

  Parents are often upset by what their kids choose to do. Most come around once they see that the kid is just doing what makes them happy. I hope this is what happens in your case. Keep explaining that it just a long camping trip.

 

 

[WriterMs]

Regarding Flying J's -- don't forget other trucker chains like Love's and Pilot (now Flying J???).

Also consider some non-resort RV campgrounds for periodic "real" showers. I had to stay close to Albuquerque for several days last year and a local RV place in Tijeras gave me a nice spot at the "tent" price since I do not use any hookups. I got free wifi and showers at the tent price.

 

[Grizzly Stardust]

Thanks for the input, everyone! You all seem to be a friendly group. I appreciate all the advice and resources that have been provided, I'll definitely be checking it all out.

 

[Canine]

Welcome. Your original post shows that you have researched things pretty well. I had an Escape for a year, the 4 cyl is slow but frugal. The 6 speed helps a lot. Don't tow with it if at all possible, though a little 4x6 trailer may be ok...

You've got most everything covered, just have something to block the windows, reflectix type material available at Home Depot or Lowes, the front windshield sunshade. Use LED lights to save on batteries, whether disposable or rechargeable. Don't use your starter battery as a power source when stopped except for very short occasions unless it's just a 12 volt fan or led light, they don't draw much at all.

Go to the electronics forum section to read more than you've ever wanted about solar and batteries. Maybe purchase a rechargeable battery 12 V setup that you can recharge your flashlight batteries with while you drive. Keep a spare power supply ( typically from Amazon) charged up so you don't lose your cell phone. Truck stops sell all kinds of inverters and 12 vilt appliances.

Get a good non mummy sleeping bag, down to 20. Just look at the Colorado, Wyoming and Dakotas weather this Mothers Day weekend for an example of the temps you can run into.

There's a food/cooking thread you can get ideas from. Fresh fruits and veggies stay well in your cooler with block ice, not bagged/crushed. Sometimes block isn't available. Wrap your cooler in reflectix style wrap for additional cooling. I made an actual container cover and bottom thatbthencooler sits in and is covered by. Microwaves in gas stations are your friend. You can also go into motel chains after their free morning breakfast hours and ask to use their microwave. Usually there's no one in the dining area. Try the bigger motels instead of super 8 and motel 6, their dining areas can be very sketchy. Best western, holiday inn express, comfort in are better.

Truck stop showers aren't worth the price, 10-15$ for a non trucker. Do the health club or sponge bath. Your tip on getting a tent site rate and having access to showers is the first time I have seen anyone else talk about that. Amazing!

Boondock at highway motels or truck stops. That's the only places on the highways I ever use, always have access to a bathroom that way and nobody watches who comes in and out, usually. Just park a bit away but not too far away. There's always Walmart too. Casinos are actually not real rv friendly, not for. Ultimate nights. Their security writes down plate numbers and you can get ticketed or banned if you abuse it.

Buy your refillable water container and go to Safeway or other grocery stores that have a water filtration (usually r.o.) machine. It's about one third the price of a gallon of crappy spring water and your jug should be bpa free vs the who knows what it's leaching out flimsy water 1 gallon jugs.

No open flames in your car, not smart. Some folks use a candle but it's not worth the risk.

Pay attention to open container laws...if you have an adult beverage open and the keys are in sight or your pocket or the ignition you could get a dui. Some have been stopped and given their consent (Dont do that) !for a search thinking they did not have any drugs and then the LEO finds the wine bottle... You're toast.

Let's see, I won't comment on your route, that's your choice. Standard stuff, gas up when down to 1/3. Maybe get AAA one year basic for your trip. They won't go into a National Park or Forest though...

I see you are from Phoenix, so am I but not in the summer. Safe trip.

 

[Canine]

Oh, I forgot you may want the small power point dc to ac inverter, below 400 watts, even 100-150 watts will recharge your portable batteries instead of what I said about using a 12 volt. Duh!

 

[Grizzly Stardust]

Oh, I forgot you may want the small power point dc to ac inverter, below 400 watts, even 100-150 watts will recharge your portable batteries instead of what I said about using a 12 volt.   Duh!

Very thorough write up, Dusty. I'll take it all into consideration. Thank you.

 

[highdesertranger]

well my 2 cents. in Nevada not including Vegas and Reno, I don't think you will find a planet fitness. some national parks do allow dispersed camping, Death Valley for one, although they have many more restrictions. Mom should come around, my mom doesn't even question my travels anymore however she expects the phone call saying everything is ok, which I am happy to do. when dad was around I think he secretly wanted to go, I could tell by his question before and after. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

When my wife and I go motorcycle touring, we often stop at KOA's (Kampgrounds of America.)

They're 'usually' pretty well kept up, and have clean tent sites, nice showers, laundrys, and sometimes saunas and pools too!

Sounds like a killer trip...but your Mom does have a real concern...

that once you hit the road, you'll get addicted to the lifestyle and never come back home!!

I live on the Oregon coastline, and the casino here has a huge area with free camping.


Safe travels man!

 

[Canine]

Eventually, you will have to jump in feet first and see what works for you and what doesn't like Cyndi said. It isn't as scary as it seems once you actually commit. Have fun! Look forward to hearing from you from time to time.