Setbacks, plans change, back on schedule

[Drifted_Cowboy]

No debt.

Not a lot of money. Let's do it.

I missed the boat on the spring rush for a motorhome. The market is pretty vacant in our 2 to 3 thousand range and it would be hard to find and repair something to moderately road worthy and be on the road June 1. And be on or under budget. So we sat down to consider our goals.

Is our goal a motorhome? No. Is our goal to drive to exotic locations and take novelty pictures? No. Our goal is to be more self reliant and change our perspective. To be good people living on the fringes of society and contribute as much to the world as we can. That's our goal.

We found a reasonable campground that has tent spaces and cabins shaped like tool sheds for a reasonable price. This will give me a chance to save some more money and start buying and building our necessary equipment for an outdoor lifestyle. I hope....

"Let's stay in a tool shed and buy a wall tent" I said to my wife. You should have seen that look. But we explored our options and we're back on schedule.

June 1 we're out the door.

 

[Lucky mike]

whereare you located......if your in the New england area and are looking for a motorhome thats livable & mechanically sound but needs a little TLC.....there are several by me.

http://nh.craigslist.org/rvs/4466422260.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/rvs/4454099128.html
http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/4444223753.html
http://plattsburgh.craigslist.org/rvs/4420947881.html

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

We're in colorado springs. It would be an adventure...

I've looked at about everything listed in my area. Some stuff is very sound but with registration and fees and filling the gas tank etc. I think I'm asking for trouble cutting it that close. There are some nice bus conversions around the 10k range I can afford by September if we go tent or small cabin or combination. August if I can find cheap power and boondock. Only power really needed is to charge a laptop and phone for work and the incidental stuff.

I'll admit I'm feeling a touch overwhelmed at the moment.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

IMO you need to save as much money as possible. While its great to be organized and set a date to 'get out' dont allow the self imposed pressure force you into a less than pleasant situation.

Not only do you need funds for the vehicle and needed essentials, but you also would be well served by having an emergency stash of at least a couple thousand dollars. What if the RV gets stolen or destroyed thru fire or car accident? You need a plan B and that plan likely requires m.o.n.e.y.

My .02 is to take a very deep breath and think about the big picture.

1. Do what you need to do to be as comfortable as possible.
2. shit happens. be prepared.
3. dont rush into it and dont pressure yourself into something you may not be prepared for.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I can surely understand being overwhelmed. We went thru a lot of anxiety in making our decision to move into a maxi van. We're happy we did, now that its reality.
The motorhome was simply taking too much of our fuel dollars and wanted more miles and more places than we could afford. This van will double the bang for our buck

Once you've downsized to a tent/mini-cabin it should be easy to live within the space a maxi van provides. Since we go places where the weather suits our clothes, we will be enjoying lots of time out in the big livingroom nature has given us

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

We pick her up on Thursday


http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/rvs/4473618770.html

Just when we had almost given in to a tent we lucked out. Headed to the San luis valley around mid June after a quick stop with a few friends

Everything is cleaned and packed for storage. Spending the week searching for some camping gear now.

 

[GrinningPanther]

Drifted Cowboy, Congratulations!

Sometimes it seems that when we're truly prepared to endure a trial...the trial, like a bully that's been stood up to, melts away. Of course, life isn't always that simple, or that full of happy endings...but sometimes it happens that way. I'm glad it did for you.

...And now you get to face other challenges. Good luck on your upcoming adventures!

GP

 

[SoulRaven]

Congrats!

If that doesn't have a generator, you can build a very efficient 12v DC generator pretty cheaply. Add an inverter, and have an AC/DC generator.

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

I'd like to hear more about this generator. I was thinking of an old windmill fan and an alternator....

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Congrats on the find.
We see lots of those on the road.


I saw a genny built on a frame, using a small 2 cycle engine and a high output alternator driven by a belt. It seemed to work pretty well.

How's the house battery(s) in that rig??

 

[mconlonx]

We pick her up on Thursday

"Whoo Time" indeed!

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

My uncle had a cobra? On this chassis with the 360. The engine far outlived the box on the back to be sure. Glad to hear they are still common. I know nothing of the battery situation. I have 2 batteries from golf carts I bartered for. I have high hopes for solar and want to build wisely from the ground up a system I can take with me. We should be able to buy our full time rig by Christmas I hope. Still the van is in the back of my mind. I need to see a van in action.

 

[SoulRaven]

I'd like to hear more about this generator. I was thinking of an old windmill fan and an alternator....

I have saved off tidbits from other forums over the years, and this was from one of the guru's:

===============================================

Now if you're going to be parked for prolonged periods of time, or do very little driving, you're probably going to want to build a 12v DC generator. These are much more efficient at charging your battery(s) than other generator types. If you need AC power, you can always add an inverter and have the best of both worlds. A gasoline powered 12v DC generator is highly recommended for everyone, even homeowners, because you know it is just a matter of time before you'll be glad you have one.


12v DC generator resources:

http://theepicenter.com/tow02077.html



http://www.homepower.com/sites/default/files/uploads/webextras/mark8.pdf

http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/generator/building-generator.pdf

Between those you should be able to pick up all of the neccessary parts and/or knowledge to successfully build a 12v DC generator to charge your battery(s).

===============================================

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

So....a 3.5 Briggs in a sound dampening box with a snorkel and exhaust? Can I vent my exhaust from an on board generator right into the motorhome exhaust? Does it work that way?

 

[SoulRaven]

So....a 3.5 Briggs in a sound dampening box with a snorkel and exhaust? Can I vent my exhaust from an on board generator right into the motorhome exhaust? Does it work that way?

I just put a honda silent muffler on mine, and use it outdoors, but if you routed the exhaust outside, you should be fine.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Drifted_Cowboy,

I am up in Longmont, CO with my van (http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/1989-dodge-b250-camper-van/) if you want to compare. I think I will be passing nearby you (if you are still in Colo Springs) in coming weeks as I want to head down to the Sand Dunes National Park. If nothing else, we can always grab a beer and trade stories.

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

Well be out in Peyton until around June 11 or so then we too are headed up to the slv. We're headed to south of ft garland a bit. I'd love to meet up somewhere

 

[concretebox]

My story might give you an idea of what kind of "expected" and "unexpected" expenses you might encounter. In some ways I'm pretty lucky, but the "unexpected" changed my plans quite a bit. Best of luck to you.

I bought an 1989 Class B RV for $3000. I put about $1000 into remodeling it and repairs/maintenance to the engine. The radiator was due for replacement (they just wear out after several years), and since I was in there I did some "might as well" maintenance (hoses, belt, spark plugs). The tires were over ten years old so I bought two new ones (I should probably buy two more for the back). It was wondering around the road (steering issues) so I replaced the front shocks as well.

But then the engine started dieing for no reason. I determined the ignition system was failing. So new ignition coil and some other parts went in. Fixed that, about $75.

Then the RV fridge wasn't working. A replacement (used) was about $750. I replaced it with a household style dorm fridge (2 cu feet) that I got for free. But then I needed an inverter ($100). Did I mention that the RV didn't come with a house battery? That's another $150.


That got me on the road. After about three months I came back to base to make repairs and more upgrades.
The black tank was leaking (gross, right?). I repaired it myself with fiberglass resin that I got for free from Dad. The propane furnace wasn't working. I removed it and cleaned it up (there was some kind of abandoned insect colony in there. But then I learned the motor needed to be replaced (another $150). The roof over the bed was water damaged so I replaced it with a nice piece of oak plywood ($30), and stained and poly'ed it with free stain and poly from Dad's workshop. I did a lot of painting too, again, free paint thanks to Dad! I added a 2.5 gallon water heater ($150), and new plumbing PEX, ($50). Oh, and I decided the 2 cu foot fridge was too small, so I bought another dorm fridge, this one about 3.2 cu feet, about $150.

Then I was ready to head back to the road. I got about 300 miles away when the engine crapped out (blown head gaskets). I was very lucky to find the nicest people in Missouri to help me find a shade-tree mechanic who replaced the engine with a used one for $1000. That plus the U-hual rentals ($600) and buying a temporary car ($1200) shot my fuel budget for the trip. I returned to base and I've been working the last three months at a temp job, living in the RV in a friend's backyard once the engine got replaced. When the temp job is up in August I'll be set for a while, but I'm going to have to find location-independent income to keep this 10mpg monster on the road.

If the AC or generator crap out those are both big ticket items. Otherwise I'm in a good spot financially.

 

[Sameer]

Read Bob's post for today. 5/30.......sounds perfect for you! Good Luck! ! !

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

Thanks for sharing your experience concretebox. I'm already knee deep in work on this beast. I can see how it can be draining in many ways.

Jackson wyoming looks nice but I don't travel anywhere they arrest me for my medicine. Cannabis is not a crime and I'll vote with my dollars.

I didn't even consider exhaust back pressure. A mechanic I am not but I appreciate you taking the time to teach. I am listening.