Solo Women - How do you travel

[Cheli]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning but I think I've decided on a cargo van. I have been changing my mind between a cargo van or a conversion van. While I think a conversion van would blend in better I feel I would be creeped out when sleeping with windows all around me. Although a cargo van may be a bigger target for thieves thinking it's full of tools I think I would feel safer sleeping with solid walls all around. For some reason the only thing (or the biggest thing) that scares me about living in a van is sleeping. It just creeps me out for some reason.

So while I'm not a van dweller yet and I can't answer the OP by experience, that is what I think I'll be getting once I get to the purchase phase. But that could easily change a dozen times between now and then. hahaha

Great post and I love reading the responses from the experienced.

 

[coolmom42]

Get a backup camera for your truck, and another for the camper. You will need a screen with 2 inputs, or 2 screens. That will help tremendously with hooking up and backing up. My DBF has been dealing with trailers all his life, and he is thrilled with the cameras.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Cheli,

I suppose a cargo van may be a bigger target for thieves in some areas like industrial parks, but probably not so much in NFs and BLMs. Where do you think you'll spend more time? What kind of travel do you plan on doing after you sorted out all the glitches?

Our van felt on our laps more of less. We had 2 vehicles when a friend offered it to us and had not thoughts of buying it, however shortly after I was involve in an accident and totaled my car. Our friend made us an offer we couldn't refuse: $2,500 delivered from Illinois to Florida. It was winter and he was tired of the cold. Long story short, we ended up with a conversion. I really like it for many reasons but if we were to F/T I would want a cargo with high top, even if I prefer to drive the conversion. This is our 4th van and it's my favorite, but I think a cargo van would be more practical for F/T.

It'll be fun to see what you decide to do. I hope there is a lot of vans to choose from in your area.

All the best.

Nicole

 

[Cheli]

Hi Cheli,

I suppose a cargo van may be a bigger target for thieves in some areas like industrial parks, but probably not so much in NFs and BLMs. Where do you think you'll spend more time? What kind of travel do you plan on doing after you sorted out all the glitches?

Nicole

My plan is to initially travel the entire country. Staying in different places for a week here or three weeks there.....whatever moves me. There is so much I want to see and experience and meet new people so the first year or so would definitely include some city dwelling and some more secluded areas. After that I think I would settle more out west, maybe BLM's and such but won't know until I get to that point.

I'm not super worried now about deciding because I know things work out the way they should and sometimes, like you experienced, things fall in your lap. So when I get to that stage, hopefully by fall, I will decided what to buy and start customizing it for F/T.

Thanks for the input and sharing your experience. I love seeing others already doing this and can't wait to be F/T myself.

 

[gypsyvioleta]

A lovely couple from Church gave me a 1998 Mercury Tracer, it is tiny but I am going to try using it to camp in 3 1/2 days a week.  My son is getting me a purple tent to use when I am with others that I feel safe with & I can sleep in the car other wise.  If Suzanne & Kathleen (from Bob's videos) can do it so can I.  Yes, I'd love to have a van but can not afford it.  In fact, I'm  afraid if anything else goes wrong with "Violet" I won't be able to pull this off.  I have spent over $1000 on her in 75 days. I am having surgery tomorrow & hoping to be up & going in a week so that I can start outfitting Violet for camping mode!  I am so excited that I can hardly wait!

 

[JannaB]

I didn't have the luxury to pick and plan, so I had a truck and cargo trailer and the 2 have been great for travel in the last 5 years. I'm stealth and can rearrange daily. And I don't have to worry about depreciation
Yes it would be nice to not have to get out to get into the trailer, but getting out isn't all bad. I recently put a couch in and did away with the bed. Love it!

 

[Txjaybird]

A lovely couple from Church gave me a 1998 Mercury Tracer, it is tiny but I am going to try using it to camp in 3 1/2 days a week.  My son is getting me a purple tent to use when I am with others that I feel safe with & I can sleep in the car other wise.  If Suzanne & Kathleen (from Bob's videos) can do it so can I.  Yes, I'd love to have a van but can not afford it.  In fact, I'm  afraid if anything else goes wrong with "Violet" I won't be able to pull this off.  I have spent over $1000 on her in 75 days. I am having surgery tomorrow & hoping to be up & going in a week so that I can start outfitting Violet for camping mode!  I am so excited that I can hardly wait!

 Hello....I think a purple tent is great!  My little Aliner T.T. is soooooo white inside and out that I call it white bread!  I'm changing that slowly but surely.  Feeling safe while out in the "wilds" is a good thing.  I can get so anxious about things at times that I stress out in my sleep.

You know you don't need a Van to do a build/modification thread?  When I joined here I read everyone of the conversion threads at the top of the page and all of Bob Wells blogs also.  I like learning how other folks do things  :idea:  When I say "I've been thinking" Folks that know me well say "OH NO" and run for the hills.  I don't know what is wrong with them   :angel:  Experience? .....I Wonder!

Have fun with your camping adventure and a speedy recovery from your surgery     

Jewellann and Queenie

 

[gypsyvioleta]

Thanks, Jewellann & Queenie! I should be getting "Violet" back the first full week in June. I told the young man who will be doing the work on her to go ahead and spend some time with his brother who is home on leave from Alaska since I can't drive yet. But I am getting so excited just thinking about getting her ready for camping. I am doing a couple trial runs, first. One at a friends place in the country & then at the bay at another friends place, working up to going to one of the two state parks at the beach not to far from my apt. Since I am 70 I can camp for 1/2 price!

 

[Passin Time]

This is an interesting topic as I am in the planning stages of mobile living and I can't even get past what I want...a cargo van or a Class B.

Both have their pros and cons I'm sure.

For those of you who do own a Class B which is your mpg? 

I like the idea of building it myself because you control the quality of the build...but I'm also no carpenter so that's a bit of a concern.  Right now I'm devouring You Tube videos! 

Deb

My first post since joining.  Deb, you sound so much like me.  I've spent the last 17 or so months on YouTube considering what I see as Pros and Cons for my situation.  I have narrowed it down to a C or B+.  I'd consider a Transit or Pro Master EXCEPT I need room for my pets to go with me. big dog, little dog and 3 (yes I said three) cats. I was encouraged by some campers who camp with two big dogs and 4 ferrets.  My critters are laid back except for the Rottie who's only two years.  Then when I read your sig and saw you're another Deb, I had to post.  All these decisions for an older fairly new widow can be over whelming.  My determination has remained and I'm moving closer to the goal every week.  I'm determined to be at the RTR in AZ in January.  Stick with your dreams.  Deb >^..^<

 

[bonnieE350van]

I am 60 and have some physical challenges with hands, feet and legs. I am also vertically challenged as in short...I have been F/T for
5 years now...initially started out with a chevy venture van packed to the gills inside and 2 rightline bags on the roof...it was a challenge
every time to get everything back into the van and on the roof when it was time to move on...after 3 years of that, I decided I needed
something bigger...I found a larger van (ford E-350 15 passenger)...I removed two of the bench seats, left 2 for my travel partner and I to
sleep on, and stuffed the rest of the gear in the open spaces...After another year of setting up and taking down a 9x12 canvas tent mostly by myself(as companion was not able to help much) I retired the tent and accompanying accessories and now just use the van for majority of living...
Cooking is mostly done outdoors except when weather is cold, rainy, or too windy, then I fix simple meals using an electric hot plate...I spend
most of the time in state parks, corp of engineer parks some national parks, but now that I no longer have a travel partner I will need to find
less expensive(free) camping spots so the electric may become an issue but I will still be out there enjoying the beautiful places in this land
called U.S.A...I can't picture myself living in a S/B any time soon if ever again...

 

[LilNomad]

LilNomad here solo female Airstreamer. I have a 25ft travel trailer and have recently upsized to a 28ft. Each rig has its pros & cons and will need to be modified to fit your lifestyle. I love being able to drop the trailer, have it as my home base and go to town, explore etc in the Suburban. Since many of my camping girlfriends are married, my trailer serves as the girls retreat/spa..lots of wine, champagne, chit chat & laughter.
Knead2Travel.com

 

[VanKitten]

I found an old Honeywell. It was built as a food kiosk. 1989

I have completely gutted it and built it from the skin in to be exactly what I want.
It is home. If is open enough so I don't feel cramped, but small enough so I can park in a regular spot.

I picked it because it was just my size.