starting young, parents not entirely supportive

[jimindenver]

Heat tape will work but you will need to do it to all of the plumbing and tanks, PLUS it has to be plugged in to work.

 

[msbarth]

"overcab area has been repaired from water damage and now has reflectix insulation"  this is a quote from the ad.  I can see that you are not interested but that statement alone is enough to send me in the opposite direction unless I was there to over see the rebuilding.

 

[SternWake]

"overcab area has been repaired from water damage and now has reflectix insulation"  this is a quote from the ad.  I can see that you are not interested but that statement alone is enough to send me in the opposite direction unless I was there to over see the rebuilding.

This was my first thought as well. Water damage is rarely repaired correctly and in a method to keep it from recurring. Too many hacks out there who can see the desired end result, and go no further than the motions required to get the appearance of completion.

Figuring out why the damage originally occurred and taking steps from it reoccurring are simply beyond the mindset or skillset of the majority who take on repairs. The Pros who make bids are not going to take any extra steps. The hourly worker might.

 

[Patrick46]

K1ngN0thing...

we're all here to help see you through this process and to help make the transition to a mobile lifestyle as safe and as easy as possible. Remember...they've been there, and done that.

It just seems that you're set on these plans you've got, come hell or high water, and are not wanting to listen to experienced people offering good advice.

Instead of arguing, try listening to what some of these folks are trying to tell you.

 

[highdesertranger]

well there is no way that rv gets 15 mpg. new jasper engine something fishy there with only 66k on the rv. water damage, also if the fresh tank is on the outside you will need a boat load of heat tape. if the tank is on the inside you will have to keep the inside temp above freezing you will have to do this anyway to keep the water in the pipes from freezing. keep in mind if your black and grey tanks freeze you will not be able to dump them so you must add heaters to them as well and the price $7500, I would pass on this one. I think you are getting rid of one head ache for another. as far as the car goes I would fix it, you are right to assume to just start replacing parts is not wise. why don't you learn to repair it. being able to repair vehicles will save you a lot of grief and money throughout your life. like stern said go on a Hyundai forum and ask for help. my 2 cents. highdesertranger

 

[Magicwolf]

Well, I'm going to be the odd person out here. I'd like to applaud K1ngN0thing for being brave enough to think outside the box.

It's daring to think differently that changes a person's life. There may be successes and failures, but at least you can't say you didn't try.

K1ngN0thing, your parents are freaked out because you've decided the standard "American Dream" sold to most people is not for you.  To many people, that dream (of a 9 to 5 and 30-year mortgage) equals success and deviations equal failure. It's probably hard for them to understand your way of thinking.

What I read in your post is that you're looking for independence, and the thought of doing a job you hate for most of your life for rent and a mortgage and such is unappealing to you. And I didn't read that you were arguing against concerns, but trying to explain your way of thinking.

You actually can do it different. Sometimes finding the best way to go about accomplishing what you want is challenging.

If you decide you want that little class C - or any mobile lifestyle, just do a lot of research.  The fact that you've found your way here and have posted indicates that you must be doing some. This site has a lot of great articles and help to get you started.

Some people use vans (considering a high-top), some go the motorhome route, some people use a regular vehicle as a daily driver and have a travel-trailer they can tow and drop somewhere when needed - that could possibly be an option for you. You can even consider the 'tiny house' type-life. They aren't so much mobile, but many of the people that choose that route don't have huge payments.

You may find you need to make some adjustments with your plans and/or find that they evolve, but that doesn't mean you can't achieve what you want.

In cold seasons, if you stay where there is danger of freezing systems, just winterize those systems and carry in your water.  You might look into a Wave 3 or similar heater in lieu of electric. Others are correct that the solar won't run one of those effectively if you don't have an electrical hookup somewhere, but there are always ways or alternatives around things The good thing is that there is a lot solar can do.


Best of luck to you.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

So I think I might try getting a loan for a Class B and live in it at home while continuing to use my fuel efficient car to make money. There doesn't seem to be any way to make loan payments if I'm relying on a fuel-inefficient RV to be my daily. I probably also overestimated how much my parents are against it. I think they could tell I hadn't exactly thought through the details and wanted to be sure I was sure this is what I want to do. When I first brought it up, my dad and I drove around town seeing if we could find one, so that's indicative of their support. I think they're just glad that I've decided to do something seeing as I've been here for so long. Thanks to everyone for the input.

 

[offroad]

Is there no way to make a bicycle your commuting vehicle ?

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Is there no way to make a bicycle your commuting vehicle ?

Not possible for what I'm doing on ebay as I don't know how much I'll find. It's also too far for a bike as I'm in sort of a rural area.

 

[Stargazer]

KingNOthing,

Whatever you decide to do, life will throw stuff at you either way. Any decision made today will come back to bite you later. You will deal with that when it happens. Spending months/years planning and agonizing over it isn't going to make everything all better nor will it make it perfect.

I firmly believe that if a person truly wants to do something, they'll figure out a way to do it. If you can learn to fix a car, you can learn to fix an RV. What's the difference? Break the bank fixing the car and still be living with the parents with all that entails? Or break the bank with an RV but be more at peace out on your own?

The only decision you can make that is permanent is the decision to die. All others can be dealt with and changed as you go down the road (pun intended).

I say, if this is what you think will be a path that leads somewhere you want to go, then do it! If a road you choose now ends up a dead end, turn around and find another route.

Or you can wait till everything is perfect and 20 years from now still be waiting and living in the parents basement, too tired and worn down and scared to do anything.

Best wishes

 

[Duck]

What about getting a job at an rv shop? You'll start by pushing a broom and cleaning up, but you will get some income, learn some of the skills you'll need and have access to people who see the different problems with the vehicles every day.  It's like getting paid to study.  Even better you'll likely come across great deals on rvs and parts for yours once you get one.  I started working in a boat shop for the first two reasons, but wish I'd bought the boat I lived on after instead of before, people are always mentioning when they'd like to sell, especially if they need a few labour intensive repairs.

 

[highdesertranger]

great advice from duck. highdesertranger

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Even if I wanted to, the closest one is 40 mins away. That's exactly the kind of grind I'm trying to avoid. I made $175 profit within the first 5 days of this month, so I'm not too worried about being able to make payments. I'd rather get a loan, buy an RV, and pay it off doing what I'm doing instead of grinding at a job for a year before I can afford it. And once I have it, I still have the option of getting a typical job, but then I'll be able to camp in the area instead of driving back and forth every day.

 

[Almost There]

Even if I wanted to, the closest one is 40 mins away. That's exactly the kind of grind I'm trying to avoid. I made $175 profit within the first 5 days of this month, so I'm not too worried about being able to make payments. I'd rather get a loan, buy an RV, and pay it off doing what I'm doing instead of grinding at a job for a year before I can afford it. And once I have it, I still have the option of getting a typical job, but then I'll be able to camp in the area instead of driving back and forth every day.

The problem with doing it your way is that you're considered self-employed by all lending institutions at the moment. Having been classified as that for a good many years of my life, I can tell you that getting a vehicle loan is going to be nigh unto impossible unless your parents are willing to co-sign for you and then only if they have a good credit rating and the income to cover your payments if you fail to make them. It will also tie up their borrowing ability for as long as the loan is outstanding.

A regular paycheck, even a minimal one is seen as more stable than a much larger income when it is from either commission income or self-employment.

 

[Duck]

Even if I wanted to, the closest one is 40 mins away. That's exactly the kind of grind I'm trying to avoid. I made $175 profit within the first 5 days of this month, so I'm not too worried about being able to make payments. I'd rather get a loan, buy an RV, and pay it off doing what I'm doing instead of grinding at a job for a year before I can afford it. And once I have it, I still have the option of getting a typical job, but then I'll be able to camp in the area instead of driving back and forth every day.

If you work there longer than 6 months without getting a screaming deal on an rv and or free rv I'll be shocked.  Don't think of it as commuting to work, think of it as commuting to vandweller school where you're paid to learn and have free/discount parts.  I got offered boats regularly for 25% of what they would be asking on craigslist, far better than my boat too.  Rvs are the same way.  instead of having to earn 8-10k $(7k plus interest) why not pay yourself by getting an equally good rv for less? That's as good as doubling your income or more. Even at 10$/hr that's 150$ a week for a two day work week with access to tons of free stuff. Shops really get to cherry pick the best deals, then friends, then craigslist etc last.  I'm Kerry thinking of all the free boats I passed up now.  Or all the hundreds of dollars in parts I could keep just because it didn't make financial sense to fix them.  Including big battery banks wire, tanks, toilets etc.  
I just threw out four perfectly good toilets last month. 
Do what you like, I took a similar path to what you are doing, though I had a good steady job at.18$/hr at the time I jumped into a (20k) loan for my boat and I paid dearly for the lessons I could have got free.  I'm 26 now and just starting to get above water again.  
Self employed sucks for credit.  The week before I quit my job I got offered a 5k increase of credit, the next week I proudly phoned them to ask for a business credit card instead since my business was breaking even and I had quit to grow it.  I thought it showed commitment.  They refused me completely.  You need 5 years of proven returns to get credit according to them.  Or a month working any other job.  

 

[One Awesome Inch]

The idea about getting a job at an RV shop is brilliant.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Assuming they were hiring, I doubt I'd be selected. My people skills are not very refined.

 

[Wabbit]

K1ngN0thing, after reading thru this thread, I think it might be best for you to just get on with doing what you want to do. It would seem that the first thing you need to do is go get pre-approved for a vehicle loan. Absolutely no sense in wasting any time looking for a vehicle and then finding out you can't finance it. Bring a cosigner with you, as I highly doubt there is a bank that will approve you for a loan if your income is based on e-bay proceeds. The proceeds might impress you, but they won't impress a loan officer. After you find out that securing a loan might not be as easy as it sounds, remember that min wage is now at 7.25/hour. That is 290$/week at 40 hours. Prob 200$ish after taxes(no idea, don't work min), that's 800$ a month. Do that for just 6 months, and you're looking at 5k. You can still do your e-baying, so you should have even more than that! If working 40 hours a week for awhile so you can achieve a dream doesn't work for you, then it's prob not much of a dream. Many people bust a$$ their whole life for just a chance at their dreams at retirement. G'luck!

 

[K1ngN0thing]

I'll do that if I need to. I need to know what I'm going to buy before I take out the loan so I know how much to ask for. I can probably get my dad to co-sign, which should increase my chances.

 

[Almost There]

I'll do that if I need to. I need to know what I'm going to buy before I take out the loan so I know how much to ask for. I can probably get my dad to co-sign, which should increase my chances.

Ummm, you need to know what you can afford to pay BEFORE you go shopping. Take how much money you have on hand and add it to how much the bank is willing to lend you or how much your Dad is willing to co-sign for (they may be different) and then you know how much money you've got to spend.

There's no sense in looking at something that's going to cost you $5,000. if all you have to spend is 3G.

And once you know the total of how much you have to start with, don't forget to subtract the amount you'll need for sales tax, registration and the down payment on insurance and vehicle inspection fees (if your state requires them).

I also set aside a thousand for immediate repairs because no used vehicle comes in pristine condition.