still looking

[RamblinRose]

I only got to post once a few months ago on newbie board. Sigh!

Still been looking for a class B van I can afford. Stuck in WY and plan to move
back to Idaho in July. Want to spend a couple months in my SUV & try to find one
I can afford but looks so bleak around here. I check everywhere, car lots, Craigslist, RVTrader,
all and way too high for me to buy.

I love watching th videos of you all finding vans, low miles and so cheap. Only have SS so so limited.
Just want to say still looking and about ready to give up (Im 74) and wish you all the best of luck and safety!

PS Also worries me to get on road after seeing Bob's video suggesting a nestegg of 10K (that I'd never have)

 

[WanderingRose]

I have read recommendations here about staying very simple to avoid the costs of system maintenance of even a small RV, and I have to say that’s very wise.

If you can travel in your SUV, or get a van you can trick up just a bit, the likelihood of being able to travel some on a limited income is greatly improved, tho if you can’t have a nest egg for emergencies that is a different problem.

Have you seen the SUV tents? They’re pretty slick, manageable for one person, and allow you to sleep off the ground.

Don’t give up!

 

[travelaround]

Hi there, RamblinRose . . . I'm in Northern Idaho. I know I can't afford a good RV so I'm planning to buy a van. I've seen RV's offered at very low prices on Craigslist, but I think - maybe there's a reason they're priced so low. I don't think my budget could absorb a lot of RV repairs.

There are other options. Could your SUV be used as a tow vehicle for a trailer? You can google your vehicle's make, model and year with the words "towing capacity" to see what it could tow. For example, here's mine: "2005 Ford Taurus towing capacity" ... I get a Google page that says it can tow 1,250 to 1,750 lbs.... so I know if I tow something, it will be very small, like a teardrop trailer.

Another good option if you have a few thousand dollars to spend is an old small-sized school bus. The old buses were built very well as they are intended to carry children. The diesel engines are longer lasting. I find them on Craigslist for less than 5000 dollars and also at government auctions. If you have limited money to put into this, an online government auction is a great way to get vehicles at low cost.

Maybe I didn't say anything you didn't already know, but I want to welcome you back to the forum. You're welcome to stick around and chat even if you don't have a travel vehicle yet. I don't have one... except the old Ford Taurus . . .

 

[Dingfelder]

If you can't afford 10k for a van, how you will manage to have a reasonable emergency fund -- for repairs, things like unexpected tickets, and for every other kind of emergency that comes one's way in life? And there are so very many. At 74 years old, even more so.

And few people are as adaptable and durable at that age as they were when they were young. It may be the case that anything that would be hard on a younger person would be harder on you.

I hope you proceed cautiously and don't get yourself in a hole you can't climb out of.

 

[GypsyJan]

By using the minivan and camping equipment I already have, I figure I will be able to retire and save half of the monthly SS check for an emergency fund. I will sell the house and pay off all debts first.

It is doable, but you will have to have a budget and be frugal. Perhaps a car instead of a van? I plan to stay at Walmarts and truck stops to augment campground stays. Also, I will have to cook most of my meals and limit clothes shopping to thrift stores....but the upside is that I will travel and not be living in front of a tv yet!

 

[Ms Linda]

I would try to do with what I have if I were on a fixed income without a good nest egg. As for the $10K emergency fund....that is subjective. I don't have $10K, but I do have some cash accessible in case of emergencies. I wouldn't even try it if I didn't have emergency funds, unless I was forced into living in my vehicle. While we have only one life to live and would like to do things we finally have time and drive to do, I would proceed with caution if I were you. How about just taking short trips here and there. That may be enough to quelch your wanderlust (if that was the reason for van dwelling).

 

[badmotorscooter]

Don't give up and if you keep on trying a solution will be present itself.

I don't have a rig yet either, but have been studying and learning about every rig configuration possible and then some.

For limited funds and a limited budget I think an RV would not be a wise choice.  A van build would be better, but even so full size vans are not cheap.


I'm leaning towards a minivan or smaller sized pickup truck with a lightweight camper trailer.

Weeroll, Runaway and Rustic Trails come to mind.  My thinking is better fuel economy and more flexibilty will be a big help.  Some of these trailers start under $3000 insulated and ready to go.  It would still require an inside build and basic equipment though, but a good opportunity to customize for your personal needs and budget.

If your towing vehicle needs serious repairs or replacement, you still have a place to live and wouldn't have to rebuild anything.  A used minivan or smaller pickup without too many miles could probably be found in the $5000 range if one looked hard enough.  Because the cost of your rig is lower (both towing vehicle and camper trailer) I think a $5000 emergency fund would work.  Of course more is better, but that's what I will be starting with.

This plan could also work with a 6 cylinder car and camper trailer and that would be even cheaper.  But you might lose a little towing capacity and storage space as well as a little ground clearance.  I think the minivan and pickup with a small camper shell would also greatly improve overall flexibility.