Two friends living together, need ADVICE!

[peacetara]

Hi Everyone, &nbsp;I need some advice from you amazing smart people!<br /><br />I've been living in my minivan, and it's comfy and cozy, and I like it (I want to change a few things, but nothing drastic like more space, etc). Anyways, one of my best friends is really really interested in this lifestyle, and she is saving her money, and wants to travel with me. &nbsp;I think this is FANTASTIC! This is where I need your advice!<br /><br />We are thinking about getting an RV or something bigger, since we both recognize, two people in a minivan is craziness for long-term living... (for us anyway.. maybe for a partnered/married couple that loved tight spaces... LOL).<br /><br />Anyways, I'm personally leaning towards something smaller, maybe 20 feet or so. &nbsp;Easier to drive around, park, better gas mileage, etc. &nbsp;But I worry, is this insanely too small of a space for two people to be relatively comfortable? &nbsp;Neither of us are super concerned about privacy, I mean we lived together in the past, and got along great, all of that stuff is fine, and if we need a break from each other, that's what the giant beautiful outside is for! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />All the books and everything I read says full-timers that are coupled want 35 or 45 foot long giant behemoths, with slideouts and everything! &nbsp;I couldn't imagine driving something that gigantic and ever hoping to get somewhere, but I assume there is a class somewhere that I can take? &nbsp;I have no idea.<br /><br />The good part of getting something bigger is I could easily fit my 4 kids with me, when I can get them away from school, but 3 of us squeezed into my minivan and survived happily for a brief time, so I'm sure we can manage in something smaller (they all like to sleep in a big pile together anyways).<br /><br />Anyways, back to my friend and I.... We aren't coupled, just friends. &nbsp;I'm sort of wondering if anyone else out there is traveling in pairs, and what experiences or recommendations people might have. &nbsp;Neither of us know the first thing about RV's, I've been in a few RV's but I still feel totally clueless! &nbsp;Should we consider just getting 2 smaller separate vehicles and travel together? Tho that seems sort of silly, since it would be double the gas, upkeep, maintenance, etc.<br /><br />Experiences, thoughts, advice?<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[Mortisha]

Well I think it all is based around what you want out of your experience really. I mean I want to have the privacy and the alone time so for me I would pick to travel in different vehicles but together. That way I would have my space but I think this is something you both need to discuss and be prepared for because sometimes you can't go outside to be alone (rain, snow, sleet ect). Also think about how much you both can afford not only to buy the new vehicle but gas, insurance, upkeep ect. Bigger vehicles take more money. I have seen 2 friends do great in a conversion van. When it all comes down to it though... it is up to you and your friend. Good luck with your decision. It may be a hard one to make&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;HuggZ

 

[Guest]

Hi Tara....<br />I don't know about others but even my wife and I have two campers...lol. We have been together 27 years and are very best friends and lovers, etc. and we have spent a great deal of time in very small rigs...vans, small pop-up truck campers.<br /><br />Nowadays, we have realized that just the simple fact that she is a night person and I am a morning person, causes problems in a small rig.<br /><br />If it were us and we were to fulltime in a vehicle, we would want something much larger. Not a behemoth but something that allowed one of us to go to bed, say, in a separate area and close a door or curtain and not be bothered by the other being up and busily doing whatever. <br /><br />I am thinking off hand of at least a class C with a rear bed. <br /><br />But then, you are young and when I or we were your age, we thought roomies were great and in my case, did a lot of communal living...no longer though. I absolutely love being by myself.<br /><br />Best to you and whatever you decide...as long as it isn't written in stone, you can always change your minds....<br />Bri

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tara,</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">If I were in your same situation, I'd opt for two separate vehicles, to preserve flexibility and the need for alone time.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">I'd also outfit both vehicles with tow capability, so that one breakdown doesn't cause separation. In a pinch, you could tow one in and leave the broken vehicle overnight at a shop for repairs and still not be homeless.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The only downsides I can see are double the gas money, and no elbow to elbow contact when traveling. You can alleviate that problem somewhat with vehicle to vehicle (hands free) communications. The ability to speak to each other and still keep your eyes on the road would be pricless in that situation.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Just my two cents worth.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bob<br /><br />P.S. - If one vehicle is better suited for towing, you could travel in that one and tow the other to reduce gas cost somewhat. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /></span></strong></span>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Big Guy and I have talked about a&nbsp;tow vehicle-the truck with a slide in camper and my little travel trailer when/if we&nbsp;travel together. If your van can be a tow vehicle you might consider picking up a small cheap tt. Maybe you need more stealth though.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;I think that the key to it is that you have already lived together and got along fine because that is a big concern. Good friends do not always stay good friends when they are sharing the same small space.<br /><br />&nbsp;Tony and I are very comfortable in our 25' class C but then even when we lived in a house we spent most of our time together in the same room. Our motorhome doesn't have a separate bedroom area so we really are just feet from each other but we're both pretty good at getting involved in whatever we're doing and blocking out any distractions. We can always go and do things alone if we need a break.<br /><br />&nbsp;

 

[peacetara]

Thanks everyone, so I have some more questions <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />those of you with the RV's, are they scary to drive?&nbsp;<br /><br />Bob(stude53), interesting! &nbsp;I agree communication is IMPORTANT, the problem is I'm deaf, and use ASL to communicate, and wireless video while possible probably isn't worth the hassle, expense, etc. &nbsp;Plus the important times to use it will be when it's also important to focus on the road <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />I like the idea of having a back bedroom, in case someone isn't feeling very good, or whatever.<br /><br />I'm worried about driving and dealing with an RV, are they painful? &nbsp;The few I stayed in, it seemed like everyone was always fiddling with the RV in some way or other. &nbsp;But I was younger, and didn't really know what was going on, so who knows?<br /><br />Anyways I welcome more thoughts!

 

[sparky1]

Hello'<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm pretty much deaf as well, I have driven Motorhomes since 1975,pickup's&nbsp;&amp; Travel Trailers,&nbsp;i currently have a 35 ft Bounder Class "A" 18,000 lbs. motorhome 4TH motorhome, (2) vans&nbsp;&amp; a 13 ft.Casita camper driven all types.Million + miles. they aren't scary to me-"BUT" it's the other vehicles that cause fright or high wind,that might,.<br />&nbsp; Motorhomes have so much to care for,since you have a complex Vehicle &amp; a House all in one unit,Tanks for fill &amp; Drain,several batteries to maintain,Furnaces,water pump,AC units,solar panels,awnings to put out or roll up when you experiance wind,6 or more tires to care for.&nbsp;as a RV owner,you become a Jack of all trades Unless you have "Megga $$$" and pay others to maintain everything. (THAT I CAN"T DO)*mine never been in a shop.other than alignment &amp; inspections,or tires,<br />&nbsp; so to me, I love them--others in a van MAY have simpler lives in them,I personally like them all, i'm pushing 70.&amp; I still do all my own Maintenance,.<br />&nbsp;in a few minutes i will be up in my Field camping in&nbsp;my Van &amp; Casita for the weekend.<br />take care.<br />sparky1 in Southern Va.

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[Seraphim]

DW and I travelled in a class B (camper van). &nbsp;We loved it but after about 3 weeks at a time the closeness wore on us. &nbsp;Bed and sofa were the same thing.<br /><br />Retiring, and looking at extended journeys, we got a slide in truck camper and pickup. Versatile, and - best ofall - separate sleeping and living area, and the living area can become a second sleeping area if necessary.<br /><br />RVs aren't scary to drive, just takes a bit of practice, remember you're taller and wider than a car, and learn to lookahead, especially in parking lots, so you don't get stuck somewhere you may have to back out of lol.<br /><br />Maintenance is n't bad. Taken individually, the systems are simple to learn: propane, electric, and water. Once you figure them out it's not that bad, and there are alternate ways of doing things. If you plan to plug into electric, you don't need propane at all. Plan your potty stops, and you only use the toilet for emergencies.<br /><br /><br />Wouldnt consider solar until you were comfortable with the rest of the unit.<br /><br />Its not a daunting thing to figure out or maintain, especially with two people.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;RVs are just like houses - you can stuff them full of the latest inventions and unneeded junk or you can be a minimalist. But the nice thing about a RV is that it can be so comfortable with just a few items- running water , a refrigerator ,lights and a furnace. No need to have levelers , awnings , air conditioning , big screen TVs , automatic steps , instant hot water and countless other things that make them complicated and hard to manage.

 

[Unchained]

Hi Tara<br />With 2 people, maybe a van with a small TT would be the way to go. Drop the trailer where you are camping and the van becomes a daily driver with decent mileage. If one or both of you needs alone time, one in the van and one in the trailer, alone enough but still close by. And if the van needs repairs, you can both stay in the trailer. It's still more 'stuff' to maintain and repair, but you can go very minimalist with the trailer just like you can with an RV.<br /><br />

 

[Sunny1]

I agree that the idea of two vans would be ideal.&nbsp; That way you would have your own space, but you could spend all the time you weren't both driving together.<br /><br />Unchained's idea of a van and a small trailer is also excellent.&nbsp; No matter how well you get along, there will be times when you need your own space, and being crammed together in too small a rig can really stress the friendship.&nbsp; Especially on rainy and bad weather days.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<span style="color: #0000ff;">Unchained's idea of a van and a small trailer is also excellent.&nbsp;<br /><span style="color: #000000;">Hey, I posted that idea first! And I must say its a very good idea. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></span></span>

 

[Sunny1]

Oops, sorry, dragonfly!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Unchained]

<span style="color: #0000ff;"><span style="color: #000000;">Hey, I posted that idea first!</span></span>

I was going to mention that, but you beat me to it. Then again, good ideas are worth repeating, right? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Ballenxj]

Motorhomes are no problem to drive. I felt safest while driving mine. I could usually look truckers in the eye when passing. The biggest problem was, there was "no" stealth what so ever. That, and try to turn one around in a small mountain camp ground.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;Maintenance was a whole other issue. Also the tires are way more expensive to buy. Speaking of tires, most motorhomes have duals in the rear. The inner tires are a real PITA to air up, or even just check, and you have to check them regularly. Did you know that the rear duals have to be within five pounds of each other for highway use? If not, they can heat up and cause a failure. <br />For your particular situation, see if you can get "TWO" vans, with each one with a tow package capable of towing the other on a car dolly, or (even better) get a driveline disconnect for both. This way you can take turns towing each other, you still have stealth, "and" you will ever have to worry about being broken down and stuck. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[peacetara]

We ended up with a Ford E-350 Diesel extended van.&nbsp; My friend C is still part-timing, while I'm full-timing.&nbsp; we spent this past weekend together in the van, along the pacific coast, it was really nice! We did really well.&nbsp; It is a little cramped, but we did ok.&nbsp; Luckily we are good friends and used to live together, so we already know each others bad habits and how to deal with them! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> She is hoping to come full-time next summer, which would be nice, as hopefully by then, this van will be fairly complete.<br /><br />I think you are all correct after 3-4 days of bad weather and us stuck inside the van ALL day for that long, we would start to get on each others nerves. We will have to see how that goes as she does more time in the van with me.&nbsp; We may be adding a little cargo trailer or something someday.&nbsp; Probably depends on how much bad weather we get stuck in, away from civilization <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[Ballenxj]

Hi Tara, You ended up with an "ideal" van for what you are doing. Now the last paragraph in my post just above yours makes even more sense. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[caseyc]

Here's something to consider:&nbsp; What if your friendship ends, for whatever reason?&nbsp; Will you be able to keep/maintain the RV on your own?&nbsp; Not trying to be negative, but one should always consider worst case scenarios, just in case.<br /><br />