Uncertain about my vehicle...

[Ocean]

Hi everyone! I was hoping I could get some opinions from the more experienced vandwellers here. I will soon be moving into my vehicle and heading west (I currently live in S.Carolina) and I don't know if I should keep the vehicle I have or trade it before I leave. I now have a 2005 Chevy Colorado pickup truck with appx. 71,300 miles on it. It's in great shape, has a camper shell on the back, brand new tires, and a new stereo. I've camped out of it several times with my dog and had no real issues. The only thing I don't like about it is that there is no way to gain access to the cab from the bed of the truck. I know that may seem like a small thing but as a female travelling alone I think I might feel better with a van, etc. that would allow me the option of driving without getting out of the truck bed. On the other hand, I'm having serious issues finding anything (van or otherwise) that is comparable to my pickup as far as condition, miles, etc. that I could trade for (I'm very low on cash at this point and can't really afford to pay anything more than what my truck is worth). Any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions would be appreciated very much!<br><br>Thanks everyone! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Wild_E]

personally I think you should keep it. Get a&nbsp;taser&nbsp;or some such if you need to get out and have issues. If you move up to Canada, there is very little need for armed protection here, very little need compared to down there. That being said, there were only a very few places down there I had concerns while driving Big Rigs in the USA.<br><br>Another option, keep it for a year or so, then move into a Van. If you really need to get into the cab in an emergency situation, why not have an access window built into the slide in, modify the rear window of the cab of the pick up truck. Much cheaper than buying another vehicle. If yours is reliable with little millage, again I say keep it.<br><br>Since your new here, why not go into the womens forum area and ask one of the many women what they think. Might want to start taking some self defence courses to boot.<br>welcome and good luck&nbsp;

 

[Ocean]

Thanks Wild E...I hadn't thought about possibly modifying the rear window, I may look into that tomorrow if I have time. I'm not overly stressed about it...I'm an ex-cop and can handle myself pretty well if need be, I just prefer to try and avoid those situations entirely if at all possible. I've spent the better part of the evening scouring the internet just to see what vehicles were available locally and so far no luck. It may be easier, for now at least, to keep what I have. We'll see...<br><br>I've been to Canada only one time a few years ago but I loved the time I spent there. It might be time to start thinking about visiting there again... <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>Thanks again!

 

[Wild_E]

well if you do come to the Toronto area, look me up, if you go to the Maritimes or BC, then there are some vandwellers there as well.&nbsp;<br><br>Self defence should be no issues for you then as an ex cop, remember you hold the high ground when in the door, use that to your advantage. Offensive and Defensive, also that cop attitude will come in handy for verbal defence to any&nbsp;intruder. No offence there, just use the mentality of authority and it normally wins over violence, though violence and issues are far and few between in reality anyways.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;outway the drawbacks for the Truck vs Van personally. Best of luck to you and the poochers in the journey.

 

[Wild_E]

Just thought of this;<br>saw a blog a while back of a couple who had modified the roof of a homemade camper, it had an escape hatch/large hatch on the roof, so they could sun tan up there. They also went to the beach a lot, so it was a good get up high and enjoy the views kinda thing.&nbsp;<br><br>So long as the hatch is done right, it will not leak, just a thought.&nbsp;

 

[cyndi]

Ocean, I know a lot of women full timing and only a couple have a story where they felt the need to make a quick get away. Of those three stories, only one was more than a gut feeling.<br><br>I admit to buying my rig, in part, to be able to get to the driver's seat if necessary. Now, I don't think&nbsp;I'd consider it&nbsp;a priority.

 

[highdesertranger]

what I like to do is to take the rear window out of the truck and put an accordion boot in.&nbsp; your shell must be cut to match the window of the truck some can some can't be cut.&nbsp; do you have a front window in your shell now? if you don't its easy to do. &nbsp;this makes the crawl though allot easier to get though the opening is the same size as back window of your truck.&nbsp; a good camper shell place can tell you if this can be done.&nbsp; actually I have done this even when they say you can't be done.&nbsp;&nbsp; higdesertranger

 

[Ocean]

Wild E, cyndi, and highdesertranger - Thank you sooo much for your thoughtful responses...you folks here really are wonderful! I'm feeling much better about the prospect of keeping my truck now. I think I may just be getting a little overwhelmed with it all. I spent the afternoon going through my personal belongings and throwing out a BUNCH of stuff, finally found the nerve to tell my best friend what I'm about to do (so far he's been remarkably supportive about it), and I've been researching and reading all I can to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. There's just so much to do right now...but I'm really looking forward to it all!<br><br>Thanks again everyone! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I suggest that you get a either a high shell or a slide in camper. Get a sliding window for both so you can have access. <br><br>Best, James AKA Lynx

 

[Terry]

I personaly wouldn't advise a woman to show a "cop attitude" or any belligerent attitude when dealing with unknown people. It's one thing if she has the power behind the badge to go with the attitude but not having "backup on the way " can get a belligerent woman into trouble with a lot of nasty type guys and they are out there. Heck, I'm not that bad a guy and I have always had problems not either telling a little power mad female cop to stick it in her ear or just busting out laughing at them. Caution and the ability to move away fast is the best way to stay safe for a female that ain't built like a linebacker. This is just a southern boys thoughts and experiences so I could be the only one that has a problem with women showing attitude.

 

[Wild_E]

maybe I should have phrased it cop/military&nbsp;certainty&nbsp;not attitude.&nbsp;

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi Ocean,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">&nbsp;Yes it would be reasonable easy to&nbsp;make&nbsp;a crawl through for your truck campershell. Like others have said by pulling the back window out of the cab and using a bellows seal arrangement&nbsp;around a cutout&nbsp;in your&nbsp;camper makes a nice watertight hatch.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">This is my truck with a similar arrangement. Keep your back window if you want to convert back.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Stargazer]

Ocean,

I, too, would keep the truck.

I'm a solo female who has driven over 36,000 miles in 18 months in a van. The option to move to the back without having to exit is nice, but only a few times have I done that and then it was weather related. and i was being a sissy. Usually, I get out and walk around to enter through the side doors because I have things stored between the two front seats and crawling over them is tricky.

Yep, keep the truck and don't worry about it. Best wishes!

 

[Les H]

This is a thought, only a thought. If it had been a real emergency, would any of you been able to make it through the back window of a MINI truck in any kind of hurry? The Colorado replaced the s10 truck, it is a small truck, not a full sized. The back window is about 14" high by 3 1/2 feet long. When you take into account the seat head rests, you are left with about 2 feet of useable, clear space to get through. Some of you might be able to do it, but in a hurry or panic?.... I've had some confined space training and experiance, and can wedge through a 10x15 hole ( think roof hatch) but it takes a bit of planning and patience, and even then I usually Leave bits is skin and dna behind. I'm 6' and 160, and in decent shape to boot.

You will likely find someone to trade, but not apple for apple. You will have to trade down to get a no cash swap, unless someone desperately wants the truck for some reason. I do weekends with just myself in a F150 short bed with cap, and its fine, but for living in or out of, I need more space

 

[Ocean]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughtful replies! I've decided to keep my truck...after spending a little money I now have shelves, a super comfy bed (with additional storage underneath), and a few other necessities. At 5'2" and 115 lbs. I don't need a whole lot of space and, so far, it's feeling pretty comfortable using the camper shell. <br><br>Thanks again! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Terry]

Good for you. One thing for smaller ladies that might want to stay safe is to be very observant where ever you go. You can easily be safe and enjoy yourself with just a little bit of caution. Another thing that isn't mentioned very often and would work well in your situation is one or more stadium horns. Those little things screeching right close to someone will hurt their ears and give you a few seconds of valuable time to act and will at the same time act as a call for help. You can even get a pocket sized one for when you might need to be away from you truck but feel the need to have some non-lethal defense.&nbsp;