Wannabe

[Karin]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I have been thinking about living in an RV for some time, and was glad to find this site.&nbsp; Stealth seems the way to go, given the realities of finding a home for an RV.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I'd love to try the van thing, but the idea of taking on a conversion scares me.&nbsp; If there is anyone in the Denver/Boulder area who has done a project like this, I'd love to hear from them.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Great site.&nbsp; I'm&nbsp;looking forward&nbsp;to opting out of the system.</p>

 

[judycmomx6]

Welcome Karin, I'm sure you will find someone to help you. These people are the very best and will do all they can. Good luck on your new voyage!

 

[gadgetMe]

Welcome Karin,<br>This group has planned a get together in June outside Leadville, Co<br>If you attend you will see many variations of the vans and RV's<br><br>Putz<br><br>

 

[KatieinKansas]

<font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hi Karin and welcome. &nbsp;You have come to the right place. &nbsp;I bought a 1995 conversion van a year and a half ago. &nbsp;I wanted to make changes to it also, but was hesitant to do so just by anyone. &nbsp;Well, I went to an annual get together that this group had (the RTR) last month. &nbsp;There was a wonderful man there, Sam, who offered to take the fold-away bed out and build a more comfortable and longer bed. &nbsp;Of course I said yes! &nbsp;I couldn't believe my good fortune. &nbsp;....I drove away from camp with a strong, sturdy, well-built bed in my van. &nbsp;I still smile and feel blessed when I think about it. &nbsp;We called Sam "the world's best bedder." &nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">&nbsp;(His wife, Judy, is a lucky woman.)</span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br></span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To get to the point, this group has very experienced members, and like Putz said, you can get many ideas from looking at their "rigs", as I learned to call them. &nbsp;So when you get your travelin' vehicle, this site is full of help. &nbsp;...Ask away.</span></font></div></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Katie</span></font></div>

 

[Les H]

Hi Karin, welcome to the forum. When you get ready , let us know, we'll help out any way we can. ( though I am in the southeast, so it might not be me personally)
Les

 

[Karin]

Thanks, all, for your quick replies.&nbsp; I'm going to try to make it to Leadville in June.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I've got a lot of questions, especially about vans, but I think I'll just keep visiting the forum and see what people say.&nbsp; <br>

 

[blars]

I'm fulltiming in a motorhome, but not doing stealth.&nbsp; Most of the time I have been staying on BLM land, and for the summer I have a job working at a National Forest campground.<br>

 

[Karin]

A question about starting out - do some people start with Class B RVs as opposed to modifying a van themselves?&nbsp; I'm really overwhelmed by the work involved to fix up a van, but I could imagine that it would be expensive to buy a Class B.&nbsp; Then I was wondering if it would be insulated very well...&nbsp; <br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Hi Karin,</p><p>if you want to get an idea what a diy conversion involves, you can follow my progress at&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">CargoVanConversion</a></p><p>I started a couple of months ago and it is still a big adventure.</p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>

 

[SheketEchad]

<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Hi Karin and welcome!</span><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">~SE</span></div>

 

[judycmomx6]

<P>Karin, you don't have to jump right into a full blown van conversion right off the bat. You could just get a sheet of plywood and some milk crates and put it across the back of the van for a bed,&nbsp;and then get yourself some plastic drawers or buckets from wal mart and just get the bare necessities you need to live and throw them in and you will be good to go for a little while till you figure out how you want to do it permanantly. If you are planning to go to Col. to the RTR you will be able to see how other people did their vans and could also possibly get some help with things you can't do by yourself. I'm sure there will be lots of people who would help. The main things you would need right away is heat and cooking stuff and a bucket for a bathroom. You really could do it pretty quickly and fairly cheap to begin with. Just check out as many posts as you can read so you will know about what I'm talking about. Don't let a full blown conversion scare you away, you could get help. If you really want to go, you could, if you could find the van. That's the hardest part. But don't be discouraged, just take it one small step at a time. I hope you find what you want and just try to have fun looking and getting ready for your new adventure! </P>

 

[Karin]

<p>Thanks all, for the advice on starting out.&nbsp; It's a real help to know I don't have to do it all at once.&nbsp; I'll be back tomorrow - waited too late to post and now I'm too tired to do justice to all the great replies.&nbsp; Nite, everyone.</p>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi and welcome!&nbsp; I converted a cargo van and am living in Dad's driveway.&nbsp; So far I have saved over $3000 over what used to be spent in my old mobile home.&nbsp; It's fun to try it and see how it works.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I went the stealth route so when in another city camping, I can try and blend in...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The next project is to try and get a camp host volunteer job this spring/summer to see how I like full time living in here.&nbsp; It's a fun experiment to see how it all pans out.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I'm glad you're here!&nbsp;There are lots of people with varying backgrounds and lots of experience.&nbsp; Enjoy the forum with us.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>&nbsp;</p>

 

[Karin]

Finally back here to this thread I started as a "wannabe."&nbsp; I guess it will be awhile... I signed a year lease!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm still hoping to live the RV life.&nbsp; This may give me some time to consider what kind of van, etc.&nbsp; <br><br>I have been a little worried about the loneliness of van or RV living.&nbsp; My recent move put me in a real funk, being lonely for Boulder where I lived before.&nbsp; I wonder how I'll manage that kind of life.<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

No advice other than, even if you make a( 'mistake' lets call it a learning experience)&nbsp;or it takes longer than you want, you can always do something else. Also, not every one is cut out for a pet. If you are, that may provide an outlet for lonliness relief. <br>So you try rv living and it doesn't work for you, so what. You tried what many people are afraid to even let themselves think of.<br><FONT color=#ff00ff><b>Dragonfly</b></FONT><br>

 

[sl1966]

No worries Karin. I was positive I was going to be on the road by this time last year, but wound up getting hired by the company I was contracting at. This has allowed me to pay off my debt and save for when I do leave. Don't let the year go to waste and put it to good use!<div><br></div>

 

[swankiewheels]

<p>It is a process.&nbsp; It took me years to evolve to the point I was ready and able to "full-time."&nbsp; Don't be too eager.&nbsp; When it is the right time, you will know it without hesitation.&nbsp; It will be the only option that comes to mind. And loneliness... frankly, I don't have time for it.&nbsp; Reach beyond your comfort zone and you will learn to be o.k. with the present.</p>