What am I thinking?!

[Cruiseomatic]

Names Charlie in Houston. 27 y/o Army vet and married with 2 dogs. Tired of doing the normal thing of paying a small fortune monthly for this thing called rent, and having space high utility bills. Can't do it. We've already lived in a car before involuntarily last year because of our job loss. (Union strikes) Well, Not only did we get used to it, but we learned a lot. Also lived in 2 RVs before. Neither of which were great. I have a city municipal job and she is a supervisor at a large grocery chain so moving around the country isn't an option for us. However, We do want to eliminate the extremely high cost of living and be able to save cash aside and not live check to check. A cargo van I believe is going to be too small now and was thinking maybe a step van but have no clue how to decide. Watched a ton of you tube on this, done some reading when I can and see it IS doable but I have some questions as expected. But just wanted to say hi.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard the CRVL forums Cruiseomatic.
Lots of decisions to make you have.
The answers here are , lots of answers , the ones that apply you must pick.
Ask questions as you progress towards your goal.
Woaaaah, I'm popeye , where'd that Yoda come from...................

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Hello and welcome Charlie!

The decision for which vehicle depends on many personal factors but look for threads on various vehicles and ask questions. Lots of people to help by giving you their thoughts and opinions.

Also, thank you for serving from a proud mom of 3 kids also serving in the Army.

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[Cruiseomatic]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to starting this new "lifestyle" or more accurately, Way of life. My wifes father was a OTR trucker and I'm prior Army so we're used to moving around alot and living in small quarters. Our (my) first obstacle is what type of vehicle. I'm looking for something larger than a cargo van but not as large as a step van. Also the whole "stealth" thing. If we we're traveling cross country, easy. But staying in town isn't so easy. We want to travel but income is the largest factor. But right now, I'm just focusing on what type of vehicle to get and what I can expect to pay for it. Been looking at box vans though. Roomy, still versatile, payload capacity, fuel mileage, and still drive like a half-ton. Once we get the truck, then comes the really fun part of building it and living in an apartment.....I can do all the work but doing it "stealthy" and parking the monster here XD.

 

[Konaexpress]

From one Army vet to another, congrats!

John

 

[my_vantasy]

Hello and welcome from central Ohio! This is a great place to ask questions and read advice from others who have been there, done that.

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings & Welcome!

I didn't catch what area you're in, but I would do some research into the laws in your area. This may help you decide which type of vehicles can be parked legally in your area.

Keep in mind that an ever growing number of areas have laws that prevent private vehicles from parking overnight in parking lots. In such area's, you may be limited to on street parking, and therefore need a vehicle that will be legal to park on the streets overnight.

 

[Txjaybird]

Hello and welcome......if you guys drive the 610 loop during peak traffic hours...better you than me           i live near Ft. Rucker AL and over here you can rent a 15x30 enclosed r.v. spot for about $120mo   ADD ELEC FOR EITHER $10 or $20 these are new with a gate across each that you lock....some of these are big enough for a big bus...... the owner said no problem using elec for repairs etc.....maybe something like this in your neck of the woods?    i also live in a apt..... last time i tried to sand a table top outside a neighbor lady brought over her lawn chair to watch and chat...that didn't work out to well!          Texas Jaybird

 

[Txjaybird]

  i live near Ft. Rucker AL and over here you can rent a 15x30 enclosed r.v. spot for about $120mo   ADD ELEC FOR EITHER $10 or $20

BOY OH BOY DID I FUBAR...  .....THAT'S A R.V. STORAGE SPACE!

 

[cyndi]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Charlie and welcome to the CRVL forums! Of course, we all think this is a great choice. I hope you and your wife will enjoy it.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

Please be sure to thank your wife for the sacrifices she's made for us, too.

 

[Yogidog]

Like your title " what I'm I thinking" made me think welcome!

 

[Cruiseomatic]

Like your title " what I'm I thinking" made me think welcome!

That's the excitement, uneasy,unknown, and 7 cups of dark roast Folgers I made using my inverter on a test run. I think the sleeping part of it or where to park is what's getting me. That and realizing that in order to get the truck we need to do this, well have to finance it if we want to do it any time soon. A cargo van would be to small for us. Giving up on alot of things is why I say, what am I thinking. Hot running water, full size bed, don't need to walk across a parking lot for the bathroom, etc...

 

[Yogidog]

hat's the excitement, uneasy,unknown, and 7 cups of dark roast Folgers I made using my inverter on a test run".  Hehe!  We find out what is really important to us living this way, coffee is very very important! My inverter to. 
I like u guys started in a car, needing to leave where I was, then came to love it. Now in a house getting out again, hate handing over the rent money.
Questions on where to park, what kind/size of vehicle are great questions to ask on here. We get so many different  thoughts and perspectives one person could not possibly come up with on their own. I look at it like a survey, info comes in, weigh it, then start the decision making process.
When I got here they encouraged me to start a.diary in the captain's log forum, I am using it to weigh options, see things in black and white. If u like that kind of thing it might help. I also hope that if I head way off course maybe some will read and intervene! 
I am also making it angoal to read amlittle in all forums,  people have solved the hurdles we are facing
Positive I thought u said u had a partner and two kids, when I reread I saw it was two dogs. One couple in an RV made a.rule only one person could stand at a time.  Wishing u all well in your journey.

 

[Cruiseomatic]

Yeah, her name is Brianne and our full beagle that's 14. Yeah she's getting old. And our pound rescue that is half lab and half collie and full amazing. Poor kid was only 2 months old and was on actual death row. 2 hours late and he would no longer be here. Animal destruction by "shelters" should be a felony but that's just me.

 

[Yogidog]

They are beautiful!! My dog and i have so much more fun when out. Lots of walks freash air ect.

 

[Cruiseomatic]

That was taken before I had to leave for work trying to sneak on them. They both love going for rides. Even the words ride or go and they're ready.

 

[Loquincy]

Hey cruise good luck man, hope everything goes well, you need any help with anything feel free to pm me, me and my fiance are new to this too

 

[Cruiseomatic]

Getting a week off from work so I'm going to finally get a chance to start looking for a '12 or '14 ft box van.

 

[Seadog729]

Indeed; what are you thinking?!! When I asked this question of myself I was living in a basement suite with a grumpy landlord upstairs. I had an F150 with a camperette and my young daughter. I stayed up all night with that question and trying to answer it. I am so excited for you and can't wait to see what you find for a box van.