To make a long story short, my name is matthew and I recently relocated from Denver, Colorado down to Texas. Due to having nowhere to move right away, I've been staying with family. This has tested my patience to no end. The COVID-19 mess certainly hasn't helped. Anyway, I've watched some of Bob's videos and have been curious about the nomadic life for some time. I've thought about taking the plunge, but need some advice on how to start this journey.
where to start?
- Thread starter mac77
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Welcome to the CRVL forums mac77! Under normal conditions, I'd suggest buying a tent, camp stove and cooler, then going to a local campground and trying it out but it looks like almost all of the campgrounds in Texas are closed. Your best bet may be to stay put until the coronavirus has run its course unless your current vehicle is suitable and you have some experience camping.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
travelaround
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum. There's no end of good advice here - you've come to the right place. That must be very hard to live with family when they test your patience and you're all under lock down. Or are you? I'm in California, near the Oregon border. There isn't much CV here but we're under lock down like the rest of the state. Can't imagine having to do it with people testing my patience!
If you have the money for a van right now, why not buy something (anything?) and head for the beach? What is stopping you?
If you have the money for a van right now, why not buy something (anything?) and head for the beach? What is stopping you?
trailer-t
Well-known member
I would read up on the "no build" builds. Simply put some camping or household items inside a vehicle of some sort
or cargo trailer etc and go. If you look at a lot of the videos of the detailed builds it can look overwhelming. The other possibility is
an older RV but leaks would always be of concern. I am not a full timer, but just camp alot presently. There is an
ebook by a guy William Meyers on how to convert a minivan to a mini camper without a l build that I liked.---( I have no affiliation with the author).
Although some of the products he recommends don't get the greatest reviews, but you could look for similar items online.
Another guy did a similar ebook on SUVs that was and more detailed --Tristan something.
Bob Wells did a video on something very similar a few months ago for a HOWA minivan. Good luck
or cargo trailer etc and go. If you look at a lot of the videos of the detailed builds it can look overwhelming. The other possibility is
an older RV but leaks would always be of concern. I am not a full timer, but just camp alot presently. There is an
ebook by a guy William Meyers on how to convert a minivan to a mini camper without a l build that I liked.---( I have no affiliation with the author).
Although some of the products he recommends don't get the greatest reviews, but you could look for similar items online.
Another guy did a similar ebook on SUVs that was and more detailed --Tristan something.
Bob Wells did a video on something very similar a few months ago for a HOWA minivan. Good luck
DannyB1954
Well-known member
Some nomads are finding that a lot of rural communities are not welcoming visitors with open arms. Campgrounds are closing. What the best rig would be depends on where you will be. If you hang out in cities, a small van or minivan. They are not as obvious as a Class A, C, or truck with full size camper. People that care will figure out you are inside, but the majority of the public will ignore you. Parking near apartment buildings will give the most stealth.
It might be off to a slow start this spring and summer but perhaps you will have a family friend who has a bit of land where you can camp out for a few days at a time out in the back pastures somewhere if you find that the campgrounds are closed for a while. It will do you good to have some space and alone time now and again. But there is always the backyard and a canopy tent to have as a private retreat and for a bit of practice. I suspect there will be lots of backyard camp-outs going on all over the country. Just getting out of the house itself for a few hours of privacy can make a big difference for all the members of the household.
eDJ_
Well-known member
Welcome to the CRVL Forums 
A Van or Mini Van may be your best ticket right now. The STEALTH component is being mentioned here if you notice.
White Vans (mini's) without side windows may look like a delivery or otherwise commercial vehicle.
American Van com sells some partition dividers which install behind tihe front seats. They are pricey but often you can find them in wrecking yards for much less. It could give you privacy and make you look a bit more like a business vehicle. (so it may not attract much attention) I always used a telescoping shower curtain rod with a beach towel attached to the rod with wire shower curtain pins. (I use a darker gray towel)
I have two links below, the top one is about a very simple build to get on the road with. The second is for once you are on the road. (But with this Corona Virus and so many places being closed or locked down a lot of the resources may be
off the table. This Nomadic life style has tended to rely on public facilities for laundry, food, bathrooms, showers, etc.
In time this will pass and life will resume. And with that the resources in the portal (bottom link) will once again be able to serve everyone.
A Van or Mini Van may be your best ticket right now. The STEALTH component is being mentioned here if you notice.
White Vans (mini's) without side windows may look like a delivery or otherwise commercial vehicle.
American Van com sells some partition dividers which install behind tihe front seats. They are pricey but often you can find them in wrecking yards for much less. It could give you privacy and make you look a bit more like a business vehicle. (so it may not attract much attention) I always used a telescoping shower curtain rod with a beach towel attached to the rod with wire shower curtain pins. (I use a darker gray towel)
I have two links below, the top one is about a very simple build to get on the road with. The second is for once you are on the road. (But with this Corona Virus and so many places being closed or locked down a lot of the resources may be
off the table. This Nomadic life style has tended to rely on public facilities for laundry, food, bathrooms, showers, etc.
In time this will pass and life will resume. And with that the resources in the portal (bottom link) will once again be able to serve everyone.
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