Thoughts along the Way

[Colliemom]

As I dream of eventually having my own "rig" I think of different ways of cutting expenses (like all of us) and of exploring the many paths out there. Been looking through "Show off Your Rigs" and admiring the many different rigs you all own, making them into your special "homes" you can call your own. They are all beautiful and "speak to you". I'm out looking at TT's and have sized up some MH's as well. And watching the gas prices rising again and rumors of $5 a gallon again. Need to replace my personal vehicle at the same time too. One of the things I have been thinking is buying a full size passenger van, yanking out the rear seats and building myself a camper van. My parents had two camper vans like that. Only had a dinette/bed and wired for electric. Used a Coleman cooler and just took their personal stuff along. Travelled all over with it. I know of a couple of ladies who also did that. Had a full sized van, hung two hammocks in back, kept it simple, did all their cooking outisde over the fire and had a blast. No fuss no muss. Since most of my camping is going to be just ocassional overnights for the next couple of years, this mght work. All wheel drive would allow me to handle the winter roads here and I would have two vehicles in one. Anybody every done this?
But I am continuing to look and watch. Going to look at a TT today at another dealers. Not much in used aroud these parts right now in the size I would like. Onward and upward.

[Liz]

You might look at used B vans. I bought my first 18' Roadtrek for $24,500, less than the cost of a new van, and with all the amentities of an rv. It got 16 mpg. My latest B, also bought used (2002 20' Pleasureway), cost me $19,500 a year ago. It gets about 13 mpg. No renovating needed, and you can drive it & park it anywhere a passenger van will go.

[quietjudy]

you might want to check out this site. http://www.sbmcc.co.uk/index.php it has lots of info on building your own rv in the backend of a cargo van. you have to be pretty handy but its fascinating to see the great custom rv's created by people on a budget.
just for the fun of it, i also go to a site called "stealthvandweller.com". these are folks who like to build "homes" in the backs of minivans and no one knows they are living in there. people have such interesting hobbies!

[Sprinter]

I love being a vandweller too. I'd highly recommend it It's amazing what little you really need in life. You'd be amazed.

Love,
Sharon

[Colliemom]

Ah, another "vandweller". Yes, I agree it's nice to be simple. We all have our own "niche". I see there are a few people on this site who also have scooters. I'm a former scooter owner. Yahmaha C3, Piaggio 150 and Vespa 250. I liked riding but it wasn't working out as good as I hoped. Wasn't out as much. And our roads here in MIchigan are so rough anymore that it's become more of a bouncing battle than a nice leisurly ride. So I gave it up. But still have my endorsement.
In answer to the suggestions about a Class B. I have given serious thought to that, but they are very expensive to buy new and also used. Plus after looking at some pictures of different floorplans, I came up with the conclusion that they would be a litle small for two dogs and me.
Even though the Lexington might work if I could find one reasonable. I do have a lead on a Class C right now and am waiting to see what develops.

[deborah12060]

HI Sue,

I joined the forum just a while ago. I too have been looking for a rig. Man, I'm getting no where. Had my sights on
one that I had seen a little over a month ago and lost and was amazed it was back on the market. I called right away.
No luck. A man was coming over to pick it up today.

I'm very concerned about the cost of gas, of being strapped because of the cost of gas. Hmmmm

I hope you keep us all posted on how your search is going and what you decide on. The thing about having dogs, cats or partners, the walk ways are a real consideration. On the other hand, I had a small motor home years ago and traveled with an afghan hound, standard poodle and one cat and one tiny poodle. It worked. I had a class C. The cat lived up there on the bunk over the driver's seat (hung at 1/3 down), the little dog was on the passenger seat and the two dogs took the couch. That left me the dinette which I kept down and used as my place, when off the road and at night. It worked out just fine. These days, though, I think I would like something larger . Man, wouldn't it be great to afford a slide. Would really help with the open space. One can always dream.

These days I'm as concerned about outside the rig comfort as just in it. Awnings, screen rooms, back porch (toterhome) all seem like good alternatives to putting a lot of money into a larger rig using even more gas.

DD

[Colliemom]

Hi Deb,

Yes, the darn gas prices do have a habit of screwing up the best laid plans. But on the other hand I'm getting to where I am not paying a lot of attention to the "doomsayers". There's just too much speculation out there. My thought is kind of too heck with it and enjoy it while I can. There are pros and cans to both sides. A trailer pulled by a pickup is not going to get great gas mleage. However, once parked the trucks mileage will improve cause it doesn't have the weight. But I am a bit "chicken" when it comes to pulling a trailer. Guess I am looking those "what ifs" in the face too hard. The motorhome on the other hand is freedom get in and drive, stop where I want, get out, let the dogs run around a bit, get in and drive on. It's drawback is that if you are staying someplace for a couple of days, unless you haul a toad, you can't go anyplace without undoing everything and again the gas mileage. For the type of going I want to do right now, I need something small. I will onlly be going out once in awhile on my days off, no more than two nights at a time if even that. Might be one night. Thats why I'm thinking small motorhome or van converted into a small camper. Can drive where I want, sightsee on the way, park, enjoy camp and head for home the next day. A van with a bed, a cooler for food, grilling machine, electric fry pan or fire for cooking and one doesn't need much more. If you read my posts up above you probably got some idea of what I was talking about. Plus the van can also be my everyday vehicle good for hauling or whatever. That's why I'm thinking it may be my best bet considering my "quickie' trips. Then when I am reday to retire and go west to sightsee in a couple years, go up to somethng else or use that. We need to be patient, the season is just beginning and it could be fall before the right thng comes along. You want a trailer, check out the Rockwood 1809S like Cedar has. She has pictures posted in the Show Us Your Rigs section. It's my pick if I get a tralier. Looked at one Monday.

[Colliemom]

Hi Deb,

Yes, the darn gas prices do have a habit of screwing up the best laid plans. But on the other hand I'm getting to where I am not paying a lot of attention to the "doomsayers". There's just too much speculation out there. My thought is kind of too heck with it and enjoy it while I can. There are pros and cans to both sides. A trailer pulled by a pickup is not going to get great gas mleage. However, once parked the trucks mileage will improve cause it doesn't have the weight. But I am a bit "chicken" when it comes to pulling a trailer. Guess I am looking those "what ifs" in the face too hard. The motorhome on the other hand is freedom get in and drive, stop where I want, get out, let the dogs run around a bit, get in and drive on. It's drawback is that if you are staying someplace for a couple of days, unless you haul a toad, you can't go anyplace without undoing everything and again the gas mileage. For the type of going I want to do right now, I need something small. I will onlly be going out once in awhile on my days off, no more than two nights at a time if even that. Might be one night. Thats why I'm thinking small motorhome or van converted into a small camper. Can drive where I want, sightsee on the way, park, enjoy camp and head for home the next day. A van with a bed, a cooler for food, grilling machine, electric fry pan or fire for cooking and one doesn't need much more. If you read my posts up above you probably got some idea of what I was talking about. Plus the van can also be my everyday vehicle good for hauling or whatever. That's why I'm thinking it may be my best bet considering my "quickie' trips. Then when I am reday to retire and go west to sightsee in a couple years, go up to somethng else or use that. We need to be patient, the season is just beginning and it could be fall before the right thng comes along. You want a trailer, check out the Rockwood 1809S like Cedar has. She has pictures posted in the Show Us Your Rigs section. It's my pick if I get a tralier. Looked at one Monday.

[Colliemom]

Oh yeah, the other thing about converting a van into a camper for me is that I would only have one vehicle to gas up, insure and maintain. Course I wouldn't be able to stand up in it unless I have a top put on, but then I have to leave it parked out side an not in the garage. I'm in the process of looking around at different things I could put in there. There are lots of storage cabinets, racks etc. that can go in to put stuff in. As to an anwnng, I will have to figure something out there. There used to be van tents out and maybe they still are. They attach to the ack of the van and allow you to go in and out like a regular tent. If you want to go someplace, just unhook it from the van and go, leaving the tent in place to mark your site. Oh heck, I can thnk up all kinds of stuff when I get going like this. Talked to my dealer yeserday and he suggested that I wait till later in July to order one cause it would make it closer to when my truck lease is up as far as returning the truck and getting the van etc. Course that means no campouts this summer, bummer.....

[rvgal]

A truck with a camper is a fairly economical way to go as well. You may be able to find a used camper that is in good condition & not too expensive. You can take the camper off the truck for better gas milage when you're not camping. It's a small space, but you can get all the basic amenities & it's easy to drive.

[Colliemom]

Looked at truck campers and threw that idea out. Too small for me and two dogs plus all the climbing in and out and lifting them in and out. There could possible be a thir d dog in the mix next year too. Thinking about getting a pup so when my oldest goes, another one will be here. The "youngest" is just a year and a half behind "mom" too. As I get older I don't want to be climbing up and down steps and bumpers and over cushons or whatever to get into truck camper beds.