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Started By
Message
Van life or rv’ing cross country
Posted on 9/10/18 at 6:24 pm
Posted on 9/10/18 at 6:24 pm
Good friend of mine is selling all of his possessions and buying a renovated van to drive cross the country. He’s just going to be living in in and working small odd jobs along the way for money. Tired of the hustle and bustle and wanting something different. Got to admit, it’s integuing as hell but just wondering if anyone here knows someone or has personally taken this journey themselves. Would be nice to hear some stories or perhaps some tips on how it worked out.
9
Posted on 9/10/18 at 6:35 pm to DeltaHog
Guy on the OB built a van. Had a thread a few weeks back.
Posted on 9/10/18 at 6:48 pm to DeltaHog
Tons of van life blogs and vlogs out there. Most of the horror stories I’ve heard/read involve couples and pets. It’s probably much easier solo.
Posted on 9/10/18 at 10:40 pm to hungryone
Those vlogs I’ve seen of couples with pets just make 
Posted on 9/12/18 at 5:41 am to DeltaHog
I will be doing it in 3 years when I retire. Wife, 2 kids and a diesel motorhome. Can't get here soon enough.
Posted on 9/12/18 at 12:12 pm to Cool Hand Luke
i'm about halfway thru my planning & funding:
1) 65,000 budgeted, i have 30 of that set aside and will be selling toys (boat + other shite) to raise the other 35
2) after looking at whats available as far as vintage vans (ie: VW westfalia conversions), we've settled on converting a late model or even new ram promaster or M-B 4x4 sprinter if i can find a used one/get lucky on price...that would be ideal but i'd need to raise my budget to 100+ but it may be worth it
3) i'll have either outsidevans or off-gridadventurevans to the conversion, for a 2-sleeper/2-seater with kitchen, storage & a bathroom/shower. i'll focus funds on solar power and fresh/potable water so that we can be as off-grid as we want to
by 2020 i expect that we will spend at least 2 months on the road each year
1) 65,000 budgeted, i have 30 of that set aside and will be selling toys (boat + other shite) to raise the other 35
2) after looking at whats available as far as vintage vans (ie: VW westfalia conversions), we've settled on converting a late model or even new ram promaster or M-B 4x4 sprinter if i can find a used one/get lucky on price...that would be ideal but i'd need to raise my budget to 100+ but it may be worth it
3) i'll have either outsidevans or off-gridadventurevans to the conversion, for a 2-sleeper/2-seater with kitchen, storage & a bathroom/shower. i'll focus funds on solar power and fresh/potable water so that we can be as off-grid as we want to
by 2020 i expect that we will spend at least 2 months on the road each year
This post was edited on 9/12/18 at 12:14 pm
Posted on 9/12/18 at 7:17 pm to DeltaHog
Did 5 and half months out of a pickup and a tent. Was between jobs and had a little put away. Really didn't take that much as was solo, BLM land is free, just checked into a town every two weeks for restocking food, laundry, and a room with a shower. (yep - was solo)
Had racks with two canoes (1 whitewater - 1 tripping), couple back packs, and climbing gear. Could fill several pages with details. A truck box makes a great impromptu spot for a sleeping pad, for times when you just need to stop now. A solar shower works well in the back country with nylon running shorts. A trap over a truck rack makes instant pavilion to cook under. After awhile the milky-way was the best way to spend a night.
Best advice came from a little gray-haired granny who worked for BLM. She took my map and started drawing lines all over it, with just drive through this place notes, and spend some time here. Basically started down south in New Mexico and Arizona following snow melt up to Canadian boarder for this particular trip.
Had racks with two canoes (1 whitewater - 1 tripping), couple back packs, and climbing gear. Could fill several pages with details. A truck box makes a great impromptu spot for a sleeping pad, for times when you just need to stop now. A solar shower works well in the back country with nylon running shorts. A trap over a truck rack makes instant pavilion to cook under. After awhile the milky-way was the best way to spend a night.
Best advice came from a little gray-haired granny who worked for BLM. She took my map and started drawing lines all over it, with just drive through this place notes, and spend some time here. Basically started down south in New Mexico and Arizona following snow melt up to Canadian boarder for this particular trip.
Posted on 9/12/18 at 7:59 pm to DeltaHog
My wife and I spent two summers on the road in a camper van, 3 months each time. First trip was up to Alaska, second was all over the wild areas of the western states. Both were awesome trips. It makes you realize how little you really need all the crap you accumulate. In a couple of years I intend to do it again full time, until I get tired of it; hopefully for at least a few years.
Posted on 9/13/18 at 8:54 am to DeltaHog
I’ve been noticing more and more of these people pop up. They buy and renovate some old van and then drive around the country full time because they don’t like their jobs
This one couple in my town did it. They quit their “250k combined income” (as they put it) job as engineers , bought a Mercedes sprinter van and painted it red. Now they drive around the country posting blogs (including expense reports for each month) and trying to sell their financial advice services and paleo muffins to make money
In a few short months, their van has had engine and transmission problems costing well over $10k
And I’m left wondering why anyone would take financial advice from these people, who got lucky enough to get good paying oil jobs when the oil field was booming, and then quit those jobs to hemorrhage money into an old van
Their blog is here if you want some good entertainment
LINK
ETA: I think it’s great to quit work and travel if you want. But these people are clueless.
This one couple in my town did it. They quit their “250k combined income” (as they put it) job as engineers , bought a Mercedes sprinter van and painted it red. Now they drive around the country posting blogs (including expense reports for each month) and trying to sell their financial advice services and paleo muffins to make money
In a few short months, their van has had engine and transmission problems costing well over $10k
And I’m left wondering why anyone would take financial advice from these people, who got lucky enough to get good paying oil jobs when the oil field was booming, and then quit those jobs to hemorrhage money into an old van
Their blog is here if you want some good entertainment
LINK
ETA: I think it’s great to quit work and travel if you want. But these people are clueless.
This post was edited on 9/13/18 at 8:58 am
Posted on 9/13/18 at 10:01 am to TheIndulger
quote:
Now they drive around the country posting blogs (including expense reports for each month) and trying to sell their financial advice services and paleo muffins to make money
my wife & i will be traveling around the country, but we most certainly will not be posting blogs, huckstering services or holding bake sales
we will be eating/drinking/getting high/hiking/humping/etc
Posted on 9/13/18 at 10:35 am to TheIndulger
quote:
ETA: I think it’s great to quit work and travel if you want. But these people are clueless.
I didn't get far enough into the site to determine if they're clueless, but the pics made me cringe....especially the one with the obligatory dog lounging on the rumpled bedsheets. Two people, one dog, limited sanitation facilities: whew, pe-ew...no thanks. My nose can't handle that much togetherness.
Posted on 9/13/18 at 11:58 am to TheIndulger
I love to travel but once I'm gone for 2 weeks I'm ready to be home again and enjoy the creature comforts of a home and local area I know well.
You gotta love someone that says they made $250k but then buy a $30k van when they could have bought a brand new one for $70k all ready made up for them. So you were making $5,000/ week but you decided to spend 5 weeks fixing up a van with 80k miles instead of working and buying brand new? Great financial advice lol.
Before I had kids I absolutely could have done this. Personally I'd do boat life and buy a sailboat to go around the Caribbean before I bought a Van. But I can see the appeal. I just don't understand people thinking they can do it "forever". Just plan on taking a year off or something, that's more than reasonable and makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. I don't have an issue at all getting out of the grind for awhile and enjoying life when you are young.
You gotta love someone that says they made $250k but then buy a $30k van when they could have bought a brand new one for $70k all ready made up for them. So you were making $5,000/ week but you decided to spend 5 weeks fixing up a van with 80k miles instead of working and buying brand new? Great financial advice lol.
Before I had kids I absolutely could have done this. Personally I'd do boat life and buy a sailboat to go around the Caribbean before I bought a Van. But I can see the appeal. I just don't understand people thinking they can do it "forever". Just plan on taking a year off or something, that's more than reasonable and makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. I don't have an issue at all getting out of the grind for awhile and enjoying life when you are young.
Posted on 9/13/18 at 5:48 pm to awestruck
Sounds awesome.
Posted on 9/14/18 at 12:01 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
And I’m left wondering why anyone would take financial advice from these people, who got lucky enough to get good paying oil jobs when the oil field was booming, and then quit those jobs to hemorrhage money into an old van
I'm looking at their blog and also wondering why anyone would take their advice. They're preaching frugality, but according to their July expense blog spent $1K on groceries and eating out in one month
Posted on 9/14/18 at 6:16 pm to MusclesofBrussels
There is so much entertainment to be had by reading their blogs. Somehow the guy is trying to start some business selling paleo food. How are you supposed to start a business like that when you’re in a van traveling across the country?
They posted an Instagram a few days ago about the transmission going out. I’ve been waiting for an update
The guy also apparently owes his mom like $60k in student loans at 0% interest. You’d think he would pay off the money he owes his mom before doing this
They posted an Instagram a few days ago about the transmission going out. I’ve been waiting for an update
The guy also apparently owes his mom like $60k in student loans at 0% interest. You’d think he would pay off the money he owes his mom before doing this
Posted on 9/14/18 at 6:26 pm to DeltaHog
Have him watch this documentary, the scenery is breathtaking and the girl is a solid slam piece.
Expedition Happiness
Expedition Happiness
Posted on 9/14/18 at 9:08 pm to DeltaHog
I’d probably just do the peace Corp or something. National Park Service has volunteer programs where you can camp for free. Know a guy that RVs and has a Park his wife volunteers at and he works as a seasonal mowing for them. They are there May to Sept and travel the rest of the year.
Posted on 9/15/18 at 7:01 am to cgrand
quote:
By 2020 i expect that we will spend at least 2 months on the road each year
This sounds like the first in-game trip photo thread to get stickied.
Posted on 9/15/18 at 9:18 am to DeltaHog
One thing I see folks doing is becoming volunteers at State Parks around the country. They give you a sweet hookup for your RV/Van, and you make a few rounds checking on the place.
Posted on 9/17/18 at 5:11 am to RogerTheShrubber
We got to know a few campground hosts. Originally I thought it would be a pretty good way to live low cost. And at least 95% of campers are good people. But the hand-full of bad apples are a real pain in the arse for the campground hosts. The hosts are essentially low key police without any enforcement power. After witnessing a few rough nights it's a job I'd never want. That, and cleaning up the site including the toilets. Too much like work.
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