Hi - RV-Dreams Community Forum

KerouacisKing · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Katy,

Welcome to the forum. smile

First of all, there are no silly questions here. There's lots of friendly folks here that I'm sure will help you in any way they can.

Good luck on your planning.

Jim

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jim is correct Katy...and to answer your question...your budget should satisfy your needs. Yes there are some budgets out there that make me think I can't full time...If I had to come up with the money some folks live on I would have to work until I am 80!! You need to set down and list your NEEDS...and then list your WONTS...if the NEEDS don't go over what you have every month to spend then you can buy your WONTS. If your NEEDS are not covered by your income then you may need to go without??? Can you do that?? You see where I am going with this. No one on this forum knows your NEEDS but we can tell you what ours are and if that will help I bet you will get a list of those. We can also tell you if what you think you NEED is necessary. Example

I NEED

An RV
Insurance
Rent money
Food

These are my top NEEDS....Now you try it and see how you do. We can help you with the rest. Great to have you as part of our growing family.

Speedy

-- Edited by Speedhitch at 13:18, 2009-02-19

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome, Katy.

Feel free to ask questions. Long ago I advised many that there are no dumb questions. There are only smart-aleck answers. BUT, you will find very few of those on these forum topics.

When considering an extended stay in the US, keep in mind that one can go with different methods. One can buy an RV with the intention of reselling at the end of your travels. That option comes with the risk that it may take a little time to sell and you may have to leave America before you get it sold.

One can rent an RV. The only problem with that option is that whatever one spends in rent is unrecoverable expenses.

Another consideration is what would you most be interested in seeing. If it is the natural wonders of America, either Canada or the United States, then an RV of some kind is about the best option. If you are more interested in "city things", keep in mind that finding parking for an RV in the cities might be something to consider as a little more difficult.

As I am sure you have already discovered from reading Howard and Linda's website, there is so much to see. Whenever you get to do this, enjoy the experience. And keep in mind, RV'ers generally are extremely helpful and friendly.

Terry

Smokey-Bear · RV-Dreams Community Member

Welcome to the Forum Katy,

My suggestions would be to consider a small slide in truck camper. Maybe a 9 1/2 foot long unit. Which would often have a Toilet/Shower room... A large bed above the cab of the truck. They have a Kitchen, a Table with built in benches that can become a second bed.

A good quality used pick Up truck should be no problem locating. I'd look for a simple slide in truck camper. One with a Propane Gas-Electric refrigerator, with a toilet and holding tanks. Some are even outfitted with a small built in generator... but you could do very well with out one. You would of course need to have installed on the truck... Tie down locations to keep the slide in Camper secure... so it would not move as you wander across the USA & Canada.

Most have a gas stove... and many come with an Oven as well. They have a fresh water tank built in... and a small sink for washing dishes.

My bet is you would do well in a RV such as this... it will offer you a secure vehicle that is simple to drive anywhere you would want to go... be it out in the Wide open spaces or in any city. Perhaps with this type of RV... you may consider doing some Dry Camping... or boon docking... with no services such as electric or water/sewer connections. If you find you could... it would lower your Cost quite a bit.

As you travel, parking this type of RV is far less a problem... it would fit in a typical parking spot. Just a few plastic blocks to drive the wheels up on... should the RV Site not quite level enough... and those are easy to store in the usual storage boxes built in the Camper. Folding chair to relax in after a long day of driving... you should be good to go !!

We used this very combination on our Alaska trip the summer of 2005.

-- Edited by Smokey-Bear at 19:45, 2009-02-19

KerouacisKing · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all for your kind welcome, it really is a pleasure to meet you all.

A little bit more info about me and my plans,

I am hoping to start my great adventure in roughly a years time, I would love to go sooner, but I need a chance to save some cash. I am not sure yet if I am going solo, unfortunatley my wonderful boyfriend isn't able to join me as he will be persuing his dream in London. Luckily we are both very understanding of each other and after 6 years we are comfortable enough to separate for a time, happy in the knowledge neither of us will ever resent holding the other back.

However a great friend of mine is keen on coming with me, I love her dearly and she is one of the only people I could consider being in such close proximity with for this length of time. This would also be a massive help with my budget. Have any of you ever travelled with a friend as apposed to a significant other? If so how did it go?

I plan to boondock for the majority of the time, as my interests aren't seeing the cities but the amazing aray of landscapes your country has to offer. Also I want to test myself. I won't be foolish (being helicopter rescued off a cliff 2 years ago taught me alot about senisble exploring) about but I don't want an itinery either. I am pretty sure the best adventures aren't scheduled biggrin

My current dilema is this

Do I go East coast or West coast?? Really struggling with this question at the moment because East coast has the appalachian trail one of the main reasons I wanted to travel the US in the first place, (I know you can't drive through it, was planning a some free camping there). West coast, I would love to visit slab city, and it makes more sense to travel this side as my eventual destination is Alaska.

What do you guys think any advice??

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the forum, and I do hope you get to travel our wonderful county side also.
I do not think you will ever regret seeing the West. We love it and will soon travel back there from the East coast, as we have been full- timing in a fifth wheel for almost 3 yrs now.
southwestjudy

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sounds like something in the Aline or Teardrop type camper towed by a 1/2 ton pickup would about fill your needs. A topper on the truck would provide a lot of added secure storage and both could be had (used) for a fraction of what a lot of folks are spending. Nothing lavish, however, comfortable, practical and economical...Enjoy your stay in America...

KerouacisKing · RV-Dreams Community Member

ah that reminds me.......a quick p.s

I can't tow, you have to do a towing test for your drivers license to allowing towing in the uk. It came some years ago. So I guess that means a camper for me.

P.P.S is it just me or are RV- ers the friendliest people ever, you guys are so nice!
OK Signing off now, thats enough effusive veneration for one day.

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Why not try to see it all (East and West)? The only thing I would recommend is that make sure you are in the southern states in the winter (Florida, Texas, and Arizona seem to be the most popular). I am from New England (Vermont actually) and it is very beautiful there - be sure to visit Acadia National Park if you make it to Maine. The best times to camp in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are June - September as the nights can get pretty cold in the late fall. There are also great places to hike in the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

We are in Tucson, Arizona for the winter and the hiking opportunities are endless. The desert is quite beautiful too and unlike anything I've ever seen before.

RV options might include pickup and truck camper (less hassle since you can just leave the camper on your truck), a small travel trailer (more of a hassle with hitching and unhitching, but more room), or a camper van (although most don't have a toilet).

Have fun with your travels. When you visit your first National Park, be sure to buy the annual park pass. It costs about $80 US but covers admission for up to 4 people to all the national parks in the U.S.

Have fun and enjoy your upcoming adventure!

Colleen

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Katy...sounds like you are doing the right research. I'd be concerned about the visa thing..make sure you have the correct info and know your limits. I'd also investigate the vehicle insurance you will require. Not sure how that might be complicated for a non US or Canadian resident. Not sure the international Drivers Lic will be acceptable for insurance.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

While the Appalachian Trial is part of the USA's Triple Crown of hikes, you might consider doing parts of the other two - the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide instead. These will put you in the west with better proximity to AK and - even though I am originally an east coaster - I think they are more "dramatic" in terms of scenery and challenge.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/features/triplecr.htm for more info.

A thought on a cheaper approach is to consider buying a regular van to use during your journey, as you will be able to easily "stealth" camp in it most anywhere saving a boatload of CG fees. It will also cost less to buy and cost less to drive. You will lose the convenience of RV facilities and the like, but a sleeping bag, camp stove, and maybe even a portable toilet might make it quite livable. Besides, you'll be driving or hiking all the time and only sleeping in it. You seem to be more on a journey rather than a destination so this makes a great approach. I recall seeing several blogs of folks doing this but can't recall the URLs.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

On another thought you had. I solo and yet have travelled a bunch with friends. As long as they too are easy going, same goals, and no maintenance, you should find as I have that having them on board makes for a great time. Some of my most memorable adventures included a visiting friend. I think they would agree as well. So, travelling with a friend (same goals thing though) should prove to be a good thing. You both will probably feel more secure too.

Eileen · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hello, Katy

I think the website RV Dude was referring to (or one very similar) is Cheap RV Living:

http://www.cheaprvliving.com

The site has a lot of information about living in a van: bathing, cooking, toilet needs, etc.

Good luck!

Eileen in Baltimore

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

You don't need a special license here to tow a camper, so I wouldn't worry about that if a small towable is right for your needs.

My DW and I vacation in an Aliner. The little LXE model that we have has all the amenities of a big camper, (ie. couch/dinette that converts to a king bed, stove, microwave, shower/ cassette toilet, 3 way refrigerator/freezer, a/c, heat, etc.) just in a smaller space. Though I know of one single female fulltiming in one, it would be a little too cramped for 2 people. IMHO

My Aliner has a king bed, but they make a couple Chalet models with 2 single beds. A larger XL series Chalet would work for 2, but they're a little pricy - probably as much or more than a nice truck camper. They are v6 mini-van towable (19-20mpg towing) so you will save quite a bit in fuel vs a 3/4 - 1 ton truck w/camper. Your tow vehicle will be cheaper too. We tow our Aliner with a 4 cyl car delivering 24-26mpg towing and mid 30's when not, making this the most economical rig if you will be covering lots of miles, at the expense of interior space.

They set-up in 30 seconds, making a quick potty break or lunch stop on the roadside a snap. We also set-up an awning and screen room when staying in one location a couple days, greatly expanding our "indoor" space. The high ceiling on these A-frames helps give it an open feeling, so they don't feel quite as claustrophobic as some small campers do.

Trust me, this country is big, so you will probably be driving more than you may think. Fuel costs vary widely here. Gas is less than $2/gallon here now, but we paid over $4/gallon on vacation last year. It'll probably be up again by the time you visit us, so keep this in mind.

A small "egg camper" like a Casita, Burro or Scamp is another option, but they will probably deliver about the same mileage as a truck camper. In the 70's, My DW and I toured the USA by motorcycle, tent camping. Though very economical, I don't recommend this to a single female for security reasons. I'm just throwing ideas out there.

Anyway, welcome to our country! I hope I stimulated some outside-the-box thinking.

-- Edited by Sushidog at 12:38, 2009-03-02