Thanks for your post. I'm really interested in hearing others' stories (and seeing pics) along these lines. As much as I ALWAYS wanted to travel around & take my time visiting various areas, somehow I got it into my head that I "could never afford to do anything like that!". I think I [subconsciously] translated the notion to expensive 32-ft RVs and all that goes with maintaining them ( big costs up front plus needing to be a mechanic or afford expensive repairs, etc). Only recently have I begun to re-evaluate my assumptions. I'm not a huge fan of long-term camping (the tent variety that is), but have come to realize that a small travel trailer (or converted bus/truck/van) can be about as comfortable as a cheap motel, or moreso----- no worries about when the sheets were last changed, crack dealers hanging out twenty feet outside your room, etc. And how many things could possibly go wrong with a simple 16-ft or smaller trailer, that would make it inoperable? In other words, if it doesn't have an engine or transmission to break down, it's basically a box on an axle and tires--- how hard could it be to keep it roadworthy? I saw in an rv tribe that Craig's List in San Francisco often has very* cheap or free rvs and campers----"cheap" in this case meaning several hundred dollars, and well under $1000 at most. I'm not seeing that in my area (NC is not a great place for bargains, probably because the population is not as high as some areas, it's not as affluent as places in AZ, CA, etc where some people practically throw away unused luxury items). In the mid-Atlanta region it seems that individual owners sell good used travel trailers for $1000-$3000, still affordable. Of course dealers' asking prices are higher. I should make it clear that I'm not talking about the gigantic, new-ish luxury "Pace Arrow"s, where you plug in your a/c, and all other amenities, and barely ever walk outside. I'm talking a little more along the "roughing it" lines, but some definite steps above tent-camping or sleeping crunched between milk crates in a 4x6 pickup bed. I'm getting close to buying something, getting excited about the idea that I really CAN travel around and enjoy life a little more--- for a relatively small investment.

Anyone else have stories to post about their truck, travel trailer, converted bus or van experiences?

That's great gas mileage for a home. What kind of delivery truck?

Woot! This is awesome to find this thread, as I am planning on doing something very similiar. I have a contstruction job this summer in wyoming and right now im shopping for either a small schoolbus or a F250 Truck to convert to veggie oil. I was thinking i would have a few solar panels for the batteries Engine/appliance and ive also heard of portable small windmills that you put up when you are parked. I hadnt thought of the skylight but that sounds great. I am on a mission, and it feels great!!! Seeing other people doing it really helps. Thnx for the inspiration.

I'm seriously thinking about going all out and buying a 5th wheel trailer and a truck to pull it and living on the road myself. With a satellite dish I can take the internet with me, and I can use a friends address as my residence address, and re-imburse her for postage for forwarding my mail to me.

I would take a couple of friends with me, my dog, and my motorcycle, and would probably plan my route to arrive at field trials happening around the country that I could run my dog in.... And working here or there as I travel doing HVAC or refrigeration work.

Anyone had any ideas, or discussion on any of that? Thanks.

I think its great youre making this work.

I have some thoughts to add, although from different circumstances...
A few years ago things were quite bad in my life, and for some time I was effectively homeless, and sleeping in my truck (pickup truck with topper).
That didn't bother me. I'm a minimalist.
However, it was NIGHTMARE finding a place to park and sleep at night.
I'm female, btw, so the fear/harassment factor was much greater.
People are not very open-minded about car-living.

I enjoy hearing and reading stories like yours. Good for you! I'm also on the verge of building what will be a small dwelling - on a flatbed trailer. The biggest hold up for me is finding some way to build-in a 50-75 gal. water storage tank - pump - water heater system so I could actually take a quick HOT shower or wash dishes with warm water.
Perhaps that is too much to ask. I guess traditional RVs always park in places where there is a water hook up - but then, I've never been in an RV so what do I know.
Any ideas?
Regardless, I love your attitude.
H

I was interested to see this thread, as i live in new zealand where there are heaos of housetruckers, as we call them here (see my profile to a link with photos). for six years i lived in a schoolbus which i converted first for living in myself (with my dogs and cats), then progressively grew bigger as my partner moved in, then first child was born. we finally moved out when she was just over one year old, not because of lack of space but because we could no longer be fucked with getting hassled to move on by the authorities here. it seems that as real estate prices rose the number of spots you could park a truck or bus declined accordingly! also, i really wanted a garden...
we lived without much electricity, we had a solar panel that ran the stereo and a couple of fluresent lights. i handwashed diapers and clothes, and we boiled water on the stove if we needed it. we had a gas stove an when my partner moved in we got a gas fridge cos a cold beer is important to him :)
one of the best things about this lifestyle was yjat great, supportive and friendly network of people that i constantly came into contact with - people i miss now that i am not on the road anymore.
i think it is a great opportunity you have over in north america to really travel, as new zealand is quite small.
go for it!!!

I have lived in a school bus here in alaska, lots of people have done that, I lived in my blue bus from May til November, i did not winter it but I have met some who did, I did live thru 10 degrees and I was not ready with a good enuff heat source. I also had six wolf hybreds living with me . one used my old suburu as a dog house for awhile. Anyway I know alaskka gets a bad rap for school bus living since that movie cameout about the guy who lived near Denali in a school bus and died! Done by Sean Penn. I just want to say I lived in a stone cabin built in 1661 in Maryland, it was an old trading post for Gunpowder and supplies, then it became a slaves quarters in the 1790 to 1800's.It was called Rockford on the Gunpowder. In new mexico I saw a house built out of nothing but Volks Wagon cars and buses.

In every state where I've lived you need a physical address to get a driver's license, a bank account, etc.

How do you manage to live out of a vehicle with such impediments?

The thread is very positive and encouraging. I'm looking for a new (or returning to a new) way of living. Currently I live in Van Nuys, CA and due to personal tragedies ; I feel it is time to move away from the Los Angeles area. I lived in a Van once and I thought I was some kind of weirdo for actually enjoying it. I never had problems with the police.In fact, one was concerned about me and would drive by the place I parked at least once a week to check on me. :) I wish I would have kept with it. But I never spoke to anyone else who seemed to be like me. Someone with regular work / a job and choose the way of living. Because of that I felt I had something to be ashamed of.... but over the last several months I see how I was happier with less materlistic things and in living on the road, traveling whenever I wanted to because I could. As for internet. I had a laptop and used it at libraries, cafes, down free wifi hot spots and rest stops with free wifi -- internet connection was rarely a problem. The only real problem I encountered was narrow minded people and the occassional dumb kid who would bang on my van to wake me up just to be a jerk. I miss it and am now looking for either communal living or buying a van or small RV again and returning to what made me happy.

Hi

I'm rob

I was searching for an intentional community when I came across this thread.

I have lived in many different forms of vehicles for more than 30 years.
Starting with a VW van that I built, to the 36' motor home that I built back in 79 which was 4' longer than the industry standard of the day, which was 32'.

I always wanted a bigger motor home and still have a plan in my head to build a 43' with a 30' trailer for the toys with a hot tub in the roof.
I even have drawn up an amphibious version.

What I have found is the the bigger it is the more noticed that you will be which converts to the more hassled you will be although raising a family in it would be better.

I have done this around the world even crossing the Sahara living as a group on a truck.

It is a balance, I still want to build my big monster to prove that I still have it in me I guess.

You really don't need all the room or the hassle and expense.

What you need is enough room to be comfortable and function easily.

A bread van or something even longer like a library van is ideal.

A double bed over the driving area is best as the driving area is wasted space unless you are driving.

Make it look like it is a commercial vehicle that is still in use every day.

You will get a lot less hassles this way.

Put in a lot of skylights and no windows.

If they can't see you then they will leave you alone faster.

Never answer the door.

If they can't talk to you they can't tell you to move.

Doing it for so long I have learned the hard way, they are not going to be friendly to you why be friendly back.

My last ticket was in Manitoba.

I was told to move in 4 hours or get a ticket.
they gave me a littering ticket.
I still owe them $66 for the extortion bill.

The hard part is to find a mate that shares your desires to live this way.

Finding a job is easier if you belong to a trade union.
You can go to any city and transfer your union card and get a good paying job and lots of time a second job as a night watchman with a place to park with free hookups.

Walmarts are great, some even have free hookups for you although I know Arizona has a law against parking over night there as they want your money to help pay for their interests and that is way some place have all those no over night parking signs.
Around Disneyland and Knott's Berry farm is also like this.

However in off season I have parked right on Venice Beach by paying to park in the public beach lot and not leaving.
They don't say anything as there is not many people there.
Also I have parked at the western end of LAX the bike path is right there and it is free.
You get used to the noise pretty fast and there is lots of people doing it.

I guess I had a very unusual life over the years but also it wasn't boring.
The kids loved it and are much more worldly and adventurous for girls because of it.

If you have any questions about repairs or designs or anything else let me know.

I am planning my next adventure and maybe let astray.

Thanks rob

Forgot to put my addy in the last post.

rhfeb14@yqhoo.com

thanks rob