Long Time RVer's thoughts wanted on the wanderBOX RV

[Jack Parker]

Maybe they put a different refrigerator in the 29' model. I was going by this 4 minute video tour of the interior of the 35' model on YouTube. At the 2:26 mark, it's a full residential-sized refrigerator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8206XWLBKh0&t=169s

I'm with you 100% about having to use a ladder to go to bed. Especially at 57 years old, it's just impractical. And that's why I definitely don't want a cab over bed, or the cab overhang at all. In the 29' wanderBOX, they do have a bed in the back of the vehicle, but that means the boxy bed in front, up the ladder, is just wasted space.

I don't expect all of my boondocking to be done in wide open spaces. I want to be able to get to quiet, secluded spots among the trees, too. And, to be honest, driving something that long doesn't fill me with confidence, especially since I would be on my own. The largest vehicle I've ever driven is a Chevy van.

In the long run, the two things that cross the wanderBOX off my list (at least right now) are:

1. The lead time in having one built is 7-9 months. Over everything else, this crosses it off my list. When the time comes that I need an RV, I will need it quickly.

2. Not being mechanically inclined, I think that engine and chassis would be overkill, as exciting as I find that RV.

In the end, as much as anyone can decide from online research, I've decided that my first choice is the Winnebago EKKO. It resonates with me and I have no hesitations whatsoever. It has most of what I need (top priority being the 50 gallon water tank) and, what I don't like about it can be easily modified.

Originally Posted by pasdad1

A 10cf dc fridge is NOT a full size residential fridge. You have said you don’t need a fridge that big, however, without pulling a vehicle behind you to go to town in, you would need to break camp to go buy food when you run out.

The other negative I see with cab over class C RV’s is the difficulty in needing to go up and down a ladder to get in bed, and the fact that there isn’t headspace enough to sit up in bed.
As I get older, this would be very uncomfortable, especially for the 3 nightly trips to the bathroom.

If you are mostly boondocking why is 35ft too big? Boondocking means there are no space restrictions usually.

[Jack Parker]

Something I realized as I've been researching RVs is that the fuel economy shouldn't be one of your top priorities. None of them have good MPG and fuel won't be your biggest cost in RV life.

If I were building out a van (which was my original plan and wish I had the time to do it), then MPG can be a higher priority. But, especially when your plan is "slow travel" to just enjoy being where you are without any time constraints, MPG just isn't worth the worry above everything else.

Originally Posted by pasdad1

I don’t think it would get single digits, but even if it does, know this……. Diesel fuel will be your cheapest expense in the grand scheme of things. Don’t even worry about mpg if you stay minimum 1-2 weeks at each stop.

We drive about 200 miles between stops (ends up being 3-4 hours drive time), and even at 8 mpg that’s only about $200 per month out of our $3000 monthly expenditures.

[Jack Parker]

I've been researching full-time van/RV living since 2018 so there isn't any area of this lifestyle I've not researched and compiled information about. I've also lived all over the country (even the world) and have been an avid camper, so I'm familiar with where I can stay, how long I can stay, etc., And I have friends who live van life long term. One of them since the 70s. In truth, I knew about van life long before it ever became a hashtag or trend; back when it was, for the most part, unnoticed by most folks. When it was undisturbed and undefiled by social media. It's only been since 2018 that I've been preparing for it myself. If my original plan had worked out timing-wise, which was to buy a van and convert it, I wouldn't be here learning about RVs. Time and circumstances have dictated that. New to RVs? Yes. New to full time life on the road? No.

EDITED TO ADD: In short, living on the road isn't an impulsive decision and I won't be driving by the seat of my pants. I have more places mapped out to visit and stay than I'll ever be able to go to.

Originally Posted by DutchmenSpor

Looking at your profile, I see you are from Minnesota. My question is, where do you plan on camping. By your post it sounds like you are interested in "Rural, off-grid boondocking for longer periods of time..."

I can certainly understand, pretty much, every State Park and National Forest type camping has options for camping with not hook-ups. But it sounds like what you are looking for is public land. Unless you plan on heading to some of the Western states, there just isn't very much opportunity for this type of camping, pretty much, everything East of the Mississippi River has no true boon docking anywhere. That's doesn't mean you can't park in someone's barn lot, or in their private woods, but you better work out a deal with them first before doing so.

Maybe Minnesota has opportunity for more public land Boon Docking than I an aware of. Still, if this is your dream, I think you are in for some real surprises when you find out, this type of camping is pretty much non-existent any more, except in BLM land and mostly in the Western States.

Have you had opportunity to actually go and see and visit some of these locations you are planning on

[DR60]

So the Wanderbox type vehicle, like a truck and camper or a truck and TT all have the ability to be serviced anywhere that services pickup trucks. The box types don't make major changes to the chassis. Class C MH's fit this too.
For a guy who is not a mechanic, that may be a selling point.
And for dirt road camping a truck and camper may be the easiest and best way to transition. A used truck and camper are easy to find, easy to sell when you are done with them and provide you with experience, and a place to stay while you are waiting for your ideal box to be built. Good Luck DR

[Jack Parker]

Thanks for the good logic and reasoning. I did consider this option. But, since the end result of my purpose for traveling in a van/RV has changed (from full-time and long term to full-time and short term), the wait time for a personalized RV or van, along with the added steps to eventually get exactly what I want, fell a lot lower on my list of priorities. Timing moved up the list.

That's exactly why I advocate that most folks who are contemplating van life take at least a year to research it, and their vehicle, in every detail possible. Know what you're getting into before rash decisions are made, good money is spent, and your time is wasted. Patience is wisdom. After your research is complete, if you're desire is still there and what you want out of it doesn't change, then go for it.

Originally Posted by DR60

So the Wanderbox type vehicle, like a truck and camper or a truck and TT all have the ability to be serviced anywhere that services pickup trucks. The box types don't make major changes to the chassis. Class C MH's fit this too.
For a guy who is not a mechanic, that may be a selling point.
And for dirt road camping a truck and camper may be the easiest and best way to transition. A used truck and camper are easy to find, easy to sell when you are done with them and provide you with experience, and a place to stay while you are waiting for your ideal box to be built. Good Luck DR

[Jack Parker]

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and suggestions in this thread! Since I've taken the wanderBOX RV off my list of possibilities, I'm going to end my time in this thread. Thanks again!