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07-28-2023, 08:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 9,198
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Motorhome Owners Perspective on Van Life
I don't know about the rest of you, but I keep finding myself watching youtube videos on people traveling the world doing "van life", mostly in self converted cargo vans, ice cream trucks, etc. Many seem to do a lot of alternative off grid camping, rarely visiting traditional campgrounds or rv parks and in general seem to travel on the cheap side with the exception that most seem to consume some sort of gourmet food items, coffee, nutritional supplement, etc.
I look at it and think that could be fun to do if I were still in my 20's or 30's maybe even 40's, but now it just makes me appreciate the cargo capacity we have in even a small class A coach, as well as having a toilet that is not located under part of the bed, having an indoor shower, not to mention stove, convection microwave, and the ability to carry more than a couple of jugs worth of water.
Which brings me to the point of this message, do you find yourself watching these videos, do you often / ever run into these van life people in the wild while traveling, and what do you think of the whole lifestyle?
I ask because I have not really ran into them "in the wild" a few times I have seen people with Skoolie conversions at campgrounds, state parks, etc. but that seems to be a bit of a different crowd, even a few people with camper vans while boondocking at the Badlands overlook in May, but those seemed to mostly be family vacation types, not "van life" people, as person that owned a couple of camper vans when I was younger, but only used them for vacation travel, I feel that is different than the new "van life" crowd.
Ike
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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07-28-2023, 08:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 28,342
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Haven't come across any 'van lifers' but have encounter many 'stealth campers' IE: homeless living off the good graces of others in run down, beat up old motorhomes
In my teens did a lot of hunting....tents/sleeping bags
In my late 20's/early 30's off grid camping/travels on a motorcycle
IE: 2-3 week vacations traveling via motorcycles with a buddy
That satisfied my yearning for the off grid life
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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07-28-2023, 08:22 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 9,198
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For "Van Life" I am not talking about people that are traditional homeless, people, I am talking about people who have chosen to live a nomadic lifestyle usually in some sort of converted van, who seem to have some indeterminate source of income, which may be money from creating online videos, have some mobile type of online job, other investment income, etc. some but not many even seem to be retirees. This crowd seems to be distinctly different than traditional RV Fulltimers, of which I have met a number.
If your not sure what I am talking about go to youtube and search on van life you and will see thousands of videos on the subject.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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07-28-2023, 08:35 PM
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#4
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 12,195
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That lifestyle is not for me but I know a couple that love it. I'm all about less stuff but not that much less.
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2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2022 Tesla Model Y LR
2022 Chevy Equinox Premier 6 speed FWD Stehl dolly
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07-28-2023, 08:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wandering below the Gnat Line
Posts: 2,195
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I too see the vanlife stuff on youtube.
In a past universe I lived aboard my small sailboat; no engine, a small 12v fridge and a nice galvanized bucket for the necessities. When needed I worked as a bartender at the "home base."
I had a wonderful time. I see modern vanlifers as being much the same, although lacking in character-building exercises such as pulling down a reef in a blow in the middle of the night.
No way I would do it today. I like the air conditioner etc too much.
Anyway, I haven't encountered any vanlifers up close. Maybe I've seen one in a CG here and there, but I guess they don't go where I go and I sure don't go to expensive places.
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-jbh-
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07-28-2023, 08:58 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 731
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You are conflating "van life" with homeless. Call it what it is.
I now "full time". I know the challenges. I am 65 and retired with lots of money in the bank.
You are talking about desperate and destitute individuals, who have never found their way.
This is why I no longer visit these states! I'm speaking of CA, OR, and WA! ...To much despair and you sensible people know why!
And yet, I contacted a BLM family trying to make "a go of it" in Flagstaff, AZ who is an Iraq vet. ...He specializes in RV-Solar installations and was in the Navy.
That said, I'm making plans to hire him to put 1600W of solar on my RV roof, in part, because I want help to install 8-200W solar panels, but mostly because he wants to build a business, and after talking to him for a while I can tell is is trying to take care of his family.
The rest of those living in "encampments" are not those whom I will support! And, no, I have zero interest in visiting CA, OR, or WA!
No sh*%! Here's the power diagram I will be spending $6,000 to make possible... with the help of a BLM camper, with a girl friend and 2-kids, who can make 40 gallons of water last 1 week.
I.e., they are trying so I feel I should try.
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07-28-2023, 10:54 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 28,342
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
For "Van Life" I am not talking about people that are traditional homeless, people, I am talking about people who have chosen to live a nomadic lifestyle usually in some sort of converted van, who seem to have some indeterminate source of income, which may be money from creating online videos, have some mobile type of online job, other investment income, etc. some but not many even seem to be retirees. This crowd seems to be distinctly different than traditional RV Fulltimers, of which I have met a number.
If your not sure what I am talking about go to youtube and search on van life you and will see thousands of videos on the subject.
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I am not confusing 'Van Lifers' with 'stealth campers'
The distinction is not lost on me.
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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07-29-2023, 02:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,828
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I've meet a few "van lifers". They are as varied as any other type of camper. Some are free spirited and live with little desire for material goods and there were some who spent most of their time with their face stuck to a screen "making content". I enjoyed the former and felt sorry for the latter.
But really, thinking about it, the saddest ones are those watching the content instead of living their own life.
Just my experience and opinion.
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2009 Monaco Camelot 42PDQ
2011 JK
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07-29-2023, 06:02 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Mid Coast Maine
Posts: 397
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbircky
I've meet a few "van lifers". They are as varied as any other type of camper. Some are free spirited and live with little desire for material goods and there were some who spent most of their time with their face stuck to a screen "making content". I enjoyed the former and felt sorry for the latter.
But really, thinking about it, the saddest ones are those watching the content instead of living their own life.
Just my experience and opinion.
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Thanks for that. It saves me all that typing.
I have known a few "Van Lifers" and we really had much in common. I have two friends that are on the road as we speak. They should be leaving Yellowstone about now. They started out early spring with a tricked out Jeep and have just recently upgraded to a F 350 with camper. Same people, they havn't changed. If and when the upgrade to a class A, they won't change then either.
The one thing they do is see our great Country, boots on the ground. Not from a air conditioned RV window. They boondock and hike every place they have been. They are also on U Tube as "Somewhere or Nowhere". They are on there by their friends request. It's nice to know folks that "See the USA"..
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."Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain "
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07-29-2023, 07:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: N. Florida
Posts: 235
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All my life I've wanted ti live on a sail boat and travel the world. Not too interested in the "Van Life". I follow several people who have made this their life style (sailing) and the challenges they have day to day are extremely interesting.
Life often takes you in a direction you didn't expect. Now that I'm on the down side, no regrets, just thinking of what could've been if I'd made different decisions earlier in life. Living on a sailboat would've been a great adventure.
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2020 Ford F-350 6.7 PS King Ranch SWB B/W Companion Slider
2021 Grand Design Solitude S 2930RL-R (#5)
Navy Veteran - IT Specialist/Examiner/Auditor
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07-29-2023, 08:05 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 724
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No. Not my way of traveling living. I like room, and I like to be part of society. I don’t mind off gridding once in a while, but I like to get back to civilization as well.
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07-31-2023, 07:02 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Apollo Beach & Key West , FL
Posts: 4,148
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I have been mentally playing with the idea of downsizing from our 43' coach to a vintage 26' GMC. But, I'm hung up on the lack of space for "stuff" . I do like the added flexability of getting into more places with the smaller footprint. I'll see what happens.
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2013 DS 4338
2015 F-150 toad with kayaks,bicycles and a Harley in the back
new toad 2023 Sprinter with all the toys inside
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07-31-2023, 08:16 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 237
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I would love the ability to be one of the off-grid van dwellers. Footloose and fancy-free. Few cares and fewer responsibilities. Just living life in the moment. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I'm not wired that way. While I've done my share of minimalist camping in the middle of nowhere with a Jeep and a tent, it's not a long-term solution to life.
Mostly because I also like my creature comforts. For me, it's less about stuff and more about the little things like air conditioning. Hot food and cold drinks. A shower that is more than a bag of water and a pine tree or a damp washcloth. I want a soft bed and the modern conveniences that go with it. Those require more than a van. So while I admire people who are willing to forgo the traditional lifestyle and literally live in a van down by the river, I'm going to have to do a more extravagant version of it in a motorhome down by a river.
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2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40SFT
Cummins ISL 400
2009 Hummer H3T
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07-31-2023, 08:26 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 16,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toyman01
I would love the ability to be one of the off-grid van dwellers. Footloose and fancy-free. Few cares and fewer responsibilities. Just living life in the moment. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I'm not wired that way. While I've done my share of minimalist camping in the middle of nowhere with a Jeep and a tent, it's not a long-term solution to life.
Mostly because I also like my creature comforts. For me, it's less about stuff and more about the little things like air conditioning. Hot food and cold drinks. A shower that is more than a bag of water and a pine tree or a damp washcloth. I want a soft bed and the modern conveniences that go with it. Those require more than a van. So while I admire people who are willing to forgo the traditional lifestyle and literally live in a van down by the river, I'm going to have to do a more extravagant version of it in a motorhome down by a river.
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You read my mind.
I stopped overnight at a Cabela's, went to bed ~11PM and when I woke up there was a Sprinter type van next to me. Solar panel on top and only a roof vent for cooling and special windows on the side to pull air through. It was cool enough to get by with that but any warmer I don't think I'd like to be in a van tyring to get by like that.
I guess you could chase the cooler weather.
I like my comforts so I'll stick with the current setup.
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Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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