|
|
Post by maj on Sept 3, 2012 15:56:49 GMT -5
When we purchased our 63 16' Shasta only a few short months ago, the PO told us how he had once lived an entire year in the trailer by himself as a fire lookout for a logging unit. Through rain and snow and sleet. He said he was snowed in for a whole week once. He also let us know that the mini-mini fridge freezer was the perfect size for a package of hot dogs, but not much else.
At the time, we thought he was crazy.
Well... apparently, crazy runs through the lifeblood of this trailer, because I think it is is catching. My husband and I are currently in discussions of becoming temporary full-time campers for 1 year. Yes. We are young and crazy. As you know, there is no shower, not toilet, no grey water for that matter. It would be the two of us and two dogs traveling the open road to visit National Parks, roadside attractions, and see what lays before us.
Yes, it's crazy. To uproot your life, walk away from everything for a year sabbatical to follow your dreams, in an unrestored vintage trailer.
I'm hoping someone can tell us if they have done something similar in their vintage trailers. If it's crazy, or doable. We are looking for a bit of guidance and suggestions before heading head first down the rabbit hole.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Sept 3, 2012 16:23:50 GMT -5
I don't think it's crazy at all. When I was a child, my parents both left their jobs, took their savings and took off for 2 years to live on a sailboat. We sailed all over the Pacific NW. After 2 years we moved up to a large Trawler for another couple years. It was the adventure of my LIFE!! Of course I was a child and knew nothing of responsiblities, etc., but I have carried that desire to take off and live in a small space going from place to place all of my life. I haven't been able to actually do it yet in my adulthood because of children, etc., but maybe when we retire we can take one of the little campers and hit the road for months at a time....ah, I think it would be awesome!
|
|
|
|
Post by lopo on Sept 3, 2012 16:44:49 GMT -5
I think it would be awesome, too! I actually think the vintage trailer is THE way to do it, without all of those "systems" that have to be worried about and maintained. I can't believe you would ever regret it!  |
|
|
|
Post by universalexports on Sept 3, 2012 17:35:36 GMT -5
I say if you can afford it do it now, later down the road when you end up with kids, and grandchildren, you inherit a lot of extra responsibilities, from working on their car, to emergency babysitter to taking your car hauler and helping them move,,, again. I have 4 kids now and 4 grandbabies and I honestly dont think the kids could make it without us. we are constantly having to help them out.
plus with all the kids you want to spend time with them, not miss any birthday parties etc. so leaving for a year would be hard.
|
|
offspringin
1K Post Member
Never question the engineer's judgement!
Posts: 1,424
|
Post by offspringin on Sept 4, 2012 7:48:31 GMT -5
I love the idea. I say go for it. Live the dream. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to drop everything and just do exactly that. Every summer my buddy (who is a high school teacher now at the high school he used to go to) takes a motorcycle trip. One year it was solo, from GA to CA and back through the northern states. One year he rode down through Mexico ( i think into Guatemala (or around those parts)). This past year he and 3 buddies rode to the pacific northwest. He separated from them to work at a scout camp for a week. He and a buddy got stranded on a mountain in the snow, had to leave their bikes to hike down and hire some folks with 4x4s to help dig them out and get the bikes down. I live vicariously through his adventures but i doubt i would ever pull the trigger and do it myself..... maybe when i retire.... sigh......
|
|
Hamlet
2K Post Member
Posts: 2,241 
|
Post by Hamlet on Sept 4, 2012 10:24:51 GMT -5
Haven't you left yet?
|
|
|
|
Post by becinala on Sept 4, 2012 14:07:02 GMT -5
wait a minute, I will come and follow you in skeeter!!
|
|
|
|
Post by schweetcruisers on Sept 4, 2012 21:53:01 GMT -5
Sound sane to me. Now stop reading our post, and go out and do it. Oh yeah make sure to post stories of your adventures along the way so we can live vicariously through you!
|
|
|
|
Post by maj on Sept 4, 2012 22:30:36 GMT -5
Thank you for all your words of encouragement! If we are moving forward with it, we will be looking at starting out sometime next summer, which will give us some time to sort a few things out. We have always talked about "when we are retired" and just wondered why we were letting our lives pass us by when we could attempt to do it now.
Of course, money is the biggest issue (as always). We just sold our house some months back and are currently renting, so that isn't an issue. I am a Graphic Designer and I've been looking to take the leap to freelance. This would be a great way to make that jump. We are also looking at becoming full-time bloggers in hopes of making a bit of extra money at it. We are still working on the details of my husbands income, which is currently the major hold-up.
Plus, there are quite a few things things we'd like to fix on the Shasta (her name is Juliet, named after the founder of Girl Scouts, the all-american camper). We need to strip her of a lot of silicone and seal her back up again. We also would like to get her repainted, perhaps an awning and a front window rock guard. I'd also like new countertops/tabletops.
If any of you have suggestions on blogging, need of graphic design, or other income makers, we're all ears.
|
|
vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
|
Post by vikx on Sept 5, 2012 0:30:41 GMT -5
If you are going to be on the road for a year, I would lift the skins and check for rot and loose body bolts (holding the body to the metal frame) Better to be safe than sorry.
Also, do a very thorough inspection of the undercarriage; axle, brakes, frame, etc.
You might consider adding a 12 volt system to charge your phone and laptop. Comes in very handy when in the boonies.
Sounds like an Adventure!!
|
|
|
|
Post by maj on Sept 5, 2012 2:14:45 GMT -5
The PO actually installed a 12v system. the 110 and 12v don't talk together however. We have some lights that run on 12v and some that run on 110. We have a few electrical outlets that run on 110, but we will want to also have this option for the 12v when 110 isn't available.
We also plan to install a bolted safe into the floor under the bed. Redo all the seals, windows, etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by neophyte on Sept 25, 2012 18:16:52 GMT -5
My response is best shared with Westward Bound by Jon Blais (a fellow triathlete that died of ALS at 37)
"Live...
More than your neighbors.
Unleash yourself upon the world and go places.
Go now.
Giggle, no, laugh.
No...stay out past dark
And bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are.
Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal.
This is it....your life.
Face your fears and live your dreams.
Take it in.
Yes, every chance you get...
Come Close.
And by all means,
Whatever you do...
Get it on film."
Especially, get it on film...these Shasta folks LIKE PICTURES! Vikx-where were those body bolts on the frame supposed to be, other than the ones holding the floor we must have been hanging by the shins of our skinny skin skins?
|
|
|
|
Post by dragonfly on Sept 26, 2012 12:11:24 GMT -5
Do it now. I will be doing it soon God willing and creeks don't rise. Lots of help at this site cheaprvliving.comIt has info as to how to get your mail forwarded, what state is best to claim residency in so taxes and vehicle ins. is less. Dragonfly |
|
