My dream for quite some time has been to have a Class B van, one I could spend several weeks on the road with, even living in it and have that feeling like I’m right at home. I had the Class A on the Radar for a short period of time but quickly realized that was more than I wanted to deal with.
I have also dreamed of getting a roof top tent for my Forester and traveling a bit more on the rustic side without a toilet, shower or running water on board. The romantic in me whispers life would be perfect with either of these, right? But I’m wise enough to know that external stuff and dreams will not bring me lasting joy or happiness. It would not make life perfect. However, I do believe it would be an adventure. So, these ideas and dreams have been stewing for quite some time. There is a financial price that will need to be made for either a van or roof top camping. Nothings cheap while there is a major price difference between the two options.
I’ve been looking at two options for Class B vans. One would be nice setup with on board water, shower, and toilet such as the Roadtrek SS Agile or even a step up to the Class C Leisure Travel Vans Unity. The other option would be an adventure style van which really appeals to me. It is a Class B but setup more for dispersed camping without a toilet and shower such as the Winnebago Revel. And there are also some very nice custom shops that will convert a van for you.
The other option is the roof top tent which has interested me for several years. One option that appeals to me the Autohome Columbus Variant. This idea was spawned by David duChemin and Jesse which he wrote about back in 2011. Another option would be the Thule Tepui. These are slick to setup and take down which really appeals to me.
I’m throwing these out there because these options and their marketing teams have perked my interest enough to keep me awake at night and brought up thoughts of selling off my kids, grandkids, my home or even your home. In a later post I’ll talk more to the reality of what I want with travel, is it feasible for me at this stage of my life and what fits my budget.
15 Comments
Earl
Perfect, no. Adventure, for sure, Monte.
Since stopping full-time RV’ing, I’ve done some investigation into the possibility of being able to continue the lifestyle parttime, which has included some of the options you mentioned. Of course, my thoughts keep hitting a significant roadblock, Maggie.
I’ll share thinking based on my experience, and you’re welcome to take it for what it’s worth as an opinion. 🙂
If it was just me I could see living and traveling in a Class B RV for months, maybe even fulltime. I’d probably pick the Class B over a Class C just for ease of getting around when not stopped overnight unless you plan on towing a car for runabouts. If you are thinking of towing a Class C might be better. I’d also probably select a Class-B with 4wd. One with 4wd opens up the possibility of lots of off the grid, inexpensive BLM camping where you can usually stay at a site for two weeks but then have to move, even if only to another BLM site. It also gives you some security in cases where the weather provides a surprising early snowstorm, or that site pulled into was suddenly part quicksand or mudslide after recent rain. It happens!
Some type of restroom and handheld shower would also be a must for me in a Class B. That onboard capability can help keep you out of public restrooms which is even more important in light of COVID-19. Even before the Pandemic we would regularly pull into a rest area to park but use the restroom on out 5th Wheel. You can usually find someplace to dump your tanks and refill with fresh water even if for a small fee. I’d also want a decent A/C and heater when plugged in. Even the best RV gets mighty hot or cold after a few hours in the sun or in cold weather. If your thinking of BLM camping then an onboard generator/solar capability would be a good idea to recharge batteries and cool down the van at nights.
And yes sadly these niceties add to the cost. As in most cases, you can choose to pay in dollars or with sweat and tears.
I could do probably an overland vehicle top tent for a week or maybe two before I’d be looking for a hotel/motel room with A/C and a bathroom/shower. It would also be pretty limiting as far as season and location depending upon the weather. But if those restrictions are part of the plan then I think it would be a lot of fun and a cost-effective way to get out and experience nature.
Sorry, it’s never a good sign when a comment is as long as the original post. I hope there’s something of value in all this for you. 🙂
Have a great weekend, Monte.
Monte Stevens
My biggest stumbling block is not a pet but money. I’ll share more about that later.
Yes, my singleness sets me apart from some for the smaller Class B and even the adventure class. I see where some of these outdoors showers and the cassette toilets are becoming more popular, easier to use, cost less and allow more room in the van. For me solitude is one of my reasons for these dreams so the BLM and dispersed camping is appealing. Off the grid as they say.
The niceties you mention are attractive and some are more of marketing tool than a necessity. However, the technology these vans now have is amazing. Many are setup to make it like a home or even more. They can monitor water, batteries, solar, heating and cooling all from single control panels. Probably need a couple weeks of training on how to use them. I am also aware the more bells and whistles the more possibility for maintenance problems.
When I motorcycle toured or on the camping road trips I used hotels about every 3-4 days for showering and a better sleeping experience. Strange but the car top camping is more appealing to me due to the closeness to natural world. I also will share on that later in a post.
Everything you mentioned has crossed my mind and I’ve looked into many of them. Your input was and is important for me in making my decision, whatever that may be.
Faye
I have been camping three times in my life and all were disasters. But I hope you make your dreams come true, Monte. Life is too short.
Monte Stevens
Sorry to hear your camping experiences were disasters. Not all of the camping I’ve experienced were fulfilling due to rain, wind, noisy neighbors and more. I can also say that about some hotel experiences where I would have been better off camping. Thank you for the support in hoping my dreams come true. At this point I’m more about knowing what the dreams really are. And, yes life is too short. I just turned 70 last month so age has an influence on these dreams and what I can do. Have a great weekend, my friend!
Mark
I admit to being a bit of a dummy when it comes to all these classes of RV’s, probably because I haven’t associated my visual reference with the terminology yet. Since traveling in one isn’t in my near future, I’ll leave the Googling for another time. 🙂 We have a few neighbors that have the really big ones that I see parked at their houses while dog walking. I always thought those were a pretty big commitment as far as maintenance and storage aside from investment. But then when passing those same houses, walking the dog again in a snowstorm, maybe freezing rain – I think – boy, wouldn’t that be nice just to get in and go!
One day I would like to just take a trip by renting a smaller one. I am also bit wary of their fuel consumption.
Monte Stevens
That is the fuel consumption is one of my biggest concerns, if not the biggest. I’m not looking a big rig but something that would get about the same gas mileage as my Forester. Probably one of the biggest draws for me is the idea of just getting up and going somewhere, even if that includes living in one. Each morning could be a time to play Willie’s song, “On the road Again.” I will talk some about renting in a future post.
Tom Dills
Kathy & I joke that for us, “camping” is any hotel without a hot breakfast. 😉 I camped when I was doing bicycle touring many years (and pounds) ago, and while I enjoyed it at the time I would probably not find the same joy in it today. Kathy & I camped a few times with the kids when they were small, and I went on a few Boy Scout outings, and I’m pretty sure I’ve made my quota. So I don’t have a lot to add to the discussion but look forward to seeing the comments and views of others.
Monte Stevens
That’s funny, Tom. How about a Continental breakfast?
Camping is definitely not for everyone and I have no idea the distinction. I’ve done some of it all and do know that if we are not geared well then we will not enjoy it. I’ve found a good tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag are the foundation for that experience to be enjoyable. And, I think some good knowledge about camping plus the proper mindset makes a lot of difference.
Cedric
I have no advice to give on this one as I have only “lived” in a mobile home twice. I put lived in quotes because on both occasions the homes were rented, or chartered, but each time it was for several weeks. Long enough to provide a feel for what it would be like longer term. Once it was in a 22ft yacht off the coast of Croatia in the Mediterranean. The other time was in a campervan with kitchen, shower and toilet touring Canada’s British Columbia. Both were amazing and memorable experiences and I am not sure I could pick one over the other. If forced to choose, my bias for the sea would have me pick living aboard a boat I suppose but either way, I would not see myself doing it full time. At least not now. I think there would have been a time when I might have done it but I know that after the four years of travelling that my wife and I did many years ago, I was happy to finally come “home”. While the travel bug is currently dormant in me, I would do the mobile home travel again if my wife suggested it but probably not for more than a couple of months at a time.
I would also do the rooftop tent idea though that would have to be a solo adventure as my wife would not want to do it. That idea appeals to me a lot because each trip would require minimal planning, minimal cost and offer many options on where to go and stay.
Monte Stevens
A 22ft yacht sounds like quite the experience! That could be something cool to try. And, the campervan sounds much like what I’m thinking. Full time is something I talk about but I’m not sure that is something wise for a 70 year old to take on, especially solo. My travel bug is not dormant, seems to be moving all over the place. 🙂 The rooftop is probably the most viable and probably where I will start because of the the reasons you mention.
A yacht? Wow!
Mark
Ok, time to get that campfire going to hear stories from this yacht in the Mediterranean !
Cedric
Living aboard a boat was something I’d always wanted to do and when this opportunity came up, I had to go for it (and not think about the price tag 😉 ). And it was a rather nice way to live, I must say. I just checked and the boat was a Feeling 286 (a 28 footer, not 22). Not huge but it could accommodate four, had a galley and the head was equipped with toilet and shower, and in any case, the days were spent on deck or in the water so no time to feel cramped.
Mark, I think you would really enjoy it, especially in the Adriatic sea where the water clarity is crystal clear and the sea life is colourful and plentiful. The other nice thing about the Adriatic is that you can always remain within sight of land which is great if you’re not overly confident in your navigation skills. And if you fail to catch your meal, you are never far from an island restaurant 😉
The biggest downside to living on a yacht however, is cost. It’s stupid expensive to charter and worse to own (IMO). Loads of maintenance mostly due to corrosion but if money is no object… well, hey, it’d be a pretty good lifestyle to enjoy for a few months a year at least 😀
Tom Dills
I’ve got a friend who lives full-time on a sailboat and loves it. He is a long-time sailor who is living his retirement dream. He has his captain’s certification and hones his skills (while making a little money) ferrying other peoples’ boats up and down the east coast. We’ve spent time on his boat but have never slept on it. I think it’s probably one those things you either love or don’t love. He doesn’t gripe about the cost, but he isn’t also trying to maintain a house or family, just him and his dog. 🙂
https://thepelagiclens.com/
Monte Stevens
Wow, I enjoyed his website! Thanks
Cedric
Cool website indeed and a nice friend to have Tom. It’s true that if it is all you have, a boat big enough to live on would cost only marginally more to owning a house of similar size (at least in Australia) but has the added advantage of being able to change your view, and even your neighbours should that become a problem 🙂