View Full Version : Documentary on mobile living
I just watched this fascinating documentary on living in an RV and traveling the country. Most of the people are retired, as I expected, but there is also a young couple. It's something I've never considered for myself, because I assumed the expenses would be too high, but they all claim to live on $500 to $630 a month (the vehicles are paid for, of course). I told my husband about this, and he pointed out that he's always wanted to go south for the winter. If a person finds some self-employment or seasonal employment, they could easily make the expenses.
I've never been able to really travel in my life. This might be an option someday.
http://documentaryheaven.com/without-bound-perspectives-mobile-living/
I've traveled in a mobile home, and also lived in one for about six months. It had its wonderful moments and boring/depressing/uncomfortable ones, just like life. I'd do it again, but I'm not sure I'd commit to doing it "forever".
One thing ... there's a big difference between living in a mobile home, and actually traveling in it, as far as cost goes. The cost of gas plus short term stays in places it's legal to stay overnight and have access to electric and water alone can easily top $70 a day to make a short hop of 100 miles, or $200 a day if you're driving all day long.
Of course if you have a fixed destination and you plan to stay put for a month, that kind of expense only applies in transit, not once you arrive, so yes, a long term lease and no moving of the mobile home can be extremely affordable.
That's what I figured. I really don't like to drive all that much, so I'd choose a place I'd want to stay for a season and minimize the actual driving. I think good planning and learning where the best spots to stay would help a lot to keep the costs down. If I only traveled twice a year, north to south and back north again, but went different places every time, I could see a lot of the country in just a few years.
shadowmoss
5-28-15, 1:50am
If you go to my blog, in my sidebar are several folks who do just that and you can read about it. Bob Wells is one of the blogs I follow.
His blog: http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/
My blog: http://shadowmoss.blogspot.com/
There are several guides for the places to boondock in the Southwest. On The Good Luck Duck 's blog she lists them if you want to buy them.
If you read Bob Wells' site and Technomadia's site, you will know more than most about how to embark on this lifestyle. I'm trying to get there myself, in case you can't tell.
Technomadia's blog (not on my sidebar yet): http://www.technomadia.com/
EDITED TO ADD:
In case it isn't obvious, Bob Wells is the guy featured in the video mentioned in the OP.
Shadowmoss - Looks like some good reading -- thanks for the links.
Here's the snazzy blog for the young couple in the documentary: http://www.vagabloggers.com/
They just drive a van, which would help with gas consumption. I'm not as outdoorsy as they are, so I might want something with a little more room, but nothing too big.
I hope you're successful in fulfilling your dream to create a traveling lifestyle! Like I said, it's not something I'd ever considered for myself, but I know a lot of people who have that dream and have not gone for it for one reason or another. Being "stuck" in a job, needing to be close to family, and all kinds of other excuses that lead them to be very cranky individuals. For me, I'm on another path in life, but if this is something that keeps tugging at me, I may pursue it.
I'll have to check all this out in more detail. I've been toying with the idea of living in a van for half the year.
It is rather intriguing though it seems the impetus for most of these folks was a great loss of some sort - an un-mooring so to speak from a conventional life. I would like to do it for a few years but unless it was better than I had imagined, I would want the touchstone of a permanent base after wandering a bit.
It is rather intriguing though it seems the impetus for most of these folks was a great loss of some sort - an un-mooring so to speak from a conventional life. I would like to do it for a few years but unless it was better than I had imagined, I would want the touchstone of a permanent base after wandering a bit.
Maybe that's why I got interested. I've been doing a radical (to me) decluttering and change of direction in my life.
The female singer in the documentary had lost everything in a fire, which led her to take to the road. That would be devastating, and I'm lucky enough to be able to pick and choose what I want to let go of.
I watched that video a few weeks ago, enjoyed it.
Casita Escapes, listed on your side bar shadowmoss, has spent a lot of time here where I live. There are a lot of work kampers here throughout the year and it was fun to peak in on their take of the area. I love that they are doing it tiny in a Casita, some the the huge rolling mansions that come through here are just crazy, and sometimes there is a rolling mansion pulling a boat pulling a car. Not sure how they make it around some of the curves and always see a few high centered at the music show entries (blocking 3 lanes of traffic).
There's always a show being done about some novel, alternative lifestyle. That's why it's entertainment. But, it's not really a cheap way to live, if you are on the move. Fuel mileage--5-7 mpg. Then, they have at least 6 large-sized tires, that are not cheap to replace. I've seen people set them up for awhile in cheaper, old mobile home parks, or in backyards of suburban/rural homes. But, they're not insulated extremely well, so when winter arrives, that will be a problem. They are made for what they are made for---50-something retirees who want to travel the USA on extended vacations, and combine car-jocking with camping in scenic, semi-wilderness areas, and avoid hotels, en route. . You see several of them every night at the walmart parking lot, along I-44.. But no, I cannot see living in one, long-term, unless you are homeless and on a fixed income. It's strictly a temporary thing.
it's not really a cheap way to live, if you are on the move. Fuel mileage--5-7 mpg. Then, they have at least 6 large-sized tires, that are not cheap to replace.
Good point, and I wouldn't want to drive a big RV around all the time anyway. But a small trailer or a van might be doable, if I could pare my possessions down and put a comfy bed in it.
But, they're not insulated extremely well, so when winter arrives, that will be a problem.
Agreed, I would have to be sure to be a step ahead of the weather and make sure I'm somewhere south of here before it gets cold. But then I could see myself getting tired of that after awhile, whether it's a few years or a couple of decades. By then, I'll have done some traveling I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.
Of course, it's all just fantasyland for me at this point. I should probably take a long car trip or two to see if I'm still interested after that.
There's always a show being done about some novel, alternative lifestyle. That's why it's entertainment. But, it's not really a cheap way to live, if you are on the move. Fuel mileage--5-7 mpg. Then, they have at least 6 large-sized tires, that are not cheap to replace. I've seen people set them up for awhile in cheaper, old mobile home parks, or in backyards of suburban/rural homes. But, they're not insulated extremely well, so when winter arrives, that will be a problem. They are made for what they are made for---50-something retirees who want to travel the USA on extended vacations, and combine car-jocking with camping in scenic, semi-wilderness areas, and avoid hotels, en route. . You see several of them every night at the walmart parking lot, along I-44.. But no, I cannot see living in one, long-term, unless you are homeless and on a fixed income. It's strictly a temporary thing.You know we've been practicing this for several weeks each year for the past 7 years. We get a little better gas mileage, around 10mpg in a Class 'C' motorhome, pulling a small trailer with the motorcycle. The poor insulation is a problem when it's cold, we found that out a few years ago after spending several nights at 14,000 feet in the Grand Tetons, in July no less.
We'll both be retired in a few years and the plan is to follow warm weather in the motorhome for 5 to 6 months each year and return to our home base the rest of the year. The other part of the plan is to do shorter trips on the motorcycle, pulling a small trailer with life's essentials, including a tent. We're hoping to do the west coast in that manner next year. My wife says she's ok with it as long as she can call dibs on a motel every 5 or 6 days, I think that's a fine idea myself. If that little adventure works out, we'll take the bike down to a customizer in Western KY and have them turn it into a trike, just like this one:
http://www.ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Hannigan-Trike-rear-beauty1.jpg
I'm really looking forward to a mobile lifestyle. As a matter of fact, I can't wait....
Well, that's nice! It looks really EXPENSIVE. I'll bet your Grandson likes going for a ride on THAT.
You know, if you ever gt tired of it, I bet you could sell that for a pretty penny, and get ahold of an old Packard that's in pretty good shape.
... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?
... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?I don't want to spoil anyones' fun--especially my own, kib. But, I stand by my theory that Harley's & other Motorcycles are best suited for older guys who don't have a pension or a fat 401k to look forward to. Why, just the other day, a young man of 45 with a very bad attitude was out on his motorcycle here, and spent some time eluding the police. He finally hit a semi that was turning, and that collision concluded his life.
... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?
Three points of contact are always safer than two. Just to be clear, I haven't converted my bike yet, it's just part of the mobile lifestyle plan. The picture is of a bike just like mine, after conversion. I'll continue to ride mine on two wheels for a bit longer but the realization that my knees and legs will not always be able to safely support a nearly 900lb bike, not including passenger, forces me to plan for a more secure platform. So, our retirement plan is to spend roughly half the year traveling in the motorhome and shorter periods on the trike, tent camping while maintaining a home base for the rest of the time.
I didn't get a chance to see Packy's original post but any and all questions are welcome.
I don't want to spoil anyones' fun--especially my own, kib. But, I stand by my theory that Harley's & other Motorcycles are best suited for older guys who don't have a pension or a fat 401k to look forward to.
Why would you say that?
Uh--three points of contact are safer than two? Well, it may prevent a dented gas tank, as a result of dumping it when parking or maneuvering at very low speeds. But, my experience with the 3-wheeled bicycles vs conventional 2-wheels says definitely not. Okay--at very low speeds--more stable. Maximum stability when stopped. But, as speeds increase--you will have a false sense of security, and reach a point where the 3-wheeler acts like an early(pre-1965) Corvair or a Jeep CJ or a Ford Explorer with huge, underinflated Firestones--push it, and it will suddenly, without warning, reach out and grab you and flip! 4 points of contact are vastly more stable than 3. S'why the mechanical advantage of such a configuration(3w open vehicle) over other conventions is next to nil, and there are many drawbacks as well. Unless, of course--getting hit with a june bug at 70 mph is something you consider a plus. Lots of people have tried making a better mousetrap or reinventing the wheel--even with some success. But, usually it is the novelty factor & not sound engineering that gives it appeal in the marketplace. Hope that helps you some.
Here's plan B: Go with a three--wheeler that has two front wheels, and one drive wheel on back. Also, the front wheels should have independent suspension. Then, you can have a bigger cowl/windshield between the two front wheels that affords you much better protection---from flying objects that may injure you, and aerodynamic forces on your body, something that causes fatigue. It may also help restrain you, & keep you from flying off the cycle onto the pavement, in the event of a collision or a trip into the ditch.
Thanks for your concern Pacman, before I pull the trigger on the conversion I'll get with you to see if you approve. Don't hold your breath though, I might forget. ;)
Now, back to the subject at hand. When we're out and about in our motorhome, we're constantly running across full-time RV'rs who minimize their expenses by taking seasonal jobs at parks, hosting remote camp sites, etc.,
We've discussed doing this as well, although to be honest, I'm not terribly interested in committing the time to any type of employment after retirement. I think we could easily spend an entire camping season exploring the wonders of single states. Six months in Utah one year, six months in New Mexico the next, using low cost campsites as a base and moving around the state after each one hundred or so mile radius had been explored and enjoyed.
Alan, I mentioned the work kampers in my previous post. There are a lot of them around here. Some work a lot and some not so much. I've really gotten to know several pretty well. One couple who are the camp hosts at a corp of engineers park kind of off the beaten path. I go down there a lot to kayak and it's a pretty quiet cove. I've helped him by going out in my kayak to logs he's wanted to pull out of the lake. I tie them off and he pulls them out. Another couple run the entry gate to the public swimming beach. Another couple are camp hosts at the state park and I run into them a lot on the walking trail. All of them around here have absolutely beautiful places to camp. I've seen some photos of the camping space for the Amazon work kampers.....not so nice (former cow pasture, no trees or water, just blah).
Alan, I'm seeing more of the 2 wheel in front kind of trike. Any data on which is more safe? 2 in front or 2 in back? We've got some friends who turned in their 2 wheels for 3 wheels last year and to me the 2 wheels in front just look awkward and harder to respond quickly. But that could just be from watching these 2 people in their late 70's.
I've done a test ride on a Can-Am Spyder and wasn't impressed with the feel, although it may just be a matter of personal style. I'm not sure which would be safer, although I'm certain that three wheels are overall safer than two. Of course, only having two wheels has yet to stop me from riding, so the major advantage I find with trikes is the ability to stop and start from a stable platform and the stability of three wheels on less than perfect road surfaces. I think anyone who's run into a bit of sand or gravel on a curve knows what I'm talking about.
Thanks for your concern Pacman, before I pull the trigger on the conversion I'll get with you to see if you approve. Don't hold your breath though, I might forget. ;)
Now, back to the subject at hand. When we're out and about in our motorhome, we're constantly running across full-time RV'rs who minimize their expenses by taking seasonal jobs at parks, hosting remote camp sites, etc.,
We've discussed doing this as well, although to be honest, I'm not terribly interested in committing the time to any type of employment after retirement. I think we could easily spend an entire camping season exploring the wonders of single states. Six months in Utah one year, six months in New Mexico the next, using low cost campsites as a base and moving around the state after each one hundred or so mile radius had been explored and enjoyed.I love the idea of extended vacation camping, and DH and I have done a few little trips on his motorcycle (not my favorite mode of transport but it does keep you minimal!) Just wanted to say don't get too down on Packy about it, I'm the one who brought the safety concern of trikes back to life after he deleted it.
I also just spent 2+ weeks mostly car camping, some of it "stealth". Nerve wracking but amazingly satisfying to feel like my essential necessary life was contained in something with a third the cubic footage of the average bathroom that also takes me down the highway at 75 mph and 35 mpg. Give me a van instead of a compact hatchback and I think I could be pretty ok with it for a summer.
I tell what I'd do if I were you: Trade that Harley in on a Volvo Station Wagon. Even if you get screwed on the deal, as dealers usually do, you'll still have your life. Then, you can go anywhere, camp, and not get rained on or pelted with hailstones as you drive. You could drive your Volvo all the way to Inuvik, Canada, and back, no problem. Traffic, is murder, these days. This should end the controversy. Thankk Mee.
I tell what I'd do if I were you: Trade that Harley in on a Volvo Station Wagon.
If I had a Harley, I probably would trade it in on something else. But I don't have one, and never will.
If I had a Harley, I probably would trade it in on something else. But I don't have one, and never will.Alan, just meddling where I don't belong, but have you considered this alternative to having Lehman or whomever convert your bike? Much cheaper, and reversible, maybe even DIY.
http://www.mtcvoyager.com/resources/faqs/
Yes, I've considered the kits which add a couple of wheels to the back but ultimately feel that the equivalent of training wheels is an insult to the bike. ;)
I'm keen on the Hannigan conversions, if you're interested in that sort of thing, look here: http://www.hannigantrikes.com/ and imagine it pulling one of these: http://www.easyridercamper.com/Models.html
rosarugosa
5-31-15, 5:17pm
I just bumped into this new blog by J.D. Roth (founder of the Get Rich Slowly blog). He & his girlfriend are doing a year trip around the US in an RV. Should be a worthwhile read; he's one of my favorite bloggers:
http://farawayplaces.com/
Yes, I've considered the kits which add a couple of wheels to the back but ultimately feel that the equivalent of training wheels is an insult to the bike. ;)
I'm keen on the Hannigan conversions, if you're interested in that sort of thing, look here: http://www.hannigantrikes.com/ and imagine it pulling one of these: http://www.easyridercamper.com/Models.htmlOh I love those little bike trailers. I was specifically told not to refer to the kit as training wheels by my DH... too late. :~) Good luck, it sounds like a ton of fun and I hope you get there.
If I can highjack the thread just a little bit. I saw a wonderful short documentary on one of my Roku channels yesterday. It's called Slomo.
It's about a gentleman who apparently is a bit of a local legend in his California beach town because he is in his 60s, lives in a sparse studio apartment and spends each and every day rollerblading with a beatific smile in a practiced and almost effortless way. Apparently many in the town assume that he is homeless, but it turns out that he was a multimillionaire neurologist who walked away from wealth and prestige to do the one thing that gives him the greatest joy. Skating by the ocean.
Fascinating man not only from the simple living perspective but also because of the cogent neurological explanations as to why the simple act of gliding along by the sea gives him such incredible and unabating joy. http://www.slomothemovie.com/
It's a wonderful little movie. I highly recommend it.
Teacher Terry
6-1-15, 4:29pm
WI are on a month trip now with a 27ft motorhome & 4 dogs. I could not do it for too long. WE stay at RV parks even though they are more expensive. The reason is is that in the WEst the parks are all dirt if you don't. OUr 3 Maltese have hair not fur so they get dirty immediately & then so are we the RV, etc. If we are just going camping for a weekend with friends then we stay at state parks. It is not cheap to stay at RV parks. We are averaging $30-50 /nite but at Yellowstone will pay 55 & Grand Tetons are 75.00. I did see the movie about the doctor.
Thanks, Weston. that really was lovely. The total video is available on vimeo. (as far as I know, vimeo is free).
https://vimeo.com/59749737 - Slomo.
WI are on a month trip now with a 27ft motorhome & 4 dogs. I could not do it for too long. WE stay at RV parks even though they are more expensive. The reason is is that in the WEst the parks are all dirt if you don't. OUr 3 Maltese have hair not fur so they get dirty immediately & then so are we the RV, etc. If we are just going camping for a weekend with friends then we stay at state parks. It is not cheap to stay at RV parks. We are averaging $30-50 /nite but at Yellowstone will pay 55 & Grand Tetons are 75.00. I did see the movie about the doctor.
Four dogs? I would have a hard time traveling with one cat. All that hair floating around has no place to go. Having said that, I spent an evening watching a bunch of youtube videos from the Nomadic Fanatic https://www.youtube.com/user/nomadicfanatic, who lives in his RV with his cat. [EDIT: I take that back. He sold the RV two months ago and they're living in his van now.] So I guess it's doable. The cat has lived on the road his whole life, so it's a normal life for him.
I've been looking at the numbers for RV parks. They are pretty expensive if you go short-term. They're a better deal if you stay for the season, but that seems to defeat the point of living in a vehicle. I've been considering getting a small camper instead that I could hitch to a vehicle and then go to campsites. They're cheaper, but the places I looked at have limits on how many days you can stay. Which I think is ridiculous, because as long as you're paying and not causing trouble, you should be able to stay as long as you want.
I just bumped into this new blog by J.D. Roth (founder of the Get Rich Slowly blog). He & his girlfriend are doing a year trip around the US in an RV. Should be a worthwhile read; he's one of my favorite bloggers:
http://farawayplaces.com/ Wanna hear something wild? You can see the roof of my house in one of their photos.
Teacher Terry
6-2-15, 12:40pm
3 of the dogs are small & don't shed. The 4th is 80lbs & a big shedder. They all love to travel & get along well. They also range in age from 9-17 so are happy after they get a long walk to chill in the Rv while we go out. We spend a lot of time outside. Some of the RV private parks we have stayed at have monthly rates & some people stay 6 months.
Well, guess what? William Shatner, Actor on that TeeVee show that was on for a short time long, long before most of you kids were even BORN, is going on a cross-country trip. The 84-year old actor is going to get out and DRIVE a custom-made, v-8 powered, futuristic-looking 3-wheeled, Motor cycle. I would define it as a roadster, but anyway.... He will commence in Chicago, and follow the approximate route of old US 66 to Los Angggelleees Callyfornya. Old 66 goes pretty close by my littlebitty hillbilly shack, so maybe I'll hear something about it, when he passes through. I just hope, for his sake, that a deer, or a whole herd, don't run out in front of his open-cockpit roadster/motorcycle, and land on his lap, and smush him. We already lost Spock this year, and are still grieving from that.
Okay--I found a Youtube Video that demonstrates the principal mechanical disadvantage of a three-wheeled vehicle. It demonstrates zackly what I experienced, riding three-wheeled bicycle in that warehouse, years ago. You'll be able to see that I'm not just banking on a littlebitty crackpot theory. The video is informative, humorous, and gives you a glimpse into the REAL Merry Olde England--it's not all Buckingham Palace and Ancient Castles and Royal Offspring. See? The youtube vid is titled: "Rolling A Reliant Robin--Top Gear-BBC". It's approximately 7 minutes long, just right for taking a break from mowing. Hope that helps you some. Thank mee.
Wanna hear something wild? You can see the roof of my house in one of their photos.
Cool!
Didn't 3 wheel ATVs get replaced with 4 wheels because of so many accidents? And yet you still hear almost weekly of another 4-wheel ATV accident. When I was in high school going 3-wheelin' was all the rage.
Didn't 3 wheel ATVs get replaced with 4 wheels because of so many accidents? And yet you still hear almost weekly of another 4-wheel ATV accident. When I was in high school going 3-wheelin' was all the rage.Ya- ATV's are a death trap, what with a high center o' gravity, short, narrow wheelbase, & those bouncy rubber tyres that are supposed to compensate for little or no suspension travel. Plus little or no rollover protection & being a favorite of pre-licensed juveniles to drive on off-road terrain that have steep slopes and trees and holes where you least expect them. A formula for disaster.
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