I find the advantage of pulling over and not having to get out nice.....my rig is small enough that shows & markets just pull me right in and I can stay onsite with my set-up....without having to teardown every nite just pull the curtain around the awning and go inside..
fuel wise Im like you....I only travel short distances and boondock on days I have nothing going on....I have found several farms that have let me stay in the fields just for asking , I normally trade the stay for a sign for the farm or flea market that gives me the weekday stays (I normally only set up Sat. & Sun.)
With the motorhome I have 2 designated side storage compartments that have pretty much all my stock, booth setup, tables & tools ready to go at the drop of the awning.....plus internet & phone off the rig....it works out well for me.
I guess it would depend on how big of a rig you decide on.......I had a 42 footer and Im sure it would have limited me on doing this(New Venture).....this one I bought to resell but due to heath reasons I sold the big one and kept this one and it has worked out well!
Im presently working the North east working towards Bar harbor Maine until fall and then do an east coast drop towards Georgia and northern Florida......following craft fairs and flea markets
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 07:17:33 PM
ODBeef said
01:22 AM May 29, 2013
Hey all, vigilant lurker here.
I own a small traveling art gallery (I do art shows, music fests, and other trade shows) and recently went through quite a bit of changes. From traveling the country in a kidnapper van, to settling and trying a brick-and-mortar store, to back up and on the road again. However this time, I'm tired of expensive hotel rooms, senseless gas trips back to my house, and a $1400 a month house that I'm never in.
It's time to RV.
So, it'll be myself, my American Staffordshire Terrier, and my tiny bike. I have a pocket full of cash but no idea where to start. At first I thought 5er, but now I may steer toward MH. I'm sure that I'll have lots of questions , so if anyone can help me, I would love it. I plan on making my trail as I find decent shows to do, so I'll just scoot along the U.S. slowly.
Nice to meet everyone, and I look forward to hearing from you and perhaps seeing you out there on the road. :)
B
Lucky Mike said
01:41 AM May 29, 2013
it will all depend on how you plan on setting up and you tastes and needs......I use a small class A 26'...I set up and operate under my awning and it works well at most gigs....I also tow a small pick-up and carry an easyup and a small generator for shows that I cant use the RV...(I carve wood signs and what Knots).
I have solar on board and do alot of boondocking in between and costs are low.....plus with the RV at a show food and restrooms are right on the worksite and I dont need someone to watch the set up or buy 4 dollar hotdogs!!
life is good!!!!
ODBeef said
01:58 AM May 29, 2013
It's so nice to hear from a fellow vendor! ("What Knots," that's adorable. )
I was so set on a 5er until I came here and read that it's not that awful in gas to have an MH. Have you found that MH's are easier than 5ers on the road while vending?
Thanks for your imput!
NWescapee said
05:36 AM Jun 3, 2013
My husband is also the traveling artist, we primarily travel in the Western US. We actually had decided a MH with a Toad for art shows would work best for us. Then we went to the RV Dreams Rally in Harrisburg OR last fall and went through the Big Rig walk thru. Totally changed our mind after we saw the livability of a 5th wheel. Darn it, we had our minds made up and had to start the research all over again!
So we're in the process of trying to figure out how to get all our art show "stuff" into the truck, most likely removing the seats in the crew cab. We may get a second vehicle after we establish residency in SD, but we'll decide that a month or two from now after we've completed 5-6 shows with just the F450 and 5'ver. We're getting there, it's not easy but we both are really enjoying the 5'ver and feel that at this point in time it was the right choice for us.
BTW, the shows we do would not allow us to bring our MH or trailer on site to sell out of, strictly 10x10 booths or 10x20 if you fork out the extra $$, we have a product that brings better results at the fine art fairs and they seem to be much pickier than the local arts and craft markets. We love the shows that offer free, onsite, boondocking for the artists, we participate in several of those each year and I love being able to walk to the booth in the morning instead of driving in from a local RV park or campground. Much nicer to have use of the rig for breaks during the day when one of us leaves the booth.
pheasantplucker said
08:38 PM Jun 3, 2013
Welcome OD beef I also participate in art shows/festivals in the western U.S. I plan to spend more time on the road starting next spring and decided a travel trailer and a truck with a high shell is the best combination for me, that way all the art display, panels, etc. are in the truck and I have easier access to parking, etc..to get into the show venue. I did this for a few years with a much smaller trailer and it seemed to work well. We are all very fortunate to be able to do something that we love, AND can make money on the road with. Good luck out there!
I find the advantage of pulling over and not having to get out nice.....my rig is small enough that shows & markets just pull me right in and I can stay onsite with my set-up....without having to teardown every nite just pull the curtain around the awning and go inside..
fuel wise Im like you....I only travel short distances and boondock on days I have nothing going on....I have found several farms that have let me stay in the fields just for asking , I normally trade the stay for a sign for the farm or flea market that gives me the weekday stays (I normally only set up Sat. & Sun.)
With the motorhome I have 2 designated side storage compartments that have pretty much all my stock, booth setup, tables & tools ready to go at the drop of the awning.....plus internet & phone off the rig....it works out well for me.
I guess it would depend on how big of a rig you decide on.......I had a 42 footer and Im sure it would have limited me on doing this(New Venture).....this one I bought to resell but due to heath reasons I sold the big one and kept this one and it has worked out well!
Im presently working the North east working towards Bar harbor Maine until fall and then do an east coast drop towards Georgia and northern Florida......following craft fairs and flea markets
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 07:17:33 PM
Hey all, vigilant lurker here.
I own a small traveling art gallery (I do art shows, music fests, and other trade shows) and recently went through quite a bit of changes. From traveling the country in a kidnapper van, to settling and trying a brick-and-mortar store, to back up and on the road again. However this time, I'm tired of expensive hotel rooms, senseless gas trips back to my house, and a $1400 a month house that I'm never in.
It's time to RV.
So, it'll be myself, my American Staffordshire Terrier, and my tiny bike. I have a pocket full of cash but no idea where to start. At first I thought 5er, but now I may steer toward MH. I'm sure that I'll have lots of questions , so if anyone can help me, I would love it. I plan on making my trail as I find decent shows to do, so I'll just scoot along the U.S. slowly.
Nice to meet everyone, and I look forward to hearing from you and perhaps seeing you out there on the road. :)
B
I have solar on board and do alot of boondocking in between and costs are low.....plus with the RV at a show food and restrooms are right on the worksite and I dont need someone to watch the set up or buy 4 dollar hotdogs!!
life is good!!!!
It's so nice to hear from a fellow vendor! ("What Knots," that's adorable.
)
I was so set on a 5er until I came here and read that it's not that awful in gas to have an MH. Have you found that MH's are easier than 5ers on the road while vending?
Thanks for your imput!
My husband is also the traveling artist, we primarily travel in the Western US. We actually had decided a MH with a Toad for art shows would work best for us. Then we went to the RV Dreams Rally in Harrisburg OR last fall and went through the Big Rig walk thru. Totally changed our mind after we saw the livability of a 5th wheel. Darn it, we had our minds made up and had to start the research all over again!
We're getting there, it's not easy but we both are really enjoying the 5'ver and feel that at this point in time it was the right choice for us.
So we're in the process of trying to figure out how to get all our art show "stuff" into the truck, most likely removing the seats in the crew cab. We may get a second vehicle after we establish residency in SD, but we'll decide that a month or two from now after we've completed 5-6 shows with just the F450 and 5'ver.
BTW, the shows we do would not allow us to bring our MH or trailer on site to sell out of, strictly 10x10 booths or 10x20 if you fork out the extra $$, we have a product that brings better results at the fine art fairs and they seem to be much pickier than the local arts and craft markets. We love the shows that offer free, onsite, boondocking for the artists, we participate in several of those each year and I love being able to walk to the booth in the morning instead of driving in from a local RV park or campground. Much nicer to have use of the rig for breaks during the day when one of us leaves the booth.
I also participate in art shows/festivals in the western U.S. I plan to spend more time on the road starting next spring and decided a travel trailer and a truck with a high shell is the best combination for me, that way all the art display, panels, etc. are in the truck and I have easier access to parking, etc..to get into the show venue. I did this for a few years with a much smaller trailer and it seemed to work well. We are all very fortunate to be able to do something that we love, AND can make money on the road with. Good luck out there!