Can I 'Fulltime' and also 'Satellite' to help a relative?
Aurora Borealis said
11:28 PM May 18, 2014
I had just gotten used to the idea of full timing and could see myself very comfortably fitting into an older 34ft motorhome.
But, I have a tight budget, can one actually find free places to stay in that size motorhome? And what kind of terrain can a Class C drive over? How about a Class A?
Also, I was planning on summers in the Rockies and winter in Florida (my son has 5 acres and 3 adorable grandchildren). That's 2,200 miles apart, with no meandering. 4,400 in one year. A large motorhome is looking very impractical at this point.
A couple of my kids live in apartment complexes and I just don't see how a 34ft can be parked for a long visit to them.
One of my relatives looks like they will need some help for quite awhile, and I want to be able to help out. But I also want to be able to go away for a weekend, a couple of weeks, etc.
A large motorhome seems like it would cause a lot of problems in these scenarios, right?
I am thinking I should just go with a ToyotaMotorhome. It would reduce a lot of these problems. I would just have the problem of being creative with the small space.
Any thoughts, anyone?
GENECOP said
02:43 AM May 19, 2014
A med sized class C Motorhome would probably be a good choice...
Technomadia said
07:33 AM May 19, 2014
Being able to stay places for free really depends on the areas you are visiting. Few neighborhoods are zoned for allowing overnight parking of RVs for more than a couple nights.. at most. And in many, it's not permissible to sleep in your RV (how lenient that is, depends on the kindness of the neighbors and local authorities.)
When my father was ill and my mom needed our help with his care taking, we spent a lot of time near them in Florida. Their neighborhood didn't allow RVs at all, so we had to find other friends in the area who had land and/or use local RV parks. Perhaps your son will be able to host you on his land, but be sure to check zoning laws first. Many places in Florida have a single home per plot laws.
Out west, you'll have less difficulty finding free opportunities, but you will need to make sure your camping unit is self sufficient for power, water, sewage, etc. Your success with living off grid will not just be the size of your setup, but also how well you are prepared for living without being hooked-up to amenities.
Sure, smaller units will give you more flexibility and are easier to tuck in places. But there is the compromise of a small living space. Only you can determine if that is suitable for you or not. My sweetie and I did 4 years in 17' and under trailers, and it was fun. But once we started regularly staying in one spot longer than a week or more - we really wanted more space. Others, have been fine, especially solos, in smaller RVs.
Best wishes,
- Cherie
Barbaraok said
10:31 AM May 19, 2014
First, 4400 mile a year is nothing to these rigs, Class C or Class A. They really do better when they are run.
Second, if you can't afford the park costs, then this probably isn't the life for you. Most places don't allow driveway parking for extended periods of time and the wide open spaces you see in pictures are usually in the west.
Third, most full times with Class A or Class C quickly find out that to really enjoy their time, they need to pull a small car behind. You park and then use the car to explore areas in a radius of 75+ miles.
Barb
Lucky Mike said
12:17 PM May 19, 2014
Yes you Can!!!........first off I would try to keep it 25' or better for the long term just for living comfort but thats your choice.........solo makes it possible 2 go with a full size a....class b Van type or a nice class C.
depending on your comfort level will depend on where you stay and how....
I Boondock fulltime.....dry camp.....wallydock....and sometimes just park! some places just a nite , others a week or 2 at a time.
I stay 1 nite every 2 weeks in an RV park to refill water & dump ....maybe laundry and a good recharge on the batteries and thats only if I cant find a truckstop or RV stop where it is available.
I purposely operate on less than 1000 per month and it is very doable!!!
the bigger the rig you have the less options there is....parking in a neighborhood with a large rig kinda sticks out and causes problems so if your going over 27 or 30 ft. and planning on going to town without alternate transportation your going to have problems.
my Class A is 25' bumper to bumper and never had a problem finding places to park ....it will take a little effort on your part as you go along to learn how and where but it is done everynite in every city and town...you just have to look and ask.
Feel free to PM me for info. I will be more than happy to help out and connect you with those who do it!!
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 19th of May 2014 01:47:02 PM
Aurora Borealis said
09:00 AM May 20, 2014
Thank you so much for your input!
My daughter lives in an area there are few places to boondock or camp. I have been studying maps and websites of the Forests, camping grounds, parks, etc. Cherie, the Allstays app has definitely been the most useful. The campgrounds seem expensive to me in this area.
One possibility would be on a farmers land, I am trying to rack my brain remembering who from our 4H was from the area of her new apt. This would be a last resort as I have realized that there are various types of RVs more suitable for differing scenarios. I think I should step back to planning mode and not use my limited savings to purchase something fitting this scenario that might not fit my long-term scenario.
Probably, I should map out the places I intend to visit in the future and figure the cost to get there, as in a yearly loop. And figure where I could park when I am there. I had just thought 'something would work out'.
My parents have usually figured out something that worked for them, such as in Las Vegas my brother's condo does not allow RVs so they parked at a grocery store just outside his complex and made sure to buy their groceries from them. This was for 1 week.
Also, my son's 5acres is very close to the Boondocking Rally/Class. I would love to attend. But, my life is up in the air as my daughter may move to WY to go to college and I want to be here to babysit for her.
I had just gotten used to the idea of full timing and could see myself very comfortably fitting into an older 34ft motorhome.
But, I have a tight budget, can one actually find free places to stay in that size motorhome? And what kind of terrain can a Class C drive over? How about a Class A?
Also, I was planning on summers in the Rockies and winter in Florida (my son has 5 acres and 3 adorable grandchildren). That's 2,200 miles apart, with no meandering. 4,400 in one year. A large motorhome is looking very impractical at this point.
A couple of my kids live in apartment complexes and I just don't see how a 34ft can be parked for a long visit to them.
One of my relatives looks like they will need some help for quite awhile, and I want to be able to help out. But I also want to be able to go away for a weekend, a couple of weeks, etc.
A large motorhome seems like it would cause a lot of problems in these scenarios, right?
I am thinking I should just go with a ToyotaMotorhome. It would reduce a lot of these problems. I would just have the problem of being creative with the small space.
Any thoughts, anyone?
When my father was ill and my mom needed our help with his care taking, we spent a lot of time near them in Florida. Their neighborhood didn't allow RVs at all, so we had to find other friends in the area who had land and/or use local RV parks. Perhaps your son will be able to host you on his land, but be sure to check zoning laws first. Many places in Florida have a single home per plot laws.
Out west, you'll have less difficulty finding free opportunities, but you will need to make sure your camping unit is self sufficient for power, water, sewage, etc. Your success with living off grid will not just be the size of your setup, but also how well you are prepared for living without being hooked-up to amenities.
Sure, smaller units will give you more flexibility and are easier to tuck in places. But there is the compromise of a small living space. Only you can determine if that is suitable for you or not. My sweetie and I did 4 years in 17' and under trailers, and it was fun. But once we started regularly staying in one spot longer than a week or more - we really wanted more space. Others, have been fine, especially solos, in smaller RVs.
Best wishes,
- Cherie
Second, if you can't afford the park costs, then this probably isn't the life for you. Most places don't allow driveway parking for extended periods of time and the wide open spaces you see in pictures are usually in the west.
Third, most full times with Class A or Class C quickly find out that to really enjoy their time, they need to pull a small car behind. You park and then use the car to explore areas in a radius of 75+ miles.
Barb
Yes you Can!!!........first off I would try to keep it 25' or better for the long term just for living comfort but thats your choice.........solo makes it possible 2 go with a full size a....class b Van type or a nice class C.
depending on your comfort level will depend on where you stay and how....
I Boondock fulltime.....dry camp.....wallydock....and sometimes just park!
some places just a nite , others a week or 2 at a time.
I stay 1 nite every 2 weeks in an RV park to refill water & dump ....maybe laundry and a good recharge on the batteries and thats only if I cant find a truckstop or RV stop where it is available.
I purposely operate on less than 1000 per month and it is very doable!!!
the bigger the rig you have the less options there is....parking in a neighborhood with a large rig kinda sticks out and causes problems so if your going over 27 or 30 ft. and planning on going to town without alternate transportation your going to have problems.
my Class A is 25' bumper to bumper and never had a problem finding places to park ....it will take a little effort on your part as you go along to learn how and where but it is done everynite in every city and town...you just have to look and ask.
Feel free to PM me for info. I will be more than happy to help out and connect you with those who do it!!
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 19th of May 2014 01:47:02 PM
Thank you so much for your input!
My daughter lives in an area there are few places to boondock or camp. I have been studying maps and websites of the Forests, camping grounds, parks, etc. Cherie, the Allstays app has definitely been the most useful. The campgrounds seem expensive to me in this area.
One possibility would be on a farmers land, I am trying to rack my brain remembering who from our 4H was from the area of her new apt. This would be a last resort as I have realized that there are various types of RVs more suitable for differing scenarios. I think I should step back to planning mode and not use my limited savings to purchase something fitting this scenario that might not fit my long-term scenario.
Probably, I should map out the places I intend to visit in the future and figure the cost to get there, as in a yearly loop. And figure where I could park when I am there. I had just thought 'something would work out'.
My parents have usually figured out something that worked for them, such as in Las Vegas my brother's condo does not allow RVs so they parked at a grocery store just outside his complex and made sure to buy their groceries from them. This was for 1 week.
Also, my son's 5acres is very close to the Boondocking Rally/Class. I would love to attend. But, my life is up in the air as my daughter may move to WY to go to college and I want to be here to babysit for her.
Back to Planning Stage :)