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We bought a conversion van (shaggin' wagon, for children of the 70s) and spent a month driving from Pa to Yellowstone and back with the kids. One of the best trips ever, and it was way cheaper than lodging and eating out. Generally speaking vans up to Class B (Roadtreks and the like) can stay in tent camp sites at campgrounds. Class Cs (think the Shasta campers, etc) cannot.
The van had nothing done to the interior except a TV/VCR combo (this was 2000, so no DVD) and a pullout back seat that converted to a double bed. That was good enough for us - kids tented it and I got my comfy bed and no bugs We had a little propane stove for cooking, and a big ol' cooler that we filled up daily in a trip to the grocery store, and that was it.
We paid $6K for the van, used (it was just a Chevy G20), and got four more years of use out of it -- hubby even hurtled it to the hospital while I was in labor -- before selling it; can't remember for how much. Totally worth doing.
One advantage that wasn't readily apparent - those big windows in back have screens, and the cross-ventilation was amazing. We toured with our dog and could leave her in it while we all got out in the height of summer to gawk at something for a half-hour and the van did not heat up like an oven, as any car would.
So, as far as vans for touring goes, it's something I'd do again in a heartbeat. The bummer is that there are almost no rental companies that offer this option, and those that do are about as prohibitively expensive as the RV rental companies. The cheapest way to do it is buy used and resell when you're done.
We bought a conversion van (shaggin' wagon, for children of the 70s) and spent a month driving from Pa to Yellowstone and back with the kids. One of the best trips ever, and it was way cheaper than lodging and eating out. Generally speaking vans up to Class B (Roadtreks and the like) can stay in tent camp sites at campgrounds. Class Cs (think the Shasta campers, etc) cannot.
The van had nothing done to the interior except a TV/VCR combo (this was 2000, so no DVD) and a pullout back seat that converted to a double bed. That was good enough for us - kids tented it and I got my comfy bed and no bugs We had a little propane stove for cooking, and a big ol' cooler that we filled up daily in a trip to the grocery store, and that was it.
We paid $6K for the van, used (it was just a Chevy G20), and got four more years of use out of it -- hubby even hurtled it to the hospital while I was in labor -- before selling it; can't remember for how much. Totally worth doing.
One advantage that wasn't readily apparent - those big windows in back have screens, and the cross-ventilation was amazing. We toured with our dog and could leave her in it while we all got out in the height of summer to gawk at something for a half-hour and the van did not heat up like an oven, as any car would.
So, as far as vans for touring goes, it's something I'd do again in a heartbeat. The bummer is that there are almost no rental companies that offer this option, and those that do are about as prohibitively expensive as the RV rental companies. The cheapest way to do it is buy used and resell when you're done.
I'm thinking one could sign up for Planet Fitness/YMCA for a month or two and shower/kill some time there. Between the two, there are ~3400 locations across the country.
This is actually a pretty amazing lifestyle... if you get rid of your cell phone all you have to pay for is gas, car insurance and food... correct?
Gas will be pretty spendy especially in a van or rv... car insurance can be really cheap if you insure the car in a state like South Dakota or North Carolina.
Food... you could find a way to secure some pots and other containers by windows and grow some veggies.
plus rice, beans, ramen and bread are all pretty cheap.
This is actually a pretty amazing lifestyle... if you get rid of your cell phone all you have to pay for is gas, car insurance and food... correct?
Gas will be pretty spendy especially in a van or rv... car insurance can be really cheap if you insure the car in a state like South Dakota or North Carolina.
Food... you could find a way to secure some pots and other containers by windows and grow some veggies.
plus rice, beans, ramen and bread are all pretty cheap.
Yeah and a spot under the bridge too?? Seriouly, when you GO on the road in a van for whatever your reasons might be, You make your own peace and happiness and anything it takes to stay sane. The van; a Darker colored 3 quarter ton van with a ladder rack and NO windows. There's a million contractor vans on the road and cops don't give them a second look. GET a prepaid phone (no bill) GET a 12v inverter WITH a 1000amp marine battery. GET a 12v frig to keep road food cold. GET a 12v TV to keep up with news or current events. GET some GOOD camping gear. Use a battery razor (no water) TOOLS to maintain your van on the road. Minimize everything, all your papers, credentials except license and insurance and registration should be on flash drives. Use a online mail service. Air mattress and a sleeping bag and you'll sleep like a baby. NOW you're ready.
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