This might be an unusual request, and I hope it's OK to post here.I'm an IT professional, full-time telecommuter considering going full-time RV lifestyle but unsure if it's right for me. Looking to find a mentor and PLATONIC companion for 2-6 weeks to travel around the US. Will pay half of all our expenses plus a reasonable weekly stipend for your time teaching me RV living basics.I'm based out of Phoenix but can fly anywhere in USA to meet up if needed. Prefer to stay in moderate weather during trip. The only catch is I need reliable internet access Monday to Friday 9-5 for most of trip. I will be buying equipment that provides access in most spots (hopefully) so remote boondocking opportunities might be limited. I also have a non-shedding, 9 pound adult dog that I would prefer to bring with me to make sure he likes the lifestyle too. Not a requirement though.About me: 44, straight white female, single and adventurous. Get along fine with almost everyone, easy-going, love to travel domestically and internationally. Love cold beer, sunsets, and trying new things.About you: Age unimportant as long as you are old enough to drink and young enough to drive! Prefer female but men welcome if the understand this will be strictly platonic. Clean criminal record (I will be doing a background check, and can provide one about me if you like). Not a drug user or flaky.I figure we can email, phone, and/or Skype for a while to see if we would be a good fit. Either of us can terminate trip/agreement at any time, I would just need a ride to nearest airport. Serious inquiries only, hope to hear from you soon!

Have your considered renting an RV of the type and size your are considering for your projected lifestyle and taking some short trips in your area? I'm sure that you could find someone locally to walk you through the mechanics of RV-ing and you can follow forums like this one to learn from the experiences of others. Personally, I do not think that an extended trip with a stranger (and a dog) in their RV would give you much "real world" experience. There is a big difference in traveling alone vs having a companion, especially one that is not known to you. If this is a serious post, please be careful. lizzie

Welcome to the forums. I really think you might be setting yourself up for failure.First off, reliable internet is not really feasible. The most reliable is over cell towers. But that can definitely be iffy at times. How do you plan to travel? Only on weekends when your off line? That really is the worst times for full timers to try and move.If you honestly want to do this, spend a lot of time researching the idea first.As for a traveling companion? I wouldnt do it. Especially a single female. Instead, figure to hire someone to spend a few days with you teaching you the basics. Now, unless your pretty good at mechanical stuff repairs can become really expensive, especially for a full timer.Motor homes, at least larger ones are expensive to maintain. 5K for a set of tires, a grand for a service are not uncommon. Small motor homes are much cheaper to maintain, but you sacrifice space to achieve cost reductions.The RV lifestyle is not cheap. I have seen many people buy, travel one season and the RV sits in storage for years and never gets moved.Not trying to discourage you, but you really need to do a lot more research first.

Hi Lizzie,Renting is unfortunately cost-prohibitive for me, at least around here. Rentals cost several thousand dollars a month, even on direct-from-owner sites.Don: I have done quite a bit of researching and am continuing to do more....however, I dont' want to waste months of time researching if this proves to be a unhappy lifestyle for me. I am consulting with some mobile internet "experts" and they indicate this very well might be feasible if I do my research before moving to a new site. I am also very safety minded and will only pursue this with someone I have thoroughly checked out.

ShaunaH wrote:Hi Lizzie,Renting is unfortunately cost-prohibitive for me, at least around here. Rentals cost several thousand dollars a month, even on direct-from-owner sites.Don: I have done quite a bit of researching and am continuing to do more....however, I dont' want to waste months of time researching if this proves to be a unhappy lifestyle for me. I am consulting with some mobile internet "experts" and they indicate this very well might be feasible if I do my research before moving to a new site. I am also very safety minded and will only pursue this with someone I have thoroughly checked out.I am in agreement with Donn.. You are setting yourself up for failure at the least.I realize now days the first "tool" by most folks is to reachout via The Internet for very personal things like this.. Taking huge chances while doing so.Rather difficult to "research" and "background" check EVERYONE that responds to your request. For the most part, it WILL be impossible to maintain a "platonic" relationship in any RV.. You ARE confined in a very tight small place and will be that way 24/7."Sharing" expenses often can cause huge rifts between even the best of friends let alone two strangers.. And if you are looking for someone who already has a RV, you are basically close to freeloading..I would suggest, rather than going the direction you are now headed with a stranger, perhaps find a nice used van.. Nothing fancy, a bare utility van that you can put some insulation in, wall board, a cot for sleeping, a comfortable chair/desk to work from and some heat and or A/C setup..Then after you are done with your "journey" you can sell off or trade for something more suitable.

Thanks GDEtrailer for the van suggestion, if I don't find a suitable partner that was going to be my next move.

Looking to hire mentor/share expenses for 2-6 weeks

58 Replies

coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2017
You can rent a small class C with 400 miles allowance, for 1 week, for $951.10 from El Monte RV rentals in Phoenix. I would recommend you use a weeks vacation, or at least a few days, and take your time getting to know the RV and how you feel with it.

That will give you time to check out your internet access and see how it works. If you find that it doesn't work, you can sell it.

My take on it is that if you can't afford to rent for at least a week, you can't afford to buy, use, and maintain a RV.

El Monte will rent you a clean, basic RV. They will step you through the basics of the systems. You can do reading and research on here, and other sites, to learn beyond the basics. You can join a RV group and get good advice from the members in that group.

I would not consider travelling with a stranger in a RV. I've travelled with my boyfriend of 10+ years, for a few weeks, and sometimes it gets tight for us, LOL. Your dog will be better company.
Janss
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2017
I suggest joining a group like RVing Women or Loners on Wheels. (Both have websites.) Go to some of their camping get-togethers. Now is the time when these get-togethers are in the southern states like AZ. Just stay in a nearby motel and join the group during the day at the campground. For the most part, RVers LOVE to show and tell about their RV and discuss RVing in general.
slickest1
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
I would suggest a smaller class C. They can be self contained and have most everything you need and not that hard to learn how to drive.
If you like the lifestyle you can then upgrade to something bigger and more comfortable.
There is plenty of good help and info. on these forums to answer any concerns. Good luck.
ShaunaH
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
Thanks GDEtrailer for the van suggestion, if I don't find a suitable partner that was going to be my next move.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jan 08, 2017
ShaunaH wrote:
Hi Lizzie,

Renting is unfortunately cost-prohibitive for me, at least around here. Rentals cost several thousand dollars a month, even on direct-from-owner sites.

Don: I have done quite a bit of researching and am continuing to do more....however, I dont' want to waste months of time researching if this proves to be a unhappy lifestyle for me. I am consulting with some mobile internet "experts" and they indicate this very well might be feasible if I do my research before moving to a new site. I am also very safety minded and will only pursue this with someone I have thoroughly checked out.

I am in agreement with Donn.. You are setting yourself up for failure at the least.

I realize now days the first "tool" by most folks is to reachout via The Internet for very personal things like this.. Taking huge chances while doing so.

Rather difficult to "research" and "background" check EVERYONE that responds to your request. For the most part, it WILL be impossible to maintain a "platonic" relationship in any RV.. You ARE confined in a very tight small place and will be that way 24/7.

"Sharing" expenses often can cause huge rifts between even the best of friends let alone two strangers.. And if you are looking for someone who already has a RV, you are basically close to freeloading..

I would suggest, rather than going the direction you are now headed with a stranger, perhaps find a nice used van.. Nothing fancy, a bare utility van that you can put some insulation in, wall board, a cot for sleeping, a comfortable chair/desk to work from and some heat and or A/C setup..

Then after you are done with your "journey" you can sell off or trade for something more suitable.
ShaunaH
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
Hi Lizzie,

Renting is unfortunately cost-prohibitive for me, at least around here. Rentals cost several thousand dollars a month, even on direct-from-owner sites.

Don: I have done quite a bit of researching and am continuing to do more....however, I dont' want to waste months of time researching if this proves to be a unhappy lifestyle for me. I am consulting with some mobile internet "experts" and they indicate this very well might be feasible if I do my research before moving to a new site. I am also very safety minded and will only pursue this with someone I have thoroughly checked out.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2017
Welcome to the forums. I really think you might be setting yourself up for failure.
First off, reliable internet is not really feasible. The most reliable is over cell towers. But that can definitely be iffy at times. How do you plan to travel? Only on weekends when your off line? That really is the worst times for full timers to try and move.
If you honestly want to do this, spend a lot of time researching the idea first.
As for a traveling companion? I wouldnt do it. Especially a single female. Instead, figure to hire someone to spend a few days with you teaching you the basics. Now, unless your pretty good at mechanical stuff repairs can become really expensive, especially for a full timer.
Motor homes, at least larger ones are expensive to maintain. 5K for a set of tires, a grand for a service are not uncommon. Small motor homes are much cheaper to maintain, but you sacrifice space to achieve cost reductions.
The RV lifestyle is not cheap. I have seen many people buy, travel one season and the RV sits in storage for years and never gets moved.
Not trying to discourage you, but you really need to do a lot more research first.
lizzie
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
Have your considered renting an RV of the type and size your are considering for your projected lifestyle and taking some short trips in your area? I'm sure that you could find someone locally to walk you through the mechanics of RV-ing and you can follow forums like this one to learn from the experiences of others. Personally, I do not think that an extended trip with a stranger (and a dog) in their RV would give you much "real world" experience. There is a big difference in traveling alone vs having a companion, especially one that is not known to you. If this is a serious post, please be careful. lizzie

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Looking to hire mentor/share expenses for 2-6 weeks

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