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You tube Fulltimers getting squeezed

wanderingaimles
Explorer
Explorer
Apparently the folks who jumped on the full time bandwagon, van dwelling as well as schoolie conversions are getting squeezed. vanlife
I haven't really looked at any of the videos recently, this article came up on my google feed, but thought it was interesting.
Fuel cost and inflation are apparently parking some for weeks at a time.
66 REPLIES 66

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
free radical wrote:


Then there are people with real talent,

https://youtu.be/LwpbK4kwo9E


Is this a test to see who actually clicks on a link??
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

JaxDad
Explorer III
Explorer III
Pbutler97 wrote:
JaxDad wrote:
LMHS wrote:
The big deal is getting the lousy thing titled as a motorhome and getting insured. There is basically only one outfit that will insure a skoolie. A few others will but they often get the policies cancelled at some point (usually at the worst time).

…….

As for long term winter parking, try mobile home parks. And a lot of private campgrounds/rv/mh parks do not want a skoolie in their parks for long term stays.


I suspect both of those issues are because of the same issue, you touched on it in your post, unless these units are built to, and certified as complying with required standards, it’s usually illegal to insure them or allow them in a park.


What required standards? DOT standards? State Motor vehicle standards?

If you're referring to this,


It's basically self certification. 1 out of a 1000 might see an inspection by the RVIA, and thats probably a low total number, probably more like 1 in 10000. Its a joke. Ask any buyer who discovered crushed HVAC ducts filled with debris, leaking pex fittings on supply lines or drain connections left loose, or bad wiring or better yet or wires pinched between frame and floor.

Where are these parks that are not allowing RV's/Campers in without someone approving some imaginary standard? Do they have a standard officer at the front gate?


Self-certification is a joke?

Don’t tell pilots, architects, engineers, lawyers or doctors that, all professions with ‘self-certification’ of very strict regulations.

Next time you open the door to get in your vehicle pause for a moment and look down at the white label that says the manufacturer ‘self-certifies’ that it complies with the FMVSS.

Is it legally required? You betcha! Does anyone stop you to check it’s there? Not very likely.

But to answer your question, yes, read that label, it clearly says the unit it’s affixed to conforms to certain life safety standards. In most cases the requirement for a certified unit is not the park, but the States life safety requirements. Almost every State has these requirements.

I can point you however one particular park where it is absolutely both in their written policies, and enforced as such, I know because I watched someone get turfed because of it.

Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral Florida. Clicky, clicky.


Read item 24.4.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
JaxDad wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
In short, too many bleeding hearts whos heart strings get tugged at while watching tweakers or almost tweakers live the van life that actually support them and then give them a little hope that their money for nothing scheme actually will work indefinitely.
But they are a fad not a productive part of society.


I think you need to do a little research on how much money social media mavens and ‘influencers’ can (and do) make, in cold, hard CASH before you make yourself look a little silly in front of folks younger than us.

A friends son is one of those ‘almost tweakers’ who has a YouTube channel with well north of a million subscribers.

He clears US$10k ++ per month.


I stand corrected if you’re insinuating that there are a lot, or even a few, #vanlifers and #skoolies that are making $100k+ a year doing this. Or even a median income plus all their expenses.
I’m not talking about Jake Paul and all the other YooToob “influencers” here.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Pbutler97
Explorer
Explorer
JaxDad wrote:
LMHS wrote:
The big deal is getting the lousy thing titled as a motorhome and getting insured. There is basically only one outfit that will insure a skoolie. A few others will but they often get the policies cancelled at some point (usually at the worst time).

…….

As for long term winter parking, try mobile home parks. And a lot of private campgrounds/rv/mh parks do not want a skoolie in their parks for long term stays.


I suspect both of those issues are because of the same issue, you touched on it in your post, unless these units are built to, and certified as complying with required standards, it’s usually illegal to insure them or allow them in a park.


What required standards? DOT standards? State Motor vehicle standards?

If you're referring to this,


It's basically self certification. 1 out of a 1000 might see an inspection by the RVIA, and thats probably a low total number, probably more like 1 in 10000. Its a joke. Ask any buyer who discovered crushed HVAC ducts filled with debris, leaking pex fittings on supply lines or drain connections left loose, or bad wiring or better yet or wires pinched between frame and floor.

Where are these parks that are not allowing RV's/Campers in without someone approving some imaginary standard? Do they have a standard officer at the front gate?

Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Explorer II
Well, I have to confess that I've seen all I can see of Naked & Afraid, Swamp People, and The View-----So, I went to the dark side and started watching RV videos.
Understandably, my views might be different, but at least I enjoy the travel videos. Now, I think a new segment is coming on about a lady that explores hot springs in California.
See ya out there....................

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Once these blogs go to complaining, pointing out the hardships and general negativity.... I assume it is the beginning of the end for their story line.
Better to move on sooner than later.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
propchef wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
JaxDad wrote:
I think you need to do a little research on how much money social media mavens and ‘influencers’ can (and do) make, in cold, hard CASH before you make yourself look a little silly in front of folks younger than us.

A friends son is one of those ‘almost tweakers’ who has a YouTube channel with well north of a million subscribers.

He clears US$10k ++ per month.


There are a small number who do quite well but what you describe is like saying acting is a great career choice because Harrison Ford makes millions for every movie he's ever in.


Well. at least he isn't calling them "tweakers"

Hard work gets you there. The ones who put in the effort, understand marketing, and have reasonable editing skills will make a go of it.

Don't like it, don't watch. There are other choices.


Not sure what "tweaker" is about...

Certainly doing the hard work is a prerequisite but just like in acting, having good skills is only a starting point. (in fact, just like acting, being visually attractive often counts for more vs skills & effort)

But just like there are many actors who put in the effort never to have any commercial success...even having a good skill set and putting in the effort doesn't guarantee youtube success. The vast majority will wash out long before they turn a profit.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

free_radical
Explorer
Explorer
Sounds like some people are bit jelly of young punks success. :B

Its a whole new world out there and imagination can make one rich on YT
See PewDiePie or MrBeast for example.
100 milion subs aint chopped liver Lol


Then there are people with real talent,

https://youtu.be/LwpbK4kwo9E

propchef
Explorer
Explorer
valhalla360 wrote:
JaxDad wrote:
I think you need to do a little research on how much money social media mavens and ‘influencers’ can (and do) make, in cold, hard CASH before you make yourself look a little silly in front of folks younger than us.

A friends son is one of those ‘almost tweakers’ who has a YouTube channel with well north of a million subscribers.

He clears US$10k ++ per month.


There are a small number who do quite well but what you describe is like saying acting is a great career choice because Harrison Ford makes millions for every movie he's ever in.


Well. at least he isn't calling them "tweakers"

Hard work gets you there. The ones who put in the effort, understand marketing, and have reasonable editing skills will make a go of it.

Don't like it, don't watch. There are other choices.

Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Explorer II
BackOfThePack,

Well, maybe south of I-20 works, but we're located around I-90! LOL

As an update: Apparently my wife's niece has broken up with her boyfriend with whom she was supposed to build the bus. Apparently she got the bus in the parting of the ways. She still has the bus and is currently "homeless" as they gave up their apartment. The bus is in my niece's driveway at the other end of the state from where she used to live and work. Their driveway is not that big and neither is their property in the city. I'm not sure how this story will end for her and the bus, but I'm guessing the idea of the project will be scrapped and the bus will eventually be towed away as salvage.

Again, thanks to those who commented with their experience. I will pass this along to her next time I see her...just in case she still wants to work on the project. :S

On a separate note, but within the topic of the thread, said niece's daughter at one time tried creating a YouTube content channel in hope of making the "big bucks". I'll say it nicely with a simple "it didn't work out so well". :R

~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy Cruise Master 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (27-Angel since 2008), 1 girl (22), 2 boys (23 & 20).
2001 Honda Odyssey, Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
JaxDad wrote:
I think you need to do a little research on how much money social media mavens and ‘influencers’ can (and do) make, in cold, hard CASH before you make yourself look a little silly in front of folks younger than us.

A friends son is one of those ‘almost tweakers’ who has a YouTube channel with well north of a million subscribers.

He clears US$10k ++ per month.


There are a small number who do quite well but what you describe is like saying acting is a great career choice because Harrison Ford makes millions for every movie he's ever in.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

JaxDad
Explorer III
Explorer III
Grit dog wrote:
In short, too many bleeding hearts whos heart strings get tugged at while watching tweakers or almost tweakers live the van life that actually support them and then give them a little hope that their money for nothing scheme actually will work indefinitely.
But they are a fad not a productive part of society.


I think you need to do a little research on how much money social media mavens and ‘influencers’ can (and do) make, in cold, hard CASH before you make yourself look a little silly in front of folks younger than us.

A friends son is one of those ‘almost tweakers’ who has a YouTube channel with well north of a million subscribers.

He clears US$10k ++ per month.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Lantley put it best. Most of these folks are just one step up from the motorhomeless around here since their junk mail und long enough to get out of town and they’re not beached down in SoDo or other homeless encampments and hangouts.
Nothing has changed, except technology. Always has been and always will be those who live their entire lives on handouts and refuse to actually work for a living.
Covid and technology just gave a bunch of them a “great” idea on how to still be completely irresponsible and possibly make money by publicizing their sad lives. (Actually reality shows started it before the Rona wave)
Some, of course, are actually real real cool ski bum types who are doing it wholly because they want to. Although they’ve learned to be cyber mooches as well. They used to just do it in person. Partying with ski bums in CO was great fun back in the day but generally they weren’t just hanging out with some random kids from Chicago because they thought they were cool. Theft and mooching was present back then too.

In short, too many bleeding hearts whos heart strings get tugged at while watching tweakers or almost tweakers live the van life that actually support them and then give them a little hope that their money for nothing scheme actually will work indefinitely.
But they are a fad not a productive part of society.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

JaxDad
Explorer III
Explorer III
LMHS wrote:
The big deal is getting the lousy thing titled as a motorhome and getting insured. There is basically only one outfit that will insure a skoolie. A few others will but they often get the policies cancelled at some point (usually at the worst time).

…….

As for long term winter parking, try mobile home parks. And a lot of private campgrounds/rv/mh parks do not want a skoolie in their parks for long term stays.


I suspect both of those issues are because of the same issue, you touched on it in your post, unless these units are built to, and certified as complying with required standards, it’s usually illegal to insure them or allow them in a park.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
OkieGene wrote:
it's lonely,


Boondocking for a weekend is one thing. Occasionally it's nice to get away from people. But the subset of full time boondockers is pretty small because most people aren't happy constantly being alone.

I think a lot of the youtubers do it because they don't have the funds to pay for a campground, so they wind up almost constantly in remote areas, stealth boondocking in urban areas or wallydocking...none of which make for good social atmospheres. Most people want to be social at least some of the time.

It also makes it more difficult to handle water, sewage, communications and power far beyond a typical RV in a campground.

So they wind up alone, constantly struggling to manage what should be simple day to day existence with no money...not surprising that many give up if their channel doesn't quickly spit out a lot of cash.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV