carlsdrivein
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Joined 13 years ago
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How Important is Garage Storage?
Hey guys. I’m looking to purchase my first travel trailer and I’m between a few different ones. I’ve narrowed it down to either an egg fiberglass camper, like a scamp or an alto safari, either the model with the retractable roof or a fixed roof. But something that I can’t seem to get enough info for is how important is storing a camper in a garage because with the retractable roof option of the alto, it could easily fit inside our garage whenever we’re not using it, so this would be helpful against protecting it from the elements, but I don’t know if it’s worth the extra worry that the retractable roof will bring since more moving parts usually equals more repairs / maintaining. Is a outside storage with a cover sufficient to prolong the life of the trailer or should I opt for the model I can store in my garage?? I would really appreciate any advice!6.2KViews0likes24CommentsBoondocking near Major City Experiences
Hey there guys, I'm working out the details of going boondocking for an upcoming trip across the west coast before I attempt to go full time, but I had a question about how easy it is to find boondocking or even less expensive rv parks near most major cities. While we're mostly exciting about seeing the different wild areas of the US and boondocking on blm and national forest lands, we would also like to spend time in major cities, think San Francisco, LA, Seattle, SLC, Vegas but we were curious how easily it would be to find parking spots near those areas, at least close enough to travel early in the morning and back at night. Another thing that complicates things is that we'll have our pet cat with us for the trip, so it'll need to be a secure site we don't have to really worry about. But I'd like to hear some of yalls experiences with rving through the country and visiting major cities! Thanks guys!!2KViews0likes8CommentsRe: How many of you full timers work only seasonally?
HappyKayakers wrote: Without knowing anything about your finances or lifestyle, I would think if both you and your GF work the sugar beet harvest, then Amazon warehouse, you might be able to take the rest of the year off. BTW, the sugar beet harvest is not picking. You work at a central piling station. Both jobs are hard work but good money for seasonal temps. Also, where is the sugar beet harvest going on?? Is that something you've done? Any clue how much you could make there?500Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of you full timers work only seasonally?
Yeah, 12 hours is pretty long, but I'm on a rotation shift, so it's only on for 3 weeks, then I'm off work for two weeks. What I'm looking for is something like that without the break for a few months, so we could save up enough for the rest of the year of travel.500Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many of you full timers work only seasonally?
eichacsj wrote: Look into contracting house, there are those out there for just about everything. Also some camp host at seasonal RV parks, or camp grounds. We will be starting soon on the contracting idea traveling in the TT where I get the job. But I need the serious income, at least for a couple more years. Then we plan on just what you are asking. Work a couple of months and then enjoy the country several months. Enjoy Do you mean working in construction? That's something I would be interested in, but I'd really like to find something that's going to occur at the same time every year, so I can plan the rest out accordingly. I've been reading up a lot about camp hosting though, seems like a pretty good idea! Also a lot of seasonal work in the national parks seems to pop up in the summer, although I'm sure there's a big pool of people aiming for those jobs as well.501Views0likes0CommentsHow many of you full timers work only seasonally?
Hello there, I'm new here, and to rving in general but I'd like to ask a few questions regarding what you do for work while on the road. I have a few ideas of ways to make money while I'm gone, I'm a freelance photographer and I'm starting a travel blog with my girlfriend, but I know the likelihood of those supporting us completely are very slim, so I'm interested in other more concrete ways. Ideally I'd like to find something I can do every year for a few months, working nonstop during that time until the job is over, so we can have the rest of the year free to travel. Other than the harvest picking jobs in the lower 48, the only jobs like that I know about are here in Alaska, like fishing lodges, canneries and on the railroad, where you sign a contract for 3-5 months and work 12 hours every day, which is ideal except for that it's in alaska and if we're having to travel all the way back north each year for work, it's gonna get really expensive. So I'm just curious if anyone else knows of any jobs like this in the lower 48, some perhaps you guys do when you're in need of extra cash. Thanks for any suggestions!4KViews0likes17CommentsCalculating Your Energy Usage
I'm looking to hopefully soon purchase a 1990 Coachmen Catalina and start living in it full time, but I'm having some issues figuring out if the idea is actually going to be cost effective, because the main reason I'm considering it is because is to save money from the ridiculously expensive rent in Anchorage, Alaska, where I'm currently living. I'm looking for estimates how much it would cost for powering this mobile home. It would be myself and my girlfriend living in it, and we are pretty conservative when it comes to even using electricity in our apartment, but we would like access to laptops, small tv, lights of course, but nothing like an air conditioner will be needed (since it's about to be freezing in Alaska) I'm trying to figure if the best route would be a generator, or solar panels. I'm curious if solar panels would even provide enough power in the winter time due to the lack of sunlight and cloud coverage. For heat, I'm looking into a kimberly wood stove (like this one http://www.timmystoyota.blogspot.com/2014/02/winter-rv-living-in-alaska-update.html) the winter, and possibly propane as a backup. If you have any clues as to how I could figure out these costs I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!1.1KViews0likes6Comments
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