Living for 6 months in the trailer?

[Piet]

When we camp... we go swimming every couple of days. $7-$15 gets you an evening of relaxation and a warm shower.
We also have iPod(s)... every once in a while, when we have free Wi-Fi we will rent a movie from iTunes.
Read a book, watch the campfire and spend a little time thinking in the quiet.

 

[RabidRover]

well, yeah .... and the Grapes of Wrath showed everyone what endurance is all about. but why self inflict if there's a choice? is there "extra credit" given to being miserable?

Agreed, you need to consider if the discomforts are worth $1800. I love my RTT but I can't imagine living in it for 6 months ... especially in cold weather. Give it a try but make sure you have a plan B so you are not stuck with plan A.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Another vote for buy a cheap used RV, it's a very common move for guys working in mines around here.

If you find a place that has showers that is great. You get use to a communal wash house pretty fast. When I was a kid hitchhiking around the country I stayed in a lot of places like that.

A lot of it will come down to your personality, I'm pretty happy if I have a burner, single bed, a light and a book.

 

[racingjason]

It seems like many posters are thinking of the Conqueror as a rooftop tent only but in fact the tent extends down to the ground and gives you some additional living space. This makes all the difference in the world as it gives the occupant some stand up room to change as well as allowing room for a porta pot, chair and even a little table. With the availability of electric power a heater and electric blanket make sleeping in cold temperatures comfortable. (I find sleeping in my trailer as comfortable as home but that may just be me.) I am working towards spending a year or so living (and travelling) in mine but that is another story. Anyway, I would give it a shot but try to find a hobby or somthing enjoyable to pass the time; time away from the family is rough. Best of luck.

 

[elcoyote]

IMO, the most important things are a good attitude and strong conviction that what you are trying to accomplish is worth it. Armed with that, anything is possible. Would I do it? Yes, if the reasons were compelling. Only you can answer that question for yourself.

Overlanders spend years traveling the globe living out of RTTs, vehicles and trailers. Clint Rounsalvall, our shop manager spent 200+ nights a year living out of a RTT while doing field work. Did he miss his family? You bet! Did the experience make him stronger and give him appreciation for the simple and important things in life? You bet!

You'll only know for sure if you try.

 

[mtnbike28]

Thanks

You'll only know for sure if you try.

So True!

I am waiting to hear about the offer and negotiate the deal....

I will report back if I get the job.

 

[wjeeper]

As others have said it all depends on your attitude. For short amount of time I can see it being totally viable honestly. I lived out of the back of my grand cherokee for two months. (I wore out my welcome where I was staying and the semester wasn't quite over yet, try finding a place to stay for that short of a time on zero $$) I rented a small storage closet locally and put a bunch of my stuff there. I showered at some friends houses and at the colleges GYM. In all honesty it wasn't too bad, but that was mostly because I knew it would be very temporary and it was "what it took" to finish out the semester. Having a safe place every night with the RTT parked would be much better than trying to find a random place to park and hope nobody bothers you.................

Dont remember if its been posted yet but check out http://cheaprvliving.com/ lots of good ideas on making it work. There were parts that sucked about being broke and living out of a car but I am glad for the experience. It taught me a lot about myself, who I want to be and where I want to go in life!

 

[womacje]

If I picking this up correctly, congrats on doing what it takes to provide for your family! I watched my father make big sacrifices so that we could have simple pleasures and they are greatly appreciated even as memories.

The conqueror should be pretty comfy with the rooms deployed. enclosed space is nice. Living the life of a dirtbag can be a blast, especially if you have an end goal in mind. Watching the pennies stay in your acct is a good benefit. Central Carolinas has a good collection of climbers, surfers, kayakers, general dirtbags that will relate to what you are doing. My guess, is you will find like minded folks relatively quickly. Rant off.

As I build my trailer, I'm always trying to think through how the trailer will be used and what will the weaknesses be. Your trailer will be so thought out and ready for some solid mods when youre done!!!

As far as the UV issue, pick up 303 protectant and spray the exposed fabric of your gear, ie tents, rubber, plastics... That stuff will keep a latex drysuit gasket alive for decades, great stuff.

 

[Engineer Guy]

The Hardside Option

Here's in interesting lil option. With all the pix, it takes a while to load:

http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/2148976401.html

There's also been for sale a few other Popups morphed into Hardsides with nicer workmanship.

I can't find the listings this moment, but there's been several ~$500- CL offerings - one or two quite nice looking - that consisted of a full size Truck Camper on either a Utility Trailer, or on a Truck Bed morphed into a Bumper Pull trailer. A current $500- listing even has Chrome Wheels! ;-0

I lived in a Trailer part time while building a House, and I'm a Hardside devotee. I expect to get all my money back upon time to sell, so I was comfy AND on site [critical when House building] w/no loss of money come time for Trailer resale. I'm now looking for an older Hardside, as some folks here are recommending, just so the 2 of us can bounce around in relative comfort in a ~14'-long Box config. my mid-size SUV can handle.

 

[Ace Brown]

I have been full timing in small RVs for 8 years now. Currently in a 17ft travel trailer. Except for a few special occasions I have not slept in a real room in many years and don't miss it a bit. When I retired I choose to begin this vagabond life and continue to enjoy it today. I could not afford a home and RV both on my annuity so I made a choice. I don't miss the hassles of home ownership any.

I know this is not the same as your considering but at least I can say camping full time is not a problem. Though 6 months in a RTT is not the same as 8 years in solid side campers. I also will admit being stuck in the same location would get old. But at least doing in NC would not be so bad as winters aren't real harsh.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[Nelson]

Hi all,
6 months in a RTT, well if it was a vacation that would be a differant story. well done fella, times are tough at the moment and needs must, having worked away from home myself my only advice is, get a daily routine going to cover the needs of life etc. then the next main thing would be good food, food can give you a lift so make sure you spend well on food, and treat yourself now and again as others have said, little things will make the differance, good luck and have a good 2011.

Nelson

England

 

[Doin_It]

For 4 summers, 3 years ago now, my kid put himself through university tree planting/living in tents, 1 or 2 baths a week etc. etc (mid April-Aug each summer) So yea a person can whatever he puts his mind to and needs to do to get on with life. Now, tree planting you make $25-30,000 in those 4 months if you bust a nut, so money is a huge drive factor for them all.

Have a look at the pics and see how tough live can be yet you do it for the reward.

http://www.tree-planter.com/

My kid is the the one on the home page shaking his planting shovel at the "tree gods"

 

[Tim A]

Wow, great read and I admire you, OP, for even considering the sacrifice.

IMO, the most important things are a good attitude and strong conviction that what you are trying to accomplish is worth it. Armed with that, anything is possible.

I like the above post.

 

[Ozarker]

Do you really think that you will be able to give 110% to your school work while roughing it?

Maybe in the first week you would remain sharpto tackle the mission. Pretty soon I'm sure that taking time off and away from studies to maintain a camp, (trips and taking care of propane, water, sewage and laundry) will require constant attention. Being cold, wet and probably a little on the dirty at times then running late to class may not make you as popular as you might like to be.

Will your "study group" be able to come to your place for that big game? What about the social aspects of college? That's where you meet others, your peers, that may provide opportunities through out your working life. It is great to have solitude, especially to study at times, but it's not all that great everyday. I can also see problems at any camp ground having college students over for those late night cram sessions. Or, another way of looking at it, do you want everyone knowing where your camp is? You will either have a land owner or other campers you will need to deal with.

If your grades suffer from the hardships encountered, the grades lost will be worth much more than $300.00 per month. The fewer distractions caused by your self imposed hardships the better I would think.

If you show up with your camping rig and find that you need to become a more conventional student, renting an appartment, you'll need to find space to park your rig, that might cost you even more. And, if you are in a smaller university town, housing may be geared to the school year, finding a place in the middle of course study might be harder.

Man, if there is anyone that can rain on a parade....I can! LOL Good Luck :coffeedrink:

 

[jbaggy]

Do you really think that you will be able to give 110% to your school work while roughing it?:coffeedrink:

It is hard for sure but when I went through the police academy, we had a guy going through a divorce and get booted out of his house. Anyway, he slept in his truck camper for the duration of the academy, showering in the locker room, shaving, etc. He also managed to have a clean, ironed uniform everyday. What a guy. Made the rest of us look like wimps.

So I suppose it can be done but jeeezzz, it looked hard as hell.

Back to the subject.....If I had an AT Teardrop and my Tacoma fully decked out, and a 6 month leave of absence, I would do it in a heartbeat. I have always wanted to take off for a few hunting seasons and work my way through the West, chasing elk and big muleys. Still dreamin of that...