Which of these trucks should I choose for full time living?

[Porkchopexpress]

Doesn't feel like there's many realistic opportunities like that right now. Sure, I could go start a pool cleaning business and work 10 hours days and technically own my own business, but I currently make more than that guy would by working less hours. And the whole "hustle culture" fad is just another way to get people to convince themselves that wasting your life away in the constant pursuit of getting rich by the time you're too old and feeble to even enjoy the fruits of it is an admirable feat. It's meant to keep people working themselves to the bone, because that's what makes other people financially independent. The point is I don't want to wake up in the same, to do the same things, go to work at the same job, just repeat the same day over and over until I day having mostly lived the exact same day on repeat for 60 years.

Hustle culture fad?
Almost every product and service is in short supply right now. Contractors can name their price in many locations. That pool cleaning business is just one example and can grow into passive income if you establish a good reputation. The fact that many Americans have the attitude above is the reason there is so much opportunity for people with motivation and good work ethics.

 

[86scotty]

That was my first thought too since a van is the "default" option everyone goes to when doing this. But I am pretty certain a truck is what I want. Besides stealth and the simplicity of having a van all be one package versus a truck with a separated camper, why do you say a van would be better?

Keep in mind my answer was fairly tongue in cheek. I currently own a van and have had many, but also currently own a Tundra with a pop up topper (Super Pacific shell type, not full camper) and I have had many other combos. I'm only saying all that so you don't think I'm totally van biased. I should also say that I've never lived full time in any of them but if I did I would choose a van.

Throughout the history of overland/nomad/full time types vans have proven themselves for simple stealth camping with no setup, walk through from the driver's seat to the living quarters and for many people maximum security. It's all in a tidy box and you can access everything from within without ever going out.

I think your choices are all good ones but for full timing I would go with a newer 3/4 ton gas truck if your budget allows. It is hard to replace a truck for factory durability and towing/hauling capacity and it is also hard to make a van very off road capable.

 

[Porkchopexpress]

Keep in mind my answer was fairly tongue in cheek. I currently own a van and have had many, but also currently own a Tundra with a pop up topper (Super Pacific shell type, not full camper) and I have had many other combos. I'm only saying all that so you don't think I'm totally van biased. I should also say that I've never lived full time in any of them but if I did I would choose a van.

Throughout the history of overland/nomad/full time types vans have proven themselves for simple stealth camping with no setup, walk through from the driver's seat to the living quarters and for many people maximum security. It's all in a tidy box and you can access everything from within without ever going out.

I think your choices are all good ones but for full timing I would go with a newer 3/4 ton gas truck if your budget allows. It is hard to replace a truck for factory durability and towing/hauling capacity and it is also hard to make a van very off road capable.

Steering the tread back on topic with sound advice, I'll get off my soap box.

 

[cbattles]

I'm going to vote none of the above. You are basically saying that you plan on becoming homeless. Unless you have already built passive income there is no escaping the responsibility of providing for yourself. Get roommates and start an LLC if you want to achieve personal freedom. Then you will be able to afford a practical "expedition vehicle".

Seriously, if you have the freedom to move anywhere and the motivation to build a business, there has never been more opportunities than now.

In fairness, we know next to nothing about him, his actual financial situation, or his job prospects.

 

[Porkchopexpress]

In fairness, we know next to nothing about him, his actual financial situation, or his job prospects.

True. I made some accommodations for incorrect assumptions but he might be able to work remotely with his job.

Unless you have already built passive income...

 

[dole]

In fairness, we know next to nothing about him, his actual financial situation, or his job prospects.

That would be a long story, but I am a 25 year old college dropout who found out I'm good at figuring out how people think so I currently work in sales for a tech/finance company and am above average successful in my field. However, I hate it. I could buy a house right now, but the thought of being locked into working this daily monotony for the next 30 years makes me shudder. I won't go into my past, but I have severe PTSD and I yearn every day for a life of primitive struggle to keep me grounded in a simple, natural way of life rather than this endless bustle of the American Dream rat race in which I am spitefully succeeding as it drains the fortitude of my mental health.

 

[86scotty]

Life is trial and error, amigo. Do it your way! Billions of people have done it the 'normal' way, so you have plenty of examples to study and it appears you have.

I've contributed to yet another thread jack here so I'll gently steer back again. For me, expedition vehicles are about getting to places no one else can (or at least most don't) as often as you can and for as long as you can. If you are living nomadically in a vehicle you can relish this to the max. For that reason, I would go with the most capable vehicle you can afford, as in off road capable. Second only to reliability and simplicity. The more I think about this for a young solo adventurer like you seem to be the more I'd vote for the older diesel pickup.

 

[Grassland]

Not to be a ************, but where I live in Canada, a 90s truck will be a rusted out hull body and or frame wise. And have at least half a million kms on the engine and transmission.
Yes they don't have the nightmare of current emissions equipment to complicate things, but trying to take out rusted/seized parts on an old truck outdoors is pretty low down on my list of things I want to do.

I'd second the idea of a newer gas 3/4 ton truck. Without spending tons of ultra lightweight gear, you'll have a lot of weight in gear and consumables. If you must take a half ton, find a low trim truck with the highest possible payload you can. For Ford i would suggest the 3.7 V6 or the 2 valve 4.6, along with the 5.0 for reliability, and while the heavy payload trucks exist, that generation in your price range used 7 lug wheels, which are pretty oddball.

 

[jkam]

Since you plan to live full time in it, I'd get a nice small class C.
Be comfortable, life is too short to be uncomfortable.
It will have everything you need and more room than a truck camper.

 

[calicamper]

Since you plan to live full time in it, I'd get a nice small class C.
Be comfortable, life is too short to be uncomfortable.
It will have everything you need and more room than a truck camper.

Probably cost less to setup also.

There will be a surplus of jobs out there for a long time so save your pennies go cheap. Hell in your case why limit your self to ground based transportation when Van life has pretty much trashed the wheeled nomad life. If you like getting away from people nothing is better on this planet than a sail boat. Heck even in CA I can be away from the masses inaccessible by water in 30 minutes?. Seriously

 

[jaxyaks]

If you are keeping the camper around 1500/2000 lbs (ish) and it seems reliability is a big deal for you, with the 25K budget I would look at the Tundra and leave money for the mods to make it safe. (Que payload police). or an older (lowest mileage best maintained you can find) gas Chevy 2500.

I have been looking at the older chevy 2500s lately on a suggestion from someone on here, and have found a couple of things, they used the same engine for a long time and they are pretty reliable. They are the cheapest trucks to fix if you have a major issue like transmission etc. Parts are really easy to find since they made so many of them, and they have a pretty good payload for an older 3/4 ton. Not as reliable I'm sure as a higher mileage Tundra but if your camper gets up there in weight, it may be a better choice.

I would stay away from an older diesel, you need payload and reliablity it sounds like, and it sounds like you want as trouble free for as long as possible. Not to mention gas is easier to find and easier to start in the winter when you have been sitting on a mountain for a few days enjoying the peace and quiet.

We all want different things in life and no direction that one chooses is right or wrong, it seems like you want to head in a more non traditional living situation and in some ways I am envious. Too many spend too much time preparing for, spending for, saving for the future and don't live in the present, good for you having enough self awareness to know what you want and what is good for your well being for now. Most don't and try to make up for it with material things etc. Live the life you want to live, it is yours and yours alone.

 

[tacollie]

A new gas 3/4 would be my choice. I'm partial to the 6.2 in an F250/F350. But this one is nice. He postponed selling it until the end of the summer but a dm wouldn't hurt..

Sale Suspended Until Fall- - -03 4x4 Chevy 2500HD X-Cab Short SB, Arizona

No Longer A Feeler Thread….I was going to try to get this gone in about the past two weeks but I’ve run out of time to deal with this due to some unexpected schedule and health challenges …My apologies and a bigThank You to the numerous guys who expressed interest in the truck. FWIW, It was...

expeditionportal.com

 

[dole]

We all want different things in life and no direction that one chooses is right or wrong, it seems like you want to head in a more non traditional living situation and in some ways I am envious. Too many spend too much time preparing for, spending for, saving for the future and don't live in the present, good for you having enough self awareness to know what you want and what is good for your well being for now. Most don't and try to make up for it with material things etc. Live the life you want to live, it is yours and yours alone.

Thanks, man. For this, and for the truck advice. It means a lot. I know there are those of out there who see a path to happiness other than buying it. It's good to know you're not alone in that sometimes.

 

[rruff]

I will most likely be forced to boondock in cities 90% of the time...

You may be overestimating the time you need to spend working. Or do you prefer to work rather than camp in the boonies?

I "retired" in 1990 at 30 years old, for 13 years. Lived in a '84 Toyota PU. I'd saved up enough money to last a good while, so I didn't work until the tail end. My living expenses averaged $3k/yr... that was for everything... which was mostly food and gas. You could double that now... heck, make it $8k to be conservative.

Work for me the last two years was working the summer season at a national park. I banked enough in 7 months working as a waiter on the dinner shift, to last for 5 years not working. The ratio is pretty good if you can make decent money and are frugal. It sounds like you are making good money now, so I'd advise you to save as much as you can.

I had to pay rent at the park, but it wasn't bad and very convenient to the job. I think free camping while working can be tough a lot of places, especially now. I've never tried it though.

Good luck with your adventure! I definitely sympathize with wanting to get out of the rat race... plus social media has made society angrier and more divisive than ever. Great to find some peace out in nature, away from it all.