Comments on: Downsizing for an RV

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:27:32 +0000

Just be more careful than this guy:
http://wtfurls.com/videos/488/how-not-to-use-the-drive-through-atm

By: Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:54:24 +0000

Farmwife, I laughed about the double lawn mowers too. We have two farm tractors and FIVE riding lawn mowers, plus a push mower “just in case.” They’re necessary for our work around the house, although the five riding lawn mowers may be excessive. The husband collects them. (We mow our lawn with a 1950’s Massey Ferguson tractor.)

I used to throw a fit about our excessive equipment, but I’ve come to realize that each does have its own job. Big tractors for big jobs, small tractors for small jobs. I guess it comes with the rural lifestyle.

Our regular income goes into the frugal fund and early retirement savings… tips and above-salary income goes into the toy fund. It keeps everyone happy and sane! We’re aiming to “retire” and live off the farm by age 45.

By: Farmwife

Farmwife — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:22:09 +0000

LOL….unless you live on a farm We have 2 or 3 push mowers and a riding mower….cause we break the dang things constantly and one of them HAS to be kept going! I think there are a couple of dead ones behind the grainery too.

I sure wish we could hit your yard sale! I like the idea of RV life, but we are years and years away from that. While my house is not cluttered, we keep a lot of stuff on hand — no choice when you live in an place that may have you snowed in for a week in winter. Thank goodness for outbuildings….and a guest house.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:37:32 +0000

@Jason - I’m all about pretending. I read the prep-game for boat living once. Fence off a 12×4 foot in you living room. Move everything in their including your spouse and live there for a month. If you’re both talking to each other, nay, alive after a month, you’can do it.

@Alex K - Yeah, that’s the first diesel class C I’ve seen. The difference between gas and diesels seem staggering, but I must admit that I don’t know the first thing about engines (other than the theoretical aspects).

@BPT - Tough to say. I don’t think they’re that bad. I have read any general complaints about the air quality/outgassing of the plastics.

By: BPT - MoneyChangesThings

BPT - MoneyChangesThings — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:05:12 +0000

Have you checked out environmental and air quality of living in an RV? Aren’t they mostly made of vinyl and synthetics? This could really lower your quality of life!

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:09 +0000

Hey Jacob check this one out:

http://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/746755921.html

You are not that far away, that is one in my local craigslist. It is interesting because it is a deisel class C which is rare. Diesel engines last a long time and get better mileage, they are claiming 16-18 mpg.

There is an ad in my local criaglist under housing>parking/storage for a full-hookup RV spot on someone’s private land for $325/month including utilities:

http://reno.craigslist.org/prk/744370696.html

Maybe someone in your area has something similar. Now that is cheap living and is probably in a nice rural setting.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:55:49 +0000

Jacob (And DW) I’d definetely “Pretend” you bought the RV by getting rid of EVERYTHING that would not fit in an RV. You can do that for the next six months to “Try out” the lifestyle! That way when you do move in you’ll be less shocked by the change.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:37:20 +0000

The problem with a permanent residence is the career. Modern specialized careers are just not very compatible with someone who wants to settle (it would be quite hard to sell a cob house or a straw bale house as I have considered).

We intend to park it in an RV/mobile home park. There are several around here. Alternatively, we might be able to negotiate a deal with a homeowner who will let us park it in his driveway/on his land. The problem with this approach is that it probably doesn’t come with hookups (except electricity).

By: Seth Miller

Seth Miller — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:52:32 +0000

I was also wondering more about the plan of where you would park it? and if you are planning on staying at your jobs?

By: Alex K

Alex K — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:41:56 +0000

Amen brother! I just made 28 ebay auctions Sunday, getting rid of stuff I just don’t use. I moved across the country in 2001 with only a car-full of stuff, now I have a whole house full of junk.

I hear having a slide-out makes a huge difference on RV interior space, but you probably saw that at the RV lot. Of course the drawbacks are they are heavier and also you would be less “stealthy” with big slideouts extended. It would be obviouse someone is camping there as opposed to just an RV parked there.

Are you planning to park it in a conventional RV park or stealth camp?