water water water

I personally will only use the water in the RV for bathing and cleaning and use bottled water for drinking.  I would also buy manageable one gallon jugs for coffee and cooking.

Water?? Where do you find it??
Some suggestions that I’ve find were:
Gas Stations*
City Parks
Fire Stations
Ranger Stations*
Rest Stops
Private Residence (farm)*
Private Campground along the way*
RV Dealer*
Truck Stop*

* offer to pay for the water, however; usually everyone but the campsites will decline from what I read.

Water?? How do we do it?
We need special hoses, filters, clamps, etc.  Here’s a good little website that explains all that stuff.  Hopefully, I can find someone to show me how first since I’m a hands on learner.
Guide to rv water filtration.

When planning to boondock, it’s safe to always travel with a full fresh water tank. It might not affect your rv performance or it may affect your MPG (maybe lose 1 mpg if hills) to have an extra 800 pounds or so.

And talk about boondocking, there’s water conservation.  I found this great site with some good ideas.
Water Conservation in Your RV/Van.

This was a great site to learn about your water plumbing.
RV plumbing.

more on water later………. like how to keep moisture out of your van/rv.

the Wander Lust

I have to say.... I most likely would have wander lust for awhile. The freedom to go when you want, stay if it pleases you. 

I have family from West Virginia to California, so can stop for weeks at a time for a visit.  I think I would problems after leaving my mom and sister in Texas.  Lots of national forest in Arizona to explore before getting to California.  That's calling me right now.....

RV Toilet or Compost Toilet

Black tank?? Nope.

Composting toilet?? Yep!

Why?? Black tank.

Cost?? way to much but the cost far out weighs the black tank! Yuck!

Grey Water Composting Toilet explains how it all works.  I think I would much rather empty a can of pee at any place that has a toilet than worrying about empty a black tank. Plus, peat moss is used to cover the other and I don't see dumping that a problem, especially if there's no smell to it.

I have often watched Gone With the Wynns videos on YouTube regarding different subjects and came across this one on composting toilets. 

Hopefully, by the time I actually get a van/rig, I'll know how to install a compost toilet because I know for sure, this is the way to go. 

whooa!

Semi Trucks Sleeping Cabs

Today, as I passed many semi trucks on my way to work, I got to thinking...  truck drivers are like van/RV dwellers.  They have to sleep and eat in their trucks for their days on the road. 

I checked out some images of truck dwellings...... pretty neat! More confined than a van I think but I can't be sure.  Seems it may be a tighter squeeze.

I also found a floor plan:

When I was searching for photos of trucks on the web, I came across a blog about a wife who joined her husband on the road.  This link goes directly to the inside pictures their semi.  I hope you enjoy some reading of her blog.  Living in a Semi With My Husband.

later gator!

the Starting Point

I have had a dream of traveling and living in a RV since forever.  I remember even as a teenager of wanting to own and live in a camper van.  Recently, I started watching Tiny Houses on YouTube.com and remembered my dream. Then I started looking at Class C rigs and then scaled back to Class B vans for stealth reasons.

Right now, I'm married with 4 kids, the oldest 41 and the youngest 16.  I've got the itch now.  Although I know it's not possible as the moment, I am looking into it.

I'm reading lots of great ideas and need a place to write them down.  I'm still looking at the pros and cons of living in a van. I'm hoping to talk my hubby into getting a camper van so we can take off every now and then.  I know I have no hope of him ever living in a van, RV, or trailer.  The man's a gardener and we have an orchard of apple and fruit trees planted on our 6 acres of ground and there's no way to get him to ever leaving that.  He's simply rooted to the earth.  

At first I was leaning toward the Libero:

I totally love floor plan, especially the bathroom and two separate living spaces, but after checking it out for awhile (a couple of months), I feel at 25 feet long, it's a bit too much. 

So, I started checking out the Chinook.  I don't mind the floor plan, smallish size bathroom and the living room/dining room combo sucks........ but there is a floor plan I like in which the dining table is two captain chairs and slide in and out table.  I like that idea.

So........ I'm going for the Chinook.  Unable to find any recent ones so I'm not sure they make them anymore.  I'd go for an older model and make sure it's in top running but I would prefer a newer one.  Apparently it's a one piece fiberglass shell.  No leaks and I like that idea.

Now I am thinking about building my own in either a high top van or Ford transit van. These are my plans, I'm sure they will change with time as I tweak and learn new things. This is what it's all about for me.  Following my dreams!

Any suggestions?