In the past I've lived on a 32' boat, a 30' camping trailer and loved it. I had a sign on my boat that said "I've never had less, but enjoyed it more".
Another great video, Scott. Tim and I stopped by an RV dealership in Fort Worth yesterday to check out the class Bs. I mentioned to the Sales Associate that I watch your channel to learn as much as I can about Bs. He then asked if I watch Scott who lives in his cowboy brown Travato. You are famous! :) He said you had stopped by their dealership a few months ago. He enjoyed meeting you.
Having my own space when visiting family and friends. I sew, paint, and write and if I want to leave my projects out I can. The freedom to travel- having friends all across the country I want to see and visit with, then vamos- I’m on the road again! I like my solitude. Here’s to van life. Happy Trails to you!
Hi Scott, we have a Travato 59K NPE van and I wanted to provide you with the 5 things we love and that we hate about it. Note, we are more weekenders, not full timers, who live in Seattle. Here's our list: Things we love about the van: 1) Rugged styling of the van's exterior. It looks really unique and is cool and we really like that. 2) Volta system - it really affords great freedom when you don't have to carry a generator or worry about plugging in. We hardly ever plug in to any resources. 3) Beds / sleeping - we sleep better and longer in our van than we do in our king sized bed at home. We did order custom made 3 inch memory foam toppers which have greatly improved this. 4) Rolef screen door - it works great, is simple, brilliant design, and works flawlessly 5) Conveniences - it's awesome to have a microwave, surround sound, Apple TV, AC, fridge, bathroom, fans, lights, etc... Things we in the van: 1) Getting to an epic place to see the sunset each night 2) How being in the van sort of forces you into the local community that you are visiting...we have gotten to know some really great winemakers, farmer's market artists, etc...just because we take the van in to the community and interact more than we normally did before. An example is this woman who makes homemade salsa in Anacortes, WA. We always go and see her when we visit that area. 3) We have so many beautiful places we have seen here in the NW that we have visited in the van but never even went to before (ie- wineries, Olympic Natl Park, the WA and OR coastline, Bend, N Cascades Natl. Park, etc...). The van encourages nature and wildlife travel. 4) Getting the best spot when you camp / where you camp - it's kinda fund to scout out an area and seek the best waterfront spot or mountain view. 5) We have seen amazing natural scenery (sometimes intentionally and sometimes by accident). Things we hate about our van: 1) The service at the Ram dealership and the Winnebago dealership is absolutely terrible. They take forever, always ask you to leave it there, and never have the parts needed on hand. 2) The buttons you push in to open the cabinets. They never work, get stuck all the time, and are amazingly inefficient. 3) The shower curtain. 4) How low the ground clearance is. 5) The lack of power in the engine. We enjoy your videos and always are inspired after watching them. Keep up the great work. Barry
Barry... so much appreciate you sharing (by category) your story. As a Washington State native, I’m thinking of some of the place you mention. A day at Alki Beach in Seattle is amazing, followed by some street camping in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood is truly a full Travato 24 hour experience.
You really nailed it talking about freedom associated with retirement. I spent many years as a manager in federal government and retired a couple years ago. I fully intended to spend a few months decompressing and then look for other employment. I enjoyed my new found freedom so much I never looked back. I am now happily retired and permanently unemployed by choice. I love my new found freedom.
Great message Scott. I am not even out in the RV yet, and have often thought about all of the decisions that need to be made daily. My list would also have freedom as 1, adventure 2, meeting new people 3, the emotions of seeing and experiencing places I have only seen pictures or heard of, and lastly, sharing all of the this with my wonderful wife!
@@gosmall.livelarge Yes Scott, Heidi will be traveling with me. We are close to purchasing a small class C (Thor Compass or Forest River Forester TS2371), and will begin our travels on January 1, 2022. But we have all of this year to practice and become proficient with the RV. Heidi retires at the end of the year, so we go full time for at least the first year. I am learning from you and others, the best way to navigate our future. Thank you
Howdy Scott! Great video! Thank you! I enjoy honest experiences about the RV world! My 5 reasons I want an RV van class B. 1) Travel whenever and wherever I choose 2) No costly hotel rentals 3) Travel with my cat!!! 4) Camping lifestyle ie enjoying nature 5) Having everything I need for the comfort of travel
I’m staying in an RV park in my 2013 Roadtrek 210 Popular in the Pensacola area. Recently retired so using this opportunity to decompress and figure out if I truly want to live the van life. I do love my cozy living space as I do not need a lot of room, and can pull up anchor when I want to drive to the store, beach, etc (and I do love that I have my home and all my stuff with me at all times). 😊❤️ Thanks for your videos. Enjoy watching them. 👍🏼
Hi S H... does one Need to commit and live fulll-time in a van to fully appreciate what a van RV lifestyle can provide? Hmmmm. Might make a good video. What do you think
so glad you put a name on it...Decision Fatigue. I am a over planner, and when I just seem to hit a wall and get overwhelmed, I now know how to explain what I’m feeling.....decision fatigue. Thanks
Wow... decision fatigue! Didn't expect that. You are so right about asking 'why'... so many people I've talked to since posting on RUclips seem to not answer that question at all, or are very vague when they answer it ("because I want one", "because it looks like fun"). I think a lot of the disappointment in deciding on an RV (or any decision you make!) can be avoided if we would sit down and ask ourselves... and then really answer... 'why'. Great video as always! Be seeing you!
this must be your top 5 best video. I have to wait a few years but your honesty compared to other utubers make it more realistic. I need to get away from the rat race and de compress. I think that my" hate" is going to be the same as yours. Thanks Scott for being real dude.
Although I haven’t started my full-time Vanlife journey yet, I have done a lot of research and determined that it WOULD be daunting, the decisions that would need to be made on a daily basis. Thanks for ‘fessing up to hating it!!
The best thing about living in any RV is being able to chase good weather. With a van you have the ability to park anywhere. You can save money on rental spaces but if you go manufactured van then you pay a huge premium. A Travato top of the line will cost you $120,000 vs a travel trailer with similar features under $30k. Whatever your price range you need to get out there and see the world like Scott.
Truth on the mild weather. I’m often asked how the van does in 10 or 100 degree heat. Don’t know and won’t ever know. I live on 4 wheels that takes me to mild weather always. Too many Chicago winters not to chase the sunshine ☀️!!
Thanks Scott for sharing your insights and thoughts about full-time RVing in a Class B! Love the music too! We’re part-timers and also enjoy some of these same privileges. I’m newly retired and always look forward to camping in our teardrop!
I have a quibble on what you describe as independence and freedom. Where you drive and park for the night is full of rules. Road rules and RV park with HOA rules. Those rules don’t let up. They get worse since you’re dependent on living in places short term and move on to another place with slightly different rules. Every road in different cities had rules. You have to get up to speed quickly.
Dwain, thx for your comment. We all live under tons of rules and regs, part of the society we live in. The freedom I was referring to was stepping away for house ownership and related duties, the typical corporate commute, to a fix office location... rinse and repeat month after month, year after year broken up by a few vacations. Freedom to me is adhering to social norms and rules, but going where I want, when I want, stay or leave and my leisure without the chain an anchor of they way I used to live. Hopefully that makes some sense
I'm working on travelling full time and as I live down here in the Great Southern Land, I sympathise with RVers in North America with all of the restrictions placed on them over where and when and for how long you can stop in one place. Here, for the most part, you can stop almost anywhere you like, within reason. Obviously, big cities make it more difficult, but for me personally, it's not such a big problem. I've seen big cities, so I know what they look like and, for the most part, I intend to avoid them like the plague! Once a traveller gets out the "back of beyond", the real Australia, the options for places to stop for the night become more common. With road trains pulling 2, 3 or even 4 trailers on a lot of the roads, they have to have places to get them off the road so the drivers can sleep. There are nearly always places where you can pull up for the night and the drivers don't mind sharing, just as long as you leave them plenty of room to manoeuvre all of those trailers. Often, there are slip roads you can pull up on or side tracks that have been build during road maintenance you can park on or there are often flat, open places you can just drive off the road onto. Generally, nobody bats an eyelid if you pull up for a day or two, just as long as you don't wear out your welcome by staying too long or leaving a whole lot of rubbish behind you. Extra tip to avoid really pissing off a farmer or grazier: Don't do your laundry in a nearby livestock water trough. None of us would enjoy drinking used laundry water and neither do sheep or cattle! Yet, incredibly, big city idiots have actually done this.
Australia 🇦🇺!!! thx for sharing. Laundry in livestock troughs... only prove the decline of manners, respect, and common sense is a Planet-wide situation. Thx for sharing :)
Hi Scott. Recently I came across your channel and subscribed it. Love your content and also this video. I admire you folks in the US. Your points are stop on for me. FREEDOM is huge for me. The reason I say this is the flexibility you guys have south of the border of us here in Canada. What do I mean with that. I love Canada and all it has to offer but we just don't have the options like escape the cold or winter months here in this country, because it is all either way frigging cold or mild and still around freezing with often rain on the West Coast like Vancouver or Vancouver Island. A dream here in Canada during the summer time. And now, with this pandemic and borders shut. No escape by RV to the south like Arizona, California, Florida or many other state. Those are places I would go to escape winter months and overcast . Winter depression is real for me. This is a huge advantage for you. Me specific, I am a sun person and love the beaches and warm weather. Hear the sound of the ocean and just relax while in flip flops and shorts. Enjoy your RV life and stay safe. Thx for sharing with us. Greetings from the Okanagan
thx Peter fo your thoughtful comment. Which Province is Okanangan locate in... guessing BC. Having previously lived in Seattle, have many great memories of Vancouver. One of the greatest place on earth (when the weather is nice, just like Seattle )
@@gosmall.livelarge Yes, you're right Scott. The Okanagan in BC. Roughly 4 hours north east of Vancouver. The city direct called Kelowna. Greetings to you and keep doing what you're doing. Love your content. You inspire a lot of people. Cheers
“Decision fatigue” surprised me. I thought you were going to say something banal like emptying the black tank. That one surprise really made this video. Van lists bore me but my faith in your list was rewarded. Thank you. Several years boat living and traveling made the van choice easy for my wife and I.
Glad your faith was restored! Black tanks get a bad rap. Really it is the least issues of my RV experiences. Tank Duty totally out weighs the joy of having my own private clean toilet with me where ever I am. Have you seen public toilets lately 😱. Thx for commenting M C
I don't know if I could cite 5 reasons, but the main reason we bought the KL is that we like to do road trips with our two dogs. We have done trips that take 3-4 weeks with many stops. Schlepping everything up to the room--even if there's valet service--is a pain! Having a van that can park anywhere means that we can stop when and where we want, and be self-contained. We can also stay at a hotel or resort anywhere along the way if we feel the need for plush bedding and big showers.
@@LynnAnthony I am still just dreaming but, I see the G as being better for a few reasons. I think it gives an option more distance between the people I am sharing the space with, it allows for 3 sleeping spots, I can load some big items in the bed area / garage area, and you can sleep near a open screen area. But that is just me thinking about what I would like.
@@LynnAnthony 3 adults would be tight. But my wife, daughter, and I are close and are small people. I guess half the time it will be just me, and only 1/4 of the time it would be 3 of us. I do not want to go any bigger so, we are okay with the occasional tight quarters. I have no problem living out of a back pack, so it is easy for me. I can bring along a back packing tent and pad, to spread things out on an occasion as well.
I was widowed 19 months ago. I purchased Sunny, my 2014 Travato G, in late July 2020. Why???? (1) I need the sense of adventure. I want to see it...by that I mean there are so many things I haven't seen and I want to experience. (2) I want to make the uncomfortable comfortable. I don't mean the accommodations but rather the challenges of working through life's little challenges and mastering new skills. (3) I want to meet new people in a new culture. (4) I need to run away from home. I must confess I probably won't ever give up my apartment. I'm into fabric arts. Looms, spinning wheels, and way too much yarn are a bad habits I'm not ready to abandon. But there are times when I need to shift gears. (5) When I'm out with Sunny - even if it's just a local jaunt - it's a fantastic badass rush. She makes me feel strong. Thanks for inspiring me to think through my RVing craving. I so enjoy your thoughts!
For me, this is one of your best videos. Very much appreciate your the thoughtful honesty. I picked up my own Travato 59K this weekend and thinking of a personal project much like your own channel, so stay tuned (wink). Besides that, love your music choice in the body of this episode. Was it a version of "Mother's of the Dissapeared"? So good, it fit perfectly with your message! Thank you Scott
Hey StreicherPhoto.... CONGRATS on your 59K. Super excited for your journey getting underway. Appreciate your video comment. I have been listing the musical 🎶 artists in the show notes so you can see all of those.
I spent 30 years in the Naperville area, and rode that metra train countless times...I SO get the need to be rid of that corp grind...fast forward to now..im at the jersey shore, caring for elderly parents...retirement in 6 years and itll be van life for the remainder...all for the exact reasons you've mentioned in this vid. Best of luck in your adventures too!
Ahhh Metra... at least they have toilets onboard. Rode Metra from Oakpark to Loop many times. Better than the L though!! Thx CW for sharing. You are an exceptional human being for taking care of your elderly parents.
@@gosmall.livelarge hahaha about the toilets...remember the smoking car back in the day?? (Maybe im aging myself) You'd have to hold your breath & run for your life to get thru it...lol...good times. I was on the 91st floor of the Sears tower. It was a fun time in life. And I appreciate your kind remarks. 🙂
@@gosmall.livelarge PS. I still have a house in warrenville. I go back often enough with 3 grown kids, one with my granddaughter still in the area too. 🙂
We traveled FT in a class A with a tow vehicle for two years, and we would stay for 1-3 months in each location for simplicity and then explored in our car. We both work Remotely FT, so we eventually got tired of looking out the windows into an RV park the majority of our days, since we felt limited to those choices due to having a 40’ motor home and the need for reliable cell service for WiFi for our jobs. We settled back into sticks and bricks, sold the class A and now have a Travato KL for shorter trips, which we are loving. Once retired, we plan to travel FT again for awhile in the T, so we can be nimble and stay wherever we want, which will be liberating!
Decision fatigue is REAL! Even if you aren't moving the van you are still functioning in unfamiliar territory. I am a total planner so my comfort level is planning at least a week in advance. Flip side, I don't like planning too far out (like making National Park reservations months in advance) because then I feel too much pressure to get there. Finding the balance is not easy. Make your way to Texas when you need a break, door is always open!
M Travato Sister !!! So true on the Nat’l Parks.. with all their rules and cancellation policies OMG 😱. + crowds... Makes one want to stick to county and state parks + Harvest Hosts. Thanks for sharing on the Decision Fatigue. I’m coming your way to TX... Lily and Lucille need a girlfriend weekend and spa day :)
Backpacking around the world was very similar in many respects to what you're doing. Although I never had a word for it, 'decision fatigue' was probably the biggest downside, that and potential loneliness. I agree with you that the upsides overwhelmingly outweighed these relatively minor negatives.
I can relate to the decision fatigue, usually coming up in generating and making choices. One thing I do to help with that, is realize I don’t have to always find the “best” choice. Start the search, when I find something “acceptable”, go with it. Move on to the next thing.
1# I can move when I don’t like my neighbor . 2# it’s harder for people to find me .3 no one can visit and over say there welcome. #4 no rush to cut something short when you find something you want to do . #5 you can wake up with any view you want . Bonus like #6 not paying over inflated taxes for something I already paid for .
thanks M P... not so much new as they are Goodwill purchases,. Most all of my clothes I purchase through Goodwill or similar stores as I travel through. those “new” jeans were $5
@@gosmall.livelarge Scott, I had decision fatigue during our year in Europe. It was very similar to your description and like you said, the key is to take some downtime from all that adventuresome fun.
I'm not sure if I experienced "decision fatigue" when I was out on the road but I did kind of miss having structure in my life. Staying out as late as I want, sleeping in, not having any real sense of responsibility or commitment to anything was a somewhat unnerving feeling. It go so bad that I looked forward to going back to work.
I wondered about those “decisions” in planning out travel destinations. That would definitely cause some anxiety for me. I tend to be a planner so I would have to be careful with the concern about where or how I would need to get to the next location to camp. As long as I stuck to only planning (great advice like you mentioned) about 2 weeks out. Plus just making sure I would not have issue finding places to park overnight. Really great commentary Scott!
My brain tells me I can't think of a way to do this, but I wish . . . I wish I could make a T that was actually even shorter (19'?) but still had all of the good things that are in it already PLUS -- a combo washer/dryer in the loo. Ha! There's barely enough water or room in the gray tanks already & I want to add a washer! But I HATE laundromats & I just want a mini. BTW, I heard dishwashers use less water than hand-washing. If that's true, might as well give us a mini dishwasher as well. I want my labor-saving devices so I am free to explore, etc. If I'm going to dream, might as well dream big!
Good morning from Godley Texas, All excellent points for why you do what you do. Self satisfaction is seldom achieved by many. Happy trails, stay safe and 😷 up when appropriate.
Thx John... even more satisfying for me knowing that I’m helping others achieve their dreams faster and more fully... Just like We’re The Russo’s and others did for me :)
Another good video👍 You’re making it look easy (the production element) I like how You organize and itemize the info yet it sounds as if you could just be chatting over a coffee with a friend I don’t live FT rather I Mod FT 🥴 My reasons to purchase 1-Hurricane evacuation with an aging father 2-Personal evacuation from my aging father 3-Fulfilling my HS dream of being a hippie chick 4-Class B looks more like a soccer mom 5-personal bathroom *after driving a long haul I have it timed-turn-twist/duck/step left-right-left(step down) then 2 steps & U R there It’s worth the MSRP just for THAT! Saves me from rain wind sun-asking for key/directions and filth!
Those are some very good reasons to live in a Class B. I’m telling ya with this cold weather today I don’t need anymore to get me on the road. Stay safe Scott. ❤️🇨🇦❤️ Cheers!!!
Hoping it’s not to personal. But a great video would be how much $ you save living in a van vs renting an apartment or living in a home , paying for cable , utilities etc. great video!
Super great question, that needs a video to answer fully. Answer to your question added to the video queue. Bottom line answer... RVing is MUCH less expensive than traditional house. Stay tuned for more details
I resonate with the stuff part.... I look around the house lately and look at all this stuff and ask how important is it? I ask, if my wife and I were to pass on, would our kids keep it? Most of it would be destined for Goodwill or the dump. Your right, we really don’t need a lot of stuff to live a fun and fulfilling life. That would be the hardest part of trying to make full time work... getting rid of all the unimportant stuff we still have some attachment to. However, once done, I could see it being a great release or literal weight lifted off ones life... I hope when I retire that I’ll find the smaller home / base camp that will force some major downsizing and then hit the road on some of these amazing mobile adventures. That’s on the “someday” list.
Thanks for sharing Richard. Someday must be on a special calendar as it “someday” doesn’t show on any of those I see. LOL.... Don’t have to “full time” RV to beet the benefits of downsizing, right sizing wallet, and getting rid of dead weight. RVing help many find the things that are really important... like driveway camping in your RV playing with the grandkids! Or things like that.
Your audio is fantastic in this vlog!!! What are you using? Decision Fatigue is REAL!!! I experienced that too! I found staying in one place a bit longer helped a lot!
Im an avid and passionate surfer in Southern California. Im tired of always having to drive 2 hours to catch a good swell with a 9 foot surfboard inside the suv, loading and unloading equipment everyday. Why not just take my equipment with me and stay a week at a time between so cal beaches instead of always having to drive back home
Totally with you on the use case. Your fellow Southern Californian bought his Travato so he do run marathons more paced... arrive the day before, stay in own RV, relax after race, and aging out the day after... Mcuh more relaxed to catch that good swell. Maybe you can teach me how to stand on a surf board 🏄♂️ LOL
YES... 1969 Lincoln Continental... 4 suicide doors, black exterior, black interior, with a huge guzzline engine... plus a trunk one could rent out as an apt. One of my FAVE all time cars
@@gosmall.livelarge mine too. tried to get my great grandmother to sell me her '62 back in the day - she said "oh you don't want this old car" WHAT?? she traded it in for a new car.! I've been crying for years. Where did you get the sweatshirt? Would love to have one.
I agree with you totally I have all the stress at home (apartment) rent every month and car payments and the list goes on and on you are a slave to the system I wish I could do that but sadly my credit doesn’t allow to do that I really hope one day .. I really hope I could find a finance company that could finance me .. Great Video .. What about the Thor Vegas whats you thoughts ??
Thor Vegas... not familiar. Thx for bringing up. Will look for at FL RV SupersShow next week in Tampa. Regarding getting your RV, where there is will there is usually a way :)
@@gosmall.livelarge I totally agree with you . thank you for the reply.. About the Thor Vegas the only downfall I noticed it doesn’t have Lithium but otherwise it’s really small it’s a Class A but it’s budget friendly and it’s somewhat small I was looking at the 24.3 it has a Murphy Bed and the bathroom it’s not as small I’ve been thinking to do an experiment and use it as my daily driver if you had the time if there was a small video on it would be greatly appreciated sadly because of my job don’t have time to look at it I only C videos.. Thank you again for everything
Kind of hard for me to live in a van being tied to a sticks n bricks JOB :-(. Been meaning to ask you. How often do you have to dump the tanks since you primarily shower, etc. in the van? I have watched all you videos but I can’t remember if you’ve said. I have KL and learn so much from your videos. :-) Thank you!
Hey there... I can go about 5-7 days on my tiny tanks depending how often I use the toilet 🚽. 5 days is about the average, and only take 15 mins to do tank duty.
@@gosmall.livelarge ...yea I can stretch out the black tank for quite a while but using the shower (navy shower) i only used it once, the level in the tank went up quick! You can go 5 days with it as well?
Absolutely 💯 the freedom of being able to work from the road with the convenience of everything right there and still mobile. My goals right there with you Scott! Now to find my 2019 Travato GL 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 You are PREACHING! The corporate commute life 8m trying to get away from. Everything you said at the start of your video is on point! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🎉 LOVE IT!
I have a Winnebago Solis on order so i'll list the reasons why I got that and plan to (eventually) live full time: 1. Freedom (no more cubicle) 2. Sights - Many people don't even leave their home state their entire lives. There's a whole country out there to explore, and also Canada/Mexico that can be explored also! (perhaps not right now, but you know) The grim reaper has a harder time getting to ya if you're always moving :) 3. Cost - Yes, high initial cost, but should be decent resale value if needed and has low maintenance cost. Dodge can be maintained almost anywhere; gets good gas mileage and since it is small, it takes less fuel/energy to heat up/cool down 4. Size - Can go off the beaten path and into some tight spots for amazing views, so you're not going to find me in a RV park. Also so I can finally say "I live in a van down by the river!" 5. RUclips - channels like yours and other vanlife channels have definitely inspired me and shown me that it's possible, what to look out for, pros/cons/etc. I have been watching channels like these for 7-8 years now and happy to finally be pulling the trigger!
Great points. Like William Wallace said FREEDOM!!! 😂 We will continue the search and with a little luck and a new contract at work we are leaving in 5 years for FT Rv life. Hope to see you this week at the show ✌🏼
Interesting question I have, with the tragic bombing in Tennessee, do you think street camping will become more difficult if not impossible for the stealth campers? I question this as you mentioned street camping in this video and you made a video doing it (which was full of info).
Great question that I have added to my video queue. short answer, yes. RV parked in a downtown scene probably goin to get unwanted attention. I’m throwing through some alternatives, so stay tuned
CONGRATS on your GL... I’m so excited for you. Great question... worthy of a video I think. Adding to the queue :). Make sure every system works. Everything. Make sure they show you how to work each system with you doing the work. Don’t let the dealer quickly glance over with them doing the work and you watching as a movie viewer. Categorize the systems: water, waste, electric, heat, A/C, etc instead of them walking through the rig and all controls at once. Record with your phone. Watch Travato G/GL videos prior so you have a good understanding of systems, and bring questions with you to specially address. It will be overwhelming, so relax. The Travato Tribe has your back on the FaceBook Travato Owners & wannabes group and Travato RUclipsrs like me. Stay the fist night or two camping in your driveway. Some dealers allow you to stay in their parking lot the first night before you drive away. That would be great as you can cover things them in the morning.
Please create a Rumble channel and put your content there as well. I like your van and your videos, but hate to have to support Google to watch them. Maybe you can get paid twice for the same content.
Not to be negative as I think your a really smart guy but I have a real concern that as "van life" is promoted, cities and municipalities could greatly suffer from a loss of "property tax" income that largely fund all the programs people depend on like public schools, police, fire, health departments libraries, etc,etc, etc. Many home owners are already struggling due the pandemic and I expect people could start losing their homes for defaulting on their past due mortgages and then think they can just escape by living in an rv. No one likes paying taxes but it's part of our responsibility as citizens. I think this issue needs to be addressed in the "van life" community. Take care!
People should not have to pay tax’s on property they already own and paid for . And if you have kids you pay the school. Why should people that already raise their kids pay for yours . If we didn’t have so many federal and state laws we wouldn’t have to pay so munch on a local level
@@stephenboldrey9973, because even if you own the property, cities are still responsible for maintenance, cleaning and snowplowing as in my city. This past year we had a sewer and street upgrade in. $9,000 bill on top of our regular annual property tax of $5,000. Sacrificed big time to send our kids to a local private school but we still have a responsibility to make sure our public schools are funded. Agree or disagree, thats just the way I see it.
Don’t you find it funny you can’t have your own septic or water well and in some towns you can’t have solar or wind power generator . And these towns taxes you on water run off from your property but yet it’s illegal to catch and use rain run off from your property. So in the last 100 years the government control’s your power your water your air you breath what you can do with the sun and water and even the Sh-t you produce. . And your answer is keep paying them . I don’t think so . And most people living in vans feel the same way . At least all the ones I talked to .and Vanners are more about protecting the environment and keeping it clean then any of your city official or workers
@@stephenboldrey9973, as towns become larger cities, septic systems need to be upgraded for health reasons. Not sure what city you're talking about but my city encourages people to collect rain water, in fact, the code is to disconnect all gutter downspouts from going into the sewer as it just ends up overwhelming the sewer system in heavy rains and ends up in the river. This applies to houses built back in the 40 & 50's where builders at the time put in drains for roof downspouts to drain into. There are programs that help people fund solar project and local utility is required to buy back unused power generated by solar. Sounds like you might enjoy living in Slab City.roadtrippers.com/magazine/slab-city-california-desert/. Last Free Place until its not. Good luck
Interesting comment Not A Nomad. How many fulltime vanlifers are there that own zero real estate. I only know of a hand full. While I agree with your line of thinking I don’t think any jurisdication is mission out on gazillions of $$$ from the RV folks. In our case we have 4 rental properties across 2 states and 3 counties paying nearly $30,000 in just property tax. Everywhere I travel to I am paying Sales Tax. Most RV and campsites charge a Hotel tax and/sales tax. My business income is taxed. My corporate job income is taxed. Our rental income is taxed. I feel like I am making my fair share of contributions! Now, people living in DIY vans, on BLM land for months or years at a time, popping in a bucket 🪣, your right they might now be making the contributions others are. Maybe they worked all their lives contributing and decided that was a enough for a while. I have to respect that too.
Thanks for watching. Would you like to RV in a Van? More info and events on www.GoSmallLiveLarge.com
my favorite aspect of travel is the drivin’; being fully engaged with the ever-changing, mesmerizing landscape...
YES!! And NOT using Cruise Control to feel the elevation and the engine’s response to it...
In the past I've lived on a 32' boat, a 30' camping trailer and loved it. I had a sign on my boat that said "I've never had less, but enjoyed it more".
you're my new hero
Never had less... enjoyed it more... Love ❤️ it!
Another great video, Scott. Tim and I stopped by an RV dealership in Fort Worth yesterday to check out the class Bs. I mentioned to the Sales Associate that I watch your channel to learn as much as I can about Bs. He then asked if I watch Scott who lives in his cowboy brown Travato. You are famous! :)
He said you had stopped by their dealership a few months ago. He enjoyed meeting you.
Oh wow!! That is great I’m leaving nice memories in my wake! If it was McClains I did some training with them Thx for sharing
@@gosmall.livelarge Yes. It was McClains. Nice folks!
Having my own space when visiting family and friends. I sew, paint, and write and if I want to leave my projects out I can.
The freedom to travel- having friends all across the country I want to see and visit with, then vamos- I’m on the road again!
I like my solitude.
Here’s to van life. Happy Trails to you!
Here’s to #vanlife for sure ! Thx Betsy
Hi Scott, we have a Travato 59K NPE van and I wanted to provide you with the 5 things we love and that we hate about it. Note, we are more weekenders, not full timers, who live in Seattle. Here's our list:
Things we love about the van:
1) Rugged styling of the van's exterior. It looks really unique and is cool and we really like that.
2) Volta system - it really affords great freedom when you don't have to carry a generator or worry about plugging in. We hardly ever plug in to any resources.
3) Beds / sleeping - we sleep better and longer in our van than we do in our king sized bed at home. We did order custom made 3 inch memory foam toppers which have greatly improved this.
4) Rolef screen door - it works great, is simple, brilliant design, and works flawlessly
5) Conveniences - it's awesome to have a microwave, surround sound, Apple TV, AC, fridge, bathroom, fans, lights, etc...
Things we in the van:
1) Getting to an epic place to see the sunset each night
2) How being in the van sort of forces you into the local community that you are visiting...we have gotten to know some really great winemakers, farmer's market artists, etc...just because we take the van in to the community and interact more than we normally did before. An example is this woman who makes homemade salsa in Anacortes, WA. We always go and see her when we visit that area.
3) We have so many beautiful places we have seen here in the NW that we have visited in the van but never even went to before (ie- wineries, Olympic Natl Park, the WA and OR coastline, Bend, N Cascades Natl. Park, etc...). The van encourages nature and wildlife travel.
4) Getting the best spot when you camp / where you camp - it's kinda fund to scout out an area and seek the best waterfront spot or mountain view.
5) We have seen amazing natural scenery (sometimes intentionally and sometimes by accident).
Things we hate about our van:
1) The service at the Ram dealership and the Winnebago dealership is absolutely terrible. They take forever, always ask you to leave it there, and never have the parts needed on hand.
2) The buttons you push in to open the cabinets. They never work, get stuck all the time, and are amazingly inefficient.
3) The shower curtain.
4) How low the ground clearance is.
5) The lack of power in the engine.
We enjoy your videos and always are inspired after watching them. Keep up the great work.
Barry
Barry... so much appreciate you sharing (by category) your story. As a Washington State native, I’m thinking of some of the place you mention. A day at Alki Beach in Seattle is amazing, followed by some street camping in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood is truly a full Travato 24 hour experience.
@@gosmall.livelarge You do know our area quite well! I did not realize you had these roots
You really nailed it talking about freedom associated with retirement. I spent many years as a manager in federal government and retired a couple years ago. I fully intended to spend a few months decompressing and then look for other employment. I enjoyed my new found freedom so much I never looked back. I am now happily retired and permanently unemployed by choice. I love my new found freedom.
Congrats Dan... unemployed by choice... love 💕 that :) Congrats!
Just love your videos. Your honesty and down to earth approach is always refreshing. Thanks Scott!
Appreciate that Lori Jo
Great message Scott. I am not even out in the RV yet, and have often thought about all of the decisions that need to be made daily. My list would also have freedom as 1, adventure 2, meeting new people 3, the emotions of seeing and experiencing places I have only seen pictures or heard of, and lastly, sharing all of the this with my wonderful wife!
that is a great priority list Rick. Your Mrs will traveling with you?
@@gosmall.livelarge Yes Scott, Heidi will be traveling with me. We are close to purchasing a small class C (Thor Compass or Forest River Forester TS2371), and will begin our travels on January 1, 2022. But we have all of this year to practice and become proficient with the RV. Heidi retires at the end of the year, so we go full time for at least the first year. I am learning from you and others, the best way to navigate our future. Thank you
Howdy Scott! Great video! Thank you! I enjoy honest experiences about the RV world! My 5 reasons I want an RV van class B. 1) Travel whenever and wherever I choose 2) No costly hotel rentals 3) Travel with my cat!!! 4) Camping lifestyle ie enjoying nature 5) Having everything I need for the comfort of travel
Mindy... I live your reason #3 the best. And #vanlife Luke 🐈 says hello 🐾
I’m staying in an RV park in my 2013 Roadtrek 210 Popular in the Pensacola area. Recently retired so using this opportunity to decompress and figure out if I truly want to live the van life. I do love my cozy living space as I do not need a lot of room, and can pull up anchor when I want to drive to the store, beach, etc (and I do love that I have my home and all my stuff with me at all times). 😊❤️
Thanks for your videos. Enjoy watching them. 👍🏼
Hi S H... does one Need to commit and live fulll-time in a van to fully appreciate what a van RV lifestyle can provide? Hmmmm. Might make a good video. What do you think
Profound! Thanks, Scott.
Glad you enjoyed it!
so glad you put a name on it...Decision Fatigue. I am a over planner, and when I just seem to hit a wall and get overwhelmed, I now know how to explain what I’m feeling.....decision fatigue. Thanks
thx Lynn. I think Heath & Alyssa Padgett coined the term “decision fatigue”. Regardless it is real, but doesn’t outweigh the RVing benefits
Okay. I admit it. I like your videos as i start watching them.
thanks for give us a shot!
Wow... decision fatigue! Didn't expect that.
You are so right about asking 'why'... so many people I've talked to since posting on RUclips seem to not answer that question at all, or are very vague when they answer it ("because I want one", "because it looks like fun"). I think a lot of the disappointment in deciding on an RV (or any decision you make!) can be avoided if we would sit down and ask ourselves... and then really answer... 'why'.
Great video as always! Be seeing you!
Thx RoL... be missing you at the SuperShow this year! Appreciate you thoughtful comment
this must be your top 5 best video. I have to wait a few years but your honesty compared to other utubers make it more realistic. I need to get away from the rat race and de compress. I think that my" hate" is going to be the same as yours. Thanks Scott for being real dude.
Real Dude thanks you Danny for being along for the journey.
Although I haven’t started my full-time Vanlife journey yet, I have done a lot of research and determined that it WOULD be daunting, the decisions that would need to be made on a daily basis. Thanks for ‘fessing up to hating it!!
Thx Kara for your comment.
The best thing about living in any RV is being able to chase good weather. With a van you have the ability to park anywhere. You can save money on rental spaces but if you go manufactured van then you pay a huge premium. A Travato top of the line will cost you $120,000 vs a travel trailer with similar features under $30k. Whatever your price range you need to get out there and see the world like Scott.
Truth on the mild weather. I’m often asked how the van does in 10 or 100 degree heat. Don’t know and won’t ever know. I live on 4 wheels that takes me to mild weather always. Too many Chicago winters not to chase the sunshine ☀️!!
Thanks Scott for sharing your insights and thoughts about full-time RVing in a Class B! Love the music too! We’re part-timers and also enjoy some of these same privileges. I’m newly retired and always look forward to camping in our teardrop!
wow Tang... congrats on retirement !
Thank you 👍
You are welcome Nick
I have a quibble on what you describe as independence and freedom. Where you drive and park for the night is full of rules. Road rules and RV park with HOA rules. Those rules don’t let up. They get worse since you’re dependent on living in places short term and move on to another place with slightly different rules. Every road in different cities had rules. You have to get up to speed quickly.
Dwain, thx for your comment. We all live under tons of rules and regs, part of the society we live in. The freedom I was referring to was stepping away for house ownership and related duties, the typical corporate commute, to a fix office location... rinse and repeat month after month, year after year broken up by a few vacations. Freedom to me is adhering to social norms and rules, but going where I want, when I want, stay or leave and my leisure without the chain an anchor of they way I used to live. Hopefully that makes some sense
I'm working on travelling full time and as I live down here in the Great Southern Land, I sympathise with RVers in North America with all of the restrictions placed on them over where and when and for how long you can stop in one place. Here, for the most part, you can stop almost anywhere you like, within reason. Obviously, big cities make it more difficult, but for me personally, it's not such a big problem. I've seen big cities, so I know what they look like and, for the most part, I intend to avoid them like the plague!
Once a traveller gets out the "back of beyond", the real Australia, the options for places to stop for the night become more common. With road trains pulling 2, 3 or even 4 trailers on a lot of the roads, they have to have places to get them off the road so the drivers can sleep. There are nearly always places where you can pull up for the night and the drivers don't mind sharing, just as long as you leave them plenty of room to manoeuvre all of those trailers. Often, there are slip roads you can pull up on or side tracks that have been build during road maintenance you can park on or there are often flat, open places you can just drive off the road onto. Generally, nobody bats an eyelid if you pull up for a day or two, just as long as you don't wear out your welcome by staying too long or leaving a whole lot of rubbish behind you.
Extra tip to avoid really pissing off a farmer or grazier: Don't do your laundry in a nearby livestock water trough. None of us would enjoy drinking used laundry water and neither do sheep or cattle! Yet, incredibly, big city idiots have actually done this.
Australia 🇦🇺!!! thx for sharing. Laundry in livestock troughs... only prove the decline of manners, respect, and common sense is a Planet-wide situation. Thx for sharing :)
Hi Scott. Recently I came across your channel and subscribed it. Love your content and also this video. I admire you folks in the US. Your points are stop on for me. FREEDOM is huge for me.
The reason I say this is the flexibility you guys have south of the border of us here in Canada. What do I mean with that. I love Canada and all it has to offer but we just don't have the options like escape the cold or winter months here in this country, because it is all either way frigging cold or mild and still around freezing with often rain on the West Coast like Vancouver or Vancouver Island.
A dream here in Canada during the summer time. And now, with this pandemic and borders shut. No escape by RV to the south like Arizona, California, Florida or many other state. Those are places I would go to escape winter months and overcast . Winter depression is real for me.
This is a huge advantage for you. Me specific, I am a sun person and love the beaches and warm weather. Hear the sound of the ocean and just relax while in flip flops and shorts. Enjoy your RV life and stay safe. Thx for sharing with us. Greetings from the Okanagan
thx Peter fo your thoughtful comment. Which Province is Okanangan locate in... guessing BC. Having previously lived in Seattle, have many great memories of Vancouver. One of the greatest place on earth (when the weather is nice, just like Seattle )
@@gosmall.livelarge Yes, you're right Scott. The Okanagan in BC. Roughly 4 hours north east of Vancouver. The city direct called Kelowna. Greetings to you and keep doing what you're doing. Love your content. You inspire a lot of people. Cheers
“Decision fatigue” surprised me. I thought you were going to say something banal like emptying the black tank. That one surprise really made this video. Van lists bore me but my faith in your list was rewarded. Thank you. Several years boat living and traveling made the van choice easy for my wife and I.
Glad your faith was restored! Black tanks get a bad rap. Really it is the least issues of my RV experiences. Tank Duty totally out weighs the joy of having my own private clean toilet with me where ever I am. Have you seen public toilets lately 😱. Thx for commenting M C
I don't know if I could cite 5 reasons, but the main reason we bought the KL is that we like to do road trips with our two dogs. We have done trips that take 3-4 weeks with many stops. Schlepping everything up to the room--even if there's valet service--is a pain! Having a van that can park anywhere means that we can stop when and where we want, and be self-contained. We can also stay at a hotel or resort anywhere along the way if we feel the need for plush bedding and big showers.
thx for sharing Kathi... great comment
Now that I watched it, my dream to have a travato gl keeps growing.
Thrilled to be a little part of your budding dream. Congrats
The K is better! 😘
@@LynnAnthony I am still just dreaming but, I see the G as being better for a few reasons. I think it gives an option more distance between the people I am sharing the space with, it allows for 3 sleeping spots, I can load some big items in the bed area / garage area, and you can sleep near a open screen area. But that is just me thinking about what I would like.
Patrick, yeah, I don't easily see three adults sleeping comfortably in the K. 😌
@@LynnAnthony 3 adults would be tight. But my wife, daughter, and I are close and are small people. I guess half the time it will be just me, and only 1/4 of the time it would be 3 of us. I do not want to go any bigger so, we are okay with the occasional tight quarters. I have no problem living out of a back pack, so it is easy for me. I can bring along a back packing tent and pad, to spread things out on an occasion as well.
I was widowed 19 months ago. I purchased Sunny, my 2014 Travato G, in late July 2020. Why???? (1) I need the sense of adventure. I want to see it...by that I mean there are so many things I haven't seen and I want to experience. (2) I want to make the uncomfortable comfortable. I don't mean the accommodations but rather the challenges of working through life's little challenges and mastering new skills. (3) I want to meet new people in a new culture. (4) I need to run away from home. I must confess I probably won't ever give up my apartment. I'm into fabric arts. Looms, spinning wheels, and way too much yarn are a bad habits I'm not ready to abandon. But there are times when I need to shift gears. (5) When I'm out with Sunny - even if it's just a local jaunt - it's a fantastic badass rush. She makes me feel strong.
Thanks for inspiring me to think through my RVing craving. I so enjoy your thoughts!
Thx Molly for sharing!
For me, this is one of your best videos. Very much appreciate your the thoughtful honesty. I picked up my own Travato 59K this weekend and thinking of a personal project much like your own channel, so stay tuned (wink). Besides that, love your music choice in the body of this episode. Was it a version of "Mother's of the Dissapeared"? So good, it fit perfectly with your message! Thank you Scott
Hey StreicherPhoto.... CONGRATS on your 59K. Super excited for your journey getting underway. Appreciate your video comment. I have been listing the musical 🎶 artists in the show notes so you can see all of those.
I spent 30 years in the Naperville area, and rode that metra train countless times...I SO get the need to be rid of that corp grind...fast forward to now..im at the jersey shore, caring for elderly parents...retirement in 6 years and itll be van life for the remainder...all for the exact reasons you've mentioned in this vid. Best of luck in your adventures too!
Ahhh Metra... at least they have toilets onboard. Rode Metra from Oakpark to Loop many times. Better than the L though!! Thx CW for sharing. You are an exceptional human being for taking care of your elderly parents.
@@gosmall.livelarge hahaha about the toilets...remember the smoking car back in the day?? (Maybe im aging myself) You'd have to hold your breath & run for your life to get thru it...lol...good times. I was on the 91st floor of the Sears tower. It was a fun time in life. And I appreciate your kind remarks. 🙂
@@gosmall.livelarge PS. I still have a house in warrenville. I go back often enough with 3 grown kids, one with my granddaughter still in the area too. 🙂
We traveled FT in a class A with a tow vehicle for two years, and we would stay for 1-3 months in each location for simplicity and then explored in our car. We both work Remotely FT, so we eventually got tired of looking out the windows into an RV park the majority of our days, since we felt limited to those choices due to having a 40’ motor home and the need for reliable cell service for WiFi for our jobs. We settled back into sticks and bricks, sold the class A and now have a Travato KL for shorter trips, which we are loving. Once retired, we plan to travel FT again for awhile in the T, so we can be nimble and stay wherever we want, which will be liberating!
Thx for sharing your story NWester... truth on the T
How you stay warm in the winter, and in the heat how you stay fresh, great video.
Thanks 👍
Decision fatigue is REAL! Even if you aren't moving the van you are still functioning in unfamiliar territory. I am a total planner so my comfort level is planning at least a week in advance. Flip side, I don't like planning too far out (like making National Park reservations months in advance) because then I feel too much pressure to get there. Finding the balance is not easy. Make your way to Texas when you need a break, door is always open!
M Travato Sister !!! So true on the Nat’l Parks.. with all their rules and cancellation policies OMG 😱. + crowds... Makes one want to stick to county and state parks + Harvest Hosts. Thanks for sharing on the Decision Fatigue. I’m coming your way to TX... Lily and Lucille need a girlfriend weekend and spa day :)
Backpacking around the world was very similar in many respects to what you're doing. Although I never had a word for it, 'decision fatigue' was probably the biggest downside, that and potential loneliness. I agree with you that the upsides overwhelmingly outweighed these relatively minor negatives.
Thx for sharing Ryan. Did you backpack like Kevin of 30 And A Wake did?
@@gosmall.livelarge I don't know how Kevin did it, but I spent most of the 90's with a pack on my back.
I can relate to the decision fatigue, usually coming up in generating and making choices. One thing I do to help with that, is realize I don’t have to always find the “best” choice. Start the search, when I find something “acceptable”, go with it. Move on to the next thing.
Great advice Steve. Thx for sharing.
Really nice and honest insight👍.
What's your thought about security, do you feel secure in the van? I mean personal security.
thx Marvin. Rarely had I felt uncomfortable or insecure in my van. If I do, I simply drive away.
1# I can move when I don’t like my neighbor . 2# it’s harder for people to find me .3 no one can visit and over say there welcome. #4 no rush to cut something short when you find something you want to do . #5 you can wake up with any view you want . Bonus like #6 not paying over inflated taxes for something I already paid for .
Like your Reason #5 ! So true. Thx for sharing Stephen!
1. Freedom
2. Love nature
3. Small space
4. Adventures
5. Meet other adventurers
Dislike
1. Miss family while gone
that is a great “why” list Connie. Thx for sharing.
Scott, you look one studly dude in those new blue jeans!
thanks M P... not so much new as they are Goodwill purchases,. Most all of my clothes I purchase through Goodwill or similar stores as I travel through. those “new” jeans were $5
@@gosmall.livelarge It’s not just about the jeans. It’s your inner cowboy.
Excellent! I’m not full time, but I love the freedom my van provides during the pandemic. Great video.
Thx Kim. Dont’ need to be Fulltime to really enjoy your RV!
@@gosmall.livelarge Scott, I had decision fatigue during our year in Europe. It was very similar to your description and like you said, the key is to take some downtime from all that adventuresome fun.
I'm not sure if I experienced "decision fatigue" when I was out on the road but I did kind of miss having structure in my life. Staying out as late as I want, sleeping in, not having any real sense of responsibility or commitment to anything was a somewhat unnerving feeling. It go so bad that I looked forward to going back to work.
Thanks for sharing.. RV burn out can be real.
I wondered about those “decisions” in planning out travel destinations. That would definitely cause some anxiety for me. I tend to be a planner so I would have to be careful with the concern about where or how I would need to get to the next location to camp. As long as I stuck to only planning (great advice like you mentioned) about 2 weeks out. Plus just making sure I would not have issue finding places to park overnight. Really great commentary Scott!
All good things you say Mindy.. Thx for sharing
Yeah. What Mary said.
Thx Ruth!
My brain tells me I can't think of a way to do this, but I wish . . . I wish I could make a T that was actually even shorter (19'?) but still had all of the good things that are in it already PLUS -- a combo washer/dryer in the loo. Ha! There's barely enough water or room in the gray tanks already & I want to add a washer! But I HATE laundromats & I just want a mini. BTW, I heard dishwashers use less water than hand-washing. If that's true, might as well give us a mini dishwasher as well. I want my labor-saving devices so I am free to explore, etc. If I'm going to dream, might as well dream big!
dishwashers and laundry machines in a Class B... Space X is hiring Linda for Mission Mars LOL :)
Good morning from Godley Texas,
All excellent points for why you do what you do. Self satisfaction is seldom achieved by many. Happy trails, stay safe and 😷 up when appropriate.
Thx John... even more satisfying for me knowing that I’m helping others achieve their dreams faster and more fully... Just like We’re The Russo’s and others did for me :)
Great video! I was at Gulf State Park in Alabama last year. Beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome J Clif... I could have stayed a week there.... but it was expensive for a State Park at $59 per night as a transient.
Another good video👍
You’re making it look easy (the production element) I like how You organize and itemize the info yet it sounds as if you could just be chatting over a coffee with a friend
I don’t live FT rather I Mod FT 🥴
My reasons to purchase
1-Hurricane evacuation with an aging father
2-Personal evacuation from my aging father
3-Fulfilling my HS dream of being a hippie chick
4-Class B looks more like a soccer mom
5-personal bathroom
*after driving a long haul I have it timed-turn-twist/duck/step left-right-left(step down) then 2 steps & U R there
It’s worth the MSRP just for THAT!
Saves me from rain wind sun-asking for key/directions and filth!
Thx for sharing Cathy !! Love your Hippie Chick reason #3, followed by #5. You are / were a truck driver?
Those are some very good reasons to live in a Class B. I’m telling ya with this cold weather today I don’t need anymore to get me on the road. Stay safe Scott. ❤️🇨🇦❤️ Cheers!!!
Thx F&T.. stay warm 🇨🇦
Hoping it’s not to personal. But a great video would be how much $ you save living in a van vs renting an apartment or living in a home , paying for cable , utilities etc. great video!
Super great question, that needs a video to answer fully. Answer to your question added to the video queue. Bottom line answer... RVing is MUCH less expensive than traditional house. Stay tuned for more details
You can really see the lift job.
Hopefully you Iike it. I am still super impressed with it
Scott, I’m so envious of your van life. And I’m retired!
Hey Robert. I’m here for you sir.
Have a great weekend.
Thx R C You 2
I resonate with the stuff part.... I look around the house lately and look at all this stuff and ask how important is it? I ask, if my wife and I were to pass on, would our kids keep it? Most of it would be destined for Goodwill or the dump. Your right, we really don’t need a lot of stuff to live a fun and fulfilling life. That would be the hardest part of trying to make full time work... getting rid of all the unimportant stuff we still have some attachment to. However, once done, I could see it being a great release or literal weight lifted off ones life... I hope when I retire that I’ll find the smaller home / base camp that will force some major downsizing and then hit the road on some of these amazing mobile adventures. That’s on the “someday” list.
Thanks for sharing Richard. Someday must be on a special calendar as it “someday” doesn’t show on any of those I see. LOL.... Don’t have to “full time” RV to beet the benefits of downsizing, right sizing wallet, and getting rid of dead weight. RVing help many find the things that are really important... like driveway camping in your RV playing with the grandkids! Or things like that.
Your audio is fantastic in this vlog!!! What are you using? Decision Fatigue is REAL!!! I experienced that too! I found staying in one place a bit longer helped a lot!
Truth on staying put, or at least the same area, for a little of time is more relaxing... and ione can soak in the local scene and culture more.
1. Freedom, 2. Explore Nature, 3. Meet my fellow Americans and visitors from other nations, 4. Share more experiences with my wife, 5. Adventure
Your list is amazing. GSLL Approved !!! LOL
Five (6, really) excellent points!
Thx Dave... all truth too. BS meter reading 0 on those points
Im an avid and passionate surfer in Southern California. Im tired of always having to drive 2 hours to catch a good swell with a 9 foot surfboard inside the suv, loading and unloading equipment everyday. Why not just take my equipment with me and stay a week at a time between so cal beaches instead of always having to drive back home
Totally with you on the use case. Your fellow Southern Californian bought his Travato so he do run marathons more paced... arrive the day before, stay in own RV, relax after race, and aging out the day after... Mcuh more relaxed to catch that good swell. Maybe you can teach me how to stand on a surf board 🏄♂️ LOL
@@gosmall.livelarge haha that would be awesome, I would love to.
Is that a Lincoln Contitnental hoodie?
Lincoln....... with suicide doors.
He has a t shirt too. It's sweet.
YES... 1969 Lincoln Continental... 4 suicide doors, black exterior, black interior, with a huge guzzline engine... plus a trunk one could rent out as an apt. One of my FAVE all time cars
@@gosmall.livelarge mine too. tried to get my great grandmother to sell me her '62 back in the day - she said "oh you don't want this old car" WHAT?? she traded it in for a new car.! I've been crying for years. Where did you get the sweatshirt? Would love to have one.
Love your reasons - keep on with your great videos🤗
Thx Theo... more coming at you... FL RV SuperShow next week = RV tours :)
I agree with you totally I have all the stress at home (apartment) rent every month and car payments and the list goes on and on you are a slave to the system I wish I could do that but sadly my credit doesn’t allow to do that I really hope one day .. I really hope I could find a finance company that could finance me .. Great Video .. What about the Thor Vegas whats you thoughts ??
Thor Vegas... not familiar. Thx for bringing up. Will look for at FL RV SupersShow next week in Tampa. Regarding getting your RV, where there is will there is usually a way :)
@@gosmall.livelarge I totally agree with you . thank you for the reply.. About the Thor Vegas the only downfall I noticed it doesn’t have Lithium but otherwise it’s really small it’s a Class A but it’s budget friendly and it’s somewhat small I was looking at the 24.3 it has a Murphy Bed and the bathroom it’s not as small I’ve been thinking to do an experiment and use it as my daily driver if you had the time if there was a small video on it would be greatly appreciated sadly because of my job don’t have time to look at it I only C videos.. Thank you again for everything
Kind of hard for me to live in a van being tied to a sticks n bricks JOB :-(. Been meaning to ask you. How often do you have to dump the tanks since you primarily shower, etc. in the van? I have watched all you videos but I can’t remember if you’ve said. I have KL and learn so much from your videos. :-) Thank you!
Hey there... I can go about 5-7 days on my tiny tanks depending how often I use the toilet 🚽. 5 days is about the average, and only take 15 mins to do tank duty.
@@gosmall.livelarge ...yea I can stretch out the black tank for quite a while but using the shower (navy shower) i only used it once, the level in the tank went up quick! You can go 5 days with it as well?
Absolutely 💯 the freedom of being able to work from the road with the convenience of everything right there and still mobile. My goals right there with you Scott! Now to find my 2019 Travato GL 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 You are PREACHING! The corporate commute life 8m trying to get away from. Everything you said at the start of your video is on point! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🎉 LOVE IT!
M J. 💯 💯 💯 %... you will get yours. New Year. Make it happen before Christmas 2021 sir !! How can I help you?
I have a Winnebago Solis on order so i'll list the reasons why I got that and plan to (eventually) live full time:
1. Freedom (no more cubicle)
2. Sights - Many people don't even leave their home state their entire lives. There's a whole country out there to explore, and also Canada/Mexico that can be explored also! (perhaps not right now, but you know) The grim reaper has a harder time getting to ya if you're always moving :)
3. Cost - Yes, high initial cost, but should be decent resale value if needed and has low maintenance cost. Dodge can be maintained almost anywhere; gets good gas mileage and since it is small, it takes less fuel/energy to heat up/cool down
4. Size - Can go off the beaten path and into some tight spots for amazing views, so you're not going to find me in a RV park. Also so I can finally say "I live in a van down by the river!"
5. RUclips - channels like yours and other vanlife channels have definitely inspired me and shown me that it's possible, what to look out for, pros/cons/etc. I have been watching channels like these for 7-8 years now and happy to finally be pulling the trigger!
thrilled your day is coming after 7 years! Love your grim repear finds it tough to locate one if traveling ! Thx for sharing !!!
Great points. Like William Wallace said FREEDOM!!! 😂 We will continue the search and with a little luck and a new contract at work we are leaving in 5 years for FT Rv life. Hope to see you this week at the show ✌🏼
Yes T S M on Freedom! Channel Roundup on Sat-16-Jan at 2 PM at Keller Farms Harvest Hosts site.. hope to see you there.
Interesting question I have, with the tragic bombing in Tennessee, do you think street camping will become more difficult if not impossible for the stealth campers? I question this as you mentioned street camping in this video and you made a video doing it (which was full of info).
Great question that I have added to my video queue. short answer, yes. RV parked in a downtown scene probably goin to get unwanted attention. I’m throwing through some alternatives, so stay tuned
Morning scott and all the friends! Listening from kalamazoo and wishing i was with you
Kalamzzoo MI... chilly? Thx for watching and commenting !
I am wondering if you have any thoughts on the new Winnebago Ekko?
Need to see and feel the Ekko. Hope it is at the RV SuperShow in Jan. Stay tuned for a repor t
I LIVE IN A VAN, DOWN BY THE RIVER 🏞 🇺🇸MARCIA🇺🇸
Dave!!!
Ya, but you don't have a tent ..... lol
No tent when one owns a Travato !
Scott. What the hell happened to your jeans?
LOL... I paid extra to have ripped jeans. #vanlife fashionista :)
I think I see more ripped jeans then not these days. It’s a fashion statement! 😉
✌🏻🙂✌🏻
Hey Scott, I’m picking up a new GL on Tuesday, anything specific I should be looking for before signing off? Thanks
CONGRATS on your GL... I’m so excited for you. Great question... worthy of a video I think. Adding to the queue :). Make sure every system works. Everything. Make sure they show you how to work each system with you doing the work. Don’t let the dealer quickly glance over with them doing the work and you watching as a movie viewer. Categorize the systems: water, waste, electric, heat, A/C, etc instead of them walking through the rig and all controls at once. Record with your phone. Watch Travato G/GL videos prior so you have a good understanding of systems, and bring questions with you to specially address. It will be overwhelming, so relax. The Travato Tribe has your back on the FaceBook Travato Owners & wannabes group and Travato RUclipsrs like me. Stay the fist night or two camping in your driveway. Some dealers allow you to stay in their parking lot the first night before you drive away. That would be great as you can cover things them in the morning.
@@gosmall.livelarge got it, thanks
I am curious how many miles do you think you put on a year?
So far, about 25K-30K per year..
😸
#vanlife Luke 🐈 says “hi Laura 🐾 “
Please create a Rumble channel and put your content there as well. I like your van and your videos, but hate to have to support Google to watch them. Maybe you can get paid twice for the same content.
Rumble? I have have to investigate.
First!!!!!
Nice work Mr. Yang !
Not to be negative as I think your a really smart guy but I have a real concern that as "van life" is promoted, cities and municipalities could greatly suffer from a loss of "property tax" income that largely fund all the programs people depend on like public schools, police, fire, health departments libraries, etc,etc, etc. Many home owners are already struggling due the pandemic and I expect people could start losing their homes for defaulting on their past due mortgages and then think they can just escape by living in an rv. No one likes paying taxes but it's part of our responsibility as citizens. I think this issue needs to be addressed in the "van life" community. Take care!
People should not have to pay tax’s on property they already own and paid for . And if you have kids you pay the school. Why should people that already raise their kids pay for yours . If we didn’t have so many federal and state laws we wouldn’t have to pay so munch on a local level
@@stephenboldrey9973, because even if you own the property, cities are still responsible for maintenance, cleaning and snowplowing as in my city. This past year we had a sewer and street upgrade in. $9,000 bill on top of our regular annual property tax of $5,000. Sacrificed big time to send our kids to a local private school but we still have a responsibility to make sure our public schools are funded. Agree or disagree, thats just the way I see it.
Don’t you find it funny you can’t have your own septic or water well and in some towns you can’t have solar or wind power generator . And these towns taxes you on water run off from your property but yet it’s illegal to catch and use rain run off from your property. So in the last 100 years the government control’s your power your water your air you breath what you can do with the sun and water and even the Sh-t you produce. . And your answer is keep paying them . I don’t think so . And most people living in vans feel the same way . At least all the ones I talked to .and Vanners are more about protecting the environment and keeping it clean then any of your city official or workers
@@stephenboldrey9973, as towns become larger cities, septic systems need to be upgraded for health reasons. Not sure what city you're talking about but my city encourages people to collect rain water, in fact, the code is to disconnect all gutter downspouts from going into the sewer as it just ends up overwhelming the sewer system in heavy rains and ends up in the river. This applies to houses built back in the 40 & 50's where builders at the time put in drains for roof downspouts to drain into. There are programs that help people fund solar project and local utility is required to buy back unused power generated by solar. Sounds like you might enjoy living in Slab City.roadtrippers.com/magazine/slab-city-california-desert/. Last Free Place until its not. Good luck
Interesting comment Not A Nomad. How many fulltime vanlifers are there that own zero real estate. I only know of a hand full. While I agree with your line of thinking I don’t think any jurisdication is mission out on gazillions of $$$ from the RV folks. In our case we have 4 rental properties across 2 states and 3 counties paying nearly $30,000 in just property tax. Everywhere I travel to I am paying Sales Tax. Most RV and campsites charge a Hotel tax and/sales tax. My business income is taxed. My corporate job income is taxed. Our rental income is taxed. I feel like I am making my fair share of contributions! Now, people living in DIY vans, on BLM land for months or years at a time, popping in a bucket 🪣, your right they might now be making the contributions others are. Maybe they worked all their lives contributing and decided that was a enough for a while. I have to respect that too.