| Author | Message | ||
| Brian (Briansrapier)
Registered Member Username: Briansrapier Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 152.130.15.16  Rating: N/A |
Greetings. I have a family of 7 (including myself) and am interested in making the transition to full-timers later this year. We have been looking for a bus to suit our family and have (kind of) settled on the possibility of purchasing a former entertainer bus. However, the biggest snag that we've hit has been the interior height (I'm 6'5"). Are there any buses that might work for me without a raised roof? Also, I'm looking for some input from other families - things that work or don't work, things to avoid. One of my concerns is how to set up a permanent place of residence (for insurance, taxes, etc) while staying mobile. Lastly, I currently run WVO in my commuter car and am interested to hear from others that are using WVO in their buses and how it is working out, especially filtering on the road. If anyone has a Golden Fuel Systems Nomad system, I would really appreciate feedback as to how it's working. Thanks. (Message edited by briansrapier on January 20, 2009) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 755 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.99.189  Rating: N/A |
A family of 7, in a 8'x35' enclosed area, sounds like a disaster on wheels. We "full-timed" for around 9 months in our driveway, prior to rolling out and away. We used the house as one would use a campground's facilities. My wife, I, our Parrot, and a rabbit, stayed in that 33' Winnebago, and managed to not kill each other! And as soon as we realized we were all still alive... we filled the tank for our journey. If you haven't taken the time to do that yet; lived inside a motorhome for an extended period of time, please... do that first. It's not like "taking a vacation", it is your house, and only home. It's amazing just how small it will seem, after a few months! We found that our "just dandy, BIG" Winnebago was too small for us, once we hit the road. I ended up buying a 37' Georgie-boy, and remodeling it at a campground. We moved into that, and after a few months, even that became a bit too small for us. After spending almost all of your life living in houses, moving into a small confined area can be a surprise... no.. a shock... after it finally settles in, that you simply do not have any space to yourself. Your wife and kids will feel the same way. Hell, even our rabbit was beginning to get a lil' anxious (there's nothing like a rabbit with an anxiety problem). And even then, being out and away from any semblance of "home" for a greatly extended period, can be more traumatic than once thought. Just moving from one home to another, is rated as a major traumatic experience (according to the Heart Councils). Married couples don't always agree, or "get along". It's just human nature. Well . . . even animals, fish and birds, turn against one another, when confined too long in a space too small; It's a natural, unpleasant phenomena. My wife, I, and our fur and feather family got along just fine, most of the time. We managed to not kill each other. It was amazing, really. Do yourself and your family a big, big favor: full-time in it while you still have a home to go to if you decide you want to call it quits. | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 174.145.63.178 Rating: N/A |
The one nice thing about fulltiming is that you are not stuck in one place.....if the weather gets bad you pack up and go to where it is better. We once lived in a 33' travel trailer in western wa. state for 2 & 1/2 years with a beagle. Lots of rain and gloomy days. A couple of years later when we got the bus we knew it would be no problem since we cold move with the seasons. If you can spend a lot of time outside, the bus won't get too small for you.....of course with 7 people that does change things a little even in a nice climate. :>) | ||
| Brian (Briansrapier)
Registered Member Username: Briansrapier Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 152.130.15.16 Rating: N/A |
We currently have a 23' class C (does that qualify for Ripley's Believe It Or Not?) that we have spent time in over the past 2 years. Though far from full-timing, we have spent 10 days at a stretch. Our biggest issue has been breaking down the dining area every night and setting it back up in the morning for breakfast. One of the bigger issues is personal space and space to play on days with crappy weather. One of the ideas we have is to make the kids bunks fold up during the day for play and school. I've seen a few people that have even converted one of the bays to a playroom that can be accessed from above. I'm a little apprehensive about doing that and losing the what little storage space we would have. The other issue is to have an area where my wife and I can retreat and have some privacy, something that is at a premium in our current RV. Most of the buses we have seen have a rear MBR with bunks, which would work out well for us, I think. One of the things I have heard is that we shouldn't bother with a washer and dryer as they take up too much space and would take forever to do the amount of laundry we generate. Can anyone confirm this? | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 93 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160  Rating: N/A |
Just my opion but for the power the washer and dryer take and if your boon docking quite a bit I wouldn't bother. There are laundry mats and washing facilities almost everywhere. I must also say you are brave brave people. My wife and I are wondering how to puct up with one and other once we full time it! | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 119 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.179.147.233  Rating: N/A |
You might want to talk to Jim and Kathy Hitch @ www.simplegrace.org They have homeschooled and raised their family mostly on the road as a gospel band with some time spent off at their home in Nebraska. They could probably tell you what pitfalls to look out for with a large group in a bus. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 761 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.99.46 Rating: N/A |
Brian - One other thing that most people don't care to think about.... Health problems. With 4 kids, you'll need to always be aware of where you can find a decent doctor; It's not easy. Even more importantly however, is your own health. You're the driver, mechanic and chief bottle washer; what happens if you're hospitalized unexpectedly? We stopped full-timing when my wife suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm 6 years ago. I sold the motorhome and bought a double-wide. It took a few years for her full recovery. As soon as we thought we could start to travel again, I bought a bus to convert. Just over two years ago, and 50% through the conversion process, I ended up hospitalized with Colon Cancer. I sold my bus recently. Not because I needed the cash ( I took a major loss), but because I just didn't have the energy to finish it, and I had the fear that if I take a downturn, my wife would be stuck with a work-in-progress to get rid of. Life comes at ya' fast, ma'man. Think deeply about the full-timing. It's a major lifestyle change. It can be fun, but it can scare the hell out of you also. Staying in an area you're totally unfamiliar with, not knowing if it's safe to sleep... Yeah. been there; done that. You want to be armed. Regardless if you believe in gun ownership or not, you have to protect your family. When you're out there attempting to live in strange places, there won't be "cops" to hold your hand. It's no joke. If you haven't lived on the road in today's time, you haven't seen anything yet. You'd be doing yourself and your family a favor, by not being optimistic. With a strong pessimistic outlook, you'll be better prepared for some of the ills that you did give thought to. The worse ones may surprise you, but you'll always be expecting "the worst" anyway. Hey, some people are lucky! If their bus breaks down, it's always where they can get help. I was one of those lucky types! (note that I used the past-tense) Stay well, and think hard about this. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 433 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.210.65.157 Rating: N/A |
Good post JTNG...and best wishes on your "journey". Sounds like you're a tough ole' bird.  Keep us posted, will you please? KTF...,Psalms 105:4....Proverbs 3:5&6 RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 763 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.99.46 Rating: N/A |
RCB - Thanks. That wasn't meant to be a "tear jerker", but just to point out that unexpected things can happen, and it complicates life if it happens away from any semblance of "home". Had my wife's cerebral rupture occurred at the Lake Kissimmee campground in Florida (where there was no cellphone service available, and miles from any hospital), she probably wouldn't be here right now. They're things "Brian" should think about, before jumping into a full-time lifestyle, especially with four kids! A couple of weeks, or even months on the road, or even going 9 or so months in the driveway (as we did), isn't anything like the real thing. It's fun and exciting, but there's also a matter of reality.... And trust me, reality happens. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 422 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 209.218.200.174  Rating: N/A |
My wife and I will be fulltiming starting in March. We just won't be doing it on the road. We'll continue to make Abilene our Home Base and see what happens! That way if we get cabin fever we're not far from home! LOL I don't know if I could do that with children, but you don't know until you give it a whirl! Good Luck! | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 71.195.101.200  Rating: |
We have been living in our 4104 for a little over a year. We learned to live in a small space in a 30 ft 5th wheel[5 1/2 years]. The major thing is don't keep a lot of "stuff" with you, just what you know to be essential. A minimum amount of stuff us okay, there is a lot you can do without. Keep things as un-cluttered as possible and open floor plan helps. We've lived in RVs and stick houses, we love the smaller space and the ability to move without hassle. We do enjoy togetherness and we've learned to zig and zag very well | ||
| Brian (Briansrapier)
Registered Member Username: Briansrapier Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 152.130.15.16 Rating: N/A |
Wow. I really didn't expect this much of a response. Aside from responses on this forum, I have also received a number of e-mails from people offering advice and even a couple looking for advice from me. What is really interesting though is how many of you mirrored my concerns related to safety and health that I did not address in my first post. To be completely honest, I'm not terribly concerned about access to doctors as we rarely use them aside from general checkup type stuff. In the area where we currently live, we are 30-35 minutes from the nearest hospital (in good weather) and there is no cell phone coverage, albeit we do have a land line. It may sound like I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this one, but, whatever happens happens. The one advantage is that we do a lot of homeopathy. My wife's knowledge borders on being a DO. Right now, we live in a similar situation - dependent upon my well being. I am the sole wage earner and am the general fix-it guy for the house and our vehicles. If something happens to me now, we would follow a similar game plan (savings, insurance). If things go south we would just set up camp at a place where we would be near family and pray for the best. I have been pondering the thought of carrying a firearm, but am still unsure. I am a hunter, so I would have a valid reason to keep my shotgun and rifle with me. However, we do plan on crossing back and forth into Canada and I can't legally carry a handgun into Canada. I've seen what they do to vehicles that fall under suspicion. I'd hate to have my home torn apart by customs officials. I guess I need to think about that some more. It sounds like a raised roof is the way for me to go. Some of the newer MCIs and Prevosts would accommodate my height, but are simply out of my price range. Originally I started with the idea of locating a shell and making it our own, but have since come to the conclusion that we're probably better off (especially in the current market) to purchase a bus with a general floorplan like we want and customize it to suit our needs. Mostly what I've been eyeballing are entertainer coaches, since they usually have a master suite (or area that can be converted into a master suite) and bunks. The hard part is finding one with a suitable bathroom and galley. I'm still seeking information regarding WVO, which appears to be a somewhat controversial subject on this board. If anyone has any leads, I'd appreciate it. Perhaps once I've worked out the kinks and actually had some time behind the wheel I'll need to write a guide for families that are interested in bus conversions. Sounds like it would be useful. I really appreciate all the great feedback. | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 77 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.209.141.206 Rating: N/A |
"You want to be armed. Regardless if you believe in gun ownership or not, you have to protect your family. When you're out there attempting to live in strange places, there won't be "cops" to hold your hand." And what cops, fire and EMS resources there are will have to be given COMPLETE directions to find you, because Enhanced 911 doesn't work with cell phones. If you do get a gun, A), all adults need to get Concealed Carry permits, and B), all children need to be taught not to touch the guns. The NRA "Eddie Eagle" program is a good one for young kids. I also advise developing a code word to tell everyone when the gun is in hand, and train everyone to FREEZE when the word is called out. You will have a lot of people you care about in a very small space, and you don't want someone moving into the way if you have to defend the home. If you've watched any modern air-combat film, you've heard they calling out "FOX" when they release a weapon. Same thing. If you hear a FOX call, you know not to jink into the path of the missile or gun until it's gone past you. | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 78 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.209.141.206 Rating: N/A |
"However, we do plan on crossing back and forth into Canada and I can't legally carry a handgun into Canada. I've seen what they do to vehicles that fall under suspicion. I'd hate to have my home torn apart by customs officials. I guess I need to think about that some more." They'll do it if they SUSPECT, whether you have a handgun or not. Yet another good reason not to take your coach, family and money to Canada. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.218.106  Rating: N/A |
Really, and what are the others? | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 102 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160 Rating: N/A |
use a nsefety deposit box at a town near the border and check you guns, although in this case you will need to return at the same border crossing. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 437 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.210.250.120 Rating: N/A |
Keith... BTDT...three dogs, wife, 40' 45 year old coach and me. No problems in or out. Very polite folks at the crossing, both directions. Would say for the most part, they were very glad to see more US$$$ and except for one truck driver who got ticked at our parking in "his spot" at a truck stop, (we got permission first) we had no problems. Enjoyed our stay and are considering the purchase of a piece of property there. (Nova Scotia) Apparently didn't fit the "profile"..... Hate to see someone bashed without good reason. Perhaps you have one,,,,or more. FWIW RCB (Message edited by chuckllb on January 22, 2009) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 774 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 68.18.13.21 Rating: N/A |
I hate to get into this fray, but I had more "trouble" coming back into the states, than going out. Huh. Now that I've actually read that, I wonder if they didn't want me to come back? Regarding firearms... a shotgun is perfectly OK to carry aboard the camper, through all states. I carried a 20ga "snake gun" (20ga shotgun with a short stock and 18" barrel; it is legal) The 45 is tucked away where I know where it is. And it's senseless to carry a gun if it isn't loaded. When/if you find that you may need it, you will not have time to load it. You'll be dropping shells all over the floor, or trying to wedge the clip in backwards. The nasty guys don't wait for you to dig the round out from under the dinette. I catch Palmetto bugs and put them outside; I don't hunt, and the last thing in the world that I would ever want to do, is take a life away. It's just not anything I ever want to do. But if some crack-head is about to kill my wife, your wife, family or any other being? It's not a good idea to go camping without some protection that you know how to use. No-one likes thinking about it, but not thinking about it doesn't make it go away. | ||
| Brian (Briansrapier)
Registered Member Username: Briansrapier Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 152.130.15.16 Rating: N/A |
I've honestly never experienced any issues crossing back and forth into Canada. Likely the main reason is my wife is Canadian. Generally, when we go, we're going to visit my in-laws. So, when questioned, we know exactly where we're going, and how long we're going to be there. The only bad experience that I had was when a buddy, my son (6 at the time) and I went to Ottawa to buy a truck and bring it back to WV. Going across the NY/ON border after midnight with a small child set the customs officer off and he kept me there for 20-30 minutes questioning me. Turns out they had a lot of issues with Dad's who had lost custody of their children fleeing into Canada. Luckily, I had printouts of the truck description, the guy's contact info which gave him a sense of ease. I spent less time filling out the paperwork for the truck coming back than I did going across. I guess the point of my story is that you simply need to show the customs officials proper respect. Don't be evasive or confrontational and especially don't assume they are stupid. Don't try to be a butt-kisser either. I'm starting to think I should start another thread about border crossing... |
