Rv resort hopping

C

cbraun21

Member
long story short, really wanna send it and start a bus to rv conversion to be able to stay in it for nights straight, wake up and go straight to skiing wherever I am. Absolutely new to this, and wanted to know if anyone on here that’s done somethin similar has any tips on the subject. Finding places to park for a few days at a time, specific mountains on the east that are/aren’t easy to do this typa stuff at, etc. thanks y’all!
 
Although a bus has a certain degree of coolness to it, I’d definitely recommend looking into a truck camper. A bus just isn’t going to be as practical imo. More gas, less maneuverability, less parking choices, less reliable, etc.

Also not that I’ve spent much time on the east coast, but I would think you would have a much better time out west

**This post was edited on Mar 16th 2023 at 8:10:44pm
 
100% doable. But you’ll quickly learn it’s a constant game of hide and seek. Ski towns don’t love rv’s boondocking all over town. And the cops will knock on the door and make you move. Plain, no window, work vans make the best in town campers. No stickers. No gear boxes on top. Some even put ladders up top for the ultimate “in plain sight” camouflage. Stay stealth, stay warm and dry, and you’ll be good. Planet fitness black membership for the occasional shower.

**This post was edited on Mar 18th 2023 at 8:25:23pm
 
topic:cbraun21 said:
long story short, really wanna send it and start a bus to rv conversion to be able to stay in it for nights straight, wake up and go straight to skiing wherever I am. Absolutely new to this, and wanted to know if anyone on here that’s done somethin similar has any tips on the subject. Finding places to park for a few days at a time, specific mountains on the east that are/aren’t easy to do this typa stuff at, etc. thanks y’all!
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Ifn you gotta ride, buy trailer, build out to your liking

Cheaper

Easier to unhook and drive the truck

Bus is obvious, trailer low key

6x10, bed, kitchen, storage no bathroom

1067346.jpeg
 
Aight so right now it's really just between an rv and a trailer and debating what's best for resort hopping. Places like hood I don't think it would matter because I could just park on the road in Govy, but not sure about places like Mammoth in the west and Killi in the east.
 
14532546:cbraun21 said:
Aight so right now it's really just between an rv and a trailer and debating what's best for resort hopping. Places like hood I don't think it would matter because I could just park on the road in Govy, but not sure about places like Mammoth in the west and Killi in the east.
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No, please don't buy an RV. You won't fit anywhere and unless your last name is Rockefeller, you can't afford one anyway. A Van or a truck camper is the way to go. You aint towing no damn trailer on a mountain pass in a blizzard. For vans, look into a Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, AWD Toyota Sienna or AWD Chevy Astro. If you can afford a Sprinter, you don't need the advice of some shitters on NS about what to do. Truck camper setup would run you at LEAST 20k (for both truck and camper) if you're mechanically inclined and get some well used shit. I would focus on a van personally but either way this topic is a can of worms that I'm not sure you're ready for.
 
14532546:cbraun21 said:
Aight so right now it's really just between an rv and a trailer and debating what's best for resort hopping. Places like hood I don't think it would matter because I could just park on the road in Govy, but not sure about places like Mammoth in the west and Killi in the east.
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Get a single cab early 2000s tundra, and a high rise topper. 8 ft bed plus plenty of space up top.

Both of those options will suck for finding places. And you can’t park an RV or a truck with camper anywhere at a resort
 
14532595:Schoess said:
No, please don't buy an RV. You won't fit anywhere and unless your last name is Rockefeller, you can't afford one anyway. A Van or a truck camper is the way to go. You aint towing no damn trailer on a mountain pass in a blizzard. For vans, look into a Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, AWD Toyota Sienna or AWD Chevy Astro. If you can afford a Sprinter, you don't need the advice of some shitters on NS about what to do. Truck camper setup would run you at LEAST 20k (for both truck and camper) if you're mechanically inclined and get some well used shit. I would focus on a van personally but either way this topic is a can of worms that I'm not sure you're ready for.
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I’d say truck is the cheaper route, are you saying pickup with slide in camper? Or like a topper with a built out bed.

My old setup came with the truck and only cost 4K including truck, vans you listed are 10k tops plus half weren’t offered in 4x4 or AWD
 
14532665:muffMan. said:
I’d say truck is the cheaper route, are you saying pickup with slide in camper? Or like a topper with a built out bed.

My old setup came with the truck and only cost 4K including truck, vans you listed are 10k tops plus half weren’t offered in 4x4 or AWD
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Not sure if the econoline came from the factory with 4wd or AWD but the express, astro and sienna all did. Truck campers are dope, but in this market they arn't cheap. I totally agree that first gen Tundra is the correct platform for one. A 200k miles Tundra is give or take 9k right now on Marketplace, truck campers arn't free either. Again, this is all assuming OP is mechanically inclined and doesn't mind fixing some shit up, working on his own car, etc.
 
14532667:Schoess said:
Not sure if the econoline came from the factory with 4wd or AWD but the express, astro and sienna all did. Truck campers are dope, but in this market they arn't cheap. I totally agree that first gen Tundra is the correct platform for one. A 200k miles Tundra is give or take 9k right now on Marketplace, truck campers arn't free either. Again, this is all assuming OP is mechanically inclined and doesn't mind fixing some shit up, working on his own car, etc.
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Safaris/Astros are dope for sure, probably most affordable, but hard to come by cause they’re popular. Unfortunately the eco line was RWD only. The AWD express are also a bit hard to find

Sounds like dudes got money too though, they make some sick conversions for bigger fords, dodges, chevys which would definitely be the move. Like an RV can’t be cheap.
 
14532673:muffMan. said:
Safaris/Astros are dope for sure, probably most affordable, but hard to come by cause they’re popular. Unfortunately the eco line was RWD only. The AWD express are also a bit hard to find

Sounds like dudes got money too though, they make some sick conversions for bigger fords, dodges, chevys which would definitely be the move. Like an RV can’t be cheap.
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Well hold on now I ain’t made of money lmao. For an rv I was more thinkin a 90s/2000s decent unit that ain’t clapped out. Not too bad if ya keep an eye out, can get decent rvs about 6-8 grand if you dig a bit.
 
14532595:Schoess said:
No, please don't buy an RV. You won't fit anywhere and unless your last name is Rockefeller, you can't afford one anyway. A Van or a truck camper is the way to go. You aint towing no damn trailer on a mountain pass in a blizzard. For vans, look into a Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, AWD Toyota Sienna or AWD Chevy Astro. If you can afford a Sprinter, you don't need the advice of some shitters on NS about what to do. Truck camper setup would run you at LEAST 20k (for both truck and camper) if you're mechanically inclined and get some well used shit. I would focus on a van personally but either way this topic is a can of worms that I'm not sure you're ready for.
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I get what you’re sayin, but I was more thinkin of having it for trips during summer out west and trips up to Vermont in winter. I know it wouldn’t be great in snow but wasn’t planning on driving it all the time when we have the rare snow storm. Killis bout a four hour trip for me and figured it won’t be too awful in an rv
 
14532667:Schoess said:
Not sure if the econoline came from the factory with 4wd or AWD but the express, astro and sienna all did. Truck campers are dope, but in this market they arn't cheap. I totally agree that first gen Tundra is the correct platform for one. A 200k miles Tundra is give or take 9k right now on Marketplace, truck campers arn't free either. Again, this is all assuming OP is mechanically inclined and doesn't mind fixing some shit up, working on his own car, etc.
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I work on my own stuff as it is, don’t get me wrong I’m not doin engine swaps are takin apart my transmission but decent fix shit up(at least enough)projects i’m more than used to
 
14532675:cbraun21 said:
Well hold on now I ain’t made of money lmao. For an rv I was more thinkin a 90s/2000s decent unit that ain’t clapped out. Not too bad if ya keep an eye out, can get decent rvs about 6-8 grand if you dig a bit.
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I guess man but that RV will be a maintenance hell. My uncle got one and was nothin but issues, and it was newer around 2010.
 
14532679:cbraun21 said:
I work on my own stuff as it is, don’t get me wrong I’m not doin engine swaps are takin apart my transmission but decent fix shit up(at least enough)projects i’m more than used to
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Hell yeah man you're way ahead then. If you can avoid the need for 4wd or AWD, then you can get a red Chevy Express for cheap and build a really dope setup in it for not much also. I have one that I have a shitty bed in, and it comes out easily. I've used it to haul so much stuff haha
 
It's all about stealth camping.

If you are in a camper/van you will be paying for parking, and getting chased into sketchy Walmart lots, begging for showers/laundry at friends houses , and yeah, you live in a van.

Build out your mom's subie, or dad's esc.

Tint and insulate the windows, make a bed/nest, safe heat/electricity is the hard part.
 
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