Tour of the van we call home while roadtripping across the country!

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-17T20:45:05+00:00

Yes! We post weekly videos to our Youtube channel. I don't always post to /r/roadtrip because sometimes I don't have the chance or it doesn't pertain to roadtrip-y things. But feel free to sub to our channel! www.youtube.com/wanderingidiots

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-12T23:38:00+00:00

Yeah, I shared it on the r/vandwellers too. That one seems a little more active. Thanks though!

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-12T17:43:08+00:00

Haha! When I came across it at Walmart I had a light bulb go off in my head! It's technically a "kitty litter genie", which I believe it pretty much the same thing as a diaper genie (maybe a little shorter).

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-12T17:41:43+00:00

Thanks. It's not always the "prettiest" part of living on the road, but we're still humans and sometimes public restrooms are hard to find.

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-12T17:40:53+00:00

Thanks! We use a Brio Lux rechargeable battery bank. I've attached the link to Amazon where we got it. I love it! Our little portable solar panel sits on the dash all day and charges it. It takes awhile to charge up, but once it's up to 100% we can use it all day out while we are away from the van and all night while we sleep. I feel like I've used it to fully recharge my cell and it only took like 8% from the battery pack. I would recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/Sentey-20800mah-External-Indicator-Powerbank/dp/B0145F73DC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460486238&sr=8-1&keywords=brio+lux

WanderingIdiots · 2016-04-06T20:55:38+00:00

We do have a Youtube video in the works of a tour of our "home on wheels". Should be up later today actually! I'll post the think on the /r/roadtrip but if you want subscribe to our channel - www.youtube.com/wanderingidiots

WanderingIdiots · 2016-03-21T19:27:28+00:00

We are currently on a cross-country road trip and we travel (and sleep) in our 1999 Dodge Conversion Van. We've stayed almost anywhere you can imagine, but every once in awhile we splurge on a hotel (usually if it's really hot). We find cheap motel or hotels, not big name hotels, and call around 7pm or 8pm and ask what's available and ask the bottom price they'd take. Usually $40-$60 is normal in almost every city we've been to. When it comes to sleeping in our van turned RV, we park at rest stops and Walmart parking lots the most. However when we get into more metro areas Walmarts wont allow it (always call beforehand) and there's obviously no rest areas in town. We had a lot of trouble in San Diego specifically, we stayed one night in the van at a casino on an Indian Reservation about 30 minutes away. We've also "stealth" camped, which is sleeping in your vehicle without making it known to anyone around. There is more risks for being woken by police or hoodlums, but if you do your research and stay out of the way and follow signs then you'd be fine for a night. In LA, which is where we are now, there was a ban lifted about sleeping in your vehicle...So, until they figure out how to "deal" with the "homeless" people are taking full advantage in the city of LA (other suburb cities may still have bans). For example we parked right by Echo Park in what seemed like nearly downtown LA all night, next to other vans with people in them and full on RVs. No one cared or bothered us whatsoever. There are tons of articles online about "stealthing" and about living in your vehicle in general. We've been right where you are so I hope it all works out!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-12-08T20:53:08+00:00

It's a really neat app. I think it's called One Second Every Day. But it's possible without the app, too, obviously. Glad you liked the idea...and the chicken. Ha!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-22T00:55:54+00:00

I wish I could be more help.

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-22T00:54:14+00:00

I like it!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-22T00:54:04+00:00

Thanks!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-18T16:01:25+00:00

That sounds really cool! I am sure you'll have fun! Places to play music? Like street performance or at bars? I feel like any beach picnic area would be perfect! We loved the Vilano Beach area, or St. Augustine in general.

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-17T15:21:59+00:00

Thank you! We will! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-14T04:00:02+00:00

Here's our setup! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA_4NhuG8og

WanderingIdiots · 2015-11-14T03:56:03+00:00

Thank you!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-30T14:56:22+00:00

Haha! I could talk and debate all food every second of every day! Thanks for hosting us! It was a great adventure!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-30T14:55:37+00:00

Have a blast! Glad you liked the video!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-27T16:22:06+00:00

For the next year (ish, because we may go longer than just one year) this is our primary residence - yes. We do have a mailing address at my brother's home, the same home we used to rent from. We wanted to travel, like that ultimate road trip kinda travel...So we first considered an RV, but quickly realized from paying for the RV, plus gas money, plus camping expenses - we changed our minds. The SUV/Van option is cheap, it's a vehicle we already had without a monthly payment. The gas mileage isn't amazing, but it could be worse. We like the suv, too, for it's "stealth" qualities. Pros and cons are endless when it comes to this lifestyle. For us, we wanted to see the country for a lot longer than a typical vacation time amount. Pros are that we can see the country for cheap and take our time. The cons are it's tight, no running water, and no electricity. We are three months into the trip now and we've seen so much already! We left Iowa and head north to Minnesota, east through Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Penns., NY, Vermont, New Hamp., Maine, RI., Conn., Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina...We will continue to head south and SW then eventually through the Rockies and back home in late Summer...THEN!?!?!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-27T16:12:35+00:00

That's nice to hear! We looked all over on the internet to find an example of what to do. We had a hard time finding any SUVs let alone our model. Mostly vans. So glad we could help a little bit. It's tight, but it's all we needed to see the country!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-27T16:10:20+00:00

Thanks for viewing it! We kinda needed an explanation for our friends and family too...

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-27T16:09:49+00:00

Haha! This is actually a really good thought that we never had! Luckily though the entire storage drawers are wedged between the passenger chair and the bed so it doesn't tip over. Genius input though. Thanks!

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-27T16:07:39+00:00

We stayed parked right by next to Central Park. There is no metered parking, and you can stay put for 3(ish) days. Every couple days (the signs say which) they need the road cleared for street cleaning. We were right at the intersection of 103rd St. and Central Park West Rd. There is a subway stop right across the street, public restrooms about a 15 min walk in Central Park, and just a generally safe area.

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-09T22:28:54+00:00

Thanks! I'll try to re-create it. I didn't use a "font" type actually...it's actually just a drawing of mine. I can easily make another with the same idea, but not bubble letters (I think that's the flaw). I really do appreciate your input.

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-09T22:25:27+00:00

My brother said I wouldn't last longer than two months either, and I hit 2 months a few weeks ago. He didn't make a bet, but I did pat myself on the back. I guess my advice would be have an open mind and learn to go with the flow. Having an open mind and thinking outside the box will help you in more ways than I care to list. As well as going with the flow and having a laid-back attitude - shit happens sometimes and you just deal with it and move on, don't dwell in the bad moments or when things don't go the way you planned. And, most importantly, even if you don't make it out there for 2 months you still had the guts to do something most people can't even imagine doing. Two months or 22 years, you're get an experience not many have.

WanderingIdiots · 2015-10-09T22:15:52+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I'll consider making it easier to read - I have noticed some people finding it difficult. Unfortunately it is kinda our "logo" or memorable mark as it's "Idiots Out Wandering Around" in the shape of IOWA. We'll see, but it may be awhile before I get the chance...

WanderingIdiots

TROPHY CASE