Looking For Ideas - May Give Up

[JPA Cate]

I'm hearing you Chotu. I once met a guy who was about 40 or so, who said he didn't think he'd ever done anything for himself. And, for him, it was scary to try. Just one thing in a whole week. In his case, he had an impulse for an ice cream cone with ice cream.

I'd ask everyone to stick to the practical side here, and respect Chotu's wishes to keep details to himself here. It is not his story to tell, and it is his desire to stay with his good lady.

Apologies for opening a particularly messy sack of worms.

Ann

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

I've done thousands of miles 4 wheeling and that Fuso is not what you really want. It's too high and too wide so not good for 4 wheeling. Probably under powered too compared to a diesel pickup. You would be better off getting a pickup with a caboover, drop the camper off and go 4 wheeling. Or maybe a 4 wheel drive something and a pull behind camper, or even a motorhome pulling a Jeep.

The idea behind overlanders isn't really 4 wheeling but going down rough roads and camping in the back country. It's about having the ability to take it anywhere in the world and having a viable RV.

The problem with a full size pickup is they are a N. American thing...once you leave, getting parts and work done quickly becomes problematic.

[Sand crab]

American pickups are made in the US, Canada and Mexico so parts and service are readily available all over North America. Chotu wouldn't be trying to export it to Europe or elsewhere. Fuso's on the other hand discontinued their North American sales over a year ago. Even if they hadn't getting parts or service would be problematic compared to a pickup. https://www.trucknews.com/equipment/...ca/1003141069/

Anywho, I think a Sprinter type RV is ideal for Chotu. It's small enough to do stealth camping and can get a 4x4 version if you want. There's more service and parts available.
FWIW If you are traveling in the US most Walmarts and Cracker Barrels allow overnight RVs.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Chotu

One random thought crosses my mind waking up today.

I’ve been doing some adventure motorcycle riding in the mountains and what strikes me is the simplicity of it all. I have storage about the size of the inside of a full size dishwasher for all clothing, food, shelter, meds, spares, tools, sleeping gear.

Granted you can stop at a hotel if you’re fed up with all the hassles, but it’s just so simple.

I’ve always been a big proponent of getting as much waterline as you can possibly afford so it is a better ride, but I am now seeing some of the value in simplicity.

On my boat, I am thinking... what if I just completed the shower that’s basically done, and main living area in the salon first, sleeping on the couch (settee)? I already have a so-so galley down I had put in for charters when I had planned to use the boat that way. It’s functional and actually quite a bit larger than most galleys with an 8cuft refrigerator and freezer. I have a larger chest freezer running off solar. I have a porta potty. Is there any reason I real need to finish everything perfectly before I start using the boat?

Maybe what I need is to not worry about finishing things perfectly and get sailing. Put the effort and money into the rig and make slight improvements here and there on the interior of the hulls later, as I go. If it’s even necessary.

I do have to be able to filter my interior air and air condition it, as well as heat it. But if I can make the space smaller for now just using the bridge deck, galley and existing head, that gets a lot easier. I’d only have to climate control the bridge deck. I could wall that off from the hulls using fabric, forgetting about finishing down in the hulls and get out there sooner.

Some have commented on my perfectionist ways. I thank you for these comments and take them as a compliment. But the perfect boat I dream of is probably also what’s holding me back. Maybe it’s better to “just go now” the best I can.

The bridge deck area of a 50’ cat is still absolutely enormous as a space to live in and travel. It’s like I’m shrinking the boat down, but having my cake and eating it too. It’s still 50ft lwl, 25’ beam and will be even lighter this way.

Maybe this is the way to go? Instead of all that luxury... simplicity and shrinking down the living area?

BINGO!! Was reading through with goal of posting “simplify and go sailing now.” THEN, after 1-2 years you will feel refreshed and ready to do more in your interior perhaps, or not.
50 foot cat is huge for 2 people. All you need is a bed, some settee and table, galley, head. Leave rest undone for later on (or not)

You’re my age I think (late 40s). Lots of life left.
Do NOT sell your boat as it is one of a kind. There is nothing on land that compares to landfalls, sunsets, and sunrises on the water IMO. If you feel the same you will be pining for a boat soon enough. But, instead - think of alternating RV and boat travel.

[valhalla360]

*warning - no particularly cruising related but responding to the OP's questions. Move to the next post if not interested*

Sounds like you've been sucked in by "stuff" owning you vs the other way around. Been there...really I think at one point or another most people have. What makes it difficult for you is it's not just dollars but time & sweat in your boat.

Over the winter, we did a big loop of the USA. Spent the summer hanging out at a seasonal site in Michigan. We were taking some shorter local trips but currently getting some medical issues sorted, so stationary until October.

Storage:
- Before my parents passed away, we stored it in my parents back yard next to their trailer. They live on 15 acres, so plenty of room. If you have friends or family with some property, it's a nice option. Nice thing, unlike a 50ft catamran, you don't need a travel lift/crane and commercial truck with permits to get it in and out of storage.
- Last couple years, we wound up with the seasonal site with the whole covid thing ($1800 for the year). While the park is only open in the summer, we can leave the truck and trailer there year round (and we have access to it off season if we need it).
- We've not followed thru but we've checked on storage lots and found them between $60-100/month. Near urban areas seem to be higher priced. If you can find a farmer with an empty field, you can find some deals.

Overseas Apartments:
- If we will be somewhere 2-3 days, we usually get a hotel room. The ease of finding it while jet lagged and having staff on duty if we arrive on a late flight is advantageous. We usually don't stay such a short time but occasionally, schedules force it.
- Longer stays, we usually get an airbnb, typically we do a month in a destination. Prices vary and you do have to go thru the photos with a critical eye (some are very creative making it look bigger than it is). Prices depend on where you are and what your expectations are (studio apt is going to be cheaper than a 10,000sft villa). London can be $1750 for a small studio in rough condition. Bangkok, the last couple times we paid $750 for a 1 bedroom in an upscale high rise with all the facilities. We are pricing up Chiang Mai and looking at $400-600 for a nice place. We've found similar inexpensive pricing in Southern Spain, Sicily, Greece though you may not get the high rise with pool, spa & gym.

Off grid camping:
- Stealth camping: If this is your primary type of camping, a travel trailer isn't the best choice. Of course, you aren't fooling anyone with a truck camper. Either they will chase you away or they won't. The police know what you are doing.
- Out west, BLM land offers plenty of options that work fine with a modest size trailer or motorhome.
- You might also look into "harvest hosts" and "boondockers welcome" Both are web organizations to do free night or two off grid (typically). They have an annual fee of something like $75.
- In most areas, you can overnight in walmart or cracker barrel parking lots.
- We usually stay in campground (state and national parks are preferred). We average about $20-25/n for paid sites. If you will be somewhere for longer, look for weekly/monthly rates. Similar to marinas, that can be a lot cheaper.

In the USA, there are typically lots of big parking lots where you can park truck and trailer for a few hours if you want to pull the motorcycle out and go for a ride.

You might look at shipping a bike overseas. At least in Europe that would make a nice option. Biggest trick is insurance but it can be done. It can still be US registered. In most cities, public transit is a faster and easer option than driving (including motorcycle) but getting out in the country side a motorcycle would be a good option.

Originally Posted by Chotu

You know what? This is where my head is right now. I know it’s an annoying thread. I know I keep flip-flopping around. But that’s kind of how these things go. I have to settle on something at some point but explore all of the options.

I definitely don’t want to be a boat builder. I hate building boats. I built a boat because I couldn’t afford one of this nature. And I wanted one. I’m more of a person that enjoys sailing boats. Not building them. I want a boat that sailed really well.

I’m thinking, why do I have to travel around the world with a boat? If anything, I will only see a lot less of it if I do that. Just facing some harsh reality there.

You are getting ready to travel to some places right now. And you are leaving the RV in the United States? Do you just pay to store it while you travel? I’m curious how you handle that. Also, when you are going to Asia and overseas, are you doing an apartment? How expensive is that? If you don’t mind me asking? Are there places to find good deals on apartments for 90 days in Europe for example?

The motorcycle stuff has really opened up a new world to me. i view it as something like a dinghy. But a dinghy that can go really far. Because an RV is not very nimble, and not very easy to get in and out of everywhere, a motorcycle can really act like a nice dinghy in that case. I can also see traveling around entire countries by motorcycle where you stay in an apartment or cheaper hotels.

The travel trailer is a little bit outside of what I’m looking for even though it’s cheap. Because I don’t always like to be in a campground. I’m getting a little bit more toward enjoying that, but often I still like to semi stealth camp. I like the option of being able to do that anyway. Trailer is make getting into small places pretty hard. Then you have to pay to store the trailer while you go out with the motorcycle and look around. The advantage of the truck camper is you can actually put it wherever you want. For instance, Montreal. When I last visited Montreal, I stuck the truck camper in a $10 per day parking lot. A $10 day parking lot that was at subway station into Montreal. I had a 15 minute ride to any part of Montreal from my “apartment” in Montreal. To me, these types of opportunities are just too great to get a travel trailer. As much as I keep looking at them. How cheap they are. It’s just amazing to me that I can have an apartment that I can set up anywhere. I’ve even set it up in the Mission district in San Francisco doing the exact same thing. I can visit New York City in a similar way. The only “campground” in nyc (actually in nj) is like $120/night. For a three dollar bus ride and free parking, I am able to be in the city indefinitely. That’s because of a truck camper. I’m not sure I want to lose all those advantages.

And it does just as well in Bureau of land management free camping in the middle of nowhere.

But yes. This is all about life. It’s not even so much about a boat. Trying to figure out goals. And I don’t think those goals are surrounding spending more years working on the boat and then all of the time it takes to get from point a to point B with a boat. There aren’t that many years left in life, and I haven’t gone anywhere. Maybe it’s time to just start going to these places. The way you do. I think you have it figured out. I may even be interested in bringing the truck camper over somewhere, but who knows? It’s probably easier to just fly and look at apartments.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

American pickups are made in the US, Canada and Mexico so parts and service are readily available all over North America. Chotu wouldn't be trying to export it to Europe or elsewhere. Fuso's on the other hand discontinued their North American sales over a year ago. Even if they hadn't getting parts or service would be problematic compared to a pickup. https://www.trucknews.com/equipment/...ca/1003141069/

Anywho, I think a Sprinter type RV is ideal for Chotu. It's small enough to do stealth camping and can get a 4x4 version if you want. There's more service and parts available.
FWIW If you are traveling in the US most Walmarts and Cracker Barrels allow overnight RVs.

Overlanders were brought up because he mentioned taking it overseas and outside N. America, the big pickups are oddballs.

A campervan is an option but space isn't much better than a truck camper.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Overlanders were brought up because he mentioned taking it overseas and outside N. America, the big pickups are oddballs.

A campervan is an option but space isn't much better than a truck camper.

Thank you for the much larger and informative post. Especially with all of the detail about the overseas apartments. That’s something I really don’t know a lot

And this post is correct here. We were talking about the Mitsubishi is because of shipping them overseas. As far as space goes, camper vans are awful. I’ve already Had one. The truck camper is significantly larger. It has a slide out and everything. Much much more living space. And even that is not quite enough. I have to go up a little bit. So your idea was a very good one early on in the thread.

Interestingly, your idea is more space, a nicer space, and less money. It’s the best of all worlds. Very well optimized. A proper 350/3500 truck with a truck camper is over $100,000. Any way you look at it. I have been looking and I can put together the Mitsubishi truck with a travel trailer. A really nice one. For somewhere around $70,000.

Another silly question about using apartments overseas. Airbnb and whatever. Does it get annoying not having your things? For instance, I really enjoy cooking. I mean, eating out is a large part of traveling, but I do also enjoy cooking. Not having this or that in the kitchen in the rented apartment. Is that ever a problem? Or some other thing that you really enjoy that is not with you because you are living out of a suitcase?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

American pickups are made in the US, Canada and Mexico so parts and service are readily available all over North America. Chotu wouldn't be trying to export it to Europe or elsewhere. Fuso's on the other hand discontinued their North American sales over a year ago. Even if they hadn't getting parts or service would be problematic compared to a pickup. https://www.trucknews.com/equipment/...ca/1003141069/

Anywho, I think a Sprinter type RV is ideal for Chotu. It's small enough to do stealth camping and can get a 4x4 version if you want. There's more service and parts available.
FWIW If you are traveling in the US most Walmarts and Cracker Barrels allow overnight RVs.

What about the Isuzu NPRs?

Those are the most common in the United States, but would they still have the same support network worldwide? I’m guessing they would. People even put these Isuzu engines and Mitsubishi engines in their boats sometimes because they are so common around the world.

I already had a van camper and I don’t like it. It’s too small. That’s only good for one person. I have three souls in my truck camper.

A sprinter van would definitely be ideal just for me. And I could ship it to Europe in a heartbeat. But, that’s not where I’m at. Even my truck camper with slide out feels a little bit too small. I need to upgrade in size.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Thank you for the much larger and informative post. Especially with all of the detail about the overseas apartments. That’s something I really don’t know a lot

And this post is correct here. We were talking about the Mitsubishi is because of shipping them overseas. As far as space goes, camper vans are awful. I’ve already Had one. The truck camper is significantly larger. It has a slide out and everything. Much much more living space. And even that is not quite enough. I have to go up a little bit. So your idea was a very good one early on in the thread.

Interestingly, your idea is more space, a nicer space, and less money. It’s the best of all worlds. Very well optimized. A proper 350/3500 truck with a truck camper is over $100,000. Any way you look at it. I have been looking and I can put together the Mitsubishi truck with a travel trailer. A really nice one. For somewhere around $70,000.

Another silly question about using apartments overseas. Airbnb and whatever. Does it get annoying not having your things? For instance, I really enjoy cooking. I mean, eating out is a large part of traveling, but I do also enjoy cooking. Not having this or that in the kitchen in the rented apartment. Is that ever a problem? Or some other thing that you really enjoy that is not with you because you are living out of a suitcase?

We've rented campervans in Europe and for a week, they are tolerable but longer term marginal. A good option if you want to spend time away from cities. It we are going to spend more than a couple nights in a city, it's more hassle than benefit as camp sites tend to be on the outskirts and you have to use public transit anyway.

Yeah, might not be Fuso brand...but you see the Japanese cab over trucks everywhere in the world and they aren't going away any time soon. If we were following thru, we would do some more research on the best brand but they are a common base for overlander RVs.

You can go into the airbnb site and look up apartments without signing in, so just your time to see what's available in destinations you are interested in. You can see pictures, prices and reviews without signing in. (plug in a week or month as there are often significant discounts, so the daily rates may be misleading)

Cooking is a big part of keeping travel costs reasonable and yes, sometimes it's nice to have familiar comfort food. We usually eat breakfast and a light dinner in and lunch out (it's cheaper but often not much different from dinner).

Cooking facilities are hit and miss.
- We do tend to take some common spices along (or buy them on the first stop of a multi-month trip). You will rarely find much more than salt and pepper already in an apartment.
- You can usually look at what's available in terms of stove/oven/microwave/etc. when selecting an apartment. It seems to vary by country a lot. In some areas, much more than a microwave and hot water kettle is all you get...but that usually corresponds to locations with great and cheap food (the locals tend not to cook a lot at home so full kitchens are less common). In others, we've had a full kitchen stove/oven/etc... with pots/pans/etc... Usually it won't be top of the line cook ware, so if that bothers you it could be an issue.

[goboatingnow]

You can bring your own RV from the US to Europe as a tourist with no implications

Insurance can be very expensive
Drive on off cargo ships are about 5-7 K for a small rv.

Diesel will be expensive currently around $1.70 a litre.

Whether it’s worth it is up to you.

[MicHughV]

Chotu,

Going to throw one more idea out there....ok two more...

I'm not sure if these are still around any more due to Covid, but back in the day, you could join various and sundry "safari's. My girlfriend of the day did that, There were several Jeep LandRover type vehicles in a group, with drivers, guides, etc. Each vehicle took 3-4 people. Some of the jeeps carried all the stores, tents, etc. She left London, travelled all thru' Europe, then thru' Africa from Cairo to Cape Town and back to England by ship. I don't recall how long the trip was, but several months for sure...

I know that several of these trips do still exist in Africa.

The beauty of course, is that you don't have to buy a vehicle yourself, or stores, etc...and you get to see a lot of places most people never will.

Not sure if this is your cup of tea.....but thought I'd hang this out there...

One other thing, back in my youth, backpacking thru' Europe was the thing. Europe is extremely well connected by rail, you can pretty much get anywhere by train. Available is the so-called " euro-rail", a ticket that allows you to step on any train, going anywhere.
As a side note, many people opt to do this in a VW minivan, this was favored by the Aussies and Kiwi's. Outside the Aussie and Kiwi embassies in London could be seen row after row of these vehicles for sale, by folks that had just completed their trip. These VW's were equipped with beds, cooking gear, fridges, etc.. and off course, being a VW, you could repair these anywhere. Though I hitchhiked thru' Europe, I often got picked up by these VW's...

As a bonus idea, a friend of mine, rode his bike, from the east to west coast of the US and then all the way down to Cape Horn. Again, this was part of an organized group. group.

You got options....

[EngineerRetired]

Chotu;


I know I said it before but it needs to be repeated. North America is HUGE and it is almost all accessible via highway. From Panama to the Arctic Circle and everything in between. Alaska in the summer is AMAZING. The US mid-west is vast and the people warm and friendly. The Mississippi river has breath taking vistas. The Grand Canyon would take two weeks to really see. I could go on and on but the point is you can spend a life time exploring North America by motor vehicle.


A travel trailer (with slide outs) really is an apartment and your significant other WILL enjoy it much more than a pickup camper. Big cities? Park it 45 minutes away at a reasonably priced RV park, or state park, or national park and drive the truck or motorcycle.


Speaking from experience, your woman will NOT be happy cramped in the small camper very long, I promise you that. If you need more room, get a decent used Class-A motor home and a pull behind car. They really aren't that expensive. You can usually find a good used one with very low miles from someone that used it locally. I would hate to see you go with something your woman will hate in a matter of months.


Regardless of how you do it, travel the US, there is a LOT to see. If you want more, all of North America is yours to simply drive to. I and my lady spent a LONG time doing just that.


Seen it all, been everywhere,,,, then worry about another continent.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by EngineerRetired

Chotu;


I know I said it before but it needs to be repeated. North America is HUGE and it is almost all accessible via highway. From Panama to the Arctic Circle and everything in between. Alaska in the summer is AMAZING. The US mid-west is vast and the people warm and friendly. The Mississippi river has breath taking vistas. The Grand Canyon would take two weeks to really see. I could go on and on but the point is you can spend a life time exploring North America by motor vehicle.


A travel trailer (with slide outs) really is an apartment and your significant other WILL enjoy it much more than a pickup camper. Big cities? Park it 45 minutes away at a reasonably priced RV park, or state park, or national park and drive the truck or motorcycle.


Speaking from experience, your woman will NOT be happy cramped in the small camper very long, I promise you that. If you need more room, get a decent used Class-A motor home and a pull behind car. They really aren't that expensive. You can usually find a good used one with very low miles from someone that used it locally. I would hate to see you go with something your woman will hate in a matter of months.


Regardless of how you do it, travel the US, there is a LOT to see. If you want more, all of North America is yours to simply drive to. I and my lady spent a LONG time doing just that.


Seen it all, been everywhere,,,, then worry about another continent.

I agree. It’s a great place to travel. After having driven through them last cross country trip, I have discovered I love the Colorado Rockies.

Then there is all of Canada. Alaska.

It’s HUGE!

The bit in Europe (and Asia) is for the cultural aspects. To be immersed in the different cultures, languages and food. Its fun to try speaking various languages and seeing how others live, communicate, their customs, etc.

It would remain to be seen if I would just fly over with nothing and get an apartment for these or ship the new Japanese cab over RV.

Forget the girlfriend. I’M too cramped in the truck camper. Ha ha ha. It was huge for just me. Good for her and I. Add the cat?? One soul too many. 3 souls can’t fit into a truck camper easily while traveling indefinitely. Once the slide is out, it’s ok, but traveling and semi stealthing, the slide has to stay in.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Chotu,

Going to throw one more idea out there....ok two more...

I'm not sure if these are still around any more due to Covid, but back in the day, you could join various and sundry "safari's. My girlfriend of the day did that, There were several Jeep LandRover type vehicles in a group, with drivers, guides, etc. Each vehicle took 3-4 people. Some of the jeeps carried all the stores, tents, etc. She left London, travelled all thru' Europe, then thru' Africa from Cairo to Cape Town and back to England by ship. I don't recall how long the trip was, but several months for sure...

I know that several of these trips do still exist in Africa.

The beauty of course, is that you don't have to buy a vehicle yourself, or stores, etc...and you get to see a lot of places most people never will.

Not sure if this is your cup of tea.....but thought I'd hang this out there...

One other thing, back in my youth, backpacking thru' Europe was the thing. Europe is extremely well connected by rail, you can pretty much get anywhere by train. Available is the so-called " euro-rail", a ticket that allows you to step on any train, going anywhere.
As a side note, many people opt to do this in a VW minivan, this was favored by the Aussies and Kiwi's. Outside the Aussie and Kiwi embassies in London could be seen row after row of these vehicles for sale, by folks that had just completed their trip. These VW's were equipped with beds, cooking gear, fridges, etc.. and off course, being a VW, you could repair these anywhere. Though I hitchhiked thru' Europe, I often got picked up by these VW's...

As a bonus idea, a friend of mine, rode his bike, from the east to west coast of the US and then all the way down to Cape Horn. Again, this was part of an organized group. group.

You got options....

A bike to Cape Horn??? Wow!!! That’s an amazing accomplishment.

I can’t do the group thing. I don’t like talking to all the other people or having a guide. But I hear the general idea.

Thanks for your posts. I’m still processing all the ideas.

[boatman61]

Forget the Campervan/Fuso whatever.. just fly over and buy this combo from Jawa/CZ and off you go.. there's thousands of organised campsites in Europe with all the facilities and for a change you can do the Pensions.. cheap, clean quarters found in every village, town and city.. if its worth doing, do it right..