Need info on how to live out of a car / van

[Ladyhawk]

Things aren't going well for me. Someone mentioned a survival handbook on living out of a van. I can't get the search feature to work. Maybe someone can help me by finding the post and re-posting the information here?

Please?

Thank you.

[arcane1]

1. everything ok, LH?

Not sure of the thread in question, but there is a site called http://www.carliving.com/ that may be what you are referring to (?)

I hope you don't end up needing it :evilfrown:

[Wonk]

2. This site might have some helpful info for you

http://www.whywork.org/about/links.html
http://www.whywork.org/

[Ladyhawk]

14. Wow...interesting links.

Growing up fundy inundates you with the work ethic. It's never even questioned...except on these two websites you gave me. I've never even thought about ditching the work ethic with a clean conscience, but I have to admit that watching my parents slave for a living left a lasting impression on me.

[Wickerman]

3. Find the book Blue Highways

by William "Least Heat" Moon. He did it traveling for a year or so. Not exactly what you are looking for, but a good read and something to pass time while giving good info about where to park to not get hassled, etc. Good luck, I hope all improves.

[xultar]

4. I hope things will get better, I'll keep you in my prayers n/t

[ldoolin]

5. Re: Need info

Hmm...

Loompanics Unlimited sells a bunch of that type of book, with titles like "Freedom Road", although I haven't read any of them to see how worthwhile they are. The quality of Loompanics books tends to be hit-or-miss. www.loompanics.com

I do have a few tips though:

* You can camp on BLM land in parts of the Southwest for dirt cheap, something like a $30-$50 fee per year to park your van or camper in the desert, in places like Quartzsite, Sunsite, and Bouse, Arizona, and the Yuma outskirts. There are people, including a lot of retirees, who travel all summer in their campers and then winter up in the Arizona desert like that.

* Some of the more remote national forests let people camp for free for up to 14 days. Every 14 days, just move the van. Again, I don't know how true this is for all national forests so check first.

* Wal-Mart has a policy of tolerating people parking their campers and vans at night in their parking lots. The only exceptions are towns that have municipal ordinances against camping in the city limits. (Don't shop there - just sleep there!) :)


ON EDIT: Try this book, long out of print but somebody put the entire text online:

http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030206possum/030206toc.html

[jogi1969]

8. what is BLM land?

nt

[ldoolin]

10. U.S. Bureau of Land Management (n/t)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. truck stops for clean showers and food

[A HERETIC I AM]

12. Regarding Truckstop showers....

These days the Truckstop industry is trying to repackage itself as "Travel Centers" catering to the vacationer as well as the interstate trucker. As a result, many have gotten pretty strict about homeless folks, vagrants and other transients because they see them as hurtful to the business they are trying to attract, namely the traveling, vacationing family. Whatever you do, DON'T park in the truck parking area of a truckstop and sleep unless you are driving a full length motorcoach. This will most assuredly get you a knock on the window late at night. Park in the car parking area and keep a low profile.
As far as showers are concerned, stay with the national chains as they tend to be the cleanest. Pilot, Flying J, Petro and Truckstops of America (TA Travel centers) are the largest and they are pretty much nationwide. You get your showers usually at the Diesel fuel desk. ACT LIKE YOU ARE A TRUCKER. If they ask for a company, just make one up like "North River Transport" or "Elk Lake hauling" or whatever and give them a truck number. Trust me, they aren't going to ask you to prove it. If and when they ask "Did you fuel?" just say "no" (unless you have a receipt from ten minutes ago for 100 gallons of diesel!) Showers are ranging from $5.00 up to $8.00 these days. Ask for an extra towel as the towels sometimes tend not to be too large. They will usually give you only one, and a little bar of soap and a washcloth.

It might not hurt to discreetly speak with the manager of the truckstop and inquire what their policy is regarding what you are looking to do. They are people too, and might have a sympathetic ear. Hell! there might be employment available, you never know.


Best of luck, stay safe and do what you have to do to get back on your feet!

Paul

[amazona]

7. awk i can't get it in search either

I know we discussed it more recently than a year ago but I can't call it up on search either.

[Ilsa]

9. The gypsy life!

Here's one little tidbit from carliving.com:

http://www.carliving.com/stories.html

Advice or helpful hints:

One, learn how to barter. If you have a skill or a craft you can trade, you’ll be amazed what you can get.

Two, always carry those cheapy Mylar emergency blankets with you. They have kept me from freezing a few times.

Three, if you find a source of fresh, clean water, make sure you bottle some for a few days’ travel. I found out the hard way about the non-potable water in a few New Mexico rest areas.

Four, keep a small Styrofoam cooler with a hunk of dry ice in it. It’s like having a small fridge, but cheaper.

One of my biggest tips is, don’t forget to pull over, stop, and just look at where you are. The pictures in your mind will be the scenery of your dreams.

I hope things get better for you, LadyHawk.

[Elidor]

11. A few thoughts from my own experiences

Apply for heating aid and rent assistance. Local churches usually have programs. They also have shelters. One advantage of shelters over cars - having an address for job applications. Some will let you list their phone as your own as well.

Food stamps. Apply soonest.

If you must live from a car, make it a big one. A great big boat is the way to go. Sleeping in a small car is a miserable experience.

Guard your emotions. It's a devastating situation. Don't beat yourself up. You'll have to work very hard to keep your self-esteem up. I was psychologically destroyed by my homelessness. It took years to recover. Having even just one friend to talk to will be the most important thing in the world.

I so wish I could help you. I wouldn't wish this on anyone (except certain members of the GOP). Good luck and may god keep you safe. :hug:

Keep us posted if you can.

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. In case you had yet to think of this, get a Mail Box from one of those...

storefront operations that offer them. MailBoxes, ETC. etc.

if you can afford it, a small one will run you about ten bucks a month. You can get all your mail there and if ncessary, use it as your address of record. I had mine as my address on my drivers license for almost ten years. It is NOBODYS business that your "Home Address" is a 4" X 5" X 10" box with no rear wall! IN fact, tying into my other post, more and more Truckstops have them for rent.

[gold_bug]

17. good advice

A mailbox or PO box, and maybe look into getting a voice mail account too (I think there's some free voice mail services). That could end up being very helpful while trying to get back on your feet, when seeking employment and whatnot.

And, as someone mentioned, apply for food stamps and whatever other assistance is available.

[Ladyhawk]

18. Thanks all! These are great suggestions!

Mostly, I want to have an idea of what to do and what to expect if I decide to leave my county behind. It's become emotionally stifling for me here (fundies and freepers) and I don't make enough money to live on.

The law is that disabled people must be given affordable housing, but this law is not enforced. When rent consumes more than half your disability check, it's way too much. I'm now getting about $800 a month and rent is $430.

I feel that doing something like this might be the only way I can be free.

I've looked over several sites. This is good information and most of it is very much against societal norms, isn't it. :) I kind of like that.

By the way, thank you all for your well-wishes. It means a lot to me.

P.S. Any ideas on what kind of van would be reliable and roomy and functional?

[A HERETIC I AM]

20. How much money do you have to spend on the van?

you might be able to pick up a used U-haul or Ryder van for a reasonable price, equip it with a small RV toilet, a gas bottle and stove, a water tank, sink and a bed and "VOILA!" instant house on wheels! Look into a diesel. Diesel fuel is usually cheaper by a few cents a gallon and they tend to stand up to extensive idling better. Idling is a good way to get heat into the truck, obviously.

Learn how to change the oil AND the fuel filter yourself.

If you are unable to do that, it still needs to be done regardless of whether it is a gas or diesel engine.
MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE!!!!

take care of it and it will take care of you.

[IronLionZion]

15. I hope you don't have to

there are temporary shelters available like the Salvation Army or womens' shelters. A lot of places will put you up for a little while until you get back on your feet.

I would suggest you keep some mace or pepper spray in the car. A female acquaintance of mine would often take naps in her car because she lives too far from campus. Well, one day some guy got some wrong ideas and she had to use it.

[flama]

16. I've been accused of living out of my van even though I live in a house.

There's plenty of water. Most of it's old now since the van has been out of commission for more than a month.

There are a few changes of clothes and limo-tinted back windows. Did I mention that the captain's chair by the sliding door has been removed thus giving me some elbow room and my dog a source of ingress?

Ladyhawk, things are tough all over and getting tougher every day. Wish I could offer you parking space in my driveway, a shower whenever you wanted, and dinner at least six times a week. (I'd let you sleep on the couch but that's where I spend most nights.) Things are tough here, too, so I'll offer you my prayers. (I'm not a religious person so when I pray, what's her name listens.)

2003 was a horrible year. Let's hope everything gets better in 2004.

[Catherine Vincent]

19. I hope you won't have to do that but I wish you luck.

I have a sister that is living off her disability check which isn't much, and she has two teenage daughters. She does get about $600 for each kid because her ex husband passed. But once those girls turn 18 our family will have to start helping out more. She has kidney disease and is always too tired to go out and find something part time. She wants to get a computer and work at home but those jobs are very hard to find. She's only 46.

I always hope and pray that it doesn't get that bad for me if I have to move back in with my parents or move in with a relative. Is there someone you can share an apt. with? Whatever you do, don't rent one of those storage rooms and live there. That's not good.

Good luck to you and be safe.

[Lostmessage]

21. I am new here

Can we start a fundraiser for you?

[Lisa0825]

22. Have you checked with the United Way?

I know that in Houston, we have a shortcut to the United Way helpline, which assesses need and directs people to the appropriate agencies. You just dial 211. Otherwise, you can check at unitedway.org.

There are LOTS of organizations in this area to provide assistance to people in various situations. I work at an employment office, and I often refer people to United Way affiliates, and know many people who have gotten financial assistance for ultilities, rent, legal assistance, etc. If you are near a major metro area, I am sure you have access to these services too.

I'd be more than willing to help you research things. I am sure I could find people in your area that would have some helpful suggestions.

I understand some people make the choice to live in cars or vans, but if this is something you are feeling you have to resort to due to pressures, please let someone try to find you an alternative.

[Beaker]

23. drive south for the winter

that's all i've got for now.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

24. Well you gotta break it down.

Try to come up with a plan or strategy for each of these things.

Food/Water.
Clothing/Storage.
Toilet/Showers.
Police(legal place to park).
Entertainment.

You've gotta figure out what you are going to eat, how you will prepare/store and cook your food. A cooler and propane stove? Cold food and restaurants? Soup kitchens? I've gone all those routes.

Unless you are obsessively neat a small space like a van can get pretty messy pretty quickly. Make sure you have a set system for storing stuff. One winter in Tahoe when I lived in a Dodge van I had a storage locker that I kept my clothes in. It was cheap, accessible 24 hours a day, and allowed me to actually have enough room in the van to live in.

Toilet - I won't go into the ugly details but this is one area where guys are definately at an advantage. But this is a big issue for anyone that lives in a vehicle. You just gotta know, wherever you park, where you are gonna go. Showers are easier, if only because you don't need so many. Friends, campgrounds, truck stops, the occasional cheap motel or health club visit. You learn to keep your eyes open. One place I lived in WA, there was a gas station that had a coin-operated shower.

The police are another major issue. You want to park and sleep in a place where it is legal for you to park and sleep. Even so it is a good idea in general if it is not too obvious you are living in it. It should just look like any other parked vehicle.

Which the entertainment item conflicts with. Cuz face it. You can't spend your evenings sitting in the dark in a van. If you aren't asleep, you'll be doing something else. What? I'm a reader so that's what I did alot but I'm just saying, again, to think ahead.

[DemoTex]

25. Call me collect tommorow

I'll PM the phone number

[A HERETIC I AM]

26. A couple more tips;

1) Don't be shy about simply saying "NONE" when you are asked for a phone number.
There is no shame in not having a phone.

2) Kinkos will let you hook up your laptop and dial a local number for an Internet connection for free ( or at least they used to) so if you don't have a laptop, look into getting a used one for cheap. Having the 'puter has it's obvious advantages and there are Kinko'o stores all over the place.

3) Do your utmost to bathe regularly and stay clean. This obviously makes you less obtrusive and keeps you healthier. Living in your car might make that difficult, but if you have a disability income, you can at least afford to buy a tank of Propane and heat water for "Bird Baths".

4) There is/was a system in many truckstops called "Park-N-View" where you could subscribe monthly and hook up a phone line and a cable and receive calls and get TV programming. I know the company has had financial difficulties recently but as far as i know, they are still around. Check them out. www.PNV.net (or .com) The point i made about parking a car in the truck parking area still applies, but if you use the service during the day, when the truckstop isn't so crowded, you wont get hassled.

5) Get a C.B Radio and antenna. A decent setup will run you around $125.00 and will last for years. There is money to be made under-the-table at truckstops if your disability allows you the mobility to do so and the 2-way radio will allow you to talk to and advertise to the drivers. (you might consider this investment regardless, as it is another communication device that can come in awful handy) You can offer Cab cleaning services. With a small generator and a little Dirt Devil vacuum, some towels/rags, some Armor All or other tire dressing and other cleaners, you can offer on-the-spot cab cleaning services. Prices? Vacuum carpets and clean windows - $5.00 (Should take about 20 minutes for the average truck) Detail entire cab, $25.00, etc. Listen to the C.B. for a while before you start talking to get used to the lingo. Expect profanity. They are truckers, not Rhodes Scholars.

6) MAKE SURE YOUR TIRES ARE INFLATED PROPERLY! This is good advice for anyone but ESPECIALLY for RV'rs and folks on the road all the time. The primary cause of early tire failure is improper inflation. Go to a Auto Parts store and buy THE MOST EXPENSIVE TIRE GAUGE THEY HAVE. It will cost you at the most, $15.00 but it will be worth it. Learn how to use it properly and use it every time you fuel.