Pros and Cons of Fulltiming

[guyt]

Really interesting to read this thread and I wished to comment, hope no one minds.

I am currently reading a book called 'stuffocation', this thread and that book make for an interesting read. I am nowhere near ever living full time, nor do i have a wish too I have come to realise. I have a van that I use on weekends and thoroughly enjoy using it, in years to come I would like a larger van for grand tours. I have read of a couple who seem to spend 10 months touring which sounds amazing. What I enjoy about the van is being outside and we go in all weathers, I camped as a teenager and spent a week in the snow in a tent on a bicycle in the lakes and Yorkshire dales so I am not scared of bad weather, "its not bad weather, its inappropriate clothing"

While some of this may not seem relevant I also, briefly, sold canal boats. I am also divorced and my 2 kids live with me full time. Post divorce I considered buying a wide berth canal boat because an 80x12 wasn't far off the same size as a 2 bed mid terrace (based on sq feet)..... only 1/3 of the price, I live in West London. When I looked more closely at the lifestyle I realised it didn't appear to be what I thought, there were the daily challenges that were simply different to owning a house and what really dawned on me was that the canals are busy on sunny days (when you want to be out) and quieter on rainy days and 'everyone' is looking through your windows constantly. The bigger realisation was that there are still living costs and these may be quite significant.... can you realistically constantly cruise if you need to earn money or take the kids to school? and this then leads on to "full timing" or not.

Full timing doesn't sound too different to the challenges of home ownership, just wrapped up in a different guise, potentially cheaper but also probably more challenging...... the washing of clothes and washing of oneself spring to mind (I am also not bashing anyone at all who chooses to live aboard permanently either) . I don't have a regular 9-5 job but am fortunate enough that when I work I earn well, but there are sacrifices, everything is about balance, but when I work it enables me to then 'get by' and look after my children who are still young and need to be looked after. I have chosen to simplify my life and have made choices not have 'new' cars/stuff/general clutter. We make choices, or I make choices, we don't go without the basics like food, heat etc but we also don't constantly replace and buy unnecessary clutter.

I think many people want a more simple life and see living in a van as just that but I dont really think it is. Going on holiday for 2,3,4,6 weeks is amazing but that's because you are on holiday, going away in the van is amazing. The point I am trying to make, with a little background, is that I believe many people believe an alternative way of living is carefree and 'cheap' but I don't honestly think it is...... it is simply different with different challenges, vanlife canallife. It is only my opinion but I do believe that those raised in a conventional 'house' would find the transition to permanent living in a van impossible and those that do (whether moving from a house or not) I have a huge amount of respect for. I guess we are choosing a lifestyle.

For those that may live in house and be considering permanent live aboard I would strongly advise renting your house, atleast in the short term - it will also provide some income I know a couple who managed 18 months and were committed and had the means to make it easy for themselves (with a considerable pension pot) and a huge van but they returned to a house and now complete longer tours, less so as they get older.

Just my opinion and while not necessarily overly relevant admin can always delete, I just felt like commenting

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hi Gang,
Well it’s that time of year that we all try & get out & about to enjoy ourselves & our environment in our Vehicles isn’t it, Especially if the weather is like Today !. So with that in mind it called for a trip to ‘The Ashdown Forrest’, Beautiful Open Space with LOTS of good Parking (Although NOT at night,,,,,So Much).
Fair amount of People all enjoying the Space, Kids, Dogs, CycIists, Ice cream van in The Middle, Lorries having a Break & a Road (The A22) Running through the Middle of the two Car Parks. So Good area to have a Walk & Or Relax & Enjoy.


Now unfortunately (As some might say) it may inevitably bring People together in the same ‘Favourite Park ups’ at times as there just isn’t enough to go around that we can have all to ourselves & call ‘Our Own’ , So that must mean that we have to Share & Become considerate & Tolerant of others that may be close by enabling Them to Enjoy the same space as well.
So,,,& THIS IS THE POINT OF MY POST -
The first thing to say on arrival & after Plonking The Nest In the Corner Up against the Wooded area at the End is ‘I fancied a Bacon Butty & Cuppa !’
& That means IT’S GENNY TIME !!!!!

BUT
I wanted to try and see what the Genuine Consensus was by those Nearby, So went off to actually ask the 3 Nearest people I could find,
Person 1 about 10m away - ‘Absolutely Fine Cocker, Got enough in the Pot for Me’

Person two about 15m away - ‘Oh,,Is it going to be for Ages’
Me - ‘No, 15 Minutes Tops’
Person Two - ‘OH Well That’s Fine Then, I Can’t See it being too much of a problem for that long, I will just put some ear plugs in when you start it up’
Me - ‘It’s ON & Running NOW,, I just wanted to ask your opinion’
Person Two - ‘OH That’s Fine, I Didn’t Realise it was on BLAH BLAH BLAH General chat EDIT’

Person Three about 10m the Other way - ‘Public Space Mate, Can’t see a Problem for half an hour or so, I Wonderd what you was asking the others, Thought you wanted Directions’

Now,,,To back this up, i ALSO took some Decibel Readings that are as Follows -
The FIRST picture shows on the Extreme Far Left of the Trace The Ambient or Background Noise,
If you then follow it along You can see Where I Start the Genny up by the Blip, & The Running Noise for the Duration of My Chatting to ‘Neighbours’ & Cooking my Butty. Only a cpl of DBS Higher & a lot more Stable.


On the SECOND Picture you can Clearly see the point in which I turned the Genny OFF & It Then returns to the Ambient or Background Noise Levels.


As you can see the readings were taken under 2m away from The Genny, Level with But not in front of the exhaust -


The Difference in the Avg Ambient Background Noise & Genny Running Noise being around 12db in Range , From 56dB to 68db AND THIS IS LESS THAN 2 METRES AWAY ! -
BTW 70db is regarded as ‘Normal Conversation’ Levels,
Please see Chart -


So I hope that when People ‘Grumble’ about the Noise of a Generator Running in Daylight HRs spoiling enjoyment of an area, I hope they ‘Grumble’ at a Whisper So as to Not ADD to the Noise Pollution.

PLEASE NOTE,
THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL GENNY SET UP ON THE NEST & ITS READINGS,
I Obviously cannot Compare Or Comment On Other Set Ups, But hope some can now see WHY I get Surprised & Confused When People take offence to a Genny being used .

 

[Hen on the Nest]

Hi Gang,
Well it’s that time of year that we all try & get out & about to enjoy ourselves & our environment in our Vehicles isn’t it, Especially if the weather is like Today !. So with that in mind it called for a trip to ‘The Ashdown Forrest’, Beautiful Open Space with LOTS of good Parking (Although NOT at night,,,,,So Much).
Fair amount of People all enjoying the Space, Kids, Dogs, CycIists, Ice cream van in The Middle, Lorries having a Break & a Road (The A22) Running through the Middle of the two Car Parks. So Good area to have a Walk & Or Relax & Enjoy.
View attachment 63136

Now unfortunately (As some might say) it may inevitably bring People together in the same ‘Favourite Park ups’ at times as there just isn’t enough to go around that we can have all to ourselves & call ‘Our Own’ , So that must mean that we have to Share & Become considerate & Tolerant of others that may be close by enabling Them to Enjoy the same space as well.
So,,,& THIS IS THE POINT OF MY POST -
The first thing to say on arrival & after Plonking The Nest In the Corner Up against the Wooded area at the End is ‘I fancied a Bacon Butty & Cuppa !’
& That means IT’S GENNY TIME !!!!!

BUT
I wanted to try and see what the Genuine Consensus was by those Nearby, So went off to actually ask the 3 Nearest people I could find,
Person 1 about 10m away - ‘Absolutely Fine Cocker, Got enough in the Pot for Me’

Person two about 15m away - ‘Oh,,Is it going to be for Ages’
Me - ‘No, 15 Minutes Tops’
Person Two - ‘OH Well That’s Fine Then, I Can’t See it being too much of a problem for that long, I will just put some ear plugs in when you start it up’
Me - ‘It’s ON & Running NOW,, I just wanted to ask your opinion’
Person Two - ‘OH That’s Fine, I Didn’t Realise it was on BLAH BLAH BLAH General chat EDIT’

Person Three about 10m the Other way - ‘Public Space Mate, Can’t see a Problem for half an hour or so, I Wonderd what you was asking the others, Thought you wanted Directions’

Now,,,To back this up, i ALSO took some Decibel Readings that are as Follows -
The FIRST picture shows on the Extreme Far Left of the Trace The Ambient or Background Noise,
If you then follow it along You can see Where I Start the Genny up by the Blip, & The Running Noise for the Duration of My Chatting to ‘Neighbours’ & Cooking my Butty. Only a cpl of DBS Higher & a lot more Stable.
View attachment 63133

On the SECOND Picture you can Clearly see the point in which I turned the Genny OFF & It Then returns to the Ambient or Background Noise Levels.
View attachment 63134

As you can see the readings were taken under 2m away from The Genny, Level with But not in front of the exhaust -
View attachment 63137

The Difference in the Avg Ambient Background Noise & Genny Running Noise being around 12db in Range , From 56dB to 68db AND THIS IS LESS THAN 2 METRES AWAY ! -
BTW 70db is regarded as ‘Normal Conversation’ Levels,
Please see Chart -
View attachment 63135

So I hope that when People ‘Grumble’ about the Noise of a Generator Running in Daylight HRs spoiling enjoyment of an area, I hope they ‘Grumble’ at a Whisper So as to Not ADD to the Noise Pollution.

PLEASE NOTE,
THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL GENNY SET UP ON THE NEST & ITS READINGS,
I Obviously cannot Compare Or Comment On Other Set Ups, But hope some can now see WHY I get Surprised & Confused When People take offence to a Genny being used .

As part of my induction to liveaboard life, I’m sensing that genny issues can be pretty volatile so was happy to help gather this info, which I can verify cos I was the mug, I mean, the glamorous assistant who’s hand you can see in the photos... I haven’t stood still that long since I was MUCH younger & performing in a ballet recital....!
At times the traffic & the ice cream van (which runs continuously) matched the tone of the genny & nobody grumbled about that so I can’t really see where the problem lies, although I appreciate that all installations vary, as long as you warn people of your intentions & take on board any objections... live & let live ay?

 

[Channa]

Time and a place is really the fit . Of course that in itself can be very subjective dependent on our own perceptions and values

Interesting little experiment

Some people of course can fall out with their own reflection and will always want to moan about something.

Channa

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Time and a place is really the fit . Of course that in itself can be very subjective dependent on our own perceptions and values

Interesting little experiment

Some people of course can fall out with their own reflection and will always want to moan about something.

Channa

Hi Channa,
Well TBH since being on this forum (& I imagine it would be the same on anyother) I have noticed certain ‘Triggers’ let’s say that often bring Heated Debate in its wake, & Generators seem to be one of them.
Now I am actually ALL FOR a Debate in most given subjects as if any information gleaned from someone’s comments can be employed on a system that I may have to make it better or easier then Yep, Bring it on.
I just have found that there are unfair comparisons made that ‘Blankets’ All Generators & their installations as the work of Evil. You might as well say ‘All Dogs will Bite you to the Bone’ as an example of a comparison statement.
So with the Help of 3 Strangers, A Glamorous assistant & a App from App Store I decided to play for 20 Minuets Or So & Get Real feed back in a Real situation from the Ave joe.
My findings was -
A Superb Bacon Butty & a Nice Cuppa was made & enjoyed whit NO apparent upset, Tuts, Glaring or Problems from the immediate Neighbors that wher around the 10m mark away in Two Directions Either side of The Nest At the time.
Out of interest & again just to compare I’m going to Run the Nest & Take a Reading from the Main Engine At Under 2m as another comparison just out of interest to gauge how people using B2B Or Engine driven Charging relays might compare in Sound annoyance.
You never know there might be another Bacon Butty in it for me !.

 

[harrow]

Hi Channa,
Well TBH since being on this forum (& I imagine it would be the same on anyother) I have noticed certain ‘Triggers’ let’s say that often bring Heated Debate in its wake, & Generators seem to be one of them.
Now I am actually ALL FOR a Debate in most given subjects as if any information gleaned from someone’s comments can be employed on a system that I may have to make it better or easier then Yep, Bring it on.
I just have found that there are unfair comparisons made that ‘Blankets’ All Generators & their installations as the work of Evil. You might as well say ‘All Dogs will Bite you to the Bone’ as an example of a comparison statement.
So with the Help of 3 Strangers, A Glamorous assistant & a App from App Store I decided to play for 20 Minuets Or So & Get Real feed back in a Real situation from the Ave joe.
My findings was -
A Superb Bacon Butty & a Nice Cuppa was made & enjoyed whit NO apparent upset, Tuts, Glaring or Problems from the immediate Neighbors that wher around the 10m mark away in Two Directions Either side of The Nest At the time.
Out of interest & again just to compare I’m going to Run the Nest & Take a Reading from the Main Engine At Under 2m as another comparison just out of interest to gauge how people using B2B Or Engine driven Charging relays might compare in Sound annoyance.
You never know there might be another Bacon Butty in it for me !.

Generators are no worse than a petrol lawnmower so as far as I am concerned you are welcome to use it.

:tongue: bacon sandwich.

:wave:

 

[Nesting Zombie]

So,
As outlined in my Previous post Here is the Comparison from Main Background Noise to Engine of the Nest to simulate having a B2B Or Engine Driven charger.
Background Noise is ranging from around the 60db Spiking all over the place to around the 68db mark (Funnily enough THIS Matching the Genny Running Result from my Precious Test !) as ‘Life Happens’ Occasional Car, Cyclist, Walkers, go by as you can see on the EXTREME left of the Trace, I Then Started The Nest as Shown by the Blip -

immediate Spike & Leveling Out & Maintainging around the 80db mark, Before Switcing off & Dropping Back Down To the Background Random Spiking as before, This was done a cpl of times to confirm readings -

Again readings was taken under 2m away from the Vehicle With the exception being that THIS TIME It’s NO WHERE NEAR THE EXHAUST! -


The Nest Genny was UNDER the 70db mark for say 20 mins while I cook.
The Nest is OVER 80db for However long it would take to accomplish the same Result using an Engine driven charger & Electric to get a Bacon Butty & a Cuppa.
(I don’t use gas).

So obvious results I suppose,Running a Bigger Engine = More Noise for Longer.
But as far as This almost constant ‘Frown & Dig’ On Generator Noise affecting other goes, It’s apparently the difference between Someone hearing a ‘Normal Conversation’ Levels regarded as ‘Green & Acceptable Noise if Using a Genny
OR
Someone hearing ‘Loud Singing’ Levels Regarded as ‘Yellow’ UPPER END of Acceptable Noise if using the Engine from an Adjacent vehicle ! -

 

[Channa]

You are right NZ about divisive inflammatory subjects

Cycling it is should or shouldn't you wear a helmet that's the trigger

Adorning oneself in a replica team racing kit is another

And the Wobble boxers get excited about towing mirrors

So in the interests of scientific study, I suggest perhaps chuck a bowl of water on the floor, remove your wing mirrors, crank the rabbit on the genny whilst dressed as Bradley Wiggins shouting a Hebrew or Islamic name whilst wafting the smell of bacon.:wacko:

I look forward to your timely observations

regards

Channa

 

[Nesting Zombie]

You are right NZ about divisive inflammatory subjects

Cycling it is should or shouldn't you wear a helmet that's the trigger

Adorning oneself in a replica team racing kit is another

And the Wobble boxers get excited about towing mirrors

So in the interests of scientific study, I suggest perhaps chuck a bowl of water on the floor, remove your wing mirrors, crank the rabbit on the genny whilst dressed as Bradley Wiggins shouting a Hebrew or Islamic name whilst wafting the smell of bacon.:wacko:

I look forward to your timely observations

regards

Channa

Lol lol lol,
There’s Nowt as funny as Folk is there Channa !
Lol

 

[yorkslass]

Generators are no worse than a petrol lawnmower so as far as I am concerned you are welcome to use it.

:tongue: bacon sandwich.

:wave:

Coffee and donuts please.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I've decided our new van (when we eventually get one), needs an external food hatch

 

[Nesting Zombie]

As I’ve said on countless occasions now, The Pro’s FAR FAR outweigh the Con’s for Livaboard Fulltiming in my opinion,
I often Park up & like to explore the places visited, then in the Heat of the day I can nip into a Cinema to watch a Movie (in this case it’s Avengers Infinity Wars) as I wander around Royal Sovereign Marina & other Local Shops.
& LOOK -



The Entire place to myself!


Well you try & NOT look out of breath & Nonchalant while trying to beet the Camera Timer !

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Ooooo WHAT A BRILLIANT MOVIE !!,

Right THATS the movie done, I’ve been to Tesco around the corner & now I’m going to a little park up close by for the night Because TOMORROW it’s-
Fusciardi’s !
Come rain or Shine,,,It’s The Law ! & I just LOVE going about my everyday Simple Livaboard life as I Wander around places visited, & you never know who your going to meet, it’s all part of enjoying the life.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

As I’ve said many times, I love a Shuffle around the places that I visit, it’s all part of my enjoyment of my lifestyle. & at the moment I’m in Kilkhampton,,,
Now to be honest there’s not a lot here & The Main Road (The A39) splits the village in two.
I couldn’t find a Cafe (Normally my first port of Call) so went into ‘The New Inn’ for a Coffee, & Will absolutely be returning for a Meal one Evening Maybe Next week.
In walking down the Highstreet I had 3 ‘Good-mornings’ a chat with a Lady who I helped pick up her dropped Shopping & a Sniff of my crotch by an German Shepperd !...(Well I ‘Think’ He was German anyway !). Then it Happened...You Know when The Hairs On The Back of your Neck stands on end, Your Senses Highten, Your Nose Twitches, & The Raw Primeval feeling consumes your entire Body in Muscle Memory & Reflex ?.
Well Fate had stopped me outside ‘The Family Butchers’ !. So I just had too Didn’t I.
‘I will have an inch & a Half of Sirloin Please’
‘Certainly Darling, How will that be doing you for a Fiver’ -


I just winked as I was busy mopping my mouth.

So then as I walked further up the Street I Noticed Something that for some reason jogged memories of a Fertility Giant on a Hill side in Dorset -

cerne abbas giant - Google Search

It was -



Apparently He did it for ‘King & Country’ -


& Local Legend says that if a Woman sits on the Bench long enough !!!, (ok ok ok I will stop it)
All I will say is, Some have apparently Tried over the years -



Any way, I Need to pee.
OMG,,,Well it use to be a penny ! -



Oh I love my Lifestyle

 

[Flyboy]

The Good. Top of the list is, Freedom followed by not having a Letterbox, not having noisy neighbours plus full timing makes you appreciate the world we live in for its good and beauty. :dance:

The Worst. Picking the wrong spot for the night and having half a dozen hairy arsed blokes pop out of the trees hawking their pork.
The long dark nights followed by rainy days,:mad1:

 

[Flyboy]

Hi Gang,
Well, I think there seems to be differing views on what 'Full Timing' actually is, & of course all of them could be right !.
I have 'The Nest' this is my ONLY Home & Transport. I DONT have alternative Vehicles, House or Accommodations. I move to a different location or Park up on average every other day, sometimes its only say a kilometre or so, Sometimes its a few miles, On occasions Much more it really does depend on the Geographical area that I find myself exploring at the time, & the Park ups that are available to me.
I am not going to even think about listing the Pro s, as I could HONESTLY fill pages, Most days bring brings new Knowledge, People, Places & Life experience's that I simply wouldn't of had if it wasn't for my lifestyle choice. So the PROs almost have expediential Growth, Incomparable in my limited experience to a few 'Important Priority's & General Inconvenience's' rather than Con s so will outline a few I have come across.

Enjoy

This has to be in the top 5 of best posts written on the Wild Camping Forum

 

[Nesting Zombie]

This has to be in the top 5 of best posts written on the Wild Camping Forum

It must have been posted on one of my very few good days, as I generally talk a load of crxp matey.

 

[Nabsim]

We normally like a read of it though NZ

 

[Bossangel]

Hi Ya,
Thanks, As I said, it suits me fine, But I think that ANYONES live in vehicle of whatever size is ultimately their own bit of Heaven, I would suggest however that The more its used The more Practical, Functional & Comfortable it becomes simply because it HAS to be !. People that use their vehicles a Cpl of times a year as more of a Leisure vehicle tend to treat their time in it as a 'Camping' trip & are happy to Put up with things for the few days / week they are on board as most of us can do without things like No way to Wash Clothes, Shower, Limited Storage, 230v Power, OR Not being able to Stand up on Board or whatever it is as 'Its only for a few days' & they can sort it out when they get home. & hey if that works then that's fine. BUT The Nest IS my home!
Would I have a smaller Vehicle ?
Well I DID actually consider a smaller vehicle with an add on option of a Possible Trailer if needed. But FOR ME & my Lifestyle choice common sense kicked in & as I was now staying in the UK, intent on 95% wilding & not worried about using Truckstops n Laybys for an overnight as I Travel a lot of the time. Leaving the Better out the way & More interesting wild places for my Mid week stop over locations, Besides with me being Big, Fat, Old n Smelly I need the space.

'Use & Enjoy what you Have, Then Make it MORE usable as you Enjoy it'

Hello I come in peace
I noticed you said you’d sleep in truck stops? Are they not too noisy. I can’t even sleep in a lay-by by a main road as the road noise and the van moving from people moving at speed wakes me.
I’m currently parked in a lay-by in a quiet country lane and barely get anyone down here

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hello I come in peace
I noticed you said you’d sleep in truck stops? Are they not too noisy. I can’t even sleep in a lay-by by a main road as the road noise and the van moving from people moving at speed wakes me.
I’m currently parked in a lay-by in a quiet country lane and barely get anyone down here

Hey Hi ya,
Yeah some can be noisy, But obviously I try & stay away from Fridge backs, it’s all about picking your spot & Time. Often I actually ‘Change my Body Clock’ depending on if I need to cover the Milage or not. Finding PLENTY of often empty park ups during the Day, & Driving At Night if Needs Be. But I Favour Lay-bys, Maybe some of the smaller Industrial Estates at the weekend as much as the out the way and secluded Park Ups, Nooks & Crannies that I tend to use. If i ‘Have To’ then it’s a car park. But you get use to the Gut feeling & the Noise.