Van Tour of a Nomad Living in a Dodge Minivan
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- Today we meet David who has been working at the San Diego Zoo for many years, but is now finally ready to retire! For a long time he has been coming to the RTR where we met and became friends and I’ve admired his stick-to-it-ness of waiting to retire so that he can finally become a full-time nomad. For the whole time I’ve known him, he has longed for it and here it is-finally-almost here!
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Thanks for watching!
I really like this guy. He is living his life today not waiting for tomorrow. Because sometimes tomorrow never comes
A key lesson here is that he is not predicating his happiness on some future event and he is bringing his dreams into the now. Well done!
I've suffered with chronic depression my entire life. Planned to live this incredible life in next year or less but situations left me homeless & now broke. But my car is running good finally!!! Thxs BigO Tire in Springfield, MO 🚗 So I find myself in my car home with my 2 cats in lovely New Mexico watching the lightning⚡Van build or bust
@@annekramer6740 why thank-you Anne, ditto to you.
New Mexico has cheap land. You can make payments of less then $150.00 so u could have a home base:1 acre $1500.00... Then you could travel the USA for as long as you wanted to. In Soccoro County in NM you can make your home into anything you want it to be, there r no regulations or rules on what you can build or how you live! Hope this helps, Cindy. Unique
depression is hard going. I know the damage
Blessings on you Cindy. I had post partum undiagnosed for years and still suffer, but it's not chronic. May your way be smoothed! You might want to look at Carolyn's RV Life her last video (6 things to prepare) she talked about mental health and what to take care of before you leave.
Nomadic Foodie
wish I'd caught this type of advice before it was too late. Your a good person whoever you are.
I like this van dweller's enthusiasm on embracing minimalism and how easy taking care of basic needs can be.
I was blessed to be in a relationship with a man who values my independence and dreams. I travelled with my dog across Canada and along the west/east coast USA, while the hubby kept a eye on me via google locations and enjoyed the instagram photos. Lots of learning and growing on my own. Can't wait to hit the road again.
My husband and I will be doing something similar in the spring. I’m happy to hear a success story.
Omg I love this guy! My husband doesn’t get the appeal either & he’s inspired me to just go it alone!!
Watch Carolyn RV CZcams channel.
Me too. My husband won’t go but next year I’m going with or without him!
Bob, I've been watching your videos for a while now (not all, but a lot) and I have to tell you - this episode was very inspirational for me. That his relationship with his wife is so strong that it can withstand long absences is amazing in this day and age. Thank you both for sharing your love of the road!
Bob thank for having David on. I can totally relate. This is my first comment online. David you are following the dream with a very supportive wife. My wife and her should meet. She supports me in a similar manner. She is happy that I do what makes me happy. I truly believed I was alone in having that support. Glad to see it has worked for 6 years. I had my concerns but you have given me a sense of comfort. Thank you!!!
I'm in the same situation. My husband wants to stay home, so I'm planning a Van build and in a year or so will be traveling on my own.
Awake2Truth I believe when you build your van your husband will go with you, just encourage him to go for a couple of weekends.
This lifestyle has fascinated me since I found Bob's channel, my husband isn't interested at all . But you never know he still has quite a few years before he can retire. 😊😊
Bob you care and I'm grateful to you for all you do for Rvers, van and the nomadic life. Interviews are helping.
I love how simple and uncluttered his build is.
Me too
I just picked up a 1996 nissan quest with 61k and was kinda overwhelmed a lil with where to start ...this is so doable
Great guy with a good plan! I retired at 61 (3 years ago) and never regretted it. Wife and I are part timer RVers taking trips around AZ.
Staying out of debt is key I believe. There are still payments; car insurance, cell and if there's entertainment, netflex, games etc. But the majority of your retirement check is free to live on.
Agree, Mary. I'm pretty sure I'm going with a skoolie but before I do it, I have a Parent Plus loan and a few small bills. I want to go into the build debt free
I wouldn’t mind having it on the side, but I still need a house I can put more stuff in it than a van
@@jimmysapien9961 agree. I want a home base, small is fine
@vortexrider1 That's what I did. It's a good exit strategy if something goes wrong.
A simple & organized home on the road.
Hoping his Wife can feel the urge to join in down the line too!
Such a relaxing fulfilling way to retire & see the Country together.
The van looks comfy & uncomplicated.
Thanks for sharing! Happy travels!
I LOVE how everything is just so low profile and you can clearly see out all and rear windows yet have so much storage under the bed platform, the buckets have triple purpose as bed base, storage and bathroom too, very simple yet very effective. - Bill
How little you need to be happy! Yes.
Likeable positive guy. He knows what makes him happy.
What a wholesome, sweet man! May many happy days be ahead of you both, Bob and David!
It's incredible how we can all learn about alternative living arrangements from your channel.
I like the simplicity of his setup. I am a fulltime RVer off the grid but a van set up like that would be perfect as a tow vehicle and great for weekend trips to the surrounding sites.
Simple 👍🏻
Love it - but no room for the wife 😞
@Jimmy, the wife doesn't want to go live in a van, and is encouraging her husband to do so, then they will rejoin one another periodically.
If everyone put the environment as a top priority the Earth would be a much better place years to come for our children and their children and their children. Helping mother earth is the way I live my life but I can always do more.
This resonates with me so much because I’ll be turning 57 in a month, and then retiring 3 years after that. I don’t have a vehicle yet, because I’ll need my severance package to get one, but what I plan to do is wall off a van sized section in my apartment, buy stuff necessary to live there, then try to work things out. Not only will I be able to test whether I can hack that sort of lifestyle, and leave the comforts of a sticks-and-bricks place, but if I do make the leap, I’ll already have the stuff I’ll need. I’ll just need a plywood build in a van, add in some solar, then move all my things and go off 🙂
What a great idea!! Hmm...got me thinking now. 😂 Did you do it? Aloha!🌈🌺❤️🙏
I liked listening to his future plans and how he was able to have a good time with minimal amount of things in his car. I also like the idea of having a home base to come back to.
Thanks for sharing 😊 my spouse won’t go full time either. So he stays home 🏠 I use our place like a vacation home now, so I can roam the beautiful US. 2005 Grand caravan simple and comfortable. Love it 💗
Same here!
Wow ladies. Respect
How long do you stay away from home? I'm curious and how do you cope-- with missing your spouse lol? Thanks
Erika P I have gone as long as 6 months once, that was in the beautiful state of Tennessee. 🙏🏼Technology 💗
Thank you bob, I’ve learned so much from your videos,,n you encouraged me to work on mine, I’m so happy , I’ve camped a lot, but never thought van conversion was so great,
Yes thank you David for sharing your private life, goals and dreams of your future with us. My other half and I will be traveling at 60 together when he retires in a 2 years. Not sure how it will all turn out but we are excited to hit the road. Love your set-up! Hope we see you again. Cheers~
hopefully u have done due diligence about health insurance as without Medicare , it is an Ouch ,
Very inspirational and educational. I'm 63, single and will retire in January. I own a Dodge Grand Caravan and will be traveling in my retirement. I plan on keeping my home in the mountains of NC and doing 2-3 week trips. I'm also a minimalist and plan on doing a minimalist build out...... probably using quite a bit of PVC. I will spend most of my time outdoors and will cook, eat, read, and poop outdoors. I"ll basically use the van as a dry place to sleep.
I've gotten so many great ideas from your videos.
Deciding to look into minivan for weekend trips. I may never get to FT but I think I can be pretty happy doing this PT. Looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing yet again.
Thank you so much for this interview! I’m 57 and just purchased a Toyota Sienna so I could get out on the road. I’m also still working and will be for several years but I want to start traveling now. I’ve been waiting for my BIL to help me with a build but then I saw this build. I have that exact table he’s using, several 5 gallon buckets, lots of plastic bins around, and Home Depot is across the street. I can set this up and be ready to in a day. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great interview and he sure has a plan and I love his simple neat van. Minimal but yet you are organized and can do what you need to quickly and have time to enjoy the outdoors and other travelers. Hope all goes well for him and his wife. She should try it more when he is retired. She may end up liking it and have fun as well.
I’m researching vans right now and look forward to hitting the road soon. Great tips from these van dwellers.
Look at the Uhaul dealership in Lemon Grove. They have 11 & 15’ cutaway vans for under 10g. Square solid walls, heavy duty components. Even with repairs and replaces you come out ahead & good head room
Cool he works at the zoo that is so neat. He is not afraid of the wild.
You call a zoo wild?
Think of you often. Think how lucky you are to be away from all this and how I wish I could of moved on sooner.
TennCutty well not lately🥴
Great info. I bought a low miles Plymouth Voyager from a great friend, just for this purpose. I've accumulated most of my items. The build will be a winter project.
I'm in a Honda Odyssey van I'm on my second year out here, I'm still working to, and I'm finding more and more people in vans and I've also turned my doctor on to you. Her and her husband are both doctors and I've told them about the RTR and the wrtr and she is very excited about everything and didn't know how to get started, hopefully they will offer their services to you guys and I'll get to say hi and thank you in person in AZ. Thanks again for everything you do for us.
On my second month in an Odyssey in Central Florida. Hoping to make it out that way in a year. Born and raised in New England, I want to start along the East Coast first. Any helpful hints you have with your Odyssey, let me know! Thanks!
@@christineseaborg4277 get your bed built if you're going to sleep inside, I'm a girly-girl so I have six long totes that have my clothes and shoes and I have no thyroid so I'm either Frozen or so I'm constantly changing clothes. I have screen and magnets to put over my windows as well as my moon roof. That really helps out get your power supply for your fans and your heat so you don't have to use your car battery. And I boondock either at work or a hotel parking lot that safe or cracker barrel. I did not do all the heavy stuff for my window, all I used was bungee cords and some nice material
Anything else you need to know you're more than welcome to hit me up .
Where are you coming from from Central Florida cuz I lived in Orlando Tampa Lakeland Sebring fort Myers. And a few other places I'm not going to mention. Lol
Hey zoo man awe love it......animals are my soul mates so wish you luck looking forward to your adventures I'm getting into van life ........🐕🐄🦓🐗🐴🦌🐶🐱🐯🦁🐻🙊🐍🦎🦘🦒🐘🦏🦉🦆🦦🦨🐫🐪
I’m going to hit the road in 2021. I sure hope the caravans and RTR will be available. I hear so much about the friends people meet and community in general. It seems like that is just as important if not more important than the freedom and environmental impact. Thanks for all you do to prepare us.
David so good to see you in this video! Miss you, San Diego and the Zoo. Randy’s truck went kaput so we were not able to catch up with you at the RTR this year. Hopefully we will find a high top van soon! Much love to you...Laurie 💜 Lisa
God bless this man. May peace and happiness engulfed this man on his new life journey. What a wonderful relationship he has with his wife. It’s like being in the arm forces. Your companion goes away and then return. This happens to be his passion.
Boy, I also have the urge to travel around, but my husband is pretty hard to convince.. hahaha 😂
I'm working on getting him to downsize from the house that is too big for us (way too much stuff, too much space) and get a nice little rig to travel/ camp in.
He enjoys taking parrot everywhere with us and having cookouts.
We used to go camping a lot and I lived in my van with my parrot for a while...
We'll see how it goes 😀
Thank you Bob and David, very inspiring! I admire your tenacity David. God bless you both.
Awesome ...Thank you David and Bob!
Thank you to your guest for bringing up the benefits on the environment - carbon footprint and using less water.
Lori Spillman I wish I could talk my hubby into doing this, just part time. I’d travel often
I thought it was ironic when he talked about a quart of water going so far.That is my RV in the background.I have 100 gal of water.I feel wasteful.
Yes! I’m inspired🙌🏽🙌🏽 Love the simplicity of his set up. Everything is in a specific place and he only has what he needs. I’m not sure if it’s anxiety or what (haven’t been diagnosed) but clutter really bothers me. This is the perfect set up imo😊👍🏽
Awesome! My situation is similar w pension and social security pending. Great plan! And happy to know it can work out for a couple who supports one another like these folks! Very cool!
My husband has no desire for this type of life either but stays open minded. I love that this way of life is becoming acceptable. My husband would never let me go off alone for more than a couple days so I know that he will find a way to make it work for him.😉 He’s a very tall man! My husband is 6’2” so space is an issue for him. Great build for outdoor living-very well thought out. Great suggestions! Smart for him to be involved in the community. This is eco-living.👍🏻❤️
Nice interview thanks to both of you. I just retired and have been desert camp tripping for years with a 4x4 pickup. Living in it for weeks at a time opens up so much country for me. Sometimes my wife joins me sometimes not. Hope to hit an RTR one of these days.
I relate to this video, we're the same age, with similar wait circumstances, and I currently have a dodge grand caravan as my camping/travel vehicle, with dreams of a transit. I enjoyed the interview.
I pine for the day I can go nomadic full time. I am in a good position for saving right now. I just pray I do not wait too long. Thanks for the video.🧜🐱🐰
I did my first trips in the trunk of a 98 Saturn. It is amazing how little you can get by with and still have an enjoyable life. Cheers!
I made a bunk in my van using 6 five gallon buckets and lids with a chain link gate 6’ x 36” (more or less) and a twin size mattress. Milk crates instead of the buckets work too.
Brilliant!
Lucky me, i live in a Section 8 apartment, but if things should go south, there's living on the road with a new family of RV friends!
Bless you, Sir. Your journey is going to be amazing and I see beautiful things happening for You. Stay looking up and forward.
Love it. I’m starting my journey this month. A mix of emotions for sure. But videos like this are very inspirational. Thank you all
Love that “ heading out into the sunset” last drone shot Bob! I’m going to start van life next year. 💜
David is smart. One issue is Medicare doesn't start until age 65. I had to do the healthcare marketplace thing for 3 years. Transit is awesome. He'll have a great retirement.
Those who r affected by later retirement age Medicare doesn't start till 67 or whatever your full retirement age.
@@cindy1568 thats exactly what i was thinking. Plus U are going to have to pay for a 2nd insurance as well
@@theflyinhawaiiantravels354 supplemental plans. There's help for us who make below federal poverty level on SS
@@cindy1568 SSI begins at your full retirement age which depends on your date of birth. Medicare is available at age 65.
@@tinac4982 my bad, u r correct. If already on SS I'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare
Very simple yet well thought out! Great arrangement for he and his wife.
Thanks David for sharing your story. Thankful you have a plan for the future and a way to have happiness and peace now as you wait for the time you can be on the road full-time.
Love the simplicity of this no-build van build; it is much like my own. The only additional luxury item I have added is my portable lithium battery power pack. Besides powering up my electronics, it also runs an electric blanket for me at night if I'm cold.
He has a wonderful rig and a solid plan! Great interview Bob THANK YOU‼️😀👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️
Seems like a really nice reasonable person ,I wish him much luck and continued success with his travels ,and bob keep shinning brother
I certainly wish I had gotten a high top. I'm happy in my Savanna van but a travel trailer may be in the future. Another good video, Bob! 👍
Hi Gloria here how are you? 61 year's young ,Saving for a Dodge Caravan Watching and Learning and Listening . Thanks again. Hoping by next spring. i am Traveling Nomad in Waiting......Thank you Bob again..
Great interview and tour!! I got to meet David at the RTR this year, very nice guy and love the minimal setup.
tinabeane hi! Can you tell me what RTR stands for? Thanx!
@@TheHitgirl007 Sure, rubber tramp rendezvous. Here is info on this years event. homesonwheelsalliance.org/2020rtrs/
Thank you for the inspiration 🙏 🙏🙏
Thanks Bob and David a great interview!
I love this because loving someone does not mean you have to see eye to eye on what brings you joy. Allowing someone to live and you live, but you are COMMITTED to always be there for each other is the key! Not attached at the hip, but attached!
Hello there Dave! thanks for finding me at work when you saw my 2018 Dodge grand Caravan and thought that I may be living in it. I had been for six months to try to get out of some debt but still occasionally sleep in it so I don’t have to drive all the way home and back for work.
Great interview, Bob. I'm increasingly intrigued/interested in the idea of an everyday van/minivan with basic mods like this as a foundational vehicle, and then adding a good tent, like a Spingbar, as comfortable living space. Thanks to David for sharing, and I wish him luck. Thanks to you, as always, Bob. -Greg
Really liked this video and David,s economical way. Shows that it does not take that much to go out.
So happy for you! Follow your dreams!
I love the simplicity of his set up! Another great video, Bob. Thank you! A full time RV fan in California. For now. Lol
59 is young, I am glad to hear this.
David has got a really good plan and is really looking forward to his retirement to change vehicles and be more comfortable with his traveling and living conditions. I'm glad his wife is agreement with him. Thanks Bob for this interview.
Works at the zoo ... how cool!
Definitely stay out of debt! Bravo!
Thank you for sharing your build. Very enthusiastic. Wish you well along your journey.
Enjoy your videos! I’d need a vehicle in which I could stand, too.
Microphone placement has been an intermittent issue the past couple of videos. ty
I hope to see more of this man! He's not 2.5 years closer to his dream!
great job, very interesting! After retirement, it'll be so nice to go back to a home for a couple of weeks after a long journey. Buy a 1 inch layer of foam to put over the thermarest.
Yes! 1" foam like for furniture, from someplace like JoAnn Fabrics.
I Love it 💖 its super fun it’s a wonderful experience thank you for sharing
Great attitude sir. Your positive outlook is inspiring. Be safe ,stay healthy all.🤗
In my opinion after watching many many videos the minivan solo is the best way to go . The best and most effective layout is from Eric enjoys earth and from that you can make minor adjustments to your liking. With the setup that I just mentioned you can sleep very comfortable and you can sit just as a comfortable, Have plenty of storage, Cook and use the restroom and even take a wet bath. If there's such a great need to stand you can just step out of your minivan.
Very much the same as my journeying. Very simple...minimal, and to me...quite perfect.
Nice job!!!!!
I am fascinated with the van life and working on mine now. When I bought my van years ago everyone asked me “why would you want a van” as if a van was disgusting to drive. I always have thought the Good Lord works in mysterious ways and when this van fascination came to be then I was prepared with a paid for van. My son has helped me build it and I am ready to travel soon. I am almost 70 and looking forward to it. In the process of downsizing now. Why do I need a 3.2.2 home living alone? I am getting excited.
From a fellow San Diego Zoo alumni, I say hi, David! I left in 2006, after working in Finance when it was still located in the Warner building. I loved working there and having lunch with the animals. I also have the nomad bug and when I get a van, I plan to camp as well as see family in San Diego. Bob is a wealth of information. Loved the interview and I wish you safe travels.
Great tips on living the van life and debt free 🤗
I loved this simple conversion. I’m in the same boat. My hubby doesn’t want this life style but it is all that I dream about. I’m inspired.
Rocket stove yeeaaaa they are good, I got 2 for my almost finished van conversion
I love the San Diego zoo! Amazing place❤️
Best wishes in your journey towards your goals. Debt free! Congratulations! I am working towards that. You are an inspiration.
Really enjoyed this video! I admire David's minimalism - he's got a beautiful set up and I agree with him about staying out of debt. Being debt-free is so liberating! I also appreciate partners who understand their loved one's need to be on the road to discovery. Best of luck, David!
🙂😺 Nice. I like that being a Nomad also means you can fly to another city, and then rent a mini-van to explore etc. etc. I like using my mini-trailer, and at times taking off in an Oldies Car with supplies etc. etc.
I see you have Costco Turkey Jerky in your pantry. Excellent choice! I love that stuff!
Nice! I hope it all works out well for him.
Super simple yet calculated build🤔. Excellent! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
☮❤🕉
I love your videos Bob. Very helpful.
The guy interviewed owns a Town n Country is 57 and married 26 years, just like me! 😊
I live in a BIG house 🏡 though... would love to downsize.
I'm in the same sort of situation as he is, with a Nissan NV-200 and a couple of years to retirement. Looking forward to spending time with kids and grandkids between travels. Spending all my free time in forests, deserts and mountains even now.
Dave- so much like you... I just turned 60 yo, have a white minivan (converted to camper) and plan to retire. Wife is understanding and supportive but doesn't have the same desires. I've only gone on maybe a dozen short trips - would love to connect with someone like yourself who is more experienced to maybe travel together on some trips... I'm in oregon...