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Old 10-07-2014, 11:02 PM   #1
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Red face Crazy? Going to fulltime in a Bambi 16'

Hi Everyone,

I'm new; just bought it, named it Glint.
I'm a true minimalist, so I plan to fulltime in my Bambi 16 as soon as I learn how to use all of its bells and whistles and take care of maintenance. Are there any disadvantages to full timing in the Bambi other than a lack of space issues (which is not an issue for me)?

Thanks!
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Old 10-07-2014, 11:28 PM   #2
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Old 10-08-2014, 02:12 AM   #3
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Sounds fine to me, I lived full time on a 25' sailboat for seven years. It did not even have standing head room inside, but that time remains one of my best memories!
Keep it simple, and be free.

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Old 10-08-2014, 03:18 AM   #4
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We love our Bambi but there are two of us and two Scottish terriers so sometimes it gets cramped. We have done 5 weeks at one time and we are fine.
You will have to keep us informed as to how it is going!
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Old 10-08-2014, 06:16 AM   #5
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I spent 10 years cruising and living aboard a 32 ft sailboat. Actual living space was 15X5. Cozy to say the least. I recently traded up from a Bambi II to a 23 ft Safari. At 14ft of living spade the Bambi was just to cozy. Much nicer now with a real bed, comfortable couch, dry bath and larger frig.
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Old 10-08-2014, 07:13 AM   #6
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As long as it works for you. I lived off grid for nearly a year in a big slide in pickup camper, not as much square footage as your Bambi. Loved it!

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Old 10-08-2014, 07:19 AM   #7
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If you are alone this should work just fine. If you have a companion and/or furry friends, the 16 feet might seem a tad small, especially on rainy days.

Your most practical limitation will the size of the fresh water and holding tanks. The smaller trailers have smaller tanks. So if you don't have water and sewer hookups at your sites, you'll be making the trip to the dump/water fill station more often.

Have fun!

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Old 10-08-2014, 07:20 AM   #8
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So what do you have to lose? Go for it.
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Old 10-08-2014, 07:21 AM   #9
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Met a couple in Glacier Natl Park in 2012 at Many Glacier campground full timing in a 17' Casita. Your advantage is a bigger dinette, more headroom, interior is wider, gas oven. Casita advantage is larger holding tanks (15 gal black, 32 gal grey), 4 cu/ft fridge. They towed with a pickup so they had room to store extra clothes etc.

Kelvin
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Old 10-08-2014, 08:16 AM   #10
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A couple on the Fiberglass egg form travel time many months of the year. They have a 16' Scamp and towed it with a 4 cyl Honda CRV. They now have a Honda Oddy as a TV but still plan to keep the 16'.
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Old 10-08-2014, 12:54 PM   #11
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I would think it would be too small for a full timer. The trouble is storage even for 3 days of rations, bathing, and the ability to stretch your legs. Traveling for a week or two is okay, but full time would become a hassle fast. There isn't room for a comfortable chair.

David
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Old 10-08-2014, 01:25 PM   #12
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Old 10-08-2014, 11:48 PM   #13
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If you are comfortable living in smaller spaces and can deal with the holding tank and fresh water limitations there's nothing stopping you.
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Old 10-09-2014, 04:38 AM   #14
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Sounds like a great plan,go for it. I would love to declutter my life and live like you.
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Old 10-09-2014, 06:22 AM   #15
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We toured the country in VW Campers many trips in 35 years which convinced me it is the best way to tour but I wouldn't want to live that way. So for extended retirement travel we bought a 20' Airstream, no living room, then a 25' good for 6 months at a time with seating mod's.

Thoreau's cabin was warm, a place to sit, cook, eat and sleep but importantly, unlimited toilet facilities just outside the door. That may be the greatest challenge today.
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Old 10-09-2014, 05:37 PM   #16
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I agree that water and sewer are going to be your biggest headaches. Your 2nd biggest headache will be keeping your battery fully charged.
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Old 10-10-2014, 02:23 AM   #17
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You'd be amazed at what you can do! A Bambi has everything you need. For inspiration, you could Google "tiny house living," and check out the YouTube vids of people fulltiming in camper vans (even smaller, and often no real wash or real cooking facilities). Totally different and cool mindset. Enjoy. They do!
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Old 10-10-2014, 06:14 AM   #18
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Stick to places with decent weather. If you spend a bunch of time out of doors you will have tons of space.
I doubt I could full time in any Airstream but envy those who can.
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Old 10-10-2014, 02:40 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
We toured the country in VW Campers many trips in 35 years which convinced me it is the best way to tour
I'd say it depends on your age and place in life quite a bit. No offense to the older crowd on this forum. But gosh, the you'll regret anything smaller than a 50 ft Airstream is tiring.

But like I said, I think it's age and place in life. Old people can't stand the couches, they need recliners. Young people seem to love living in Vans and bumming around the country full time.

I suppose when I'm 60+ I'll want a recliner and not a microbus myself.

So I don't think it's crazy, I think you just gotta know what you want, and what you'll be comfortable in.

What's comfortable for me might not be comfortable for you. I had a friend rave about how great his Accord was. I rode in it and hated the seats. He loves them. See, we all respond differently to our environment. Our tastes are even more varied.

Speaking of, I seriously entertained a VW Vanagon Westfalia. But they're under powered, and I really wanted a Syncro (4x4) and man those things fetch a price! They fetch Airstream dollars restored.

Still, I think if I where to settle in one place outwest, I might buy one to take the kids camping.

They're just so cool looking.
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Old 10-10-2014, 03:17 PM   #20
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Interesting comments here. Of course, if you had to, you could live in a pup tent for the next ten years. However, my advice for someone like this is to first not so much focus on "is it or is it not possible," but more focus on what you can afford and then learn to live and love that. So if a Bambi is what you can afford, then be happy with that. But for living full time, I wouldn't be too quick to ignore some of the comments here. If you can work just a little longer or make a little more money, my guess is that one of those 20-23' Airstreams would double the "satisfaction" factor of one of those Bambis. Double axles, ability to have a guest, storage, etc. are all factors that should not be too quickly discarded by simply saying that you travel light.

My wife and I bought a 25' unit so that we could have a separate freezer and room to carry a few things. That freezer meant that we weren't constantly under pressure to grocery shop. Items like that and owning holding tanks of a size that won't make you miserable, to me, are worth the extra money. But if that is out of your budget, "love the one you're with" as the old song said.
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