First time Full-timers!

[hartley1212]

The open road, a south wind, and the unknown... all phrases that in my mind are synonyms for Adventure!

My wife and I (both 25) have talked about someday when we will be able to travel the country in a vintage airstream since we met some years ago. Earlier this year we decided there wasn't a reason to wait for retirement. So, 4 months ago we bought our first airstream!

It's a 1975 Sovereign Landyacht, 31 glorious feet long, and in decent condition for its age. We are 3 months into what may be a lifetime of remodeling and ready to start our adventure.

Although this is my first post I have been reading forums almost religiously for the last 8 months in preparation for our travels. We are about 75% done our interior restore and will be hitting the road on Monday for our virgin flight down south to see the in-laws (I'm not sure the family is as excited about our expenditure but they'll come around)

So here we are, we have lots of questions and have already found lots of answers. We will be spending the next 4 months traveling from Kansas to Texas and on to California. Eventually we would like to have solar panels and be able to boondock for weeks at a time.

Thanks for reading! We'll see you on the road!

[Nomadtek]

Hiya and welcome from another newbie! Starting to see a lot more people having the same realization. Why wait! Nomadic now! See you on the road. 8)

[HCR]

Good luck on your grand adventure!

A word of caution: More than 10 years ago I decided to "go on the road" for a year--two at most. Still haven't figured how to get "off the road" as this way of living just gets better.

[Aviator]

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to reading of your adventures. I might as well add that the residents of this forum love pictures (someone else would have said it in the next reply or two anyway ). What types of updates have you made to your 'stream in order to optimize it for full-time use?

[AIR-Quarius]

One good connection for living spaces is the Army Corps of Engineers, they allow you to live out in their parks systems and do just a few hours work in trade for rent.

www.CorpsLakes.us - Corps Lakes Gateway

Good luck you probably feel like you have been 'born again'!

[3 Dog Nite]

Please take advantage of courtesy parking. It's free! Most folks will even let you dump & take on water. That's getting harder to find out on the road.

Ricky

[hartley1212]

Originally Posted by Aviator

What types of updates have you made to your 'stream in order to optimize it for full-time use?

So far we have completely gutted our trailer and started from scratch with the floor plan. The biggest and my favorite change came in the form of a booth in the front area that transforms into a queen size bed. I'm not the best carpenter but I think this little project turned out extremely nice. I also added a raised platform over the wheel well on the "driver's" side that doubles as an office area and an extra single bed if needed. The extra storage space underneath should come in handy too since we don't have any bulkheads at the moment.

I've also just purchased an RV-500 tank-less LP water heater that I researched extensively in the forums before buying. A bit of an expenditure but the I've learned this little rule that has so far helped me in decision making and quality of life; Happy wife ~ Happy Life

Pictures at some point, when I figure out how to post them...

[mandolindave]

You sure don't sound like a newbie to me. I think that you have played it smart by reading reading reading. Make sure you have read about towing
and safety, if you haven't towed before. (even if you have towed before)
Then ask ask ask anyone you come across that has experience.
Taking a practice run is also a good move on your part. ( Although going to your inlaws won't earn you many boondocking points HA HA )
I am a nervous type, so I would suggest a practice run before your
BIG practice run. Maybe a weekend trip a few hours away.
The rule of thumb for restoration seems to be.. Brakes, bearings, tires first.....curtains and cushions last.

[DKAir]

My wife and I are pretty new here also, but like you have been reading and researching for quite a while. We're both in our early 30s and about 9 months from going full time. However, we're only a little over a week away from heading to Arizona for the month of January! Aside from our trip home from Michigan when we purchased the Classic this fall, this will be our maiden voyage. We're planning to attend the rally in Slab City.

We're very excited for this shakedown trip and have flexible depart and return dates so don't need to worry if weather or other factors hold us up at some point. My wife has the whole month off, but I will be working part of the time. This will be a great opportunity for me to fine tune my technomad setup and address gaps before we're on the road full time.

We've got a ways to go before we're full time, but have made a ton of progress already and it has gone faster than our initial time line outlined. As daunting as downsizing from a decade of 2500+ sq. foot living has been, it's also been very liberating. We've gotten very proficient at Craig's list sales and the donation truck makes regular stops at our house. The last *major* hurdle will be selling or, as a fallback, leasing our house. We're in better shape equity and housing market wise than a lot of others, but would still like the market pick up this spring.

Any way, enough with my ramble. Keep us posted and we hope to meet you on the road someday!

Good Luck,
DK

[hartley1212]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

Y
The rule of thumb for restoration seems to be.. Brakes, bearings, tires first.....curtains and cushions last.

I've been practicing backing my trailer up and down the driveway of my parents house. The driveway is 1/8th of a mile long so after a few attempts I would have to say I've gotten pretty good.

And yes, brakes, bearings, and tires were an early issue I had to address. I bought 4 brand new tires, repacked the bearings, and inspected the brakes. We're good to go! Now about that bathroom...

[hartley1212]

Originally Posted by DKAir

Any way, enough with my ramble. Keep us posted and we hope to meet you on the road someday!

Good Luck,
DK

A month in Arizona sounds like a great trip this time of year! Especially if you escaping a month in Minnesota!

We just started a blog the other day so friends and family can follow along, feel free to check us out if you want to see how the adventure is going. We'll be posting before, during, and "almost after" pics fairly soon.

Against The Grain - Airstream for Two

[teamkeira]

Hello Everyone!!

My husband and I just purchased our first Airstream!! 1975 Sovereign in CHERRY condition. Well, that's not all true, some idiot used stainless steel on the outside so now it has this beautiful circular patterns on it. The inside is beautiful, original and spotless. We are soon to be full timers. Less than a week to go. We know nothing! No service manual, owners manual to be found. We still have not even turned it on inside yet on our own. The wonderful man who sold it to us got her up and going before we bought it.

We are looking forward to the nomadic lifestyle.

Hope to make some friends online here and in real life.

Wish us luck and I am sure you will see us here online with a ton of newbie questions.

I want to thank everyone in advance and apologize as well.

Kori & John

[blmitch5]

Very jealous! We need pics! Were addicted to them You will find all you need is a little help from your AIR friends. Congrats and have fun on your new adventure.

[sempi2]

Originally Posted by teamkeira

Hello Everyone!!

My husband and I just purchased our first Airstream!! 1975 Sovereign in CHERRY condition. Well, that's not all true, some idiot used stainless steel on the outside so now it has this beautiful circular patterns on it. The inside is beautiful, original and spotless. We are soon to be full timers. Less than a week to go. We know nothing! No service manual, owners manual to be found. We still have not even turned it on inside yet on our own. The wonderful man who sold it to us got her up and going before we bought it.

We are looking forward to the nomadic lifestyle.

Hope to make some friends online here and in real life.

Wish us luck and I am sure you will see us here online with a ton of newbie questions.

I want to thank everyone in advance and apologize as well.

Kori & John

We do wish you luck, and you are very brave, not knowing anything and not checking out all the systems. Hopefully everything will work and you will have many years of great travels and fun. Susan