The Best RV Setup for Solo Travelers Over 50 | Honest Advice from 5 Years on the Road

[@shewolf4712]

Great Advice! I am an older lady, and I've thought a lot about what I would do, so here is my two cents. Mandatory, get something you can stand in. You do not have to build out your van. Use furniture you have and use L brackets to attach directly through the vehicle. Fill around the holes. Or go thrifting . I would need a huggable loo 7 gallon that is a little higher. Instead of swivel seats, get your mechanic to just turn around the passenger seat. Get a couple small power banks that cost $20 to $30. I would need a refrigerator, but to start, i would get a cooler and put it in a box with styrofoam. Top bottom and all sides. Works as good as a Yeti cooler. Put ice blocks in plastic shoe boxes Now you have only $200 or. $300 or less invested in your build. You have totes at home . Get a collapsible sink. And throw your gray water on the ground. Get a USB pump. Cooking can be LP gas. Get a single gas burne😮r. I would charge batteries as I drive and get a portable solar so you can park in the shade and it's in the sun. Keep your batteries in the shade. To plug in a lap top, you can use a plug-in inverter in the cigarette lighter. Carry as much water as you can. in gallon jugs that weigh 8lbs full. Watch youtube! Bring some pretty things. Use magnetic shelves and hooks.

[@marcydrake9159]

This is awesome. I’ve taken screenshots so I can keep this advice at hand in case I need it. Excellent exhaustive list, I appreciate your effort to share. ❤

[@BrookeandPippa]

Great plan! You’ve really thought it through! I bet this comment will help others!

[@lauravictorious4670]

The gray water could attract animals if there is a food smell or particles.

[@shewolf4712]

You are so correct. That is something to be​aware of!@lauravictorious4670

[@shewolf4712]

​@debmagon2185 that would be awesome!

[@kimcuret4800]

Super seeing that you know your audience! I found you based on Pippa. My doxie mix looked just like her and after 14 years she needed to leave us so she would no longer be in pain. I now have a senior rescuer GSD and enjoy your content as well as seeing your precious Pippa.

[@homeisanisland..inthenwatl5526]

I love that you stress trying things, and starting small, and that what works for one, might not work for another… and giving examples of what you mean by that. You’re awesome. Thank you ,

[@poodleprofessor]

Love the microphone holder!

[@ThatWhichISee]

If you have never camped before trying camping in your car first. Need bed, kitchen, potty and window covering. I started carrying everything I might need. Refrig, food front passenger seat. I laid down the back seats to sleep. Potty behind front passenger seat. I have now changed the amount of stuff I take. I sleep across the back seat or lay the front passenger seat down on a platform. The kitchen is facing the back hatch.... I call it my teardrop camper (with potty behind drivers seat) this is used for weekend camping trips. I can sit up tents outside if need be.

[@michelle7352]

I'm 80 and travel by myself. I had to give up towing as getting up/down, squatting is now not viable. I love my minivan, BUT I'm not full time at this time. I would definitely want a high top so I could stand as my knees are not as happy as they used to be. So a high top van , a class B or C would be my first choice. And for this lady who sounds like she's in my situation and age, I would suggest the same.

[@GypsySoul2023]

You have an incredible ability to communicate, and all of your experiential knowledge and wisdom make for valuable videos to those living on the road at any stage. Plus, you are a pleasure to watch and listen to. I'm 68, building out a '13 Ford Transit Connect, upgraded from my '06 Toyota Highlander, and after two years on the road I find myself sometimes nodding in agreement with you as well as thinking, "Hmmm, what a great idea." Thanks so much for sharing your brilliant insights and advice.

[@BrookeandPippa]

Thank you for all the kind comments! I’m glad you’re here and find the info helpful!

[@lynda6550]

Hi Brooke, I'm seeing a difference in your videos just lately. You seem much more pleasant and calmer. I hope this is because you are happier in your real life. Apologies for the back handed complement but I had previously unsubscribed but now I enjoy watching your videos and I hit like again.

[@thereseshine7506]

Great information! You look so peaceful and beautiful. Thank you. ❤

[@brendismuke8149]

I love all your candid information. However, it would be great if we could always get a little Pippa time. 😊

[@kenmcclow8963]

For the last couple years I have had a 18 foot trailer and SUV to tow with. That’s the cheapest entry point besides just living in a car, or tent. I don’t think that towing really suits me, but it would if I was parking the trailer somewhere for a week and doing day trips in the SUV. This year I bought a used rental Class C which is 20 feet long. I think it’s less than half the price of a new retail version. They have longer ones that are less expensive, but I wanted to fit in a parking spot with this one. The thing about buying the rental van is you can rent it first, and also they are built a lot sturdier than retail versions. A retail RV is built to be used 20-40 days per year and the large rental fleets are made to be used every day. I also bought a powertrain warranty that lasts five years or 100,000 miles. They also sell a warranty for the House including the generator, but I didn’t buy that because I think I can repair or replace things that go wrong there. I did think about building a van, but I wasn’t sure my carpentry wouldn’t be half ass and I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend the time to do it. I may in the future if I refine what I want beyond the Class C I have

[@krisb7465]

Balancing ease of travel with space, budget and gas mileage, I settled on a Ram Promaster 1500 118"WB, low roof van, 16'4" long. I am 5'5" and can stand up in it, sleep across the rear width, walk front to back without getting out of the van (important for safety), and gas mileage is decent.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

Definitely something all inclusive. On the cheap,, a stand up cargo van. Absolute necessities: Bed Potty foldable table/chair for outside Storage totes Water storage Power bank and way to charge it Food storage A way to cook Portable internet (starlink?) These are the basics for me. Of course there are lots of variations and details left out. i have watched videos on Nomad living for at least 14 years and have lived in a towable before. I agree that a towable is stressful in any situation where you have to leave it. And I would not be happy about having to set it up, tow it, unhook it and all that mess. The last time I moved some things I used a cargo van and it was not a high top. I banged my head on the roof and said to myself "NOPE" not ever going to try to live in one that I could not stand up in. Another consideration is that lighter is better.. so the less stuff you put in it, the better the driving will be. I see a lot of built out vans and all that wood makes it very heavy. Now if you could find some of that plastic stuff to build it with, that would be ideal. I wonder if they could do that with the 3D printers?

[@shewolf4712]

Thank you so much. This is great, well thought out info.

[@LindseyHP]

Great advice with all of what you detailed. My son is an engineer and does 3D printing… he’s told me it’s not great for doing large projects or for really “cranking things out”… unfortunately. I’m trying to think outside of the box and maybe printing things that fit together (Lego-ish?). Brainstorming…

[@GypsySoul2023]

I am trying to avoid any plastic items in my build as they are the number one polluters of our rivers and oceans. Just sayin', and that's just me.

[@debmartin3855]

Thank you😊 I always appreciate your honesty and experience. The experiences that you have shared mean a lot to me. 😊 I can only speak for myself. I am always happy to see a new vid from you and Pippa.

[@BrookeandPippa]

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@kammies4]

Hubby and i are 50+ and are taking off in 4 months....i have been binge watching...this is AN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL VIDEO! Edit: 5 days is our longest trip in our equinox...we r switching to full time....in the equinox lol

[@tinaperez9756]

I recently test drove an Equinox and loved it but haven't decided yet on purchase. You're going to go full time in an Equinox? Was that a joke?

[@BlueSmoke1966]

Love the advice....and the microphone 😄

[@discomama66]

Yes - older cars can be great and scary at the same time. Great advice! I love the question-and-answer segments.

[@BrookeandPippa]

Me too! I love getting to spend time on each question than rushing to put them all in one video

[@terriweston-br7jf]

Oh, Brooke, what great and informative videos you're doing for Vlogmas! Excellent!

[@abbyfromkc652]

Brook great advice. WARNING; someone just bought a Class C because her van wasn’t big enough for her and 2 year old; and she ALMOST got taken for. ALWAYS when buying vehicles get the carfax! This lady almost spent all of her money on Class C (schnook something apparently that’s rare?) and DMV/Car fax was listed as stolen. So no registration or title and listing says perfect.

[@JanealJohnson]

there are a handful of really low cost tow behinds, we have a Bend teardrop, There is also RangeRunner campers that are pretty easy and can be set up with Ikea stuff to make it comfy. Hiker is also not bad priced.

[@c.m.gilmore3311]

Love that you are filming out and about. Well done.

[@tinaperez9756]

Wow! What a long winded answer to that question. Surprised you switched set ups so often. I've had my Class C RV for 7 years now, not full time but I'm considering other options and it's so not easy for all the reasons you mentioned. Everything has it's pro's and con's. Trying to mentally figure it all out is daunting. I'm considering towing a car now with the RV but know I won't like it for so many reasons but I think it would be nice to have a car sometimes but a pain to tow maybe more times. Ugh. So many options. I agree with you about feeling uncomfortable leaving an RV unattended especially in places like the desert. I do feel more comfortable having all of my belongings with me. So now you've got me reconsidering a van again. I'm stuck in the mental analysis paralysis of it all.

[@kelliesmith4068]

You answered questions I have & questions I didn't even know I had. Thank You, Brooke!

[@sharonhague9580]

I work in the automotive industry and how they make vehicles is correct. They make them harder to work on, however with them.doing that they are causing a lot of issues that they did not see happening. Take newer Jeeps for instance the oil filter called for is not setting correct because of a modification Jeep made . This is causing engines to blow. We have had more than a few before the vendors and Stelleantis said they are working on it....Okay we "believe " you

[@Michelle-bw1xg]

Great discussion. I spent a couple years pondering stand up or not. As I'm not yet on the road, I decided to buy a Dodge Grand Caravan that can park in my garage (vs. stand up of any kind would cost me off site storage). This allows me to try it out before an extended road trip. It can be my daily driver while still working and have a stealth factor once it's used for camping. It helps me evaluate whether to spend an extended time in the van in retirement. For me, being able to walk from front to back inside the rig for safety purposes is absolutely critical. Later if I need more I would probably move to a stand up cargo van as to me RVs are a lot of $, most not built with the sturdiest materials for everyday use.

[@OWK000]

Scotty Kilmer's mechanic channel has some recommendations on which vans are good. Interestingly, last video I saw, he was saying the Ford GAS engines are longer lasting than the Ford diesel ones. Also turbo chargers or super chargers or whatever they are calling them are going to take miles off your engine as they cause more stress and wear and tear. Video had weird click bait title: "Ford is Trying to Shut Down My Channel For Talking About This". Take care of your lower end engine with oil change and care, but also the top end, valves etc. can be serviced with gas treatment fuel injection cleaner type stuff in the gas tank, burn this through the last tank right before you change the oil. If your valves are clean and seating properly, they will last longer. In urban California we have tough smog laws so I have been forced to do the gas treatment a lot and it does make your car run better and now I know actually makes your valves last longer.

[@BrookeandPippa]

My 7.3 diesel doesn’t have a turbo 😉

[@OWK000]

@@BrookeandPippa 👍

[@runsoffsarcasmcoffee8303]

This is such great info! Kisses to Pippa!! 😘😘

[@CSMynx]

Super interesting and helpful. Thank you.

[@geema135]

What great info - I’m trying to decide and this has really helped. Question: how do you know where it’s safe to boondock? Can you please comment on how you determine where to stay?

[@lynnfiegl4953]

Great info for people looking to learn more about the nomad lifestyle!!

[@sharonhague9580]

I dream to live in a tiny home or a rig on the go. I am 56 and I do have handicaps all walking issues. I would love to find a tiny village to move to and have an r v on the side

[@erikaDeee]

This was a great recap and advice. I have been around for most of it with you and your little dog. Hi Pippa. I feel as if she has taken your boyfriends side and is saying no camera momma

[@BrookeandPippa]

She’s not interested these days in cooperating lol

[@loveyourplanet907]

Hi there. Have you considered coming up to Canada to do a road trip? If so where?

[@Vagabondpomsandmom]

I am in a class A diesel pusher, its a 2015 and 36 foot long. Do you see those kind of rigs anywhere out on Blm land? I got a shortest rig as I could stand so I can go to a lot of state parks and such. But I would like to go out on BLM land and I live in New Mexico so I know we got a ton of it. I recently became a widow I went from a 2022 venom toy hauler to this rig so I am a woman traveling alone with five Pomeranians. If you had a bigger rig like that where would you go with it?

[@kimmicaletti2165]

Appreciate your authenticity. New sub. Ft 2 years class c, just sold tow; it is easier. 😁 🙏🐾😎

[@tinaperez9756]

Wow! Full time and no tow? I'm just thinking of towing with my class C although I don't really want to but it would be so nice to have a car sometimes.

[@lindaclark8955]

Great video

[@robertw8666]

Brooke, would you say you are a rig hopper?

[@PurpleLady9555]

She has mentioned recently how much fun she has in building out rigs.

[@tangledthreadworks]

I've always wondered what people do during their downtime. So many nomad videos are about cleaning, maintence, daily life and cooking/eating but what happens when that's done?

[@BrookeandPippa]

Watch tv or read or scroll social media or hobby like everyone else lol Plus I would say a vast majority work, especially if you’re watching them online. Editing, posting, engaging all takes time

[@kathywiseley4382]

Excellent video! Thank you. Really great information. You mentioned your concern about leaving your stuff behind in a trailer, which I had wondered about. What about a post on safety of your stuff but more importantly, yourself? How do you and others handle that? Does someone in your world always know where you are? Do you check in with the? Thanks! 😊

[@nolalove8909]

❤❤❤

[@immerhashope]

I’m in the desert with my dog in my Kona and just rejiggered a bunch of packing. Can’t wait to get to a friends house in TX and dump / donate some stuff. I’m freeeezing rn but this is helpful reminder that everything can be changed and it’s all learning. Ty 🫶🏻

[@joeydalroh]

💜🐾💜🐾💜