When I came back from an overseas trip at the height of the pandemic, I quarantined myself in my camper van with ample beers for a week. Time flew by, and I didn’t want to come out…

1:47 We’re using our DIY campervan to transport my brother to leukemia treatments. It’s nice to have a place to hang out comfortably while we wait for him. We just drive to a nearby Target and hang out in their parking lot. I’m always down for a quick trip to Target anyway, since we no longer live near one.

We’re right now in the process of moving our travel trailer to a more secluded spot on our home property that has a nice view. We’re planning to use it some as our “home away from home.” In other words, when we don’t have the means to travel elsewhere, we’ll spend a night or two in our trailer for a nice change of pace.😊

Love your 7 ideas! We live in Texas and lived in our 25’ motorhome with our 3 dogs twice now for 5 days each time when Texas experienced ice storms. We had no power, so the motorhome on our driveway was a lifesaver!

Hey! Sometimes we use my rv as a money pit! And joyfully so!

I have a 1953 Fleetwood and when I’m not camping, I call it my she shed on wheels. I have it nestled in the trees in my yard and go in there to read or have some quiet time. I love it. Feels like I’m camping just being in it.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Love it

We have a Travato that will become my daily driver once I sell my SUV. We're looking forward to using it as the perfect tailgating vehicle for an upcoming Tears For Fears concert!

@tobydog2944

11 ай бұрын

Lol 😂

As a guest house has been the #1 use, when there is a power outage it gives you back up appliances and facilities, when you have a big party or event it provides extra refrigerator space and food storage….

Mr and Mrs Adventure family used their camper to flee hurricane Ian that devastated their home town of Fort Myers Beach in Florida and they also used their own camper to go help in the aftermath of the hurricane. So definitely life saving for them and also a huge help during the cleaning and relief efforts after. They had a safe and clean place to go to each day, with power and clean water when everything around them was devastation and most people had to travel everyday back and forth, they could stay by their home safely.

We often use our travel trailer as a guest room. Family and friends that visit love having their own private space with all the comforts of home.

bring our van to the beach all the time and pack it with bikes and boards. Makes it an EZ quick weekend get away vehicle. I normally always have the fridge packed with drinks and hotdogs we can quickly cook up for lunch. I also use it as my daily but I work from home so mostly Home depot and Publix trips.

I have a 01 Roadtrek Versatile. It’s my only vehicle. It can seat up to 8 but I can only drive up to 4. It also sleeps 4. Another great use of my van is tailgating. My son & I are big football fans & love to tailgate. We invite our friends & have a great time. I live near the beach too & it’s nice to have a private changing area & bathroom. The Roadtrek is my dream van.

We use the RV when we visit friends for our special kid, he can take a nap, we can change him there etc.; we did use it as outdoor kitchen during renovations and as a guest suite.

When we had a 7.2 earthquake in Alaska in 2018, we used our camper as our “lifeboat” until our home was all clear. It was also great for the several lengthy power outages that followed. Since the temperature was still in the 20’s and 30’s our camper was very warm and cozy. 👍

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

That’s great to hear

Hi to you all. We use our class B as a daily driver love the convenience of having everything with us wherever we go. Also almost every weekend we take short trips around the area. Thanks for sharing 👍

I have had a 33 foot class A for almost 18 years and not only traveled the US but after somewhat settling on a rural 8 acres in NW MT also use it in some of the ways you noted. I really dislike going to town (25 miles one way) for shopping but discovered that taking the Motorhome made it more fun and I could have a time out from people, etc. vs bailing on town before I did all I wanted/needed. This works because town is not a large city and shopping center parking lots are large so I have no issue finding a spot (2 spots :) ) that fit the Motorhome on the edge of the lots. I work from “home” so can combine a town run OR a park (state or Nat’l ) with work for change of scenery. I have been dithering for nearly 3 years now about downsizing to a camper van for many of the advantages you speak about. Oh, my house is 1 br/1 bath. If I have guests I go in the Motorhome with my pets and let guests have the house … my preference vs explaining and dealing with waste tanks 😊. A local business acquaintance “Airbnb’s” several RVs on his rural property and suggested that I’m on a perfect property for that … haven’t decided. Thanks for the thoughts and video … maybe … (MAYBE) will get me off my undecided position!

Thank you for sharing another awesome video

I live in mine fulltime on my property which coincidentally is an rv park. When i get ready to travel I just hook up and hit the road. I have a 5th wheel but considering a camper van and renting out my 5th wheel.Nice vid.

I’ve evolved to using my Storyteller as a mobil guest room. That is, I hang out in my friend’s driveway in the van so I don’t have to drag my stuff into their guest room and they don’t have to clean up after me. The first time I do it at someone’s home they think it’s strange, but after a couple of days they are completely on board as they have their house to themselves and I have mine. My favorite is using it as a mobil office. I drive to someplace gorgeous, use a Starlink for internet access, and can spend hours working on my computer while occasionally glancing out the window or taking a hike to let my brain rest a bit.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Love it - that's our favorite way to visit friends and family!

Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm trying to show my husband that we really could travel and work on a van or small class c and that it offers advantages over bigger options. Bought both your books and plan to share them with him as well. Really a lot of down to earth advice.

Great video Joe 👍🏼👍🏼 (A man-cave, or she-shed comes to mind too lol)

at 3:00 I had to laugh, you reminded me of Dana Carvey on SNL. We occasionally lose power - ice storms or wind storms - and one reason why I want to buy another is that it would be our own personal Apollo 13 Lunar Module - helps us to survive better. On the other hand, until the "Big One" hits off the Oregon Coast, we have a gas fireplace so the ice storms are not so bad. The last one had power out for 72 hours and we kept the house at 67 degrees. But once the big one hits, we'll need something more self-sufficient, particularly if the natural gas line fails between the supply and our house.

Good video! I have three boys going to three different schools and I work remotely. During the school season, my husband drops off the two older boys to school and I take my converted campervan to drop off the little one to elementary. I then park by the little one school and work remotely and wait until he’s out. Then drive and park in the middle of the two older boys school and they walk to me when (one block away from the school) they are out. I cook and work from the camper as if it’s my home on wheels. It has 5 seats (three in the second raw using ford transit car an seat), a wet bath, dorm fridge with freezer, a kitchen counter block with running water and deep sink, a dinette bench converted short queen bed, and a electric short queen bunk using the happi-jac. It is very convenient having a home on wheels.

Interesting thoughts. Good video

We built out our minivan to be our camper, it was already our daily driver. :) ...and yes, it's amazing for day trips to our favorite state park! We just nab a lakeside parking spot, put up the screens and hang out until we need another change of scenery. It's been a real game-changer with the other half's mobility issues, we get out a lot more and she's secure in having a place she can retreat to when she's worn out or needs to escape the pain for a while.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

We bought a used (damaged) 2021 Riverside Retro camper. We got a great deal on it, and the damage (with my labor) ended up being under $100. We use it as a guest house at our lake house. We also use it if we decide we need a "change of scenery" for a couple days. A number of years ago, my wife lost her home in a house fire. We have that event in the backs of our minds and won't hesitate to use the camper as a "bug out vehicle" if, God forbid, we end up going through a house fire.

Good thoughts✌️

We can confirm all of your points and we use our camper van in exact the same way.......except the thing with the guest room😂

You’ve just moved buying a camper up the priority list for some of your viewers! Any way you two can track buyers and make a commission:)? I always enjoy your videos.

Great ideas and great video as always! Love your channel! #teamrusso 🧡🐈‍⬛

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Thank you!! 😊

Mobile Office on a construction sight. Work longer days because you have no commute time. Also job sight security at night.

Also, Happy Fourth...guys!!🎉🎉🤗

I don't have and RV, but watch your channel for ideas for when I'm ready to get one. I like your shirt, Joe!

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

Great video ! Sometimes we take my Family’s to some of our friends house with a big Drive away ! It’s a great idea ! 9:25 Lincoln

I can’t use my E450 camper like a van because I don’t have rear doors but since I’m 21’ long and 4wd it fits in parking spots easily and a 138” wheel base, it turns on a dime. Definitely have some great points Joe 👍🏼 My camper is up on my channel if anyone is interested 🤷🏼‍♂️

Basically of of your points is why we chose a class B although as a family of 4 it’s time to upgrade from a 144 to a 170+.

We sometimes use the Rv when not in use as a temporary storage area.

Great stuff. Having a Transit built right now. Cannot wait to do all this and more.

I live in Texas. Sold my car 6 months after I got my Travato. I use my van for everything you suggested (except renting it out).

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Right on!

Hi guys it's a pleasure to watch every video of yours, I wish I can afford an rv a real one, I called mine SCARY & TALLER - on the land . Have a wonderful weekend 😀

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

You can do it!

Are there any resources for checking height limited roads to avoid before embarking on road trips?

@deepsea5107

11 ай бұрын

Yes. There are multiple resources out there that are used by over the road tractor trailer drivers. Rand McNally & Garmin are big players in the commercial truck navigation market.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Personally I wouldn’t worry about it unless you have something very tall. We’ve found one or two overpasses in the last 8 years that was too short and one bridge that didn’t have the weight capacity we needed

I know you have driven both ford and Mercedes’ vans do you have a preference? I am considering a Storyteller and trying to decide between the two … thoughts? Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

@katewilson4519

10 ай бұрын

Me too!

great ideas, but I disagree with daily driving it. Campers are very expensive (considering a storyteller is $170k minimum). There is a very high cost per mile of driving them, especially considering the risks (break in, crash/damage, expensive suspension, tires, etc). IMO you're much better off getting a secondary "commuter" vehicle. You can get a reliable vehicle for $5k that you don't have to worry about. Much cheaper in the long run considering it's 3% of the cost, not to mention is a better vehicle for daily driving (fuel economy, size, etc)

@pdub6453

11 ай бұрын

I understand. We have another primary vehicle but sometimes we need a second car so the camper van becomes a supplementary daily driver. Works great!

RV is more then a camper. I am from germany/ Bavaria, and i sold my normal small car for more then 12 years. since that time my RV is my only "car". All my office work i can do on laptop and in the very early morning when the sun is rising i take my dog and drive up hill to be the first in town to say hallo to the sunshine while friends still sleeping in town and it takes two more ours till they see the sunset. At that time i already finishes my breakfast. Sorry, i gues my english is terrible, i think! 😀 making a good living without my rv is not possible anymore....🙂😂

When our pups prefer to be outside they often use our van as their secret hideout. With sliding door open they go into stealth mode to guard the property from Rascally Rabbits and those evil dog walkers that dare to cross by our property. 😅

When my wife was receiving chemotherapy, my daughter and I would sit in our RV.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

We’ve spoken to other people who’ve done that as well.

My Storyteller is my business vehicle. I sell handmade bath and body products at Farmers markets. Everything gets loaded in the garage. We make coffee and breakfast and lunch. Get a lot of questions about the van. Started my business on a cargo bike, The Soap Pedaler. At Seaside Farmers Market every Saturday 9-1.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! Great way to make the van work for you

All of these are fairly sensible, but the comment about taking a nap in a pullout at a National Park rubbed me as selfish. Consider the visitation the national parks get and that pullouts are for many, specifically the elderly and less mobile, one of the few ways they can experience the park. Someone that is able-bodied using that pullout for an extended time, for a nap of all things, is depriving those visitors of the opportunity for the views they couldn't otherwise experience.

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

I hardly think taking a nap when you’re tired can be considered selfish when people are parked at these pull out for hours watching animals, hiking and do other activities. That said, naps by definition are usually short and don’t last hours.

I don't understand why the human race moved to settled life.

Guys, I haven't commented consistently, but I have been watching all of your videos!! I love how you guys describe so many ways to be comfortable in travelling, and how to prepare for some emergencies-Always good stuff(info.)!!👍👍 Thanks for sharing!🤗🤗🏕🏕

@Weretherussos

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!!