Sell Your House, Stop Paying Rent

Diesel Power has a solution that’ll empower you if you’re suffering from today’s real estate crisis. Instead of investing in an unstable market—put that money into your diesel and become mobile. If you’re a college student on summer break, don’t be the one left behind. Instead, get out of town, start a traveling project, and hand it in next semester for your thesis. If you’re paying rent, ask yourself, “Why should I pay someone else’s mortgage when I could be on my way to an Alaskan adventure for the same price?” If you already spend more time out and about than watching TV, let this article be your inspirational guide to a new 21st century lifestyle on the go.

The Modern World Is Your New Home
There was a time when people needed physical shelter just to survive. But in today’s age of 24-hour stores, wireless Internet, cell phones, and electronic billing—all you really need is a mailing address, an income source, and a desire for adventure. This article isn’t about being homeless, it’s about focusing on all the luxuries in life you need and want—without the limits of a traditional lifestyle holding you back. Confused? Don’t be. How many of you have given up your traditional home phone and now rely exclusively on a cell phone? That’s the first step toward embracing the life of a modern nomad.

Choosing Your Shelter on Wheels
There are many different diesel vehicles you can live in—it all depends on your particular family, economic, and regional needs. The one guideline we have here is to pick something that costs less money per month than the last place you were living. The lone minimalist could pack all their belongings into the trunk of a TDI sedan and camp in the back seat.

Need more room? Look for a used Excursion or Suburban with tinted rear windows. You can park these large SUVs in a ton of places without attracting attention. Nobody has to know you’re asleep in the back. A diesel pickup is great for towing a travel trailer, which gives you freedom to make the world your inn. Whether you bumper-tow, or use a fifth-wheel or a gooseneck hitch, you’ll be able to disconnect your abode and drive the pickup without the load. A more compact solution to the caravan approach is a bed-mounted camper. Or you could buy a purpose-built rig that’s made for expedition travel. Check out “Ford Super Duty Global Explorer,” (Nov. ’11). Yet another option for the pickup is an air mattress and tent placed in the bed. An even simpler approach for warm climates is a truck-mounted hammock—weather permitting. Of course, an RV (which comes in all shapes, sizes, and price points) is the ultimate setup for a couple or family on the move.

According to Napier Enterprises, its Sportz Truck Tent is the number-one-selling truck tent in the world. There are six models to fit different bed configurations, and they allow access to the tent through the pickup’s sliding window. The compact and lightweight portable shelter offers 5.6 feet of headroom and sells for $249.95.

According to Napier Enterprises, its Sportz Truck Tent is the number-one-selling truck ten

Where to Park
The United States is rich with free and very low cost camping opportunities. Some are convenient but not too pretty—like the more than 3,700 Walmart parking lots open to RVs. Others are gorgeous but not very convenient, since it takes coordinates from www.boondocking.org to find them. We found many good campsites from the United States Forest Service’s website www.fs.fed.us, www.freecampgrounds.com, www.gocampingamerica.com, and www.rvparkreviews.com. Another option is parking on someone’s private property—with permission of course.

Solar panels, deep-cycle batteries, and a charge controller can help supplement a rig’s electrical power needs. We’ve also seen small wind generators (mostly found on boats) that could be added to the system.

Solar panels, deep-cycle batteries, and a charge controller can help supplement a rig’s el

How to Get Power
You can decide whether you want to live on the electrical grid—which means you’ll plug an extension cord into a provided outlet found at many RV parks—or off the grid, which means you’ll provide your own power with a gas or diesel generator, solar panels, or wind turbine. The marine industry is ahead of everyone else when it comes to self-sufficiency. For a look at some products that could transfer over to land lovers, check out www.emarineinc.com. A combination of both approaches (on and off the grid) is also possible.

How to Communicate
A generation ago, people were connected to their telephone’s landline. Today, even traditional people are cutting the cord and going completely wireless. The cell phone is a device that frees people to explore, while still being in contact with their business and loved ones. It’s even possible to turn your cell phone into an Internet connection for your computer. Satellite phones and IP modems from companies like Thuraya provide data and voice communication pretty much anywhere on the planet. A cheaper option is using the free Wi-Fi connection offered at McDonald’s, Starbucks, and many other businesses. Many RV parks also offer an Internet hookup, along with the traditional electrical, water, and dump stations.

Safe Havens of Society
If you’re socially connected, you could crash at friends’ houses from time to time. If you don’t know many people where you want to be, couchsurfing.org is a website that pairs you with people wanting to share their homes and cultures. If your employer sends you on the road with a budget for staying at hotels, check in early and stay as late as they’ll allow. Diesel owners on the go should also look to get a 24-hour gym membership. Pick a big franchise that has many locations. This way you’ll always be able to get a shower, watch cable TV, and have a warm place to get dressed in the morning. Exercising is optional.

Sleeper Cabs
We are seeing an increase in sleeper cabs or sleeper berths because they allow commercial drivers a legal place to sleep in order to keep their log books in compliance. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation 393.76 says the bed must be 75x24 inches (other conditions like exit size, communication with the driver, and occupant restraints also apply). Woodhouse Sleeper Berth is a company that transforms the back area of a quad cab into a legal place to sleep. Roadmaster Truck Cab Extensions uses a different approach, as the company installs custom sleeper cabs grafted into the pickup’s frame. Cowtown Sleepers uses yet a different setup, as it adds a sleeper to the rig without frame modifications. This setup has become popular with pipeline workers who follow the jobs and live in their rigs. Being mobile opens you up to many new income opportunities.