ny times article about the rtr

[Gunny]

My dislike for Bob Wells is no secret, but I do think he has helped some people. Having said that I also believe he puts people at risk telling them how they can survive on 500 a month and live “comfortably “.

The very system he disdains so much will be supporting these misguided souls who are stuck somewhere, broke, hungry and out of gas.

I didn’t say it first and I can’t remember which member said it but the day will come when you find a person dead from the elements trying to do as The Messiah says.

He drops 20,000 on a van, has a full build then tells others they can live in a Car just as comfortably. Pure unadulterated bullshit.

I hope this forum lasts, we seem to be losing members but at least there are people with a bit of common sense here.

Rob

[TrainChaser]

Putts, see here: http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=29354&pid=367461&highlight=times#pid367461

Bob isn't my favorite person, and I think he has some real control issues. HOWEVER...

As far as I'm concerned, what he's mainly doing is TELLING PEOPLE THAT IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE LIVING IN A VEHICLE. And it doesn't have to be a $400,000 RV with a dishwasher.

And he's giving people information on how to do it. Before I saw his site, I didn't know you could camp on BLM and NF lands unless it was a 'real' campground. I'll forgive him for (practically) anything just for that information.

And if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be HERE.

[Putts]

+1 and thanks for the linky---I knew I had seen it over there.

I know there are good reasons for frustration with CRVL, but I also sympathise with the difficulties of being in Bob's shoes. He's done a lot to help people get on the road. I too can forgive him for putting himself in a position of great influence without being perfect.

"I've never met a human that wasn't incredibly beautiful and fatally flawed." - Me

His videos, and the success of many others he's showcased, did give me the realization that it could be done...an if they could do it in a cargo van with crappy plywood and 2x4s, I sure as heck could do it more livably in a stepvan with good materials, skills, tools, and, maybe most importantly, the luxury of time and a half decent amount of money. That the thought in my head, "this is totally doable" exists is because Bob showed me it was.

The whole vandweller massiah thing...well, he's just sticking with his talking points. I needed them at one time; I don't anymore. I don't watch his videos anymore as I find them a bit "one note," but others may be where I once was and need to hear them.

If he does manage to lure some people out who aren't cut out for it, whether they end up not liking it or are just not capable enough...well, Master Card sure as hell leads a lot more people into crippling debt. Unlike Master Card, I do think Bob means well.

All that said, you see where I'm posting. I like people who can think for themselves, and I like places where I can think and say what I want. CVRL seems like a shallow pool in that way. Oh well, Burning Man has become a cliche. In some ways success is its own failing with this sort of thing.

[Blacktank]

I hope this forum lasts, we seem to be losing members but at least there are people with a bit of common sense here.

we are payed up for another year and a half,been averaging a steady 30-40 members a day,just midwinter doldrums 
i have intentionally kept it mellow until we have a format and the skills to run a forum,the sticker are the first baby steps to marketing the site

[TWIH]

I hope this forum lasts, we seem to be losing members but at least there are people with a bit of common sense here.

we are payed up for another year and a half,been averaging a steady 30-40 members a day,just midwinter doldrums 
i have intentionally kept it mellow until we have a format and the skills to run a forum,the sticker are the first baby steps to marketing the site

I haven't left your forum, just am "silent" because I still am in the condo, although it is now for sale. If the landlord gets it sold then I'm in the Prius or maybe a minivan. 

I don't post when I don't have anything to say, and since I'm not full-timing yet (and the price of the condo is too high so he likely won't sell for awhile) I really have little to add.  I figured there was no sense blathering about misc. stuff.  

I do agree with Putts, there was a lot of good information I gleaned about dwelling and the associated equipment needs/uses while I was reading CRVL.  However, it has had it's day, not because I know everything (unlike a few of their members) but I just don't need to learn anything else right now, and I have other things to do with my time. 

The "cult-like" status that BW has earned is to be expected but those things happen in a lot of organizations, churches, government leaders, actors etc. There will always be dozens of new members joining over there almost daily, and likely a few others will drop out of the lifestyle or just don't care about all the drama, much like many here did. 

I would presume that either their forum will experience a big split, or there will be a leadership change, BW isn't getting any younger and typically the movement will outlive the founder.

This forum seems to be made up of already experienced dwellers who don't need to post "what is a battery" or "help me buy a van". There's a place for that, it's called "over there". As long as Gary is ok with controlled growth, let CRVL get the trolls...

Till later,
TWIH

[Snikwahjm]

We aren’t on the road full time yet either. It is coming closer with Mom in hospice. She could pass any day. We have a ton of stuff left to do before we can hit the road for any length of time. We have had some overnight missions here and there well over 20 years so we have some idea what to expect in some areas. Full time will be a learning curve so I’m thinking we will be in our drive way awhile after things are taken care of with my parents. I’m not sure we NEED a guru to tell us how to do things. If we do I’m not afraid to ask here. We used to never have a problem finding a parking place in a city but the van dwelling has become more popular in the last couple years. We are seeing more posted signs for no overnight parking and a lot more security patrols. We pretty much figure to stay out of cities and research ahead of the drive. I think it is a learn as you go venture. I believe there will always be more to learn.

[Putts]

I would presume that either their forum will experience a big split, or there will be a leadership change, BW isn't getting any younger and typically the movement will outlive the founder.

In my experience big forums stay big no matter what. Enough traffic for enough time and Google will bring people there. What does happen is splinter forums like this one. I've been on two big boards; both have had numerous splinter forums spin off. Maybe 5-10 each.

As long as Gary is ok with controlled growth, let CRVL get the trolls...

THIS! Times a brazillian.

One motorcycle forum I'm on is private, invite only, and has had basically the same 50 regular posters (and maybe 200 occasional lurkers) for maybe 6 years now, and it's still one of my favorite places...you really get to know people after that long. I'll add that as a motorcycle forum people meet each other in real life all the time. That's key in my book. And we've got that going for us here.

[Ballenxj]

As long as Gary is ok with controlled growth, let CRVL get the trolls...

 Controlled growth IMO is key. The garden can be tended, and the weeds plucked. This will only make us stronger as a Tribe.

[TrainChaser]

TWIH: "... I still am in the condo, although it is now for sale. If the landlord gets it sold ..."

Aaaah..... Why is the landlord selling it? A friend's friend did that. He kept telling her she needed to lower the price. After she lowered it a few times, he offered to buy it from her, himself. A co-worker heard her telling someone she was thinking about it, and he said it sounded like a con job. Which it was. She FINALLY got some legitimate person to sell it, and got close to the price she wanted.

[Scott7022]

I too first saw YOU CAN DO IT BOB, on youtube. Well, I did it and learned a few things and discovered a few other things that have now formed part of my new knowledge base. Coming from a background in Expeditions and hiking I imagined SUV dwelling to be an easier pursuit than it turned out to be. I am very healthy, and for fifty plus pretty spry. This being said the mechanics of living out of a vehicle are just not really conducive to my healthy mental attitude. I need a toilet. We are going to get ill and this luxury item is one I am not going to live without while close to other humans. If I was out in the forests of British Columbia (leaping from tree to tree) I could go a little more primitive. But, I know I don't really have to. I have to wait till a few ships settle into moor, and then launch version 2.0. This day will come, just as the previous days have passed. I am better for the experience, and I cherish the gifts given to me.

Stay tuned as our weird overlord would say!

I am sure I'll have a story or two to titillate before 2.0 becomes a reality!