Trevor Marty agree

Right, if she can do it, so can we all!

CheapRVliving what a sexist patronising comment and what a sexist patronising introduction right in front of Sassy. I thought you were better than that, Bob. You just lost yourself a subscriber

Keir Taylor I hope you are joking, or, oh just HUSH. 😚

As a 50's Plus woman who has survived TWO do-little husbands, I don't find Bob's comment at all presumptuous or insulting. You would be shocked at the numbers of great big men who cannot hammer a nail or use a drill, or hang a cabinet, nor even hang a curtain rod ( straight ).

Hi Wanda, wow, here I was just complaining to my hubby about a little hand injury that is simply an annoyance that is keeping me from using my skillsaw this week. Thank you for reminding me that for many people, physical mobility is not an option. I am sorry for your troubles and am so thankful that the internet brings travel and inspiration to us all! I love Google Earth! Have you gone travelling on there?

I also live vicariously through these videos. I am laid up right now after a motorcycle accident but will be walking again in a year hopefully. Unfortunately my wife finds nothing at all attractive about this life so Ivwill have to be satisfied watching videos.

@@Steelhorsecowboy Hi there, hey, sorry I didn't see this until now, but the good news might be that you're halfway home to being up and around again? I hope you'll find a way to get on the road now and then and just maybe, if you plan it to appeal to her, she'll come along for a few adventures with you and that starts the ball rolling. That's what happened in my case. All the best, Sassy

@@sassyc4560 Thanks, I'm doing much better than expected. I am actually hobbling around with a cane but I expect to lose that soon. My wife is starting to warm up to the idea as she has seen more and more videos. Thanks for the shout out.

Try to look for travel partners! Maybe weekends away first life is short to have regrets

Jeannie, I'm 60, and just bought MY van! 😄

61 here and currently looking for the right van. Hope to be on the road by spring

Oh that's awesome.. so did you hit the road ladies?

No, I'm not yet on the road; I'm about halfway through purging a houseful of belongings. 😕

@@michellehitt1976 : Not on the road, yet. I'm in the process of selling and giving or donating all my earthly possessions away. Some of which has been difficult. I am trying to decide between an all in one unit, a trailer, or a fifthwheel. My house is set up in a right of survivorship with my Grandson . He will live here until It's necessary for me to come home for my really old age. Think it may be the first of the year before I'll be ready to get on the road. 🚙🌈🔥

You go, Winny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you checked out www.cheaprvliving/forums/ Best to you! Sassy

Interesting, Selby, thanks! I am going to try that. Best to you. Sassy

Great idea

Thank you, Steelhorsecowboy. It is so important! Best to you both. Sassy

Thank you, Holly! Best to you in doing a setup that gets you rolling!

Did you miss ”her husband” part!

@@thesun-N-moon8885 Did you miss the bit about this being her van and her project. Hubby tags along occasionally.

She's white

Good tip, Lass, thanks! Sassy

It is a lot of work! But, if you love what you do, you'll never work a day of your life!

@@CheapRVliving still very appreciated 👍

Hi ltvanburen, YAY! So glad when that aspect resonates! Best to you. Sassy

Thanks Marion she is an inspiration!

Thanks, Marion. I love my nickname, too. My pool team gave it to me long ago. It reminds me to get up and get going.

@@sassyc4560 Are you still doing this or did you decide it was good for a while and went back to the "norm."

@@Justafeller Hi Bill... or maybe his guitar? Yes! Best to you! Sassy

^^ HEAR HEAR! It is a wonderful community!

Shavauna, thank you. I did kind of wonder if I needed to suddenly become a 'dog person.' Accck! Not my area of expertise, to put it mildly, though I think a German Shepherd would a fine and loyal traveling companion make! But I decided to forge ahead on my own and believe me, my knees wobbled a time or two. Perhaps a common fear, it's usually the thought of of the unknown that stops me. Then if I go through with it, I'll look back and wonder why it took me so long -- although some of my adventures in life were more rash than rewarding. But I'm very lucky that life is whatever adventure I want to make it.

Hi an non, thanks very much. I appreciate your kind comment. It has been over 8 years since I put my van together. I have made a few improvements but have not changed the footprint, as it has worked well. I added a charge converter for shore power and battery maintenance, and alternator charging while driving, and hung the solar panel on the outside driver's side where it can live, tilt, or come off for portable use. I scored and insulated a 65-yr old swing compressor fridge that works just great. Other than that everything's about the same and I still love it! All the best to you. Sassy

Awesome, Sue! Good for you. I so enjoy that part of everything I do. DH, now he'll go sit outside and stare at the garden, and then he'll get up and by night have a cat mansion built, no plans, no paper, just do. Me, I have to write every thought, draw every version, every view, think about how I'll use this or that. Then a year later I might tear half of it up and do something else.... which I've done in the van. Nevertheless, such fun. If you haven't, check out the Forum on Bob's website, cheaprvliving.com. We share our builds and adventures and how-to's there. Hope to see you there. Sassy

You are 100% right Chad!

Thanks, Chad. Yes! It's a comfy rolling tent! The one thing that bugs me about my van is all the plastic in there. But I got most of it from someone else, so I'm saving it from the landfill where it will never go away.

Barbara, thanks for getting that. Sometimes I forget and need to be reminded, too! You re-inspire me.

The Bates, ok, seriously, I want to see yours! Let us know if you post it somewhere, k? I used drawing in Excel, but it worked out just fine. Best, Sassy

I'm so glad, Kim! Best to you in getting to your dream.

Thank you, SeattleWoman! Yes, I spent a great deal of time (I had it to spend) studying and learning. Thankfully, there are many resources and videos Bob has put together for those who need to quickly make a "move" to road life. And, thankfully, there are many vanners who are very happy to share their experiences and knowledge. This all makes for a successful transition with ongoing support! Best to you! Sassy

Thank you, Andrea, for your thoughtful comments and your understanding. I hope you are finding ways to create moments and space for yourself! Best to you, Sassy

She is a smart lady!

Thanks, slime bucket. I guess I hid the fact that my knees were knocking. :-D

She is remarkable!

Thanks, John. Horizontal empty space is interesting. It doesn't exist for long. LOL

Thanks, Frank! I still LOVE my van. Sassy

Thank you Chris, you are very kind!

Yep I agree also, and that Bob is a really nice guy and it comes through on his videos. Thanks Bob, you make everyone feel welcome.

Thanks, Chris, and I agree times 3 about Bob!

I'll make that four. :) Thanks so much for sharing your life with us Sassy. It's quite helpful as everyone is different and your van is unique-not another one like it that I've seen. Plus and perhaps even more important to me, is that it's economical. Cheers!

My pleasure and thanks, Angela! Scrounging around for stuff did help me hold the available money for the more expensive things like insulation and wiring components and solar. I've since installed a shore power converter/charger which is so nice to have. Next is the 3rd source to charge the house batteries -- using the van alternator. Wish me luck; I think I'm gonna need it!

Hello Cheryl. It's been a while since I visited this video, so I apologize for the delay in responding. I appreciate your comment so much. Bob has a forum on his Cheap RV Living website that has so much information about planning, saving, buying, designing, building, safety, budgeting, logistics and so much more. One of the forum sections is specifically for women, too. This would be a great place to visit to meet many full and part-time women vandwellers. They all have much to offer! I was fortunate to have some money to buy a van, but I had to set priorities. I opted for an older vehicle with mechanical soundness. I wanted "go" power so sacrificed gas mileage but knew the lower purchase price would help ease that issue. Once purchased, I set up a maintenance plan. Then I planned all the design and parts and costs in an Excel workbook, and once I had it all down -- and for me, that took a while -- and knew I could do it, I just put on some music and got to it. If you do visit the Cheap RV Living forum, you can see my van build by typing Sassypickin's Van into the search box. I need to update that one of these days as of course I can't not fiddle with things! Best to you! Sassy

dizzyk54 agree

She is very logical in all her work!

She is logical, that much is quite clear. That is why I think she must have been good in Algebra or Geometry, or what ever mathematical system it takes to figure out how to measure, cut and fit the parts of that TRUNDLE bed/Sofa ... or did her Hubby measure and cut??

Hi again Lottie, oh, about all those numbers.... I got a D in Algebra and was booted from class more than once for being a goof-off. But what else could I do when I got so lost I couldn't keep up?

Sassy: Believe it or Not, you and I had about the same history with Math and Algebra. Back in those "Good Ole Days" girls were not expected to do much more than marry, have babies, and keep house, Nobody took time to help us fill in the gaps in our learning. There were no Tutors attached to the school programs and no After -School study programs to help us catch up. But as a young adult, I decided to go on to college, and had to submit to testing as pre-requisite to admission for certain courses... (Nursing). The Testing results showed that my weaknesses began at the 3rd grade level, with the Multiplication Table's . YES, I began to go to night school and studied "Remedial Math". YES, it made a tremendous difference. I passed my Nursing Course! And... I learned that I am NOT so "Dumb" after all. So, now I want to learn how to set up a Home on Wheels, like yours!!

Thank you, Barbara! And you know, because I ain't no spring chicken, I should just make a habit of doing a monthly safety run-through, lest I get complacent and lose my razor-sharp edge. (

Jeannette, lots of good ideas to copy!

Thanks so much, Jeanette!

Thanks, Pentranilla! It takes about 1 minute to convert either way. Well, ok, maybe 30 more seconds if I feel the need to straighten lines and smooth out wrinkles ;-D but yeah, the floor space in couch mode is great!

^^ ditto that, Daniel! Bob is doing good work for a whole lot of people.

Andres portes predicas

Hi Jane, it really is fantastic. It's been four years since I started this adventure and I have not regretted one single day of it. Still part-timing, hubby going with more and more, always making little changes here and there and definitely always keeping a reserve fund for whatever it takes to keep the van happy. Best to you! Sassy

Thank you Yves. Yes! Safe and happy does not have to cost a lot or be professional -- with some exceptions -- electrical should be done properly (I agonized over the learning process, but everything works as it should and apparently I passed with flying colors, according to some that I trust know their stuff), everything should have a secure spot, and building a vehicle maintenance fund should be priority. Best to you! Sassy

Thanks for watching Cele

Awesome, Cele! I had a step van 40 years ago. My daughter was born in it. What fun back then! I love designing, too. Do it!

Thank you, Dawn! (Been a minute since I've visited this video) Best to you! Sassy

Hi Bo, glad you like the van. Yes, the possibilities are many for a big cargo van like this one! There's another video here of one very much like this that is built out beautifully with lots of upper and lower storage. I just chose not to and so far we have plenty of storage for all food, clothing, outdoor setup, medical, auto supplies and tools, hardware, cleaning supplies, entertainment gizmos, games and books, bedding, water, oh, and us! If I get tired of looking at stuff hanging in cargo nets I may build some corrugated signboard cupboards. Sassy

Both are very true!

Thanks, Al. OMG, all that homework drives me bonkers sometimes, but I think I'm programmed to do it that way. :-D

Thanks for the good wishes, Deana! Still getting out there as I can and then wondering what it was that kept me so long back at the stick and brick LOL. Best to you! Sassy

Thanks, Dee! This van has been a lifesaver. We are still together, and just returned from our longest venture together of almost 50 days. Few conflicts, lotsa fun. Ready to do it again. Best to you and yours! Sassy

Hi again Fancy or I guess I should say Fancy's Folly, sorry about that... Yes, the social area has proven useful on many a rainy day, for sure! I do need to come up with a better card-playing table system than my breadboard, though!

Thanks, Mathy Ciller. Bob just being himself makes people feel comfortable! Sassy

Thanks, anyacreate and all the best to you from research and implementation to putting your foot on the gas pedal. I put my every thought, findings, costs and drawings into an Excel workbook, which saved me from losing my mind many a time! Sassy

Hi Melody, thanks! Yes, that bed system is the cat's meow just as you say! The absolute only downside is that when it serves as a couch, it's about 4" high, but I just pull out my little stool from underneath for a footrest. I could have made it all lower, but wanted standard bins to fit under.

That's the idea, baby steps even while you are working.

Holy cow! Kudos {{{{{bowing}}}}} to you, Chris! I did a home remodel and addition, too. My daughter ended up installing the light switches because I couldn't even figure out how to do that much! I designed the entire project and did a lot of the other work though. It was a blast. Stay in touch; I'm on the CRVL forum.

Thanks Carolena!

Thank you, Carolena! The van's behaving, the layout is working, and we're rolling with the good times and the bumps both.

Hi Miriam, oh, I hope you will move in a direction of self-nuturing! This summer I've not followed my own advice as much as I'd like. Soon will be heading out, though, so the anticipation is already permeating my soul. Best to you! Sassy

Thanks, Katbalou!

Hi Laura, that's the most perfect place to start! Best to you in your adventures from step one! Sassy

Glad to help, Lovely Shermane. I got a lot of inspiration and information from others and that is what got me started on this wonderful journey.

I hope Bob does a video of a compilation of dialogue with van dwellers' answer to the question "What inspired you to be a van dweller? and "Are you happy?". 😊

Thanks, Elisa, that's very nice of you to say. I still love my van so much. Best to you! Sassy

Oooooh, cool idea!

Thanks and {{{Hug back}}}. I had to take the plunge, and discovered my own happiness made DH happier, too.

Thank you so much Rose Bird Cottage! Sassy

Thanks, preachersdtr1! Sassy

She's got plenty of that!

Thank you so much, Laura!

Wow JJ, it sounds like you have a very clear understanding of what you want to have with you and how it all needs to fit together. That is awesome. Have you taken action on this? I would love to hear more. Did you join the Forum on Cheap RV Living, Bob's site? There is room available under these vans on both sides, but, because the hot muffler shares one side, I'd stick to using the other. It could be a great spot for a long box for gear. My van, with hi-top, is 8' from ground to top. It can accommodate a gutter-held rooftop rack and a ladder to access that from the back. It is an option for me to store a future dream kayak! I have since shortened my bed frame by 2 feet, since I discovered I can place my mattress all the way onto the swiveled passenger seat. That 2 feet means a lot in terms of foot space for DH when he's sitting on his bed.

Thanks, Enjoli! Sassy

Thank you so much. I got so much inspiration from others and that's what prompted me to get up and change the way I was living. Remembering that is why I agreed to do this video, in the hope it too could be informational for others. Plus, if it's not possible for some to get out and do things, they can enjoy through others' experiences, and with the internet, there's no limit! I saw the world from the top of Mt. Everest and went down the Grand Canyon rapids on Google Earth, oh my!

Glad it helped you Wanderlust Soul. I didn't make the wrtr. How was it? Hope your adventures are wonderful. Sassy

It's my pleasure!

Thanks, K&J!

Awesome, Phil, my pleasure. Hope you'll share a bit about your build!

Thank you Deb. Best to you whatever you do! Sassy

YES, Theresa! Update now and then, k? Best to you! Sassy

Great, Will! Good luck and most of all, have fun learning what works for you and how to do it so it keeps you safe and going. Best to you! Sassy

That is an old word!

Ha ha, Carolyn, I know! Must have popped out of some dusty old drawer in my brain!

I'm 60 years old and I remember my Grandma using that word all the time😂😂😂

Sassy C that's what my mother & father always called our old navy-blue couch, when I was a child. They were from the South, so I don't know if that term was regional, or if it had to do with the fact that my mom was a voracious reader and she saw it in a book or magazine; or if it was a style of sofa??? We kids switched to "couch" or "sofa" when we moved from Tennessee to Ohio, and all the northerners (no, we didn't say Yankees) would look at us funny when we would say something like "Have a seat on the davenport." They would always say, "On the what!?!" We thought "sofa" was too "la-dee-dah," only for rich folks or Hollywood, so we mainly called it a couch from then on. (: I love it that you said "davenport" - I can trust you, now. lol!

Always slept on my grandmother's davenport when I went over for visits. Haven't heard that word for a while and brought back wonderful memories. Love what you've done with your van.

Thanks, Phil. I hope you have a blast creating your van space! I still like how easy it is to switch things up in my van. When I discovered my mattress slides just fine up over the front seat as it's turned around, I realized I could whack 2 feet off my bed frame. Voila! Now its easier to slide in and out from under the bigger bed/couch and there is more open floor space at the foot end where the house batteries live. I made a box for them which doubles as a bench seat.

Thank YOU, Jingy! Sass E Fras

Thanks so much, Sue! I am thinking about (that might be an excuse for procrastinating) changing out some of the less permanent things soon. I might change the plastic drawers to nice baskets. Now that I know I still like the layout, I might build a permanent plywood back corner with slots and cubbies for all the outdoor gear that is currently piled up there, and fasten my 12v fridge on top. Sassy

Your happiness is every bit as important as his! Don't give up on your dreams.

CheapRVliving You are absolutely correct! Thank You Bob, Happy New Year by the way !

So far I've traveled far more out of state than in! Still determined to see my own state, though!

Thank you Terrapin Travels! Sassy

Hi Mike, just checking back to see how your build is going. Did you get your hi-top on?

Thanks, estaman! I do admire those with mad skills and patience. Lacking either, I just have to go with "do something, anything" ha ha

What a great idea, speterbilt! Brilliant!

For nighttime safety, right?

@@singmysong1167 Yes!

See you soon!

Sassy is a wonderful person!

That's kind, Katherine, thank you. I was nervous but Bob made it easy to share.

Thank you, 1Jack Valley! Sassy

Hi Melissa, thank you! I'm so glad you like my van and my attempt at having my cake and eating it, too! So far, so good! Sassy

Thanks, Beverly!

Thank you kindly, Bella!

KZfaq is a lot of work and a lot of learning. Most people don't want to do it.

Mental Traveler (great name!): I hope you'll get that van and get going on the dream! What you describe sounds so comfortable and pleasing!

Thanks, up itstrue and happy journeys to you, too!