I'm a retired male aged 68. I have duel nationality; British & Australian (Aus.)
For the last 6 years, I've spent my time living 6 months in Aus & 6 months in the EU, based out of the UK. By way of explanation, I have a home & Campervan in Aus & a Motorhome in the UK. I'm currently back in Aus, flight booked to UK Mid Apr.
Next year - mid Apr thru Mid Oct 2017 - I would like to make a change. I'd I like to visit & tour the US/Canada border region between Mid May thru Mid Sept 2017. My current strategy is;
I'm using this site to research as much as I can in prep;
What else should I be thinking about? Any suggestions will be gratefully considered.
Thanks to any in advance.
Oldie...
For the last 6 years, I've spent my time living 6 months in Aus & 6 months in the EU, based out of the UK. By way of explanation, I have a home & Campervan in Aus & a Motorhome in the UK. I'm currently back in Aus, flight booked to UK Mid Apr.
Next year - mid Apr thru Mid Oct 2017 - I would like to make a change. I'd I like to visit & tour the US/Canada border region between Mid May thru Mid Sept 2017. My current strategy is;
- Return to UK Mid Apr, get Motorhome out of storage. Do a 2-3 week UK shakedown trip to keep the Motorhome in good shape. Return to storage Mid May.
- Fly to Boston USA Mid May. Live in a Motel for a week or 2 while I find & buy a (cargo?) Van. Do necessary paperwork to register, insure & get breakdown cover etc. Fit out with camp bed, cooking utensils etc. I believe it may put my insurance up a bit, but I intend to drive on my UK licence (good for a year?)
- Do tour along US/Canadian border (crossing as & where I choose.) Believe US Insurance is good for Canada?
- Camp as free as I can (excluding State Parks where I'll pay.) Have cereal/toast for breakfast & grab lunch where I can. Buy or cook one good meal at end of each day using camping cooker. Use public toilets, find showers & laundromats where I can (swimming pools, leisure centres etc) & book into a Motel whenever necessary for rests.
- After about 6-7 weeks, do a U turn & head back along a more southern route (not retracing my in-bound journey) to Boston. Give myself a further week in Motel to Sell Van (I hope, or I'll give away.)
- Fly back to UK Mid Sept, get Motorhome out of storage again & do another shakedown trip of 2-3 weeks. Put Motorhome back into storage & fly back to Aus Mid Oct.
I'm using this site to research as much as I can in prep;
- Cash? I'm working on a Budget of about A$25k/GBP12k/USD15K, see note of estimates of pricing below.
- Taking UK/Australian Licences, Police Check Certificates, Insurance No-Claim letters from UK & Aus Insurance companies.
- Trying to understand how to purchase a Van, register, Insure, get breakdown cover.
- I'll risk having no Health Insurance, depending on accessing my bank reserves back in Aus via internet, if needed?
- Will purchase a US SIM Card (at airport?)
- Flight LHR to Boston GBP600 return. Ignoring cost of flight between Aus/UK - I do that anyway.
- Motels USD50/night.
- Van USD10,000.
- Trip distance 4,000 miles.
- Fuel USD2.30/gallon - 250 gallons/say USD600.
- Fuel economy 15 miles/gallon (hope for more.)
- Food 120 days @ USD10/day, USD1,200.
- Insurance, breakdown cover 6 months costs.
- Government paperwork costs.
- State park per/day costs.
- Public toilet availability.
- Shower, laundromat availability.
What else should I be thinking about? Any suggestions will be gratefully considered.
Thanks to any in advance.
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