Broad range /tons of questions RE: Living /camping / boondocking on Long Island

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jmebonner

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Sorry for the broad range, but I have a TON of questions.  Wasn't sure which forum to put this in.

I live in CT, about 130 miles from where I work in Queens, NY.  I took the job at the beginning of the year, and worked out a motel deal for the first three months of motel.  That ends when March ends.

I won't be moving my family of four down until July or August, so I need somewhere to land until then.  I figure I spend a minimum of three nights a week in the city.  I usually drive down Mon morning, stay M, T and W night and then leave after work on Thurs.  Sometimes that changes, but that's a good baseline.  So, figure 13 nights a month, minimum. 

At bare bones rate of $75 (that's like the. lowest. possible. short of a hostel) to a more accurate rate of $100 for a place with decent reviews, I'm looking at $975 to $1300 per month for the next four months.  So, $3900-$5200 all in gets me a place to park, a climate controlled room, a minimalist's breakfastm, somewhere to bathe, iron, exercise and a modicum of privacy with *maybe* a decent bed.  At the end of all this, I own nothing other than the rewards points I'll garner from the stays.

So, I'm kicking around the thought of buying a small Class C, or even a very light truck camper to slide into my 1991 Chevy half ton.  It's only a 6.5" bed and the truck gets terrible gas mileage and has 150k miles.  However, I don't doubt its ability to make it down there.  Budget would be $3000-$4500.

Whatever I choose, it will need to stay down there over the weekends and days that I'm not at home, I'll have my car with me and use that to get around.  That complicates things, though I may have a couple places I can leave it - it all depends on where I stay. 

So, I guess what I'm looking for is some input on what the best way to approach all of this is.  I understand there are some campgrounds out near Old Bethpage, which is a pretty sizable commute into Queens each day.  Then, add in the $15-$20/day, assuming availabilty and it quickly erodes the value of the camper by $1000.  And still not taking the commute into Queens each day into account.  Also not considering the trouble of moving at the beginning of the week, setup, takedown and then moving it again on Thursdays.

I have owned a camper in the past, a '91 Class C 26' Damon Hornet that we used for family outings.  I loved it, but it was large and I don't neccesarily need something like that.  I don't think a bumper pull travel trailer works well because of the requirement to move it somewhere each weekend to avoid paying for the campground spot.

Finally, I need to be presentable and professionally attired each day (business casual), can't be stanky and wrinkly, so a van down by the river won't work.  So, presentability and the ability to prepare some food, have a little comfort and most importantly, stay safe and keep out of trouble is paramount.

I know it's ultimately my decision and only can know how much I value / weight all the factors, but I would certainly be interested in hearing what you'd do, what your thoughts are and any ideas you fine, experienced folks might have.  I'm interested in hearing others' boondocking experiences as they are related to Queens / Long Island.  This area is a lot less accepting of "odd" practices.  Feel free to ask questions or berate me for my misconceptions and dumb ideas.  :p

 
At this time of year??? You must be dreaming in technicolor. Almost no RV will be comfortable at this time of year with the weather around there, especially this year. The heating will cost a lot as RV/trailers are not well insulated.

Many campgrounds close for the winter months unless they are trailer parks with permanent residents. By the time the weather would be acceptable for comfortable camping (end of April), it will almost be time to bring your family down...

JMHO
 
I would much rather spend what it takes to rent a room rather than live in a class C. Weather is terrible this time of year and it won't be getting any better very soon. Any class C you buy for a few thousand dollars is going to cost you at least that much more making it live able. Boondocking would be very difficult on Long Island. There are laws and there are nosey neighbors. You are just asking for trouble.
 
Appreciate the replies, though the tone is a little pompous.  Campgrounds open first Friday of April, and my experience - having lived in places WAY colder than New York - is that spring is coming and I'm not looking at sub zero temps.  Averages creep up nicely starting that time.  However, I respect the input and that's why I asked for it.

It's not the overall cost, which I assure you is no issue, it's just the feeling that I'm throwing that money away.  I thought if I could end up with a decent getaway rig after all is said and done, I'd be getting the best of both worlds.  :)
 
I think what you need to do is to go check out some $3000 to $4000 class C RVs that are for sale in your area. You will be shocked at what you will get at that price point.
 
I've done that and have been pleasantly surprised - perhaps it's the right time of year to be considering them. 

That being said, I'm still doing a lot of research on truck campers.  They seem to fit what I want a little better - in that I'm just paying for the surroundings rather than the drivetrain as well.

My typical day at this point consists of me leaving work about 7, spending a couple hours awake (exercising, watching Justified) and then sleeping.  I'm not looking for a lot of room.

I'm not arguing, the hotel may be the best option, and it's certainly less work and more flexible - I'm simply weighing my options.
 
I am sorry if my first response sounded pompous. I tried to make a small joke and failed.

The temperatures outside are a huge consideration. The average night time temps in NYC in April is around 44. You will have to run your furnace all night long just to stay warm. RVs, especially class Cs are very poorly insulated. Since you will be boondocking that would mean you would need to run the generator at least 4 hours a day to recharge the batteries and you will be filling up with propane at least once a week. So make sure any rig you look at has a functioning generator and a furnace that works real well.
 
:)

I would only be boondocking if the campground on the island was full.  I'm truly ignorant as to the slide in campers, so this may be the dumbest idea I've ever had (okay, I've had some really dumb ideas, so it wouldn't be the dumbest).  I don't even know if they offer full showers. 

 
And... if the generator is propane fired, and many C class are equipped that way, the propane bill will be very high. These little guys love their propane as do RV furnaces.....
 
I have a buddy who spent a little time in NYC living in a truck camper on the streets, but it was fall. He used a locker club for showers.

He left NY (never to return) with some 50 parking tickets stuffed in the glovebox.

That's a city I have no interest in going, altho, I did go once years ago.
 
Well, I bought a pop up truck camper yesterday.  No shower or toilet, but I intend to park it at a campground, so no worries.

Lots of things to learn about it, so I'll head over to the Truck Camper section and start making my ignorance known.  I appreciate the advice and help provided here and in direct messages!
 

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