Going on the road...I bought a van

[McGuarantee]

What's up guys.

So I just bought a 1981 vw air cooled vanagon, and starting in July or so of next year my girlfriend and I will be hitting the road. We don't know for how long. We just want to see the beauty the United States, Canada, and maybe even Mexico and beyond has to offer.

Any business owners out there that would be interested in giving a climber some work for a week or two at a time? I would love to do some work in different environments and experience tree culture in different areas. I'm an ISA certified arborist and tree worker climber specialist. About 5 years experience. Lots of experience with crane work, and I trained as a crane operator as well as my usual climbing job. We had a little 17 ton manitex. Other than that, I'm just a gear head climber who enjoys climbing trees and working hard. I would show up with my own climbing gear minus spurs. I have a few saws but those might be hard to travel with in a van.

So, just let me know if you could provide some hospitality to an itinerant climber. I'm not sure on our route yet, and I know people's workloads change and shift with the seasons, but hey, just wanted to give everyone a heads up!

Hope everyone is well.
Peace!

 

[PCTREE]

I could probably give you at least a week. I always enjoy meeting different folk within the tree arena

 

[McGuarantee]

Charlottesville? I haven't visited Virgina very much. We should make it out that way at some point. Thanks. I'll chronicle where we're headed on here once the journey begins. Thankful to feel the tree love!

 

[sotc]

Me too with as much notice as possible

 

[McGuarantee]

Me too with as much notice as possible

Awesome, thanks! I have loved spending time in Oregon in the past

 

[sotc]

I like it, kinda hot that time of year but the rivers only 2 miles away

 

[Levi]

Yep, we could give ya a week or two with notice.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

If you are in Califiornia, I usually have something going on. Just give me a heads up so I can check my schedule. I had to down size my jobs a bit due to lack of help except for part of December and January. I have Deva and Dave set up to help me those jobs already.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Head down to Marathon, FL.

I'm sure Virginia would hook you up!

 

[squisher]

I lived in a '79 westy for a number of years. That was by myself though and being in camp most of the year for work. Living full time and with your woman too. That's hardcore. Good luck! Lots of solid guys offering up work. That's hard to beat.

 

[stig]

Did that back in 89. Took a 71 Westfalia all over the western/southern US and then some with my wife.

One thing we found out that made living easier.

Go to a car wash once a week , clean and vacuum the camper inside and out. Toss your clothes in a washing machine in a local laundrymat while you are doing it..

That really makes a difference, particularly when you are in the dusty areas.

If you take a wrong turn somewhere and end up in Denmark, give me a call, we'll figure something out.

 

[McGuarantee]

Thanks for the advice! If I end up in Denmark I'll definitely give you a call

 

[McGuarantee]

I lived in a '79 westy for a number of years. That was by myself though and being in camp most of the year for work. Living full time and with your woman too. That's hardcore. Good luck! Lots of solid guys offering up work. That's hard to beat.

Did you enjoy your time living in the van? Did you spend most of the time at an actual campground with hookups and stuff? Seems like an easy and more peaceful way to live, though I don't know what the cost comparison might be vs. renting. Did you save money?

 

[McGuarantee]

Head down to Marathon, FL.

I'm sure Virginia would hook you up!

Is that the Marathon located in the keys? That would be a fun place to visit.

 

[sotc]

It is

 

[stig]

Did you enjoy your time living in the van? Did you spend most of the time at an actual campground with hookups and stuff? Seems like an easy and more peaceful way to live, though I don't know what the cost comparison might be vs. renting. Did you save money?

I'll answer this one.
We almost never stayed at campgrounds except when it couldn't be avoided, like near national parks.

Normally, we'd just drive a short way away from the road, like on a logging trail, find a spot and camp.
Way cheaper and personally I don't like camp grounds as they are usually full of people.

 

[biggun]

Sounds an awesome oppertunity. A bit of forethought and planning and I reckon it'll be a buzz. Do it whilst you can.

 

[Bodean]

Dude, Welcome. Best of luck!

I spent 4 months and about 10k miles with a girl in an 85 Subaru GL...only like 100 miles of interstate....all red roads. Stay to the National Forests Roads....great free camping.

This was 15 years ago though....things might be more digital...there wasn't much of cell phones back then.

 

[vharrison]

Head down to Marathon, FL.

I'm sure Virginia would hook you up!

For sure, come on down!

 

[vharrison]

Is that the Marathon located in the keys? That would be a fun place to visit.

Indeed it is! Come and you will work!

 

[squisher]

I'll answer this one.
We almost never stayed at campgrounds except when it couldn't be avoided, like near national parks.

Normally, we'd just drive a short way away from the road, like on a logging trail, find a spot and camp.
Way cheaper and personally I don't like camp grounds as they are usually full of people.

I'd occasionally stay at campgrounds but not often. I was young and single, so mostly I'd mingle and crash wherever.

I loved living in the van. Saved a ton of money, never had to drink and drive. I had a killer stereo in it and a little genset. I carried chainsaws on the front luggage rack. Lol. Had roof racks that held all the essential toys.

Life was simple then.

 

[treesandsurf]

that's my dream!! have fun,

jp

 

[McGuarantee]

What's y'all's thoughts on insurance? Do you think that the companies I work for along the way will provide it or should I buy before I travel? Or maybe it's half and half, in the the companies might pay liability but workers comp is on me? What are your thoughts?

 

[PCTREE]

I believe for you to be a true contract worker you need liability insurance. Really not sure about the comp. have heard it both ways. Im pretty sure though if 90% or more of your income doesn't come from one source and you have liability then you are cool. Might be wrong though.

 

[SeanKroll]

How much do you figure it costs an employee for accounting and such for a short term employee, rather than cash or legit/ faux subcontractor?

I don't really know exactly, but it doesn't cost me a lot to employ a new person (personnel file, report of new hire, payroll, annual taxes, etc) compared to an existing person. Certainly its an expense, though. Employees are covered by my General Liability and Commercial Auto.

WA State.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/IndContractor/default.asp


Here, Worker's Comp is run through the WA State Department of Labor and Industries. I just got my rate for 2017. Its $4.15 an hour roughly, independent of hourly wage, for tree care/ removal. Stump Grinding is a different rate/ risk class.