1 Year of Full Time VAN LIFE | Pros and Cons of the Winnebago Travato
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2020
- In this episode we take you down to Florida with us as we chat about some of the pros and cons of van life and our specific van, the Winnebago Travato 59KL National Park Foundation Edition.
👉Follow us on instagram:
@chadandpaul
👬Who we are:
Hey, we're Chad and Paul. We lived a pretty typical life up until a few years ago. Chad was a speech-language pathologist and Paul was an attorney. We worked in New York City and by all means were set. But we didn't feel settled. We wanted something different. We started a bunch of online businesses, quit our 9-5's and now we live an unconventional life in our van (a 21' Winnebago Travato). Follow along with us on our journey.
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Music:
Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day (Vlog No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: • LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill...
#travato #vanlife #chadandpaul
Congratulations!!! Thanks for all the great entertainment and information over the last year. Looking forward to more great content from you guys.
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Great video you guys!
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Welcome back to Florida! Love your adventures.
Good to be back! 🙌
Happy Vanniversary! Always a pleasure to see you dump 😃
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Congrats on 1 year. I have learned a lot from you guys. I will be starting my adventure next year at this time.
Congrats!! Hope to see you on the road next year 🤙
This was great. Thanks!
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Hi. Welcome back to Florida. Thanks for sharing your vanlife with us. Its been rainy and windy here in Key West. Hope to see you'll down here one day. Safe travels.
We hope to visit sometime this winter!
Hey 🙌. First time viewer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve subscribed and look forward to watching your journey. Love from Australia
❤️❤️❤️ thank you!
Okay... you two are just too cute together... especially at the end where Chad is dancing behind Paul at the end!
Great video and good to hear all the honest ups and downs of van life!
Be seeing you!
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So fun to find you two. I was in the Tampa area just last week. My van has been in the shop getting some awesome upgrades. Thanks for the Van life tips. I’ll be headed back to Florida soon. Happy travels. I have a campground in Southeast Missouri if you’re ever passing through.
🤙🤙 nice! Let us know when you’re back in Florida!
congrats on the vanniversary !
Thank you! 🙏
Nice couple!
You are amazing guys
Thank you Nancy!
Great video as usual. Strong Stache game for upcoming Movember! After looooonnnnngggg wait, wife and I get our Travato in Dec, taking your lead with the K version. Maybe we will cross paths on day. Keep up the great content.
Congrats on the T! Waiting for arrival is the toughest part! Lol hope to see ya’ll on the road 🤙
You guys are legends 😄
😂 💪💪💪
Throwing the rock paper scissors game
Hey Paul, Love the VanLife and I Love Chad he’s so Funny 😆
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Cheetos are one of my fave “junk” foods as well. I always pack licorice (red) for road trips. Welcome back to FL! It still has been pretty hot and humid. 🌴
Yes! Hopefully it’ll cool down soon!
never thought i'd give a thumbs up for this kind of sewage video, but i actually learned something. thx guys
😂 👍👍👍
We have the same pros and cons I used the brackets off the table to make two separate work tables
We did a mod on our NPF KL for the table. We took a small'ish cutting board and mounted one of the metal "inserts" onto it and use one of the legs, it swivels and is just the right size for another "work station" or place to eat.
We’ve gotta do that one of these days. It would make life so much easier!
@@ChadandPaul Let me know and I can send a pic. It really is a cheap and easy mod.
I have a custom high top van. This is why I have a composting commode. No black tank with stinky slinky. Lol
Stinky slinky, lol ....it’s good to see where and how to empty the tank. Thanks ✌🏼🚐💨🧤🚽
It looked like paper covers rock, but it must have been rock smashes scissors! You are such a great husband letting him win like that!
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@@ChadandPaul You’re a sweetheart!
You guys are too cute and funny. And that goes for Orlando, as well! We need more dance parties from you guys. My biggest gripe with our NPF is that I don’t spend enough time in it because of work - and also, the sticky buttons on the cabinets!
Yes! Those buttons can get annoying for sure lol.
I’ve dumped at that flyin J before. I know exactly where that is. It’s a pretty nice truck stop. Remember with a great mustache comes great responsibility!! 😂 I’d recommend checking Ybor city out towards Tampa. Pretty cool cigar town. Great video 👍🏼
🤣 Chad feels the weight of his mustache always. And we’ll put ybor city on the list! I’ve heard great things about it.
Nice video, thanks for sharing. We have a Winnebago Rialta and I think one was parked next to you in this video. I agree about the bed height in the Travato, such a simple thing to get so wrong. I would want it lower so it could be a couch and used with the table as a work space. Also, maybe a lagun table would work better for you?
Yes! We saw the Rialta- such a cool coach. A lagoon table is definitely on the list of mods at some point. 🤙
Hello, i love your videos. Can you please tell me where you got your rug between the beds? I noticed that it has cut outs. Was it custom made? I’m looking for something similar for our 59k.
It comes with the National Park foundation edition of the travato- you should be able to order one from winnebago.
Hello!! Could you please tell me where you got the floor mat for the 59K? I noticed that it was custom fit to the floor layout. Thanks!!
I loved watching your videos...I got a 2021 59KL in September 2020 and still researching and getting to know it.
The floor mat came with the national park foundation edition travato. I believe you can buy it as an extra now. 👍
Use a scoop of “happy camper” powder in your black tank and no more smell!
Chad was really pumped on this video....or did he forget to take his meds? I think you were pretty excited to leave the chilly climate. Are you two being snow birds and wintering in Florida? It's good to have you back!
Oh yeah! Definitely spending a few months in Florida, then we may scoot over to the southwest- who knows?
Hi! Love your videos, and I know you have a new car now. But I got to say that black tank "life" in the Ram would be so much easier with a cassette toilet 😀. But I love the layout of that van 👌 Have a beautiful day, greetings from Norway 🇳🇴😃
Hi Petter! 😂 #blacktanklife
The silver urn thing, is that to purify drinking water?
The coach in front of you dumping has huge holding tanks (Prevost Marathon XL), I have the H3-45 Prevost Liberty Coach that has a 189 gal. holding tank (gray and black together) and 189 gal fresh tank so it will take a little while to empty/fill. I enjoy your videos! :)
❤️ I can’t imagine what it’s like to have holding tanks that big! Lol
Oooh, if you haven’t already, try Shakers Cafe, right across the street from your mail pickup place! Very good food! 👍👍
Thanks for the tip! Keep passing by that place. Will have to check it out! 🤙
FYI They removed that Jenson and put in a smart TV and a JBL sound bar for 2022. And I think they lowered the bed. (They removed the button latches put locking latches. They have two Lagune Tables now, and the shower curtain is on tracks now)
Have you looked at the Wineguard 2.0 for WiFi?
Good to know they’re listening to consumers
Will be taking possession of our ‘Thor take on the Travato K’ (Sequence 20L) in just a couple weeks. Excided to see some of the southeast again. I would suggest the low country/Golden Isles. Anything along tje east coast from Saint Augustine to Charleston, SC (Jacx Beach, St. Simmons Isl., Jekyl Isl., Savannah, etc. My happy place!
Congrats!! And thanks for the recommendations- will definitely be adding them to the list! 👍
Haha that was hilarious 🤣
You guys crack me up! Orlando!!
Let us know when you’re back in town!!
Hello guys! Love to follow your adventures! My only little problem : time to change your music!!!!!! Hope you make it to Montreal once this pandemic is under control. It will be a pleasure to show you around! Keep on Travelling!
Haha I know! Finding good Vlog music is hard and I’m a little lazy sometimes. Thanks for the reminder!
This it is my first time watching you guys you guys seem pretty cool, if you want something in Florida well I live in Tampa but tarpon springs is a good place to go visit they so check out tarpon springs sponge docks. They have chores and a lot of shops around that area. I was there last year for the hippie festival and it was a blast.
Awesome! Will have to check it out 🙏
Hello!!!! We have just found your channel! Thank you so much for sharing your story! We are a gay couple and we have just bought our first RV! We started the renovation two weeks ago and we cannot wait to full time touring across Europe...let's hope the pandemic will be over soon! Loads of love from two fellow youtubers :)
❤️❤️❤️ so nice to connect! Congrats on the rig! Hope to see you on the road! Keep us posted on your whereabouts 🤙
@@ChadandPaul Yes for sure!❤️❤️❤️
Just found your channel, love it! You need a Lagun Mount table !!
It’s on the list!! Hehe we’ve been too lazy but it’ll happen!
@@ChadandPaul Awesome! I'll be on the road full time in a few months, until I'll live through you guys!
@@ChadandPaul I was also thinking this was an easy fix for a 2nd work station or for eating, snacking!
How do you like the size of the frig? The G model has a two compartment larger frig??
The fridge works for us! It’s a bit of a pain location wise (having to bend down), but so long as we don’t overfill it, we’re fine. We would love the freezer compartment of a G though!
Suggesting you visit “Juniper Springs” near Ocala.
🤙 will add it to the list. Thanks!!
Loved the dumping shot and the look on Chad's face...you were annoyed at having to wait and watch but imagine if you saw your "accident" just before your turn, lol. Glad you keep it real...what caused the problem? I've only used cassette toilets so no experience yet with black tanks. I've seen several YT'ers have dumping "accidents"...guess it's a rite of passage. The worse I saw was Chris with his class A! One time you would have preferred a smaller tank, lol.
Hahaha. Couldn’t imagine what a class a dump accident would look like... we’re not sure what caused the problem. Could have been a back up in the dump pipe.
Enjoying your videos guys. Well done and entertaining! I suggest you check out Gasparilla Island and the town of Boca Grande on the central gulf coast of Florida. A lot of history and nice water views and access. If you go enjoy the beach at Gasparilla State Park and the old lighthouse on the pass. Nice small town feeling of old Florida. Off the beaten path but that’s what makes it wonderful. Also a Cracker Barrel only 30 minutes away off of I 75.
Awesome! Thanks for the tip! ❤️
Forgot to mention there’s a great paved bike path that runs the length of the island! Hope you have your bikes along.
Check out Bok Tower Gardens in central Florida! Sanibel Island is also great, but further south.
We’ll add it to the list! Thanks!!
Chad
You agree funny and Paul is an excellent straight man.
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We love our Travato G (we are not full-time, just weekend warriors for now). Two thoughts. First of all, you drive through tunnels? Is there an issue having the propane tank onboard? Secondly, what's the best wifi you've used on the road?
We do drive through tunnels if clearance allows- no issue with lp tank. The best set up so far is dedicated hotspot with AT&T and Verizon with cell booster. But we’re always looking for a better set up. 🤙
@@ChadandPaul Good to know! We've been taking the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore to avoid the tunnel.
Hey guys LOVE your videos we are couple of Orlando we been researching the Trovato or the Thor Vegas 24.1 a bit more room any comments?? Thank you for everything and hope you are safe
We love our Travato. The Volta system is truly unrivaled if you wind up going with one of the lithium models.
@@ChadandPaul our problem is hubby and I are a couple of fluff bears that’s why I mentioned the Vegas .. Have you guys seen it ?? It would be great to catch up in Orlando one day ..
Ty now i know i prefer travato with Murphy bed and that bathroom much preferred for myself ty for comparison 😊
Yes! I just don't think our marriage would survive in that murphy bed lol!
@@ChadandPaul 🤣🤣🤣🤣😘
First of all...love you guys! But...please talk about the following: what it’s like driving the van, is it hard to maneuver, exact gas/diesel mileage, approx. how much is it to re-fuel, what is cooking like, type of stove, what is shower like...water pressure, water capacity two three showers a week? THX.
The van is pretty easy to drive! Feels like a big truck- you just have to be wary of clearance and tight turns. Gas mileage varies- anywhere from 14-18. Fuel depends on gas price which is pretty low now. Usually $40-50. Cooking is fine (it’s the cleanup that’s a pain!). Ours comes with a propane stove which is quite efficient. We usually shower in natural bodies of water but when we do shower in the van we take quick military-type showers. Water pressure is fine but the tank capacity is small compared with other RVs
Would be cool to meet you guys if you come to California 👍🏼
Yeah I was going to ask about that the absentee ballot!
A few questions:
1. What length is your zero-g hose for flushing the black tank? Do you find it is always long enough? Did you start with a shorter one?
2. How much extra water do you typically carry? I think I see two 5 gallon jugs in the rear.
3. What do you keep in the smaller underbed storage area next to the one where the table legs are kept? I was thinking of carrying 4 gallon jugs there.
We are off for our first trip in our 59KL National Parks edition in three days!
Love you Guys!
I forget the length of the zero g hose- sorry! Maybe 25 ft? The water source to flush is usually near the dump station so we’ve never needed a lengthy hose. For drinking water we carry the two 5 gallon jugs, plus water bags for when we need more. We store our laundry and some dry goods in the small under bed storage unit. We decided against storing water in there because it’s so close to the expensive electronics. Hope this helps!!
Congrats on the T!! Hope to see you on the road 🤙
What is the app that you use to find dump station?
There are websites like sanidumps or rvdumps and some on iOverlander
Maybe you guys should get a compost toilet.
Check out The Fit RV. James replaced their's in their Travato.
It’s definitely on the list of considerations! 🙏
I hope you don’t mind I’m going to start using stinky slinky to when we dump our fifth wheel. And Chad you’re rocking the mustache
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Seriously.....you’ve made Freddie Mercury proud!
Why I am not interested in pre-made vans. They have too much stuff I'd never use, DVD players, TV, Coax connector etc. LOL
You just terrified me with that black tank debacle!
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I think I’d rather take my chances with a cassette toilet. More dumping options without all of the drama.
Orlando in Orlando!!! Love it! Thanks for the honest portrayal of #vanlife -- and the dump scene is exhibit A as to why Kevin doesn't #2 in his van! :)
🤣 it was a scene we don’t want to relive... not our first dump disaster and likely not our last.
If you get a Clear Elbow for the Stinky Slinky, it minimizes the Dump bucking,,,,,and you can see how well the wash went. Might be time for a Custom van build to design what you need...
Yes we’ve been thinking about the elbow! But we weren’t sure where to store it- dont want to necessarily store it in the van
@@ChadandPaul a pool noodle with a bungee cord through the noodle ,slide the elbow over the noodle and find a place to attach it near the dump valve,,,
Is your closet in the bathroom waterproof or do you have to cover it when you take a shower? Orlando is the cutest! ❤️
There’s a curtain that you hang to prevent water from getting on the cabinets. Often we’ll just pull the shower house outside and shower outback between the rear doors though if we’re in a private location
Yet another experience that put 100$ in my compost toilet savings account. :) Thanks for being real, guys. Also, hold tight. Starlink (for internet) is around the corner.
Hehehe. We’re definitely anxiously awaiting starlink but aren’t putting our eggs in that basket yet. We may have found the best bet for internet but are still running tests- will definitely make an internet update video once we see how our system works.
Step #0 Wear shoes and socks, that way you won’t get sewage splashed onto your bare feet 🦶!!! That will keep you from getting an infection if you have any broken skin or athlete’s foot. A friend walked through storm water that backed up out of a floor drain during heavy rain. The infection eventually made his teeth fall out.
Yuck! We’ll have to remember that. Chad refuses to wear anything but sandals in Florida 😂
@@ChadandPaul I wouldn’t be able to wear shoes and socks in that warm weather.
The Toilet Episode. 10:15 He said "Butt hay" in the back office.
And I need my bike rack and storage under my bed for my inflatable SUP, surfboards and other stuff.
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How far can you go on a tank of gas on I95?
Hmm, I haven’t really run any tests, but the fuel efficiency is pretty good.
About your van, the lithium is a huge selling point to me, but I don't know if I could take the high bed height and small tanks. I wonder if people would like a bigger water supply and gray tank while replacing the black tank with a cassette toilet? Oy, you guys are young now but later you'll thank yourself if you eat some eggs and fish and skip the trash food. (Look for those farm egg signs on secondary roads and help support a chicken wrangler near you!) Thank you for sharing.
🤙 yeah we were very interested in the hymer’s before they went under. The cassette toilet is a nice feature but I hear those too can get messy...
If you guys could do it all over again and had the time and money what would you rather do , build your own van or invest into a van like what you have. ?
100% the travato kl again. It suits our needs perfectly.
6:40 pull the leva... WRONG LEVA! lol
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Goya’s have Snacks and YES trying to Stay on Course for Good Eating for me is a Challenge and with the End of Year HOLIDAYS LOL. Be 😷
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That's why I wouldn't use the toilet in the RV ever. Over time there will be a smell, too. I would always use a public toilet wherever I can. Campground toilet and vault toilets are okay.
Cracker Barrel has a map with all their locations
I live in Maryland.
would you buy the same van/same layout if you did it again? doesnt seem like the cons are big enough to change much :) Also depending on your itinerary, St. Augustine is cute, weeki wachee springs for the mermaids, crystal river for manatee swims, west coast beaches > east coast beaches, and if they are open for dining, old spanish sugar mill (de leon springs), ethos vegan kitchen (orlando), better than sex (orlando), hollerbach's willow tree cafe - for a beer (sanford)
🤙🤙🤙 thanks for the tips fellas! Love your channel. We’d totally buy the same van with the same layout if we did it again. ❤️
@@ChadandPaul Let us know if you need more Florida rec's - Patrick lived there for 10 years
So your basically giving the van a colonic!
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Wow dump the poop? Good to know!
Orlandoooooo
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Orlando told ME that at least when he stays in the van it is climate controlled and it doesn't even have a noisy generator to startle him LOL. Hey, I thought they said those cabinets were the same ones used on Italian yachts because they are so lightweight. You are telling us they are a cheap vinyl cover? Wow. Maybe even Winnebago got cheated.
Go to universal studios
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Dump the black water in a street sewer why pay $10
Chad the new stash makes you look like paul's dad..sorry 🙄
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Pornstash!!! 💛👍
Tnoy muonz cay ft office today I will update the order to y gg your email and o u dc tuff it is going on our house IOU it is your name and email your name to
Really?
wow, it really takes a lot to please a gay man huh?
Offended. Poor dog has to be stuck with two fairies.
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