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Van life; lit or lame...

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MXmx
Posts: 345 - Karma: -155
Thinking or getting a van and either living out of it on the weekends or as a full time deal.

People hype van life so much online. Is there any downsides to it?

I plan on renting a van for a weekend and trying it up at bear mountain. Just wondering if there’s anything to be on the lookout for.
Dec 21 2019 2:28AM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2273 - Karma: 20,716
Online auctions like at pacificauctions to buy your whip
Dec 21 2019 4:06AM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,174
Can life is fukkin LIT fam
Mum buying a station wagon next year to live out of cause fuck spending money on rent when that could go to trips overseas
Dec 21 2019 5:50AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
You don't sleep as long when you are in a sleeping bag in any motor vehicle. And people are gonna notice your vehicle. Also a dui waiting to happen even if you aren't driving if you like to drink forget about it. Tons of hours to fill. Get a 24/7 gym membership if you can.

Will be doing this tomorrow and Mon to get all the pow that is coming to Kwood. And then checking into the PEPPERMILL for Christmas gonna hit the pool all that good shit on the 24th after skiing. Buffet with King Crab on Jesus's Birthday. Couple nights in my sleeping bag skiing open to close will make it better I might even tour and poach some predawn laps. AWWWW YEAAAAA.

I really hope I can find a good spot in the resort. Having to drive in a storm to Minden to sleep in a lot will suck asshole.
Dec 21 2019 12:17PM
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Saucerboyshane
Posts: 226 - Karma: 590
gets cold at night, look into generators and heaters. Not gonna want to keep a van idleing all night
Dec 21 2019 12:20PM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8711 - Karma: 5,622
PeppermillRenoYou don't sleep as long when you are in a sleeping bag in any motor vehicle. And people are gonna notice your vehicle. Also a dui waiting to happen even if you aren't driving if you like to drink forget about it. Tons of hours to fill. Get a 24/7 gym membership if you can.

Will be doing this tomorrow and Mon to get all the pow that is coming to Kwood. And then checking into the PEPPERMILL for Christmas gonna hit the pool all that good shit on the 24th after skiing. Buffet with King Crab on Jesus's Birthday. Couple nights in my sleeping bag skiing open to close will make it better I might even tour and poach some predawn laps. AWWWW YEAAAAA.

I really hope I can find a good spot in the resort. Having to drive in a storm to Minden to sleep in a lot will suck asshole.


nice! post some pics of your setup
Dec 21 2019 4:07PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
VT_scratchnice! post some pics of your setup


https://imgur.com/gallery/J6o5pIe


Should probably organize soon before it gets dark and while it’s 60 degrees here in Reno.
Dec 21 2019 6:25PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
In the process of buying a Mercedes/Winnegabo Revel. Check them out. Pretty sweet.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/948869/The-Winnebago-Revel
Dec 21 2019 6:26PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,174
Saucerboyshanegets cold at night, look into generators and heaters. Not gonna want to keep a van idleing all night


Just get a really nice insulated sleeping bag instead, cheaper in the long run
Dec 21 2019 6:48PM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
Austin Smith's custom built camper is what dreams are made of
https://www.instagram.com/austinbsmith/
Dec 21 2019 6:55PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 50,836
Imagine meeting a girl at a bar and asking her to come back to your van.
Dec 21 2019 7:49PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
I was actually wrong about having to drive apparently theres tons of spots on 89 that you are legally allowed to car camp near Kirkwood. I've always parked in the Condo parking since I know I'll be up before anyone shows. That'll be nice leave the resort and go read books until its time to sleep.
Dec 21 2019 7:53PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
DIRTYBUBBLEImagine meeting a girl at a bar and asking her to come back to your van.


Lotta girls are more down than you'd think. It's only weird if you make it weird.

Vanlife is rad, but it is very tiring not having a 'home base' after a while. It can be a little sketch returning to the same spot to 'camp' consecutive nights, and when traveling having to find a spot to park where you feel you won't get hassled could be difficult.

Also, getting use to pissing while on your knees into a jug and then finding a good spot to dispose said piss can be an interesting challenge you won't be proud of.
Dec 21 2019 8:11PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,368
BiffbarfAlso, getting use to pissing while on your knees into a jug and then finding a good spot to dispose said piss can be an interesting challenge you won't be proud of.

Bring the bottle into the next bathroom you goto and pour in the toilet. Rinse out and reuse.
where are you pouring out your piss jug?
Dec 21 2019 9:01PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
50KalBring the bottle into the next bathroom you goto and pour in the toilet. Rinse out and reuse.
where are you pouring out your piss jug?


Lmao definitely haven't hauled a half gallon of piss into a bathroom that's for sure but if you're down with that more power to you.
Dec 21 2019 9:11PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
Just dump your piss wherever if you are in a parking lot someone has done it there before you.

Sleeping in your ride saves you from sleeping in and missing first chair. But I can’t imagine dumping a load of money in one. A couple grand is a season worth of good ski hotels to most. Any RV will cost that in maintenance alone. And gas really adds up out west it’s no joke paying to drive 1000 miles.


In the summer I’d always rather be in a nice tent than some smelly as fuck RV too the people who go 10 to a shitty RV at festivals are idiots it’s always like 8 dudes and 1 girl that spend 400 each renting it all cause they’re too dumb to buy a nice comfortable tent you can stand up in or use festival showers.
Dec 21 2019 9:35PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6176 - Karma: 62,595
WHITEFISHNATEIn the process of buying a Mercedes/Winnegabo Revel. Check them out. Pretty sweet.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/948869/The-Winnebago-Revel


Starting at $149,000. You could buy a super nice RV for less than that.
Dec 23 2019 8:13AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,281
BiffbarfAlso, getting use to pissing while on your knees into a jug and then finding a good spot to dispose said piss can be an interesting challenge you won't be proud of.


Why? I've lived in a van for a total of about a year and a half in all seasons and have never had to pee in the van.
Dec 23 2019 8:58AM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
VinnieFWhy? I've lived in a van for a total of about a year and a half in all seasons and have never had to pee in the van.


Cuz ya boy's lazy af and didn't want to get dressed and put shoes on to take a leak in sub 0 temps at 4am. Also, my setup is fairly incognito so if I'd park in residential areas for the night there's not really any place to piss without risk of catching a charge.

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2019 at 9:12:19am
Dec 23 2019 9:11AM
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Skrier
Posts: 77 - Karma: 336
Rec centers and public libraries are your best friend.

Gotta time your poops and pee in a jug.

When you go to new places, ask a fellow bum in the rec center what spots are chill for car camping.

Blast heat towards your feet in the morning and put your boots in the passenger seat foot area.

Get used to eating summer sausage and pasta
Dec 23 2019 9:15AM
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sheddd
Posts: 115 - Karma: 493
WHITEFISHNATEIn the process of buying a Mercedes/Winnegabo Revel. Check them out. Pretty sweet.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/948869/The-Winnebago-Revel


I'm so tempted to do the same; to impulsively hop in the van to go ski, have all my gear and my dog, and flexibility to ski wherever... I have been watching/reading van and camper reviews for 2 years. I love the design on this one: https://www.beartoothvanworks.com/vans/the-first-tracks. I want to be able to stumble into the van, lay down, say 'Siri take me skiing' and wake up in Colorado :)

The small rational portion of my brain keeps bringing up good reasons that this is all a bad idea...

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2019 at 9:43:12am
Dec 23 2019 9:37AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,897
Friends bought a sprinter van. Longest/biggest one. Fully custom to what they wanted. Thing is pretty sweet. You could easily live a winter in it. Water, kitchen, shower. It’s like $125k but sweet.
Dec 23 2019 9:44AM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6189 - Karma: 66,655
HYP3R_REAL1TYJust get a really nice insulated sleeping bag instead, cheaper in the long run

Not even the long run. Cheaper up front too
Dec 23 2019 10:52AM
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corona
Posts: 12753 - Karma: 32,281
BiffbarfCuz ya boy's lazy af and didn't want to get dressed and put shoes on to take a leak in sub 0 temps at 4am. Also, my setup is fairly incognito so if I'd park in residential areas for the night there's not really any place to piss without risk of catching a charge.

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2019 at 9:12:19am

I guess I'm not geriatric enough to have to wake up and pee at 4am. Also helps most of my van living as been in the middle of nowhere.
Dec 23 2019 2:21PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
Was nice to be first person in the lot at 630. Slept on Carson pass. Got another hour in the lot and was on second chair. Epic powder day today at Kwood.

Its pretty gaper to not car camp a few nights a season and get first chair.
Dec 23 2019 2:57PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
VinnieFI guess I'm not geriatric enough to have to wake up and pee at 4am. Also helps most of my van living as been in the middle of nowhere.


I have a hard time believing you've never woken up cold af in the middle of the night then realized you had to take a leak before you could sleep again, but I digress. If you're good without vanpissing that's rad I guess.
Dec 23 2019 3:04PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
CatdickBojanglesStarting at $149,000. You could buy a super nice RV for less than that.


You can get them for under $120k. Unless you do all of the work yourself, you are not going to buy a new 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van that is livable (shower, toilet, heater, bed, sink, stove, fridge, etc) for that price.

If you do it yourself, you will have to buy the van, for around $65k with the 4x4. Then you will have another $30-40k in expense which you will have to cover up front since you can't roll it into the loan.

With the Revel, you can get a 20 year RV loan and have a payment between $750-800. I pay almost that much for my current truck. I just have to decide if I want it for my daily driver or not.

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2019 at 3:15:25pm
Dec 23 2019 3:10PM
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oldmanski
Posts: 3089 - Karma: 21,825
Do it! It takes some creativity to make it work but that is what life is about.

I lived in the back of my pickup with a canopy for almost 2 yrs in east Idaho. Gym membership is key (24 hour place) gives you a bathroom, shower, hot tub whenever you want. PO box for your mail (unless you can use someones address). I bought a small Coleman heater that takes the little green propane canisters, worked great if heat was needed (just vent the area) Good sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, maintain the van/truck (oil changes, good battery etc.) you will rely on it to start every morning. Food I just had a small cooler and I kept enough food for a few days, you will be limited to what you can store but you will get it figured out. Girls are down for no matter what, if they are into you, it wont matter where you live or what you drive. Using the bathroom can be a pain but once your body understands the routine, it will get onto a schedule. Good luck, DM me if you have any more questions.
Dec 23 2019 4:47PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,174
How viable is it too live in a station wagon and deck it out? I can’t afford a nice van
Dec 23 2019 10:37PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,368
HYP3R_REAL1TYHow viable is it too live in a station wagon and deck it out? I can’t afford a nice van


Pintrest has a ton of ideas. Plus sub $1000 minivans could fit xl twin mattress or large sleeping pads. But a large station wagon could totally work.
Dec 23 2019 10:43PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
HYP3R_REAL1TYHow viable is it too live in a station wagon and deck it out? I can’t afford a nice van


Wagon is great all about being able to extend your legs. They long enough I slept great in my old Volvo XC70. Really wish I had brought the pad I used in that thing my boogie board isn't ideal but it doesn't get wet and is small (used to rock a cot mattress.)

Your shit should go passenger side and you should sleep behind the drivers seat pushing the seat forward of course when its time to sleep sometimes cramming some shit in the gap like your clothes bag. A pro tip is take the headrest off the passenger seat and put your skis over it (sort of lean it back) if no passengers are coming anytime soon.

All the talk about fancy sprinter vans is stupidity to me you got money for that you don't need to sleep in your car stop insulting those of us who do you elitist fuck.
Dec 23 2019 10:44PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,174
PeppermillRenoWagon is great all about being able to extend your legs. They long enough I slept great in my old Volvo XC70. Really wish I had brought the pad I used in that thing my boogie board isn't ideal but it doesn't get wet and is small (used to rock a cot mattress.)

Your shit should go passenger side and you should sleep behind the drivers seat pushing the seat forward of course when its time to sleep sometimes cramming some shit in the gap like your clothes bag. A pro tip is take the headrest off the passenger seat and put your skis over it (sort of lean it back) if no passengers are coming anytime soon.

All the talk about fancy sprinter vans is stupidity to me you got money for that you don't need to sleep in your car stop insulting those of us who do you elitist fuck.


I agree with you on that last bit.... dropping 145 on a sprinter like cmon man

but yeah my plan is to have a 4x4 sw maybe a subu to hit all the ski fields in NZ (fuck I wish I was a BC resident though)

put a big divider down the middle of the boot. Sleep on one side and have all my gear on the other. Simple asf
Dec 23 2019 10:50PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
HYP3R_REAL1TYHow viable is it too live in a station wagon and deck it out? I can’t afford a nice van


My setup is an old 4runner, which aren't big by any means and it works great. Built a loft on one side with a camper matress on top. All gear goes under the loft and the other side is empty just for extra living space. For skis/boots/fishing gear/etc a roofbox is invaluable to keep your sleeping area clean and dry.

Would absolutely HATE a van if it was only 2wd. 4wd is excellent peace of mind when exploring or during storms. Also, suv's/wagons are much more incognito when poaching parking spaces to spend the night. Sprinters are MAD overrated.
Dec 23 2019 10:59PM
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Nuno812
Posts: 432 - Karma: 1,791
Been car camping since college in smaller suvs. Spent the last few seasons with my wife in our two Chevy Suburbans we use to camp in. Use an air mattress and mummy bags = plenty warm and relatively comfortable sleep. We do about 50 days a season now, used to do closer to 100 during college. It’s not that bad depending on the gear and area features. There’s a pretty cheap gym close by you can shower at, but mostly we use the money that would go to a hotel to food and beer/ gas. We are planning to either buy a lot to develop a camp at or a small place by our home mountain eventually but the car camping is an option while your trying to ski many days on a tight budget. It helps if your handy and can work on your car yourself. The ideal upgrade from a smaller car or suv would be a good Van build or a larger truck camper on a 1 ton. Probably gonna buy a place or build before I get there but have many friends all in on Van life. Not for everyone or every situation but it can be pretty legit

**This post was edited on Dec 24th 2019 at 12:00:19am

**This post was edited on Dec 24th 2019 at 12:01:18am
Dec 23 2019 11:59PM
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NateDude
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,295
Car camping is the move. Nothing beats getting front row of the parking lot at a crowded resort. I sleep in the back of my wagon with a good winter sleeping bag.
Dec 24 2019 1:06AM
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Youngm_IPCME
Posts: 1082 - Karma: 2,848
WHITEFISHNATEYou can get them for under $120k. Unless you do all of the work yourself, you are not going to buy a new 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van that is livable (shower, toilet, heater, bed, sink, stove, fridge, etc) for that price.

If you do it yourself, you will have to buy the van, for around $65k with the 4x4. Then you will have another $30-40k in expense which you will have to cover up front since you can't roll it into the loan.

With the Revel, you can get a 20 year RV loan and have a payment between $750-800. I pay almost that much for my current truck. I just have to decide if I want it for my daily driver or not.

**This post was edited on Dec 23rd 2019 at 3:15:25pm


That payment plan is about the price of rent for a spot 15 minutes from the hill. Either way, you might was well be comfortable, not get harassed by cops, etc and rent a condo or something on the mountain for five months at a time with that money
Dec 24 2019 10:44AM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
PeppermillRenoWagon is great all about being able to extend your legs. They long enough I slept great in my old Volvo XC70. Really wish I had brought the pad I used in that thing my boogie board isn't ideal but it doesn't get wet and is small (used to rock a cot mattress.)

Your shit should go passenger side and you should sleep behind the drivers seat pushing the seat forward of course when its time to sleep sometimes cramming some shit in the gap like your clothes bag. A pro tip is take the headrest off the passenger seat and put your skis over it (sort of lean it back) if no passengers are coming anytime soon.

All the talk about fancy sprinter vans is stupidity to me you got money for that you don't need to sleep in your car stop insulting those of us who do you elitist fuck.


Who are you calling an elitist fuck?
Dec 24 2019 11:24AM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
Young_IPMCThat payment plan is about the price of rent for a spot 15 minutes from the hill. Either way, you might was well be comfortable, not get harassed by cops, etc and rent a condo or something on the mountain for five months at a time with that money


I'd like to know where you can rent a decent place for $750 a month thats 15 min from any major hill.
Dec 24 2019 11:25AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 50,836
WHITEFISHNATEI'd like to know where you can rent a decent place for $750 a month thats 15 min from any major hill.

Get a roommate and you could afford this place in Breck

https://www.huronlanding.com/floorplans/
Dec 24 2019 1:49PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
DIRTYBUBBLEGet a roommate and you could afford this place in Breck

https://www.huronlanding.com/floorplans/


750 SF WITH A ROOMATE?
Dec 24 2019 3:10PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
DIRTYBUBBLEGet a roommate and you could afford this place in Breck

https://www.huronlanding.com/floorplans/


750 SF WITH A ROOMATE? I'd rather have a Revel.

**This post was edited on Dec 24th 2019 at 3:13:55pm
Dec 24 2019 3:10PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,721
WHITEFISHNATE750 SF WITH A ROOMATE? I'd rather have a Revel.

**This post was edited on Dec 24th 2019 at 3:13:55pm


Literally 5x the square footage of a sprinter idk why you're complaining
Dec 24 2019 3:59PM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8711 - Karma: 5,622
WHITEFISHNATE750 SF WITH A ROOMATE? I'd rather have a Revel.

**This post was edited on Dec 24th 2019 at 3:13:55pm


hahaha welcome to rent on the westcoast.
Dec 24 2019 11:10PM
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skiguy04
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 1,028
I like dry boots tho
Dec 24 2019 11:52PM
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Skrier
Posts: 77 - Karma: 336
I did 2 months in a car last winter. I built this platform and put a cot mattress on there. A 10 degree sleeping bag and an extra comforter was Plenty warm.

Biggest downside is obviously that you can’t cook/get ready standing up and have to do most tasks out of the trunk.

Definitely build some fixtures to be able to cover up the windows at night.

At the end of the day, the price of building out a van isn’t worth it for 1-2 years. Just deck out your car and spend some nights in a motel/shared Airbnb here and there.
Dec 25 2019 8:44AM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
I live 10 min from Whitefish Mountain. I know that its expensive.
VT_scratchhahaha welcome to rent on the westcoast.
Dec 26 2019 4:26PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
The referenced post has been removed.


No, I'd rather have a bad ass sprinter, be able to travel wherever I want, and not have some random roommate in a tiny apt.
Dec 26 2019 4:28PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
WHITEFISHNATENo, I'd rather have a bad ass sprinter, be able to travel wherever I want, and not have some random roommate in a tiny apt.


You film gay porn in your sprinter fuck off with your 900/mo white privilege mobile. Rest of us sleep in our SUV’s/wagons like men and aren’t pretentious.
Dec 26 2019 5:39PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
PeppermillRenoYou film gay porn in your sprinter fuck off with your 900/mo white privilege mobile. Rest of us sleep in our SUV’s/wagons like men and aren’t pretentious.

I prefer to sleep in my $500k home that is 10 min from Whitefish Mtn resort. I drive there in my $60k truck. Maybe you should work more and ski less.
Dec 26 2019 6:17PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4751 - Karma: -559
WHITEFISHNATEI prefer to sleep in my $500k home that is 10 min from Whitefish Mtn resort. I drive there in my $60k truck. Maybe you should work more and ski less.


Ski less..... that ain’t an option. It’s the only thing I like. Go to the Chase Arena in SF and look at the exterior glass railings I sold those at my last job.

Just saying 150k sprinters aren’t options most of us are happy with a mattress in the back of the car and some powder. Sorry you wanna make everything a competition.
Dec 26 2019 6:21PM
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