Hi Peacewalker, i didn't want to do this nomad life style but we have always rented & so by the time we paid out what we had to there was little left. My hubby had been talking about doing this for 20 years at least,so i gave in & we left Mackay over 5 years ago & i love it, i have many medical issues & so he has built my bed to suit me also the steps are like normal stairs with a rail. We sometimes house sit but still live in the van & as we have kids & g'kids in 3 states we spend a while in towns where they are. I wouldn't change it for the world, mind you he does rub it in now & then we could have been doing this a couple of years earlier if i hadn't been so scared to do it. Good Luck.