Any Other RV travelers here

waynewvwaynewv
in General

I like to travel with my camper, fully self contained so I can stop anywhere and anytime. If you happen to get down near Tampa, Florida and you need to stop over for a night or two let me know. I have a big driveway all paved and have water and electric if needed.
My nightly fees are cheap, a one hour cuddle , LOL
I know the high fuel cost will have people cut back on traveling.
I’m still going as much as I can get away.

Comments

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    I almost bought a travel trailer once, but at the last minute, decided to retain my savings and just use my SUV, instead. Turns out it was perfect for me! I'm a certified car camping expert, now. There is nothing like the joy of being self-contained in your safe space, which also has the magical ability to transport you to another state at whim! I absolutely adored that lifestyle, and hope to return to it again, someday.

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

  • Mike403Mike403

    An expensive way to travel in this market. It's probably cheaper to fly and book a hotel room.

  • waynewvwaynewv

    @Mike403 , I just flew 850 miles for a cuddle it was way cheaper then driving even if I took my motorcycle!!!
    When Covid hit I used my camper a lot more so I could avoid motels and public bathrooms. Mine is only 18’ so not real bad on fuel when towing.

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    Short distances for a few days. I have a tent system set up for the bed of my truck.

    Haven't tried it in hot weather yet but was toasty down to 30° last November.

  • sillysassysillysassy

    OMGOSH!!! This is so much fun!! @waynewv you can absolutely GUARANTEE that I will be stopping in to see you.... I think you need one of those trackers so at any given moment we can know where you are and join you. 😊 What a fun thread!!! And @KYtransplant that is so super cool! Looks like you have got a great system there.

    I am just starting to build out my shell a little bit on my pickup so I can do some overnight camping. I'm excited to hear about your adventures @SunsetSnuggles because I will see you this weekend!! I've done some backpacking and RVing with friends, but its going to be fun creating my cozy little space like you said. I’m even experimenting with some solar panels and creating a lift for the bed so I can have all my tools still available underneath. Super stoked!!

    The funny thing is... it all started because I would carry stuff around for outdoor cuddles!!! When its rainy we just put it all in the pickup and WA-LA! 🌈✨☀️


  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @sillysassy I love it!! We can definitely can talk shop about solo female travel!! 💞🚙🏞

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl
    edited June 2022

    I mostly avoid commercial campgrounds.

    Sometimes we have to share a site with the wildlife. 1st photo.

    The 2nd photo is in the Rod & Gun Campground in the Black Hills national Forest. It only has 7 sites, but I've never seen it full. We are often all alone there.

    The 3rd photo is my top secret site, tucked into a clearing in the woods, in the Shoshone National Forest, about 12 miles from the N.E. entrance to Yellowstone. We're always alone here.



  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @GreatHornedOwl Absolutely gorgeous sites you've found!! 🌲🌲🌲

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

  • waynewvwaynewv

    @sillysassy , looks like some fun times ahead for you. Your welcome anytime !!!! Look into 12 volt electric blankets for those cold nights.
    I’ve been using them for years they will keep you as warm as toast.
    Most truck stops sell them.

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    I did it for 1.5 years. Loved it theoretically, but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time in one moment, and now I've moved back into a home and do very little traveling. On the plus side, I'm putting together a lovely spot for people to come to me to instead. 😇

  • waynewvwaynewv

    @ubergigglefritz , that sounds nice. I joined a site called Boondockers. I let people stop over for 1-3 nights for free then I can do the same when I travel, have not used it yet but hope to in the near future.
    Take care

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    @waynewv boondockers welcome? I used that quite a bit. 😁 Though I unfortunately can't really host people in trailers or rvs, I was just saying I can host people in general. 😇 My last house was a little less nicely set up as I'm doing here...

  • [Deleted User]Verbena (deleted user)

    I'm actually just about to head out into the unknown in a little RV at the end of the month!!

    @GreatHornedOwl your post motivates me!
    I'm going to be sticking to a lot of national parks myself.

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    This was the set up I used to have. I had it converted to a gooseneck because it sucked as a bumper pull.

    Not much in the way of large vehicles scares me. But this did until I had it modified.

  • MrMarkAndrewMrMarkAndrew

    For those who own and live in a full-time RV, what are the overall cost differences vs. owning a home? It would be awesome to avoid mortgages/renting, but I can imagine there are other costs (gas, maintenance, etc). that would have to be considered.

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    @MrMarkAndrew You've asked a question that simply can't be answered, The cost of full-timing can be extremely variable. Some so called RV resorts can charge $80 to $100 per night. At the other extreme, I often spend weeks at a time camped in remote areas in a national forest, without a nightly fee at all (check ant N.F. website for Dispersed Camping).

    You can buy a new travel trailer or 5th wheel for under $20K. You can also spend over $500K for a luxury, Class A. There are loads of options between those extremes. If you go with either of the types of trailers. You will need a truck to tow it, preferably a 3/4 ton or 1 ton diesel. If you choose a Class A, you will need a vehicle to tow behind it.

    Check out:
    https://escapees.com/
    https://www.rvforum.net/
    https://www.irv2.com/forums/

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    @MrMarkAndrew If you're looking to remain stationary with an inexpensive travel trailer to save money it can be done.

    Many smaller trailer parks will allow full time units. These are not campgrounds and do not have the amenities you would expect.

    They provide a level parking pad, electric, water and sewage hookups.

    Basic lot rent on these In this area is about $300 a month. You are responsible for utilities.

    I have a friend of mine who is living full time in his 30' travel trailer.

    Expenses you may have not considered are they are often poorly insulated and cost more to heat and cool. Things also wear out faster as a tiny space gets a lot of use.

    I lived full time in my camper for 3 years after a divorce very cheaply. But I was parked on a family farm behind a barn with no lot rent hooked into electricity and toting water in as needed. I then moved it up to my land as I was building my house and barn.

    If you're looking for the glamorous tiny house life, a lot of that's for show only.

    The reality is in very small areas it can be an extreme challenge to keep things neat, organized, in working order and not lose one's sanity.

    What are your end goals in wanting to try this?

    But like @GreatHornedOwl said, budget first and see if the reality of what is financially feasible is what you want.

  • applepie55applepie55

    I am currently traveling full time in a self converted van.
    @GreatHornedOwl those pictures are beautiful! I’d love to reach out once im in those areas if you wouldn’t mind sharing! Promise to leave it better than I found it!
    @MrMarkAndrew as others have said, it really depends on what your needs and comfort levels are. It can be done cheap, though gas prices are making that difficult rn. You also have to consider sudden mechanical issues and things that arise from being on the road.
    I haven’t had much luck since I left (3 months yesterday!) but I’m hoping to experience the great outdoors again soon!

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    @GreatHornedOwl you are exactly right in the variability. Even your simple assumptions aren't always true. I had a class A, but no toad. It was only 27', so I drove it most anywhere I needed to go. If I had done it longer, I was going to try to start using a folding bike for short distances.

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    @MrMarkAndrew my tip on expenses is that you need to either be willing and interested to learn as much maintenance and repair as possible or have lots of money. Good RV service people are both expensive and hard to find and schedule. RVs have high maintenance and repair requirements. That means you either need a lot of funds or to do it yourself. I knew that before I started, but it was even more true than I expected.

  • Nature_Lover_Nature_Lover_

    This thread is awesome!! I support all those who wander, explore and especially those immersing themselves into nature 💜

    @Verbena please don’t be a stranger if you come through Kentucky. We have mammoth cave national park along other local treasures and oddities to explore.

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    @ubergigglefritz - I once had a 19' class B that I used without a toad, but i can't imagine doing it with a 27' class A. Let's envision a week long visit to Yellowstone (when it isn't flooded). You're camped at Fishing Bridge RV Park. The first morning, you get up early, have breakfast, and spend 15 minutes getting everything secured so that you can drive.

    You plan to co visit the Canyon area today. Along the way, you plan to make a stop at Mud Volcano, but there's no place for you to park a 27 footer, so you keep going, Two bison jams later, you arrive at Canyon ant turn up the South Rim Drive. You had planned to do Uncle Tom's Trail down into the canyon, but the parking lot is full, so you decide to head over to Artist's Point. There some empty parking spaces, but none that you can fit into. You circle around and sit and wait for one of the very few RV spots to open up. This time, you're lucky. You only have to wait 10 minutes. The view from Artist's point is spectacular. it was worth the wait.

    Next, you move over to the North Rim Drive. There are several beautiful viewpoints there. Guess what. You pass by the first one because because there's no place to park. Near the 2nd overlook you actually find a parking spot that you can fit into. When was the last time that you tried to parallel park a 27' vehicle into a 29' space?

    You decide to leave Canyon and go see the wildlife in the Lamar valley. The plan is to stop and have lunch at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area, but first you have to cross over Dunraven Pass. In a car, that crossing is "interesting. Not being a very experienced mountain driver, the crossing is harrowing. You finally get to the picnic area, and once again, there's no place to park. You give up on that idea, and decide to back track and grab a sandwich at the Tower Fall General Store. Oops! the parking lot isn't very big, and there eight cars already there waiting for spaces. You decide to skip lunch and head back to the valley. There's a nice walk down to Tower Falls, but you have to skip that too. With no place to turn around, but you manage to squeeze through the parking lot to go out the other end, and head back to the valley.

    On the way through Lamar Valley, you see quite a few pronghorn, huge herds of bison, and one grizzly bear off in the distance. After passing through Lamar, you continue on through Soda Butte valley, where you see more herds of bison. You want to take the hike up to and around Trout Lake, but, as usual, there are already three cars waiting for parking spaces.

    You give up for the day, and head back to camp. The thought of crossing Dunraven Pass doesn't excite you, but going the long way around the loop would add several hours to the drive. You're surprised to discover that the crossing is actually a little easier in this direction. On the way back to camp, you get stuck in three different bison jams. One of them has you at a complete standstill for 15 minute. You finally get back to camp at around 8 pm, have dinner, and go to bed, totally exhausted.

    The next day, you decide to go see Old Faithful. You have breakfast, go through the routine of securing everything for travel, and head off. Along the way, you have many beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, you plan to stop and see the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The parking lot is full, but after a 20 minute wait, a space opens up.

    Continuing on to Old Faithful, you have to cross Craig Pass, but this turns out to be no as all as difficult as Dunraven Pass was. At the top of Craig Pass, you want to stop and see Isa Lake. It actually straddles the continental divide, and is one of the very few lakes in the world that has outlets flowing into two different oceans. It looks pretty as you drive by, but once again, you can't park. Toward the bottom of the pass, you are amazed to be able to grab the only open parking spot at Keppler Cascade. It's a short walk, and it's beautiful.

    A few miles later you arrive at Old Faithful. The parking lot is enormous, and you only have to circle around for 10 minutes til you fins a spot that you'll fit into. While you were circling, you missed an eruption, but you can look at the exhibits in the visitor center while you wait for the next one.

    After you finally take photos of Old Faithful erupting, you head on north. You pass by Biscuit Basin because the parking lot is full. At Midway, you find cars parked along the shoulder for a 1/2 mile, You really want to see Grand Prismatic Spring, so you park and walk. On the way back, you make another for Biscuit Basin, and actually find a parking space after only 10 minutes. The walk around the basin is nice, but just don't have the energy left to do the three mile round trip walk to see the gorgeous Mystic Falls.

    You cross back over Craig Pass, and don't even bother checking to see if there's room to park at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. You get back to camp, and while having dinner, you realize that you have spent two days, and haven't really seen near as much as you had planned to see. You decide to give up on Yellowstone, and move on to see the surrounding National Forests, where parking will be easier.

    There is no way that I would even consider trying to see Yellowstone National Park, or Yosemite National Park, of Grand Smokey Mountains National Park, or Evergladed National Park, etc., etc., etc. in a 27' class A without a toad.

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    I didn't travel that way. Obviously, the point is that there is no one answer to every person looking at RV life. I was merely saying that I was an example of someone who was perfectly fine not having a toad with a class A. You said "if you [get] a class A, you will need a [toad]". That's not true for everyone.

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    @ubergigglefritz - You're right. A small percentage of class A owners do get by without a toad. However, it's important that anybody contemplating doing so should understand what the problems can be. Just because something can be done, doesn't mean that it should be done, and it may not be a good idea to tell an absolute beginner that he should consider doing it..

    There are people who go boondocking with a residential type, 120 vac refrigerator. They're just willing to put up with the problems. I once spent a winter in northern Indiana, in a class C. It was possible, but it was a terrible idea. I put up with it because I was having trouble selling my house in Pennsylvania.

    Generally, most people who own class As do so because they plan to travel a lot. For those who don't plan to travel a lot, towables make much more sense.

  • ubergigglefritzubergigglefritz

    😆 I actually had a residential fridge, lol, and boondocked for up to five days with it, lol. I much preferred it and chose the RV specifically for the short length and it being a residential fridge. 😂 Pros and cons to all choices. It's important for anyone thinking about the RV life to listen to the reasons and explanations for people's choices, as opposed to listen to blanket rules, so they can figure out the right choice for THEM. I had plenty of reasons for going the route I did and had absolutely no regrets over my choice. I loved that RV so much. Definitely perfect for me and how I camped. Most people regret their first choice and switch not long after buying their first (and often second) RV, so I consider my choice a huge success. 😁

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    I just love the RV shows around here. Usually in January. The technology and designs today are simply amazing. All the choices today! Just Wow 👍

    I did the pop-up camper back in day with slide outs. Kids were little and some really good memories made. 😊

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