One Year Try
I'm debating on doing this for a year or so, but have not yet made a final decision. I could just go traveling for 3 months and stay in motels (would not have as much freedom, plus I want to travel fo...
Forum Discussion
Here's a thought I literally stumbled onto 10 years ago while I was in fact thinking about something else. My challenge; I was engaged in traveling sales/management (on a 1099 and W-2 overrides), driving my Town Car 30-35k mi/yr, all over the east coast. Back then, for 10 days to 2 weeks out of each month, the roach-coach motels were $35-$40/nite and "greasy-spoon" restaurants were common fare. To compound the issue, I might move 100 miles between towns during that 2 week road trip.
Having camped in my younger years, I decided to give RVing a thought. I initially looked at MoHo's, 5ers, and TTs as an alternative to Tom Bodett and the "Awful House". I had eventually decided on a 5th wheel and was ready to make the jump when I called a long time RVer friend of mine. We talked at length and I explained my needs... something highly mobile, versatile, with 4 season capability to handle winter travel for 10 days to 2 weeks. He told me to look at truck campers. What the...??:h
He was right. I traded my 4 wheeler for a used 7.3 diesel dually ($23,000 at the time) with 39k on the clock and bought the biggest self contained TC w/slide and on-board genny that Lance made ($24,000 cash). My first night of camping cost me $47,026 for FHUs. The size has given me reasonable room as a solo and I can fit into virtually any place. I've traveled and camped in temps ranging from -8° to 100°+. When I'm in an open campground, I can off-load the camper at the site in 15-20 mins and use the truck as a daily driver. Tiring of the commute, I went f/t almost 3 years ago averaging about 10k mi/yr.
Over the years, my camping fees have been between $10-$20/nite mostly in government parks. Their 2 week stay limit has worked out fine. I can't tell you how many nights I've dry-camped off grid, camped at a business with an electrical hookup, or parked in a relative or friend's driveway with E&W hookups. The "geezer" pass I picked up a few years ago has lowered my camping costs, as has my membership with Passport America. However, in recent times, I've augmented my travels with monthly stays at small mom and pop parks, thus reducing my camping fees even more.
In thirteen days I reach the ripe ol' retirement age of 65. While I'd appreciate a little more room, specifically a Barcalounger and a bed I don't have to climb up 4 feet to get into, I'm a bit conflicted with giving up the awesome advantages of the TC that I've come to appreciate. I have no idea what my 10 year old TC is worth today. But, it's got to be a little more than a big cigar box of motel receipts.:B Good luck in your decision.
Having camped in my younger years, I decided to give RVing a thought. I initially looked at MoHo's, 5ers, and TTs as an alternative to Tom Bodett and the "Awful House". I had eventually decided on a 5th wheel and was ready to make the jump when I called a long time RVer friend of mine. We talked at length and I explained my needs... something highly mobile, versatile, with 4 season capability to handle winter travel for 10 days to 2 weeks. He told me to look at truck campers. What the...??:h
He was right. I traded my 4 wheeler for a used 7.3 diesel dually ($23,000 at the time) with 39k on the clock and bought the biggest self contained TC w/slide and on-board genny that Lance made ($24,000 cash). My first night of camping cost me $47,026 for FHUs. The size has given me reasonable room as a solo and I can fit into virtually any place. I've traveled and camped in temps ranging from -8° to 100°+. When I'm in an open campground, I can off-load the camper at the site in 15-20 mins and use the truck as a daily driver. Tiring of the commute, I went f/t almost 3 years ago averaging about 10k mi/yr.
Over the years, my camping fees have been between $10-$20/nite mostly in government parks. Their 2 week stay limit has worked out fine. I can't tell you how many nights I've dry-camped off grid, camped at a business with an electrical hookup, or parked in a relative or friend's driveway with E&W hookups. The "geezer" pass I picked up a few years ago has lowered my camping costs, as has my membership with Passport America. However, in recent times, I've augmented my travels with monthly stays at small mom and pop parks, thus reducing my camping fees even more.
In thirteen days I reach the ripe ol' retirement age of 65. While I'd appreciate a little more room, specifically a Barcalounger and a bed I don't have to climb up 4 feet to get into, I'm a bit conflicted with giving up the awesome advantages of the TC that I've come to appreciate. I have no idea what my 10 year old TC is worth today. But, it's got to be a little more than a big cigar box of motel receipts.:B Good luck in your decision.
