An Open Letter to the Toy Hauler Community

[bkirkpatrick]

I just finished selling my Toy Hauler and Tow Vehicle and am officially out of camping. The kids have grown and have their licenses and have kind of lost interest in the whole desert / riding thing. Additionally, we just bought a place in Big Bear and plan to begin a new chapter in our family life with Off-Road vehicles.

The members on this forum have been great with their knowledge and sense of humor. Although I have only met a few, it is proud and family oriented group which I have been proud to share info with and even give a jab or two. Just wanted to say thanks as I won't be on here much more and wish everyone safe journeys while out camping and riding.

Brendan

[hone_eagle]

And then come the grand kids - and it starts all over again 🙂

[nayther]

For sure it evolves. We started out going play riding with family/friends. Then family dwindled but friend's circle got bigger. Then we started racing and the friends/family outings went to two or three a year only. Then the boys grew up and it was just me racing/riding. Now they have families of their own and we're starting over again with my grandson. However with only one dirtbike in the stable the next trailer will NOT be a toy hauler but a conventional fifth wheel with a rack for the bike.

[dedmiston]

bkirkpatrick wrote:

lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.

Amen.

[bkirkpatrick]

lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.

[lincster]

Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

[rkortes]

From what I've observed, it appears that the dirt riding/ATV aspect of camping with the family has a shelf life that usually revolves around the kids getting their own wings. We experienced the same thing with our family and most of our riding friends and families around 8 years ago. My wife and I still enjoy riding with new friends, but It's pretty clear that we will divest ourselves from the TH and go to another RV solution within the next 7 or 8 years.

[nayther]

bkirkpatrick wrote:
What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.

unless you have a dual sport!

But as with any place eventually you'll get bored exploring the same trails. You can connect to the Lucerne Valley via Rattlesnake wash and then you're off across the desert.

[bkirkpatrick]

Blackdiamond wrote:
I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.

Basically the same here. Two boys, 14 & 17. Used to love to go when they were younger but now with sports and friends, tough to get them motivated. At least Big Bear is only 2 hours away (door to door). Kids like snow boarding and going to probably unload the off-road toys for a jeep or other 4x4 to go exploring up there. What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.

[Blackdiamond]

I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.

[Dirtclods]

Big Bear is an awesome area if you get board check out this:


http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sbnf/workingtogether/volunteering

I belong to the motorcycle division but theirs quads,jeeps, UTV and so on if you still like to be involved.

[CabinetmakerII]

I grew up in Big Bear. Both of my brothers still live there. They are active in the Off-road community there and know the area very well. I have fond memories of Van Duson Canyon, Holcomb Valley, Sky Line Drive.... Enjoy you new adventures and If you run into Larry or Ron tell them their little brother says Hi!

[WhitehouseLV]

This thread is almost depressing...reading about everyone's kids growing up & one of the old timers leaving. Hey Brendan, I sure enjoyed your posts over the years. I copied many of your modifications, so thanks for the pics and write ups on those! Big Bear was the first place we went with our 3612. Beautiful up there, enjoy your new adventure!

cheers,
Jason

[2btowed]

Have enjoyed all your upgrades on the ol'Raptor,still have mine,but I am now taking the grandkids camping and riding...another generation of ATV riders I guess.My daughter has moved to Huntington Beach so we camp there for a week in the summer.I have looked for riding spots that are kinda in the Big Bear area,esp for the summer.Let us know how it goes,and how the riding is.Will miss your 'classy'posts.

[TomAndJenn]

Best of luck to you Brendan!