Why do I worry?

[Geocritter]

After sitting in San Marcos TX since June in my new-to-me 1994 Holiday Rambler I’m now just a month away from heading out on the start of my new mobile life. The following is my concern.

I’ve never been much of a worrier about car and travel issues. I’ve done my own car repairs all my life and I’ve always been very self-reliant. When I was in college I didn’t think twice about taking a semester off, hoping in my ratty old TR3 and driving from Illinois to San Francisco via Los Angeles (it was winter). Almost ran out of money by Vegas but took the $20 I had left and turned it into $200 playing black jack. That was in the late 60’s. In the 80’s I rebuilt a 1956 21' aluminum cabin cruiser. I used to take it 30 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico sport fishing. Some of my friends thought I was crazy but for years I had a great time with it. The boat actually gave me something to like about summer in Houston. I’ve made I don’t know how many coast to coast drives in cars and trucks that a lot of people wouldn’t even drive around the block. So why am I feeling so much trepidation as I prepare to drive my good running low-mileage RV from San Marcos TX to Tucson AZ next month. Sure it’s 900 miles but it’s an easy drive, all freeways, the kind of drive that machinery loves. So why do I have this nagging worry in the back of my mind? I turned 66 in August, is this a symptom of old age or something? Please don’t tell me it’s gonna get worse.

Steve

[Loosegoose]

I'm gettin ready to make my first trip in a antique. Hey! I figure if I get problems at least I got a place to sleep, eat.contemplate or untill I figure it out.Go For IT.Dont Worry Be Happy :)))) Loose

[pigfarmer]

Steve,You answered your own question in the last sentence of your first paragraph. Maybe this trip/lifestyle can still be done by the two of you and Gail may just ride down the highway with you. Go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Geocritter]

I want to thank all y’all that have posted here. Your comments and encouraging words have given me the answers I’ve been looking for. I now feel much better about my up and coming journey and can’t wait to get started (I’m hoping to set out on November 11-12th).

Steve

[Roy_Lynne]

I don't know if you can get road service for a '94 but we drove from Seattle south to Southern Calif in an old Class A in 2005 and we broke down once. With a cell phone and a stash of emergency money for a tow, you will be fine.

[RoadXYZ]

Sprig - spoke of a "sequence of operations" / "checklist before flight" or whatever you call the Checklist .. we could not function in this Lifestyle without our "Camp Departure" checklist .. I print several of them and check each item off as they are done .. and when I need more or need to modify the list, I simply print off more and put them in the file drawer - in readiness for the next journey.

On this Checklist are items such as "Tailgater/kitchen garbage can / dehumidifier next to bed" ; and "Water heater / Water pump - Off" and so on .. we start in back where our bedroom/bath is and proceed through the TT until the front door.

And if in doubt stop at the first Rest Stop, or ? and check the RV for any loose items .. this has taken a lot of the worry out of our traveling down the road. Sometimes it is a matter of "never been there before jitters", but remembering that there are wheels on our home now .. we can just pack up and go down the road if this place isn't where we want to stay.

In our case I have taken care of the inside (with hubby double-checking after I say "ready"), and he takes care of the unhooking, etc. If we didn't have check lists, then we would worry about forgetting something as we are almost 10 years older than you ..

We enjoy the Lifestyle even though our daughters would like us to get an apartment, but frankly we have met more people, have sat around more camp fires, and just generally enjoyed more pot lucks in this Lifestyle than we ever did when we lived in either a stick house or an apartment. People get out, they walk, they greet one another, chit-chat, etc. in this Lifestyle .. Enjoy.

[time2roll]

Very well could be old age. All the more reason to press on and stay young. 😉

[arnko37]

Look up the Loners On Wheels website. They own a campground (open to the public) about 4 miles south of Deming NM. Head there and park it for awhile. They also have chapters in all the states that have regular get togethers. They are mostly retired people. From there you may meet others to caravan with. You will love it.

[Sprig]

Geocritter wrote:
After sitting in San Marcos TX since June in my new-to-me 1994 Holiday Rambler I’m now just a month away from heading out on the start of my new mobile life... So why am I feeling so much trepidation as I prepare to drive my good running low-mileage RV from San Marcos TX to Tucson AZ next month. Sure it’s 900 miles but it’s an easy drive, all freeways, the kind of drive that machinery loves. So why do I have this nagging worry in the back of my mind? ...

I have an opinion on this based on what you wrote. I think you aren't ready for the "sequence of operations" / "Checklist Before Flight". With all the forgetful moments posted on this web site and damage done and things gone wrong I think the back of your mind is telling you something important.

I think you should practice this new adventure by taking a day or weekend trip next week to the next closest park, even if it is only a block away. It takes time to get the sequence of packing up for departure and setting up after landing to get used to everything involved.

The driving on the interstate for 900 miles is going to be a non-issue if the rig is mechanically sound; and you know that because you even mentioned such. If it breaks down, so what ... you have your house with you ... just a new view out the window as you eat your next breakfast.

I don't think there is a single new RV'r that didn't break something due to a temporary lack of memory/smarts(or distractions); and you read about such stories here all the time. I think that is what you are subconsciously afraid of.

Take the recommended trip and return at your pace. Check, double check, and triple check everything (and you will still probably forget something).

Oh, and remember if you take a right turn first, everything you forgot to secure well will be on the floor on the left side of the RV.

You are going to have some form of issue ... its unavoidable. How minor/major it is will just depend.

Life is a sexually transmitted disease that always ends in death.

Your attitude to new challenges determines how much fulfillment you get out of your life.

Good luck,
Drive smart,
Try to stay away from the idiots... (going to be hard)

[CincyGus]

When your younger, your too inexperienced or ignorant to know about the pitfuls that might be out there. Over our lives, we step in those little potholes once in a while and that makes us more cautious. That said, most people are often concerned or worry about the unknown and change. I had a great friend and mentor once tell me that if you look back on your life and examine the changes that you have made, for most people, 90% of them turned out positive. With that experience, you would think most of us would embrace change. If you focus on that positive, your perspective changes and you'll enjoy change more. Why let 10% bring you down? Prepare for the 10% that concerns you and dive in and smile because chances are very strong, everything will be alright.

[my440]

There is nothing much you can do to stop the worry regardless.
Once your rolling down the road on your way the worry should turn into this is awesome.

Best of luck!

[Lurker52]

We full time and have pulled our 5er from Fl. to Ca. and many points in between. We have logged about 10k towing. whenever I pull the rig I am anxious. I always prepair, check tire pressure engine oil ect. There are a lot of things that can go wroung and when you know you will be in the middle of nowhere it can be un-nerving. I do have road side assitance. I prepair well and head out. I know I will be nervous, it is my nature. When we arrive at our destination and I am unhooked and the slides are out I breath a sigh of relieve. The traveling part of fulltiming is stressful for me but it is part of the adventure. Prepair, hook up and GO!

[2gypsies1]

For some companionship (not dating) just basic RV fun - exploring the immediate area, fishing, rock hunting, 4-wheeling, meals, etc., consider joining this or other RV groups for singles.

Escapees RV Club also has a group called "SOLOS".

These ARE NOT dating services. They are geared for retired RVers and just a group for having fun together and planning trips.

Loners On Wheels

[Geocritter]

Thanks all y’all,

You’ve given me a lot to mentally chew on here and I appreciate it. I’m beginning to think it’s not an age issue at all. I suppose one of the recent things that’s put me on edge is all the problems I had doing an otherwise simple maintenance task on this rig (new shocks) because of enormous (to me) and stuck fastener issues. However, now that the task has been successfully completed I’ve learned to be better prepared when starting a new task. It’s not a car, it’s an RV built on a TRUCK chassis and I’m learning that there’s a BIG difference, literally! One of my other concerns is, what if I learn that I don’t like the full-time lifestyle. I’m sure I will love the lifestyle but there’s that nagging doubt, especially since I became a widower. Gail was not only my wife, she was my best friend and adventure partner. She and I had planned to do this same adventure for years and now it’s just me.

Anyhow, thanks again everyone for all your responses, they’ve really helped me to feel better about this new life chapter unfolding before me.

Steve

[Scott16]

A lot of good points. I think it is the old age unknown that comes to mind. We've all experienced issues younger enjoyed all the advaentures that come with travel. We've learned, how to cope with the problem so we were experienced. Now the unknown is back and we sit back trying to make sure everyhing is covered and sends your head spinning sometime. I finally just take a walk and do somehting else for a while, and i feel better. I am sure you will be fine after you get started. Enjoy your travels,
Scott