Hobbies on the road?

[DKAvery]

I'm in the planning and saving stage of going full-time and I have a question for those who live full-time in your rv ... how do you find a place for the hobbies you enjoy?

My thought was to either get a 26 to 28' travel trailer or 5th wheel which has a bunk area (bunk to sleep in and "bedroom" switched to a hobby area). Or perhaps a toy hauler .. although I haven't seen a floor plan I like in a toy hauler yet. I like to cook so a kitchen with some storage and an easy chair to put my feet up at night are required.

I know I can't have as many hobbies as I do atm but there are so many I don't want to lose. writing, wood carving (know I'll have to pare down the tools I use), drawing, painting, fishing, running, scuba, crocheting, making quilts, mmo games, stained glass (I've already decided that one won't work in a trailer 😞

If you have a good set up for your hobbies could you share?

[RoadLife]

I always take my sewing machine. For quilt making, you can make your quilt squares anywhere, then if you are worried about the dirt, find an rv park with a quilting get together where you can put it together. If not using it in your rv, store it in a large garbage bag and it will be fine. Optionally take along a screen room and put it over the picnic table. 😉

[w4phj]

Ham Radio, takes less than one cubic foot except for a screwdriver antenna on the rear ladder.

[atreis]

I'm a saltwater aquarist, as well as camper, hiker, backpacker, etc... This hobby isn't all that compatible with RVs, but I've done a little work on designing a custom tank and filtration for an appropriately capable full-time RV. It'd be cool to be able to someday build it, but I'm doubtful. (The two big challenges are the weight distribution of it and the need for 24/7 electricity.)

[Jagtech]

Sez Hoo! wrote:
I've taken up metal detecting. It doesn't take up much space and you can do it almost any place you go. You never know what you'll find.

X2 !!

[2012Coleman]

Dog Folks wrote:
I build wooden model boats. Everything fits well inside a standard sized tool box. I build on the dinette table.

I would love to have the time to do this - started on The Bluenose when I was single, then got married and had a kid...

[porknbeanr]

Radio Control Cars and Planes!

[TexasVet01]

We (my DW and I) haul our embroidery business (hobby??) in a 24' trailer behind our Jayco Seneca (39' class C). We do 40+ shows a year and stay busy at our hobby constantly.

It's a hobby that turned into a fulltime business....

On our days off, we tour the countryside on our '06 Goldwing.

Happy Trails...
Lew

[Clay_L]

WandaLust2 wrote:
SNIP I like jigsaw puzzles and they fit under the sofa on a large piece of cardboard, but the cats get into them. 😞 SNIP.

My wife was into jigsaw puzzles for a while. Our cat messed with them too.
Lee bought a special jigsaw mat somewhere that you put the puzzle together on that rolls up and can be stowed until she wanted to work on it again. The puzzle stayed together when rolled up.

[Sez_Hoo_]

I've taken up metal detecting. It doesn't take up much space and you can do it almost any place you go. You never know what you'll find.

[WandaLust2]

Dyngbld wrote:
.... If I am going to spend that kind of money and live in it full time we are taking our hobbies with us. 🙂

I agree with you 100%! 🙂 If we ever go fulltime, we'll need a larger TT, one with more slide-outs or perhaps even a 5th wheel.

[WandaLust2]

When we're snow birding for the winter we do a lot of reading, watching movies on DVDs, have our satellite dish with us, have our PCs with us for internet access anywhere (we bring our own hotspot). We play computer games. Our TT is only 28' with one slide so there is little room for hobbies and pastimes. I always buy outdoor potted flowers to care for while in FL and then give most away when we head back home on April 1st. I like jigsaw puzzles and they fit under the sofa on a large piece of cardboard, but the cats get into them. 😞 It's also a good time to try new recipes, both indoors and on the grill. But as for my sewing... taking the machine and my stash of fabrics is out of the question.

[fireman93514]

We have also turned our overhead bunk into storage. I usually carry a guitar, harmonicas, and a native American flute. I also have a small lapidary setup that fits in a storage tub. We generally have several cameras, lenses, and tripods. Under the dinette seat are several fishing rods and gold pans.

[Clay_L]

My wife makes miniature scale room boxes with LED lighting incorporated so they act as a night light. Some have been appraised at over $2000.

She has a fairly large plastic folding table we got at Wallmart. In places where we spend several months she puts it out under the awning and covers it at night with a tarp. She brings tools out as required - miniature lathe, table saw,drill press, etc.

I am able to have all of my woodcarving tools with me and I put a tarp under my chair to catch the chips so I can easily clean up when I go in for the night.

I have a small metal folding table I use when I do reloading. I have a set of hand held reloading tools that are stored in a pretty good sized plastic box stored under the bed.
When I write software I sit at the dinette table with my laptop and reference books.

[Dyngbld]

My wife is a knitter, every coach we look at the first we do is look for a "yarn storage" area. Under the bed looks like a good place. I also look for place to set my ham radio gear. If I am going to spend that kind of money and live in it full time we are taking our hobbies with us. 🙂