Taste of things to come?

[lizzie]

We were ready to leave our campsite this a.m. when my husband wrenched his back and could hardly move. We could not stay in that site so I had to get us moved. For the first time ever, I could not unhook the services and hook up the TV by myself. I had to ask for help. I was able to get it set-up at another site but left it hitched to the truck. We will stay for a few days until he is feeling better. This was a real eye-opener for me. I am wondering if we need to start looking for a rig with more electronic assistance (levelers, awning)or should go back to a Class B. We like the size and flexibility of our small (22') TT but I camped in our B by myself with no problem. What do others do? lizzie

[dannytas]

HappyKayakers wrote:
Kudos on your baptism by fire. Don't worry about changing RVs, after a few more times it'll be second nature.

I agree...you go girl!!! A few more times and it will get easier.

[frankdamp]

We had a similar problem on a trip to the Oregon Coast. I got out through the driver's door and missed the "stirrup" step. When I felt myself toppling out backwards with my head about 9' above a concrete pad, I grabbed onto the door-frame and managed to pull myself back up, causing major damage in the process.

There's no way DW can drive our rig - she can't even reach the pedals. Fortunately, one of our dogs had arthritis and we had a full bottle of Tramadol pain reliever with us. I took most of them during our 3-day return trip! A month or so later, I had spinal surgery to repair an extruded C4-C5 lumbar disk.

I use the driver's door as little as possible nowadays and never without a step-ladder outside. BTW I'm about 7 years behind you age-wise and have other arthritis-related problems! I think we may be giving up the RV lifestyle and selling our rig in the spring, particularly if the State Legislature puts another 11 cents on the gas tax, as they're threatening.

[lizzie]

As noted by others, you probably know what you will do already.

No, I really didn't know what we would do and I appreciate all the input. As usual for me, I made lists of pros and cons,spent hours on the internet, and have spent the past week trudging through RV lots. The Class B+ that I really want is still out of reach financially and we are not yet ready to give up hauling our toys in the truck. So yesterday we bought a new-to-us TT with helpful gadgets already on it and more modifications to come. We are using our RV differently now than we were four years ago and in five years I will be 80. I will be saving my pennies for that Navion in my future! lizzie

[burlmart]

Appended...

lizzie wrote:
I am wondering if we need to start looking for a rig with more electronic assistance (levelers, awning)or should go back to a Class B. We like the size and flexibility of our small (22') TT but I camped in our B by myself with no problem. What do others do? lizzie

As noted by others, you probably know what you will do already.

Whatever prompted you to leave all that cozy goodness of an RV in a van for the inherently expanive, though far more mobilly cumbersome, trailer camper -- whatever it was, it must have been a strong desire.

As someone else suggested, you may want to go back to a MH w/ small TT accomidations. That said, given the health issues of the two of you, a B+ would be most appropriate.

It's no accident that the B+ appears to be what the majority of former Class B owners have switched to.


Edit...

Lizzie, I left out an important point you may not have kept track of sinsc you two have been doing the TT experience and its advantages of cost, roominess, and a default toad... A sizeable group of your former nice van RVer friends have switched to the larger size of LTV's B+ vans, often because of their great build quality inside and out.
Just in case you do decide MHs again.

[tragusa3]

As a young(er) camper, it would be an honor to help anyone that needed it.

We were camping last August a few sites down from an elderly couple. Never did talk to them, but my wife and I commented that we hoped to be their age and still loving and enjoying doing this together.

Well, about the third morning we were eating breakfast and heard a loud crash. The husband was on the ground and the wife standing over him not able to do anything. I sprinted (in my mind anyway) across to them to find the husband delirious and not in his right mind. I helped him into a chair. He had fainted from low blood sugar and fell into his outdoor stove cutting his arm and bringing all of it to the ground with him. He was lucky he didn't spill hot grease on himself or catch his clothes on fire.

We stayed with them the next little bit to make sure he was okay and made sure that they were comfortable coming for us if they needed anything.

Anyway, it really made us aware of our own age and how things will be changing for us soon. If anything, we left with admiration of the couple and motivated to press on together doing the things we love. Sure, we may get slower at it and exhausted from the process, but we will not stop.

Lizzie, I wish you many more years of camping, in whatever form it takes. 🙂

[burlmart]

lizzie wrote:
I am wondering if we need to start looking for a rig with more electronic assistance (levelers, awning)or should go back to a Class B. We like the size and flexibility of our small (22') TT but I camped in our B by myself with no problem. What do others do? lizzie

As noted by others, you probably know what you will do already.

Whatever prompted you to leave all that cozy goodness of an RV in a van for the inherently expanive, though far more mobilly cumbersome, trailer camper -- whatever it was, it must have been a strong desire.

As someone else suggested, you may want to go back to a MH w/ small TT accomidations. That said, given the health issues of the two of you, a B+ would be most appropriate.

It's no accident that the B+ appears to be what the majority of former Class B owners have switched to.

[Chock_Full_o__N]

I have psoriatic arthritis in my feet, knees and hands. It's been pretty aggressive in my hands, such that I have finger deformities and I have already had a thumb joint replacement. Sometimes I can hook everything up by myself and other times I just struggle. I have learned to just ASK someone for help. I figure, if they can't help me themselves maybe they know somebody who can.

Last fall I took my 79yo mother camping up in the mountains, to a campground I've been to a million times. Getting it all set up when we got there was a piece of cake. Getting it all unhooked when it was time to go was a little harder. My hands were cold and stiff and nothing was working right. It was taking me 3 times longer to hitch up and go. The final straw was when I couldn't get the damn thing hitched to the truck. The way the campsite was situated was on a rise. Fine when dropping the trailer, not so fine trying to back up that hill and hitch up. My truck doesn't have 4WD (BIG mistake! my next truck will!) so I was slipping and sliding all over the hill, but I couldn't get close to the hitch. Finally, I just got ticked off enough that I just drove the truck away. I went up to the office and told the guy my situation. I do believe some tears were shed. No problem! He hopped into his golf cart and came to my rescue. He knew exactly what to do, and showed me how, so I'll know the next time!

I just love camping. People really do want to help you. Just have to ask!

[lizzie]

No problem getting help. Both the camphost and the Ranger helped. I would not hesitate to ask if they had not volunteered. We are setting out again tomorrow and I have my fingers crossed that all will be well. lizzie

[Horizon170]

Lizzie, I trust your Mate is better now. We travel in a "B" so setup is fairly easy. As a previous "B" owner you know that leveling isn't needed much as the spots generally have a 20' level area. We are both in our 70's so that special tool (channel lock pliers) is sometimes required on the hose.
I'm always alert to fellow travelers in need whether it is on the highway or in a CG. Even the CG maintenance man would probably help. I tip them for helping if needed.
Good luck,

[colliehauler]

Most campground people would help you if you ask, I know I would.

[CavemanCharlie]

PAThwacker wrote:
We got it from our 14m old. she exploded all over her bunkbed and sent the bugs airborne! all four of us then got it one by one. My wife left me up there with the 4 year old and I had needed her to return during breakdown.

Ah, I see. Yes, that can happen. You all still would have gotten sick at home too. But, it may have taken longer in a bigger house to get spread around I admit.

[PAThwacker]

We got it from our 14m old. she exploded all over her bunkbed and sent the bugs airborne! all four of us then got it one by one. My wife left me up there with the 4 year old and I had needed her to return during breakdown.

[camperpaul]

wbwood wrote:
Be careful with the drill and the stabilizers, once they get up to a tightened point, the drill can spin on you if you are not ready and holding it tight. You can hurt your wrist like that.

You can avoid this by setting the drill's 'torque clutch' to start chattering as soon as the jack foot is solidly on the ground.

[mlts22]

A friend of mine learned that lesson as well. Food safety rules apply everywhere... so if I heat something over a campfire, it is something pre-cooked, or where cooking doesn't matter.