Havent camped in 2 years

As people mention weight distributing hitches, it occurs to me that the Equal-I-zer brand doesn't have to be removed. The bars can be pushed up close to the rear bumper of the tow vehicle to be out of the way, and you can drive all over with them still attached. I've done it quite a bit. I swapped out the small cotter pins that hold them on for small locks typically used on luggage. That way they don't grow legs unless somebody is dedicated to the cause.

Good luck with what ever you choose. Growin' old ain't for wimps!

I agree with what brantlyj said, if you camp in places such as an rv park there is bound to be someone to help or even park staff might assist with stabilizer jacks or the like.

You might also consider joining a group, that way you would have people camping with you that could help you get set up. I group camp and solo (with my 12 year old son and my dog) and I really enjoy the group outings for all the chit chat around the campfire and so forth.

I might add, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I just put a deposit on a trailer so other than a tent I haven’t been in an rv park. But I would have no problem helping someone with set-up.

As long as I have the ability or something so pressing I can’t stop I have never turned down a request for help.

Prowler Doug wrote:
I really hurt my back 2 years ago.I have been going to physical therapy and seeing a Chiropractor. I was forced into early retirement also. I have some real anxiety going on about the setup and towing my TT to the campsite. I hope when I get on the road next week these feelings will subside. My future plan is to sell the TT and buy a class C I think that would be a easier setup for me. I camp mostly by myself with my dog.

Thanks maybe I will see you out there, Doug.

Research ordering a RV directly from a Factory. The quality is very good & they can help you build something that may help you. Look in the US & Canada. Research the smaller Fiberglass Trailers. Oliver, Casita, Bigfoot, Etc. They hold there value, light weight, resale very fast, and built very well. Also there is http://www.lazydaze.com/ they will build you one & they have been in business 50 years and are well built. In Canada there is https://taylorcoach.com/ I think all Canada Rv's are 4 season. Wish you the best.

Seems the toughest parts on a persons back would be the wdh if you use one and cranking the jack.
If you can pull it without a wdh with some simple mods to the truck suspension and get an electric jack, there’s no other heavy work I can think of to setup and tear down.
Use a drill for leveling jacks

Sorry to hear about your back issues. Wish you well.

I'm sure it goes without saying, but I would go think through things methodically to anticipate the potential trouble spots. You hopefully know your limitations and therefore can see where the issues might be. For instance, I would think the biggest problems would be handling the weight distribution hitch and sway bars. Hopefully you have help getting them installed before you go, if not, what can you do to help minimize the trouble with these. I posted a WDH storage caddie made from a harbor freight rolling mechanics seat about a week ago. I only have minimal periodic back strain issues but I hated having to lug that hitch around and store it. While traveling we leave the WDH on the truck. The sway bars are a different issue. Will they be a problem to lift? If so, you will need to come up with a way to handle this since they can't easily be left attached. Anyway, walk through every step you can think of and look for the "hot" spots and devise a way to deal with them.

A class C might be easier in some respects, but it will bring challenges of its own. If you don't tow a car, you will have to break camp or Uber every time you need to go somewhere. If you tow a car, it brings its own weight challenges. Leveling a class C without automatic jacks adds two more tires to level vs a TT, etc...

Good luck and happy camping!

Sorry about your back. I was diagnosed with a congenital problem in my back at age 20. Doctor told me no surgery then because I would end up in worse shape and to wait till surgery techniques improved. 46 years later (2 years ago), and many MORE problems, I had surgery. I had tried everything on the books to relieve the pain and problems, but all that didn't work at that point. So I set time out in our fulltiming schedule to have the surgery. Two months later, I was back driving our big rig (I do all the driving, DH navigates). This summer we cleaned out a house where we had stuff stored and I carried boxes, etc., up out of the basement at least 15-20 times a day. Back in great shape now. I decided I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in pain and discomfort and I'm so glad I had the surgery.

Physical therapy worked for some time with me. You might try that.

Dale

Lwiddis wrote:
Don’t fret camp setup with your TT, Go slow, take breaks, devise a setup procedure. It’s mental, not physical.

IMO the "GO SLOW and TAKE BREAKS" is the whole key. Now in my 70's I've learned you can do just about everything, it just takes much longer and not trying to do it all at once is a real key. It takes some retraining to get into a new rhythm of doing simple tasks in stages. For instance I used to wax my entire Van at once, then it was 1/2 one day, take a day off, 1/2 the next day, another day off and then the roof. Now it takes about 6 days, 1/4 each day and two days for the roof. I also almost always do stuff outside early in the A.M and never fight the heat if it's going to be hot that day.

Larry

Don’t fret camp setup with your TT, Go slow, take breaks, devise a setup procedure. It’s mental, not physical.

I know the feeling. This last winter I took a spill and tore up my rotator and had to go in for surgery. Haven't been able to get out this year and I am kitchen to go. Hope recovery has been good to you.