Probably Going To The Dark Side

[996Pilot]

Over the years the only RV's I've ever owned have been Truck Campers. Heck the first hint of non-tent camping was in my '75 Chevy pickup that had a shell on the back. I love the convenience, size and the fact that the truck/camper can go anywhere I want it to. But the reality of aging keeps smacking me (us) up side the head every time we camp now. It gets harder and harder to make the climb up and down the bed ladder (especially as many times as I have to pee at night now) and with the east/west bed arrangement, climbing over each other in the middle of the night is not near as fun as we once used to make it 😉 We've had the conversation for the last two years and we always have it when we camp with friends who have fifth wheels. I think we're finally going to pull the trigger and start the ball rolling much to my saddened heart. I love a truck camper - but were looking to go to a fifth wheel. Since I still like to camp and bring the motorcycle(s) it most likely has to be a toy hauler of some sort. And so the search begins!

Of course the Outfitter Apex 8 is functioning just perfectly right now with the new all electric Danfoss compressor refrigerator, the upgraded solar to 260W, the new electric dump valves, new converter, etc. It's always that way. Just when you get something up and going perfectly, BAM - let's make a change!

I'm rambling here but I needed a place to look for even a bit of sympathy - I do this kicking and screaming. Well - here goes nothing!

[jaycocreek]

Of course the Outfitter Apex 8 is functioning just perfectly right now with the new all electric Danfoss compressor refrigerator, the upgraded solar to 260W, the new electric dump valves, new converter, etc. It's always that way. Just when you get something up and going perfectly, BAM - let's make a change

Use both..We had a 35ft Jayco fifth wheel and a truck camper also.Bad part was it took two trips but if your staying for quite a while like we did,it's not a big deal.

RV's are like Lays potato chips..'Ya can't have just one.

[GeoBoy]

Photomike wrote:

996Pilot wrote:
Yeah some people are just born @$$h*les and could care less about anybody else. I think I found one here on this forum. "Hey look at me - look at me, you may have some unfortunate problems but I feel great so screw you". Oh well -- karma's a b1tch, talk to me when she arrives!

:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B

Yes, karma.:B

[Photomike]

996Pilot wrote:
Yeah some people are just born @$$h*les and could care less about anybody else. I think I found one here on this forum. "Hey look at me - look at me, you may have some unfortunate problems but I feel great so screw you". Oh well -- karma's a b1tch, talk to me when she arrives!

:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B

[996Pilot]

Photomike wrote:
Funny, or sad, how some people want to put down others. There is an old saying that you truly do not know someone till you walk a mile in their shoes. Sometimes it is small things that make us change, like the tiny pebble in your shoe that will bring you to tears or it is big things like a major disease.

Yeah some people are just born @$$h*les and could care less about anybody else. I think I found one here on this forum. "Hey look at me - look at me, you may have some unfortunate problems but I feel great so screw you". Oh well -- karma's a b1tch, talk to me when she arrives!

[mountainkowboy]

Kayteg1 wrote:
the job never gave me real exercise.

You had the wrong job, mine was a workout every day.

[Photomike]

Kayteg1 wrote:
When was the last time you spoke to your doctor Photomike?
Mine will not let me do/eat/drink/ what I like.
Life is not fair and I am not saying I like it.

Dr a few months back
Specialist one month ago
Xray tech one month ago
CT scan tech 4 months ago
Breathing tech one month ago
Specialist nurse with the drug company every month

I get to see just about everyone every three months, whether I like it or not.

Like my specialist says "You know what is best for you, if you want to do or try something then go for it. The worst that will happen is it will kill you".

[Kayteg1]

When was the last time you spoke to your doctor Photomike?
Mine will not let me do/eat/drink/ what I like.
Life is not fair and I am not saying I like it.

[Photomike]

Funny, or sad, how some people want to put down others. There is an old saying that you truly do not know someone till you walk a mile in their shoes. Sometimes it is small things that make us change, like the tiny pebble in your shoe that will bring you to tears or it is big things like a major disease.

TRULY WHO CARES what type of Rv someone wants, or likes as long as it works for them.

For me it was a potentially terminal lung disease that changed my wants and needs. No I never smoked a day in my life. I would ride my bike 12 miles to work and 12 miles home, hike, ride on weekends then it all changed. The TCer worked for a while but then I figured that I should get what works for me, not for someone else. I bought a class C so I could go from the front to the back and love it, much easier to use. I then bought a van that I am camperizing. I could not care any less if I tried about what others think of me, I am happy. If switching is what someone wants to do let them do it instead of being so insecure that you need to put them down!

[discovery4us]

Rving and the rigs we have definitely can change over time. I have done tents to the current DP. Personal ailments, locations we camp, and simple wants all come into play. I am currently trying to find a TC as DW ailments have made travel temporarily uncomfortable and I still want to go. Once she is back up and going I think she will camp in the TC as she did with our other one and just sleep on the dinette. I can also guarantee that the addition of a TC won't justify the removal of the DP as many trips the comfort and room make it just that much more enjoyable.

[Kayteg1]

I understand that some of us might have reall injuries, but seeing some venting - only confirms that some of us have "pants on fire".
I had my injuries and for 20 years I deal with joint pains, but walking around the problems is not my way of solving them.
I spend last 25 years in construction and some say it is "physical job"
BS - even I was lifting 200 lb slabs occasionally and was carrying lumber, drywalls etc. the job never gave me real exercise.
My dogs did as they motivated me to 2 hr hiking on the hills back in California.
Now I moved to dry climate that helps me and spend my semi-retirement for better care about my body.
Just like this guy, who started body-building at age of 87 - avoiding the difficulties is not solving them.
If you can't get into TC bed, how do you get out of bathtub?

https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lessons-from-a-95-year-old-bodybuilder.html

[Oldtymeflyr]

After 9 years with our Outfitter Apex 8 which we really liked we decided it was time for a change.

We wanted more space, more comfort, more convenience, bigger bath, walk around bed. There are bigger TC, but in the RV world, any TC is still small. We went with a Sprinter 25 footer with two slides one is a walk around queen bed.

The Sprinter is mobile but its not a TC, that is the only downside. It will not go off road.

The Sprinter has probably 3 times the space with about 3 feet in additional length. We looked at 5th wheels, but we tow a boat and will tow a Ranger PU for going off road.

Every square or cubic foot in a TC makes a difference, In the Sprinter, we have breathing room.

In the back of my mind I think about one of Outfitter's little units for the Ranger PU.

Good luck.

[GeoBoy]

kohldad wrote:
996Pilot - Well said.

There are all sorts of ailments beyond our control which prevent us from doing what we want to do.

X2

[kohldad]

996Pilot - Well said.

There are all sorts of ailments beyond our control which prevent us from doing what we want to do.

[HoodCanalNorth]

I too went to the dark side. I bought a 21' tt with a walk around queen bed!

[996Pilot]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know that with RV - steps are unavoidable.
I had TT with single step only (one was Airstream) and they seem to be the best stair-wise, but then TT do bring other handling issues.
I bought Lance TC with side entrance hoping for good stairs and that was disappointment.
My dogs would rather go 6 scissor steps on rear entrance, than scale 2 side steps on Lance.
Generally I think you guys need to exercise more as even knee surgery can be exercised.
I am 63 and just this week climbed a peak 1200' above my house- lead by neighbor only 1 year younger, but still in bandages on his broken hand .
My father is 93 and he walks to upper bedroom just fine.
You guys loose too much of your life sitting.

Steps aren't the problem - we live in a multi-story house and do just fine. It's a ladder getting into and outta bed (at night) and climbing over each other that's doing it (as well as the DW complaining about a lack of space).

I don't know who your talking about living a sedentary life - we've done anything but sit around and not exercise. Both of us have a well lived life's worth of injuries that are catching up with us with age. And I'm one of the small percentage of adults that has persistent knee pain from severe bone spurs as a result of Osgood–Schlatter disease. Coupled with multiple shoulder injuries, complete tear of the rotator cuff tendon separated shoulders (X3 times), arthritis now setting in, etc, etc, etc. DW has shoulder issues (from previous sports injuries), achilles problem (from field hockey), etc, etc. that are all coming to roost with age. So bully for you that all of your parts aren't worn out yet --- I'd say YOU have led a more sedentary life than I if all of your parts are still functioning perfectly. 1200 foot "peak" ? we call that a bump from where I'm from.

Well - glad I could vent again. I just love people who don't know you from Adam who can tell you all you need to know about you and your lifestyle.