I thought I'd share my thoughts (and our conversations) over these last few days...
The other half mentioned really wanting to sell the TC and get a small trailer. Why?
Because of the cons of owning our TC. Bathroom too small to shower in, truck not available for dump runs/daily driver, lack of storage.
The talk was maybe going to the dark side in a year or two. I spent the last few days hanging out at the trailer forum here looking at pics, thinking, looking at more pics and imagining myself with a trailer. I went through the whole thought process of shopping for it, sitting in it, purchasing it, TOWING it, and I just couldn't shake the sadness I felt inside. My balloon was deflating and fast!
I couldn't just hook up and go to the local park for the day. Boondocking wouldn't give me the "under the radar" feeling and I'd probably end up in more campgrounds, not that I don't go now but options are better. Plus sightseeing would be a nightmare DRAGGING that thing around with me.
So the last couple days I've been hanging out around town, Walmart parking lot, a beautiful historic city park and wherever else a TC can go for a day trip. The smile on my face says it all. The giddiness every time I jump in to drive it, park it and just sit and enjoy it, makes me realize that I belong in a TC.
Another discussion yesterday and the conclusion is we STAY IN THE TC!!
So why the story??
I was surprised how just the thought of changing really upset me and the emotions I felt thinking about it.
Have any of you felt the same way?? Are we really that emotionally tied to our TC's?
Ps.. here's a pic of me hanging out in the Historical Park yesterday.
The other half mentioned really wanting to sell the TC and get a small trailer. Why?
Because of the cons of owning our TC. Bathroom too small to shower in, truck not available for dump runs/daily driver, lack of storage.
The talk was maybe going to the dark side in a year or two. I spent the last few days hanging out at the trailer forum here looking at pics, thinking, looking at more pics and imagining myself with a trailer. I went through the whole thought process of shopping for it, sitting in it, purchasing it, TOWING it, and I just couldn't shake the sadness I felt inside. My balloon was deflating and fast!
I couldn't just hook up and go to the local park for the day. Boondocking wouldn't give me the "under the radar" feeling and I'd probably end up in more campgrounds, not that I don't go now but options are better. Plus sightseeing would be a nightmare DRAGGING that thing around with me.
So the last couple days I've been hanging out around town, Walmart parking lot, a beautiful historic city park and wherever else a TC can go for a day trip. The smile on my face says it all. The giddiness every time I jump in to drive it, park it and just sit and enjoy it, makes me realize that I belong in a TC.
Another discussion yesterday and the conclusion is we STAY IN THE TC!!
So why the story??
I was surprised how just the thought of changing really upset me and the emotions I felt thinking about it.
Have any of you felt the same way?? Are we really that emotionally tied to our TC's?
Ps.. here's a pic of me hanging out in the Historical Park yesterday.
Just bought my first truck camper last week. We drove 1200 miles to get it. As we pulled out of the dealers lot and started our 1200 mile trek home I was white knuckled. By the time we got halfway through Kansas I was doing 65 to 70 without a care in the world.
By the time we got to St Louis my wife was driving and it was rush hour. No problem. She cut thru that massive city like it was nothing.
We pulled into a state park in Kansas the night before in total darkness. It was 15 degrees outside. We jumped in the TC and were warm and toasty and sleeping within 5 minutes. The next morning we jumped in the truck and were gone within 2 minutes.
None of that would have been possible in a tt or fifth wheel.
I cant wait to get out. I be knocking on Sleepys door down in TN soon.
By the time we got to St Louis my wife was driving and it was rush hour. No problem. She cut thru that massive city like it was nothing.
We pulled into a state park in Kansas the night before in total darkness. It was 15 degrees outside. We jumped in the TC and were warm and toasty and sleeping within 5 minutes. The next morning we jumped in the truck and were gone within 2 minutes.
None of that would have been possible in a tt or fifth wheel.
I cant wait to get out. I be knocking on Sleepys door down in TN soon.
My DW has had the same thoughts about the use of the truck for dump runs and the like, but fortunately she is a confirmed TC addict for the same reasons many have mentioned. We kept our TC even when our sons got bigger, and tho it was a little bit of a squeeze for them we all have nothing but the fondest memories of our camping treks. Now we have a much bigger and better TC and take the grandkids (still not teenagers) with us. We have an outside shower that serves us well. We're totally happy!
jefe 4x4 wrote:
Jamin',
You really kicked the ant farm here. It seems we all come into TC-town on a different road.
My road into town was on the 'freedom to boondock' trail via dry camp mesa. But even before that I bought a TC so I could tow my Jeep to the trailhead and have somewhere to hang that was not laying on the ground. The hard core rock crawler thing is receding with age, and now my old Lance (sister to yours) is in the pure maintenance mode. A few things have broken down, over time, but everything works. But, she soldiers on to house Jeanie and I on our travels and is like an old pair of shoes: you just can't bring yourself to throw them away. These old shoes have cleats to get us through any weather and any road or trail condition: be it sand, snow, rain, or mud.
We still have a few trips left in the old girl and are in the planning stages of one of the most epic trips in a TC that I could dream up: The circumnavigation of the continental U.S. boundary states. Clockwise. In time for Fall color in N.E. 16 to 20 weeks. Camping every beach camping possibility on the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Gulf.
Yes, it is small in there, but we have learned to live with it. With just two consenting adults, we've learned the 'TC Ballet' on getting around inside on a wet winter's night. Luckily, neither of us has any claustrophobia. Small tanks? Yes, indeed. Instead of dumping every two weeks, we must dump within 5 or 6 days when dry camping. Even then, we have mitigated the problems of small tanks with some painless, inventive measures. The upside is the lack of weight you carry around with you.
Following much advice gained here, right here, I have worked on sustaining Cabeza de Vaca enough to have a lot of ownership in the old gal. We have gotten a lot more enjoyment of the old box than our initial investment of $6500 would indicate.
Yes, I would say I am attached to the girl.
Here is a pic of her on a dry lake in Owens Valley about a month or two after purchase in 2001 looking trim in her few year old patina, with Mt. Whitney above the box:
which has slowly morphed into the trail eating, trusty, beat up junker we so enjoy:
regards, as always, jefe
Very cool to think we were only 2 weeks apart on the assembly line and both are still out cruising the roads. She's older with a few battle scars but certainly not down for the count.
Unfortunately we didn't get out as much last season since we have a family member with health issues. Dementia is a terrible disease.
This year we hope to make up some time. I look out now and see snow but just a head tilt to the left and I see her in the driveway waiting. She puts a smile on my face!
I think we're loading her on the truck this week.
This last weekend confirmed once again the ease of driving & maneuvering a TC.
The quick pit stops even on the main path (I-90) were easy & fun!
Attending an event in Big Sky Country with my friends wouldn't have been possible without the TC.
The quick pit stops even on the main path (I-90) were easy & fun!
Attending an event in Big Sky Country with my friends wouldn't have been possible without the TC.
