Thinking of going FW...........HELP!!

[QA_Boomer]

Hey, all...........I've been a long time "watcher" of this post, so finally taking the dive to chat. If you guys were a bunch of nuts I probably wouldn't want to post, so here's to your credibility!:) My new wife and I are really getting into the TCamping lifestyle, in fact we are thinking of retiring and full-timing. (Yes, we've thought a lot about this.) However, the old issue of space and storage is an issue with TC's, as you all know. We just bought a 2005 Host with a slide out, so it has lost of room inside, but storage is worse that when we had our 1992 Lance! So, we are thinking of upgrading to a FW! Please talk me out of this craziness!!! (And, no, my wife is not pushing me towards the FW.) I know it is all about how we want to spend our time and how we want to use the FW, but I love my TC!! (sigh) Any thoughts?

[happycamper1942]

I had a camper for many years, but when we retired we took one long trip in it of 6 weeks and found it was too small and uncomfortable, especially when you had to spend a lot of time inside because of weather etc. We changed to a fiver about 6 years ago and do a mini-snowbird trip of 2 months or so every year and love it.
However, I still miss the camper, so 2 years ago I bought an older one which I use for fishing trips and my wife and I still use for occasional short trip. Best of both worlds if you have the money and the storage space..
The two are different, we think of the camper as "camping" and the fiver as "RVing"

[Bob__B]

I have a TC primarily because I like to camp and fish. Don't want to bring another vehicle to pull the boat, or even try to figure out how to tipple tow.

I really haven't used my TC for a long extended trip, but am getting set up to do that since I retired a couple of months ago. Got a new...er camper with a slide and still working on getting it set up like I want.
The good thing about this one is that I can easily use it off the truck if I want. Much better on a boat ramp without it.

If I didn't want to pull something behind....I would re-think whether maybe a small FW would work.

[campn4walleye]

What additional things do you want/need to carry? Do you use EVERY single item in the TC now?

We found that we carried too much stuff "just in case" (my idea). Now we carry only things that we use consistently.

Can you look at other floor plans of other TCs. We find that ours TC has a lot of storage and I even have a spare drawer for "just in case" items.

It's true that you have to really evaluate you type of camping and what you feel is a necessity; but TCs really make it easier when towing a boat or trailer.

I never thought I would like it, but ours is perfect for our type of camping. We use ours off the truck most of the time.

Good luck on your decision.

[Spleenstomper]

We have a fifth wheel and L-O-V-E it, but you simply can't get to the places you can with a TC. You will definitely trade space for ease and those panaramic pull over spots. Your call. Fun either way.

[Bedlam]

It's going to be a number years before I will retire and we decide how we live out retirement, but we would have problems full timing as a couple in a TC. If someone is working inside, the other person needs to stay out of the way or go outside. With an active lifestyle, we like the flexibility of a TC and are looking forward to upgrading to a larger one for our frequent extended weekend jaunts. Maybe a larger multi slide camper will change our opinion of full timing in one. We pull a trailer behind our TC to bring along toys and store large bulky items - With our interests, I don't see how we could full time without one unless we went back to a toy hauler.

[davidaf]

dave17352 wrote:

Kohldadsr wrote:
Welcome to the net, I don't post much but I read a lot so let me through in 2 more cents. Why not have both if you can afford it. I have a 35 ft FW and a 11 ft TC. I enjoy both but for different reasons. I use the FW for longer trips of longer duration. I just completed a 5K trip in the TC and found it very comfortable. One caveat is I am traveling by myself. Have fun no mater what you do.

That is what we did.

Us too. Best of both worlds. But since you can't do both maybe a small bumper pull. I've thought about that option. Tc w bumper pull setup for living room, dw's crafts and office. Would be great during those times when a bit of alone time is needed to keep the relationship in order.

[chalet05]

It took me one sightseeing trip across country with a 5th wheel to realize I didn't need to be hauling all that 'stuff' with me. Granted I travel alone, but a TC has so many advantages - easy to set up, travel to remote places, small enough for many State and National Parks, less maintenance (tires, wheel bearings, brakes, etc). I've been full timing in mine for over 2 years - 6 months of that with another person in here.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your decision!!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We started 10 years ago with a 28' Class C (no slides) and it was priceless for our sightseeing trips covering thousands of miles and a new campground each night. Then a year ago, we started thinking about "mini-snowbirding" - spending a few weeks in FLA in one or two locations; and realized that something with a slideout would be more comfy. Since we always have a big pickup on hand for our business, a FW was the logical choice. Our 28' 2003 Laredo is MASSIVE inside when the superslide is open, compared to the Class C. Setting up the FW is "fussier" - I personally wouldn't want to do that on a daily basis. But having homey comforts like a rocking chair and sofa; being able to bring a lot of kitchen appliances; and having room for our dogs to play, is important to us.

It began to dawn on us that having 2 largish RVs was silly; and one of my favorite activities is camping with my kayaking friends; and often, they camped in the smaller Federal Forest Campgrounds, where neither RC would fit. Since we already had the big truck - the logical choice was a small popup TC; and we sold the Class C. Next fall, we'll take the TC on a sightseeing tour of the Pacific Northwest - while it won't be as big as the Class C - it should offer the same easy-and-nimble camping with a new destination each day. And it's a cinch that the diesel F-350 will get better mileage than the MH...LOL!

The best part? The Laredo cost us $8000, and it's pristine other than some faded decals. We looked at some equally pristine popup TCs that could have been purchased for $2500. Depending on one's wishes/needs/desire for "newness", it's a LOT cheaper to have multiple RVs when they don't have a motor!

[billyray50]

dave17352 wrote:

Kohldadsr wrote:
Welcome to the net, I don't post much but I read a lot so let me through in 2 more cents. Why not have both if you can afford it. I have a 35 ft FW and a 11 ft TC. I enjoy both but for different reasons. I use the FW for longer trips of longer duration. I just completed a 5K trip in the TC and found it very comfortable. One caveat is I am traveling by myself. Have fun no mater what you do.

That is what we did.

We are planning this too. Next spring we are going to look at Fw or a motorhome due to us wanting to stay up north for at least 3 to 6 months a year now with new grandkids out of state. We have stayed a month at a time in our 11' 6 Lance 990 with a dry bath but found it to be too cramped after awhile. Going to keep Old Lance for my solo or DW and short trips but going big for long stays. Best of both worlds.

[Reddog1]

kohldad wrote:
The FW / TC debate is also about traveling style. FW is definitely a park and explore returning every day to a base camp. Yes you can do some exploring between base camps, but always have to be careful. You have to pack food up for snacks during the day and have a plan for your pit stops.

With the TC, you have the choice of moseying along each day without doubling back or setting up a base camp. Unless you have dropped off the camper, you have your food and pit stop with you where ever you go. And if the go turns out to be a dead end, just back up. This is the route we plan on going for the first couple of years after retirement before reconsidering the FW option.

Since you already have the TC and truck, you could put all of your stuff in a small storage locker for a couple of month while you travel in the TC. If you like it, get rid of the stuff or continue with the rental. If you don't, then switch over to a FW.

I think this the best advice so far. I can't help but think to do other than this could be a little compulsive.

Wayne

[QA_Boomer]

Thanks, guys, for all the great feedback! I, unfortunately, can not afford to have both a TC and a FW. Certainly, I would lose the flexibility to go certain places by losing the TC. But, having more storage and space to full time will probably win out..........and I can live with that. Thanks again for all the great feedback.

[dave17352]

Kohldadsr wrote:
Welcome to the net, I don't post much but I read a lot so let me through in 2 more cents. Why not have both if you can afford it. I have a 35 ft FW and a 11 ft TC. I enjoy both but for different reasons. I use the FW for longer trips of longer duration. I just completed a 5K trip in the TC and found it very comfortable. One caveat is I am traveling by myself. Have fun no mater what you do.

That is what we did.

[Kohldadsr]

Welcome to the net, I don't post much but I read a lot so let me through in 2 more cents. Why not have both if you can afford it. I have a 35 ft FW and a 11 ft TC. I enjoy both but for different reasons. I use the FW for longer trips of longer duration. I just completed a 5K trip in the TC and found it very comfortable. One caveat is I am traveling by myself. Have fun no mater what you do.

[jimh406]

QA Boomer wrote:
especially the one about the space in the bed area.........that was pretty funny, Jim!

I guess that is funny when you think about it that way. 🙂 My Host has a lot of storage in the cab over area. 4 closets and two long "chest type" storage next to the bed.

We haven't filled those yet.