TT When Solo....OR Truck Camper?

[Baja_Man]

Currently have the TT listed in my sig.

Retired last year at 58 and soon to be turning 60!

I camp with wife and two sons....one in grad school (23yo) and one with Autism (17yo) who will always be with us. He loves to camp!

Older son and wife do not want me to sell the trailer, regardless of how often we use it. They love the floor plan and always want the ability to take it camping when we travel as a family. Ok, I can live with that.

That being said.......

There appears to be opportunities when not everyone wants to go on longer adventures (2-4 weeks) or as often as I want to go. Therefore, I am considering traveling solo. Although after a few days, I may feel lonely without them (as we have always traveled and camped together since the kids were little). Local 3-5 day trips are the wife/older son's preference and maybe 3-4 times per year.

I would like to go on 1-3 week adventures where fishing is involved. Both fly and conventional.....coast, mountains, rivers, and lakes.

I have considered purchasing a truck camper (TC) and use it when traveling solo. I am excited about these solo trips, just not sure I will fully commit and do it very often. Maybe I can aim for 2-3 times per year.

I already have the TT but I feel as it may be too big for solo travel. Parking, RV parks, overnight sleeping while on the road, etc....appear to be easier in a TC.

Questions:

1. Is traveling solo in the TT too much of a hassle and not worth it? I do prefer the comforts of the TT, over a TC.

2. Does anybody here do something similar to what I am thinking?

3. Other options, ideas, etc?

Thanks!

[klutchdust]

I went from a class C to a 25ft. toy hauler with a front queen bed. I travel solo to fish all the time. I attend off road races, drag races and haul it to the beach for beach days. I fish In the Bishop Ca. area. I camp close to the Owens river and use my Polaris to drive around the river. I have no issues hauling my trailer or finding camping. Drop the trailer at the campsite and drive around town. It's perfect. Many fishermen travel solo, many have 40 ft busses or tents or whatever. Why buy a truck camper if you are not sure how many days you will use it. Try it with your trailer first. Wife and son want to keep it, that would be enough for me to decide. Happy wife, happy life.

[cptqueeg]

Baja Man wrote:

cptqueeg wrote:
Any boating in the picture?

On my solo travels, probably not. I do have a boat, but for travels I will look more for stream, beach, lake and river fishing from shore/beach/wading. If a boat was wanted, I could always rent one if available.

Prob stick w the TT then.

If you wanted to fish remote places in your own boat I would opt for a pop-up TC but just a shell w a bed, solar and batts. Then add water, porta potty, 12v cooler, gas camp stove as necessary for each location. There is no point in having 2 full complete camping set ups.

[valhalla360]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
I'll throw out another possibility not previously mentioned.
A small tt.
A 17-19 foot box, much easier to tow and set up. Smaller size to allow a little more freedom on site choices, and still have the truck free.
And small trailers are a lot easier to find used than a TC as well as being a lot cheaper.

If the OP had a monster 40ft 5er, I would agree but based on his signature, he has something in the mid-25ft range and he's pulling it with a 1 ton truck.

I'm not seeing where it would make a big difference to either the towing experience, sites he can fit or the setup.

[wanderingaimles]

I'll throw out another possibility not previously mentioned.
A small tt.
A 17-19 foot box, much easier to tow and set up. Smaller size to allow a little more freedom on site choices, and still have the truck free.
And small trailers are a lot easier to find used than a TC as well as being a lot cheaper.

[time2roll]

+1 to go with what you have. At least a few times. Yes a trailer is more work by yourself but I still enjoy the space and convenience.

[JIMNLIN]

mockturtle wrote:
I've done both and it really isn't much of a hassle to go solo with a trailer. And you have the freedom of your tow vehicle without the rig when you need it. Just MHO but I wouldn't invest in another RV if I were you.

X2.
We started out camping in the late '60s with three different truck campers till around '80.
We wanted a bit more room so we found a 26' 5th wheel trailer. This gave us the ability to tow doubles with the bazz boat and use the 4wd truck for side excursion for sight seeing/etc where a TC/trailer couldn't go.
I'm 80/wife 79 now and sitting up and breaking down isn't that big of a deal.
I would try the TT and see how it goes for you. If it doesn't work then is the time to go to another type of rv camper.

[LadyRVer]

I got a new truck camper and traveled solo (with my Cocker Spaniel) from FL to OR. It was a fantastic trip and so refreshing to be able to pull into most places and just park and set up. Did have to disconnect from utilities if I wanted to go out of the park to do any sightseeing, but then having all the "facilities" with me made it great. I was living in the TC full-time when I did this. Much easier than hooking up the travel trailer I purchased in OR and towing it back to FL. I would think a TC would be perfect for your needs.

[pianotuna]

BaJa,

How about renting a tc and trying it?

[Baja_Man]

cptqueeg wrote:
Any boating in the picture?

On my solo travels, probably not. I do have a boat, but for travels I will look more for stream, beach, lake and river fishing from shore/beach/wading. If a boat was wanted, I could always rent one if available.

[mockturtle]

I've done both and it really isn't much of a hassle to go solo with a trailer. And you have the freedom of your tow vehicle without the rig when you need it. Just MHO but I wouldn't invest in another RV if I were you.

[valhalla360]

X3 on trying the one you have.

[JRscooby]

I wonder if any of the vans that where set up by people watching You tube would make good deals for solo trips?

[Lantley]

I agree with toedtoes, before you buy an addition RV use the one you have.
Try solo trips and see if you enjoy being solo.
From there you can decide if you want to go solo in a different RV.
I occaisionally go solo with my 39' fiver...not often maybe once or twice a year.
Sure its overkill but 2 trips a year doesn't warrant a 2nd in my book.
After a trial period if you decide you like going solo than maybe you can add a 2nd dedicated solo rig.

[MarkTwain]

A truck camper with a toilet and shower would meet all your needs for solo camping.

[cptqueeg]

Any boating in the picture?