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Topic: What type of rig did you start out with?
Posted By: TheTraveler on 02/28/04 12:38pm

It is interesting to listen to people and how they started out in a
rig that is not the same today. Thus, the question, what type of
rig did you start out with and now have?

Al & Sylvia Seney
The Travelers

Posted By: macdavis on 02/28/04 12:41pm

Quote:

It is interesting to listen to people and how they started out in a
rig that is not the same today. Thus, the question, what type of
rig did you start out with and now have?

First one besies camper shell or tent was a 1958 Helite convertable trailer.. 4 x 6' utility "box" trailer that folded out to a 6 x 9' tent and the trailer became the bed... used it for 6 years/40,000 miles until Nov. 03 when we got the Tahoe in my sig..

Mac Davis - Clovis, California
99 Dodge Ram, Quad Cab, 360/auto/3.55 - 26' 2003 Tahoe 26GT Travel Trailer
Posted By: lenwick on 02/28/04 12:44pm

1 yr with a tent 5 yrs with a tent trailer 20 yrs with a popup trailer 3 yrs 25ft c motorhome now a nice popup with a addroom frige furnace we like this the best

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan 2001 Rockwood Pop Up

Posted By: campinginmass on 02/28/04 01:40pm

started out with tenting for 3 years. went to a 1986 apshea hard top pop up for 5 years and now i am in a puma 30dbss

bobby-d in mass
2004 puma (tt) 30dbss

is sping hear yet??

Posted By: TexasShadow on 02/28/04 01:43pm

our history is not that old. we started with an 11 year old Bounder, 32 feet, gas, and used that 5 years before getting our Holiday Rambler Endeavor, 37 feet, diesel, one slide out.
the Bounder was our test model to see if we liked this kind of traveling.

both of us did tent camping when we were kids, (and loved it) but neither of us liked it when we had to do all the work ourselves. lol

TexasShadow
Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE/ 3126B Cat
BMW K75 on Rear Carrier
Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
M&G aux brake system
Datastorm 3990

Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.


Posted By: HDFXR2 on 02/28/04 01:44pm

Many years with sleeping bags in the bed of the truck with a screen laid across the bed or just on the ground. I hate setting up a tent. Now with the rig in the sig. I miss the bed of the truck on a nice night but love the trailer on not so nice nights.

Posted By: jchonroad on 02/28/04 01:51pm

1986 -> Coleman (Columbia ?) popup. (XW got it in divorce.)
1989-1993 -> Nice 2 rm tent. (With (new) DW.)
1993-2002 -> '83 Coachmen 23' CLass C (Fell upon it at a dealer, while looking for a new popup. (We were tired of sleeping on the ground.) Got a heck of a deal - only thing it needed was a new awning. EVERYTHING else had already been replaced, including the engine. $5600 including the new awning.)
2002 -> '02 Coachmen 30.5' Class C - our retirement condo. Now, if we could just retire !
2003 -> '96 Coleman Yukon. Grammy and Grampa bought (stole) this for the kids and grand-kids to share. (Three families. It works, believe it or not. This years schedule was finalized last weekend, and everybody's happy.)

John '46
Joyce '46 (DW)
GOOD SAM LIFE MEMBERS
Heidie '00 (13 lb."Guard Dog")
'05 Winnebago Voyage 35A
'03 Cavalier Toad w/Sterling Aluminum Tow Bar & Brake Buddy
Also: '96 Coleman Yukon behind a '03 GMC Sonoma with a Prodigy Controller

Posted By: lifesabeach on 02/28/04 01:53pm

Started out as a kid - in a CJ5 sleeping in a sleeping bag on a tarp on the ground.

In college it was in the bed of a truck (that we put a shell on when we went skiing - a bit too cold without protection), or in a CJ7 and a tent.

When we got married, we put a Six Pac camper on the truck - it was self-contained - what luxury!

When we had our kids, we bought an old Class C so we didn't worry about messes.

Now that the kids are older and we're finally fulltiming, we're buying a new 2-bedroom 5th wheel....

Posted By: artspirit on 02/28/04 02:07pm

A rig! Well I have just learned that what this darn things are called. For years I used my 1982 Toyota Long bed to sleep in, sometimes I used a tent. After 20 years of that I decided I had had enough and was only going to sleep in Motel 6's.

My partner and I realized pretty quickly that perhaps the Motel 6"s where not as clean as one would want and started eyeballing our neighbors old 1978 Scamper pop-up. It looked good to us and our neighbors could not keep it and gave it to us. We spent hours repairing all the tears and replaced all the smelly old foam bedding and cushions and off we went. What we didn't think about is how cold one can get at night in a pop-up.

After one winter (this one) we were cold as heck in the desert and rolled into Giant RV. They had the perfect trailer for us now. A Cruise-lite 23 foot trailer. It had everything we wanted and room to walk around the Queen size bed. We have taken the rig out once so far and were as happy as we could be. It might not be the biggest but it is comfortable for 2 with a few small dogs. When I retire I will probably get something big enough we can all live in.

Posted By: Little Kopit on 02/28/04 02:35pm

Of course, I tented, backpacked, joined an outing club, etc.

A few years after becoming fully employed an being an Ontario resident I thought about salt water and decided to take a maritime tour with a city day and a country day. I had and International Travelall and am vertically challenged, so the back seat was great as was the back packing gear for cooking, etc.

Still it wasn't until I got to Newfoundland, had a long bed Toyota and two dogs of the same breed, plus a wooden cap, that I made camping my annual holiday, 1989, I think.

I've long been wanting to quit roughing it quite so much. & this year that will happen!!!!

& I, I took the road less travelled by.

RVing in Canada

My Photo Album, featuring Labrador 2006


Posted By: Vacation Bound on 02/28/04 02:39pm

Tent

Jayco Popup

Jayco Designer 5th wheel

Jayco Designer Class C 32'

We will probably stay with the Class C. We like the ease of driving it, manuevering into campsites, etc. With it just being the 2 of us and our dog we have plenty of room.

2004 Allegro Bay 34XB, Full body paint, 2 slides
"06" Jeep Liberty
Lucy the Springer Spaniel, great travel companion (Sadly passed on)
Annie the Springer Spaniel puppy


Posted By: keepmotoring on 02/28/04 02:43pm

We started with a TT, then 5th wheel, Class C, Class A, Class A with one slide and now DP with 2 slides. This is the last. Yeah, right!!! We all know how that goes!

LUVRVN

Posted By: Greentow on 02/28/04 03:42pm

In 4 years, a 24' Keystone, a 34' Wilderness, and now what we have.
Sometimes, normal people do stupid things. Duh

Lee

2004.5 Dodge 3500 DRW QC, 4x4 LB, CTD 600 ,auto,4.10 , Prodigy, 05 Cedar Creek 36 RLTS w/ lots of bells & whistles .Honda 3000 genset. Mrs Greentow & Missy, Shih Tzu with an attitude. USA(R). 30+ years in the Fire/EMS service. CCRVC #29, GS Life member

Posted By: patnchris on 02/28/04 03:49pm

1963 Corvair....rear seat folded down, and a sleeping bag......couple of tents....first real rig was an 10 ft. truck camper, that I hauled around on the back of a half ton w/double overload springs....Pat

Patrick and Christine
and Maggie May, the cocker spaniel
1995 Damon Ultrasport 3470

Rallies Attended "13"

Posted By: cherylnemo on 02/28/04 04:14pm

Started with a Class A Diesel Pusher (1997 Damon Intruder) in June 2003.

Posted By: Dianne and Tom on 02/28/04 04:59pm

We had a 8 ft slide in cab over in the late 70's. In June of 2002 we got a 8305S Trail Lite. I like it very much but the bathroom was so small and I am sooo large. In November 2003 we traded it for a 33-5v Arctic Fox. This 5th wheel has got a bath that I can live with.
Tom

2006 Chevy 2500 Duramax
2003 Artic Fox 33-5v


Posted By: Beagle on 02/28/04 05:13pm

I actually started camping in the boy scouts some 35 years ago. About 6 years ago I progressed to a pop-up. Sold that after 3 years for a 32 foot fiver. Traded for an upgraded/better equipt 32 ft fiver last August.

2002 F-350 CrewCab, 4x4, LongBed, Powerstroke Diesel
2004 Keystone Everest 291L Fifth Wheel
Retired Air Force

Posted By: Cliff Zimmerman on 02/28/04 05:55pm

Backpacking, no tent.
Backpacking with tent.
Tear Drop trailer, pulled with TR-3.
8 x 8 ft. umbrella tent.
'66 Volkswagon camper (really cruisin).
Class C, '73 (I think), Lazy Daze.
Class A, '92 Pinnacle, 30 ft.
Class A, '02 HR Vacationer, 35 ft. two slides.
Class A, '04 Winnebego Vectra, 40 ft. three slides.
That's it, I quit. I'm sure that from now on the size will shrink.

Cliff

'04 Vectra 40AD
Towing '02 PT Cruiser stick shift & '03 Sonoma 4x4 Crew Cab

Posted By: GONZO99TA on 02/28/04 05:56pm

started off with a futon mattress in the back of a full size blazer.

after having kids, that was no longer enough room, so moved onto tents

last ear we got our 1st actual camper (the one in sig).

maybe in a few years we might upgrade to a small motorhome.

2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD cc/sb
2003 Eagle Cap 800 lite

the toys:
99 trans am 30th anniversary
79 trans am black se
88 chevy blazer (trail ready)


Posted By: J2 on 02/28/04 06:00pm

Tents
Slip mount
1952 crown t/t
1972 prowler t/t
1997 Hornet t/t
2001 ducthmen 5th
LOOKING

Jay

2008 DODGE 3500 QC LB 4X4 Cummins auto
2008 Sierra 316BHT
Happy Camping

Posted By: SRT on 02/28/04 06:03pm

Tenting with the Boy Scouts lots of years ago.

Slept under a tarp next to my 2 honey's - '61 AH 3000 & new wife.

Next came an old canvase tent with center post - no floor.

The next tent (~1969) was a nice cabin wall tent with a floor for the kiddies.

In 1970 bought a Ford full-size van to replace my crashed Triumph TR-250 sports car (still have the hub caps). Made a bed in the back for the youngest. The older kid slept in the bench seat. The wife and I slept in the back 1/2 under the youngest bed. Put screen on the inside of the back and side windows and vent at the rear on the roof.

By 1973 we had endured too many rainy weeks ends and the lack of room in the van. My brother's '65 Starcraft tent trailer became available. One month later we were on the way to Yellowstone and Glacier on a whirlwind 2 week vacation. After the vacation we replaced the canvas, had a heater installed and repaired the water tank. Several years later I installed an 12v electrical system with converter and lights and battery.

In 1980 we bought a 1979 new Starcraft 6 sleeper tent trailer. Ended up installing a 1.3cu ft. fridge which slide right into the ice box opening. Also installed a splitter on the van to charge the battery when traveling which ran the fridge on 12v. Installed a solar cell to charge the battery when boondocking - worked like a champ. Also installed boat rack which held up a 14' aluminum boat. That lasted until 1991 when our 3 week vacation waa mostly rain for days on end. This was during a trip to Oregon and Washington coasts. The last kid had left home in 1988.

When we returned home from our vacation trip, a camping friend asked if we wanted to buy his '85 HR 27' Imperial class C as he was getting a 33' class A. The answer was a resounding YES. Every time it rained and we were snug and warm in the MH and listening to the rain on the aluminum roof, we thought of the '79 tent trailer and the wet canvas.

In July 1999 at an HR rally we were offered a trade-in which was $15000 more than we paid for the MH in 1991. So we ended up with a 2000 HR 32' Vacationer w/o slides on a F53 chassis. Since then I've been "happily" spending $$ to upgrade the engine and chassis. So far we're happy as we can go about 7 days on the battery (4 6v), water and waste tanks. Depends on our retirement on what goodies I add next, such as solar cells.

SRT
2000 32' HR Vacationer with Banks
1998 Subaru Outback Ltd. 5 spd
Brake Buddy & Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar
FMCA #266040 HRRVC #84109

Posted By: bill h on 02/28/04 06:04pm

Got to camp a lot in the Army. Usually in a hole dug by me.

Then slept in the back of a Rambler station wagon.

First RV was a 1960 Shasta trailer. A hump backed thing with little wings on each side in back. Pretty well built.

Bill and Susan
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
4WD Toyota toad

Posted By: CmpFire on 02/28/04 06:09pm

A tent...then a pop-up no hotwater or shower...then a loaded pop-up ...then a class c...then a class a gasser :-)

Lynda, Ted & the Kids Matt, Will & Miranda
3 Dogs Salsa (Chihuahua) Sally (Pound Pup) & Penny (The Hound Dog)
1999 Aerolite Cub 21Ft
1992 Surburban 3.73 rear end, oil & tranny coolers
Campgropund Host Forum
CMPFIRE's Web Site Too Funny~~!


Posted By: joyful on 02/28/04 08:45pm

First a tent--then a bigger tent--then on to a large pop up (with no bathroom or fridge)--last year we traded in the pop up on a 27 ft. sprinter travel trailer WITH fridge, freezer, oven, built in microwave, shower-toilet, the works! We are in heaven now and plan to enjoy this for a few years before upgrading for a final time to a deluxe 5th wheel with island in the kitchen. Funny, husband and I were talking the other day about how we started out with air mattresses on the ground and now we are in a fully enclosed trailer with a featherbed on our mattress! Camping aint what it used to be--BUT the older we get, the more these comforts become necessities.

Posted By: Heversole on 02/28/04 08:56pm

tent

pop-up

Mallard 24' TT

prowler 29' T with 1 slide

Hitcherhiker II 32.5' with 3 slides

it seems the more older I get, I can't resist the extra ammeneties alsoit hard for me to go to an rv show without buying something. I hope my HHII is the last but I highly doubt it.

Harry & Beverly Eversole
2003 Hitchhiker II Deluxe 32' fktg
2000 F250 4x4, 7.3 power stroke, Bully dog Computer Chip
Red Oak, Tx
Posted By: Husker Jerry on 02/28/04 10:55pm

1969: Started like many with a tent.
1971: 17 ft. Roadrunner TT
1977: 24 ft. Aristocrat TT
1996: 30 ft. Nomad TT
2003: 33 ft. Jayco Designer TT, 2 slides
Seems like they always keep getting a little bigger and more elaborate!

2001 Ford Excursion V 10
2003 Jayco Designer 31FKS
Twin Honda Eu2000 gen sets

Posted By: GULFSTREAMER on 02/28/04 11:23pm

8x16 tent, popup, 15'tt, tk camper, 18'tt, 26'5th wheel & popup tk camper, 28'class C last 6yrs. Sold popup tk camper 3yrs ago and wish I still had it, great on a 4x4 w/a boat in tow to the boonies. FRANK.........

Posted By: papatrq on 02/29/04 09:02am

Started out about a hundered years ago with no tent at all. Just a sleeping bag. Went to a tent when I got married 30 years ago. Had kids and had to have a bigger tent. One that would easily sleep 5 so I found that a ten man tent worked for all the baby stuff etc. Finally got too "mature" for sleeping on the ground. Purchased our first pop-up 17 years ago now. In Oct. of 2001 we found a nice new Springdale 270BLHS with one slide. Bought it and figured it would last us for years and years. Well, then almost exactly one year later we went to a R.V. show just to look around, and found our current unit. My wife looked inside likes the floorplan and said "I like this one, make it happen". Well, now we own a new Prowler
36ft 5'vr with 4 slides. This one will take us into retirement and beyond. Or as my Grandkids run around yelling "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND"

Papa & Mamie
2001 F250 CC SWB 7.3 4R100 Auto 3:73, Air-Lift, 24,000 lb. Tranny Cooler, Cobra C.B.
Prowler Regal AX6 4 slide 365 FLTS



"Success is not the result of fairness, but the product of excellence"


Posted By: msereno on 02/29/04 09:12am

1989 Viking Pop up
1993 Flagstaff Pop up
2003 Aerolite Cub Hybrid
2004 Salem LE 19EX Hybrid

2003 Chevrolet Silverado Ext Cab 4x4
2007 Salem LE 27RB


Posted By: Bentrods on 02/29/04 09:33am

1. Camper shell on a 1966 Chevy PU that had one big bed in it and I had built a cabinet at the back with 2 draws on the bottom and an icebox frig on top. The whole rig with the shell back in 1974 cost me $500. I bought this when I turned 16 and got my license. And of course before this I was a tent camper with my parents and their trailer.

2. 1962 Aljo 18 foot camping trailer. Probably the best rig I ever had. Fully self contained and it even had a shower and an on demand water heater. RM35 Dometic propane frig that always worked great. Couch in the back that pulled out to a queen bed and dinette in the front. Ok maybe you can tell that I still miss that little thing. This unit I got for $200 back in 1987.

3. 1978 Nomad 24 foot camping trailer. Not a bad rig but I never really ever liked the floor plan. Big bathroom in the back with a full size tub and the 2 couches in the front that made out into one HUGE bed. This unit I got for $300 around 1995.

4. 1998 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 34J. The unit that I have now. Just got this on 5-30-2003 and the price was right, $36,000 with 17,544 miles on it. Still New and not even broken in yet.

That's it. Ok now that I have written a book about my camping life.

1998 Pace Arrow 34J, Vortec 454 P-37, 20386 Miles
Banks Full PowerPackage, Bilsteins, Safe-T-Plus
1989 Toyota PU SR5 V6 5speed Extra Cab Toad, 139000 Miles
1996 Damon Challanger 5th Wheel M-33RKB-34ft
On The Colorado River in Earp CA on The Parker Strip


Posted By: AyJay on 02/29/04 12:57pm

1962= VW Combi
2004= see below

AyJay

AyJay (ARS W1GDJ)
1979 RTS Bus Conversion
DD 8V71TA, Allison V730
2007 Saturn Aura Toad
USAF Retired 1972
When I die I want to go like my Grandfather, peaceably, in his sleep.
NOT like his passengers who went screaming and yelling!


Inside Bus Pictures


Posted By: Cruzette on 02/29/04 03:34pm

We started out 33 years ago when we started dating. We each had a sleeping bag! I borrowed my pots and pans from the kitchen and a few utensils and off we went to sleep out under the stars.

A few years later, after a couple of kids, we got a pickup and a camper shell. We use to lay a piece of plywood over the camper’s extension shelves and make our own bunk beds.

Then we graduated to a tent, quit a few family outings in our tent. When our kids grew up and were no longer interested in camping with us. We bought a 17' Travel Trailer that we hauled up to our property and then back home two years later after the weather got to it and caused a lot of mildew. We cleaned it up and sold it.

I didn't think we'd get another trailer until we retired, but one day my husband was reading an autotrader and saw a used pickup and 5th wheel. We went just to look and it was so super clean we ended up buying it.

Last year we sold our old 5er and bought a newer 5er (1999) with slides and all sorts of new conveniences, like an auto-light heater, frig and hot water tank. We looked hard and found a really good deal on a really super clean trailer that had hardly been used. Check out my link to my web site.

We also bought a brand new pickup to haul this new 5er around. It's really nice to have the newer technology and all the bells and whistles. But just like my computer, each year they keep coming out with bigger, better, faster

Cruzette
SAL Rally Queen
12 Rallies & numerous Gatherings attended so far!
Judy & Ray
Boomer & Petie Pie (2 Doxies)
F-350 Powerstroke
29' Yellowstone Capri, by Gulfstream
w/ 2 slides


Posted By: Jeff1014 on 02/29/04 04:08pm

A ground tarp and sleeping bag.

Jeff and...
1 wife (Dianne)...
40' Holiday Rambler Imperial...
1 2006 Saturn VUE toad...
1 Sheltie dog(Maggie)...
3 mangey cats(Buttons,Bows & Sissy).
numerous flamingos

Posted By: downtheroad on 02/29/04 04:53pm

Rig, what rig??

We started out with a tarp on the ground and a couple of sleeping bags.

Ah, the good old days are right now.

GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
08 Komfort 277TS Our Rig Pic
Reese Dual Cam HP

Posted By: SOJOEYAKNOW on 02/29/04 05:16pm

a old arm canvas tent 2 years. jayco qwest pop=up 1 year. 19 foot tt
and now what the sig says

JOE AND SONIA
" NOW WHAT DO YA WANT TO DO "
HUH ?
LOVING QUALITY TIME SPENT TOGETHER !
ON A PERM SITE IN NW ILLINOIS
76 KOUNTRY AIRE 34 FOOTER
5TH WHEEL
Home away from home

Posted By: Parrothead Mike on 02/29/04 05:34pm

I started with 30 years of tent camping, including backpacking and canoe camping. Finally in 1994 my wife and I bought a 19' Chateau travel trailer. Last summer we bought a used 2001 25' Cardinal 5th wheeler.

2002 Chevy 2500HD Duramax - 2001 25' Cardinal LXDS
16K Huskey EZ Roller Hitch - EU2000i Honda Generator

Posted By: Tigana on 03/02/04 02:56pm

Started out with a borrowed canvas two-room tent from my uncle. Threw it into the dumpster three years later when it leaked like a sieve during a rainstorm. After that, my folks gave us their old pop-up, but our first "rig" of any sorts was a 17.5' Class B we inherited when the folks upgraded from that to a Class C motorhome. Mom called it "The Peanut" because it was so short, it could fit in a regular parking spot. All it had was a sink, a couch in the back, ice box beneath the two-burner stove, dinette, narrow closet, and a slant-roofed sleeping space over the cab. Still, we got a lot of use out of it, particularly on one-day or overnight trips, when the kids were small.

Our first true rig, if you want to call it that, was a 24' Mallard Class C with a Chevy engine. It was sheer bliss not having an icebox that kept leaking water, not have to unfold the couch and dinette for sleeping, to have a fridge and freezer big enough to keep the kids fed for a week, to have an air conditioner instead of melting in the heat, to have room enough for four people and their gear, and to have a bathroom that helped avoid the bane of every traveling parent's existence: "I have to go to the BAF-ROOM and I have to go NOW!!"

Now we have a 1999 26' Dutchmen Lite travel trailer. The floor layout has turned out to be perfect for just the two of us (both kids are grown and gone now), so we'll probably keep it for a long while.

Jim & Kay
'05 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5.9L Hemi
1999 Dutchmen Lite 26' TT

Posted By: Leica shutterbug on 03/02/04 03:32pm

Three years with a floorless tent, then a Montgomery Wards ragtop tent trailer. After that several Starcraft tent trailers then several Jayco travel trailers and now our first MH, a 38 foot Phaeton by Tiffin.

Posted By: Mike @ Box K on 03/02/04 03:36pm

Learned all about 'camping' in the U.S. Army in WW2. Learned how to pitch a 'pup' tent in rain, or snow, or mud. Later graduated to 12 man tents, & we thought we were in a hotel.
As a civilian, after the war, had cots under a tarp strung between 2 trees. Then a borrowed tent, then our own tent. Finally a VW camper, then another VW camper, and then we were in real high coton in a Sportsmobile with a 'pop top' (took it to Alaska). Graduated to a class C (tok it to Nova Scotia), and finally an Itasca Suncruiser.
As my wife says, about camping, youv'e come a long way, baby.

Vaya con Dios

Posted By: GunnisonMatt on 03/02/04 03:48pm

Started with a tent
Became a ski bum and Turned a '79 Chevy cargo van into a camper. Built an elevated bed and fold out rear kitchen in it. Lived in it for 6 mos. in the rockies and loved it.
Met my wife and got a '97 Toyota Tacoma with a topper and a futon matress on a platform in the bed. Camped 50 days a year in it.
Now we have a baby, so we bought the 19.5 foot Kit.

Matt Schwartz
2003 Dodge Dakota
5.9 L 3.92
1984 Kit Companion 19.5

Posted By: teamblair on 03/02/04 04:09pm

Started out sleeping the back of the SUV, got a tent, went to a 23’ class C, and currently have a 32’ class A. Will eventually move on to a 38-40’ DP.

Team Blair

2004 Bounder 32W - W-20, Banks, Koni's, F/R Trac Bars, Safe-T-Plus
2002 Four Winns 19' boat
2006 Jeep Wrangler
1995 Jeep Wrangler

Posted By: Leoncyk on 03/02/04 04:49pm

15 years ago about 10 of us used to go tent camping on my freinds land way up in northern NH with no electricity, running water or bathroom and stay for 3 to 4 days. Then for whatever reason I didn't go camping for a long time, utill in 2002 I bought my first camper, a KZ TT. Sold it and bought a Forest River 5th wheel just before the winter.

2002 F-350 XLT SC 4X4 V-10 Auto 4:30 gears SRW LB(158"W/B)
50 gallon Transfer Flow tool box tank
2006 Citation 33-5M
Reese 16K hitch

Posted By: greasemunky on 03/02/04 04:57pm

Started out with a 2-man tent, and went to a Jayco 12FSO popup. Traded the popup for a 30' Keystone Outback BH5-S. Went from the Outback to a 34' Citation 5ver with the quad-rear bunkhouse. I've loved every one of 'em. As time has gone on, my family has grown, and my style of "camping" has changed. I remember the old trips fondly and can't wait for the ones comming down the pike. Heck, I've already made reservations!

2005 F250SD
2004 Thor America Citation 33-5M

Posted By: mrbishop02 on 03/02/04 05:03pm

We started out with a 94 coleman seqouia pop-up and a 1996 nissan pickup. We then jumped up to a 2000 f-250 CC 7.3 (same as in sig), sold the pop-up and decided to buy a fifth wheel. We found a 97 prowler 32' and that was it until a while back when we decided the fiver was just too big. we now have a 99 Wilderness (as in Sig) Who knows from here???

Steve & Kristy
2000 F-250 CC 4X4 7.3L Diesel,
hidden hitch 18K, Prodigy cont.
1999 Wilderness 26-5e 28' dbl slide

Posted By: bayouman on 03/02/04 07:34pm

Started out 35 years ago in a tent, got tired of waking up with a racoon looking at me, went to a 24 foot class c, then a 26 foot class c, and now a 34 foot class a. Should have done that a long time ago, it's great.......

Posted By: wilber1 on 03/02/04 08:53pm

1968 Mini Cooper and a tent followed by a VW Van, a tent trailer, travel trailer and now a 5th wheel.

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

Posted By: w4phj on 03/03/04 10:39am

Started out with a 28' Allegro Bay class A that was 10 years old
and had 100K on the odometer. Fixed it up and drove it another
15K before trading it in on a new 2002 Hurricane 30Q class A. Didn't
drive it much as it turned out to be a lemon. Purchased a new
leftover 2001 Bounder 36U class A and it has been perfect. The next purchase will probably be a Bounder 38N.

2005 Bounder 37U Cat C7 Engine
2007 Dodge 2500 4X4 5.9 Cummins Laramie
2002 Dodge Durango 4X4 4.7 SLT Plus
Amateur Radio Extra Class License W4PHJ
FAA A&P License

1969 Plymouth Road Runner


Posted By: timrhunt on 03/03/04 11:19am

A 77 buick wagon and a tent

30 ft TT

new fiver

Tim
04 2500HD LT CREW SB 4x4 8.1/ALLISON 4.10
04 OPENROAD 357 RLDS-5
HH 18K SLIDER/PRODIGY

MY RIG PICS


Posted By: mom_of_2_wv on 03/03/04 12:38pm

Started out in a 26ft TT without a slide now we have a 26 Ft with a slide. The slide makes a big difference.

Rebecca and Family
Dodge Ram
Forest River Wildwood 26BHSS

Posted By: Woman Driver on 03/03/04 01:21pm

Hubby & I both camped as kids but in our camping life together we started at the bottom.

Sleeping bags in car
Tent
Tent & horse trailer (great for portable toilet & changing room when horses are out)
24 ft Class C Tioga - very used
22 ft Komfort 5er - great price and used until kids out grew
30 ft Layton 5er - current rig
30ish ft 5er - ? make but is going to have bigger bedroom, bath and a rear kitchen

2001 Southwind 32V
2 teens left
2 Rat Terriers
See our photo album at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/endurhorse
http://community.webshots.com/user/endurhorse2


Posted By: eagle1 on 03/03/04 01:37pm

Tent, Pop-up, 8 years out of camping. Class C OLD, 22ft TT, 30 FT TT, another pop-up, Lance truck camper, 33ft Brave gas, 34 FT HR DP.

Eagle 1

2002 HR Ambassador(AKA Rosie), 2003 Dodge Dakota, 4 down towing
2 Westies ( The Brothers )


Posted By: Bob Dunn on 03/03/04 03:21pm

I rented Class C and Clas A's for vacation, for years.
Brought a 30', no slides 2003 Flair, and traded it for a 34' 11" Seabreese LX, with two slides
we are happy, happy.

BD
2004 Seabreese LX 8341 - 34'11'- Workhorse W22/GM 8.1 /Allison 5 speed
FalconII/2006 Honda CRV4 SE
with RoadMaster-BreakMaster 9000 Braking system.
200 Watts of Solar/Xantrex Prosine 2000
"Today Is The Tomorrow You worried about Yesterday!"
Posted By: dreiser on 03/03/04 03:29pm

We started with a used 1988 24' Tioga Class C MH and traded that for a new 2000 Jamboree 31W. Worst mistake of my life! Just traded that for a new Endura 6340. I'm anxious to see how this works out. Can't be any worse than the Jambo...

Doug, Joanne, Patrick and Kate
Our 2 labs- Jasmine and Chip
2005 Winnebago Journey 39K


Posted By: 2cyber71 on 03/03/04 03:32pm

(1) 1999 Storm 30H, no slides 31.5 ft....perfect for 5 summers.

(2) 2004 Southwind 32VS, double slide, 32.8 ft....perfect so far, one 2500 mile trip to WDW.


1999 Storm / 2000 Triton TR-186 bass boat


2004 Southwind 32VS / 2004 Libety TOAD

Very happy camper

cyber

2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Lucy 3 yr old Lakeland Terrier, in AKC Agility Training
Lucy gets an Agility Ribbon, 2nd place AKC Trial, Finger Lakes Kennel Club


Posted By: WanttotravelDears on 03/03/04 07:29pm

Tent about 30 years ago and did not camp for a few years and bought a popup last year in Feburary and traded in November for MH popup to much work. In 3 or 4 years will get a little bigger MH and maybe a DP when we do retire.

WanttotravelDears[/b] 1996 Winnebago Adventurer 34RQ 460 with Banks system 2006 Chev Colorado crew cab w/Blue Ox tow bar Cassie and Zoe (the bosses)Maltese:);)

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.

Posted By: opus8844 on 03/03/04 08:53pm

small motorhome toyota winnebago

21 ft aerolite

now 29 ft bunkhouse

2005 Chevrolet Silverado Ext Cab 5.3 ltr 3.73 gears
2005 Forest River Surveyor SV291
Straitline/Prodigy
Wife 2 kids & dog
GO Green GO White GO STATE!!!! MSU
HAVE YOU RUN OVER A WOLVERINE TODAY???
Dont Forget to back up Over him TOO!!


Posted By: Dexy on 03/04/04 06:45am

We started out with Jayco 10UD pop-up it was a great trailer for 6yrs. We moved up last year to a Jayco Kiwi 23B and love it the only thing we wonder, what will we have in 6 more years, 5ver? Dreams do come true!

Happy Camping!
Robin and Danny
Merlin the Beagle
Forever remembering Dexter & Dusty
2003 Jayco Kiwi 23B
2004 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab

Posted By: MWS on 03/04/04 02:39pm

Started with a Kawasaki KH-400, a backpack, and a sleeping bag...

Just the two of us and the cat.
1979 Chevy G10 Frankenvan, heavily modified w/HT383, built TH700R4, 14 bolt FF, 4 wheel disk brakes and lots more!
Why, yes, I am an engineer. A Mechanical Engineer to be exact...
Nash 22H behind, Laser on the roof
Many 2 wheeled toys in the back!

Posted By: Natrat on 03/04/04 02:46pm

the kind im going to end up w/-4x4 class c

97 chinook 4x4
audi a3 3.2 Q

Posted By: mountain boy on 03/04/04 03:01pm

tent.

very used apache pop up.

30' class C motor home.

29' 5th wheel.

36' 5th wheel some day to full time.

moutain boy
01 F250 Power Stroke,4x4,super crew,short bed
04 Wilderness Advantage 2950 BHSS 5th wheel,1 super slide
Reese 16K slider
Prodigy brake control
Dad,Mom and two little ones
Any day camping is a good day!

Posted By: TV Guy on 03/04/04 03:08pm

Started out with a tent in the trunk. Then an Apache all canvas pop-up, two TT's then the 5'er. Now looking for the one to retire in.

TVGuy
GMC 3500 SLT - D/A
Avion Westport 34.5 Wide Body

Posted By: 2Sooners on 03/04/04 03:16pm

Three years with a tent, 26 years with various trailers (14' to 24') and now a class A motorhome.

Foy & Lois Ann
2004 Monaco Safari Simba 30PDD
Demco KarKaddy SS Dolly
2006 Chevy Equinox toad


Posted By: Bill 720 on 03/05/04 06:16am

Hi: Like a lot of people I started with a tent, then bought a popup and finally went to a 26-ft. TT. We were out of camping for a lot of years. We camped just for the joy of being in the outdoors and as a diversion from work but mostly as a means to another end such as hunting and fishing etc. Bill

Posted By: Millsfamily on 03/05/04 07:22am

Did 1 day of tent camping (yes, it was that bad), then moved up to ...see signature, now we have a 29' Jayco Flight.

2000 Chevy Silverado, ext. cab, 4x4
2004 Jayco Flight 29BHS (lovin' it)

Posted By: DO N DAT on 03/05/04 07:23am

Small tent, big tent, small camper, big camper, 26ft. 5er and now 36ft. 5er.

1999 Ford F350, 7.3 Diesel, 2003 Triumph 365L


Posted By: jrj on 03/05/04 08:06am

Started out with a new 1972 Ford 3/4 ton pickup with 12.5 ft
Weekender camper.

Posted By: jrj on 03/05/04 08:06am

Started out with a new 1972 Ford 3/4 ton pickup with 12.5 ft
Weekender camper.

Jim & Cindy
FMCA124625
1999 Windsor
Lincoln, California
Posted By: AZCampinfool on 03/05/04 08:50am

Started out many years ago in a tent. Got married and borrowed a friends pop up and had a great time. Year later bought a used Jayco pop up and kept it for 2 seasons. Decided after 1 kid and another on the way we wanted easier set up and more creature comforts of home so we bought the TT in my sig last spring. Now with 2 kids, wife & dog I'm really glad we have the TT and am pretty content with it. We don't have any immediate plans to get anything else unless we outgrow it again.

Me, my wife & 2 DD's, plus the yellow camping labs
2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC 4X4 8.1L big block/Allison
2006 Montana Mountaineer 319BHD w/Trailair
IAFF-Local 2260 Mesa, AZ


Posted By: Homebrewer on 03/05/04 10:19am

30yrs ago tent, then van, then 17 prowler tt, what we have now.

2004 32vs Southwind
2003 Honda CRV toad with Brake Buddy
Just the two of us


Posted By: DEZELDAD on 03/05/04 10:54am

Tent, 12ft Pop-up, 30 ft Travel Trailer, 30 ft fifth wheel. Guess I'll be looking for a Class C & a toad next .

Posted By: outtatown on 03/05/04 12:48pm

Pre 1993: Tent
1993-1999 Starcraft 14 ft. pop up (complete with duct-taped tent ends)
1999-2000 Jayco 12 ft pop up with dinette slide
2000-2003 Rockwood Roo 23 foot with slide
2003-? Springdale 286 rlds

Now looking at a Crossroads 5er...I feel so "unpleasable"...however, my dealer made me feel better..said he has a customer who's gone from pop up to TT to another TT to 5th wheel in ONE YEAR!

Mama Shelly and Daddy Wade
Joe-12 Bret-10 nd stinky Shar Pei, Meko-8
2003 Ford F-250 turbo diesel crew cab
2005 Outback 29FBH

Camping families are happy families!

Posted By: payson on 03/05/04 12:50pm

Backpacking, tent, truck camper, Class C, Class A.

Payson



2008 Winnebago Adventurer Limited - 40 Foot - Workhorse Chassis
2003 Jeep Liberty
Blackhawk All Terrain tow bar
FMCA 347444

Posted By: brudar on 03/05/04 12:51pm

Went from a tent on a very rainy day

To a '69 Winnebago Class A, which was a total nightmare from the day I bought it until the day I sold it...........

Bruce & Darla

1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36'
HRRVC Chapter 100 Past President
FMCA-F350892 Good Sams Life Member

Posted By: brandt ranch on 03/05/04 01:24pm

See sig and pic. This IS my first one.

Brandt Ranchers, and Bailey, the Golden, too!
'05 Expedition 37U, CAT C7/Allison 3000MH
'04 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
FMCA 333981
Life Time Good Sam Member

Posted By: chiefcamper on 03/05/04 02:34pm

About 18 years ago somebody asked us to go camping with them. They had a beautiful TT we had a brand new WalMart tent. That was the first and last time in a tent. We went to a camping show with the idea of buying a pop-up. Then my wife discovered that not many pop-ups back then had bathrooms and the ones that did were expensive. Since we had one small child at the time the bathroom w/ a shower was a must.

We walked out of the show the proud owners of a 29ft TT with everything! Stepped up a few years ago to a 31ft TT with a slide because at that point we had five kids. Still have the five kids but the older ones drive now and camping to them is boring. So this year we took the leap into a 29ft motor home and can't wait to use it...Spring can't come soon enough. I must admit that the thought of never having to hook up my TT is very appealing!

2004 Sunseeker 2900

Posted By: Gerbow2 on 03/05/04 02:45pm

Over the past 44 years, the following:

Pup tent, 2 tourist tents, a cottage tent, homemade tent trailer, homemade Class B, 2 TT's and now the 5th wheel.

Gerry and Marie
2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 2000 Forest River Wildwood 5er
Reese 16K Slider, Jordan Ultima 2020


Posted By: grizz272 on 03/05/04 03:33pm

Our first tow Vehicle was a 1977 Subaru 4x4 station wagon. The camper was a home made covered wagon type made on a 2 place snowmobile trailer.
That was before kids. We had a ball with that setup.

Grizz

2K3 GMC 2500HD 4X4 EC SB Duramax/Allison
2K2 22LD HILO SILVER

Posted By: JAMAR on 03/05/04 04:28pm

When I started camping , it was in the North and we had to walk in about 20-chains ( roughly 1 1/4 miles through swamp and dead falls. There was nothing but the odd animal trail for part of the way that followed along a creek bed.

But when we got there it was gods country. The fishing from shore was simply super.( we eventually carried in a small boat and motor and hid it in the under brush).

So to answer the question what type of rig did I start with???

A 10X12 tarp and an artic 5 star sleeping bag . Maybe thats why my bones ache these days.

use CB# 13 when in your RV.


Posted By: K3MP on 03/09/04 12:44pm

Tent - No Kids
Tent - with Kids
1978 - 28' Ledgerwood T.T.
1984 - 34' Avion Model 34-V
Just purchased 1999 Shasta 300FL 5'er November 03

Mark and Dot
1999 Shasta 300FL
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4X4 C/C SB
16k PullRite Slider/Prodigy

Posted By: Fun 4 Family on 03/09/04 01:00pm

as a child (with my parents): truck camper, three 5th wheels after that.
after marriage/kids: travelled in a Chevy Tahoe & stayed in motels/hotels.
few years ago, talked my wife into a TT for camping.
now she just talked me into a new 5th wheel!

2003 GMC 1500HD CC/4WD/6.0L/4.10/Hypertech/DVD player to occupy the kids!
Pullrite Super 5th w/SuperRails System/Prodigy BC
Advance Cover/Rhino Liner
General Coach Citation 24RBS

Posted By: buster13h on 03/09/04 01:10pm

Three years with a tent,four years in a Coleman Pop-up and now eight months in a 5th wheel We ain't going back

2003 Dodge 3500 DRW 6 spd CTD 4:10
2004 Fleetwood Triumph 365FLQS

Posted By: Cookie Monster on 03/09/04 01:19pm

We didn't start until our kids were basically grown and gone, so we started with a Wilderness 28.5 fiver with a rear kitchen. We bought that and then bought our first pickup. It was fun, but we have since gone through a Challenger 32RLB and now have a Mobile Suites. I have told my husband that this is it for quite awhile now, so we'll see how long this one lasts!

Happy camping!

Cookie Monster
2002 Chevy 2500HD EC Duramax/Allison
2004 Mobile Suites 33RS3 #1170

Posted By: corkyb on 03/09/04 01:40pm

25+ years ago with an Apache tent camper... This was actually a trailer on which you installed a tent...Then Coleman pop-up...then 24' used Wilderness TT...then new 29' Wilderness TT...today 3255RL Montana..

Corky

Posted By: KJayhawk on 03/09/04 05:16pm

Tent,TT, TT

Marion & Chris
2006 Open Road 319RL3S
2004 Excursion V-10 4x4
Dusty (Maltese) 7/5/90 - 11/19/05, Jake (Bichon Frise) 12/19/96 - 6/7/06, K.C. (Bichon Frise) 5/9/06

Posted By: LilRedTruck on 03/09/04 05:27pm

In 1965 I bought a wore out 1953 school bus ! Gutted out the inside and converted it into a camper ! Had a full sized Crib for my year old son. Gas refrigerator from a apartment building converting to electric ! Two bus seats were used at the table ! Nice counter and cabinets, hand pump for fresh water ! Grey water went on the ground ! Bathroom was usually the woods. But, we were young and had fun ! Dan

Dan and Judy 2004 Keystone Cougar 276 EFS 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Ext Cab Long Box 4x4 D/A Reese 16K Hitch. Jordan Ultima 2020 Brake Controller. Schefenaker Mirrors. Honda EU3000is Generator [img]http://www.sixthweb.com/images/danb.jpg height=214 width=320[/img] [img]http://banners.wunderground.com/banner/gizmotimetempbig_both/US/MN/Princeton.gif

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.

Posted By: Popsie on 03/09/04 05:51pm

our first rv was a VW van that we converted to a camper for the 2 of us.

we used tents with the kids.

now we have a class A DP.

Are the results being tabulated?

curious Bob - we fulltime with our Cairn Terrier, in 01 National Islander, and 00 Saturn LW2


Posted By: jlturk on 03/09/04 05:59pm

We started out in a Coleman Bayside Pop-up and graduated to a travel trailer when we realized we wanted a bathroom and separate beds for out three daughters. Traded the pop-up for a Fleetwood Wilderness GL 31G. Despite the size of that rig, we outgrew it as we felt we needed another bunk and much more storage. We traded the 31G in for the rig in my sig and hope this will be the last one we have. Of course when we retire we plan on a Class A.

2004 Suburban 2500 8.1 Big Block; 4.1 rear axle
2004 Wilderness Advantage 320DBHS
Tekonsha Prodigy
Hensley Arrow

Posted By: backman on 03/09/04 08:23pm

Our very first "rig" was a "tent" camper, a box with three sheets of plywood that folded out to three sides and a piece of canvas covered the beds shaped like a tee. The box was approximately 4' x 7'. Graduated to a 18 ft Nomad TT, then a 21 ft "no name" TT, then a 24 ft Dutchman TT, then a 30 ft Hurricane 29D, now 37 ft Southwind. We have been camping since 1976 right after our first son was born. Camping is truly a way of life with lots of memories to cherish.

Larry and Debbie
2004 Southwind 37C W22
2005 Honda CRV
"HPY RVN"


Posted By: OzarkPreacher on 03/09/04 08:31pm

1.Camper shell
2.Tent
3.Pop -up
4.Cab over camper
5.Coachman 21.5 TT
Presently '88 Raod Ranger 27.5 5ver.So far we like it best and don't see a possibility of going back.We still stay out on the pontoon for a day or two every once in a while.

Posted By: JDK on 03/10/04 07:01am

We started out in a tent, then a 25 ft holidare TT, then a 30' Jayco TT. Next we got a 31 ft Winnebago Minnie Class C. We just traded for a new Damon Daybreak Class A. Don't know what is next.I do love the class A because I feel I have much more control over the Motor Home.

Jim and Jackie
2004 Damon Daybreak 3270
2004 L300 Saturn Toad


Posted By: hankpage on 03/10/04 09:52am

Wow! It's hard to remember ... but here goes.
Started with a tent and a roof rack on a datsun 510.
replaced the roof rack with a utility trailer to carry more junk.
replaced the car with pickup w/shell to carry more junk.
replaced shell & tent with 8ft slide in. I loved it , wife hated it (no room for junk)
Got bigger truck w/shell .... back to tent.
replaced tent with 20ft Scotty TT. ground getting to hard to sleep on.
Got BIGGER truck ..... sure looked silly with that little Scotty waving around back there.
Bought my present 5er and will keep it till we have more time to use it.
I am in the process of getting a new TV .... QC to carry more junk!

Hank & Lynn
07 Cougar 290RKS 5th wheel
04.5 Dodge 2500 HO CTD,QC,2wd,LWB,Prodigy, Ride-Rite
REAL TRUCKS RATTLE
Our getaway vehicle
'07 Cougar mods.


Posted By: 2Sooners on 03/10/04 09:58am

We started in a tent, but our first RV was a 13' Scotsman (I think that is right). No bath, no A/C, barely a heater, and we had to make the bed out each night.

We now have a Class A motorhome. However, we went through several other TTs before buying this last October.

Posted By: Kristy on 03/10/04 03:58pm

A 16 ft. Terry, 1969. It was love at first sight. I had 2 young daughters and had never been camping before in my life. We borrowed the the father-in-law's old camping trailer. I knew I was hooked when I didn't want to go home.

Kris, Chris, Chris Jr and Lily the English Bulldog
1999 Dodge 4X4, diesel, quad cab,6 speed
2002 Nash 26J, Pacific N.W.

Posted By: Cruzette on 03/10/04 07:06pm

We started with two sleeping bags that wouldn't even zip together and slept out under the stars. Then we got a camper shell when the kids were small and made a make shift bunk bed so we could all sleep inside the camper shell together. When the kids got bigger we got a family tent. When the kids were in high school we got a small TT, but it was way too small and leaked, the kids weren't interested in going camping any longer.

The kids left home and we eventually bought a used 5er (no slides) and a pickup, they came as a package deal. We got in and drove off, the previous owners were older and forced to sell. The rig only had 40K miles on it. It was in super good shape. We had that for about 5 or 6 years and then got a new Ford powerstroke pickup with lots of power.

We were going to have to revamp the old 5er to fit the new pickup, as the new pickup was much higher then the old one. We decided just to sell the old girl and get us a newer 5er. Our new 5er has two slides and lots of bells and whistles.

We are happy campers

Posted By: TravelinMom on 03/10/04 07:13pm

Didn't camp as a kid. Mom couldn't stand the thought.

Since we've had our own kids:
1 year in a tent
1 year in a popup
3 years in a 32' TT
Just bought a 35' Class A DP

Wish I would have bought the class A 3 years ago, but we decided we couldn't afford it then.

Lisa
2004 Coachmen Cross Country 354 DP
1 husband, 2 kids, 2 Mini-Schnauzers

Posted By: cherokeeowner on 03/11/04 12:53am

Tent with my 2 yr. old. Next year me and three yr. old went to a slide in camper. Wife and baby decide to join four yr. old and dad in the slide-in and one more year later we were in a popup. Wife wanted a bathroom, so I take my wife to her first RV Show and I get a nice TT that we still own that was four years ago. I took her to her second RV Show this winter and she is looking at those nice big 5er's. Maybe someday? Until then we can always use dad's MH.

Winnebago Sightseer 35N
was camping with:
Tent '96
Slide-in '98
Coleman pop-up '99
29S Cherokee TT 2000
Me, wife, and two boys 12 and 9

Posted By: shelbyd on 03/11/04 09:35am

Did the tent thing a few times, always rained when we first got married 15 years ago.
Koa cabins or back of truck bed with cap
Then high rise fiberglass cap or cabin
This year our first TT.

2006 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 4:10
2006 Sunline 2553

Posted By: iamasahdrsbry on 03/11/04 12:55pm

We started off with a 16' sunline tt. Here comes child #1(boy) and a bigger tt. A 24' fleetwood terry. Hey I need a bigger house with deed restrictions! Crap! A pop up will fit behind the fence. A Starcraft Venture did the trick. Here come the twins( girls ). Now a bigger house (no restrictions) and a new tt. a 26' fleetwood wilderness. Life is great. happy trails, I am asahdrsbry

Posted By: Managed Money on 03/11/04 01:01pm

We just purchased a 35 ft,gas, Southwind with 2 slides. This is our first MH. We'll use it for 3-5 years, then move up to a diesel.

Posted By: TexasDave on 03/11/04 01:07pm

We started out in 1987 Coachman 24' Class C and are still using it. We plan to move up to a Class A in the next year or two when I'm closer to retirement.

Texas Dave

Posted By: snowfort on 03/11/04 01:22pm

We tented when the kids were little. Then bought a 1971 Palomino pop-up for more comfort. Then abandoned camping for 10 years. Last fall we bought a Sportsman Sportster 36px2 along with two Yamaha ATV's. Mid life crisis? We're in our 40's, youngest graduates this year and we thought our weekends were getting dull. The Sportster has 2 slide outs, the bedroom and the couch/dinette. The camper portion is 26' long, then there is a separated cargo area that is 10' long. We haul the ATV's in the cargo area and then convert the space into a second bedroom by throwing down a rug and filling up an airbed. In April we are taking it out of hibernation for our first road trip this year from Minnesota to Utah.

Pi

Snowman & Pi

2003 Dodge Ram 2500, Graphite Metallic, HO Cummins Diesel, 4x4 QC, LB
2004 KZ Sportster 36px2 Toy Hauler
Photo
Floor Plan


2004 Yamaha Grizzly 660 (Mine)
2003 Yamaha Grizzley (His - tan)
2003 Yamaha Kodiak 400

Posted By: psycmeistr on 03/11/04 04:31pm

If we can go back that far, I remember having a 22-foot 1963 Cree as a kid (we got it in 1969). It was a really nice rig for its day; the one thing that was really unique about it--it had a propane-powered toilet that literally incinerated waste, thus eliminating the need for a holding tank. The downside to this was that the byproducts of the burning waste would go out the chimney and stink up the campground. After finding this out not too far after having it, we substituted the incinerator toilet with a portable chemical toilet. I think the guy who invented the incinerator toilet probably had a million-dollar idea, if he would have come up with a deodorizing system for the resultant smoke!!

Anyway, after growing up, the wife and I tented for a few years, then got a 2001 Shamrock with the popout front and rear ends. We're just awaiting delivery of our new Wildwood as I write this note.

Posted By: Dave T on 03/11/04 05:19pm

7X7 nylon tent. 750 Honda motorcyle.

2004 37B Adventurer
2003 Dodge Dakota-toad

Posted By: 2cyber71 on 03/11/04 05:25pm

1999 Southwind Storm 30H....March 7, 1999...a great day for us!
the following yr got the bassboat to match...
Now, I that i got the new MH...the colors don't match anymore...darn!
Posted By: lightkeeper on 03/11/04 06:36pm

Started out with a tent, then to a 1986 Coachmen 220FD pop-up, then a 1984 Winnebago LeSharo, from that pulled a 1990 24' Shadow Cruiser 5er, traded that in on a 1992 Coachmen 265RF Royal Leprechaun Class C RV, last (thus far) was a Coachmen 1996 321SO Santara Class C. NOW I am considering a pop-up.

2003 Starcraft TravelStar 21RB hybrid
2007 Chevrolet Z71 2WD Avalanche

"If I Die While Camping, I'm Already Halfway To Heaven!"

Posted By: Teamfour on 03/11/04 08:38pm

Jayco PU. Used it for 12 years.

Lee and Anne
2004 Springdale 266RELL GL, 6500# loaded
2005 Ford F250 CC, 5.4, Tow Command
Equal-i-zer

Posted By: des04004 on 03/11/04 08:42pm

Started in a 1984 Kit Companion 24BH. Traded it in 1992 for nothing(RV wise). Then in 2000, on March 18th (anniversary is coming up soon!) we bought a 2000 Trail Lite Bantam B23S hybrid. Then on August 13th of last year, we got our current Fleetwood Flair. Hope to keep this for a long time.

2004 Fleetwood Flair 33R, Ford V-10
2004 Ford Explorer XLT
2006 Ford F-250 Crew Cab Lariat Powerstroke FX4 Black/Arizona Beige
2006 Kawasaki STX 12F Jet Ski

Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes-Memorial Day Weekend 2005


Posted By: John&DebbyJ on 03/11/04 08:52pm

Our first was a Army surplus 4 person tent. It lasted for one weekend. A major thunderstorm blew it away! The next week I went to our local 'RV' dealer (this was in 1973) and bought a used 8 foot Custom Craft cab over camper. Set on a 1956 GMC shortbed PU. Used it for 10 years. John

2004 F350 Lariat,4 dr,LB,6.0,Auto,FX4,Toreadore red,Arizona Beige,sprayed on Gator liner,16K Reese,Custom Flow tailgate.
2004 KZ Sportsmen 2857 PX3, Honda 2K, Generac 4K
Polaris 400 Sport (mine)
Polaris 325 Trail Boss (Hers)
1978 Honda Express (Grand Kids)

Posted By: toddnks on 03/11/04 10:54pm

I started camping at an age so young that I don't remember it. I started my wife with my folks 30+yo tent, and thought that we would never do it again. (the camp ground flooded).

Tent and Sleeping bags
Tent air mattres and sleeping bags.
1995 Jayco P/U Purchased Used in 2000
2003 Dutchmen 29Q

Todd and Becky King With Nathan, Amanda, Adam, Gillian and Hannah
1999 F350 SRW CC Powerstroke/2003 Dutchmen 29Q Sport


Posted By: pianodan on 03/12/04 08:26am

Since my wife and I got married ('75), here's the list:

1962 Corvair Greenbrier with a camper conversion (1 year) my dad and I made and installed in 1969, when I sold it (under duress from my wife)we "graduated" to a Tent (2 years)

'78 13' Scamp travel trailer, '73 Fiat 124 wagon TV (3 years)

10' slide in camper (old one I restored), carried in '81 F150 (1 year), then '82 C20 (2 years), replaced with newer 9 1/2' slide in camper (5 years). Sold that camper when we moved to Guam (did our camping in Navy housing there, with all the power outages), bought 8' slide in in'96 (2 years).

Traded '82 Chev in '98 for '94 Chevy K2500 ext. cab long bed 4x4 6.5 L TD, and bought '87 10 1/2' Real Lite slide in camper.
sold last year for what we now own and use (see sig).

Dan

* This post was edited 03/12/04 08:33am by pianodan *

[blue] '91 35' Oshkosh Journey ('89 chassis) '89 6BT5.9L Cummins puller Powershot propane injection,Allison 4 speed '74 Jeep CJ6 '80 Suzuki GS850L FMCA F326065 Pine River, MN BT1(SW)USNret

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.


Posted By: Tiki Man on 03/12/04 08:57am

Large, smelly, floorless army tent. (can still smell it.)
13 ft Loliner
15 ft (name fails me)
11ft Eldorado truck camper
71 Sunliner 21 ft mh
78 32 ft Cruiseair mh
76 26 ft Coachman mh
89 34 ft Safari Hi Tec mh (Still got it)
90 22 ft Toyota dolphin. (Most fun of all.)

Posted By: smiwee on 03/12/04 09:35am

Tented my way through raising 3 kids with now DW. Got away from nature for a number of years.Got a 20' Palomino hybrid to see if my child bride would enjoy camping.That worked other than the close intimate setting with 2 dogs under foot. That lasted only one year, took the tradein beating and got what we have now. Retiring this year and hoping the HR will last into my senility !

Stan and Donna
1993 36' HR Imperial pulled by 01 Ram 3500 HO Diesel 6spd
Furry Kids Abby, Molly,& Muffin(2 BMDs and SB) Our travel companions and excuse for RVing !

Posted By: abradf2519 on 03/12/04 09:49am

I grew up "camping". My dad started with a 1965 Apache towed by a 1964 Buick. He moved up to a 29 ft. Airstream in 1970. Then I moved out, and bought a tent. I got married and my new wife and I camped in tents for a while. Then I bought my 1st "rig", a 1979 Coleman popup, towed by a 1986 Dodge Caravan (with 2.6 liter 4!). Then:

1973 21 ft. Vacationer; towed by 1987 Chevy wagon, 1989 Chevy 2500 van and a 1997 GMC Safari van.

1999 Coleman popup; towed by 1997 GMC Safari van and 2000 Chevy Express van.

2001 23ft Coachman Cadet; towed by 2000 Chevy Express van.

And the latest (see my signature) which I just got...

Alan and Marilyn; plus the kids: Daniel, Anna, Rebekah, Leah and Moriah
2004 Sunseeker LE 2900, Chevy chassis


Posted By: MaxFactor on 03/12/04 09:51am

We started with a Tent and now we have (see my sig.)

Harvey,Amy,new daughter Myah and our dog Max
2003 Dodge Ram Quad 4X4 SLT/Laramie SWB
2500 HO Cummins Turbo Diesel
Honda EU3000is Generator Mounted with!
Husky 16K EZ Roller (Slider Hitch)
29' 2003 Skyline 275 Celebrity with one slide

Posted By: Frankjake on 03/12/04 02:17pm

My parents bought a brand new truck and Lance camper in 1979, they used the heck out of it but always kept it like or as close to like new as possible.

My mom hadn't used it for years so I asked to buy it but she just gave the whole rig to me. We used it one season but a camper just didn't have enough storage for the stuff we wanted to bring along.

We sold it, waited another year and bought a 21 ft Weekend Warrior toy hauler, kept that for a season the bought a 30 ft Rage'n toy hauler 5th wheel. Too big... We used it a season then bought another Weekend Warrior, but this time 26ft which is exactly what we wanted originally. But at the time we bought the first WW, the tow vehicle was too small for anything larger.

We are very happy with our current rig and plan to keep it for a while.

Frank

Posted By: fmlm83 on 03/17/04 09:34pm

Started out married life camping. Honeymooned in a brand new 1982 Lincoln Mark VI (Belonged to the Boss) and a green 2 man pup tent. Boy did we get some looks at the campground! ... Then 2 years later, still young and poor, we purchased a 1969 Nimrod popup for $50. The tent was starting to dryrot, but we hand sewed the seams with dental floss, used it for 5 years and sold it for what we paid for it.

Frank & Lisa
2005 Chevy 1500 5.3 Crew Cab 3.73 axle
1997 K-Z Sportsman 2403
Reese WD Hitch and Dual Cam Sway Control

Posted By: mountainman53 on 03/18/04 02:04am

My first RIG was a 1972 chev 1/2 ton pickup with a fiberglass Gemini canopy (the windows always fell out on rough roads).I bought a trailer in 1973,it was a 1967 Aristocrat Landcomander.Been hooked ever since.

2003 CHEV 2500HD 8.1 Allison
2004 25ft Sierra w/slide
1953 Husband
1954 Wife
2001 Blk/Tan mini-dachshund
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 T-400 (no clone)

Posted By: HurricaneWillie on 03/18/04 04:41am

We started out with a 1993 21' Class C MH, Seven Seas by Cobra. Didn't even know if we were gonna enjoy it. Well we did, and now we've upgraded to a 31' Class A. Three years ago I wouldn't have believed it.

Malcolm, Danielle;
Victoria & Jasmine, the dynamic Giant Schnauzer duo
2004 Hurricane 30Q, Triton V10
FMCA

Posted By: danlamb on 03/18/04 06:17am

We saw all of our friends start out in pop-ups, then wind up with 25+ foot fifth wheels or travel trailers just a few years later. So we thought we'd start out with a hybrid trailer so we wouldn't need (want) to upgrade right away. Well.... one year later we've already got our eyes on a bigger trailer and a "For Sale" sign in the window of our hybrid. It's easy to get sucked in to the rv lifestyle

Dan Lamb
2003 Aerolite Cub C160
2003 Dodge Durango SXT 4x4

Posted By: Seedy on 03/18/04 06:36am

We started with a 1968 - 32 foot AirStream that we purchased in the early 70's.
At the time, we were starting a business in Gatinburg, Tenn and we could not find any place to live that we could afford.
We looked at mobile homes and finally decided on a travel trailer that we could use when we were rich and famous.
We were looking at everything and in one lot, I spotted an old 18ft airsream.
I had to see what the OLD People saw in them.
My wife was laughing that I would waste my time.
We looked at it and we went to our car and my wife asked,
"Where to now?"
I told her we were going to the AirStream dealer.
Being an engineer and have seen everything else; I knew a great thing when I saw it.
We had that AirStream for almost 20 years.
We got our full investment back and the people that bought it from us still use it.
I also understand that the early models are going up in price.
From time to time we borrowed a friend's pop up but my wife was not crazy about it.
We got back into RVing about a year ago.
Looked at everything and with the help of our Financial Consultant; we decided on this older Pace Arrow.
We have not regretted the move in any way.
It is great to be back.


F336202 Ontario Overlanders
Lead me not into temptation ---
I can find the way myself.

83 Pace Arrow V29 - P30 454 Chevy
95 Jeep "Rio Grande" Toad

Posted By: DA Rv on 03/18/04 09:32am

In the 70s I hitched around Europe with a tent on my back (started in London) and purchased a car in Turkey which I sold 6months later when returning to London ( car tented ). Train camped in England and Ireland in the s80s and in 85 car tented across the US. In 86 I purchase a 86 Ford Ranger and put a Camper on it. Then In 90 I got a 21' Dolphin / Toyota Micor Mini. A month ago we moved up into a 32' Class A with 2 slides(Hurricane by Thor). We just towed our toad for the first time last week.

All our experiences have been fun and still have the Mico Mini, I will have a hard time selling it, we have had so much fun with it.

Donna glfdiva@sbcglobal.net

Posted By: RTENT on 03/18/04 10:39am

We started out with a 1994 22' Prowler. We pulled it with a 1994 GMC Jimmy. All brand new equipment and we thought we were living large until we pulled in and parked next to (2) big Class A bus coaches with levelers and sat dishes. We quickly realized there is always room for growth. At age 35, we are now in a 38' Class A with levelers and sat dish. Still realizing there is plenty of growth to go. By the time we are ready for retirement, we should be in our dream coach.
But, no matter what you camp in, its the people that make camping "camping".
Enjoy all and God Bless

David and Terry from Maryland
2004 Adventurer 38R
Posted By: JerryDT on 03/18/04 03:15pm

22ft ElDorado class C , Six Coaches Later, 38ft Travel Supreme DP

Jerry Thompson
2003 Travel Supreme 38KS03
Tow - Jeep Wrangler

Posted By: PeteAlex on 03/18/04 09:01pm

Tent, popup, 28'tt...........all in one year. We just sstarted camping last year.....

Pete A
'03 F-250 SD 4x4
'07 Cedar Creek 35L4QB
Reese 16k KS
Honda eu2000i

Posted By: DrJoeB on 03/18/04 09:16pm

1977 - 2 man pup tent made of canvas at the local Army Navy Store. Lasted 1 year
1978 - A Jansport 3 season dome tent. Lasted 15 years
1993 - Sierra Designs 4 Man bomb shelter (4 season tent). Still have best I've ever bought
2003 - 04 American Eagle 40.J 40ft Diesel MH, with all the options.

Posted By: BIGBLU1 on 03/19/04 05:17pm

10 years with a boat,lol, then 2 yrs with a 31ft wilderness then on to the 5er. P.S. we dont miss the boat one bit.

BIG BLU1
2005 F350 Lariet 6.0
2003 34 RLBS Cedar Creek



Our Photos


Posted By: Outbound on 03/21/04 12:53pm

Started out with tents of course. Then went to a 8 foot pickup slide-in (2) then to 23 ft tt and to our present MH

Wil

Motorhome

1 dog

Posted By: jimbozamboni on 03/21/04 01:02pm

Two man pup tent, to a 1970 Steury pop-up, to a 1992 T1850 Sunline, to our current 2003 T2363 Sunline.

Life's a beach... Let's go camp on it!

Posted By: MacKay on 03/21/04 01:36pm

we started out with a 9X18 3 room tent for 3 years then moved into a Jayco popup (12FSO) towed by our trusty Grand Caravan, can you say overweight...I knew ya could...now we are into a Jay Flight 29BHS towed by the 99 Suburban 2500

1999 3/4 ton Suburban 7.4L with 4:10
2005 Coachmen 38TBS with Patty O Room
Wife and 3 kids