My wife and I have been on the road since January (excluding a three-week round trip back home from Austin). It's our first long trip. It's made us think about a few things.
First, we've encountered quite a few fulltimers and sunbirds, the majority older and retired. I've gotta say that--compared to their peers back home--they seem more deeply satisfied with their lives.
Secondly, we feel like we "own" a home in Durango, Sante Fe, the Texas Hill Country and so many other places with great views. Actually, when it comes to stick homes, only folks like Bill Gates could afford such a thing. If location, location, location are the three top determinants of real estate value, what can beat a humble RV?
Finally, we've encountered folks with big, medium and smaller RVs. It's made us think how choice of trailer size and comforts might have affected how we spend our time.
I've noticed that the bigger the 5th wheel or motorhome, the more time folks seem to spend inside. Nothing wrong with that IF it's what you intended to do in the first place.
However, we started RV-ing to see lots of new things and to escape the sort of rut we'd fall into back home--me and the computer, my wife in bed reading or watching TV most of the time. That lifestyle also tends to put on weigh, especially when you are older. After climbing up Enchanted Rock in Texas, we thought about how healthy it could be to stay in places like this more often, alternating hard climbs with easier ones.
We both have no doubt that if we had bought a bigger RV with lots of amenities, we'd almost certainly have fallen into a rut similar to back home--not quite as bad but still more than we'd prefer. Do you think my theory about RV size and comforts unconsciously affecting lifestyle has any merit?
Beginners choosing their first trailer that it's important to think about the kind of lifestyle you want before determining what size is for you.
Our trailer is on the moderate-to-small side (24-foot trailer but with a large living room slider). With the slider out, I'd say it's just under 200 square feet.
One thing I've asked myself is why we don't ORDINARILY get "cabin" fever despite a size that would hardly be acceptable in the smallest condo. I think one reason is the effect of having the blinds up which works as a mirror does in psychologically expanding space, but in three directions.
The second reason, I suspect, is that we are outside a lot either near the trailer or at other campground facilities.
A third is that we tend to spend more time away from camp than we'd spend away from a stick home. We've only noticed the cabin fever effect when we've stayed inside for more than two days or so due to weather conditions. A tent would be a killer there.
On our last Sunday we encountered more new things in one day than we'd encounter in a whole month or maybe even six months back home.
--My wife went to a church with a Texas swing style gospel band near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
--Aferwards, we had a very good buffet bruch for $21 combined (plus tip) at a nearby Apache casino.
--We drove through a forest fire on the Apache reservation near Lincoln National Forest. The road was full of spoke and at least 40 firefighters.
--We visited Cloudcroft (quaint, 7000 feet up).
--We encountered one of our most scenic views yet on the road south toward Almagordo.
--We ended up hiking around White Sands national monument where I got my senior pass for $10.
As we drove back to our trailer in Ruidoso, I thought about how we'd be spending that same Sunday back home. No comparison! What a lifestyle this is!
--
Great post, thank you for sharing your experiences. It makes us want to get out there with you. We will be there someday soon! Enjoy your life and travel safe.
Your observation about length applies to motorhomes too. Must be that length exerts some kind of RV gravitational force that keeps the owners from escaping outside. You can watch a long Type A for days and never see an owner.
For me, keeping the motorhome or trailer at 25 feet or less is the objective. I want to be mobile, not tied down, when I'm out "traveling."
Hey Aramingo, I couldn't help sending a hi to you. I was born and raised in Philly, Northwood section. Went to school at Frankford. My father still lives in Fishtown. I saw the Philly post and I had to respond. If you get to the Central Florida area you'll have to look up a neighbor.
You'll see we have two trailers: a 22 ft for camping, traveling around the country. We also have a 29 ft which is our winter home. It has a jackknife sofa for extra sleeping space for when somebody visits. Only sleeping for two in the 22 ft. That's spring, summer, fall use only. Removed the dinette in the 22 ft in favor of comfortable chairs. Old folks like us need comfy chairs.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Our best friend in Philly, Alan Z. was a counselor at Frankford for about the last decade or so. I taught at Olney for years, then Central before retiring.
We are enjoying this so much we've decided to put our home of the market when we get back. It's loaded with goodies we didn't have in Center City (21st and Mt. Vernon) and I can use mass transport for free but nothing compares to RVing I think.
We particularly liked the Hill Country in Texas for winter--outdoor cafes, lots of good homemade food compared to many places, superb entertainment and all of it reasonable.
While here in New Mexico, I picked up "New Mexico Campgrounds: The Statewide Guide" by Christina Frain. Great photos and descriptions. Lots of useful info. The ranger in charge of the White Sands Visitors Center ssaid that of all the books aimed at RVers in the state, this would be his first recommendation.
I think there is more than just RV size involved in one's lifestyle. When we are young, we usually have kids and jobs. Income (generally) lower. Result = smaller RV's more time outside with the kids, more creative outdoor activities as kids in a smaller RV will generally drive anyone nuts!
As time goes by, kids grow, move out of the house, all of a sudden there's more disposable money (provided they don't move back in with grandkids!) More disposable money because of higher paying job now, really in a position to save for retirement, and wanting things a little nicer because the young kids are not there to tear things up any more, results in purchasing a larger RV with nicer luxuries.
Everyone wants to enjoy the nicer luxuries, so there's a tendency to become couch potatoes INSIDE the RV.
Now, add to that age. I'm 53, and I'm beginning to feel some age on me. Sorry, I don't enjoy walking trails any more as when the kids were little, riding bicycles for hours like when the kids were little, rock climbing, swimming for hours, or pretty much, anything else that's physically demanding! I enjoy the time to "vegetate!"
Now, don't get me wrong. I still split wood with an axe and a wedge! And I've got 120 feet by 2 and 1/2 feet by 6 feet high of firewood stacked in my back yard I use for campfires and the fireplace in the house to prove it! I still do all the repairs on the house and RV by myself, take care of the yard, and everything else. So, it's not like I'm lazy or anything. But now that the kids are gone, it's REALLY nice to sit around a campfire burning some of that wood I split and enjoy vegetating, and when it gets cool in the evening, go inside and flip on the television or watch a favorite DVD and fall asleep beside the wife in a warm, comfortable, soft and cozy bed!
So, I personally, kind of disagree with the OP here. It' neither the size of the RV or the lifestyle, it's a combination of factors, age, kids, our health, and finances that drive most us to our current lifestyles and the type of RV we end up with and what we eventually do with them.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
I think it is more the individual's personality or preferences. I spent 5 months in my 21' motorhome 3 years ago. I did not venture outside more than twice a day (once to go to town and/or check progress on the new house, once to get the mail) unless Lady demanded more walks. When I travel, I usually like to stay inside when at RV parks as well (kind of antisocial that way). But will socialize when I get to my destination, especially if it is an organized tour or rally.
Ivy (retired single girl)
Lady (Border Collie Mix guarding, guarding, guarding)
The Cookie Hauler (1990 Lumina APV, in which I camped before I got an RV and quit camping)
The Bee (2003 Trail Lite B-Plus on Ford E350)
Offline
