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 > Going alone (gulp)

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Artie322

New Jersey

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Joined: 06/22/2008

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Posted: 07/03/08 08:44am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Both? Right now I'm down to 4 dogs and a cat. A bit much for me to handle when I'm soloing on my first trip.

25 years ago, when I was a tad younger, I hauled a 20' TT, had 2 little kids and 7 dogs. We travelled the dog show circuits, eastern US and up into Canada. Oh, yeah, I also had a husband back then. But I might as well have been soloing, if you know what I mean. ;-)


Reggie

windriderjr

Massachusetts

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Posted: 07/03/08 09:18am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I provide the sound system and announcing at kite festivals around New England and do about half of them solo. The biggest thing I miss when I'm alone is my spotter. Fortunately, most of the time I'm camping with others who are attending the festival and are more than willing to help (possibly because I feed them).

The few times I've camped alone and had nobody around to help, I just took my time and got out and looked.

One indispensable piece of equipment for setting up late on a Friday night is a headlamp. I take 2 with me for all the types of camping I do from TT to winter tent camping.


DW and I in our Gulfstream Amerilite 21MB
Chevy Silverado 2500 HD - Duramax Diesel 6.6L - Allison Tranny

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area." - Major Mike Shearer - British Army - Basra, Iraq


NewRVerDiane

Madison, Wisconsin

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Posted: 07/04/08 10:02am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

HI and Welcome...

I just took a solo 2 week trip the end of May. I enjoy those trips for reasons already stated. I take a day or so to get used to traveling alone and then I settle in. I've become very good at backing in sites and I too use those orange cones to mark the best spot after I've found a level spot for my MH.

I've taken longer trip to CO and NM too. So good luck and bring several good books!!

Happy Camping


Diane
Madison, WI
'94 Horizon 21 1/2'


kjames90755

Signal Hill, CA

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Posted: 07/04/08 02:01pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The best advice, when going solo, is this: Hook up the sewer line BEFORE pulling either tank release valve, especially the blackwater tank release!


2008 Itasca Meridian 37H, All. 3000MH (6-auto), Freightliner XC Chass., Cummins 6.7L Turbo, (Sweet! Delivery 03/12/08). Tow: '07 Dodge Gr. Caravan, Me, Him; Sugarbear, Apr. Toy Poodle; Pepe, Blk Toy Poodle; Hero, fat Siam.-mix polydactyl cat/Alarm Clock.


MotherOwl

Northwest Louisiana (ArkLaTex)

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Posted: 07/04/08 05:12pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'm a 62 year old grandmother who has mostly traveled alone since buying my trailer a little over four years ago. Most trips are within a few hours of my home in Louisiana, however I've made three trips to the Southwest, the longest of which was for six weeks. Clearly there were things to learn before setting out, but trust me, there is nothing about any of it that requires brute strength. Why, I even figured out that I needed to hook up the sewer hose BEFORE pulling the blackwater tank release valve.

* This post was last edited 07/04/08 05:41pm by MotherOwl *   View edit history


Mother Owl
K-Z Frontier 2405

Paula&Chance

IL

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Posted: 07/04/08 08:33pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You can do it! I go camping solo, just bought my camper at the end of last summer. I gradually have learned things about it, and if there is anything I am stumped about, I can usually find someone at the campground to ask.

The first trip I took was straight from picking it up from the previous owner. I knew zero other than what he had told me. All I had known was about popups.

The backing up was hard to learn, but I just take my time. If I get it backed in crooked, I start all over again! A couple times men have stopped and volunteered to 'rescue' me....and of course I let them! I do much better when I don't have an audience...haha!

I enjoy the peace and quiet, and my dog is my camping buddy...but there are times when it gets lonely. I sometimes have friends nearby and we all gather around the campfires and have a good time. But sometimes I know no one else but whomever I meet while I am there. And, that's okay too.

If I feel like cooking I do, if I don't..I eat whatever. If I want to take an afternoon nap, I do.

I ride my bike 2 or 3 times a day, all through the campground loops...that's fun. I read a couple books during the time I am camping.

Some people look at me very strangely when they find out I am alone out there, and some kind of have a look of ...'oh, you poor thing'...but it's a choice I made. I wanted to do some things while I am still able to. Used to camp when my kids were younger, back when I was married...and now it's time to camp again, no matter the situation.

Have a great time! Just be aware of your surroundings, and keep an open mind and a safe eye!

twinsmom04

BC Canada

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Posted: 07/05/08 05:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

good for you!!!!

I may not get to be fully solo... but more often than not, I am solo from when I leave the house to up to 24 hours at the campsite with 4 year old twin boys. We plan our trips where my DH can drop his Super B trailers and bobtail in his rig over to the campground. If I waited for him to get home, I would never get to go camping.

Things I do which make driving solo and setting up easier? Back up camera for the truck for hitching... turns a 10-15 minute ordeal into a 30 second with one GOAL instead of 1500.... I have bins in the trailer and bed of truck for specific things like a sewer bin, fresh water bin, toy bin (for kids ) and a set of walkie talkies. When I get to a site, I walk to the site and figure out the approach, and if there is anyone around who can assist me with backing up for spotting, I ask. I don't have a problem with backups, just like having the extra eyes in case something jumps out.

go slow and easy and I agree with keeping the pups at home for at least the first trip out. Great company, but still distractions. good luck and enjoy!


TV - 2007 Silverado Crew cab shortbox with 5.3l engine
TT - 2007 28BHS Passport

campers include me and my 4 year old twin boys and occasionally DH

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