About a month ago I was laid off from my job at CW in Ft Myers due to lack of business. At the time I told my manager that, in order to stay with the company, I'd be interested in any other positions available in the SE United States. Since we still own a home and my wife has a job in Ft Myers, I didn't want to be TOO far away.
Well, a week later I got rehired to work the race in Daytona, and then go to Tallahassee as a Service Writer. After spending the balance of this week teaching Reeni how to clean the pool and mow the yard, I'll leave this Saturday for Tally, and start on Monday.
My Rage'n FSC 2800 Toy Hauler will serve as my domicile for the next 4-5 months, before returning to Ft Myers for the winter. We've spent several "extended" periods in the trailer before (weeks, not months), but I'm wondering if there's any pointers you fine folks can give me.
Traveling sales from FL to NY. I've spent weeks and months working out of my TC on the road. Never been fortunate enough to sit more than a 2 weeks in one place. I can be up north for several days, in different locations, during the dead of winter with no open campgrounds nearby. Thus, my choice for a rig. In the past 6 months, I've logged over 16k miles, 21 weeks living out of the camper, 5 weeks in sticks and bricks. I'm not sure I would be classified as a most-timer or a workamper. But, here's my thoughts regardless of your dwelling......
1) Go home... OFTEN!... at least every 2 weeks. I know it's a haul and expensive. But, that family relationship and closeness is absolutely critical. Use the phone... a lot. Communication is paramount during separation. Let the family know they are always in your thoughts. You're tired, beat, long day... just want to grab a shower, fix dinner, get the dishes out of the way and take in a rerun of WWF Smackdown or Ugly Betty. Phone rings and it's DW with a problem or a need to vent. Be patient!! There's nothing more important than focusing on her and addressing those issues at that time. Bear in mind, we men have a tendency to generally identify the problem, formulate a relatively quick simple viable solution, and case closed. You'd be well advised to sit through all the dotting of the i(s), crossing of the t(s), with a great deal of validation, you understand, and then work with her on a solution. Problems are going to arise because, in the normal scheme of things, you both handle different things. Again... be patient and attentive.
2) And watch that awning. Severe T-storms with high winds pop up just as fast in Tally as in Ft. Myers.
Since you are experienced in RV travels this won't be all that different. You just won't have to travel so frequently but most things would be pretty much the same. You will want to take your hobbies along and some things to occupy your free time, since you won't be sight seeing like when you travel.
Unless there were very real savings using a motel, I think I'd rather continue using the rig even at a modest loss. More than one reason comes to mind, my own "HOME" and my own bed, and I just prefer relaxing in the evening by the campfire, no sitting in a motel room wishing I was out camping somewhere!! JMHO...
*Cliff*
Chaos reigns within. Reflect, repent, and reboot.
Order shall return.
2004 Trail Cruiser XP C-23B
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
Offline
