I'm a single female - not full-timing..yet. I have a popup camper at present, and love it. I purchased a 'couple-mate' (v-shaped thing that goes on the hitch ball to help with alignment) and it's been a great investment. I can hookup with no assistance (might stop 3 times during the backing up to see if I'm within the V and at the right height).
I'm considering a travel trailer in the future, but haven't found a floor plan that really suits me (I like kitchen counter space, as well as my two king sized bunks) yet.
A fifth wheel is better at towing and less sway (I am not in love with any stairs though). Might look like a monster, but it isn't any harder to set up than a travel trailer - just a slightly different procedure.
You can do it...find a floor plan that you like (fake a shower, sit on the potty, fake preparing a meal) - get the weight factors/specs and be sure you have a tow vehicle with the capability - heavy duty tow package (tranny cooler, etc) and have a brake controller installed - also be sure you have good towing mirrors.
Practice backing into a 'space' by backing into the empty bus lanes at your local school on Sunday mornings...
Best bet for a single female would be either a Class C or A. Simple reasoning being SAFETY that if you need to use the bathroom during a trip, you do not have to step outside to get to it. Had an old friend who used to RV in a trailer with her late husband until one night while driving to their destination she had to use the john. When she got out of the trailer, she was accosted by a couple of drunks who attempted to put the hit on her before her husband got out of the truck. Two days later they sold the trailer and got into a class A.
I'm a single woman, and though I've never tried a 5'er (LOVE the layouts!), I feel much safer in a motor home while on the road. At rest stops I don't have to go outside (although the dogs usually DO!) if I don't feel safe. I started with a Class C and immediately wanted an "A" and some slides ... which I got about a year later.
Janice and Bandit the Wonder Dog (+ Kiwi too!)
2000 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 2 slides
Toad green 2001 Honda CRV / Blue Ox towing system
Steer-Safe stabilizer and Bilsteins all around
Please don't be intimidated about rving alone. I have a travel trailer and with the proper hitch and weight distribution, sway is not a problem. They are easy to hook up. After the first 2 or 3 times, it's very easy. Practice driving and backing up and hooking up. And enjoy!
I am a single female with a 24' Class C, and I love it. I had a pop-up trailer, which when towed by my small SUV got better mileage than the RV, but I now get 18-20mpg with my diesel unit which isn't bad for a house!. I really like that I don't have to leave the RV to use the restroom at a stop, or if I decided to boondock somewhere I can just up and leave if I feel uncomfortable. I also felt insecure towing; now I have my bicycle on the back of the rig, and I can park nicely in two parking spots if I want to drive somewhere.
I do have pets, two cats, and the transfer between the SUV and the trailer was always a bit stressful. Now I just let them out of their carriers, and we're set.
I am female, old enough to qualify for Medicare, and am just finishing my first year fulltiming. I bought a 5th wheel, and while I love the space and layout, I wish I had something smaller that I could feel confident backing up in, didn't have to hitch and unhitch, etc. I absolutely detest hitching up, and because I tend to stay in one spot (workamping) for 3 months at a time, or visiting family for at least a month in one place, I forget enough to be intimidated by the process. Pulling it on the road is no problem, but I wish I could get a Class C now. The trouble is the cost, because while there are good deals to be had when buying, the same isn't so true when selling or trading.
Everyone told me "you can do it", and yes, I can do anything I put my mind to. I just don't like to do it. Think twice, and then think twice again before committing. The best of luck.
Gypsy
gypsy97
2004 Hitchhiker II LS
2002 Ford F-350, diesel, duallies
Offline
