Eycom
32043
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Two Sides of The Coin!
I've been an extended traveler over the years due to work which I thoroughly enjoy. Using a big TC/F350 dually as a motel, restaurant, office and daily driver, I've been in many Federal/State/County&City campgrounds east of the Mississippi. I've over-nighted in parking lots up north during the winter when the campgrounds are closed. The TC is truly the SUV of recreational vehicles... "go practically anywhere at any time".
About 2 1/2 years ago a health issue altered my schedule. While manageable, there would be no more long days and long commutes. So, I went full time to always be close to work and curtailed the northern travel during the winter. I move every few days to a week or two, but seldom farther than 150-200 miles. I frequent the public campgrounds I've come to enjoy due to their serenity. You know, the "geezer" pass makes them even more affordable.
Planning to retire next year and the TC will have served it's purpose. With longer stays and more time in the unit, I will definitely want more space. A 30-34' 5er feels like a mansion to me. Yet fits into, not all, but many of the parks I'd like to visit. RVing is a trade-off that necessitates one's effort to select the size, type, and cost that best fits their needs. And never forget, those needs change with time.
RVn Full-time
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kerry4951
East Central Pennsylvania
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Joined: 12/16/2009
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Went fro a 38' diesel pusher w/ toad to a TC and haven't looked back. Going places and seeing things that we could never do in the MH. Have all the same luxurys that we had in the bigger RV just not as much space. Its a "no brainer" for us. Life is great!
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually D/A, Supersprings, Stable Loads, Bilstein Shocks, Hellwig Sway Bar, Front Timbrens.
2010 Arctic Fox 1140 DB, 220 watts solar, custom 4 in 1 "U" shaped dinette/couch, 59 interior and exterior mods to date and still adding
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Lots of Stuff
WA. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/18/2003
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Posted this photo before but it shows our short rig, and I like the photo.
Total length of our rig is 20 feet 8 inches.
Advantages many. We've had it for 9 years. It was our first RV. and as we are in retirement it will likely be our last RV.
Can't count the number of times we've been parked in a particularly nice or convenient spot and others have asked us about our small rig.
When my brother and I went to Alaska the ferries charge extra for rigs over 21 feet. We went for regular car fare and yes they measured the rig.
We've spent night's parked in regular city parking spots as we fit.
The only disadvantage we've found are cold or rainy evenings when we can't get outside then the camper is small.
Though a few hours after this picture was taken a violent Florida thunder and lighting storm kept me in the camper wondering if I was going to die.
Did not think about the small size at all.
Oh yes I did not die!
DG
03 Chevy Silverado Regular Cab 2500HD 4X4 Duramax
04 Lance Lite 915
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Camper8251
Skagit Valley, WA
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Joined: 08/30/2010
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Good Sam RV Club Member
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When I went to purchase a setup that was something I took into consideration. One of my buddies has a 5th wheel that is 25+ ft. While its great to have a full house on wheels the majority of campgrounds wont fit it. Notice I said Campgrounds, not RV parks. Hence my Truck Camper choice. In the PACNW most campgrounds I have or go to are off the beaten path and some are not but they all are fairly tight when it comes to big rigs, I didnt want to have limitations on where I could camp.
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 DMAX
2008 Arctic Fox 811
Vision Wheels with
Toyo M608z's 225/70R19.5 14 plys rated at 3970
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fatmanobx
Russellville, Ar. Home Base
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Joined: 12/27/2004
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Lots of Stuff wrote:Posted this photo before but it shows our short rig, and I like the photo.
Total length of our rig is 20 feet 8 inches.
Advantages many. We've had it for 9 years. It was our first RV. and as we are in retirement it will likely be our last RV.
Can't count the number of times we've been parked in a particularly nice or convenient spot and others have asked us about our small rig.
When my brother and I went to Alaska the ferries charge extra for rigs over 21 feet. We went for regular car fare and yes they measured the rig.
We've spent night's parked in regular city parking spots as we fit.
The only disadvantage we've found are cold or rainy evenings when we can't get outside then the camper is small.
Though a few hours after this picture was taken a violent Florida thunder and lighting storm kept me in the camper wondering if I was going to die.
Did not think about the small size at all.
Oh yes I did not die!
Is that an old bridge you are parked on??
2003 Four Winds Infinity 37'
2011 Lance 855
3.5# Minpin named Darcy
Ford F250 Super Duty
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elkhornsun
Monterey
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Joined: 11/29/2011
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I was looking into an America the Beautiful senior pass (one of the few benefits of getting to that age) and noticed that in California all travel trailers and any RV longer than 25' pays double the use fee and that applies to space charges. That would add about $1000 a month in additional fees if staying in state parks.
I expect this is not something that is commonly known by people shopping for an RV and planning to retire and spend extended amounts of time in campgrounds. This trend is likely to continue so long as Congress continues to cut the park budgets to fund the tax cuts for the country's millionaires and billionaires.
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Roadlover
Petoskey, MI
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Joined: 02/26/2009
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We use to travel as a family in a 30' FW bunk house with our girls and always noticed how difficult it was to get into many of the small national and state forest CG's. If there were a few spots that could accommodate us, they were the first to be taken. Last year,with the girls not able to travel with us as much, my wife and I purchased a TC and that has just opened up a whole new camping experience. If a site can fit our truck it can fit our camper.
We are now able to get into some of those tiny sites that we always had to pass by. And this past February when we traveled down to the Everglades and Keys, there wasn't a campground that turned us away because we didn't have reservations. There seemed to always be a small site somewhere they could put us.
All in all, we have loved our decision to downsize to the TC and I can see where we are going to love it for many years to come.
"The Journey is the Destination"
2004 Chevy Silverado 3500 LT Duramax/Allison DRW 4X4
Banks Powerpack, Sprayed-In Bed Liner,
TorkLift Tiedowns, StableLoads, FastGuns with Locks and RideRite Air Bags
2012 Arctic Fox 1150 Truck Camper and Dry Bath
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Lots of Stuff
WA. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/18/2003
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fatmanobx wrote:Is that an old bridge you are parked on??
Yes it was hit by a ship so all that remain are the ends.
The new bridge is in the background. it runs across Tampa Bay in Florida.
The old bridge ends are open for Dry Camping and fishing.
Riding out a Thunder and Lightning storm there is quite an experience.
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rfryer
Phoenix
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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That’s a somewhat common discussion on the forum and really a critical factor in ones decision on what size RV to get. But I think it’s often overlooked by newbees who are unfamiliar with the issue. And it’s sure not restricted to CA. I went from tent camping to a PU to a 16’ TT. And the ability to maneuver tight national forest roads and get well off the beaten path was overwhelmingly the deciding factor for me, everything else was secondary.
After decades of that type of camping, my perception is that if one wants to get a TT as far back in as reasonably possible they need to stay below 20’. 22’ will still give you decent access and 25’ is about maxed out, the party will have to be selective and cautious where they go. Narrow roads, curves, tight trees and low branches are more of an obstacle than merely finding a spot big enough to set up.
I think newbees are entranced with the space and amenities of a big rig and don’t realize space is exactly what you have to sacrifice for access. And that type of camping is dry camping and most of those amenities aren’t going to be used much. At least I can’t imagine anyone fighting their way back in such an area to listen to a generator run constantly to watch the boob tube.
Of course if the parties don’t want to get well off the beaten path then the size issue becomes much less important. But I think where someone wants to camp is the most important criteria in choosing an RV. And of course that has to balanced off with other factors, such as how many people and so on.
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fatmanobx
Russellville, Ar. Home Base
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Joined: 12/27/2004
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Lots of Stuff wrote:fatmanobx wrote:Is that an old bridge you are parked on??
Yes it was hit by a ship so all that remain are the ends.
The new bridge is in the background. it runs across Tampa Bay in Florida.
The old bridge ends are open for Dry Camping and fishing.
Riding out a Thunder and Lightning storm there is quite an experience. I've seen several and fished off a few, I was trying to place it..can't beat that for a spot to put up for the night..will have to watch for that one when I get down that way..
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