I have a 5er that my son and I both use. Right now he has it in Dallas as he will be working there for the next 3 mo. We keep it packed with all the things you need to live in it except our clothes. That way no matter who uses it..it is ready to go. Get food put your clothes in it and off you go. He and I both keep our toiletries in it also.
Laughing IS essential. He called me about 3 wk ago and said "Mom you need a new roof"! Now my 5er is only 7 mo old!! Yep you got it...he caught a limb pulling into the CG spot! I laughed (which he could not believe I did) as the damage was done, he found what he needed to patch it until he can get it in to have a new roof put on and all is well.
Things happen and things break. As long as you are not injured laugh because the next problem could be worse. Most anything can be repaired.
cherrykiss3 wrote: I have a 5er that my son and I both use. Right now he has it in Dallas as he will be working there for the next 3 mo. We keep it packed with all the things you need to live in it except our clothes. That way no matter who uses it..it is ready to go. Get food put your clothes in it and off you go. He and I both keep our toiletries in it also.
Laughing IS essential. He called me about 3 wk ago and said "Mom you need a new roof"! Now my 5er is only 7 mo old!! Yep you got it...he caught a limb pulling into the CG spot! I laughed (which he could not believe I did) as the damage was done, he found what he needed to patch it until he can get it in to have a new roof put on and all is well.
Things happen and things break. As long as you are not injured laugh because the next problem could be worse. Most anything can be repaired.
Cherry
Had to laugh at this. I did the same thing on our first cross country trip. I hit the awning of a restaurant and tore off a 20ft strip of roof. Suddenly, there was a Moonroof in my TT! Ah well, that's what insurance is for. Got it fixed at Poulsbo RV two days before July 4th, too!
"Those who dwell...among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."--Rachel Carson, environmentalist, 1956
2009 Ford F250 XL
2006 Dutchmen 25F
Me & DH in non-parenting mode!
We've had our 32ft class A motorhome for about 6 weeks now. I was afraid to drive it until I saw our saleswoman hop in and effortless drive thru traffic. I said to myself if this lady can drive it, so can I. She took us to a DOT weigh station and had us turning and backing up in no time at all. After we brought it home, we went to a nearby church and practiced again in their parking lot. On our first trip we learned that we couldn't agree on hand signals when backing in, so we bought a set of walkie talkies and had no squabbling on our next trip because we understood what the other was trying to tell us. I do as much as DH with setup and breakdown both at the cg and at home. It gets easier every time.
I haven't read all the answers but I do have some suggestions. Maybe your wife should drive. I do all of the driving and hubby backs me in to tight spots,(including the neighbors fence once) The only thing that we unload when we get home is our dirty clothes and food in the refrigerator, otherwise it stays in the rig for the next trip.
I agree, stay at State and National Parks and make reservations for pull-thrus. Don't drive hours, keep it local or within a hour or so drive, and do something you enjoy and look forward to.
You'll find your pet peeves and learn what type of camping you like to do. It'll take some time. One thing I've discovered is that though we have everything else in the camper, we need sets of clothes just for the TT. This weekend I forgot some important clothing items!
We know now that state, federal and COE parks will likely be our best bet, especially since we're still working so we're "weekenders". Our experiences so far have taught us that most of the local private campgrounds cater to the locals who like to party hard on the weekends. Once you realize the noise and dangerous driving of golf carts (usually by drunk adults or teens who've snuck a few from Dad's ice chest) isn't going to stop, even at 3AM, and no one is going to enforce any rules whatsoever, you just move on and never return.
MKish wrote: Another thing to consider is talking to your wife. Make her do her fair share of this! Tell her you don't like driving and that she needs to take a shift behind the wheel.
In our family, I am the wife, and I do almost all of the driving. I get carsick if I am riding and not asleep, so my husband gives me a break every now and then.
Plus, I am the one who wanted into RVing, so it was part of our deal. Not retired, but have RVed for about 12 years, and BOTH love it.
whiteodessa wrote: My wife and I are 5 years from retirement so after much research, we purchased a 38 foot 5th wheel trailer this spring. We have been out three times and I must say I am not enjoying the experience (my wife does). Something always goes wrong, it is time consuming to get all the gear ready to go as well as unloading and cleaning up, and it is very stressful to drive (I feel uncomfortable holding people up). The RV parks we have stayed in (Good Sam) look good on the internet but are not very nice in real life (perhaps my expectations are too high). I have practiced backing and it has not gone very well and I am very nervous about doing it. All in all, I feel like this is going to kill me before I retire. Is this the new user jitters that will go away with experience or should I reconsider and sell it?
Might I suggest you find a "camping buddy"? An experienced camper you can meet up with and go to a park for a few days could not only help you with your site setup, but they could also "show you the ropes" so to speak.
Setup, cooking, activities, things to avoid, how to find local entertainment and supply places, etc.
I am in Pennsylvania or I'd gladly invite you to meet us at one of our state parks. We're not "pros" but we really enjoy camping and practice an "open campfire" policy. (Means if you see a campfire burning, feel free to bring a chair and join us!)
Maybe someone closer will drop you a line and you can buy them a mountain pie
Once you get some of the "basics" down such as utensils, pots, plates, drink mixes, tools, etc, it will be much less effort to go camping.
Oh- and this may sound strange- try LONGER camping trips! Spend a week at a CG. Longer times between setup and teardown make for a more relaxing stay
The buddy idea is a great one. You may also consider a camping group. If you were a woman I'd suggest Sisters on the Fly. They help one another and go in groups.
DH doesn't enjoy camping the way I do, so I often go solo. I don't have a spotter in that case, so I get out and look my site over...sometimes a couple of times. Since I have a small trailer, it reacts very quickly to movement of the steering wheel.
One of our daughters loves to camp, as well. When she's home during the summer, we take off on longer trips. We took a 9-day trip this spring to the Carolinas from Illinois. DH just wouldn't enjoy that. And I know what you're thinking...that you wouldn't either in a teardrop. However, we had a 28' Class C, and he didn't enjoy that either. It was my mom and I that used it, and we were very comfortable driving it...more so than our trailers.
I don't let the traffic behind me worry me. I don't like pulling my little camper very fast, so around 60 mph is about tops for me. We also love the side and back roads as opposed to the interstate.
My best learning experience for backing came from state parks in the off season. You get to deal with trees, posts, angle of the site, etc. Illinois will leave at least one loop open, so you can practice to your heart's content, without an audience.
I'd give it more time, but you may be in the category with my DH...it's just not his cup of tea, for the most part.
COE's are my favorite. I love the water and rarely camp anywhere without a lake.
We just started this RV thing and I can relate to everything you said except for the backing. I have no trouble with that. Our second trip out just for the weekend was terrible to say the least! After that weekend I parked the truck and fifth wheel and didn't go near either one for two weeks. I got up one morning and felt fine and have been ok with everything since. My problem now is getting this Dish TV satellite up and running for the wife, it's about to drive me carzy but had some good advise from other RV'ers and will do what they say.
Hang in there bud, it will all work out.
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