I gave up my 40x52 shop when we sold our property.The previous year I had sold all my shop equipment I had attained over the years. At first it was hard but as time went on I realized I didn't spend as much time time in the shop as I used to. Once the equipment was gone it was easier to let the shop go. The thing is I was READY to move on. Sometime when I go to the race track or a car show I think about my old shop and how I enjoyed building and working on race cars but those thought's are quickly replaced by the enjoyment I get traveling with My Wife Linda and our dog Buddy. I can't tell how to be ready to move on but can tell you that you will know it in your heart when you are.

It all gets down to the definition of fulltime. If it's just living in an RV full time, then you can put it next to a garage or building and have a place to tinker, and go on short trips when you want. If however it means traveling full time, albeit slowly or constantly, then there is no place for a fixed place for tinkering. Decisions, decisions. One thing that's been proven over time though, is that for the full time life to work, both partners have to be in agreement on the lifestyle. Good luck

Toy Hauler? That's an option for a "small" workshop. Not sure what all you'd like to do but it's an option.  A rolling workshop.


-- Edited by Gary on Monday 9th of August 2010 07:40:33 AM

I was getting ready to suggest what Gary did. Get a toy hauler and take a small shop with you. When you get the notion to tinker go out to the "shop" and tinker. It may be a scaled down shop from what your used to but hey look how big your back yard would be. Flyone

Most campgrounds have rules against major repairs and things like oil changes happening on their property,except by licensed mobie repair guys,  but walk around in any campground and you will likely see guys (often several together) working and tinkering on varioius projects either on the RVs or some sort of hobby.  (Open the engine or storage bay with tools and they will come!!!)  Most of us carry a good assortment of tools and a table or use the picnic table.  I've even seen some guys who have fashioned a pull-out small workshop that all opens up.  Some larger campgrounds, especially in snow-bird country, have workshops available for use.

Mary

i confess... I am a tinkerer... we haven't gone fulltime yet but i struggled most with this as well...as each tool and power tool left the garage via craigslist i started to slowly let it all go... now i am comfortable with it.. but still wonder what will replace my tinkering time :)

Yes, I struggled with giving up two things, my tools and supplies, and my dream home-entertainment system that I had (high-end stereo & big plasma). BUT, I still smile ear-to-ear every single time I get set up at a new place and look around our RV & know all of our stuff is right here and we can just pick up right where we left off (we live here!).

Its such a worthwhile trade-off for some minor inconveniences!

Thank all of you for taking the time to respond to my wifes blog concerning my need to stay busy and enjoying to tinker. It may seem weird but I actually enjoy spending a day washing and polishing my coach and car. As far as engine maintenance I prefer to use a qualified shop. Karen and I purchased a Tradewinds 40E Motor home and I thought about pulling a enclosed trailer with my Rubicon and tools but after doing some research the trailer adds difficulty so I set up my jeep to pull flat and it works great. I think I have two things to over come. 1 setting up a mini tool kit that allows me to be somewhat independant and 2 over coming the desire to come back to a home where our boys can come. I think this comes from my parents never owning a home. This was the first thing Karen and I did when we got married. I wanted stability for our family. I don't have a desire for anything big just simple and in a nice area. I have a couple of years to figure out the details. I'm sure Karen and I will find the center and follow our dreams. We have never found anything we could not work throught and have fun doing it so it. The fact we have made it this cloose to retirement and have options makes me feel very fortunate. It is all good.... Thanks again I really appreciate your sharing and experiance. It would be great to actually meet you out on the road and have this kind of a conversation in person.

Hey if anyone that likes to tinker and misses it is ever in South Florida, give me a call. I will have plenty of things for you to fix around the house and car so I can spend more time boating and camping

Well thanks for shedding a new light on the tinkering. Boating in south Florida or washing the car. Hmmmm when I look at it that way its a no brainer..  Thanks again Bob

I've been looking into that as well - not only for storing hubby's tools, but a place for his motorcycle and my (much smaller) scooter/moped. We may land up with a special attachment for the back of the 5th wheel, but are also looking into the toy hauler fifth wheels.

We made the transition from two stick houses with workshop and parking for the RV under a cover. It was very hard for me, and also Delaine she has a green thumb. At our stick house we also owned a lot next to the house, flowers, greenery it was nice. However living in a 5th wheel is also great, you can change Zip codes at any time and we did. We went back to our home county and built a RV site with full hookups added a 40'x50' open building (Pole Barn). We also had a 32' inclosed car trailers to store my other toys, John Deere Gator and we also have a John Deere Tractor with equipment. But things change and we built another stick house and two more out buildings. I then was doing more work than Delaine wants me to, but we have 300 acres plus the stick house. There is alway something to do. And of course I'm not getting any younger !!!!

So now we are looking into selling the stick house, but will keep the 300 acres. If we sell we are thinking of buying a small house in Florida or Colorado, but we will keep the 5th wheel for our travels. Age is a thing that most don't think about, in the past I though I was bullet proof, was very seldom ever at a Dr's office but that changed. And many who have lived in a RV's knows full well its always something going on and the older you get the less you like having to do. I would trade nothing for our RV experience and adventures.

But, and there is always a but, things do change I highly recommend you keep a home base for the RV with full hook-ups for those times you need to stay for extended times. It takes a lot of time, energy and MONEY to live full time in a RV. In the last 8 years I have went thru 3 surgeries. A hernia, Cancer surgery, and by-pass surgery. And I'm a person that will not quit, however I'm for sure not superman, and sometimes you just can't get things done, and I really hate to ask for help. Delaine says I'm just to independent, however it takes time to get going again. Sure glad we had a home base. But we travel about 8 months a year and I'm never bored, its aways something to do. Hope this makes sense ?????

I have lost several friends during our adventures and it hurts to see a couple that has lost a companion. I lost a friend last year who had just bought a new Mobile Suites and the wife had never driven a Truck. However she is now on her way to Florida and yes she is driving the Truck pulling that big Mobile Suites. My Delaine could never do this, so thats another decision factor as we continue our adventure. Decisions, decisions, there is alway a choice. Good Luck with yours. Happy Trails.....

Leonard had a hard time giving up our horses and his dream shop he build only about 5 years before we started fulltiming Feb 2010. He just could not sell or give away most of his tools. So we bought a utility trailer to store and tools and some other stuff and took it to his son's in Alabama. If (when) we settle again, the tools and other few items will be ready for us.

But to satisfy his need to feel useful we volunteer with NOMADS (www.nomadsumc.org) several times a year. He gets to work with his hands and it is a way to meet lots of great people. Oh, and often when we get to a project we find the tool he needs is in the trailer. This gives him an excuse to buy another one!

Another benefit - my daughter bought our house and when in the area (as we are now for 2 months) he has use of the shop. He is currently building a playhouse for our granddaugthers.

We realize some people simply have a need for "roots" and these people would not be comfortable not having a home base. The decision to full time needs to be carefully thoughtout and both parties have their whole heart in it.

I just moved all my woodworking tools to my sons place in Washington state. Anytime I feel the need I can stop buy and build them something.