This has been a struggle...we want to travel to visit all the parks and camp in them, but want enough room to full-time, if we decide to. Is there any advice that you can give on this ?
Thanks in advance!
T4TR
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Sunday 20th of October 2013 08:08:40 PM
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:16:28 PM
Terry and Jo said
02:03 AM Oct 21, 2013
Depending on whether you want to boondock (camping without hookups), stay in state or Corp of Engineers campgrounds, or stay in places with full hookups, then those must be considered. If you are a FHU (full hook up) type of person, then most places would fit even a 38 foot or 40 foot trailer and tow vehicle. If you are the more "rugged" camper then you might want to stay at 36 foot or shorter. However, even some of those rugged camping spaces will still allow for longer vehicles. When you go to traveling and booking sites, that is when you would need to pay close attention to the length of campsites/rv sites.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
The Bear II said
03:41 PM Oct 21, 2013
I Agree with Terry.
We have a 38 foot 5th wheel and have always been able to find a space for it. Keep in mind, we are willing to drive into a national or state park to see the sights while staying outside the park if our 5th wheel is too long for any of the inside the park spots. In addition we don't mind driving a few miles to go from the campground we stay in, to get to the national park to sight see daily. There are always lots of RV resorts and campgrounds located near the national and state parks.
two 4 the road said
04:30 PM Oct 21, 2013
Thank you!
Dog Folks said
04:01 PM Oct 22, 2013
I agree with Terry also, he sums it up well.
We kept our unit at 29 feet to make easier to fit into the older and smaller campsites often found in National Forests and some state parks.
We have three adults aboard and it has worked out well.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 04:02:15 PM
two 4 the road said
11:13 PM Oct 22, 2013
I am having a SUPER hard time considering LIVING in a camper (even if it is 40'), when I am used to a 5,000 sq.' house. I may do alright, but it kind of scares me!
SnowGypsy said
11:25 PM Oct 22, 2013
two 4 the road: What part scares you? Have you ever stayed in an RV at all? Have you been to many dealerships to actually look and get a feel for the space? Do you have an issue with claustrophobia? For two years, myself, my husband and our 75 lb dog stayed in a 24 foot travel trailer. I can be highly organized and we decided we could do it so we had sold everything and drove to the east coast where our older son was stationed at an Army Base, my husband did have a good job waiting. We had, however, stayed for 5 1/2 months in a pop-up, nice one, while looking for a house when we moved from KS to the desert in the 90's. Are you bothered by the thought of not having a stationary house? Getting rid of a lot of things? We love adventure, been moving for over 30 years and it appears we are hopelessly addicted or at least I am, and I can't sit still for more than two years without feeling like my world is coming to an end. Figure out what scares you and work from there.
two 4 the road said
11:36 PM Oct 22, 2013
I think that being confined to one room without having anywhere to retreat to my own space is troublesome to me. I have my own office currently, where I do my work for our business.
Maybe some "stuff"....I want to have my guitar, my desktop computer...printer, scanner, shipping supplies...I don't want everything lying out everywhere, so that I feel like I am living in my office...
I don't know...I can't put my finger on it...maybe I just need to buy a rig and take a few trips in it to see what I really need, but I don't really even know WHAT type of rig I need...so many things to think about...
Here are some struggles:
1. I want the view out of the rear living window
2. However, I need more space than the one living room
3. Bunkhouses make the living space feel dark, due to the lack of window on the end....and so do toy haulers.
So....I am in a dilemma. I wish that they built offices up in the front area, so that we could still have the light coming in the window at the back.
two 4 the road said
11:43 PM Oct 22, 2013
Yes...I have seen quite a few 5ers and none of them so far, have felt like "home." I keep wishing that there was another room! Still waiting to find that right one.
SnowGypsy said
12:08 AM Oct 23, 2013
Are you set on a 5er? Have you looked online at the bus-type homes like Prevost, Wanderlodge and others? If not, I would consider looking since they can have "residential" appliances, really nice storage and I have seen more than a couple that have a nice office space. I've been looking at them online for a few days now and they are awesome looking and appear more "homey" at least in my idea of what that is. From simple to extremely elegant. Even a travel trailer might give you that "extra" room if you have the 2 bedroom which are becoming more popular.
Terry and Jo said
12:14 AM Oct 23, 2013
Not to be a downer, but you might want to go to different dealers and spend some time in the largest RV's you can find. From what you are saying here, the smaller size of an RV might be an issue for you. In our case, we lived in two homes that were 2300 square feet and 2250 square feet on anything from 3/4 to 5 acres. In our case, we actually prefer living in something with less than 400 square feet.
If you feel you have to have your own space, an RV is likely to be a problem for you because even with a bunkhouse model, you will still not be very far from your spouse/family.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
12:31 AM Oct 23, 2013
you could always look into an extreme RV.......some of these units need a tour guide and hired staff just to get by!!!
Not to be a downer, but you might want to go to different dealers and spend some time in the largest RV's you can find. From what you are saying here, the smaller size of an RV might be an issue for you. In our case, we lived in two homes that were 2300 square feet and 2250 square feet on anything from 3/4 to 5 acres. In our case, we actually prefer living in something with less than 400 square feet.
If you feel you have to have your own space, an RV is likely to be a problem for you because even with a bunkhouse model, you will still not be very far from your spouse/family.
Terry
I did not say that correctly....I don't really need to retreat....I don't need to get away from my spouse...I would like to have a room to go in, spread out, and concentrate on my work. I cannot try to work in the same room while my DH is watching TV or cooking, etc. I don't really need my own space, but my DH is the one who loves to have his own space.
We are living in a 5,000 sq' house on 35 acres with no neighbors in sight. So, I do wonder about the confinement.
two 4 the road said
01:24 AM Oct 23, 2013
Lucky Mike wrote:
you could always look into an extreme RV.......some of these units need a tour guide and hired staff just to get by!!!
Haha... Now, THAT is a HOUSE on wheels!! I would probably love that, but waaaay out of our budget!!!
WendysPhotos said
04:07 PM Oct 23, 2013
Two 4 The Road, we are looking at a bunkhouse also as one of our options as we want an office space. If that is the option we choose we will remove the bunks put in a desk and chair. On the opposite wall of the one we looked at it had a 1/2 bath. we have no need for, so that would turn into a wonderful extra storage space, once the toliet is capped and removed. It has a door two windows so there is your private space if needed. My hubby and I do fine without private space, but just want an office. Although we are in the infancy of our looking right now and our desires will probably change 100 different times before we actually buy.
two 4 the road said
04:26 PM Oct 23, 2013
Not so much a private space, as I am not a neat-nut, and do not want to have to be forced to put everything away all the time. I would just want it out of sight.
I do struggle with the loss of view our of the picture window at the end and all the light that it would bring into the unit. We are thinking of getting a rear living unit with a deep slide on the driver's side (maybe an entertainment center with desk - rip it out), and putting into that space, a computer cabinet to hide all my work.
LandYachty said
02:39 PM Oct 24, 2013
Check out the toyhaulers again, we are looking at those now as we have 14 grandkids and two on the way. (Heck I just turned 62 how did that happen?) We want to use the garage as a separate living room (plus extra cots if the grands visit) and I am having trouble finding one we want that doesn't have too many windows in the garage! Our last fiver would have crowds lined up in Canada when we went to park as they never see trailers that big up north! We carry a electric tree trimmer just the clear the 13' 6" height needed. We love all our room.
two 4 the road said
07:59 PM Oct 24, 2013
LandYachty wrote:
Check out the toyhaulers again, we are looking at those now as we have 14 grandkids and two on the way. (Heck I just turned 62 how did that happen?) We want to use the garage as a separate living room (plus extra cots if the grands visit) and I am having trouble finding one we want that doesn't have too many windows in the garage! Our last fiver would have crowds lined up in Canada when we went to park as they never see trailers that big up north! We carry a electric tree trimmer just the clear the 13' 6" height needed. We love all our room.
You want one WITHOUT a lot of windows in the garage? I was shying away from Toy haulers because there were NOT ENOUGH windows...especially the fact that there is no window at the end of the rig. I really need a lot of light to be happy!
NWescapee said
04:05 PM Oct 25, 2013
Can I ask why you are set on the big picture window in the back? Yes, it is a nice to have feature and for this 2 week stay we are actually backed up somewhere to enjoy the view (pond behind our campsite). However, it seems like 60-70% of the time the view out the rear window is either trees, thick underbrush, another RV, a wall that surrounds an RV park or something equally as boring. Even the sites that have a new view, don't always have that view from the back window, we've camped many places where the nicest view was out the windows next to the dinette or behind the couch. That doesn't mean we won't use the rear window and even when we park somewhere without a view we open that blind at least partway or Tazzy Kat pushes on the blinds trying to see out.
We have lots of windows on one side of our trailer and when they are all open we have plenty of light in the salon area. In fact we attached sun screen fabric to our screen door as we found we were getting too much sunlight and therefore too much heat in some of the places we've stay.
Our last TT had a front bedroom and rear kitchen so all windows were on the 2 sides and we had plenty of light and ways to enjoy the view.
That being said, we do enjoy our rear picture window but even more important for us was just making sure we had an RV with enough windows to enjoy the view, encourage airflow, etc. For us having enough windows was more important than one specific picture window which did give us a lot more options when shopping.
two 4 the road said
09:46 PM Oct 25, 2013
NWescapee, thanks! That is good to know. I was advised by others that the rear picture window was where the views can be enjoyed.
This has been a struggle...we want to travel to visit all the parks and camp in them, but want enough room to full-time, if we decide to. Is there any advice that you can give on this ?
Thanks in advance!
T4TR
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Sunday 20th of October 2013 08:08:40 PM
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:16:28 PM
Depending on whether you want to boondock (camping without hookups), stay in state or Corp of Engineers campgrounds, or stay in places with full hookups, then those must be considered. If you are a FHU (full hook up) type of person, then most places would fit even a 38 foot or 40 foot trailer and tow vehicle. If you are the more "rugged" camper then you might want to stay at 36 foot or shorter. However, even some of those rugged camping spaces will still allow for longer vehicles. When you go to traveling and booking sites, that is when you would need to pay close attention to the length of campsites/rv sites.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
We have a 38 foot 5th wheel and have always been able to find a space for it. Keep in mind, we are willing to drive into a national or state park to see the sights while staying outside the park if our 5th wheel is too long for any of the inside the park spots. In addition we don't mind driving a few miles to go from the campground we stay in, to get to the national park to sight see daily. There are always lots of RV resorts and campgrounds located near the national and state parks.
I agree with Terry also, he sums it up well.
We kept our unit at 29 feet to make easier to fit into the older and smaller campsites often found in National Forests and some state parks.
We have three adults aboard and it has worked out well.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 04:02:15 PM
Maybe some "stuff"....I want to have my guitar, my desktop computer...printer, scanner, shipping supplies...I don't want everything lying out everywhere, so that I feel like I am living in my office...
I don't know...I can't put my finger on it...maybe I just need to buy a rig and take a few trips in it to see what I really need, but I don't really even know WHAT type of rig I need...so many things to think about...
Here are some struggles:
1. I want the view out of the rear living window
2. However, I need more space than the one living room
3. Bunkhouses make the living space feel dark, due to the lack of window on the end....and so do toy haulers.
So....I am in a dilemma. I wish that they built offices up in the front area, so that we could still have the light coming in the window at the back.
Not to be a downer, but you might want to go to different dealers and spend some time in the largest RV's you can find. From what you are saying here, the smaller size of an RV might be an issue for you. In our case, we lived in two homes that were 2300 square feet and 2250 square feet on anything from 3/4 to 5 acres. In our case, we actually prefer living in something with less than 400 square feet.
If you feel you have to have your own space, an RV is likely to be a problem for you because even with a bunkhouse model, you will still not be very far from your spouse/family.
Terry
www.examiner.com/slideshow/travel-channel-to-premiere-3-extreme-rv-shows-on-january-29
I did not say that correctly....I don't really need to retreat....I don't need to get away from my spouse...I would like to have a room to go in, spread out, and concentrate on my work. I cannot try to work in the same room while my DH is watching TV or cooking, etc. I don't really need my own space, but my DH is the one who loves to have his own space.
We are living in a 5,000 sq' house on 35 acres with no neighbors in sight. So, I do wonder about the confinement.
Haha... Now, THAT is a HOUSE on wheels!! I would probably love that, but waaaay out of our budget!!!
I do struggle with the loss of view our of the picture window at the end and all the light that it would bring into the unit. We are thinking of getting a rear living unit with a deep slide on the driver's side (maybe an entertainment center with desk - rip it out), and putting into that space, a computer cabinet to hide all my work.
You want one WITHOUT a lot of windows in the garage? I was shying away from Toy haulers because there were NOT ENOUGH windows...especially the fact that there is no window at the end of the rig. I really need a lot of light to be happy!
We have lots of windows on one side of our trailer and when they are all open we have plenty of light in the salon area. In fact we attached sun screen fabric to our screen door as we found we were getting too much sunlight and therefore too much heat in some of the places we've stay.
Our last TT had a front bedroom and rear kitchen so all windows were on the 2 sides and we had plenty of light and ways to enjoy the view.
That being said, we do enjoy our rear picture window but even more important for us was just making sure we had an RV with enough windows to enjoy the view, encourage airflow, etc. For us having enough windows was more important than one specific picture window which did give us a lot more options when shopping.