Soloing and scared - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Rainbowatdawn · RV-Dreams Community Member

Soloing and scared

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great question. I might suggest we get more specific on this topic. Maybe a dialogue on what differences we see/feel/experience/etc between solo RVing and solo Stick-n-Bricking. After all, isn't solo living really just "solo living" no matter where one lives (within reason of course)????

For example, I continue to see/feel/experience/etc NO fundamental difference between solo RVing and solo sticks. Sure, there might be initial trepidation (RVing isn't typically considered mainstream) which I think is based largely on simple change - albeit seemingly somewhat dramatic. But, once you whittle it down, living is living solo or otherwise and there really is no fundamental difference if you do it in an RV or otherwise. Hence, there should be no more anxiety than with a "conventional" move. In RVing you are just moving from a stationary house to a mobile house.

Sure, there are some new things to learn, but as with any move/change there is always new stuff to learn. New can be scary. Talking through the fears/concerns eases the mind and learning the new stuff makes it downright exciting. Add to that the ability to experience new places whenever you want and viola, all that concern changes to - when can I start!

-- Edited by RVDude at 00:20, 2008-09-09

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are not soloing but we have encountered an amazing number of solo RVers during our travels. Some have moved to smaller rigs, some have moved to class C, B, or A because they perceive handling trailers as more difficult alone, however we have seen solos using all sizes and types of rigs. We have also visited with several and talked about their adventure and again some work, some travel, some like the Resort atmosphere, and some are out in the dry camp areas. Several meet up with friends or groups of friends in formal or informal ralleys each year and some admit they enjoy the quiet after it is all over even though the look forward to the event. Most mention how valuable the cell phone has been for keeping communication with family or important others as well as a means of safety and access to support in times of illness etc.

Hmm? it seems that solo RVing has more in common with the general community than you would think. If you want to get on the road, just do it and enjoy it. The options are unlimited and the community is large and generally very accepting of all lifestyles.

Larry and Jacki

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

You might want to check out the women's rv forum - http://www.womensrvforum.com

There are many ladies there who are solo rvers & they offer lots of good advice.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

We all Solo at something....Just read what others have done and keep a positive attitude. You will find so many others out there doing it and soon you will be meeting up with them and then Solo wont feel like Solo no mo.

Doctor Speedy

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rvdude made an excellent point, if you're unhappy is a stick and brick, don't like your neighbors, can't make friends, the weather sucks, etc., it's tough to change your environment.

But if the same situation exists in an RV, - just move, it will probably be better in the new place.

See, everything is better living in an RV.

Fred

Rainbowatdawn · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all for your kind and inspiring words. I just now read them as I am traveling down the highway in the motorhome.

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rainbowatdawn wrote:

Thank you all for your kind and inspiring words. I just now read them as I am traveling down the highway in the motorhome.

So how is it going for you, and how long have you been solo'ing? Is it better or worse than you expected, or about the same? My house will be closing, hopefully, at the end of September, and I'm scared to death!
gypsy

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am planning on Soloing in about a year and I would also like to know how you are doing and if you have any advice.

WheelDweller · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rainbowatdawn wrote:

I have just found out I will be solo Rving I am scared to death. I would love to hear how others have made it on their own.

Soloing isn't as hard as it sounds. THE WORST OF IT...three months, after leaving the house and shipping the family away from my job, living in a car....a tiny car, at that....that wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.

Later, after a divorce, I'd lost everything and had to start over. My employer bought me a full-sized van in which I lived for 11 years. (!) I never thought to count them until I was eight years into it.

One thing slips people's minds, though. If you're *alone*, i.e., no traveling companions, you have *no way* to prove you were, or were-not, at the scene of a crime, no matter how slight.

This can be more of an issue than you think; I was working for Walgreens Corporate, sleeping (but nothing else) in the van until I could get settled. It was Halloween; boys were telling stories about me to the girls they wanted to be afraid (it's a teen thing). I had no way to prove that I was, or was not in the vehicle when I said I was. I could have gone to jail for three months: the time it takes to get a lawyer, get to a judge and explain one's self, and by that time the vehicle and everything else would be gone.

My new mode of travel will have onboard cameras for showing when I'm in or out. It can't speak for me if I'm out, but if a crime happens and I'm on the camera at the time, I'm safe.

I spent all that time on the road and never realized that until the Walgreens trip...

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

When I decided to go full-time as a solo (a year after my husband passed, finally made it 2 yrs after), many friends thought I was nuts. After all, what if I broke down? I couldn't repair my RV.

Well heck, if I kept my house I had to call in plumbers, electricians, roofers, lawn/yard maintenance, general handymen, painters...whatever! What the heck was the difference?

I solo'd from Oct 2007 to Sept 2008 (when I moved into my current hubby's RV and put mine in storage).

I loved soloing and found many friends....the SOLOs with the Escapees were a huge help as were the Boondockers (another BOF/Birds of a Feather group at Escapees). These forums also were a huge help. Rallies were a great place to learn - the RV dreams rally, Gypsy Journal rally, Escapades, etc. - as well as to meet/make more friends.

Was I ever afraid? Not really. I used common sense, stayed out of areas where I felt uncomfortable. In fact they only time I was the least nervous was one Wal-Mart night where the teens thought they could use the parking lot for a late night race spot. UGH!

Feel free to check out my old blog at http://froggilady.com/ and email me anytime!

WheelDweller · RV-Dreams Family Member

Froggi wrote:
When I decided to go full-time as a solo (a year after my husband passed, finally made it 2 yrs after), many friends thought I was nuts. After all, what if I broke down? I couldn't repair my RV.

Well heck, if I kept my house I had to call in plumbers, electricians, roofers, lawn/yard maintenance, general handymen, painters...whatever! What the heck was the difference?

Ya know, I just visited your blog, website and soforth; you probably didn't know it, but you're a Technomad!

You're in good company- there's Steve Roberts who pedalled 17,000 miles across the USA, appeared on Donahue and now readies a boat for living full time at sea. He's here.

Almitra Wilcox is another who's on-foot, meeting people and walking the planet like no one else I've ever known; she's here.

Then there's just me; I've not gone anywhere full time yet, but I'm working on it. Until then I need to care for Mom and build on the trailer as best I can. I'm here.

All of us are taking our journey 'on the road' (to use the term loosely) and reporting back via the net. Some of us, like Almitra, has been on-foot for 10-12 years. It's no fad, it's a way of life. Feel free to use the term! Welcome to it!

Kerri · RV-Dreams Family Member

Feeling much the same way and the advice here has been great! The fear factor for me is personal safety, especially since I am also responsible for my little girl! But I will just have to do as Froggi said and use my common sense... BTW Froggi, yours was one of the first blogs I read and it was great!