Campers

[hornett22]

Rent one and see if you still like it afterwards. My brother just bought a Jayco last week in Michigan. Said they were desperate to wheel and deal because of the tarrifs.

 

I'm an air BNB hotel kinda guy

 

 

 

Edited April 17 by hornett22

[gomer pyle]

I’m trying to get the wife on board with an Airstream. I know she’ll be ready to sell in a few years anyway, maybe I can recoup most of my money. Or my son and I will keep camping without her. Lol

[gomer pyle]

24 minutes ago, hornett22 said:

Rent one and see if you still like it afterwards. My brother just bought a Jayco last week in Michigan. Said they were desperate to wheel and deal because of the tarrifs.

 

I'm an air BNB hotel kinda guy

 

 

 

She checked on renting a class C. Pretty expensive and the beds were crap. We used to own a fifth wheel, so we have some experience with campers. 

[pop pop]

Gomer, you have plenty time left to use a camper L/w, if you back problems don't get worse. We have a complete house set up we never take out of the camper. That way you don't need to empty everything every time you come home. Lots less lifting.

The other thing it takes time and money to be able to use your camper. We took 23 years to discover the lower 48 states. I have been retired since 2004 with a good income which allowed us to do our camping plus, I had a good friend that took us on our first out west trip. The thing about camping is knowing where to go and what to see. Plus, the things you discover by accident while traveling and exploring. 

My wife, grandson, and I have enjoyed "immensely" our travels. At 77 we are still wanting to do the camping thing. I now only drive about 6 hours continuous and then take a break. It helps me to not get stressed out and then feel better the next day and be able to have good travels. When I was younger, we drove to the Grand Canyon in a little over 2 days from middle TN. That is a little over 12 hrs driving per day driving. Didn't faze me as I had good stamina during those younger years.  

It has been a 25-year enjoyable thing for us. My first goal, after we purchased our first camper, was to camp in every State Park in TN that had RV camping. That in itself was tremendously enjoyable. For instance, on one trip was to East, TN and when we explored Bristol Tn, we found out that one can stand in the middle of downtown main street and there are markers in the road that show one side is TN, and the other side is Virginia. Also toured the Bristol Speedway and traveled to Virginia and took in a show at "The Carter Fold." They dance with dogs there while different artist is playing Blue Grass Music. A P Carter started this show so they could keep Carter Family Music alive.  Another thing we found out, Davy Crocket did not grow up on a mountain top in TN. At the D C State Park his cabin Replica is beside a creek with a very flat campground adjacent to it. Disney had it all wrong!   I can go on and on about the thing we have seen and explored. 

JUST DO IT, if you think you would enjoy camping. 

Edited to add; The first country recordings were recorded in Bristol and the Carter Family were among the first to record there. They now have a museum devoted to country music and those recordings. 

Edited April 17 by pop pop

[BigK]

15 hours ago, gomer pyle said:

I’m trying to get the wife on board with an Airstream. I know she’ll be ready to sell in a few years anyway, maybe I can recoup most of my money. Or my son and I will keep camping without her. Lol

My wife was enthusiastic about camping with me and our grandson. We did one night in a local state park and a week at Fall Creek Falls. She hasn't gone since. This made me grateful that I settled for a small squaredrop camper instead of something bigger, because now it's just me and my grandson and we have plenty of room (queen bed).

[pop pop]

Big K not writing this to brag, but our camper we have now has 2 bedrooms with a queen bed in the master and 4 bunks in the bunkhouse. The main galley and living room combo.  Also has the booth type dinner booth. We have 2 lazy boy chairs, and a swivel rocker for comfortable seating and watching TV. It is 7 1/2 feet wide and 35' long. 

There is all kinds and lengths of campers and almost one that will fit anyone interested. That is the beauty of camping you can do it as a minimalist, or have more amenities, at each one's choice. 

It is a lot of cost and work, but we have enjoyed it. 

[BigK]

@pop pop I couldn't agree with you more, sir. That's how it is with camping. I'm too old for hammock camping or pitching a tent, but pulling a teardrop or travel trailer is perfect for me. I have a cousin who sold her house in FL and sunk all their savings into a Class A with all the bells and whistles and although that's too much for me, she's happy.

[DeepSouth]

We were camped at Pickwick, below the dam. A couple pulled in with a teardrop, pulled a large bag from the truck then parked in the extra zone. Sat up a 12X20 portable carport then backed the camper under it. Added enclosers after sitting things up. They had taken the large outdoor rug or 2 and cut to fit around the camper, covering both doors and rear in a squared U shape. A large shower hut was placed at the tongue for clothes changing and potty room. Rain came through the next morning, they were able to do most things without getting wet. Teardrops are small, open the door and slide into the bed leaving shoes outside the door. Made for up to 2 people.

Tires, They don't get used a lot on campers for the most part. A week or 2 before a trip I'd air up the tires, put a tiny mark on the tires or rims, jack it up and rotate each tire a quarter turn. Let them sit 24 to 48 hours on the new bottoms then rotate another quarter turn. Check air in tires before hatching. If they sit to long a flat spot forms on the bottom. Hatch up and leave the tires flops for miles until they balance out. If high speeds are reached soon the flop can cause a blowout. My parking spot at home had the door facing east. Tires got morning sun on one side and afternoon sun on the other. Weather cracks form faster on non used tires. At first I started getting blowout when tires were a bit over 4 years old. After first blowout all tires were replaced. Then I started replacing all 5 at 4 years, no blowouts after that. My truck has 17" wheels the trailer came with 13" wheels. I bought 15" wheels the second replacement. Couldn't find a wheel lock to fit after that, made my own.

[analog_kidd]

We bought a small pop-up, but only used it a few times before we sold it. It was just a pain to set up and take down. We really just wanted to pull in and start camping, but instead, the first hour was spent fiddling with setting it all up.

A slide in might be nice, if you have a big truck. Only bad thing about those are, when you go to the store or out exploring, you take your whole rig with you. Maybe have one of those easy-up shelters to mark your campsite.

Our retirement plan is to get a used Sprinter style van, and convert it to a camper. Then for at least a year we will just go "that-a-way", wherever the wind takes us. Probably try to hit up as many Nat'l Parks as possible, with a bunch of State Parks thrown in. We have kids in Florida and Nevada, so taking different routes between those 2 end points will give us plenty of opportunities for adventure.

[TripleGGG]

Our current setup in the Outer Banks of NC.

I've camped in everything from tents under the stars, tents, tag along trailers , fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes. The ease of setup with our diesel pusher and flat towing the Jeep makes it great at this stage of our life. I wouldn't take anything for the experience in all of them. The only thing I know is time is not waiting, if you want to try something, do it now. Stay within a budget and no matter how much you spend, staying on top of maintenance is king. 

[pop pop]

We have never gone the Class A, B, or C way of the motor Home. My wife has expressed interest in it, but we would need to change our whole set up, Camper and Truck, along with much money invested again.  Our truck is too large to tow. We have friends that have class As and Bs and they always tow their dingey along so they will not need to take the Motor Home every time they go and explore.

At 77 Y O I just don't know how much more camping we will be able to do it. I am a disabled veteran, and my health is sliding south more quickly than I like. It would not be wise to sell out and go with a motor home now. I had a heart attack last April and Sevier heart disease. We have decided we will just keep what we have and enjoy the camping we have left. My wife cannot pull the camper. It scares her to death just thinking about driving the rig. I keep the Good Sam medical Travel Assist so they will come and get the rig if I have serious health problems on the road. That comforts her. 

Heading to Destin Fla, Monday week. Going to take our grandson and have a 9 day stay. Will be saying in the Army Rec facility near the Bay Bridge in Destin. The Rec area faces the bay and is a great place to camp. Very reasonable as Destin does not have an abundance of campgrounds for visitors. We are hoping the weather cooperates as it is early to be headed to the beaches. We don't swim any longer and do enjoy sitting on the beach, walking, read, and rest.

We always watch the sunsets over the big bay there and they are a treat. Have good sea food joints to top off the trip. You just can't beat it. Our accommodations cost us around 500.00 ( 65.00 each at the rec area and 40.00 each for 2 nights in Montgomery Ala traveling) for the 9 days. Of course, we have the expense of traveling there and back home. A little over 4 tanks of Diesel fuel. Not bad for a 9 day trip. We also have the savings of eating in the RV and not needing to eat every meal out, which is a large savings now-a-days. Most restaurants are 65.00 + for three adult meals after tips. Breakfast is even high today. Eggs you all know! We have and do have fun on or trips. Even camp locally (within 50 miles) also. Once loaded it is not a lot of trouble getting ready to go. Just load clothes and food, and you're on the way.

After traveling/camping since 2001 to date, I highly recommend it.  We have camped in 47 of the 48 lower states. Not Rhode Island. Well, I guess I still have a reason to go to Yankie land again! Loved Vermont, very mountainous where we were, and the syrup was great. 

Edited 7 hours ago by pop pop

[TripleGGG]

1 hour ago, pop pop said:

We have never gone the Class A, B, or C way of the motor Home. My wife has expressed interest in it, but we would need to change our whole set up, Camper and Truck, along with much money invested again.  Our truck is too large to tow. We have friends that have class As and Bs and they always tow their dingey along so they will not need to take the Motor Home every time they go and explore.

At 77 Y O I just don't know how much more camping we will be able to do it. I am a disabled veteran, and my health is sliding south more quickly than I like. It would not be wise to sell out and go with a motor home now. I had a heart attack last April and Sevier heart disease. We have decided we will just keep what we have and enjoy the camping we have left. My wife cannot pull the camper. It scares her to death just thinking about driving the rig. I keep the Good Sam medical Travel Assist so they will come and get the rig if I have serious health problems on the road. That comforts her. 

Heading to Destin Fla, Monday week. Going to take our grandson and have a 9 day stay. Will be saying in the Army Rec facility near the Bay Bridge in Destin. The Rec area faces the bay and is a great place to camp. Very reasonable as Destin does not have an abundance of campgrounds for visitors. We are hoping the weather cooperates as it is early to be headed to the beaches. We don't swim any longer and do enjoy sitting on the beach, walking, read, and rest.

We always watch the sunsets over the big bay there and they are a treat. Have good sea food joints to top off the trip. You just can't beat it. Our accommodations cost us around 500.00 ( 65.00 each at the rec area and 40.00 each for 2 nights in Montgomery Ala traveling) for the 9 days. Of course, we have the expense of traveling there and back home. A little over 4 tanks of Diesel fuel. Not bad for a 9 day trip. We also have the savings of eating in the RV and not needing to eat every meal out, which is a large savings now-a-days. Most restaurants are 65.00 + for three adult meals after tips. Breakfast is even high today. Eggs you all know! We have and do have fun on or trips. Even camp locally (within 50 miles) also. Once loaded it is not a lot of trouble getting ready to go. Just load clothes and food, and you're on the way.

After traveling/camping since 2001 to date, I highly recommend it.  We have camped in 47 of the 48 lower states. Not Rhode Island. Well, I guess I still have a reason to go to Yankie land again! Loved Vermont, very mountainous where we were, and the syrup was great. 

That is great you are still able to go and enjoy. Your grandson will never forget the trips. My granddad took me camping,  by ourselves, from the time I was able to walk. Those memories are priceless. Of course I give him all the credit for putting the love of camping, the water, and the great outdoors in me. 

I've camped in all 48 states and Hawaii. Alaska is on the bucket list hopefully next year. I can't wait to make that drive.

Enjoy your trip.

[BigK]

3 hours ago, TripleGGG said:

That is great you are still able to go and enjoy. Your grandson will never forget the trips. My granddad took me camping,  by ourselves, from the time I was able to walk. Those memories are priceless. Of course I give him all the credit for putting the love of camping, the water, and the great outdoors in me. 

I've camped in all 48 states and Hawaii. Alaska is on the bucket list hopefully next year. I can't wait to make that drive.

Enjoy your trip.

I'm trying to instill those same loves in my grandson. Kids need more outdoors, don't they? 

[TripleGGG]

18 minutes ago, BigK said:

I'm trying to instill those same loves in my grandson. Kids need more outdoors, don't they? 

Definitely need outdoors. I took both of my daughters camping and boating, by myself, when they were still in diapers. They are 32 and 27 now and both still talk about very specific moments from the camping we did. No grandkids at this time but if that ever happens then I'll be dragging them out and about. 

[pop pop]

Our grandson, Cody, has Downs Syndrome. He is 32 and cherishes our trips. He looks at our pictures constantly. We will barely get back home, and he will be asking his grandmother, " Next Trip Mimi." Most times on the trip home he will start asking us. 

Really would like another out West trip but don't know if we can swing it this year. After this trip we have 2 weeks at Defeated Creek near Carthage TN. Then time for out west??????? Maybe! 

[pop pop]

Yellowstone N P is calling my name. It just won't shut up!