Many of our friends have remarked that they couldn't do this journey, the one of giving up the conveniences of daily life, putting what we needed into a 200 square foot trailer, and packing us and the dog off, to go on this adventure.
At one time...neither could we.
Necessarily, choosing this lifestyle involves many changes and compromises, and we talked endlessly of how we would/could make this transition: you quickly learn how attached you get to things!
We began this idea nearly 9 years ago, with the goalthat we'd at least like to take longer trips when we'd retired, and that was what led to Harvey the First. Followers of the blog have read some of those stories, but they aren't as complete, or as contemporaneous as the story stands, now.
All my life, I've had a love of camping, and did lots of serious backpack trips, around Colorado. After years of that, I tired of sleeping on the ground, so graduated to car/truck camping. When Renee and I first met, we wanted to go do some of that style, but time and life's responsibilities kept pushing that off into the future. We were in agreement that we didn't want to tent camp, and we wanted a more comfortable way of traveling, which led us to our first, "practice RV." We weren't sure of the full-timing bit, so felt a 'toe dip,' in a smaller rig, was warranted.
When we got Harvey the First, ca. 2018, we were thrilled with it, and he became the catalyst of where we are today, After a few trips in H1, we began asking ourselves if we could live in a smaller Class C, with no slideouts, and a very-difficult-to-get-into rear corner bed (the hilarity of clambering out and over the top of your spouse, quickly lost its humor), and so began The Discussion.
Fast forward a bit: in 2021, my father-in-law, Ed, who was always very family-oriented, wanted to take a long journey through the Southwest, with his three daughters, their husbands and perhaps his 2 grandkids.: he had gone blind, and we had 'sprung' him from his elder care digs, where he'd been in forced quarantine for nearly a year, to take him on the journey. Me, being the only member who could drive a big vehicle, was nominated the official pilot!
Talk about a busman's holiday....!
We rented a 35' Class A (a 'motor coach,' in industry parlance) to do the deed, and embarked upon what we ended up calling, "The Ed-apalooza!" We visited Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. We travelled to Bryce, to the Grand Canyon, to Mexican Hat, to Santa Fe, all over our American Outback. We drove through Panguich, we stayed at some cool RV parks (full hookups were kind of a must), and had a ball...and I determined I *never* wanted a Class A!
Despite that realization, it was Ed's last big trip, and it was a joyous, raucous time! We saw so may places, helped provide Ed with the joy of being out in the world, with his beloved family, and I loved being a part of it.
An example of a Class A rig
Why not a Class A?
First, they are big: many parks now restrict access to rigs over 40 feet, plus, I can't even change a tire on them. Each wheel/tire assembly is well over 350 pounds, and the days of me hefting such brutes are well in my rearview mirrors. The mechanicals are reminiscent of the warning on old TVs, from then 50s and 60s:
"This device contains non-user serviceable parts."
For example, if a transmission needs replacing, you're looking at a repair bill of over $20,000 dollars: let's not even talk about engines. Tires are $1000 a pop. Did I mention they are BIG?
We also thought that, in the eventuality of its needing major repair (a 'when,' not 'if), it'd have to be towed--spelled with MANY $$$$--to a facility...where you are now out of a home. Kind of a problem.
Class Cs, most of which are based upon vans like Fords and Chevys, can be had in larger sizes (up to 32 feet) and with slideouts, to maximize their living space, but my objection is they are are powered by gasoline engines, which just aren't as durable and efficient as diesels. Mercedes Sprinters are diesel, but they are massively expensive, and REALLY expensive to repair.
An example of a Class C rig
Again, with them...they break, you're out of a home.
So, Class A/Class B/Cs were out: that leaves trailers.
There are two types, and though they both get towed behind, there're 'tow behinds,' and 5th wheels.
A tow-behind rig
A 5th wheel rig, similar to ours
Tow-behinds are towed on a ball hitch (bumper hitch), and 5th wheels are towed in the same manner as over-the-road semi trucks. I have many tens of thousands of miles towing both, and I much prefer 5th wheels. They tow better, are easier to hook up, and are far easier and more maneuverable when backing.
You can get good deal, in a square foot comparison, in tow-behinds, but they still have the attendant issues I spoke of above. Our 5th wheel was a good bargain, due to a few extenuating circumstances, and that's how we got in Harvey the Second. It isn't too large--35 feet--and was in really good shape. it needed a few bits and bobs, and extensive testing during the fall/winter of 2023, and spring/summer of 2024, got us comfortable that all its mechanical and electrical systems were in good order.
Mostly...more on this, later!
Trailers are much simpler vehicles to service and repair, most of which I am capable of doing: if The Beast needs to get repaired, we're not out of a home.
So, here we are!
Not a current photo of us, but quite correct in the view!
