Comments on: How to Choose the Right RV for You http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:37:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jim Martin http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-51155 Jim Martin Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:59:33 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-51155 Alice, you are exactly right about "sitting on the toilet" before buying a rig! I bought a small Class C, Toyota-based rig in 1979. Biggest mistake I ever made, boats are easier. The bath was a stall behind the driver's seat, combo shower and loo. To sit I had to shoo guests outside because my knees didn't allow the door to close. Standing wasn't easy either. Every rig plan I look at in RV magazines I first check the position of the Loo and how much room the builder allowed for it. An amazing number give it short-shrift as if it's an ornament. Now that I am retired I still wish I could go camping weekends, but I had a heart attack sixs months ago, and my doctor won't even let me drive to the coast and back. I live in NC. I'm hoping I can find something in a year I can handle. Alice, you are exactly right about “sitting on the toilet” before buying a rig! I bought a small Class C, Toyota-based rig in 1979. Biggest mistake I ever made, boats are easier. The bath was a stall behind the driver’s seat, combo shower and loo. To sit I had to shoo guests outside because my knees didn’t allow the door to close. Standing wasn’t easy either.

Every rig plan I look at in RV magazines I first check the position of the Loo and how much room the builder allowed for it. An amazing number give it short-shrift as if it’s an ornament.

Now that I am retired I still wish I could go camping weekends, but I had a heart attack sixs months ago, and my doctor won’t even let me drive to the coast and back. I live in NC. I’m hoping I can find something in a year I can handle.

]]> By: Alice Zyetz http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50324 Alice Zyetz Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:48:55 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50324 Bob, I'm so glad you mentioned being disabled. I don't know how many of our readers realize that there are many disabled RVers on the road who don't let their disability keep them from following their dream. Visit http://www.handicappedtravelclub.com for more information. As for your wife doing the jobs, but not necesssarily undertanding what she's doing, I did mention a few resources in the blog that help explain what to do. I'm also a big believer in asking for help. Men do it all the time. I don't know why many women feel they have to know everything before they try something new. Carol mentioned the T@B. Clamshell model. It's a new rendition of the old-time teardrop trailer. Looks great. I didn't see a price, Carol. Would you share that with us? This is probably going to become more popular since it's so light that it can even be hauled by some cars. No toilet. have to use a porta-potty. Visit Web site. http://www.tab-rv.com/specs/CSfloorplan.php Martha, look at the resources I listed in the blog for RV ing Women and Education 101. You'll find lots of support. We also have The Fifth Wheel Bible which is extremely helpful since you're planning on buying a fifth wheel.. http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/rv-books/fifth-wheel-bible/ Jackie, it sounds like you're getting close. Keep working towards your goal. Jan, congratulations for doing your first solo trip. The mishaps do happen and they make great stories to tell around the campfire. What's really special is that you're not letting yourself be stopped by them. Good job! Bradley, thanks for mentioning the slide-in camper as an option. Next entry I'll do the pros and cons of many types of RVs. Safe travels, Alice Zyetz (RV Mama) Bob, I’m so glad you mentioned being disabled. I don’t know how many of our readers realize that there are many disabled RVers on the road who don’t let their disability keep them from following their dream. Visit http://www.handicappedtravelclub.com for more information.

As for your wife doing the jobs, but not necesssarily undertanding what she’s doing, I did mention a few resources in the blog that help explain what to do. I’m also a big believer in asking for help. Men do it all the time. I don’t know why many women feel they have to know everything before they try something new.

Carol mentioned the T@B. Clamshell model. It’s a new rendition of the old-time teardrop trailer. Looks great. I didn’t see a price, Carol. Would you share that with us? This is probably going to become more popular since it’s so light that it can even be hauled by some cars. No toilet. have to use a porta-potty. Visit Web site.
http://www.tab-rv.com/specs/CSfloorplan.php

Martha, look at the resources I listed in the blog for RV ing Women and Education 101. You’ll find lots of support. We also have The Fifth Wheel Bible which is extremely helpful since you’re planning on buying a fifth wheel.. http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/rv-books/fifth-wheel-bible/

Jackie, it sounds like you’re getting close. Keep working towards your goal. Jan, congratulations for doing your first solo trip. The mishaps do happen and they make great stories to tell around the campfire. What’s really special is that you’re not letting yourself be stopped by them. Good job!

Bradley, thanks for mentioning the slide-in camper as an option. Next entry I’ll do the pros and cons of many types of RVs.
Safe travels,
Alice Zyetz (RV Mama)

]]> By: Bradley Cutter http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50158 Bradley Cutter Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:23:58 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50158 You wrote a nice article of interest to a lot of people. Please don't forget to mention truck campers, i.e., a pickup truck with a slide-in camper. They (trucks and campers) come in a variety of sizes and when in a campsite, one can raise the camper, drive the truck out from under it and toot around without the need for a 'toad'. There is even a triple-slide camper available and some have heated plumbing systems for cold-weather camping. See truckcampermagazine.com for more information. My wife and I own a small truck camper, and while we do not full-time in it, we do derive a lot of pleasure from the combination. You wrote a nice article of interest to a lot of people. Please don’t forget to mention truck campers, i.e., a pickup truck with a slide-in camper. They (trucks and campers) come in a variety of sizes and when in a campsite, one can raise the camper, drive the truck out from under it and toot around without the need for a ‘toad’. There is even a triple-slide camper available and some have heated plumbing systems for cold-weather camping. See truckcampermagazine.com for more information. My wife and I own a small truck camper, and while we do not full-time in it, we do derive a lot of pleasure from the combination.

]]> By: jan mulinix http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50136 jan mulinix Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:53:53 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50136 This past weekend was my first solo trip to the lake. A few mishaps and a few bruises, but I learned alot. Like the buzzing noise from your converter charger, should not buzz or it drains your battery. Live and learn. Also someone was helping me hooking up to water and told me the wrong way and the residue in the black water backed up in my toliet, thank goodness I went and looked before it even got to my carpet. That too, will not happen again. But now my bathroom smells clorox fresh after the extreme cleaning. I have a 36 foot motorhome. I am taking it out again this weekend only a little further, about a 2hour trip to a different lake. Really, beleive it or not even after all the things that I didn't do right I feel pretty confident about this next trip.. To be continued. lol This past weekend was my first solo trip to the lake. A few mishaps and a few bruises, but I learned alot. Like the buzzing noise from your converter charger, should not buzz or it drains your battery. Live and learn. Also someone was helping me hooking up to water and told me the wrong way and the residue in the black water backed up in my toliet, thank goodness I went and looked before it even got to my carpet. That too, will not happen again. But now my bathroom smells clorox fresh after the extreme cleaning. I have a 36 foot motorhome. I am taking it out again this weekend only a little further, about a 2hour trip to a different lake. Really, beleive it or not even after all the things that I didn’t do right I feel pretty confident about this next trip..

To be continued. lol

]]> By: Jackie http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50133 Jackie Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:48:42 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50133 I, too, am selling my home and will be buying a gently used class C. I would be very interested in you starting a women's forum. That would be wonderful. I, too, am selling my home and will be buying a gently used class C. I would be very interested in you starting a women’s forum. That would be wonderful.

]]> By: Martha Federle http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50121 Martha Federle Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:04:50 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50121 I am very interested in this subject, as I hope to close the sale of my house within 2 wks, at which time I will be in a position to buy a gently used 5th wheel & truck. I am worried about being able to handle the routine maintenance as well as to check for potential problems. Being an avid reader of blogs by fulltimers, it strikes me that most are couples and the husband or partner spends much of his time checking things, cleaning & polishing the rig; replacing parts, caulking, etc. When considering the amount of work the wife does, and then add the husband's jobs, I wonder how a solo can handle it all. As for security issues, I have driven solo in my Jeep back and forth across the country every year for the past 5 yrs, accompanied by my two dogs which gives me some feeling of safety. I think a person who is fearful gives off vibes to that effect, so the best way to be safe is to use common sense and to be self-confident. I wish I was as self-confident about my mechanical skills as I am about my personal safety. gypsy I am very interested in this subject, as I hope to close the sale of my house within 2 wks, at which time I will be in a position to buy a gently used 5th wheel & truck. I am worried about being able to handle the routine maintenance as well as to check for potential problems. Being an avid reader of blogs by fulltimers, it strikes me that most are couples and the husband or partner spends much of his time checking things, cleaning & polishing the rig; replacing parts, caulking, etc. When considering the amount of work the wife does, and then add the husband’s jobs, I wonder how a solo can handle it all.

As for security issues, I have driven solo in my Jeep back and forth across the country every year for the past 5 yrs, accompanied by my two dogs which gives me some feeling of safety. I think a person who is fearful gives off vibes to that effect, so the best way to be safe is to use common sense and to be self-confident. I wish I was as self-confident about my mechanical skills as I am about my personal safety.

gypsy

]]> By: Carol http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50115 Carol Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:42:14 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50115 I think size is dependent on what you want!!! I have a T@B Clamshell model, and while I'm still a weekend warrior now, I feel confident I could fulltime in it!! I camp solo without my DH about 99% of the time and I can run everything on my baby all myself. I think size is dependent on what you want!!! I have a T@B Clamshell model, and while I’m still a weekend warrior now, I feel confident I could fulltime in it!! I camp solo without my DH about 99% of the time and I can run everything on my baby all myself.

]]> By: Ellen F http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50114 Ellen F Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:40:51 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50114 I have to agree with Bob. I've done more oil changes and lube jobs on vehicles than my four brothers combined. By the way, I also know how to chop my own wood, build a fire, empty the black water tanks, change a tire, know the difference between a flat head and phillips head screwdriver, can pound a nail (straight, I might add), etc. I have to agree with Bob. I’ve done more oil changes and lube jobs on vehicles than my four brothers combined. By the way, I also know how to chop my own wood, build a fire, empty the black water tanks, change a tire, know the difference between a flat head and phillips head screwdriver, can pound a nail (straight, I might add), etc.

]]> By: Bob Dowdall http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/how-to-choose-the-right-rv-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-50107 Bob Dowdall Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:19:22 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2591#comment-50107 You ask if a woman can do all the maintenance etc. I am disabled and can do very little. Fortunately, I have done most of it before I became disabled and can tell my wife what and how things are done (she only objects to me telling her to run around the rig twice before starting LOL). In this way we are able to get the work done together (sometimes it is a bonding experience and sometimes not) Her main problem is understanding why she is doing something. She just doesn't have the background needed. ie What's the difference between a cresent wrench and a pipe wench or why she needs to change the oil every 5000 miles. Because I said so doesn't work with her. The bottom line is she says this is a sexist question as we both have seen many men who couldn't do most of what she does know how to do No Business/Free advice Bob You ask if a woman can do all the maintenance etc. I am disabled and can do very little. Fortunately, I have done most of it before I became disabled and can tell my wife what and how things are done (she only objects to me telling her to run around the rig twice before starting LOL).
In this way we are able to get the work done together (sometimes it is a bonding experience and sometimes not) Her main problem is understanding why she is doing something. She just doesn’t have the background needed. ie What’s the difference between a cresent wrench and a pipe wench or why she needs to change the oil every 5000 miles. Because I said so doesn’t work with her.
The bottom line is she says this is a sexist question as we both have seen many men who couldn’t do most of what she does know how to do

No Business/Free advice
Bob

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