"Get Ready, Get Set" Mode

[Cathy P.]

I was reading a post that sounded like my situation in that the gentleman was saying that he had some other things to take care before he'll be buying but that he was trying to decide what it was he wanted so he would be ready when the time came. I'm guessing there are a few here in that mode. I look for used on the net and I look at the websites and dealers dreaming of loading my things. I have been donating some things and traded some books and dvds to Amazon to help jumpstart the downsizing. So, I am just edging my way to being ready. I am not sure if I will be able to full-time but at the very least, I will snowbird. It would be nice to have one of the micro-houses or park models set up in the south. Yeah, it would be nice to have unlimited funds. I question all of my purchases now and ask "Do you really need this or would it be better to save the money for the dream?" That really helps as does this website with all the kind and helpful people. Thank you and wish that all of your dreams come true! And, it looks like spring has finally sprung in KS!

[mary and bob]

We did the snowbird thing this past winter in our 13 foot Uhaul, and plan on doing it again. We were camped amongst huge motor homes and 5th wheel trailers. I've noticed recently on craigslist some older motor homes in the $4000 dollar range and have been thinking of buying one and leaving it down south for winter use. Traveling in the Uhaul works good, we can get into any camp site easy, it is easy to tow and we can take it almost anywhere.

[Byron Kinnaman]

We also snowbird. After 4 years of snow birding I'm convinced that our 13' Scamp is perfect. We have typically spend 3 months out, mostly in National Parks: Death Valley, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Sea Shore, etc. etc.
Our average per night cost has been under 7.50 per night. The little trailer tows so nicely and so easy to move around. It still has all you need along with a couple chairs for outside. Bigger is better is NOT always the case.

[Marinab]

Bigger is better is NOT always the case.

I have to disagree, Biggar is definitely better. Lol. Marina

[Donna D.]

Oh Marina, Marina, Marina!

[emers382]

We were thinking bigger is better after attending Toronto RV show in March and becoming totally confused, we came across this forum and have pretty well decided on buying an egg, leaning towards a 19 or 5.0 Escape, only because this will be our retirement part time home traveling a lot we hope especially to avoid too much MB winter which doesn't want to end this year. Thanks to many on this forum I'm beginning to think smaller is better. In the early 90's we camped with three kids in a 13ft. Gypsy so know we don't need a monster trailer or motor home to feel "at home" while traveling.

Adrian

[tractors1]

We're planning on a LOT of travel when wifey joins me in retirement using our Casita. Downsizing dogs to make that work, too - old Irish Setter will be replaced by another Jack Russell that should be trained about the time she retires...
I love it when a plan comes together!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I love it when a plan comes together!

No one knows what tomorrow will bring, that's a given. We can choose to live in the past, but that will never change. Today is the present... which will be gone tomorrow. As is said, no one plans to fail... they just fail to plan. Sounds like you've got it!

[emers382]

Downsizing dogs to make that work, too - by tractors1

We did that too, from a lab to a cocker spaniel and now a shitzu, plus married off three kids, so now we can camp with space - except want enough room to take up to three grandkids for (short) camping trips. That's why we're looking at 19 footers.

Adrian

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by emers382

.........except want enough room to take up to three grandkids for (short) camping trips. That's why we're looking at 19 footers.

Adrian

Okay, this maybe long so bear with me.

I'm an only child of a woman who's a retired interior decorator. Her famous words to me was NEVER buy a home with guests in mind... that's why GOD made motels. In the meantime you pay taxes and heat bills to accomodate guests.

The same applies to buying a trailer for guests. You own it, you camp in it... how often do you take someone else that needs a dry place to sleep?
With grandkids if you were to say, you can go...but you'd have to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag they'd be jumping up and down in excitment. And, yes... you have to tip toe through the tulips for those midnight walks to the "flushy." After a while, a tent outside the door... and they'd think they scored! OR, for the few times a grandkid goes along... YOU sleep in the tent and they sleep in the trailer... but the other times.... you aren't the GUEST!

The bottom line, it's about YOU, not guests... even the ones you love.

[Glenn Baglo]

Absolutely on target Donna.
The kids will want to sleep in the tent.

[carlkeigley]

That was one of our agonizing ideas.
There are three of us, but three grandkids.
How often will they be camping with us? Not much.
But the two times we had them so far, we made out.
Our camper is perfect for one or two. But it's the most
of the minimum we could decide on. With a special needs
child (21 years old yet); well, there was a special need........lol.

We get the queen size bed and she gets the jack-knife couch.
If we could just get the organization thing down.........lol.

The oldest grandson already says he will sleep under the bed.

[Cathy P.]

Downsizing dogs? That's funny! We stayed long term in two different RV parks, one in AZ and one in AL. These two states are very diverse in the population that chooses to be there. The smallest RVs came in and out came 2 large dogs, sometimes more and the biggest motorhome always had the smallest dogs. I have 2 - 60 lbs senior dogs right now and a grumpy 4 year old guinea pig. Would that downsize to 2 - 20 lb. or less dogs and a mouse? I am not a fan of smaller dogs or mice. Our 26 year old son with DS has finally found his "niche" since we moved so will be moving into residential and I learned one even goes on camping weekends and hikes! He likes being inside playing games on wii so he isn't much fun anymore but that seems what young adults prefer these days.

[honda03842]

Charlie,
Here's "a none of my business" alternate suggestion, downsize to zero dogs and add one if you find you need one.

[mary and bob]

We downsized to zero dogs when the last one passed away. It was a German Shepherd, and we miss having one, but don't want the restrictions of traveling with a dog. When we wintered in the south last year it seems most people have the little yippy dogs that bark constantly, can't figure why. One couple had 4 greyhounds, another couple had 2, nice calm quiet dogs. A few German Shepherds in the park, so we still got to pet them without the commitment of owning one.

[emers382]

Norm and Ginny - we were planning to downsize to zero dogs (it's a pain finding hotels that take even a little very quiet dog) but then we got the shitzu six years ago as a "housewarming gift" from family.

Donna and Carl - It's only because we'll be living in the same town as our three grandkids that we would consider taking them for a few days to a nearby Provincial Park and give their parents a break. The main reason we're going as big as a 19 footer is for the extra space when we hope to spend a good part of the winter south in it and need some separate space for when it's raining! And I hate to tell you Donna but our dream too is an Escape 5.0 and we hope to have one before the year is out.

Adrian

[honda03842]

Folks,
I want you to know we have nothing against dogs. We just feel in some measure it's unfair to the dog and often to other campers, particularly if you're not just out for a weekend.

Most travelers, at least part of the time end up leaving their dog in their camper though I have met campers that would not leave their dog alone, meaning they did not ever leave the campground. As my sister in law says, usually applying it to descriptions of people's personality, "some dogs bark".

We have taken our grandkids with us on occasion. It was fun for all. They are now working adults so that time is over, however in our 13 years it amounted to the order of a month.