How long can you go??

[Byron Kinnaman]

I think that the biggest thing on "how long" is attitude. If you're going out to be out (outside of trailer) and enjoy being out then longer would work. If you're going out to be in (inside of trailer) and would rather be inside something, then you probably won't be able to stay out as long.

It's also a matter of how you travel or not travel. In my backpacking days the general rule was 2 or 3 days of travel, then a day of rest. The reason for the 2 or 3 was that if you found yourself in a very nice spot on day 2 you stayed an extra day. If not you went on.

Another thing about attitude if you've set yourself a schedule you'll probably have a bit of a problem. No schedule means stop when you want, visit a place you might have passed by. Don't gage you trip by the miles but by the experiences.

Before trailer some of the best trips were totally unplanned. We'd decide at the end of the drive way which direction we were going to go. Then make those kind of decissions the rest of the trip. And we changed our minds on stops and destinations often in route.

[Bigfoot Mike]

It's up to the individual(s) concerned -- I went three years in my Jayco 16' before I found my Scamp 13' and then went another six years -- But there's a key element in FullTiming; you don't have something else waiting for you somewhere else, so you are not constantly making comparisons.

Pete,

I forget, do you have a bathroom in your 13 footer?

Also, if you will, tell us how you feel about traveling costs, ie camping costs, traveling (gas) costs. How do you save money while full timing?

[Brian B-P]

...I'm leaning towards the 13' model, less weight, lighter, [b]no brakes (?), cheaper (?) and a model without a toilet...

I can see how both legal requirements and the truck's ratings might lead to the conclusion that brakes are not required with a typical under-2000lb 13' trailer; however, I think they're still a good idea. I suggest doing some searching in this forum on that subject. I can't see the cost and effort to set up the trailer and truck for electric brakes as a significant factor for a trailer which is expected to be so heavily used.

I would be interested to hear if anyone has towed a 13' and a 16' which are otherwise similar (e.g. Scamp 13' versus Scamp 16', or Casita 13' versus Casita 16') to see if there is much difference in fuel consumption. Acceleration and hill-climbing will vary with the weight, regardless of the length, but I suspect that fuel consumption will change very little.

Especialy with long trips in mind, I go back to the idea that the trailer must suit the owner's requirements, because enjoying the trip has to be more important than any other factor. Enjoyment might be tied to ease of handling (favouring a smaller trailer), or space (favouring a larger one), but likely has little to do with small differences in performance.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I can see how both legal requirements and the truck's ratings might lead to the conclusion that brakes are not required with a typical under-2000lb 13' trailer; however, I think they're still a good idea. I suggest doing some searching in this forum on that subject. I can't see the cost and effort to set up the trailer and truck for electric brakes as a significant factor for a trailer which is expected to be so heavily used.

I would be interested to hear if anyone has towed a 13' and a 16' which are otherwise similar (e.g. Scamp 13' versus Scamp 16', or Casita 13' versus Casita 16') to see if there is much difference in fuel consumption. Acceleration and hill-climbing will vary with the weight, regardless of the length, but I suspect that fuel consumption will change very little.

Especialy with long trips in mind, I go back to the idea that the trailer must suit the owner's requirements, because enjoying the trip has to be more important than any other factor. Enjoyment might be tied to ease of handling (favouring a smaller trailer), or space (favouring a larger one), but likely has little to do with small differences in performance.

My guess there would be an increase in fuel consumption. The longer the trailer the more room for stuff. Stuff has weight which increases the tow weight even more. The axium that stuff will expand to fill all available space comes into play here. Increased tow weight = increase fuel consumption, at least I would think so.

[Benny K]

I found that, in my experience that the possible major factor in fuel consumption was the wind load on the front of a trailer as opposed to the weight.....used to pull a car on an open trailer, and later put on a 3 ft. x 7 ft. wide flat vertical front with an additional 1 ft. height at 45 degrees to protect the front of the car.....later noticed that it was easier to tow the car and trailer at highway speeds without the front, than an empty trailer with the front.....the wind load was tremendous with just the front.....never actually properly compared fuel usage but the truck really had to work to pull the empty trailer at 60+ mph speeds and noticed a large increase in fuel to run the same distances .....in the last two years I find a large difference between the 13' Boler and the 17' Boler in towing.....with the 17' which has a larger frontal area, my current truck usually won`t go into overdrive even on flat land with the slightest headwind....with the 13' I can tow in OD pretty well anywhere and at higher speeds...Benny

[Pete Dumbleton]

Our bed is very comfortable, and we learned early to beg off sleeping in the homes of friends and relatives we visit. Hard sometimes to convince them without causing irritation. On the long trip I mentioned we relented once for a couple of days. The bed was OK, but not ours, and we had two nights of virtually no sleep. The upside was that we have been able to use this as an example of why we always decline to take our hosts up on their gracious offers. They understand.

Folks do get a bit miffed if they offer hospitality and you don't accept it -- I learned to respond to the invite with "Have the folks next door ever visted or been to dinner?" "Yes" "Did they spend the nite?" "No, they live right next door." "Well, my home is even closer because it's in your driveway...".

Mike, how much one spends depends on how frugal one is and what one needs -- Since I am set up to run on battery (no fridge and no furnace fan) and tank water, plus I like rustic CGs, I generally avoid expensive hook-up CGs (plus I have a GA card, so the Federal CGs are half price).

I have a porta-potti for rain or emergencies and use CG facilities, plus take sponge baths (diaper wipes aren't just for babies, you know )

[Palmer M]

Drews60...
Been aboard for two years as of Sept 20 save for one night. Can't imagine how other people live/travel anymore.
My coach has furnace, bathroom/shower, fridge, etc etc and it is all used daily just like any other house or apartment. I don't understand giving up basic conveniences in order to be camping/mobile.
I fill up with water every day, dump the grey every day, dump the black every week, fill a propane tank about every two weeks, and keep an eye on other maintenance items. I added a solar panel that brings me to full charge by about 2pm every day.
I've got wifi, TV/DVD, and PlayStation, and plenty to read every day.
With the 16' SD, I leave one table up and the other space is the bed. (I alternate depending on task.)
My Dodge has the 3.9l V6 and has plenty of power for towing the 16', but it is getting old and I can't wait to trade the accursed thing in for a Chevrolet.
I guess that adds up to about 800 days so far, and I continue to be delighted every day!
Best of Luck
P

[Jan Adams]

When I was a kid, my family took a 10 week vacation in a 13' Shasta and NEVER went into a motel.

My hubby and I camp for 3 weeks every summer in a 1978 VW Westfalia. Never have found it too small.

We manage because we do all activities outside as long as the weather cooperates. And, we move every day.

Depending on where you are camping, there is more to do than we have time allocated to do it.

Most of the time, we stay at state or national parks with a few KOA's thrown in. Generally, we don't like KOA's because they are normally right by expressways and are too noisey.

We have a pack-a-potty that takes care of the midnight strolls to the washroom. Our rule for the potty is that only "liquids" allowed after dark. The rest of the time, you have to walk to the restroom.

For camp places with no showers, in warm weather, we have a hose type thing that woman used to use to wash their hair at the sink. We put our bathing suit on and walk over to the water pump (at dusk or dark) and take our shower there. Yes, it is cool/cold water but getting the sweat and dirt off makes you feel wonderful. I have even taken a "2 liter" shower at Big Bend National Park (wet down, soap up then rinse off).

If you start to feel cramped, go into a motel room - it does help.

[drews60]

Drews60...
Been aboard for two years as of Sept 20 save for one night. Can't imagine how other people live/travel anymore.
My coach has furnace, bathroom/shower, fridge, etc etc and it is all used daily just like any other house or apartment. I don't understand giving up basic conveniences in order to be camping/mobile.
I fill up with water every day, dump the grey every day, dump the black every week, fill a propane tank about every two weeks, and keep an eye on other maintenance items. I added a solar panel that brings me to full charge by about 2pm every day.
I've got wifi, TV/DVD, and PlayStation, and plenty to read every day.
With the 16' SD, I leave one table up and the other space is the bed. (I alternate depending on task.)
My Dodge has the 3.9l V6 and has plenty of power for towing the 16', but it is getting old and I can't wait to trade the accursed thing in for a Chevrolet.
I guess that adds up to about 800 days so far, and I continue to be delighted every day!
Best of Luck
P

I guess you win the endurance test. WOW. Very impressive. I hope you continue to enjoy your life on the road. I guess I can do 21-30 days then. Again, WOW.

[CharlynnT]

Seven weeks in a 17" Boler, with a fancy hotel half-way between. (In-room Jacuzzi, laundry facilities, pool, gourmet restaurant with Room Service, cable TV. One night was enough to recharge.)

Now every camping trip seems short in comparison.

[drews60]

Several people have mentioned they like to break a trip up by spending a night in a hotel/motel. Great idea CharlynnT. TV, big bed, hot shower, room to pace around.

I just paid $40 for a night at KOA. A motel/hotel would only be a few bucks more.

[dsheets70]

I found that, in my experience that the possible major factor in fuel consumption was the wind load on the front of a trailer as opposed to the weight.....used to pull a car on an open trailer, and later put on a 3 ft. x 7 ft. wide flat vertical front with an additional 1 ft. height at 45 degrees to protect the front of the car.....later noticed that it was easier to tow the car and trailer at highway speeds without the front, than an empty trailer with the front.....the wind load was tremendous with just the front.....never actually properly compared fuel usage but the truck really had to work to pull the empty trailer at 60+ mph speeds and noticed a large increase in fuel to run the same distances .....in the last two years I find a large difference between the 13' Boler and the 17' Boler in towing.....with the 17' which has a larger frontal area, my current truck usually won`t go into overdrive even on flat land with the slightest headwind....with the 13' I can tow in OD pretty well anywhere and at higher speeds...Benny

Interesting!! I think that wind loading is also ruining my fuel economy as well. I bought a new hitch pin to attach that has a 5 inch drop rather than a 1 inch. I did notice that the pitch angle on the scamp trailer is higher on the new tow vehicle using my original pickup hitch . I will find out next weekend when we take a trip to laughlin, NV whether the lower hitch is effective.
Doug