We are moving on from Durango to Mesa Verde this week because our week of rent is due and we can move on Tuesday or Wednesday.  We noticed that others move on for various reasons.  Why do you move on and when do you prefer to do it?

Just thought the variety of responses may be interesting.

Larry and Jacki

Wow, this is a tough one. We move for a variety of reasons; one major reason is weather. Others are time to see family and seeing new places. We've been in Central PA for the summer because it's near most of our family and now it's time to start our slow trip south. This will be an interesting thread. Thanks for thinking of it!

Along with the discussion on when to go, I would be interested in how people choose their route. In particular, how do you decide if a back road will be large enough for you to comfortably drive? We will take off full-timing as soon as the house sells and we are real newbies! We have a 30 ft fifth wheel and we do well going forward, but the backing is still a real issue! Any suggestions there would be great also! Loralie

Lee & Loralie, we tend to stick to US routes and interstates. I know it's not as scenic, but we tow a 36' fifth wheel and staying on these roads takes a lot of that worry, "will we fit height-wise & width-wise?" out of the equation. We also use state routes because they tend to be truck routes as well. As far as how we determine our route; I plug in our starting location and our destination location into our laptop GPS program and then choose our route along the way based upon what we want to see and do. You'll love this lifestyle!!

We move on when we've exhausted all there is to see or will stay a short time if we plan to return in the future. My dream once we are able to travel more, would be to spend a month or so at each destination and explore as much as we can and then move on. It would be great to travel around in one state or province to see as much as you can and then move on to the next until we've covered all of the US & Canada. Then start all over again to explore the spots we missed the first go round.

We are still tied down here with jobs so we do not move around with our home. Our plan is to stay places for the monthly rates...which are usually cheaper. As Bear has stated... in that month we plan on seeing all there is to see in that area. So having that for a plan we try to find areas that will have enough to keep us busy for that amount of time and when we have exhausted those places to see we will plan on moving. With the price of diesel you have to make each destination an interesting one. If we had an unlimited amount of funds we would travel and stay where ever but we were not dealt that hand. Sooo we have to make due with what we have. As far as the route we take...we feel more comfortable on the main roads so we have a shoulder if needed and plenty of places to refuel. While we are in certain areas we explore other options to stay at while we are not pullinng our RV. If you decide to come back through one area you know where these places are and you know you can get into them without too much trouble. Backing in...Well let me say this...You need to practice... You need a good patient partner to work with and once you have done it several times you will become more at ease with each situation you come up on. Learn to use those mirrows and know which way to turn that wheel. Practice Practise Practise.... Don't be embarrased to try it we all went through that learning curve. Linda and Howard went to a empty Theater Parking lot and practiced when they first got their trailer. They took turns directing and driving...So have fun and enjoy every minute of it...the memories are what it is all about. Joe and Sherri

I guess there's a good reason we call ourselves the Wandering Wishnies. We've been on the road for 2 1/2 years now, 137 weeks exactly, and we're in our 178th campground. That averages less than 1 week per stay.

We just enjoy seeing new things and exploring new places. When we know where all the services are in a town, one of us will joke and say I guess it's time to move on. We're always saying we should slow down, but then one of us will read or hear about something and suggest we go look, and we're off again.

There are no rules to this, or any lifestyle, just do what you want and enjoy what's left of your time.

Fred

blijil wrote:

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We are moving on from Durango to Mesa Verde this week because our week of rent is due and we can move on Tuesday or Wednesday.  We noticed that others move on for various reasons.  Why do you move on and when do you prefer to do it?

Just thought the variety of responses may be interesting.

Larry and Jacki

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are you still in Durango?  where?  we're staying at Durango Riverside resort.

we try to stay around two weeks.  we've been full timing for two years and we took up this lifestyle to see our country.  we do sit sit still in the valley for winter but the rest of the year it's usually short stays.

Linda

Loralie wrote:

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Along with the discussion on when to go, I would be interested in how people choose their route. In particular, how do you decide if a back road will be large enough for you to comfortably drive? We will take off full-timing as soon as the house sells and we are real newbies! We have a 30 ft fifth wheel and we do well going forward, but the backing is still a real issue! Any suggestions there would be great also!
Loralie

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we choose our route using many factors.  Like family, sometimes you need to see them so you plan your route around that destination.  I've never spent time in the west so all of the westerns states are on my list!  We already know where we'll be for the winter, and come spring we're heading east to visit our children in Florida, perhaps we'll revisit some east coast areas before heading back west for summer in Colorado

we have a 37 foot mobile suites 5th wheel and if an 18 wheeler can make it, so can we.  Now there are some mountainous areas we avoid and my husband has a book that helps reroute us.

I don't drive our rig so I can't help with the backing up part.  But Jim got better as time went on!

Linda


-- Edited by greenlady at 17:58, 2008-09-10

Speedhitch wrote:

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t Linda and Howard went to a empty Theater Parking lot and practiced when they first got their trailer. They took turns directing and driving...So have fun and enjoy every minute of it...the memories are what it is all about.

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I plan to find an empty parking lot to practice in, but what do you do if you're a solo?  I foresee a lot of jumping in an out of the truck!
gypsy

 

Go to a sports store even Walmart and buy several small cones - like soccer field marking cones. You can line them up and see if you run over them w/o jumping in and out.

Thanks, Dude.  Now why didn't I think of that?
gypsy

Do practice a lot in the daytime, however, at some point I'd suggest a couple sessions after dark. Things are very different at night whether in a lighted or unlighted lot really makes no difference but when the sun sets, it is a lot different.

You never know when you might have to make a night maneuver so it'll be good to experience it at first.

Paul and I found that using two-way radios makes backing it into a spot a lot easier.  We agreed on our vocabulary so there'd be no mistaking which way I wanted him to move.  Instead of 'go right' or 'go left', I say driver-side or passanger-side.  I can also give him an idea of how much further he needs to back up.  Instead of saying stop right there!, I can count it down: 'six feet, five, four' etc.  But the best part is that we're not yelling back and forth to each other trying to get the darn thing parked where it should be.  Makes for a much better first night at the old campground!  Works for hitching up too.  Good luck and happy travels!   

These full duplex (both can talk at the same time) might be handy and are hands free. You can find them cheaper by searching online. This is from www.rvheadsets.com


-- Edited by RVDude at 23:27, 2008-09-16

OH NO NO NO you must yell and use hand jesters....yes even those when backing in. Please do not ruin it for those of us who get enjoyment out of watching couples back into their spots and coming to blows over getting it right!!! Please I will not get my entertainment if we start acting civilized at the camp grounds....Dude of all people you should protect this form of entertainment and keep it Sacred. My wife will have to get a second job if she can no longer beat me up over what she said and what she meant!!! I will not have a life at all. Just practice like I said and do it where I can see you both.... Director of Campground Entertainment....Speedy

I prefer to set up bleacher seats at dump stations and boat ramps. That way, I don't have to chase the backing-in entertainment as the dumping and launching entertainment comes to me!

Where's that popcorn machine?????

Dude, I'll be sure to notify you when I have my first try at the dumping station.  Please capture it on video so I can see and laugh about it afterward!
gypsy

Gypsy, I travel solo, towing a travel trailer.  Yes, there is a lot of jumping in and out of the truck when I am backing into a space.  There is no way around it.  There is always something you can't see.  If I'm backing into my blind side, there is a lot more jumping in and out.  If I can see where I'm backing, then I may only get out of the truck three or four times.

It's important to get out and see where you are relative to that tree, or to the power pedestal, or whatever.  I watched a guy in a Class A back right into the power pedestal.  Not smart.  He never once got out to see the space he was backing into.

Back to the topic at hand:  I move on when the mood strikes.  I do not follow a schedule.  Weather may affect my decision as well as how much I like the campground.