Hi Everyone! This web site is fantastic. Thank you Howard and Linda for creating it and to everyone who's contributed to this fabulous forum. I'm continually amazed by how friendly and helpful everyone is.

My name is Delaney and I'm from South-Eastern Michigan. I've loved camping ever since I was a Brownie. As a divorced mom I actually went tent camping at state parks with my little girls from the time they were 2 and 4. We loved camping so much we even up-graded to a pop-up camper at one point, then a TT (but that's another story). They are now grown and both still have a great love and respect for nature.

I've moved around a lot, living in both penisulas of Michigan, plus Texas twice (Houston - 1982 & Corpus Christi - 2001-2002), Florida ( Panhandle - Fort Walton Beach/Destin - 2003 - 2005) and Tennessee (Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg 2006-2007) and back to Michigan late in 2007 to present. Every time I have gotten to the point of wanting to move on, yet was stuck and couldn't leave due to job, home ownership, lease agreements, etc.

I'll admitt I've got vagabon feet and I feel living in different areas of the US has given me and my daughters much broader perspectives of life. I just feel this whole "stationary lifestyle" isn't working and the time has come to hit the road permanently, or at least until we find a place we actually want to stay.  I am blessed with a younger daughter (Skye - 24) who totally agrees and we are about to embark on becoming fulltime RVers at last!

Thank you again for being here, I'm sure we'll need lots of coaching and have tons of questions along the way. We are in the process of unloading the mountain of accumulated possessions at a local flea market and getting our crafts business up and running at the same time.  We have an Etsy store and a personal website, plus I write content for the internet and am working on a novel. All things that can be done where ever and whenever!

We're searching for an inexpensive, older TT that's still road worthy and in need of some serious TLC for our '93 Chevy 1500 Pick-up truck to tow. It's paid for and has a cap for extra storage so a 5er is out of the question. We're hoping to be on the road by mid December so we can surprise my older daughter, her hubby and five grandchildren (8 years to 2 months) who still live in the Florida Panhandle with a fresh cut Michigan pine for the holidays. We haven't seen them for over 3 years and miss them so much. Is it totally insane for 2 women to take to the road? 
 

Delaney,   go for it-- with your previous camping experence and your spirit you will do fine.  Ask any questions you have, people here are always willing to help.  Be careful and take things slowly now and after you get your TT.  Be sure to get a TT that your truck can tow safely.  First you need to find out how much your truck is capable of towing.  Now remember the weight rating is talking about total weight, including fuel, people, food--water etc.  I would suggest that you not travel with any water on board what so ever, extra weight that you don't need to be towing.  If possible stay 10 to 15% below your trucks weight rating just as a safety factor.  Make sure your truck and TT are in good mechanical shape with good tires prior to hitting the road. Keep the tires aired up to maximun at all times, it helps with carrying the load and with the gas mileage.  Good luck and keep us posted. 
 
Flyone 

Insane?? Absolutely not!  I believe some of us are born to stay in one place, some of us are born to wander.  I remember the first gift I asked Santa Clause for was a suitcase and a big wheel.  Even as a kid - I wanted to hit the road.   You are lucky to have this experience with your daughter, I say jump at it!!

Delaney, Welcome to the forum. I took a look at your etsy site, you have some nice creations, very beautiful. Good luck in your trailer shopping. I have to caution you to look for a trailer that isn't too heavy for your truck. You need to determine how heavy of trailer you can tow with your truck. For safety you want to stay as far below the maximum weight as possible without sacrificing creature comforts in the trailer. Good luck in this next journey in your life.

Welcome, insane, def not, now maybe if you posted your plans on homeownerdreams.com people would call you insane, but not here, see you on the road. gene.

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the great encouragement.

I promise to heed all warnings about the the weight limits our truck can handle. I figured we'd probably have to go with something considerably smaller than most fulltimers, but that's okay. As long as we can find a TT that's still in decent condition, structurally sound and has a floor plan we can feel comfortable with we'll both be happy.

Cosmetics are not an issue since we are both very creative and rather inventive as well. Skye and I are pretty good at making do too, and have learned to live without when need be. We also get along really well, so close quarters won't be a problem.

I'm still busily reading posts and digging about on the web site. There is so much wonderful information here!

You go girls! GO, GO, GO!! :)  Although we aren't fulltiming yet, we've never had any concerns about being 2 women on the road.  We spent 3 months traveling several years ago and never ran into any problems.  Of course, common sense is always in order and we never put ourselves in any dangerous situations.  Although we like more rustic camping, there were always others nearby.

I agree that there are those people who are built to be sedentary and others who are meant to wander.  Listen to your heart and enjoy the adventure.  It sounds like you have a great attitude and as you've already discovered, this website is full of valuable information and helpful members.

Good luck and keep us posted!

-Connie

Hey Delaney... you go for it! There are places to boondock and lesser priced campgrounds too. BLM land and National Forests often have some type of disperesed camping for free or a minimal permit if you are able to camp without hookups. Joining Passport America allows you half price in some private rv campgrounds, on certain days of the week. And heed the warnings on your truck's capacity to pull a certain weight. Then.. enjoy! I also do a lot of crafting (fiber artist) so I take along my spinning wheel, table weaving loom, and my antique circular sockknitting machine. I also have an Etsy store, which is a wonderful way to sell your things while on the road. When someone buys something, you pop it in the mail from wherever you are... poof! Sale done. Many times my items don't even make it to the website, because folks wandering past my campsite want to see what that contraption is that I am working on under the awning. They wander up in my campsite to see me work my craft. I just happen to have a basket of finished items setting nearby, priced and ready to go. Many times they leave with a handwoven rug, dishtowel, some placemats for their camper, or a pair of snuggly warm woolen socks for camping! Please come back and post what rig setup you find and when you hit the road???

Greetings Delaney & Skye - Welcome to the freedom of the open road. Ann & Don