Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Introducing a new wannabe
Post Info TOPIC: Introducing a new wannabe
gypsy97


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Introducing a new wannabe
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I've just joined the community and hope to learn a lot.  I am a former backpacker, and hiked about 900 miles of the Appalachian Trail in one go.  That was in 1997 and I developed bursitis and arthritis, so that put an end to backpacking.  I think I learned to be a minimalist camper, resourceful, and flexible, so I would expect to be the same kind of RVer.  As a retired 67 yr old female without much $$$, I am considering a popup camper or a small trailer.  I'm concerned about handling everything myself, including the set-up, hookups, backing in, etc.  Any advice/suggestions will be appreciated.
Gypsy (my AT trail name)

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gypsy97
www.gypsy97.blogspot.com
2004 Hitchhiker II
2002 Ford F-350, diesel, dually
Fulltimer as of 12/01/2008!
Froggi


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome to the forum. I'm a 60 y/o solo lady (with arthritis & fibromyalgia) so I understand your concerns. That was why I ended up with a Class C, I just couldn't see me doing all the leveling, etc on a trailer. That said, the big advantage to the trailer is being able to back it up (if it's long enough to make it easy).

I spent my first 6 monjths pulling a small fiberglass trailer behind my RV, with my motorcycle inside. No way I could back it up...just opted for pull-through spots. Of course there was that one time I had to go into a Waffle House and find someone to back it up for me....at night and only one in/out, LOL!

You might want to look at the little fiberglass trailers...lightweight, means less truck needed to pull it, keeping gas costs down. There is a site just for them... http://fiberglassrv.com

To me a pop-up trailer is going to be more work...but then I've never used one.

The hookups (water, sewer, etc) are easy...even I can do it. I've learned a lot since I hit the road the end of October. Feel free to check out my blog for some of my adventures along the way, or email me with any questions.


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Donna & Stu (& Sadie, too)
2 Taking a 5th ~ Sadie Speaks ~ Fire Lily ~ ToadilyPets
ahoweth


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Hi Gypsy97

Welcome to the forum. 

Stick with Froggi.  She is special and is quite savy.  She will help you with anything you can need.  Of course the rest of us will chime in with our 2 cents worth too!

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gypsy97


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Thanks for your response.  I spent a few hours on the web last night researching the fiberglass trailers, and now my head is swimming with all the info!  I'm learning though.
gypsy

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gypsy97
www.gypsy97.blogspot.com
2004 Hitchhiker II
2002 Ford F-350, diesel, dually
Fulltimer as of 12/01/2008!
Jim01


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Gypsy97,

Welcome to the friendliest forum on the Internet. There's a huge amount of RVing info here and If you can't find the answers, don't hesitate to ask. The friendly folk here well do their best to help you with your new dream. smile

Like lhoweth said, stick with Froggi. She's "been there, done that", and I'm sure will be able to answer many of your questions about solo RVing.

Jim



-- Edited by Jim01 at 06:50, 2008-06-11

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Jim and Linda
Full-timers from 2001 to 2013
http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 
2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT
May your days be warm, and your skies be blue.
May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
Doncat


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Hi Gypsy,

Welcome

to the friendliest forum on the internet. The family here will help you with about anything. smile.gif
Doncat



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2002 29' Prowler TT pushing a 2002 GMC 2500HD "BIG RED"
Counting the days until we fulltime but not forgetting to enjoy everyday as a gift from God.
blijil


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome to the forum.  We see single campers in a variety of rigs including pickup campers, small A-frame trailers, tear drop trailers like Casita, and small Airstreams like the Bambi, as well as class B's and C's and an occassional motor home or fifth wheel.  It seems that where there is a will there is a way.   It seems you are well adapted to find a way.

See you on the road,
Larry and Jacki 

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Larry and Jacki-belle Linley with Taiga our minature dachsund - 2011 34 ft Montana towed by a 2014 Silverado Durmax Allison 4x4.
Speedhitch


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Welcome ex-backpacker...Youll love this forum...we have fun and help each other all the time. Do not stay a stranger out there...drop in as much as you can and join into the post. We also have a live chat at nights that we would love to have you on. It gets crowded now and then but we all listen and try to answer questions and just have a good time chatting. Again welcome to the family...

Sherri and Joe

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/
Judy


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The first thing I would do is find something that was in my price range and easy to handle perhaps used and in still good shape, so shop around. I am sure there are some nice deals out there. Its not always easy to hitch something up. Perhaps a small van or as Froggi suggested a small Class C. If its just you Rving then you will have plenty of room in whatever you choose.
southwestjudy



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gypsy97


RV-Dreams Family Member

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First I want to thank everyone who posted answers for me.  I have looked at so many different rv types & combinations on the net, plus visited a local Jayco dealer, and my mind is just swamped.  How in the world does anyone settle on anything?  And most don't ever give a hint about price range - so you can find the rv of your dreams and later find out it cost 4x or more of what you can afford.  For those with limited budgets and just starting out, how do you find exactly what suits your needs?  I'm not picky and would be alone (with two dogs) so I don't need extra bunks & beds; I don't want the entry door to open up facing the toilet; and I don't want the bed in the same room as the kitchen/living area.  I certainly don't need all the tv's, outdoor speakers, etc., that many rvs feature.  Advice and/or personal experiences appreciated.
gypsy

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gypsy97
www.gypsy97.blogspot.com
2004 Hitchhiker II
2002 Ford F-350, diesel, dually
Fulltimer as of 12/01/2008!
Froggi


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I would start with a list of your requirements (you have) and then make a list of the manufacturers and models. (I used a spreadsheet.) As you research online enter them into the list, showing if they met each requirement (and you may discover more as you look at the floorplans, just add the new requirements).

When you find a model that meets your weight, size, floorplan & other needs, then do a search on that mfg/model/size. You'll come up with forum posts, for sale items, etc. Look through them to see if you can find folks who like or dislike theirs (don't be afraid to join a bunch of forums so you can post or PM to see what they think). Look through the for sale ads to see what the used ones are running at (and new ones that sometimes show the price).

Eventually you should narrow your choices down to a couple that seem to fit. Now try to go see them...the BEST thing is if you can visit the mfg but we can't all do that. Post in forums to see what other owners have to say about theirs. Yes, you will get some negative input but unless it is more than the positives, take it with a grain of salt. Every mfg has a few issues pop up from time to time.

Next pick your favorite "for sale" classified sites and browse them regularly to see any new ads that pop up. Eventually you should be able to find several close enough to go look at....

Good luck and take your time....better to wait a little longer than make a poor choice.

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Donna & Stu (& Sadie, too)
2 Taking a 5th ~ Sadie Speaks ~ Fire Lily ~ ToadilyPets
gypsy97


RV-Dreams Family Member

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You are brilliant!  You have outlined exactly what I should do, and I should have seen it myself but didn't.  I have been making notes on little pieces of paper that are all over my house by now!  And back in the "old days" of the 80's & 90's, I was a Lotus 1-2-3 expert (never have cared as much for Excel), so I should have thought about doing a spreadsheet, and that is exactly what I'm going to do next.
gypsy

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gypsy97
www.gypsy97.blogspot.com
2004 Hitchhiker II
2002 Ford F-350, diesel, dually
Fulltimer as of 12/01/2008!
Froggi


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I remember Lotus....as well as Quattro Pro. LOL! Guess I'm dating myself...I have moved from MS Office to Open Office and while it has it's quirks, I like it.

Keep us updated on your search!!!

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Donna & Stu (& Sadie, too)
2 Taking a 5th ~ Sadie Speaks ~ Fire Lily ~ ToadilyPets
jdensie


RV-Dreams Family Member

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First off welcome to the best palce on the net, jump in and enjoy.smile
I remember Lotus as I learned most of my spreadsheet experience there.  Just remember.
L= Lots
O= Of
T= Trouble,
U- Usually
S= Serious
doh
Have a good day.

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Life is good in the USA
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