Hi folks,

 My name is Kyle, and I recently joined the forum to research and plan what will hopefully be at least a one year road trip around America.

 The condensed version of why I am here is both positive, and negative. I have always wanted to see "whats out there", and traveling around towing a trailer seems like the way to do it. I've always enjoyed vacations, but often arrived home more tired, and in need of a vacation, than when I left. Rushing from place to place, like Clark Griswold, I kinda wrote the book on whirlwind trips. It would be very nice to be able to take a week, or a month in one place, and really explore.

 At 42, I am growing disillusioned with the "Leave it to Beaver" American dream I was brought up to believe. I've owned a house for almost 20 years, made my payments on time, done all the "Right" stuff we are told to do, and frankly, I am sick of it. Basically, I feel like all I have earned, is a "score" that says I am entitled to more debt, and an obligation to fix/paint/remodel/insure/maintain/and worry about some sticks on a piece of dirt I am tired of! I have grown weary of piles of stuff that give pleasure for a day, a week, or a month, and then get cast aside, only to gather dust and guilt in their disuse.

 I remember my first studio apartment in the early 90's. I had nothing more than I could move in two trips of my old 71' El Camino. Free furniture, a bed, a TV, and a couple photo albums. I was struggling to pay the bills, but I didn't need a mountain of stuff to feel at home. I also didn't feel the need for a fixed address.

I got married in 2009, and have two step kids, 16 and 18. Good days and bad there, as you can imagine. Before they get their start in the world, I'd like to take them around the country, and get some miles under their belts, before deciding what they want to do with their lives. I know that for me, the ages of 18-22 were pretty much lost in partying, and time not well spent. I don't regret it, necessarily, but I look back at it as somewhat of a waste. They will both have a AA degree before we leave.

Several deaths are motivating me as well. My Dad died one year after retiring from a 30 year career. He did it "By the book". He set himself up to retire comfortably, had his house paid off, and was looking forward to living into his 90's, like his parents. He died at 58. My Mother didn't make 70. In the last ten years, I have buried too many friends. Cancer, accidents, and unfortunately, murder and suicides, as well. We all hear the clock ticking to some extent, I just can't drown it out anymore.

So, with all that drama aside, here's what I am looking at for a timeline, and a plan.

By the spring of 2016, I plan to have sold, given away, or chucked virtually all of our "stuff", and purchased a large bumper pull trailer. We will sell this house, and bank the proceeds in an investment account, untouched except for potential catastrophe. At the end of our year, or however long we make it, we can choose where/if we want to settle.

I already have a 28 foot cargo trailer that I converted into a travel trailer, but, without slides, I don't see four people living in it for a year. I have towed it several thousand miles, without a equalizer, or any other stabilization, and it hasn't done anything too scary yet, so I feel fairly confident I can adjust to a heavier trailer, set up properly. If I had unlimited finances, I'd get a big, shiny 5th wheel, and an F450 to tow it. That's not gonna happen.

I currently have a 2002 Chevrolet 2500HD, with only 25,000 miles on it. It has the 8.1, Allison, and a 4.10 rear end. I should be good with a 30-32' bumper pull, if I keep the weight below 11,000 or so. It may not be ideal, but it's paid off. 20,000 miles to trek around the country, at 4 bucks a gallon, at an average 8MPG works out to an even ten grand in fuel. Lot's cheaper than a 50k diesel!

Depending on what time of the year our house sells, we head out, starting either north, or south, to follow good weather. Where we go, and what we do, are still very much open. I'd like to see most of the perimeter of the country, and certainly hit the highlights of most of those states. I've been to two corners of the US, I plan to dip my toe at all four.

So, that's it for now. Just another dreamer, wanna/gonna. I am starting to sell stuff now, and pile up money for a trailer. If all else fails, and life somehow gets in the way of my current plan, at least I will have gotten rid of tons of useless baggage, and have some money in the bank!

Great forum, glad I found it.

Regards, Kyle