fisherman
Full time employment: Posting here.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2007
- Messages
- 501
Recent 42 day trip experiences
We bought a 28ft Travel trailer in 2007 and have spent about 80 days camping in it so far. I did not ESR till 2008 so our ability to travel has only just begun. We have two kids so our trips are planned around school. The rest of the time it is parked at the Lake house and used as a Red-neck extra bedroom (I do live in Tennessee) and that has actually worked out well for visitors. That said an RV even when used this way is probably not a true savings but can maybe be break even.
We did just get back from a 42 day trip out West pulling the trailer and it was a great trip. 8300 miles (Not all miles were pulling the trailer since we made day trips to many attractions) , 22 national parks and monuments, many State Parks and towns we wanted to see. The freedom to stay longer and wherever we wanted was really great and the kids loved it. I did share in the cooking and cleaning as did the whole family. It ws a great family trip and a good teaching opportunity for the kids.
Total cost of that trip including fuel, campsites, food, entertainment, and park fees with the annual card purchase was about $3500 and I do not think we could have done that for the same price in a car and motels for four. Good Sam rated sites all above 7.5 in each area averaged about $30 per night for full hookups. Campgrounds out West are very plentiful and there are also many opportunities to boon-dock.
With kids it is a great way to travel and for longer trips it makes them easier and more enjoyable for the way we like to travel. The key is what do you like to do and that will help make the decision. RVing is definitely not camping as Rich said it is really a Condo on wheels. It makes the travel days very nice since you just find a rest area and pull over. With a generator and your on board water you have power, bathroom, and the ability to prepare a good healthy lunch from the frig or freezer. We had many enjoyable stops this way.
Renting may be a good way to test the waters or better go with someone thats has an RV or borrow it if possible. The info the can provide you will make the experience much more enjoyable.
We bought a 28ft Travel trailer in 2007 and have spent about 80 days camping in it so far. I did not ESR till 2008 so our ability to travel has only just begun. We have two kids so our trips are planned around school. The rest of the time it is parked at the Lake house and used as a Red-neck extra bedroom (I do live in Tennessee) and that has actually worked out well for visitors. That said an RV even when used this way is probably not a true savings but can maybe be break even.
We did just get back from a 42 day trip out West pulling the trailer and it was a great trip. 8300 miles (Not all miles were pulling the trailer since we made day trips to many attractions) , 22 national parks and monuments, many State Parks and towns we wanted to see. The freedom to stay longer and wherever we wanted was really great and the kids loved it. I did share in the cooking and cleaning as did the whole family. It ws a great family trip and a good teaching opportunity for the kids.
Total cost of that trip including fuel, campsites, food, entertainment, and park fees with the annual card purchase was about $3500 and I do not think we could have done that for the same price in a car and motels for four. Good Sam rated sites all above 7.5 in each area averaged about $30 per night for full hookups. Campgrounds out West are very plentiful and there are also many opportunities to boon-dock.
With kids it is a great way to travel and for longer trips it makes them easier and more enjoyable for the way we like to travel. The key is what do you like to do and that will help make the decision. RVing is definitely not camping as Rich said it is really a Condo on wheels. It makes the travel days very nice since you just find a rest area and pull over. With a generator and your on board water you have power, bathroom, and the ability to prepare a good healthy lunch from the frig or freezer. We had many enjoyable stops this way.
Renting may be a good way to test the waters or better go with someone thats has an RV or borrow it if possible. The info the can provide you will make the experience much more enjoyable.