Excellent advice. Here’s what I know... I have suggested we rent an RV first to see if we like it. Actually, it’s a must. We’ve looked at new ones with all kinds of floor plans. A decent sized bathroom is a must. I’m not putting my feet in the shower while going potty. A new mattress is a priority. I’m 6’1” and have long legs. Just sitting on the seats with the table is near impossible. My knees almost hit the opposite seat. Most of the RV parks we’ve been to have showers. But, we’ve only been to ones here that are part of a park system. Planet fitness isn’t a bad idea though. My truck won’t want to pull 30’. We’re thinking more in the range of 20’. I do realize that the larger it is, the more comfortable. More comfortable means we’re more likely to use it. There’s a fine line. It’s the unknown, hidden things that we fear. I’ve had boats all my life but never an RV. We just paid off our house too. That’s what is giving us the freedom to do this. I fancy jumping in an RV and just driving until we want to stop. See what’s there. I will pull with a truck... not a motor home. To the store means unhooking and driving truck.
As for boat... we have no friends. That sounds pitiful but we really don’t. There are lots of folks we know.... some better than others. When we lived in Louisiana, we had great friends but it’s different there. We live out in the country. We have neighbors but they’re far enough away that we never see them. The boat is for us. My family of 4 and a toddler. Peaceful.
Man I love Google!
I used to do a lot of research through Consumer Reports, library, etc.
Love "feeding the elephant" effortlessly!
So the 20' trailer will be similar to the horse trailers. Nice and easy.[emoji846]
The main advantage to eventually buying a trailer vs renting is customizing the chairs/benches.
Lol, being 5'8" doesn't have too many advantages outside of tiny living spaces. [emoji846]
BLM land is the popular craze out West.
Lots of free boondocking in quiet beautiful places.
But most land east of the Rockies is useable. [emoji6]
So someone owns it. [emoji23]
My uncle spent ten years where he and his wife traveled the lower 48 in a ginormous RV and tow behind car.
3 slideouts!
He was retired Air force and scheduled trips from location to location on different bases. They loved it.
After 10 years they sold it and bought into a 55+ community near the grand kids near Ocala, Florida.
Lots of preplanning should give you options with beautiful National and state parks. But winging it in an RV may be a near complete loss.[emoji53]
(One of the advantages of van life is the usual tent camping availability. Bring a tent. Pitch a tent. Sleep in the van anyway. [emoji6])
The fine line between comfortable and 'too big' is 100% personal preference.
Lol, the van idea is where I keep ending up.
Or as 1 YouTuber put it. "You sleep in the van, but 'live' outside."
"Real" RV's have a certain respectability. Especially if you are an older couple. [emoji846]
Hooking up the black tanks and grey tanks and 'monitoring' your water usage are the big things to get used to. (How many times have you *and your better half* gone to the bathroom in the past 2 days? is *not* something most of us think about regularly. [emoji23])
Lol, standing in the shower for 10 minutes soaking up the hot water is *not* an option. [emoji53]
Power usage is another one.
A $2000+ 1000watt solar/battery system may be complete overkill.
(And irrelevant in most rentals)
An $800 'silent' suitcase generator (sadly, chained to your vehicle) can run a *tiny* microwave, among other things.
But probably not the unit's A/C.
Important to check!
There are portable roll around house ac units that use less watts ( but only the smallest models) that will cool down a 10x20 space and still not overload a tiny generator.
(Our hurricane backup for the den/fish room. We will need to juggle, swap every few hours between running the ac and running the fish tank, fridge and freezer in the kitchen)
Lol, those wonderful light, quiet generators can only do so much without the backup unit attached.
Make sure the roll around ac unit has been stored upright for at least 24 hours before use! Otherwise it will probably be damaged/destroyed if you try to use it sooner.
East of the Rockies, some type of camping membership isn't a bad idea. Search YouTube for opening suggestions. [emoji846]
Definitely get the Sams club rv/towing insurance (probably a lot less critical with just a trailer?) or some other brand.
Lol, since you have had horse trailers for years, I'm sure you know about checking the axels for overheating several times per trip and greasing them properly. [emoji846]
RV's are "just like home". Except they are not even close. [emoji846]
Minor pitfalls that you tolerate for a week, until you get home, and will remember better for next time, are just part of it. [emoji846]
Enjoy the adventure!
[emoji846]
