Community Forums

damdannyboy · 06-07-2013, 11:55 PM

Long ago,(38 years next month) DW and I started camping as a way to go on low budget vacations. A couple of tents, TT, a 5th wheel, two MH's, a couple of kids. Three grandkids here we are, still having a great time !

Let us know your story?

vsheetz · 06-08-2013, 12:12 AM

Several years ago bought a Jeep - started off-roading with 4x4 clubs in the SoCal deserts and mountains. Many of the other Jeepers had RV's and camped together, while we were in a motel miles away and missing much of the off-the-trail camaraderie.

So bought a motorhome to join the Jeeping/camping. Found we also enjoyed traveling and camping with the RV, as well as off-roading.

Multiple Jeeps and a couple motorhomes later, here we are now. We get out for about one+ long weekends a month and a couple three week+ times a year. Sometimes Jeeping/camping, sometimes just camping.

Skip426 · 06-08-2013, 12:19 AM

November 72, I can't do the math in my head, we'll settle for long ago.
DW and I tented our way to the NHRA Super Nationals, got way to wet.
Next year I bought and converted a Dodge van, dry place to sleep and crossed Canada in it. Got away from the travel part of being out doors with a mountain cabin got into snowmobiling and dirt bikes, for many years. 95 bought the first of 4, 5ers, another trip across the continent , and purchased our MH , 3 years ago, on our way home, and looking forward to many more.

Barbara S. · 06-08-2013, 12:33 AM

My husband's family all had some sort of RV (mostly trailers) so one of our first purchases was a slide-in truck camper. I got the RV "bug" and 37 years later I am now on my 9th RV. Still lovin' it!

djbmsu · 06-08-2013, 06:08 AM

Very first "camping" was in a van conversion in in 1975. From there to a used 24ft Jayco Class C in 1982, Than came the Georgie Boy 28 ft Class A. Next came a brand new ordered Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE 36 ft. Then down sized to a Safari 28ft Trek. What an awesome little class A, went everywhere in that little darlin. To where we are today in a Tiffin RED 36QSA.
First diesel with slideouts. Now shopping for either a Phaeton or Entegra.

J Birder · 06-08-2013, 07:13 AM

Our first "RV" was a 750cc Moto Guzzi cycle, a small tent, and two sleeping bags. Our next was a (very) used class C, but that was so long ago that I don't even remember how long it was. Eventually, some welds broke and the back end began to sag.

After a long period without one we got a 19' class B that we used for 18 years. It was great for weekends. It was ok for 2 to 3 week trips. When be began taking 6 week trips, it became claustrophobic.

We now have a 27' 5er that seems just perfect for us. I think anything longer would limit our ability to get into some of the places where we like to boondock.

Joel

G.G. · 06-08-2013, 07:20 AM

We've gone all the way from tent camping, VW van, pop up, slide-in truck camper, TT, small gas Winnie, to DP. All except the DP were when our boys were growing up. During their teen years we stopped camping as they weren't interested anymore and had sports events on weekends. The boys (now men) are married and on their own, so we decided to begin again, hence the DP. We've considered full timing, but haven't committed to that yet. I wouldn't be surprised if that's in our future some day.

DSL417 · 06-08-2013, 07:26 AM

38 years ago, as DW and I were getting ready to get hitched, we went to an RV show and saw the new GM, sleek new RVs (compared to the boxy Winnies of that day). We could only dream then of "...maybe being able to do that some day...".

Move forward 37.5 years, we bought our first RV...no camping or travel trailers in between...here we are traveling in our first, and hopefully last RV and doing it full time for six months. Dream fulfilled

Wolfpack Fan · 06-08-2013, 07:56 AM

Camped (sort of) in a not very fun way for 20 years in the Army. After retiring in 96 a co-worker invited us to go camping with him and his family. Camping gear consisted of a couple of sleeping bags and some flashlights. I was reluctant to go, but did and got hooked. Wow! No kevlar helmet to wear, no M16 to tote around, no stand to. This is nice I thought. That first camping trip was at a place called Long Ravine Campground at Rollins Lake, in Colfax, Ca. Next thing you know we've got a tent and some more gear and we're doing our own camping trips, oftentimes bringing our boat and jet ski along for additional fun. 2 1/2 years ago the wife decided we should upgrade the tent, so we replaced it with our 2005 National Dolphin. Still loving it! Still creating incredible memories for nieces, nephews and good friends children. I like that we can go camping several times a year for way less than 1 or 2 annual vacations. Cheap fun? Sometimes, but not when we're in a resort RV park at Lake Tahoe that's $70 a night.

HabitatGuy · 06-08-2013, 07:59 AM

Bought our first pop up thirty years ago for $600. Used it for a trip to Disney World with family. Didn't do much campground camping. Few years later with new (and still) spouse started tent camping with sons. DW grew up in rv's. bought travel trailer and used it quite a bit. As sons got into high school we slowly quit going and sold TT. 5 years ago we realized how much we missed the life and bought our first motorized, a class c. Now two class A's later we are looking forward to full timing.

Moonrover · 06-08-2013, 08:47 AM

September 1999; wife and I were in our huge front yard raking leaves. A nearly daily task in the Fall. During a sweaty break to guzzle water, we looked at each other with the same unspoken thought ... "Why the he** are we doing this at our age?" Retired, and still slaves to a house, yard, and stuff. We decided at that very moment to do something drastic about the endless rut we were in. The solution did take a few years and we are still not completely free, but a whole lot closer.

We have the rig. The house is nearly cleared of contents, and we have a small rented storage facility for a few of our treasured "keeper" things. Mail box got sawed off at ground level last year, so now we have mail sent to our mail forwarding service. Sure did reduce the junk mail problem. No house telephone ... cell phones only.

Now anytime we want, we get in the motorcoach and zoom off. Grass, leaves, snow, all handled by a "service" until the house is sold. When that happens you will hear a roar of jubilation coming from the central Ohio area.

Look in your rear view mirrors. If you see the name "Moonvover" on the nose of the rig behind you, it is us ... we made it out on the road to freedom.

Sagamore · 06-08-2013, 09:16 AM

After DW went thru her stage 3 cancer; chemo; year of three nights a week shots; we went out two years ago and bought our Winnebago; she said we couldn't afford it and I said we couldn't afford not to. We have not looked back. We love it! We originally are from Pittsburgh area but now are from upstate SC.

Cat320 · 06-08-2013, 10:14 AM

Went to the lake (early 70s)...wanted to stay, so we slept in the boat. From then until now...shell on a P/U, slide in P/U 9 1/2" camper, pull behind TT, Class C, 5th wheel, MH.

Pullin' Chocks · 06-08-2013, 10:25 AM

DW's family RVed, I tent camped with friends. We used a 4-Star, 3-horse slant trailer with dressing room and camped for 18 years (previously 4Star4Now on IRV2). Sold the farm and 4-Star last year, living full-time in 37' fifth wheel and enjoying the new lifestyle very much. Parked east of the Chesapeake through December this year until retirement date, then we're "Pullin' Chocks" for wider spaces to the west.