R U an RV Mutant too?
 

Just for fun! :) A while back Campdaven was in a DEEP quandary and posted a thread to that effect. What troubled him was that his current MH has lots of toys, FAR more than his previous rigs, BUT he does not have:

"Heat pumps, TPMS, 4 slides (only 2), Electric basement door locks, Keyless entry, ScanGuage (et al), Residential refer, Solar panels, LED lights, Satellite dish, Clear coat, Diamond Shield, Bra, Toad guard, Full width Mud flap, Spare tire, Engine performance chip, Motion sensor lights, Window awnings, Mini-fridge - Freezer, Washer/dryer, Ice maker, Dishwasher, Extra bath, Extend-a-stay, Outdoor recliners, Exhaust brake, Bike rack, A BIRD? (no clue), Rope lights, 2 way radio, Extended Warranty".

He asked , "Why do I not miss this stuff, and why am I happy without them? Am I a mutant?" I replied, “Yes, an RV mutant. Takes one it know one.” While our rig has some things Daves doesn’t, I understand where he's coming from. We traveled many years and miles in a '91 Airstream 190 B Van bought new and kept it until a short while ago. We traveled light and happy. Dave has a diesel in the front, ours is in the rear, yours may be a gasser. No engine qualifications for RV Mutants.

Our Bounder does not have a lot of fancy stuff and doesn't look like the lobby of a casino. That's the way this RV Mutant likes it. BUT, opulent rig owners can be RV Mutants too. We can’t all have everything, so we get what suits our circumstance, are glad we did and mutate to meet our environment. We don't miss what we don't have. To the RV Mutant, as Dave likes to say “The journey is our destination.“ The goal isn’t to own the most expensive rig, with the most gadgets, or the place you thought you wanted to go. It’s the adventure of getting there your way and exploring and finding things, places, and people you never imagined existed and adapting or “mutating” to meet the adventure.

Since his original post we have identified some qualities we agree on. You may agree or not, but your thoughts on how to have a great journey are invited.




RV Mutants

• Protect and grow the nest egg.
• Don't carry debt. You need the space for important things.
• Plan your escape and escape your plans. Make the dream happen, then wing it.
• Don't miss what ya ain't got. Be happy with ya have and to be on the road, your way.
• Take what ya think ya need and when ya figure out ya don't need it - get rid of it.
• Take care of what ya have.
• We also like to pay others to work. Will do small things but won’t wash and wax 33+ feet for instance. We're retired!
• Dave and I both owe our adventure to our DWs who enjoy laughing at us and keeping us in line. :bow:

If you are or think you might be an RV Mutant let us know what ya ain't got and don't need - or what ya must have and how you roll - or any qualities ya think make for a happy RV life, present or future. Dave is full timing now - we will be next year - so how ya did you do it, are you an adaptable mutant or a hard schedule planner, and why? Ya don’t have to be full time or ever plan to be in order to be an RV Mutant. But ya can’t worry about what you can’t control, must control the things ya can, and mutate to meet adventures that come your way. This is just for fun and many aspects have been covered already - but hey - If you feel like being a RV Mutant, join in the discussion. Either way -

Safe and happy RV mutating. :popcorn:
RVM2 Steve
When you get to this sign - turn right and you'll be in RV Mutant land in no time.
Attachment 36923

DW and I are so blessed it would be whining to discuss too many "wants". Our MH is so much of an upgrade from our 5er (that we had no tow vehicle for so it sat at the CG for 11 years), we are "living our dream one mile at a time".

I guess I'd say that I miss my king sized bed and my cable TV the most. Satellite systems seem to be too expensive for its limited use and a king bed doesn't fit in my 2011 Coachmen SportsCoach (unless I'm missing some technique that will enable the width).

Oh yea, 18 mpg would be nice. Now see, I'm whining.

Papawto5 - recognizing we're blessed to have the life we do is high on the list to adapting to the RVM life. We are budgeting to have an occasional night or two now and then in a hotel to cover the king bed and garden tub we wont have - but not miss. It's just nice to have a change of pace now and then. I've said it before, there's something about a hotel bar, room service and putting on your best duds. Enjoy the journey 1 mile at a time!

Steve, I can't count the number of times I/we have looked at our Bounder and then compared it to the high dollar rigs. Our Bounder has everything we need and it also has some things that those other rigs don't. We bought it for what we wanted not for what some one else wanted. Every now and then I think, I wish I had something better but, then I wake up and remember why we bought the one the did. It gets us where we are wanting to go, it allows us to live the way we want to and, it is comfortable for us. As you know later this year we are going to the BOA/BU rally in Ohio. This will be the longest trip we have ever taken in our rig. We are looking forward to this trip not only because of where we are going but, because we will be doing what we enjoy. Seeing this great country of ours through the windshield of our wonderful Bounder motor home. So, if this makes me a RV Mutant then I am glad to be one.

Jerry

Jerry - Dave is RVM1, this makes you RVM3. Who knows. Maybe one day there will be an RVM rally and we all get together and share adventures in like minded journeys! Look forward to that day. :D

Hey, I am holding an RVM rally right now!

33% participation of all members from across the country is pretty good, dontcha think?

RVM1 - we'll have better participation next year. And Jerry is relatively close to me and we may have 66% before the year ends.

Hope all is well!

Perhaps 100% participation!
RVM could set an all time RV club record.
Whatcha think, Jerry...er...RVM3?

Any more RV Mutants out there?
Give us a shout

Sounds a lot like "Zen and the Art of...RV Living"!
I am a wannabe RVM. What I don't have and don't need (among many other things) is insulation--because I don't want to go anywhere the temp drops below 50. What I do require is a comfortable hammock and a good book.

YOU are qualified!
RVM4?

Woohoo! :)

RVM1, sounds good to me. I have those rallies a lot also, RVM1. Let's get it on.

RVM1 (Jerry)

Forgot something. Welcome aboard RVM4.

RVM3

4kids - been following your posts since ya joined up the other day. Welcome! You're a quick study on the Zen and the the art of... Your screen name and RVM4 are in balance. How cool is that? If you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - perhaps we should dub you Phaedrus - but only in the most positive and mutant like manner.

Ya either get it or don't. If you think or know you're an RV Mutant, let's hear from you.
RVM2 - Steve and Annie