In the summer, I like to hit the road. Whether for a few hours, a day, or a weekend – the long, temperate days and good driving conditions make it a joy to range further afield.
I have plans for taking much longer road trips, once I am retired. I wrote about that here (during last year’s A-Z Challenge), and also here.
I am still thinking about this almost daily and flip-flopping between a trailer to pull behind me or a small RV (when I am not calculating how many nights’ stay in motel rooms would come close to the cost of either of these options – even second-hand). 😉
I am fortunate that my home is zoned commercial/residential, which means I can park a trailer or RV year-round on my property, even though I am in town – I checked with the by-law officer a few years ago.
My fantasy rig has me road tripping in full-on glamping style:
So far my pros and cons list for each type looks something like this:
Small trailer Pros
- Roomier
- Can leave at campsite while using vehicle to explore surrounding area
- Better for extended stays somewhere
Small trailer Cons
- Have to learn to tow
- Entering/leaving my driveway will be difficult (incline, and on busy street)
- Need bigger vehicle than I currently own, in order to tow even the tiniest trailer
Camping Van Pros
- Can fit in regular parking space
- Easier to drive and manoeuvre
- Better for trips in which only planning to stay 1-2 nights max in each place
- Can rent one to try out before I buy
Camping Van Cons
- Now I have to own and maintain 2 motor vehicles
- Have to pack up the campsite every time I need to go to town or do some local exploring
- Less space to move around in
I’m currently leaning towards the camping van, as I envision my first few years of road trips will be more driving around than staying in one place. Perhaps I could pack a bike or an electric scooter, for local exploring.
No matter what I decide upon, once I am retired I can chase summer year-round….Canadian road-tripping in the summer, and heading south of the border in the winter.
What about you? Is road-tripping your thing too? Any thoughts or advice to share? What would you choose – a trailer or an RV?
Rock on,
The WB
Can you guess my theme for this year’s A-Z Challenge? All of my A-Z posts this month will be tied into my theme, which is represented by the title of a song that was popular when I was a child. Can you figure it out as the days (and posts) go by? Leave your guesses (one per day only, please) in the comments. At the end of the challenge, I will reveal the theme. Have fun!
Not my thing, Deb. I don’t like the busyness of campsites and trailer parks. Nevertheless, those are definitely very glamorous interiors and I can see the appeal! If I were doing it, I’d probably choose the RV with electric scooter option. I like the idea of travelling in my home rather than towing it.
Have a good day, Deb.
In my fantasy road trip life, I am alone under the stars by a gurgling stream in the shadow of the mountains…hehehehe! Forgot to mention that. Thanks for the reminder of reality…er…I think! 😉
You have a great day too, Karen!
Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sky and the Family Stone!
Thanks for the guess, Susan!
SLY oops
Although I sometimes fantasize about hitting the road indefinitely with my ‘home’ attached to me like a turtle, I know it would be a life I just couldn’t be comfortable with. It would be the driving and parking part. Admittedly, those 2 parts aren’t great at the best of times unless I’m far from the crowd … but could I always be able to avoid cities and their inevitable traffic.
… but dream on! There is a lot to be said about sitting out in front of your own little place in the early hours of the morning with cup of coffee, or late at night around a small fire with drink in hand 🙂
I don’t know about indefinitely, but I would like to have a road trip of a few weeks’ duration. Then to come home to my comfy place to unpack and plan the next adventure.
Yep, there is a lot to be said about getting out there, whether in a tent, trailer or RV! Thanks Joanne!
It’s a hard decision for everyone and there is no right or wrong decision. Renting until you know is smart. We loved road trips and started out with tenting in state parks, then moved up to a camper on the back of a pick up truck (good for us because we own the trucks for business) pulled a camper one year but didn’t like parking it, finally we rented a motor home once and ended up buying a very small one which was the best set up for us and our dog. You can get bikes to go into town and a small tent to leave behind on your campsite so you don’t have to pack up everything when you leave for a couple of hours (mostly to hold your spot). We loved the camping parks and getting to meet people from different areas and ran into very few bad situations. One thing you might look into is there are associations for women campers all over the world who travel in caravans. Safety in numbers and good if you break down and need help. A widow friend of mine didn’t want to give up traveling in her camper when her husband died and joined one and she loves it.
Oooh, I like the small tent idea! I do know about the camping organization for women and am interested in Sisters on the Fly. Thanks Jean!
I’m not inclined to be a road-tripper. I consider a motel without room service to be roughing it. On the flip side, these are beautifully decorated RVs that could easily be a Chick Shack [or She Shed] in our backyard!
I’ve seen that done – the trailer getting made over into a SheShed. My whole place is a SheShed/ChickShack already – just one of the many joys of living alone. I also like the hotel/motel life but RVing or owning a small trailer still has a lot of appeal for me. I’d never have to worry about booking ahead or taking my chances on getting a room. I get tired, I pull over or head to the nearest Walmart parking lot. Thanks for the comment, Ally!
I do fantasize about road-tripping, but I wouldn’t want to live in a camper. My daughter-in-law’s mother does, and she loves it. She doesn’t camp in campgrounds. She and her friends camp out west in the unused spaces. And they don’t put their campers close together. She has a little camper with an English garden painted on it, similar to the one you posted above. She’s an artist, so she painted it herself, and she paints other people’s campers too. That’s a whole lifestyle though, and not what you’re talking about, I suspect. These are people whose only possessions are in their campers and vans. I’ll email you a video of my co-MIL talking about her lifestyle. It works for her.
Thanks for sending me the pictures, Reticula! Such a cute trailer. You’re right, I’m not talking about adopting trailering as a lifestyle. Not yet, anyways!
I have traveled 5 times since she passed 1045 days ago (I didn’t count them, I have an app). Two flying,California to see my brother and his family, and New Orleans (top of my bucket list). I also drove three times.
When she was in the last nursing/rehab facility, we saw Paula Dean on tv and agreed we’d go to Savannah to eat in her restaurant when her health improved. It never did. She passed a few weeks later. So six months later, I drove from NYC to Savannah. If you haven’t been there, GO! The city is charming and amazing. I ate in Paula Dean’s, and the waiter asked me how the food was, I told him it was great and that She would have loved it. He told me to bring her the next time, I told him I wish I could.
Since then I have taken 2 other road trips as part of trying to fulfill my bucket list, driven to Montreal to see a hockey game there and last summer, to Cleveland and Canton to go to the Rock and Roll and Pro Football Halls of fame. While there, I also visited the house that the movie A Christmas Story was filmed in and also took in an Indians game.
Road trips can be theraputic, driving down the highway, windows open, cranking some music (I recomend some Zeppelin). The downside is, looking over to the other seat and the person who you thought would be with you for the rest of your life isn’t there, your snacks are.
I cant wait to get out on the road again (hit it Wille!)
Be well
Don
Good for you for getting out there, Don, and working on your bucket list even though it’s not how you wanted it or envisioned it happening. I was in Cleveland for a work meeting a few years ago and loved it. Also loved the Rock Hall (naturally!). I have created a playlist on iTunes for road trips that is 13 hours long and growing. I will add Savannah to my list, thanks!
Deb
I love a good road trip!
Paul and I would love an RV. We think we want a tow-behind one, because it gives us so much more flexibility to explore with the smaller car. On our honeymoon, we used my parents’ truck camper (one of those campers in a truck bed). It was a little small for the two of us, so we think something bigger than a van is necessary. Plus, we have pets to drag around with us, and they clearly need some space, too.
I think for two people (and pets of course) a trailer is the better option. I don’t know how I could hook up a trailer without someone to help me…unless there was a special backup camera to help me position the hitch. I’ve considered one of those truck campers too. I could probably rent one of them to try out as well. Thanks for the comment, Sarah!
I would definitely rent and test first – taking the week in my parents’ showed Paul and I a lot about what we wanted and didn’t want, as well as what worked best for us.
Thanks Sarah! I think that is a wise move as well.
As much as I love hiking, I could never do a long distance hike because I refuse to sleep in a tent, on the ground, without comfort. Your style looks much more inviting. Glamping is the only way to go! Looks like fun.
I’ve thought about thru-hiking too but I wonder if that ship has sailed, for me. Not a fan of sleeping on the hard ground either, or having to haul many pounds of gear on my back all day. Hike all day and come “home” to a glamping van or trailer for a nice glass of wine or a cold beer by the campfire? Now you are talking!
Great minds think alike, Deb! I also choose a ‘Road Trip’ (of sorts) for my ‘R’ post. Love these photos. In hindsight, your theme hints were excellent.
I look forward to catching up on your posts, Donna!