rving by myself or with the grandkids

[rvgrammy1953]

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Welcome to the Forum, Pam. I think you'll find you like hanging around here.
We'll look forward to sharing your adventures...

PS: How small do 5th wheels come?

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Doesn't Casita make a 5th wheel?

Adding my welcome to the forum!!

I've seen the Scamp 5th wheel, they're cute and just right for 1 person....Our current 5th wheel is 26 ft....just right for 2 adults and a grand-kid or 2 depending how old they are.....we added a twin size air-mattress for the floor for the taller ones who don't fit on the sofa or "table bed" (as my granddaughter calls it.) anymore....we're up grading this summer to 30 or 31 ft...but as this is our home (we've been full-timing for 6 yrs.) we like to have some extras, like more storage, etc.... anyways, welcome, Pam.....and ask away with your questions and join in the fun where ever....

[dayspring39]

Welcome to this lively bunch of ladies... sorry I did not post earlier... you will only be lonely if you are normally lonely if not no worry... many things to do...
Kathleen

[pamatloon]

My gosh! I am surprised and pleased with all the encouragement! Thanks ladies!! The reason I'm thinking of a 5th wheel is to be able to unhook at the campground and explore the area. Is it easy to unhitch and rehitch? How did you all learn how to tow/back up etc. without wiping out the neighbors? Or.....the embarrassment of a group gathering to watch your 8th try

We live in Washington and winter in Az. We've had a Bigfoot camper for 10 years and love it, tho it gets very small on a long trip. Of course, can't take the grandkids or have a comfy place to sit when the weather is bad. Having said that, I'm thinking of a 28-30 ft 5th wheel with a rear living room. Anyone out there have one? I'd love to hear how you like it......the pros and cons. Thanks! Pam

[Bethers]

Pam, I've never hooked/unhooked a 5th wheel, but was just at my g/f's and she can do theirs if she has to, but only if she absolutely has to. But we are all different. Talk to those who have them and see how they feel about it. Then, before you buy one, make sure you get the opportunity at a dealer to do the hooking and unhooking. Tell them you could never buy without doing that. Now, I willl say, it will be easier than the 1st time - as even with my toad, the first time was harder, just because of nerves and learning something new. Now it's fairly easy for me with the toad. (My way to go - mh and toad).

Good luck! And again, make sure you do it before you purchase. Lori and Ernie's is a rear living room - one of my fav 5th wheels.

[Liz]

Welcome to the forum! Best wishes on your 5th wheel search. Do keep us posted on your progress. I can't help you with your hitch/unhitch question 'cause I don't do that, but others here do, so I'm sure they'll chime in.

[Birdie]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of ladies with lots of different kind of rigs and setups. Several that have 5ers, many with TT, some with A's and lots of C's, and also many B's and B Pluses. So one size doesn't fit all. You will get the chance of a life time driving to AK. That's on my list to do in 2012. So which of the Bigfoot is it that you have?

Well, I have just the rig for you. It is a Class C, 30' and it has 4 bunk beds in the back, a jack-knife sofa, the "table bed", and a bed over the cab. Can sleep 8 easily and 10 in a pinch. Okay, okay, you don't want to have the grandkids all the time, I know. But don't rule out a Class C or small Class A with a toad, or a regular travel trailer pulled by a truck. So just ask away any questions that you have and you will certainly get myriad of answers as you can already see.

[longdog2]

Pam
I've done both the travel trailer hook-up and 5th wheel hook-up by myself. I find the 5th a little easier; however, I didn't have one of those handy dandy little line up tools they have for travel trailers. One goes on the bumper and one on the hitch and then you back up until they touch and you are there. I know you'll be able to find something that you can get comfortable with hooking up. It just takes a little practice.

[Readytogo]

OR, take all Gkids at once and get it over with!!! Welcome Pam. You have joined a great and fun group. Im Wendy from Ala

[Leana]

My husband says his idea of roughing it is when room service quits at midnight. So for years it was the kids & I RVing. Now it's mostly me, but the great thing is two of my grown kids have RV's now, so we have great family camp-outs too. Don't worry about going without the hubby! There are many, many of us that do just that.
I don't know about hooking and unhooking fifth wheels. I've always gone with the motor home and toad myself.

And check out the "RVing Women" website to see if there's a chapter near you. They're a great bunch of characters! Although they are headquartered in Apache Junction Arizona, I believe they actually have a membership owned campground in Sequim Washington too. There are chapters all around the country.
There's also Family Campers & RVers (http://www.fcrv.org). They're a fun bunch too.

You're about to set out on an exhilarating adventure. You'll love it!

[Acadianmom]

Leana, your DH sounds a lot like mine. Mine says he can stay in a lot of motels for what an RV costs and I say they don't build motels where I want to stay. lol I started out with my 2 boys and when I couldn't bribe them anymore I go alone or with my sister. I am from Louisiana but I was so happy to find the Texas Chapter of RVW. That is a great bunch to camp with. I have met some of the forum members either coming through or at rallies.

I have a motorhome so don't know much about 5th wheels or pulling a trailer.

Martha

[pamatloon]

OKAY LADIES!!! I got the 5th wheel. It's a 26 ft. Denali with 2 slide outs! Whoo hoo!! Now, I need your help. I absolutely need an RV GPS. So far, everything I have read is rated 3 stars with lots of issues. I need one that shows the easy access gas stations, good campground and of course accurate routes. I love the backroads. Does anyone have experience with a good (or bad) GPS they would recommend for RVing? Thanks ahead of time

[Bethers]

OKAY LADIES!!! I got the 5th wheel. It's a 26 ft. Denali with 2 slide outs! Whoo hoo!! Now, I need your help. I absolutely need an RV GPS. So far, everything I have read is rated 3 stars with lots of issues. I need one that shows the easy access gas stations, good campground and of course accurate routes. I love the backroads. Does anyone have experience with a good (or bad) GPS they would recommend for RVing? Thanks ahead of time

You are going to find folks who love the one they have, and others who hate the same one. All I can suggest is that you find one that works for you. My Tom (TomTom) works fine for me - but others want more from a gps than I do. I use atlases for planning my routes - only use the gps to back it up. And I never trust Tom (or any gps) completely.

Very exciting that you got your 5th wheel. Have heard lots of good things about the Denali's. Enjoy it.

[longdog2]

I just have a regular Garmin myself but I read a number of blogs and these are some of the recommendations.

Gypsy Journal
Garmin Trucker 465T Trucker GPS – I really like this GPS. It includes special features for big rigs, and allows you to input your vehicle’s specific height, width, and weight, and then selects routes best suited for that vehicle. It also alerts us to traffic congestion up ahead, suggests detours, and has live updates, all included in the price of the unit. The GPS also has built-in info on truck repair facilities, truck stops, diesel fuel locations, and other data that RVers can use. Another built-in feature I like is that the GPS alerts us to low bridges, crosswinds and other potential hazards along our route. The only complaint I had was that the volume was much too low to be heard, even at the highest setting. A couple of months after I got it, the sound stopped working completely. I contacted Garmin’s support folks, who were not exactly helpful. After getting some feedback from an online users forum, I went to the Garmin website and uploaded new firmware. It took a couple of hours, but it not only restored the sound, it is now much louder. I’d buy it all over again

You can also go back to the Tech portion of the forum for a discussion there. I think http://www.womenrv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3084 will take you there.

[Paulette]

I've got the new rand McNally gps for rvers and find it very useful and user friendly. Especially like the fact that it recognizes that I am in an rv!

[Birdie]

Glad you have your rig. Sounds nice. Don't forget, we really like to ooh and aahh over new or new to you rigs.

I have the 465T (T for traffic). I like it. It helps if you know about where you are going so that if it lies to you, you don't get caught. It has lane assist and that helps when traveling through a town/city. It does have the fuel, shop repairs (I hope I don't have to use that) and other things. Mine needs updating and like all maps, if you don't get it updated you aren't going to be up to snuff. I have had 3 other Garmin GPSs too. Have recently wondered about the Rand McNally. I hope one of the Alaska trip gals gets one of those so we can compare them on the road.

Any of them will work, you just need to decide if you want lane assist, traffic alerts, and portability by foot. Then make your pick.

Don't stay away so long next time.