Blythe campsite

[OutandAbout]

It looks like a good set up for the two of you. You have the "family room" and then a room for some privacy. As far as the RV goes, you can look at the hybrid trailers that have the tent like sleeping area(s) like a pop up trailer. If it's raining, if you don't use the tent area, you don't have to worry about putting it away wet. The best of both worlds. Linda

[Echo]

Yeah we have thought about the hybrids. Lori also mentioned them. We've looked and even used they aren't cheap as they haven't been out that long. An actual pop-up just wouldn't work out at all.

We are still up in the air about our future RV. For convenience sake a C would be great. But would mean upkeep on 2 vehicles along with the insurance. And of course a truck and TT. Only one motor to worry about and less tires too.

I guess we will end up with whatever we find and can afford. Maybe a pup-tent and a wheelbarrow?

[VickieP]

Maybe a pup-tent and a wheelbarrow?

How about a bicycle towing one of those little red wagons!
You could pump Kelly on the handlebars!

[Echo]

Maybe a pup-tent and a wheelbarrow?

How about a bicycle towing one of those little red wagons!
You could pump Kelly on the handlebars!

Not hardly!!! My fat old butt would be in the wagon and her young azz would be peddling down the highway!

[Pooker]

Years ago, when we advanced from tents and dining canopies to a pop up tent trailer we were in heaven! The best of both worlds! Easy to hook-up and tow and easy to set up and we finally didn't have to pump up 5 air mattresses! Now they even have bathrooms - didn't then, but that was the only fly in the ointment. It was probably the most versatile of all our camping solutions: no motor to maintain, insure, etc.; not high enough to scrape on low hanging branches; tows like it's not there; and you can pack a lot permanently inside so very little set up at the site.

Later on we had friends with one of those Hi-Lo types and that one REALLY had everything! If my car hadn't been a small compact I would have looked into one of those instead of Flitter (not that I don't love her, you understand, but she is a lot more expensive to keep). I was very impressed with their layout and their storage.

Pooker

[Birdie]

I admire you, Echo, doing the tent thing. Kelly, being a tad younger has bones that don't protest quite like the old ones do. I haven't tented in at least 30 years and don't think I could do that. I always hated it when it rained and the getting up in the night for the bathroom. i.e. gone soft in my older age.

My brother has a 21' Hi-Lo and it is really neat. Has sofa bed, and a drop down 'full bed' and I get the dinette bed when I visit them during campouts, full bath, good kitchen layout. Tents are cheaper to maintain than any wheeled or motored outfit, plus you usually get to try the primitive sites that are awesome. But when you get a tent leak it's awful to deal with. But then probably will be when I get one in Bunkie, too.

[bluepinecones]

Thanks for the pix of your temp home. Like others said, must admire your ability to do the tent camping. Really glad to see the weather has improved out there.

[Echo]

Weather out here the past week has been great! Still cool at night and I know for sure that we're not done with the cold yet. Might still end up picking up another ele space heater. We can always use it at the Lodge and later in an RV of whatever sort. So it wont be a waste of money.

I like tent camping. But like I said it is a little harder to get up off the ground lately.

[Sparkle]

Effen it was me...I would buy a 3/4 ton truck as the first stage. Then when the money flows again buy a TT. Yes they are a bitch to back in, but I do it as little as possible. Then when there is more money trade in the TT for a 5th wheel.

[Bethers]

If we're going to do the iffen bit - I'd have bought a used chalet or such like Cedar had - it's not forever, can be towed with a small vehicle (probably what you have - would give you a kitchen and 2 sleeping areas - and you'd still be able to have your tent for living in outside - but at least have beds. But that's me. Sleeping on the ground is not my cup of tea - even with air mattresses. And I like having hookups -

That said - one other comment - I haven't seen any tt that would give you less tires with the truck and tt as a Class C - total 6 tires on the 6 - total 8 tires with Jean's truck and tt. Yep, it does mean 2 engines if you tow a car with a C - but that isn't often the problem people like to make it out to be.

[Echo]

Effen it was me...I would buy a 3/4 ton truck as the first stage. Then when the money flows again buy a TT. Yes they are a bitch to back in, but I do it as little as possible. Then when there is more money trade in the TT for a 5th wheel.

Yep I am really leaning towards a truck and TT. Have no idea why? But have never been interested in a 5'er. Guess it's the idea of losing the space in the truck bed and tho it sound funny coming from a former tractor trailer driver? It really gives me the willies seeing a truck and 5'er. The 5'er just seems to over shadow and sorta over whelms the truck. Silly I know!

Backing up a truck and TT in wont bother me but for sure will have to teach Kelly how!

[Echo]

If we're going to do the iffen bit - I'd have bought a used chalet or such like Cedar had - it's not forever, can be towed with a small vehicle (probably what you have - would give you a kitchen and 2 sleeping areas - and you'd still be able to have your tent for living in outside - but at least have beds. But that's me. Sleeping on the ground is not my cup of tea - even with air mattresses. And I like having hookups -

That said - one other comment - I haven't seen any tt that would give you less tires with the truck and tt as a Class C - total 6 tires on the 6 - total 8 tires with Jean's truck and tt. Yep, it does mean 2 engines if you tow a car with a C - but that isn't often the problem people like to make it out to be.

OMG Beth, you haven't heard Kelly and I snore!!! Only what we could ever get any sleep in a Chalet or something small is by using earplugs!!! We have to have something with at least one door to be able to close and muffle the sound. Did think really hard about a pop-up tho.

Tires? Truck and TT=8. Class C with toad=10. No one has really said anything about having 2 engines pro or con. That's my thinking plus the need of carrying the higher insurance of the second vehicle. Tho I have no idea what the difference in cost of insurance between what a toad would be vs a TT.

[Forestgal]

I have to weigh in on this finally.

I've been chided for having champagne taste on a beer budget. That said, I started out with a pop-up because that's what I could afford. It worked well for me, and when I was able to afford something bigger I got it. I liked that too, but when I could afford a little more I traded again. Echo, if you wait until you can afford the biggest and best I'm afraid you'll be going through lots of tents and air mattresses. And the snoring -- you can't get much farther apart than in a pop-up. Ear plugs would work, and you would each have your own bed, little fridge, sink, and maybe even a cassette toilet/shower combo. I had that in my pop-up in a 10' box -- AC too!

You don't have to have it all now -- just something that's maybe a bit safer and sturdier. Frankly, I'm worried that you're going to be in a tent for another 2+ months.

Okay, I'm done.

[Echo]

I have to weigh in on this finally.

I've been chided for having champagne taste on a beer budget. That said, I started out with a pop-up because that's what I could afford. It worked well for me, and when I was able to afford something bigger I got it. I liked that too, but when I could afford a little more I traded again. Echo, if you wait until you can afford the biggest and best I'm afraid you'll be going through lots of tents and air mattresses. And the snoring -- you can't get much farther apart than in a pop-up. Ear plugs would work, and you would each have your own bed, little fridge, sink, and maybe even a cassette toilet/shower combo. I had that in my pop-up in a 10' box -- AC too!

You don't have to have it all now -- just something that's maybe a bit safer and sturdier. Frankly, I'm worried that you're going to be in a tent for another 2+ months.

Okay, I'm done.

Oh believe me we do not have champagne tastes. And Kelly doesn't like beer. No we are not waiting on the biggest or the best. If we were? We might as well give up and go home. I have really thought hard about a pop-up and a pickup truck. Need the truck for the stuff that wont fit in the pop-up of course. Altho I'm not all that crazy about setting up or tearing down in the rain. He77 we do that now sometimes. And it's not any freaking fun. I've been camping in a pop-up lots of times with 2 different couples I know. And yeah it would work for a little while. But both couples could hardly stand it until they got a TT.

So no we aren't gonna hold out for a monster coach with all the bells and whistles. But a decent TT or mid sized C would be nice. And a lot of campgrounds want work campers in hard sided RV's. "Looks" don't ya know.

What's the worry about tenting it for the next 2 months? It's not the Ritz but we're comfortable enough, dry, have separate sleeping 'rooms', only things missing is a bathroom and shower right at hand.

[BarbaraRose]

To those of you who have had pop-ups, my concern would be safety (either human or animal intruders). Did you have any concerns about that? How easy/hard are they to set up/take down for one person? Could it be pulled by a small wagon? Just curious...

Barbie