rving by myself or with the grandkids

[pamatloon]

My husband & I are working on our bucket lists (both retired & 62). His list has boating to Alaska and mine is to rv. He got his boat & I will join him for a week but since I get seasick & am not interested, I hope to rv while he's boating. I'm thinking of getting a 5th wheel that I could handle by myself. On occasion I would take 4 grandsons & my daughter. My husbands boating time is mid May- early July and 6 weeks in the fall. We live on a lake so I want to be there in the summer.

I am wondering if there are other "temporarily single" women out there rving by themselves & how they like it. Is it lonely? How do you meet other women in the same situation? Any suggestions on a 5th wheel? Any input would be helpful as I'm clueless. I admire all of you!! Thanks, Pam

[Bethers]

Hi and Welcome, Pam. I noticed you had 2 similar posts, so got you down to just one intro

I'm a single rver and love it. We do have some married ladies who rv alone and I think you'd like more to hear from them - so will hope some of them see your post and chime in here.

Jump on in and make yourself at home.

[avalen]

Welcome, I don't currently get to rv at the moment but I do have a fifthwheel that I
lived in for nearly 4 years and I loved it. I have 3 years to go until retirement and
when that time comes I have to make a decision as to whether I get a truck to pull
the rv or get a class c. I will travel with my little dogs to keep me company but have
considered taking a grown son or daughter on occassion for a 3 day weekend.
This is a great group of ladies to learn from and you will certainly get the chance
to meet some of them as they travel around the country and have little gtg (get
togethers). I have met a few.

[kdmac]

Welcome to the forum. I know you have made your decisions but I just have to say that the "inside passage" to Alaska is probably the most beautiful place on earth! are you sure you wouldn't want to buy a Dramamine Patch and go with him? And seasickness will vanish after a week or so. You could use the patch then wean off of it. I would give anything to take that trip. I was tempted to buy a boat when it was time to purchase the RV but knew that for a variety of reasons it just wouldn't be safe to do that alone. With that said, I am delighted that you have your RV plans, good for you!!!

You won't be alone, you have your husband to have daily contact with, share photos, etc. and us gals from all over the country. On your travels you will likely meet more married couples but they will be terrific, they will love to hear how your husband's trip is going. I always remain a little more intuned to the wife as you don't want to get her upset if you giggle and laugh with her hubby. Once they know you are married it will be fine. I wear my wedding rings quite often (when I buy tires, or get oil changes, etc. they see them and figure they better not cheat me or the big mean ol husband will be all over them) and it's very interesting how that changes the dynamic.

Just "google" 5th wheels and look at interiors and amenities that suit you. Many of the companies are being absorbed by "Thol" and that may be good for quality control and warranty issues.

Sorry about TMI, lately I just can't stop myself from typing little novelettes. Keep chatting with us!

[VickieP]

Welcome to the forum, Pam! There are women here that have 5th wheels so they can give you some good info about theirs. You can also look at the rig thread and see them there.

[Acadianmom]

My husband doesn't want to travel or camp so most of my trips are alone or with my sister. I tried joining a Good Sam chapter but the ones around here don't go very far. I joined the Texas chapter of RVing Women(a national club) and have enjoyed camping with them. You didn't say where you are from but there are chapters all over. I'm from Louisiana and there isn't a chapter here. Some of the Texas rallies are too far but I usually go to 3 or 4 every year. I have been to several get togethers with women from the forums. They have been a lot of fun.

I use to travel with my boys in small motorhomes. It was so much easier to travel with your own bathroom and kitchen when they were small. I have never pulled a 5th wheel so don't know about that.

Martha

[Getupngo]

I am terminally single and I travel alone with my snotty little dog. I don't full-time, but I can be out on the road for three to six months out of the year. It gets as lonely as I let it be. There happen to be people everywhere I go, and if I open my mouth I'm making new friends.

I'm a motor home gal, myself. I've convinced myself that I can't do a 5'er alone. But women here have proved me wrong.

In any event, welcome to the forum. Jump in as often as you like and share with us your joys and your frustrations. Ask away about anything you want to know -- we all have (sometimes differing!) opinions and experiences. Take what you like and leave the rest.

[mitch5252]

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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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[AlmostThere]

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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?

..

Doesn't Casita make a 5th wheel?

Adding my welcome to the forum!!

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome aboard. Have fun with your planning and don't hesitate to dream, plan and go! I am also one of the women that travels with furry pawed navigators and leave a husband behind in a recliner and his pottery studio.... There is no recipe for what works. Sounds as if both of you have activities that are meaningful and fit what you want to do...that is all that matters. COme join us around the campfires...


...and Scamp makes a very petite 5th wheel. CArol and I saw one in our travels after the Nashville gtg two years ago. I also saw one on a lot this summer. Didn't take much of a truck to pull it, that is for sure!

[cpatinjones]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

I have a 34'7" long 5th wheel RV. I love it. After researching pros and cons of motorhomes (A & C), 5th wheels and Travel Trailer, I decided the 5th wheel RV was what would fit my needs and wants for now and future long-stay traveling. I think their is a compromise no matter what type of RV you choose. I am 55 yrs young and don't find it much trouble to hook-up and set-up. I have 3 slides, which makes it very roomy and comfortable.

I RV alone, with grandkids, and meet up for a GTG (get together) or RV Ralley. I am still working and help care for my 93 year old dad, so not using it as much as I want too.

[mtngal]

Hi Pam, welcome to the forum, sounds like you will have the best of both worlds
Have fun shopping for your new rv, and keep us posted!

[longdog2]

Hi Pam
I retired in June and plans were to do a long RV trip and we bought a new truck and 31 ft RV with that in mind. However, at the last minute my husband decided that he couldn't stand to give up his part-time job. I was pretty upset at first then I decided that I wasn't going to give up the plan because he changed his mind so.... I drove the rig to Florida to visit our son just back from Iraq and Afghanistan and then on up to Michigan to visit my brother and other family. On the way home, I went through Elkhart In to see the RV Hall of Fame, visited an old friend in Indiana and then went through Arkansas to visit my other brother. This fall my brother in Michigan passed away unexpectedly and, if I would have given up my travel plans, I would not have gotten to spend that time with him in Michigan. If I would have known that my husband wasn't going to travel like we planned, we probably would have stuck with our travel trailer and F150 instead of the bigger 5th wheel with recliners (for his back) and new diesel. On the other hand, I can pull the RV just fine and and it is very comfortable so I say, go for it. They do make pretty small 5th wheels other than just the Casita, we had 23 and 25 foot ones in the past. Make sure you can be comfortable sitting on the sofa or dinette if that is all there is for sitting. Get an RV you can be comfortable with as the grandkids won't care and won't travel with you all of the time. Good luck.

[Irmi]

Hi Pam and welcome! I have traveled by myself, but only to prove that I could do it alone. I can't wait to hear about your travels.

[Travelinana]

Pam, I am a part time rv'er. My fiancee has no desire to travel.. he runs our business and keeps the house and 2 dogs. I take Rudy with me in my 24' Chinook. If I were traveling even half time I think I would go larger but I love the ease of having nothing to pull. I believe staying with the same length but changing to a Class C with a slide would work for me. My back really needs a recliner but I can sleep comfortably on a sofa putting my left leg over the back relieves my back..I do this at home quite often. As for now I have found I can be ready to go in a few minutes and amazingly I have found other cars give me room. They probably see the look on my face and try to keep as much distance as possible
You are about to make many memories, whatever you choose.. Welcome and keep us posted. I hope you catch on to posting pics better than me. I know how but each time it's relearning because I put it off for fear of having problems
A question for you 5'ers' How do you do this by yourself? Is there new equipment now making it easier for handling the hook and unhook without another set of eyes
My only recommendation is 'one child at a time'. Have a ball!!