We have a 33' fifth-wheel camper...We were our for three months last year and it was a lot of fun....I always take my sewing machine and a small folding table to work on...Most camping sites have electric, cable TV, and Wi-fi..You can buy a Woodall camping book that lists all the campgrounds in the US. We decide each morning how far we will drive and call ahead and make a reservation for that day...I like a trailer over a motorhome...It is much easier to leave it in a park and venture around as you like in the truck...It also takes less fuel to pull the trailer..We are lucky to have storage so we don't have to pay for that...There is a lot to consider before buying..Make a pro and con list before you buy...

There is an important factor to this discussion that has not been addressed much in this discussion. Almost all of the discussion here has centered around using an RV as a substitute for staying in motels. For almost everyone, using an RV as a substitute for staying in motels is probably NOT cost effective. But that is not the main reason that we have an RV! We have an RV to go camping, to enjoy the great outdoors, to experience nature, lakes, streams, woods, national parks, state parks. We love walking out of our camper and hike beautiful trails, or take our kayak out on a lake or a river. We love to watch eagles, great blue herons, hawks, and other birds. We love to learn about various trees, wildflowers, mushrooms, frogs, turtles and just about everything else in nature. Living in a camper for days or weeks at a time, in the midst of all of this nature, at an out-of-the-way campground is a beautiful way to experience all of this nature. There is no substitute for this by staying in a hotel.

This is the main reason we have an RV! We also use it for traveling but that is a secondary benefit to having a camper!

We love our RV! Because 1) no worries about Bedbugs and sanitation 2) No worries about finding a rest area for a john 3) The cats get to go too 4)We don't have to search out restaurants which serve vegetarian food (which can be a real pain) 5) so far, we can meander as we wish without worrying about advance reservations. 6) We can ENJOY NATURE in our beautiful national and state parks 7) We love traveling the USA - no change of language to deal with. 8) We can visit family clear across the country and still have our own digs to retreat to - (DH is somewhat of a hermit) 9) we can take the motorcycle or bikes on the rack on the back so we can get around when we are parked. 10)Walmart is so helpful to the budget on the way anywhere - we feel relatively safe there, and usually want some fresh produce or (Bad girl) donuts anyway.

Ours isn't as fancy as the new ones with bump outs, but the last owner bought a new mattress and new couch, and its great for our very limited budget. I can drive it, but DH loves driving and I love knitting or reading so you know who books most of the miles. He is mechanical and a problem solver which is good when it comes to those details. I haven't taken quilting projects on our trips - too busy enjoying books, puzzles, conversations, photography, sight seeing, and hiking. If we keep taking longer trips, I may consider taking a project or two, but I like my quilting here at home with all my spread out space in the basement.

Everybody is different - hope you find whatever is a fit for you and have a great time!

We just picked up what will probably be our last RV today. It's a 36' Coachman Express travel trailer with 3 slides. We have camped in everything from tents to a pop-up camper on a pickup, 3 motor homes and 2 travel trailers. This last one was bought with my hobby in mind. There may be two of us, but the back bedroom has a slide out and is bunkhouse style, meaning (in this case) there are bunks on each side . The one on the left is above the outdoor kitchen, the one on the right is above two chair type futons. It lifts when not in use and under it, with the removal of the futons, will be the place where I put a table and my sewing machine. The living area has two slides, one by the door holds the kitchen, the other covers the dinette and couch. There is also an island where the sink is, a good sized TV and can be swung around to that back bedroom is DH isn't using it. It sits on an electric fireplace. This particular unit has the short queen bed in the front bedroom, but we've found that no problem with this as long is there is space at the end of the bed. I can't wait to hit the road. About 15 years ago we purchased a life time membership with a campground program here in Michigan. There are 5 well maintained campground we can go to for 2 weeks at a time (one week off - then repeat) at no extra cost. However, we like to travel cross-country. Now, I'm not sure I will be doing much driving (esp. backing up) with this unit -- but if needed, reckon I could. I drove a 30' class C motor home by myself from AZ to MT to MI. Would rather have company, but learned to handle problems as they came up (like getting 2 new tires in UT on a Sunday, driving through the edge of a wildfire, needing two more tires in MT, & fixing a few other things.) There is so much to see and to pick up on the thoughts of several others -- I like my own clean sheets to sleep on, like taking my critters who are old and need constant meds, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow campers. Hope you enjoy your unit!

Well, did you get one? Tell us all about it!

We bought one! It's a fifth wheel and in great shape. We bought from a local couple who are really friendly and helpful. They upgraded to a newer and bigger RV. My DH and the fellow selling got along so well that DH is going to do some electrical work for him. I have us booked into a park in New York for a weekend in July and Vermont in August. Then in September we are heading to Vermont, New Hampshire and Virginia- Whoooohoooo! DH has a side job working at the races all through the summer so now he has a place to stay when he goes. Up till this point he has always left early, early in the morning and back late that night. He is a happy man. I am finishing up a couple of baby quilts for our future grandson, then I want to figure out a project to take with us on the road. So thanks everyone for the tips and stories!