Hosta

do you get frustrated with the lack of space? Do you enjoy it? What's it like?

blueangel

We used to spend our winters in ours and I loved it. Since my husband died I don't go anymore. Miss it.

greenini

We don't but we just got back from a 2 month trip in a VW camper, small I know and not completely comparable...but there are folks who DO full time in them! We are both over heated, tired and cranky...partially due to no AC when parked, tho that can be done by using a window unit, we just haven't done it. By not having a big RV or trailer we feel perfectly comfortable eating out a lot and staying in motels when we want/need to.

We used to hang around with the big RV'ers and a lot of them did it for years, but most have now gone back into a house or manufactured home or whatever. I don't think they regretted their full timing since they did it for several years and a lot of them settled somewhere other then where they were originally from.

There are a couple of organizations you might want to check out, Good Sam and SKP's http://www.escapees.com/

If you already camp, try talking to those who already do it. There are a ton of ways to do it, a ton of things to think about....

If you think storage is going to be an issue and as a quilter it might be, think about that as you brainstorm. I knew at least 4 or 5 women who quilted, but I can't think of any that were full timers, doesn't mean it can't be done, but I would think you'd pretty much be limited to buying just enough material for each project or pretty close to it. I can't see carrying much of a stash around in a full timers unit since you will need so much other stuff, including clothes for all weather, tools, food and kitchen stuff...

amma

I lived in a 32" trailer for 2 1/2 years... I don't think I would do that again LOL

Lack of space was a big issue... the littlest things out of place made the whole area look cluttered too :roll:
I will say that the newer ones with tip outs are more spacious, but the walls still tended to close in...

It helped when the weather permitted to be outdoors, but being cooped up all winter was a bit hard to handle.
Pipes freezing, both water and sewer were NOT fun when the temps stayed below freezing for a few weeks at a time... even the heat wraps didn't prevent this LOL

I would love to have one for traveling, but I still want a wheel less home to come back too :D:D:D

QuiltingGrannie

My DH & I loved in a 31' class A RV for 5 years. We traveled the country working in the motorcycle business. We didn't have a home other than that. It was a bit cramped at times, but we learned to do it well. I even had 10 people in it for a sit down spaghetti dinner! (I sat on the step!)

We hauled a16' cargo trailer with our merchandise in it for the shows. We generally didn't have a car with us either.

After 5 years of it I got tired of it.

Ellen

My DH and I did from April 1996 to Dec 1999 and loved it. He was employed by a gov't contractor and we lived in IN, OH, KY, TN etc. Had to look out the window once in a while when I woke up to see where I was planted for the time being.
I had my sewing machine and a lot of my stash...there's storage under the bed and I claimed it for my own, plus the side of the bed. Actually, there's lots of little nooks and crannies you can hide a stash in. We have a 35' Holiday Rambler tagalong with a glide out (I highly recommend a glide out) which also has storage under the couch and banquette. If you can find a camper without a hall by the bathroom, you'll enjoy having a bigger bathroom. When we shut the bathroom door to the kitchen, the closets are opposite the toilet and tub/shower etc. We have full size closet with mirrored sliding doors with BIG drawers underneath. A back bathroom will be small so try to shy away from that.
You will have to weigh the pros and cons of a Motor Home and a tagalong....if the engine in the MH goes wonky, you would need to spend time in a motel while it's being fixed. When our water pump went out in our vehicle, we went to the campground, unhooked and DH took the truck to the Ford garage. They brought him back to the trailer and came and got him the next day when it was fixed.
Try to find one with both a microwave and an oven if you full time. The refrigerator will be smaller than we all like but it's manageable. If you go to camper sale places, they will invariably have trade-ins so much cheaper than new. Ours was 1 yr old and half what it cost new. We still have it and have thought of trading it in for a newer one but we just can't find one we'd give up our bathroom for. Silly, huh. It's just so nice not having a wall to bang your elbow on.
The fact that I had a house when DH and I married and he had the camper helped a lot, I think. If you have a home, I'd think twice about selling it right away...in this day and age, with the crap going on with the housing bust, you'd probably not like the selling price anyway. The house would be your fall back for a couple of years while you decide if you'd be able to adapt to full-timing. I have friends who did sell and they regretted it.....no place to call home.
This is all off the top of my head....if you have specific questions, just say the word. I think you'd really enjoy camping and seeing the country that way. Good luck

Deb watkins

I don't have one, but have often thought that I would like to do that - see the country at leisure and sew as well. I don't have an issue of doing this stuff alone, but as I age (yuck) I realize that it isn't probably the safest thing to consider. So, I settle for traveling when I can and haunt the quilt shops. By far my favorite is the Country Treasures in Chester,VT. If you recall my vacation there in October, it was the store that I hyperventilated in! It is THAT awesome.

Sweeterthanwine

My hubby and I do a lot of traveling in our 40' motorhome. I find there is not enough room to set up any kind of sewing area without having to take it down every time we move. We don't spend too much time in one place. The longest we have been in ours at one time is 3 months. I was glad to get home so I could spread out. Two people under one roof all the time is not my cup of tea. I love being able to get out all my quilting supplies and making a big mess which you can't do in an RV.

BellaBoo

DH always wanted to live full time in one so one summer we rented one of the nicest we could find. The thing was like a hotel on wheels. Plush and all the extras. After taking lessons how to drive, park and set up the thing we headed out on the road. By end of week two I was sick and tired of it but didn't complain. By end of week four, DH asked if I minded heading home. I'm so glad he got that out of his system all on his own.

plainpat

We were full timers for 6 yrs,from the day after DH retired....we left the next morn at sun up along with our 36" 5th wh trailer..Saw 48 states & Canada, a bit of Mexico.Met the nicest ppl & just enjoyed ourselves,doing as we pleased.
When some health probs set in, it was time to head home.Told hub, no more strange Drs or dentists for me :) Making our 3 car garage into our downsized retirement place was a lot of fun & we really settled it.Travel now is either fly/drive or a cruise.
That's a wonderful thing about life. So many diff phases....all a part of living.