View Full Version : Cool campers and tricked out trailers!
Ultralight
6-28-19, 7:37am
Hey all of you who have campers and such, let me live vicariously through you!
Post some pics, share some stories, make me green with envy.
I'd like to hear about your experiences (good and bad) with living that nomad life -- full time, part time, or just on weekends.
:cool::+1::thankyou:
2846
Here is a a pic of our old camper trailer. It was a 1964 Streamline. Unfortunately it was totaled in a hail storm. No more camping for us.
We are looking for a mini-camper, and I'd love to get a used Happier Camper (https://happiercamper.com)or Airstream Nest. (https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/nest/)
They're above my budget, but they are cool!!
I liked the prototype Airstream Nest, but not the one they actually came out with. The prototype had a shelf across one side with folding chairs that could fit underneath. The actual one has a solid cabinet, making it less flexible, and more closed-in/crowded.
Most of the trailers/motor homes I've seen so far either aren't my aesthetic (colors/fabrics/cabinet colors), or have storage /everywhere/ for those people who have to bring everything with them and therefore feel crowded. I have more of a minimal aesthetic. I'd like to see more trailers with murphy beds, so the space is opened up the rest of the time when you aren't sleeping. I've only seen those on the high end price wise. Other than sprinter vans, I don't find much geared to just two people, there's the assumption of at least 4 people and their stuff.
The Airstream Basecamp is the closest to what I like as far as aesthetics, but they went just a bit too far in the no storage direction: they only have hanging nets for your items which I find more cluttered looking than a simple cabinet. It'd be ok for a weekend but not any longer than that- but that plays in with their targeted millenial customer for this model.
Teacher Terry
6-28-19, 9:50am
We bought a 1993 Winnebago motor home 11 years ago with low miles from a friend. Everything is plastic and is breaking just from age. Sometimes it’s only a rolling tent. It’s expensive to fix. It’s fine for short trips but on long ones the gas costs a fortune and private RV parks are expensive. Because it’s old we don’t have slide outs. Last year we took a 4K month trip with 4 dogs and took the car. It was much cheaper to stay at motel 6, eat meals out instead of cook then taking the RV. We have used it more as a guest bedroom.
This is my 28' motorhome sitting on the beach in North Carolina's Outer Banks. We've spent 3 of the last 4 Christmas breaks in that very same spot.
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12373369_10205823760139312_7293175835719210667_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQlU5gPTT17Hn2jfkECqmvyA6CTKNDRWPK1KMGh0FLJ ttMshDT5o7jVsC2q0VMmDDgt9Rr2pEjGJJoHmzTukNcAU&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=a7236dd61252c5e7f3f5fe1df5e577cc&oe=5D7FC7A8
Over the last 10 years we've traveled from border to border and coast to coast, exploring 39 states so far. We've filled our National Parks Passport with stamps and will need to get another this year. We've rafted most of the top white water rivers in the US but focused mostly on the New and Gauley Rivers in WV to get our white-water fix. We've visited American Revolution and Civil War sites all along the East and Gulf coasts. We've taken the grandkids to Yellowstone and Yosemite, the Everglades and along every mile of the Natchez Trace. We've slept in National and State Parks, Commercial RV parks, WalMart parking lots and truck stops as we've taken several long weekend trips per year along with at least one 3 to 4 week trip during the summer.
Every time we hit the road it's a new adventure. I think everyone should give it a chance.
We're currently considering replacing the motorhome with a travel trailer. When traveling in the motorhome we need alternate transportation once we reach our destination. We've traditionally pulled our motorcycle on a trailer and used it although sometimes we rent a car for a few days wherever we are. Now that we're thinking of traveling up to half the year, we're thinking a travel trailer pulled by a pickup or SUV would make better sense. There's a very good chance we'll pull the trigger on that transition this winter.
catherine
6-28-19, 10:25am
Alan, DH wants to travel your way during the 3-4 months we want to flee the Vermont weather, but I'm not sold. I still work, and my work entails having a reliable phone system. Also, I want a mini-camper, not a big deluxe one like you have (28' is longer than our house). And could DH and I endure that much togetherness? IDK.
There is definitely some appeal to traveling the country for 3-4 months at a time, but I don't know if I'm ready yet.
Catherine, after looking at the units you mentioned, I think concerns about too much togetherness are valid. Those are some small campers.
When we move over to a travel trailer, the proper layout is our number one concern. This is the floor plan for the one we'll probably go with.
https://assets.interactcp.com/interactrv/unit_tech_drawing/imgh_800x600-m0401201914132613/unit_tech_drawing_2019040102132613567739.jpg
Teacher Terry
6-28-19, 12:04pm
Catherine, the trailers you mentioned are way too small. Even ours at 27 ft is small because there aren’t any slide outs. Basically you have to be standing up, in bed or sitting at the booth. We know a few people that upgraded to newer ones and still have issues because things shake lose when you drive. We have had flooding when hoses came loose. Everything is expensive to fix because of the unique size. Our refrigerator quit working and when we looked at the price it’s ridiculous.
catherine
6-28-19, 12:32pm
Yeah, the reason for the mini-campers is because our first objective is to provide a "guest house" for people coming to VT (and that includes my DS34 who comes up every day off). But we have a small plot and we also have neighbors who probably don't want to stare at a 30' RV in our yard. Our secondary objective would be to use it ourselves. I really think that 17-20' would be the biggest I would consider for another "thing" sitting in our yard. We already have a house, pergola, storage shed, lawn mower shed and workshed-- all on less than 1/4 acre.
Catherine, I was enamored with the Happier Camper until we took a drive to their Bay Area location to see one. After a year of looking at photos and watching their videos, we were disappointed in the real life camper. We ended up with an used 2017 15 ft Parkliner and absolutely love it. We are camping in it right now in Idaho. It is plenty big enough for the two of us, and we have taken our grandson with us as well and it works great.
Teacher Terry
6-28-19, 1:17pm
Catherine, they work well as guest bedrooms. We live in a older neighborhood where it’s legal to park it in your driveway if you have room. We had a few people initially ask when we were putting it in storage because it can be hard to see around. We said never but after 7 years they have gotten over it.
I'm still investigating the thought of the small teardrop-style mini-trailer/campers.
The pluses in my mind are:
- small and easy to tow, park, and maneuver
- fewer complex/expensive onboard systems to maintain (I already have too many boats, things break, and it is always a PITA).
- cute
- hopefully easier to use when you just want to pull over for a night's sleep somewhere, without a lot of fuss
These things aren't much more than a virtual-campsite-on-wheels.
I drive by a Tear Drop dealership and go Hmmm? Then I think about where to store it, how often I might use it, what maintenance will it require and do I want to leave home in camping season anyway? I usually talked myself out of it each spring and it is getting easier to walk away without further thought.
I like being home and if I travel now, I want to be catered to with a comfortable bed, no driving worries and no responsibilities beyond choosing the right travel experience. Never ever thought that time would come as I have camped for years and loved it!
Teacher Terry
6-28-19, 2:17pm
We laid down in a tear drop and it’s like being in a coffin:))
We laid down in a tear drop and it’s like being in a coffin:))
Exactly! I think it'd be a great place to get out of the sun and take a nap, safe until it is time to walk the night again in search of dinner....
Teacher Terry
6-28-19, 2:28pm
I wanted one years ago and my husband insisted we lay down in one. I am slightly claustrophobic so that was the end.
A friend has a 13' foot Scamp and really likes it. Videos are on the Scamp website.
Ultralight
6-28-19, 8:10pm
Exactly! I think it'd be a great place to get out of the sun and take a nap, safe until it is time to walk the night again in search of dinner....:laff:
Ultralight
6-28-19, 8:25pm
I am really enjoying this thread!
Catherine, I was enamored with the Happier Camper until we took a drive to their Bay Area location to see one. After a year of looking at photos and watching their videos, we were disappointed in the real life camper. We ended up with an used 2017 15 ft Parkliner and absolutely love it. We are camping in it right now in Idaho. It is plenty big enough for the two of us, and we have taken our grandson with us as well and it works great.
I looked up the Parkliner and it looks great--maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a used one. The cool campers are hard to find, I'm learning.
We're currently considering replacing the motorhome with a travel trailer. When traveling in the motorhome we need alternate transportation once we reach our destination. We've traditionally pulled our motorcycle on a trailer and used it although sometimes we rent a car for a few days wherever we are. Now that we're thinking of traveling up to half the year, we're thinking a travel trailer pulled by a pickup or SUV would make better sense. There's a very good chance we'll pull the trigger on that transition this winter.
OK, we got a little impatient and went ahead with the replacement sooner than we'd originally planned. We'll head out next week to points presently unknown to work the kinks out of our new setup. This is a 25ft Winnebago travel trailer which we'll tow with a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.
(I just backed it into the driveway for the first time, this whole backing up thing is gonna take some practice.)
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/66463022_1240234239483109_4914336188929671168_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQlbSluzz_r96lZKB8z8HWCxHvA415lrXkeUKYlDba0 DlAoKkrO3bbB4aeZNPkjriR4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=20ea5fa09fff2e15bd5588ba0027d817&oe=5DB380A6
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/66583284_411082119748604_5800371866031882240_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQkW6Uh2ebcV4rjXDeLjvDjRP7vyyOeZMYpwAhF-fe99zw8flIiUEURha9iT-LlMMCQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=83f32b8328b494433dba4c0612440155&oe=5DAB4819
Very handsome! It just cries out for a mural...:D
Very handsome! It just cries out for a mural...:D
I think that would be considered 'Decorating' which falls well outside my purview, or so I've been told. When I read that to my wife she gave me that look, the one that says "It's not the Mystery Machine, you're not Scooby Doo and I'm not Velma".
Teacher Terry
7-11-19, 5:15pm
I bet backing up will take practice:))
Ultralight
7-11-19, 5:25pm
Alan: Congrats! Looks like a heck of a trailer! :)
With backing up, you will get up to speed in no time. Cool set-up so go out and enjoy.
Nice! And both truck and trailer match! Very stylish of you!
I think that would be considered 'Decorating' which falls well outside my purview, or so I've been told. When I read that to my wife she gave me that look, the one that says "It's not the Mystery Machine, you're not Scooby Doo and I'm not Velma".
All the same, you'll have many adventures in it!
Nice! And both truck and trailer match! Very stylish of you!My wife was adamant that they had to match, I was adamant that the truck had to have the EcoDiesel engine. When we began our search, the only white EcoDiesel we could find was 100 miles away. At least last Friday was a nice day for a road trip.
iris lilies
7-11-19, 9:26pm
Great rig, Alan!
Simplemind
7-11-19, 9:37pm
2863
We bought this 2003 a year ago August. I said I would give it a year to see how I liked it. Since spring we have been out every other week for 2-4 night trips within a few hours of home. It was in great shape. Since we have the dogs we pulled the carpet out and put down laminate. We also pulled out the jackknife sofa and put in two recliners. It has a slide so it gives us space for the hounds without us having to jump over them. At the end of September we will be gone for about 10 days with a few other couples doing a trip around Oregon dry camping most of it. We shall see how that goes.
Ultralight
7-11-19, 9:42pm
2863
Since spring we have been out every other week for 2-4 night trips within a few hours of home.
Nice! Sounds fun. :)
Question: What is the space above the truck cab part?
The space above the cab is typically a bed.
Teacher Terry
7-12-19, 12:08pm
I have been trying to get my husband to sell ours. We took the insurance and plates off because we aren’t using it. For some reason he wants to keep it and it depreciates like a car.
Simplemind
7-12-19, 2:39pm
Ultralight it is a full size bed or storage if you sleep on the pull out couch below. But, we removed that couch and put in recliners so I sleep in the above cab bed and hubby most often sleeps in the dinette/bed with the dog...…. who considers it her bed.
Ultralight
9-14-19, 11:39pm
Check this out! This guy made a teardrop camper for his bicycle touring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_wkmq_1RqE
iris lilies
9-14-19, 11:57pm
Check this out! This guy made a teardrop camper for his bicycle touring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_wkmq_1RqE
He didn’t share the salient point: how much does it weigh.
We have to tune in next week for that.
Ultralight
9-15-19, 12:10am
He didn’t share the salient point: how much does it weigh.
We have to tune in next week for that.
About 190 kilos.
Went to an RV show today. Some of them are so huge and have such over the top features, it boggles the mind.
My son just bought his camper, and he's psyched about it.. $1500, hand-built tear-drop. Very unique, small and just what he needs. He is SO psyched about it. And it will fit nicely and blend in in our yard.
2974
Ultralight
9-15-19, 9:38pm
My son just bought his camper, and he's psyched about it.. $1500, hand-built tear-drop. Very unique, small and just what he needs. He is SO psyched about it. And it will fit nicely and blend in in our yard.
2974
Cool! Looks fun. :)
I have always entertained some romantic notion of a Steinbeck like camper once my tent camping days were done, which is about now. I can't see towing a camper, although I've seen those tear drop campers towed behind a Subaru. Rocinante:
2975
frugal-one
9-16-19, 3:46am
Went to an RV show today. Some of them are so huge and have such over the top features, it boggles the mind.
With gas mileage costs and fees to park, wonder if it is just easier, more convenient and least costly to go to standard lodging?
Teacher Terry
9-16-19, 11:38am
Last year we left our motor home and took our car and stayed at motels. It was cheaper and we didn’t have a problem finding places that would take our 3 dogs even though one was huge.
Ultralight
9-19-19, 9:42pm
Another bike camper with a really cool design (redesign?).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIgXQioojmA
Several years ago we full-timed for half a year.
Here's our rig: 2988
Here is a blog post with photos of how the inside looked at first and how DH converted it:
http://simplegreenliving.com/5054/top-5-reasons-fulltime-rving/
And a blog post on drawbacks to RV living:
http://simplegreenliving.com/5662/five-dirty-details-rv-living/
rosarugosa
10-2-19, 6:02am
Interesting posts, Zana. Thanks for sharing! I don't think I could do it. I'm not enough of a minimalist.
Ultralight
11-14-19, 9:54pm
Check this one out:
3022
https://inhabitat.com/modern-bufalino-camper-is-a-miniature-home-on-wheels/
With gas mileage costs and fees to park, wonder if it is just easier, more convenient and least costly to go to standard lodging?
Definitely. When my sister and her wife decided to buy an RV they crunched the numbers and realized that it was definitely not cheaper. But they decided to do it anyway because 1) they wanted to sleep in their own bed every night, 2) they wanted to be able to take their cat and dog with them for long trips and 3) they wanted something that could serve as a nice stand-alone guest cottage in their backyard. Since retiring they've done two several month long trips and a number of shorter trips and have been super pleased with it. They didn't get one of the mega ones. Theirs is 23 feet long (I think) and based on the Dodge Sprinter diesel drivetrain. It is just big enough that it's got two separate sitting areas so one person can be watching tv and one doing something else like reading a book.
Teacher Terry
11-14-19, 11:10pm
We have used ours as a guest bedroom more than traveling in it:))
Simplemind
11-14-19, 11:42pm
That's funny TT. We have been waiting for such an opportunity with ours. More than once we have joked about sleeping in it ourselves in the driveway because for some odd reason we sleep better in it. We took out the couch and put in recliners and my husband loves to nap in his.
Teacher Terry
11-15-19, 12:26am
We have had it 12 years and are trying to sell it. We are asking under BB but people are lowballing. I am going to let it expire on different sites and then re-list it March when people are looking.
Terry, how big is it and is it a pull behind camper or a self contained truck unit?
Teacher Terry
11-15-19, 11:22am
It’s a 27 ft motor home with 43k miles. 1993 Winnebago Brava series. Medium condition BB is 10k and we are asking 7.
Yes, that's been the main use of ours for 4 years now.
mschrisgo2
11-15-19, 3:37pm
TT, when you realist it, list it at BB, “or best offer”
Sometimes when you list low, people assume there is something wrong with it that you are not saying.
Teacher Terry
11-15-19, 7:07pm
Chrisgo, old motorhomes are hard to sell. I did list it at BB and never got one inquiry. We have slowly went down in price.
happystuff
11-16-19, 9:49am
Check this one out:
3022
https://inhabitat.com/modern-bufalino-camper-is-a-miniature-home-on-wheels/
I love this!!! I want one!!! It looks to be my perfect "run away from home" vehicle! LOL.
happystuff
11-16-19, 9:54am
I think this was posted somewhere else in the forums a while back, but I still find this... interesting... to say the least. LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suiPFn3xa2E
Oh my goodness, the way that Suanne lives is actually the stuff of nightmares for me.
Oh my goodness, the way that Suanne lives is actually the stuff of nightmares for me.
That was my thought as well.
happystuff
11-20-19, 9:02am
Oh my goodness, the way that Suanne lives is actually the stuff of nightmares for me.
I could see doing it for travel/camping. Not over the long-haul, though.
happystuff
11-20-19, 9:03am
Deleted a double post. Don't know what's going on!
Anyway, have a good day, everyone.
Suzanne seems to be happy with her lifestyle so I'm not going to say it's wrong. But I will say that I have zero desire to live that way myself. If I were going to go with a non-homed lifestyle and didn't have a vehicle that was at least as big as a full size van I would probably chose to sleep in a traditional tent with my stuff in a backpack but possibly with my stuff stored in a car. (weather would impact how I dealt with all that if I was living an unsheltered lifestyle.) I would most definitely not choose to have both myself and my stuff all together in a prius. That just sounds depressing AF.
catherine
11-21-19, 8:04am
I'm into tiny living, and I love my Prius, but my car is my car and my home is my home. I would hope I had some of those items Suanne has in her Prius if I were stuck in a snowstorm, but otherwise, I have NO desire to sleep in my Prius.
For me it was like an evolution of the Bag Lady thing--I don't want to be the Prius Lady.
happystuff
11-21-19, 8:54am
For me it was like an evolution of the Bag Lady thing--I don't want to be the Prius Lady.
Two toddlers and two adults, 4 days/3 nights across country in a Ford van. It was actually a nice trip and the sleeping accommodations worked out well. I wouldn't mind being the Van Lady. LOL.
Teacher Terry
11-21-19, 1:02pm
Not for me as I cannot even survive longer than a month in my motor home.
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