Aluminitis - Obviously I'm nuts. I fulltime in a 25 footer, but I'm starting to find that the two and three day trips I enjoyed the first two years ago aren't happening as often as I'd like.
So I asked myself why? The answer is that the 25 footer is great for longer trips and fulltiming, but you can't park it in two standard spaces, and you have to find big gas stations (in my case diesel). I'd really like to have a tiny trailer - maybe even a teardrop - to take off Friday and come back Monday.
I really admire that tent camper - the Jumping Jack, but I want something hard sided. It's a lone woman thing.
Actually not sure I want a second Airstream - costy. Any thoughts? Casita's are nice.
Paula
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Today is a gift. That's why they call it "the present"
Paula, I've had a similar "bug" for several years. The little weekender and the more complex larger trailers seem to fill different needs. We don't use our Gypsy for quick trips, weekends to Bennett Springs or a run to our daughter's place in KC, but we would use a small Casita type trailer. I'm constantly reading the regional want ads thinking that if one appears, I'll be really tempted to snatch it up. Not a silly idea at all, but one that will enable you to do more camping, both longer jaunts and bitsy ones. Go for it...we hope to also one of these days...~G
__________________ maxandgeorgia 1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908 WDCU Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
Paula, you are talking about three items -- a tow vehicle, your home base and a weekend getaway. Short of a tent and thermarest, 2air's pickup camper idea is the easiest 2 vehicle solution that I see. Friends of ours did the Al-Can highway in a pickup camper -- mobile, simple, stop anywhere. You've seen 'em -- ya can leave 'em at a campsite without much difficulty; drive into town for dinner, go on a hike, etc.
Three vehicles? Fifth wheels can have a pull-behind in most states. I've seen 5th wheel Scamps. There is no chance you'd want to fulltime in one. But a 5th wheel would permit something like a Lees-ure Lite.
Okay, that's no solution. Other than stabilizing jacks, my grill, WD bars and the mat under the awning, I'm not sure much sits on the ground outside my 25-er when I set up camp. And once my gray tank is full I am ready to move on. Set up for departure a night or two before, arrange to mark your site 'occupied' when you leave your fulltime spot, put The Who "Goin' Mobile" on the iPod and get Oot and Aboot.
We use Lucy for long trip (6-8 weeks, 10,000 miles) and for weekends (3-4 days, 500 miles). Both work for us, even after 500 nights and 50,000 miles. We like the Casita, but that really wouldn't be any easier than Lucy.
Brian
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
I knew there was a perfectly logical reason why I can't sell my little 13 foot Boler (Casita's were based on Bolers--adorable and perfect for weekend getaways). We sold our 14-foot fiberglass trailer when we bought the AS, but I still can't part with the original Boler, though people are constantly asking if it's for sale. I can't sell it mainly because of sentimentality, but now you've given me the perfect logical excuse! Thanks!
We started with a Casita 13. Then up to a Safari Sport 17. Now a Safari 23 (the 08 FB model). We traded the Sport for the Safari, but still have the Casita. I've posted elsewhere about why the Casita is still useful to us (think indestructable and mud-proof). But we have been talking about trading it for a slide-in camper for the truck. Otherwise the 23 is what we use for short, mid, and long-range trips. The Casita is there to get us back on our swampy turf, but not for anything else.
Right now, sitting in our driveway is our 2007 T@B (bought used last November, towed 8000 miles this summer, very much for sale) and our 1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre (bought in August, used three weekends, soon to be winterized, very much being kept for the long-term.)
When I bought the Minuet, I was worried that the added complexity would slow us down from weekend trips. It really didn't. Maybe part of it was that any trip requires some planning anyway. I also found that the "hassle" of waste tanks and weight distribution wasn't that bad. On the flip side, the added luxury of sheer SPACE over the T@B means we just can't go back. Plus, it actually tows better than the no-WD, surge-braked T@B.
The one limitation: we have to make the beds every night in the Minuet. That's a hassle. But moving to a 23' or 25' trailer with a fixed bed would mean a bigger tow vehicle (which I do not want or need as a daily driver, thanks to having a company car) and more bulk than our narrow 2500 lb lightweight. I'd rather make beds than insure and maintain a second tow vehicle...
But to be fair - the T@B is super simple. You can push it around the campsite - that's nice. Maintenance is almost nil. You just fill the five gallon fresh water tank, make sure the battery is up to charge, and that you have propane. Not much else to do.
Could the 25'er be towed by any Class B? That would be a nice weekend tripmobile...
We have the best of both worlds. I never did trade the VW Eurovan Weekender for the Toureg or Yukon if only for it's towing power. And it has been the best decision we've made.
We use the Euro for those occasions when we get together with our tent camping friends who like to go anywhere where there are not hook-ups. These are usually weekend gigs. The bed in the Euro is larger than the bed in our AS.
For the longer and more comfy trips with the Mrs. it's the 19 CCD.
I have to say, at this point if I had to sell one or the other, the AS would go first. For all that it has done, the Euro is the best. After that, I'd toy with the idea of some sort of top of the line pop-up, if there is such a thing.
Jonathan
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I'm out of my mind right now, but will be returning shortly......
After that, I'd toy with the idea of some sort of top of the line pop-up, if there is such a thing.
The Quicksilver is the opposite of "accessorize." It is minimalist and might take one back to the ice cooler stage -- but very interesting if I wanted to simplify. I've seen it with an air conditioner option above the floor to the right of the door.
Though I have yet to see a popup push-out bed that sleeps warm in cool conditions.
These look like descendants of the old "Trillium" trailers. Originally made from fibreglas septic tanks, IIRC.
There's a couple of the old Trillium ones here in my town, they simply don't rust, or corrode at all.
As for what to do about the second TT, to me at least, it all seems too much trouble to set up and keep and feed a whole other trailer, even if you full-time.
But maybe that's just me...
__________________ ♫ The road to a friend's house is never long. (Old Danish Saying)
An easy & cheaper option is a truck camper shell with a back door. You would have the hard sides, & a locking door all about the same size as a teardrop.Make yourself comfortable back there with a good cot, lights ,radio & an ice chest.If would look good too if color coordinated with the truck.Since you already have a silverado,the camper shell would make it look like a suburban.You just might decide to leave it on permanently.
Aluminitis - Obviously I'm nuts. I fulltime in a 25 footer, but I'm starting to find that the two and three day trips I enjoyed the first two years ago aren't happening as often as I'd like.
So I asked myself why? The answer is that the 25 footer is great for longer trips and fulltiming, but you can't park it in two standard spaces, and you have to find big gas stations (in my case diesel). I'd really like to have a tiny trailer - maybe even a teardrop - to take off Friday and come back Monday.
I really admire that tent camper - the Jumping Jack, but I want something hard sided. It's a lone woman thing.
Actually not sure I want a second Airstream - costy. Any thoughts? Casita's are nice.
Paula
I was just thinking about this... I truly pine to FT in my Silver Olive. But I wondered how quickly you make it into a home - one that is more stationary than mobile. I would hate to give up my camping trips. But I imagine all the everyday stuff accumulates and breaking down for a quick trip out would be more difficult. I know that for me to FT, I'd end up with more *accessories* that would surely require either removal from the TT (to reduce the load on my TV) and some creative storage (to keep it safe during travel).
I know that FT to some means being constantly on the move, but for me, it would more likely be more stationary....
I have been thinking about a teardrop or casita just to haul my dogs around - kind of a mobile kennel. That is, in the cooler months... I'm going to keep watching this thread to see what other ideas are offered!
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(Casita's were based on Bolers--adorable and perfect for weekend getaways). We sold our 14-foot fiberglass trailer when we bought the AS, but I still can't part with the original Boler, though people are constantly asking if it's for sale. I can't sell it mainly because of sentimentality, but now you've given me the perfect logical excuse! Thanks!
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