Will we drive each other crazy?

[ltcajh]

If my wife and I live full-time on the road, will we drive each other crazy being in close proximity all of the time? Yeah, we get on each other's nerves sometimes.

[mbubbaca]

Someone will have a short drive sometimes.

[Lily&Me]

There will be moments, but living in close proximity and traveling together can be done successfully.

Maggie

[Isuzusweet]

This is why God created headphones.

Allocate space in the Airstream that is a "Do not Disturb" space for each other. Once in that space, you should never be disturbed; even by screams.

Yours maybe the TV.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[rowiebowie]

We didn't. At least no more than when at home together. Maybe even a little less.

Take the advice given above and enjoy the ride!

[twestover]

It's possible that you will drive each other crazy, but it sort of depends on the length of your trailer. I would advise no shorter than a 27 so each of you can have your own space when you want it. And of course there's the great outdoors if the weather is nice. My husband and I have sort of divided up the tasks of having a trailer and that helps avoid some arguments. He primarily does outside stuff like leveling, hooking up utilities, etc and I put together and take apart the inside and most importantly, prepare the cocktails when we arrive at our destination. We take turns taking the dogs out at 0-dark thirty (miss that dog door from home). Honestly, I'm so happy to get home to more space when we've been on the road for months but we definitely can pull off three months. Not sure about more though!

[PaintedWagon]

There's a saying about riding tandem bicycles, "Whatever direction your relationship is going, it will go faster on a tandem." I suspect the same is true for full timing in a trailer.

[adobehome]

Yes, sometimes. Bill and I just returned from a month traveling through Colorado from Az. In 2016 we did 3 months, AZ to Acadia Ntl park & back. Not fulltimers. But, we learned: 1) if you enjoy different activities, continue to do so on the road. I.e Bill likes to bicycle I like to Kayak. Don't feel as if you must do everything together. 2) same with differing interests, he likes sports, I like museums. Share some of these together, some apart. 3) Avoid RV parks with overly tight site spacing. Elbow room & privacy helps when relieving marital stress. 4) be willing to compromise when goals differ. Bill wanted to skip a historical sight to go through Pie Town, NM and pick up some of Kathy's incredible pies baked at Pie-o-neer. LOL. ok. I could live with that and thus add a few days to nice cool 9,000 el. camping before returning to Phoenix area. Enjoy the journey. Memories will be made. By the way, this was with our 19' 1962 GT and 140lb Borzoi.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by ltcajh

If my wife and I live full-time on the road, will we drive each other crazy being in close proximity all of the time? Yeah, we get on each other's nerves sometimes.

We don't full time but my own experience was that a 3 month trip in a 19 foot Argosy with a husband and a 40 lb dog was the catalyst to sell it and get a 26 foot Overlander.

In the little camper we found ways to make tight space work BUT I knew it was time for a change when I woke up 36 degree morning and my DH was sitting outside under a blanket, reading a book and shivering. He did not want to wake me and in a small trailer there is only 1 living space.

In a longer rig, the "bedroom" is a second space, with a a small semblance of privacy. This is especially important in foul weather when being outdoors may not be practical.

26 feet seems about right to me - still small enough to fit in most spaces, polite to tow but with storage space and enough room to spread out. We find ways to carve out personal space and time alone.

[moosetags]

over the past twelve years, SuEllyn and I have done three plus months trips each and every year. We manage with each other in the Airstream as well as we do at home. There are moments, but as a whole, everything works.


I guess that a lot would depend on the personalities involved.


Brian

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ltcajh

If my wife and I live full-time on the road, will we drive each other crazy being in close proximity all of the time? Yeah, we get on each other's nerves sometimes.

Not sure you should expect well-informed opinions, without telling us the size and sleeping/dining arrangements. Also your previous experience with housing/camping/tenting and so forth.

Quite a variation in AS lengths, from 16' to 33'.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

This is why you need a dog that likes to take long walks

There's a lot of space outside the trailer ....

Bob

[J. Morgan]

Elizabeth and I are in our 31 footer about six months a year. Twenty years ago we might have on occasion torn each others throats out, but now a days we don’t bug each other much or frequently, in fact we mostly enjoy our time in proximity.

Our two biggest issues seem to be when I listen to my music too loud outside when Elizabeth is ready to sleep, and when she hogs the bathroom space doing her hair..... but overall, its well worth it anyway.

[PKI]

If you are a partnership, you'll work it out. If you are a separate couple, do not do it. If you have no choice, he needs to take up fly fishing and you need to take up dog walking.

It also depends a bit on who's idea the full timing is. If both want to see the country, it works better. If it was your dream and not his or his and not yours, the learning curve is a bit harder to climb. You both should ask yourselves the question - would I full time without my partner? And then the big one, why? That might give you insight into your future. Good Luck - Pat

[Betty Farmer]

From your post, I am not sure you have purchased your travel trailer. My concern would not be size any more than bed arrangement. In anything less than a 27/28 foot one of you have to be very agile to get into and out of bed. Be sure you have a walk around bed. In our earlier 25 ft and now our 28 ft, I could/can go into the L/R area to read - in the middle of the night. My husband i a late sleeper, so I get my walking done early morning. I agree with the person above who asked what your current rapport is and think about whether you could live in a lesser confinement. Also have a concern re: your tow vehicle and how you have it equipped. Not having the adequate fit of the tow vehicle to the chosen trailer would cause tension to each of you. Finally, you will never know - unless you try.

[Kevinshortnh]

No worse than a normal day-to-day life.

[Daquenzer]

Before full timing I would do shorter stints.

[DBinSD]

Seems you have already answered your own question.

[NY24]

Yes

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by ltcajh

If my wife and I live full-time on the road, will we drive each other crazy being in close proximity all of the time? Yeah, we get on each other's nerves sometimes.

Do you like each other now? Do you drive one another crazy now? Of course, both conditions can be true and small spaces can magnify both conditions as can the thrill and challenges of being on the road and camping. Only one way to find out. [emoji3]