Preparing for Life on the Road

I’ve been looking at RVs since October 2014. Truthfully, I thought this would be easy and it probably would have been if I’d just bought the first thing I liked. However, I didn’t have immediate financing so that didn’t happen. Of course, upon reflection, I could have purchased some items I first encountered but the process of how to do that didn’t occur to me until a week ago. Oh well.
If I’d bought what I first found, it would have been a 5th wheel (5er) and about 36 – 38 foot long. I tell you they were luxury models and nicer than my house. Anyway, I didn’t get those so I had time for people to tell me I needed to get a Travel Trailer (TT) so there wouldn’t be so many steps. Also, with a Travel Trailer, I can use the back of my pickup for hauling “stuff;” 5ers and TTs don’t have a lot of storage underneath them. If I want storage, I have to either buy a TT or get a MotorHome (MH) which has lots of under coach storage, often called basements.
I’ve learned 5ers and MHs are made for full-timing, which means living in them all year long. However, TTs have, mostly, not been made for full-timing as most of them lack storage and carrying capacity. The TTs that are for full-timing are far out of my price range. The length of TTs, in conjunction with the length of my truck, is a little scary to me. My truck length is 25 feet. I found a TT that was 35 feet long but the total length of 60 feet had me apprehensive. So, I began looking for a shorter length TT which had the storage for 2 people to live in full-time. This year, Forest River has made one I like that is 30 foot long. They also have built 2 more that are 32 feet long. A friend allowed me to pull his 31 foot TT and it was super easy for me to pull so I’m going to try pulling a 35 foot TT and see how it feels. I’m currently getting the appropriate hitch installed on my truck so I can safely pull the 35 foot model. If I feel comfortable, my options are opened up so I can get a TT with a King size bed.
Why am I looking for a RV to go full-timing? I want to get back to Nature. I have lived close to town for far too many years. I’ve had a lot of health issues and I feel getting back to Nature will help restore my inner balance. Maybe I’m wrong but the peace I feel when I get out in Nature and away from all the distractions of civilization leads me to believe I need to restore myself through Nature. I consider this venture like a solitary quest. I’m not just looking to spend time in Nature but also to find my passions, take pictures, do some writing, do lots of walking, find how/what I want to eat. and, basically, just find out how I will live my life when I am alone to figure out what makes me happy. I’ve never been in that situation so this will be a completely new experience.
When I am among people, I am constantly taking care of others. I noticed this today when I was driving on snowy back roads. I was driving for some time before I realized I was clearing paths for fellow travelers. I was using my 4 wheel drive truck to make tracks in the snow so people would have 2 lanes of tracks in case they had to pass someone. One side of the road had been pretty well traveled but the other side was fresh snow that would make a regular size car struggle. I knew my tracks would make it easier for a regular size car to be in my lane instead of in the lane for oncoming traffic which was fairly clear. As I was driving, I also realized, in the past, I’ve driven down the center of snowy roads so there will be at least one tire track for fellow travelers to use. Doing this does nothing to benefit me. It’s just something I do because I know it will make others lives easier even if they don’t realize it. I mentioned my realizations, to my husband, and he commented that it isn’t so much about taking care of others but more about being compassionate. He felt I was seeing a potential need and filling it without any thought of personal benefit and that is a sign of compassion for others. Before today, I had never given much thought to my behavior but noticing my behavior has given me an opportunity to review my life through a different lens which allows me to have more compassion for myself. I’ve always helped others without thinking about myself which is why I’m always surprised when people act like they have to give me something for any kindness I show them. I’ve always been perplexed by the need to do something for me in return because I’ve done something for them. My suggestion has always been to do something nice for someone else and pay it forward.
I realize there will be people around when I am out full-timing. Overall, I believe I will be alone a lot more than I am currently; at least that is my perception. I believe I will be able to take walks, eat, sleep, do tasks alone and at my own pace. I’m sure I will run into other people and have many experiences but I doubt I will have people on my doorstep very often or people who have things they want me to do. I know I will be without animals who need my attention. I’m looking forward to finding out how I want to live my life.