As I sit in the evenings cuddling Duncan and asking myself what is life going to be like out here in the country by myself. I don't like what I am seeing in my minds eye. I live far enough from family and friends that with gas prices the way they are I do everything I need to do before I leave town after work and do not come back for much of anything even on the weekends. I can see recluse in my future and I don't like what I see.

The longer this goes the more I want to speed up my departure date by about 3 1/2 years or whenever I become a single again.

Of all of you ladies who travel solo would you say that you could live in a 24ft tt pulled by a double cab Tundra? I am ready to get rid of all my possesions except for a few and just get out there and go.

I know there are a few members who belong to Thousand Trails and wonder how much time you actually spend in the preserves. I have had a membership in Outdoor World since 1986 and TT since about 2000. I am in the 2 week park to park or 2 week in one out with ODW and in 2 in one out with TT. Have been thinking about upgrading TT to 3 weeks park to park or in three out one. Dues were set for life when DH became disabled so we have low annual rates.

With the membership in mind do you think it reasonable to be able to live on around $1250. per month with some WC thrown in when in an area that is not close to either camping system. There is a lot of this country I want to see and don't want to wait forever to do it.

Selling my house is mandatory to be able to do this as I want the last two debts (truck and camper) paid for when I leave and to have a cushion in the bank for repairs if necessary down the road.

I have been trying to come up with a budget for expenses using others that are posted online as guides, but much of it seems pretty over the top compared to what I want to do. I don't plan to stay in expensive camp ground/resorts when not at one of my own resorts. I can almost start out with enough staples to last a year if I can find enough storage and keep the weight down. I love to eat out, but have simple tastes so local diners are more my style than big chains or fancy resturants. I would love to get the book Diners, Drive-ins and Dives to have and look for these places while on the road. I love that show.

Traveling solo what is a good distance to plan to travel each leg of a journey? I have heard some say no more than 200 miles per day. Others have said more. I have done as much at 450, but only because time was precious on a restricted vacation and we wanted to get there in two days. I will travel longer days if I need to but once I can relax and say I'll get there when I get there I imagine it will be shorter days rather than longer ones and no more of this leaving in the middle of the night to head out. I will look at more 8AM instead of 4AM.

I hope I don't seem to uncaring about DH condition, but I need to think of other things or I just sit and cry so this is my alternative.

If you can think of anything else I should know please let me know. The company I work for has a solar division and I am thinking that I should have them install it on camper while I would still get a discount. Can someone give me an idea of what it has cost to have this done on your own. How many panels and batteries would it take to run the AC or maybe fans to circulate air? My company is more into residential and commercial applications.

Have a Great Day!!

Deb

Deb

It is so hard to know what to say ...you have a lot going on your plate right now and I totally understand your thought process one has to let the mind go to other places when facing this part of life...I've heard it said that you shouldn't make life altering desicions for a year after a death or divorce....that said

Yes you could probably full time in that size of trailer if you wanted to others do and are quite comfy other couldn't because they want more space ... so much of what you ask is so indivual could you live of that amount of money hmm perhaps others do but would I want to no...so much can change and cause stress you need to look at a budget you set up for yourself your expendutures are you what I spend wouldn't help you ...so set up a paper right down what you spend and then look at it and see if I'm alone traveling will that be something I'll need or want ... then you can set up a workable budget what gas mileage do you get towing? that would help you see what gas/ect would cost while traveling. as to daily miles where are you going so fast?? you said you want to see lots but you don't have to do it in a year do you? so take time to see and smell the roses... Oh yes we had solar panels on our 24 footer they are good to have we have them now as well as a generator the batteries would be better to be golf cart batteries if you are planning on boon docking

again ourt thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of your life

sheila

Hi, Deb -

I sense that you are a bit overwelmed with everything right now. So it's good that you just daydream about possibiities, but not get too stressed over all the options.

There are probably as many ways to RV as there are RVers. I have met fulltimers who only move to 2 or 3 favorite places following the sun north or south. I've also talked to some who use their membership parks totally. One gal I spoke with at a Coast to Coast park along the Colorado River said she spent two weeks at one of her home parks, then stopped along the way to the next home park for a week. She spent two weeks at the next (free) one, etc. going up and down the river. Wouldn't be my cup of tea, but worked for her and she only had to pay park fees when she had to spend her week out of the system. Other membership places allow a certain amount of days per year instead of the 2 week in, 1 week out routine. There are many other membership options and probably quite a few creative options. You can probably plot some really nice trips within your TT system.

Can you live in a 24' tt? Only you can answer that. I know gals who live in a lot less. I'd think about storage, though, but then I know I tote a lot of "just in case" stuff. Heck, back in the day we only had a 22' tt and camped with 3 teenage boys!

As for budget - again I would guess everyone's budget is different. So much depends on how much you want to move around; how far you want to go; what you want to do; etc., etc. I don't think we can tell you how much it would cost you. But keep making charts. Refine your numbers. Be realistic. There's a lot of free camping out there, too. You won't get the niceties, but some folks live REALLY cheap by utilizing some of the public lands, etc.

How much territory you cover in a day is an individual thing, too. I used to plan on 300-350 miles a day with a schedule of driving a couple of hours, stopping for a 15 min. break, drive a couple more hours, stop for lunch, drive a couple more, etc. and stop around 4:00 p.m. local time in order to nail down a spot for the night. Some days were closer to 400-450 miles, others only 200. Of course, that's for a long distance trip. Your destination and your stamina will dictate your choice.

Good luck with whatever solution you come up with and always remember - if something doesn't work for you, change to Plan B or Plan Q. We are always in jello around here.

Pooker