What made you start RVing?

[Tapex]

I want to start out first saying, we were concerned how we would find a clean enough vacation destination for our 1 & only grandson who is now 6. There may be more others out there who can understand or has related issues & the importance of having someone who has food and airborne allergies. We found ourselves reading, reaching and even going to seminar's that helped us, but struggling in training to have a safe but fun trip through out the year.So long story short we purchased the RV which was a game changer for taking vacation destination's while getting to spend time with the grandson.We've come a long way but still learning.Just having a place like home and knowing what's inside your RV makes all the difference in the world.
Please feel free to add to this discussion on this topic as we all need input on what is somewhat important issues.

[BandJCarm]

My wife. She beat me bloody for 40 years until I finally caved in.

And like always, she was right all along (and if I want her to know that, I'll tell her).

That........and retirement and finally paying house off so we could afford another 'mortgage'........and wanting to travel.

[KingFisher]

Cheaper cleaner more convenient place to live while working out of town.

[aceinspp]

Started out tent camping years ago just kept going from there cause we liked camping. Kept moving up. Later RJD

[Paul GA]

Started when I was a kid in my grandparents pop up every summer.

Now with dogs, easier than hotel. And I like my own bed better.

[lesptr]

I got tired of searching for pet friendly hotels where I would be willing to stay. More and more hotels are becoming pet friendly, but we prefer our own place, and bed.

[djeirlessr]

My DW and I boated for 26 years and was not sure about giving up boating because we enjoyed, excluding the expense, it so much. I told her if we sold our boat and got a camper and don't like camping we could never be able to afford another boat like we had (Carver Santiago 380).

We wanted to travel across country and can't do it by boat. We sold our boat and was able to pay cash for a Crusader 295RST FW. Our first experience was at a state park with a drive through site. It was only about 30 miles away. I was talking to someone about our boat and was telling them if I went 30 miles at cruise speed, approx 20 MPH, I would have used about 45 gallons of fuel one way. Twin 454 loves fuel. I think we paid $37 a night for a camp site. Going to a marina it would cost between $2 and $2.50 a foot plus $10 for electric per night.

We took a trip to North Fort Myers, Fl (approximately 1,000 miles) and only used a little over 90 gallons of fuel cruising 60-61 MPH with a Toyota Tundra. We plan to head out west next year so I replaced my Tundra with a Silverado 2500HD diesel truck.

So far we love glamping.

[LittlePM]

I've been camping as a very young child. I love the fact that while RVing you can sit outside by the fire, and have your fur babys with you. I know the last time the sheets were changed, and I can get something to eat any time and I don't have to get dressed to go get it. I have a living room to sit and watch tv is I want I don't have to lay on the bed. And best of all you can met some of the nicest people while out camping.

[Crusadernoob]

We traveled a lot with our daughter, I can't stand the thought of sleeping in hotel beds not knowing who had sex in them, at least in our own bed I know who didn't have sex in it.

[Ron045]

Great stories...

We are just starting our chapter. We have not taken a vacation in 4 years. Either money or time were in the way. Couple that with the cleanliness of hotels, as mentioned above, and camping seemed like a solution.

Our kids turned 14 this year and my wife and I realized we don't have much time left with them. My wife and I both did it as kids with our families, so now it's our turn to introduce it to ours. They are very excited.

A Shamrock 23IKSS is on order and scheduled for delivery some time this winter. Now we have to take vacations. I've calculated 12-15 nights a year just to break even.

Ron

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

We traveled a lot with our daughter, I can't stand the thought of sleeping in hotel beds not knowing who had sex in them, at least in our own bed I know who didn't have sex in it.

I know what you mean, as we get older there is less Sex, but also with memory loss sometimes we forget if it happened also! Youroo! !

[Oaklevel]

Started just wanted to be with the kids in quieter, safer, cleaner, more friendly environments than motels. Been in many motels that are big names that were just nasty.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Wanting to take and keep our pets with us. Sleeping in our own bed on our own clean sheets. Being able to use our own potty and shower.

[wahoonc]

Been camping since I was a kid, love the outdoors in general. As I get older prefer my creature comforts.

Wife and I both travel extensively for a living. I work heavy construction and have crews all over the country that I have to check on, unfortunately that means flying and hotels. Bride is a 32 year Sr Flight Attendant both domestic and international, more flying and hotels.

When we go on vacation we DON'T want to stay in hotels! Add in the fact that she works as a volunteer with Miss America overseeing the local pageants and the RV was a no brainer. We can park it anywhere and be self contained. When retirement hits in a few years, I am going to load up and head out for 6 weeks or so at a time, then come back to home base. Bride plans to cut back to 8 days a month and still maintain full benefits So me and the dog will meet her along the road somewhere.

Aaron

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

We traveled a lot with our daughter, I can't stand the thought of sleeping in hotel beds not knowing who had sex in them, at least in our own bed I know who didn't have sex in it.

Agree 100% the last motel we stayed at was full ( common name) our bed had no mattress pad upon further looking the bed had a large blood stain. The desk was of no help said sorry full and all linen was in the laundry, and finally got our towels at 10PM.......... would have left but no vacancies in the entire Wilmington NC area. That is one time would have wished the camper was with us a parking lot would have been better.............

[Jim34RL]

We both camped when we were kids; when I was in the Boy/Explore scouts and she with her parents. We started camping with a tent and sleeping bags with cooking gear and a cooler; as this was all that would fit in a 1969 VW Beetle. We did graduate to a tent pull behind trailer and a full-size Jeep Cherokee 4X4 vehicle in 1974 and from there the rest is history.

We love the outdoors and the fact we could travel all over the US and Canada without worrying about hotels and restaurants for eating. With a young family and three kids this was the easiest and most economical way to travel. We could afford to do more with the kids as our cost were under control with camping and buying our own grocers.

[SidecarFlip]

My ex-wife caused it. I had to have a quiet place to myself. My current spouse likes to camp, a big plus. I don't have to eat my own cooking.

Could also have something to do with the fact I was an Eagle Scout. I like wilderness camping.

[Iwannacamp]

I have wanted a TT for years. I had an 83 C10 Chevrolet with a 250 3sp in the tree...converted to a granny 4 spd. I pulled a 1000 lb trailer and camping gear(tent stuff) up in hills of Arkansas. Flat on floor losing speed on hills and new it was time for another truck if I was gonna get a TT. Bought a used 3/4 360 Dodge. Then another truck... 95 4x4 Dodge...still no RV. Got remarried, sold the 4x4, repoed the 360 Dodge...ended up with my first diesel in late '99....wife left in Nov '09...still no RV. Got remarried in 2012 and first RV late 2013(she liked to camp). Here I am...finally got one. Only took about 20 years.


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[youroo]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

My ex-wife caused it. I had to have a quiet place to myself. My current spouse likes to camp, a big plus. I don't have to eat my own cooking.

Could also have something to do with the fact I was an Eagle Scout. I like wilderness camping.

I hold a special regard for young men who reach the "Eagle Scout " award! Its more impressive than a whole wall of trophies! I Wish more boys and their "Parents" were involved in Scouting today! Youroo! !

[NMWildcat]

I don't remember a time in my life when I was NOT RVing. My earliest memories are of my grandparents Shasta? pulled by their Buick Electra 225 in the Gila National Forest. My wife and I love to RV as we can go where we like, when we like, and still have our own bed and prepare our own meals. But the main reason we love the RV lifestyle are the folks we meet. We have met many now lifelong friends in all types of campgrounds. What an adventure!!