Newbie Ready to Plunge

[TchrJo]

I am so glad that I found this forum!
As my name suggests, I am a teacher. I was an overacheiving outdoor freak who would run, hike and bike any trail I could find. A year and a half ago I became suddenly and debilitatingly ill. After chasing a diagnosis I found one that is chronic with no cure. 
That is when my wife and I took a long look at our situation and decided that next summer when my wife is eligible for full retirement and I am eligible for early retirement, we will start our RV retirement plan 10 years early. 
It's not easy to think about doing this without being able to get out and explore nature like I always dreamed it would be like, but I am blessed that we will be able to afford doing it early, even though we will not have the income that we had hoped. 
We are shopping for a trailer and truck now and getting rid of the stuff around this house ...

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Tchrjo to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[QinReno]

We are shopping for a trailer and truck now and getting rid of the stuff around this house ...

Sounds like a good time to go. "Now". Do a lot of research about pulling trailers, and maybe try to test it out beforehand, if you've not done so. I've not done it, but have seen many many people doing so. They do take a fair amount of effort to backup into camping spaces, and setting up (leveling). People in this lifestyle like being in the mountains, narrow windy roads and such. Best to get a 4x4 truck in any case since you'll be on a lot of dirt roads.

You would be more comfortable in a long trailer, 30' or so, but negotiating those things around and finding big enough campsites can be problematical. OTOH, a lightweight trailer 20' long or so would provide adequate comforts for most people who are downsizing to begin with. Good luck.

 

[becida]

Not sure what to tell you about the size trailer for you, just big enough is something to aim for.

Towing & backing is a skill to learn. I usually go to a big parking lot (a school on a weekend, a small airport parking lot, churches too) and practice backing. I've spent a solid hour learning to make the trailer go where I wanted it too.

When I was first learning (trying to put it in my driveway) I was having all kinds of troubles.  Finally the next door neighbor's mother-in-law came out and hollered "Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel then turn it in the direction you want the trailer to go". That was great advice!

She couldn't stand watching me any longer...

Hand on the bottom of the steering wheel then turn the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go. A little bit of practice and you'll be backing fine!

 

[cyndi]

Tchrjo, if it matters, I approve!

Like you I was an outdoor adventure junky until my health got me. Even though I can't do much I'm at least not sitting staring out a window.

 

[Jillsjoy]

You’ll find Nature very healing.
And in my Practice and experience, there is no such thing as incurable, simply curable from within.

Blessings,
Jill