2gypsies

... that's why I suggested to call first as some national forest campgrounds are different. Here is one we've used to give you an example of differences: https://www.fs.usda.gov/generalinfo/sanjuan/recreation/camping-cabins/generalinfo/?groupid=51744&recid=43054

You will, most likely, only find gym chains in bigger cities if that's where you plan to travel. We always stayed away from big cities. You may want to try hiking, biking, using smaller equipment at your RV or in clubhouses as you travel. I believe that's what most RVers do rather than relying on chains.

In our earlier full-timing years we spent a few months in Florida..... didn't like it - (crowded & buggy); visiting state parks in Texas - liked the Rockport area but not farther south in Mission, South Padre (too windy & crowded). We loved Gulf State Park, Alabama (can get monthly rates) which is full of snowbirders/full-timers. It a nice town, lots to do in the area and pretty beach. However, it can be cool. New Mexico was too cold. The southern deserts of California were nice, also. We used public parks and boondocked on public lands. After years of testing we settled on our winters in Arizona which we love.

We also recommend Miller Insurance based out of Oregon. They will search for the best rate no matter what your address is.

Thanks for returning and giving us an update. Wish more folks would do that. Sounds like a good trip for you!!

We were only looking at Newmars. Different manufacturers may be different for you. The 40' had a wheelbase of 276". Some have a long overhang which gives it poorer handling - in our opinion. To us, the 40' handled much better on the highway tested at the same speeds.

Welcome to the site!! We successfully full-timed 8 years in a 33' 5th wheel and 8 years in a 40' motorhome. Absolutely no difference to us with either. They both had enough room for us; both had only two slides - which was a must because we used public parks with trees. Didn't want to have to maneuver slides between trees; and more importantly, both got us into the same campsites when using our favorites. We tried 38' motorhomes but found they weren't as good with handling because of the wheelbase as compared to the 40'. We always hated driving the big truck around, especially on back roads scouting for critters. We absolutely loved having the Jeep with our motorhome. It gave us endless fun in the backcountry and we acquired many new friends through the activity. I don't know what you mean about 'scary situations' as we didn't have any. Bottom line.... get what you need to be comfortable. Campsites for you are out there regardless of what you hear. We've stayed in many national parks, national forest campgrounds, Corp of Engineer parks, county and city parks along with lots of boondocking on public lands. Have fun in your new adventure!

Congratulations! Sounds like a lot of fun in store for you. Keeping busy keeps you young!

We always use our Cash Back credit cards & pay them off monthly. It's amazing how much money you can get back by using them for everything. We carry $20 change and rarely use it. We carry Visa, Discover, Mastercard. Discover is used solely for our Auto Payments for bills. That way if a Visa or Mastercard is compromised we don't have to set up our AutoPays again. AutoPays are pretty safe vs. using a card for retail. We've never had a problem with Discover but have with Visa and Mastercard. We now get alerts when the cards are used, especially for fuel and haven't had a problem since.

Here's some information & also do a Google to find more: https://weretherussos.com/free-camping-outside-grand-canyon-south-rim/ https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/blog/2019/07/19/visiting-grand-canyon-boondocking-and-hiking-tips/

We've done 191 north to south a few times. . . no issues. It's RVers hangout with Flaming Gorge being there and many campgrounds so many RVers do it. Just get into lower gear before you begin a descent; not in the midst of it. Let the gearing be your brake.

Would they require emission test in Austin? Pick a small town instead.

Don't put too much faith in those national park charts. We volunteered at Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park & we assigned campsites for incoming reservations for the day. They had a chart by which we assigned sites. It didn't take long to run out of available sites for a 35-40' RV + tow/towed vehicle. We had walked the campground many times and saw a lot of long sites and suggested to the rangers that we make a new chart going by measurements. Since we had a 40' motorhome and previously a 33' 5th wheel we knew what kind of space was need for a long RV. The rangers.... and we ..... were amazed at how many big sites were there that weren't on the assigning chart. Naturally, we made the new chart which worked perfectly. No one assigned to the new big sites came back and said they couldn't fit. With our 40' motorhome and car we easily fit in these national parks: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Grand Canyon, Big Bend.... and more. We have fit in hundreds of other public parks - state, national forest, Corp of Engineers, county and city. I just cringe when people say you won't fit. No, you won't fit in every site but you will find in a good amount - even if you read the charts and they say you won't. If you don't fit there is usually a good selection of campgrounds or RV parks just outside the national parks to use. Get the RV that will be comfortable for you. Here is a good site for actually looking at site photos. This is for Madison campground in Yellowstone and yes, we fit in it! In Yellowstone we also have use Mammoth and Bridge Bay campgrounds - no reservations in any of them. There are always cancellations. https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/wy/madison/

I agree, it's not 100% clear. However, it could have also been stated it was a 2000 model purchased in 2015.

We boondocked comfortably with 300w of solar. It all depends how much energy you need. Obviously, we didn't need much. Start small and add as you're able.

This is from the original link. It was not a new motorhome. It was 2-years-old when they bought it and sued a year after purchase. "The couple sued Winnebago in 2016 saying multiple defects in the 2013 Adventure motor home they bought in 2015 ruined the cross-country trip they planned after selling their home."

Here's a good explanation of where the park entrance fees go - 80% of money collected. https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/fees-at-work.htm Having volunteered in national parks we saw first-hand how short of money our parks are. They are constantly having to make decisions on what needs attention first. They can't rely on budget money. The general public has absolutely no idea how much money it takes to keep these parks running. They want the things they see to be there for their use but there is so much behind-the-scene that needs attention, also. For instance, Grand Canyon's water supply which visitors take for granted is constantly breaking and being re-patched because of lack of funding. Also, having volunteers doesn't takes the place of paid employees. If not for volunteers the things they do just wouldn't get done. Volunteers do the 'extras' that employees have no time to do. The parks are severely underfunded.

The link says "reservations until Sept 30". For a lot of forest service campgrounds that only means first come, first serve after that date. Call to make sure.

We used public parks all the time with our 40' motorhome and had no problems..... out west. However, we have done state parks and Corp of Engineer parks in the midwest and south east with no problem either. I can tell you that a 26' trailer in the West would have no issues, whatsoever. Since you're in the east I suggest you look at the web sites of some favorite parks that you would go and see what size their sites are. If you got the 22' I think you might be sorry since you like the 26' now.

In reading the "comments" below this 'long recipe' some folks noted that the beef was tough. I'll be interested in your take after making this and what kind of beef you used. https://recipes.anovaculinary.com/recipe/beef-bourguignon

If you like animals of all kinds Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (a no-kill facility) gives a fantastic tour. I believe you can also look at a few areas on your own. The drive back there on your motorcycle is gorgeous. Another side trip is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. You won't believe the color of the sand. Pipe Springs Nat'l Monument is near Kanab and do Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River with your cycle. Moki Dugway is a steep gravel road so you'd probably not even want to take the cycle on it.

Wow! What a mess to deal with! So sorry. As we drove on highways we have seen others do this and commented that the whole roof could be torn off while driving. Most people probably don't even know that theirs does that. Good thing you caught it but sounds like a difficult fix by yourselves. Hopefully, you can find someone to fix it.

Brings back memories. When we did a lot of 4-wheeling with the Jeep we always cooked our lunch on the manifold. Others looked envious when we had a hot meal and they had cold sandwiches!

Chains won't be needed this time of year. North Rim is definitely not more commercialized than the South Rim. You may be mixing up the two. North Rim is very quiet. We love it!! North Rim services end around mid-October but the park is still open for viewing until the road closes for snow.... Nov/Dec. I can't think of any highways your big rig can't go in that area except Hwy 9 west into Zion through the tunnels. Have a fun trip!