2gypsies

I just looked at Campground Reviews for that area. No RV parks get a good review. The place we would choose would be St. Vrain State Park. It has 50A, sewer and is big rig friendly. http://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/colorado/loveland?parks_by=alpha&page=2

Here's a good chart for each state's maximum for all types of RVs. It looks like 45' is the max for Class A's. Ours was plenty big - 40'. We wouldn't want anything longer as we stayed mostly in public parks. https://www.rvia.org/system/files/media/file/Maximum RV Length.pdf

Our bug out bag was not meant for national issues so much as it was for theft/fire issues. It was for if anything would happen to our RV while we were out siteseeing or in case of fire. We also didn't like to leave important things in the RV when we took it in for servicing. We took our laptop and meds, also. Doing it all the time became repetitive so it was automatic and just took a minute to grab.

The newer generation of RVers, especially younger full-timers working on the road such as the Xscapers group of the Escapees, are much more active and their activities don't revolve around the clubhouse and food. They don't play Bingo. The Boomer group is somewhat the same. They do active things. I think you'll be seeing a big change in the future.

We had a small binder with plastic sleeves that we kept papers, including some originals. We used a backpack - easy to grab and carry & doesn't have 'the look' of an important papers storage container. We know of someone who lost all papers in a 'fireproof' safe when their RV burned. They opened it and it held ash. We kept our backpack by the door & in the bedroom at night. Easy to grab day or night. It went with us when we went out siteseeing for the day and for RV maintenance appointments.

Why don't you bring your 5th wheel down south for the winter and do your trade? If you're keeping the truck you can both drive back in the motorhome and the truck. You'll have a bigger choice down here.

We're from Michigan also and loved the markets!!! We did a lot of canning and freezing. While RVing we found that a lot of "Farmer's Markets" are geared toward crafty stuff or handmade soaps, etc. We've been so disappointed often by them. However, if you drive the secondary roads through farming or orchard areas you'll find lots at roadside stands. We also found a good market in Santa Fe and also in Oregon & Washington.

Bigthnkers: I asked because I thought since you've been recently going through the transition your thoughts on the various types might bring an 'aha' moment to the OP and give them something that they hadn't thought of. Thanks!

And what is it that you might want? Why did you eliminate other types?

Definitely...... you can be MUCH more active and healthy when RVing..... if you set your mind to it. There are so many opportunities for staying active. Still.... we know of some who go to a new place and basically just sit at their campsite. I think if you're not interested in being active in a S&B then you probably will have little or no interest in pursuing activity while RVing.

Your subject line state '291'. I think you mean 191. From Vernal you will be going uphill for the biggie of a 2.5 mi section of 9% with switchbacks. Going uphill is a lot easier than down! Overall it's 5-7% and when you reach the top at Flaming Gorge you'll have a descent of approx. 8 mi of 5-6%. We've done both directions with our 40' motorhome with no issues. Use your transmission early on descents; not midway. It'll be over before you know it!

I've been reading Becky's blog off and on since she hit the road. She's a young, determined, interesting person. This just isn't for Escapees it for anyone who is thinking of full-timing.

First, for you I think you really need to rent one a few times to get your own feel for the issues. Some are more tolerant of things than others. Heating - we hated the furnace noise and it really is inefficient. If you're not in freezing temperatures a electric heater from WalMart works wonders. Another option that we used for over 16 years was a catalytic propane heater.... absolutely no noise and constant warm temperatures. We loved it. Cooling - the AC is noisy but you'll use it in the summer when there is more noise in the campgrounds so it will drown out the noise. You really do get used to it and it makes for very nice sleeping. Another option is to think 'elevation'. Spend your summers above 7,000'; preferably 8,000' and you won't need air, especially at night. Food prep & effort - as little or as much as you want. You can cook the same as in a house. You'll have a refrig, stove, oven or a microwave/convection oven which is great. Most people also carry a grill. Claustrophobia - that depends on you. If you want to meet people it's easy to do; if not, that's your choice. If you have an issue with closeness then I suggest you don't look for a small RV. Get the size you'll be comfortable in. Security - We've traveled constantly for 16+ years full-timing. We never had anything stolen and never had to call the park security. The only time we were somewhat uncomfortable was when we parked near Borrego Springs, CA at a large empty space. A car pulled up and started unloading their target practice gear to shoot across the canyon. They seemed o.k. and even offered us ear plugs. However, that kind of stuff is not for us so we moved and easily found another spot for the night. The uncomfortable part was the noise; not them. Noise - we always looked for a site at the rear away from the office, bathrooms, etc. Usually, we got the best site in the park being away from everything. If you ever had really noisy neighbors or inconsiderate ones first introduce yourself and in a friendly way ask them to tone it down. Usually, that's all that is needed. If they have an attitude about it then just contact the park office and they'll deal with it. Never, never ask them twice, never raise your voice and never threaten. That's when things can escalate. Turn it over to authorities. We've volunteered in parks a lot and even as volunteers that's how we were instructed to handle any issue. That said... this happens way less than you may think. Campers/RVers are on the whole, very considerate and nice and helpful. Weekends and the 3-day holidays - we always were parked by the Wednesday or Thursday. We let the weekenders have their fun at places on the lakes, rivers and parks that have pools. We chose out of the way quiet places to stay and moved into those kinds of places on Sunday when everyone is leaving. The majority of our camping was done on public lands - national forests and BLM lands. This is the way that you can really get away from it all. It really is doable.

There are many places to go in the UP. Where do you have in mind as that would be a help as for recommendations.

Note that even though you'll drive the interstate it could be a white knuckle drive for you if mountain driving is new to you. You will have 5-7% grades for many miles. It's very doable, however, and you'll see many RVers driving it. If you're having issues with the 'ups' just get in the semi truck land and plug onward. Try not to pull over and stop as you'll have a difficult time getting going again. You'll get there although it may be slow. Don't hold up traffic in the other lanes. Going down get into a lower gear before the downhill; not in the midst of it. Stay off the brakes as much as possible. If you're in the correct gear you won't have to use the brakes much. It's a beautiful drive.... if you can enjoy it!

During our 16 years of full-timing and getting our water from many different types of sources we didn't have any issues. We filter the water coming into the RV with a good filter (not a cheapie WalMart-type). Call and talk to the RVFilterStore for recommendations of what you want to accomplish. We also use a under sink filter for taste. We've always used our fresh tank for drinking and cooking.

Give the owner a call on his take. He's VERY knowledgeable: https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/

I believe RVShare has unlimited mileage. I know Great Alaskan Holiday does for $20/day more..... but then, you're not going to Alaska.

In public parks you can have a RV and there's usually a tent space. Both are allowed. It's 2 RVs that's not allowed.

We've run into that also while volunteering.

We had a lot at Escapees Chimacum but gave it up during a period of excessive back-stabbing and when they were having issues with their drainage fields - $$$ in the future. We also didn't use it enough to justify it. We didn't like staying in one place for a whole season. There's a lot to do in the area including taking a ferry to Seattle for a day trip. The first day of summer there is July 5.... really! It's like the summer switch is pulled. Even though it's in the so-called banana belt of Sequim, it does rain there a lot but on sunny days it's glorious.

We recently recommended our financial institutions to a new full-timing couple. They had no issues with Vanguard & Fidelity. Schwab is noted for refusing. Try someone else.

We used one about 30 years ago! We had a portable antennae & ran the wire along the door frame. It started getting too raunchy so we discontinued the use.

Try turning the steering wheel a little bit - not much. Good luck!

Here's a good article for newbies to read.... or anyone, for that matter: https://www.tripsavvy.com/national-parks-with-rv-hookups-2912349 You need to learn how to do without hookups and you'll be able to stay in some very special places geared around nature. It's not difficult. You just need to conserve water and energy and do things out of the RV like exploring and hiking. Read some posts on "how to boondock" and give it a try. Also, typically, national parks have certain hours when you can run a generator and it's usually a couple hours in the morning, noon and evening around dinnertime so you need to plan around that. There won't be any exceptions allowed.