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Live4FW

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  6. Towing Advice Needed

    in Camper Suggestions: from tents to Class A beauties

    Posted

    The deal on the trailer is almost done, got all the replacement parts I need on order for the hitch.  Just got my fingers crossed that this one tows much different that my other much heaver and larger trailer did with the vehicle.  If it feels even a bit sketchy I'll just beef up everything I can.  Stuck with the 3:31 gears though, can't swap that out easily at all.  Just means a new Expedition will be due when/if they put the EcoBoost in it.  Then I will go EL for the longer wheel base which comes with the 3:73's anyways :)

     

    Ford announced 2015.  No word yet on tow ratings.  This will be the only engine offered.  No more V8

  14. I Am Unfulfilled

    in General Camping Discussion and Questions

    Posted

    I just got a chance to check in and I really appreciate the comments.  I think the most important thing you can do is realize that camping with the family and trips to the Fort are a finite resource.  Enjoy them to their fullest while you are in them.  On one hand, I am sorta glad that I wasn't they only one going through this but on the other, sad for anyone that reaches this point.  We all wish it would have lasted just a little bit longer. 

     

    I still harbor plans to someday steal my grandchildren and take them to the Fort! :clint: Always gotta have a future trip to look forward too...LOL

  15. I Am Unfulfilled

    in General Camping Discussion and Questions

    Posted

    Dave,

     

    This topic hit me squarely between the eyes.  I haven't been posting much lately as two of my favorite things have been absent from my life for over a year or longer now.  Fort Wilderness and Camping!  Sadly, I think it is over but I didn't even realize it until after it had already happened.  There are a number of definitive reasons and some that are harder to define.

     

    #1 - My kids outgrew it.  Oh, they still love camping but with one about to graduate from college, another graduating from high school and my baby now a sophomore in high school they are just focused on all the activities and events that take away from camping weekends.  Obviously, the wife and I are still as deeply involved in their events as well so we just have a different focus in our lives right now.  I don't see this changing until at least my baby graduates from college in 6 yrs.  The wife and I are pretty sure we will start camping again once we are empty nesters.  Maybe even get a class B for travel to eventual grandkid visits. :clint:

     

    #2 - Finding time to drive down and stay at Fort Wilderness that can fit into 5 family member's individual schedules.  This also isn't going to get any better soon.  It was real easy before high school and college started because everyone's schedule was similar.  Marching band was even more of a problem than Scouts believe it or not.

     

    #3 - Frankly, we have been priced out of Fort Wilderness.  Between gas costs and the ridiculous increases in site costs, it is easier and cheaper to stay on site in a hotel.  Even with food costs, we are still coming out ahead.  Not to mention how difficult it has become getting a reservation!  We used to stay weeks in the summer for 50-60 dollars a night.  The multiple season pricing and the way they changed their rate rules (used to be you got the rate you checked in on throughout your stay).

     

    #4 - Local camping has even become much pricier.  Our state parks and Corps of Engineer parks have significantly raised their rates (double or triple the inflation rates) over what we paying just 6 yrs ago.  The recession has caused a serious shift in cost for government run parks.  Unfortunately, our income has hardly changed during this time.

     

    #5 - Fuel!  When we started back in 2004-5, our fuel costs were 1/3rd what it is now.  We made a lot of 1-2 hour trips on the weekend without even thinking about it from a cost standpoint.  Now, even driving 30-40 miles away means a significant gas bill.  We have been to our locals so much we don't have a whole lot of interest in going to them as much anymore.  See point above about income!

     

    #6 - Tow Vehicle  I gave my truck to my oldest when his car died.  So I don't even have a way to tow the trailer when he is away at college.  He hasn't been home since Sept as it is now.  I now have his car after I got it fixed.  I think I lost out on that deal? :banghead:

     

    #7 - We have found that a Disney World trip is no longer a reasonable value.  We have actually been on a 3 night DCL cruise for about the same or even LESS than staying in a value, with food and tickets to the parks.  That is crazy........   We are even going on a 7 night DCL cruise next fall because of an unexpected school vacation which allowed us to cruise off-season.  Of course, this won't last because of the DCL increases also.  Average 20% increase 2015 vs 2014 rates with some sailings 36% higher than same cruise a previous year.  This may be my last Disney vacation for a long time to come.  Remember point above about income....

     

    #8 - This is one of those that wasn't so easy to define but one that was really personal to me.  Kadi our basset hound (pic in my avatar when she was a pup), died last November.  She was my camping companion.  Every night we would be the last out as I took her for evening walk.  We would also be the first up.  I would get up, take her for a walk, and then she and I would sit under the awning for hours while everyone else slept in.  I really miss her and just feel camping will never be the same without her.  She was one of the reasons we chose RV camping in the first place.  Makes it even less of a reason now!

     

    Whew, that was a long list.  I had been thinking about posting some of this for a while now.  Sorry, Dave for making a mess of your thread but it just brought it all out when I read the title.  Yes, I am unfulfilled, I am sad, and I long for the smell of a campfire, the cup of coffee with my pup by my feet and the laughter filled memories we make as a family together.  However, I thought if I shared some of this, other folks may benefit from some of our experiences.  I would have probably changed our planning sooner, had I realized the life changes that would make regular camping no longer a part of our lives.  When you look at the monthly payment, storage costs, maintenance costs, and deterioration, it is very painful paying for an asset that just sits there and depreciates without getting used....all the while reminding you of missed chances to make more memories.  We have decided to sell our trailer over the next few months and that will be all she wrote. 

     

    However, the best part of all of this is we have incredible family memories spending time together that was made possible by that 30' box on wheels.  We have explored some great places, stayed (practically lived at times) at the happiest place on earth, and did it all as a family (even our dog)!  What is really great is that it brought us to this group where we met so many invisible internet people that we now call our friends.  Some of them are even real people because we have camped with them.........believe it or not.

     

    HAVE A WONDERFUL SUNDAY :wave1:

  16. Best truck??

    in General Camping Discussion and Questions

    Posted

    I actually did have a situation where I bought a diesel but preferred gas.  I was in the in-between weight of a 1500 vs 2500 and went with the 08' Ram diesel 2500.  Problem was that I only drive 5 miles to and from work and the truck would barely warm up by the time I would reach the office.  This is suicide for a diesel and especially so for the newer generation with the increased emissions.  If you keep the truck primarily for towing or your daily drive has significant distance and speed, then it shouldn't be an issue.  Also, my truck was virtually no different in mileage towing or not compared to the 1500 gas.  It sure did tow nice though and I really enjoyed the heavier duty, power, and larger fuel tank!  We tow a 30' bunkhouse with a slide.

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