Depending on the schedule ( driving 1400 miles can at times make ya get behind) we will either be staying overnight or just a few hrs at the fuel depot ( Flying J). I'll let ya know though one way or the other
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In the case of my little popup camper, I'm way ahead of the game by many, many dollars. True, it certainly does not have the amenities that some of the larger RV's have, but did a Motel 6 ever have this kind of a decorum ~
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...Picture025.jpg
I did a rough calculation of what it costs my wife and me per night for our RV.
Some of these costs include: the cost of our 5th wheel, hitch and towing accessories, a Ford F450 truck I bought to tow it, maintenance, insurance and taxes, diesel fuel (towing at an average 7.4mpg), campground lot rental, a place to store the 5th wheel when not in use, etc. For simplicity purposes, I used straight line depreciation of the truck and 5th wheel over 10 years, and assumed neither would be worth anything after that time. I also added to these costs something called "forgone opportunity cost" which is the interest that you loose (forego) by buying the 5th wheel and truck instead of putting your money in the bank, or elsewhere, where you could be earning income on it.
Our cost for "camping" is roughly $300.00 per night. And that's based on about 120 nights per year. Think what it would be if we only stayed in our 5th wheel for a month (or less) per year!
Now having said that, however, I still enjoy camping in any way and without regards to the cost - whether it's sleeping on the bare ground, in the back of a truck, in a tent, or whatever. I think almost everyone who camps seriously - it's not how you camp, or what it costs that matters - it's the joy that comes from being there - read Robert Traver's "Testament of a Fisherman" which I think can be applied to why we camp, as well as why we fish.
John
We camp, and have our entire lives. My wife & I grew up that way, and continue. We've had travel trailers, a motorhome, a tent, the back of our truck, a van, and just the sky over our heads. I've backpacked (when I was plenty younger) and gone ultralight. I grew up without much $$$ and made all my own camping gear as a kid, including a backpack and puptent. Now we use a nice tent, and sleep on nice thick pads. We haul everything we need for us and the families of our three grown kids, 3 grandkids and all in my Chevy Tahoe and a little 4X8 open utility trailer. We could do with less, but I like a comfortable bed and comfortable folding chairs. I don't care how fancy your rig is, or how primitive ya want to go, just getting out there right where you want to start the next day fishin from is the best. either extreme or somewhere in between is all good. Just get outa town and away from the phones and work for as long as you can every year, and you're on the right track.................ModocDan
John Rhoades: I already made the post that if $$$ is the bottom line....then forget basically any sort of larger RV.
I get to use ours AT BEST for 6 weeks a year...
Thanks for your candor, John. And, just to be clear, if you feel that expense is justified by the pleasure it gives you and your wife, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Thank you... And thank you for the suggestion, I am always open to them. Now I am not calling you old, dont even know your age, this is just an observation of mine.... I hunt with family and friends that are all 100% older than me by 15+ years.... It never fails that every day l learn something to better my camp experience immensely with little hints and tricks and suggestions, well for the most part, my group likes to have laughs at the young guys expense :(
We did the cabin thing, then the tent. A really nice Canvas tent with Air Bed and small table, even a porta potty in the corner. But the set-up and tear down got old real fast.
We even had a Motorhome for awhile, but that was terrible having to break camp to go to the water, then having to re-stablize when we got back.
We finally broke down and bought as small trailer, but it can be fully enclosed for bear country. The ends folded out in no bear country like a Tent trailer....BIG BEDS:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../Yuba07009.jpg
Travel back and forth with one on the roof and the other in the back of the truck:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...8/IMG_4845.jpg
This last year, I finally got a receiver put on the back of the camping trailer so we can haul our boat trailer. So much nicer and faster on the water,
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1757.jpg
We actually get at least 14 miles a gallon up hill with this set-up and full loaded for a week.
There are now what they call tent foot prints that do just that sit under the foot print of your tent..
any of you Army types might remember your "hooch" or sleeping in your poncho, I am looking for a P/U and small trailer to comfort my old army carcass.. Snivelly kit it is..