While I’m sabbatical, AKA doing yoga uncomfortably close to other trailers, enjoy this post from the past.

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Living in an RV

originally posted October 2, 2012

You asked, and finally I deliver.

We have video upon video about towing the trailer, setting it up for travel, setting up utilities at the campground, and a tour of the space.

Go make some popcorn, this is going to take a while.
I’ll wait. Go ahead.

You’re likely thinking, “How long could this really be?” Thirty minutes – seriously. It takes me nearly an hour to set up and another to pack up – for every leg of the trip. So consider yourself lucky with this abridged version. Another thing to be grateful for: while the film quality is feeble, YouTube has a magical “stabilize” button – otherwise you’d also be sea-sick.

Hitching the Trailer to the SUV

It’s truly incredible that 1. a single hitch tows 5,000 pounds of weight, and 2. that I can do all of these connections. At the beginning it took forever to undo a single clasp – now, it’s easy peasy.

I bought a gardening cushion, thinking I would sit on that vs the ground. Ha! A waste of money. Maybe if I encounter mud, but now I can do this without having to sit. Progress.

Now that it’s no longer 100 degree days, I don’t “glisten” quite as much as I did during set-up. But since I have to do this twice in one day: leaving campground A and going to campground B, I don’t shower that morning. Too much information? If you got grimy and your hands looked like a mechanic’s, you would wait, too.

Bringing Civilization to Camping

Each and every campsite has hookups for potable water, electricity, and plumbing. Glory be!

Plus you need to stabilize the trailer – think of adding training wheels to a bike. Otherwise the trailer would be a rockin’ and no would come a knockin’ when all you’re doing is washing dishes.

Curious about the Mummenschanz reference? Watch here.

Prepping the Trailer for Towing

Stuff goes flying when on the road. Think about exits off the highway that are round. There are signs (that you likely ignore) calling for 25mph. I follow those signs now. Tipping, shifting – these are not good words.

Railroad tracks: I hate them. Road construction with unfinished roads: not only are they cruel to my bladder, they also make things bounce in the trailer.

So before a trip, batten down the hatches. After one, look to see what fell and put it away. This is why I use plastic dishes – they can’t break.

More Room with the Touch of a Button

It’s enough to tow 19 more feet; I don’t also need a “wide load” scenario. Enter the slide room. It’s compact for driving and when extended, adds much needed space.

Living in 184 Square Feet

It feels much more spacious than that – perhaps because of the convex roof, the excellent use of storage, or pure denial.

Trailer Sweet Trailer

There you have it! It’s work, but it’s worth it. You commute, I pack up to tow. You wear fancy clothes, I have the option not to shower. You live in blissful ignorance about plumbing, I am unfortunately intimate with mine.

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How does this reality fit with what you had in your imagination?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.