There are a lot of new faces here (hello!) and we’re curious to learn how long all of you (new faces and old) have been RVing. Are you a “newbie” RVer? Have you been doing it for just a few years? A decade? 20 years? 30 years?
After you vote in today’s poll, please leave a comment and tell us the details. We really appreciate it.
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Started camping fathers travel trailer 1969 then with wife in pickup 1971 and camping on & off since. Retired 2002 and traveled thru out US and live winter in Florida in my Fifth wheel.
RVing is the way the old keep from getting old. It is no mystery why so many have been traveling for 20, 30 years .
I agree.
Been tent camping, pop up camping and trailer camping since 1960. I’m now 80 and will stop when I die.
Started tent camping as a child with my parents and siblings, then with my girlfriend/ wife upgrading from soft top trailer to hard top trailers, to a pair of class C’s, to a class A, then to a pair of 5 th wheels that we wintered in Florida with, to a pair of T/ campers that we still use during our summers at our home base in Ontario Can. If I were to add all of the time, I would of camped over 50 years over my 71 years.
We’ve been camping off and on for 50 years. Just started full time almost 2 years ago.
Started in 55 with my parents in a late forties vintage Nash TT pulled by a 55 Plymouth Plaza with the big Flat Head Six and three on the tree. Moved to a 1960 Nomad and a 61 Ford with the 292 V-8 and a three speed with Overdrive. I moved out in 69 and got married and the wife and I started in tents and in 78 we got our 1975 Taurus pulled by our 75 Scout II. Sold the trailer in 95 and went back to tents until 07 when we got the Shasta and then in 09 when we got the current Class A.
Started tent camping in NH in 1972. Then, tent camping, small pop-up, and small TT in Europe (Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark).
Purchased Class A in 2000’s (1975 GMC).
Still going strong.
Full time for 5 years but also many year before that were part time.
If I include with my parents this is my 60th year. On my own my wife and I purchased our first RV when I was 22 so that makes this our 50 year anniversary…. how time flies ….
Started RV’ing in the early 70’s with a mini-motorhome (old name for a class C). Then gave it up by 1978, and then got back in to RV’ing in 2018 with a Class A.
I started camping as a child in a Reliart popup w/parents. Then 6 different travel trailers during marriage. Then a gas class A motorhome, followed by 2 DP class A Motorhomes. I ended my relationship now travel solo in a 32’ class C. Fulltime 3.5 years.
!976 Daytona 24 hr race in a 16 ft stand up camper towed by a 67 Sunbeam Tiger! Scary but fun. Still go to races but have moved up to 77 GMC 26 ft Motorhome.
First camping trip began with a checked out tent pop up trailer from Special Services when I was stationed at the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment In Memphis, TN in 1965. Later in 1978 was when I bought our first TT.
2022 will be our 36th season!
Started out in a borrowed tent. Bought a new tent with a safety award from work. Moved up to amused pop-up when our kids were young, had a blast then. Had two fifth wheels, then a 40’ diesel pusher after that. Presently back in a fifth wheel.
Don’t know how to answer the questions. “30 years or less” could mean 1 week!
Not when the very first answer was just started in the last year…
The people that make up these surveys are hopeless at precise questions, they just don’t get it.
52 years with my bride and 10 years before that with my parents.
Started camping about 40 yrs ago on our horses.
Graduated to a 36’ Damon MH.
Started camping on our Motorcycles tenting), left the MH at home and didn’t use it much except on vacations which we would tow a trailer with MC’s inside.
Bought a 40’ DP and a toad a few years ago and decided to go FT.
We love the lifestyle.
That’s our story and a fun one it has been.
Happy camping
I started in 1984 with a used Winnebago motor home with my wife and two young daughters. I have always owned a RV even to this date a beautiful Dutchstar. Not because of my age but because camping is just not that fun anymore from having to book so far in advance to campground crowding this will be our last year. We live in Florida.
If 2 sleeping bags in the back of a Rambler station wagon counts as an RV, then 50 years.
Newbie 😎
I still sleep in my car from time to time on mutli-day trips.
Went camping as an infant (with my parents of course!) and haven’t stopped. Fortunately the hubby liked camping too so a trailer was one of our first big purchases!
Built my first schooly in 1975, 1963 International Bluebird Bus with complete bathroom, toilet and shower, bunk bed. and complete Kitchen with oven and four burner stove. Had a four foot deck on back, painted red, white and blue. Moved from Omaha to Phoenix in it and traveled the entire US for five years. Have been Motorhoming ever since. Now have a 2010 Mercedes Sprinter with bathroom, kitchen, and solar power.
We have been RVing since 1963. Started in truck camper (10 1/2′) with 3 children, 24′ MH with 3 children and 2 mothers. Seven women, one pampered guy. Ended up with 37′ diesel and 2 people. Just “hung up the keys”. Enjoyed sleeping in my own bed and having my own kitchen. Traveled extensively. Sometimes took two weeks to get from Ohio to CA.
So much to see between here and there.
My wife and I bought a 1993 Itasca Sundancer 4 years ago. It took awhile to get her on board and she was actually the one who purchased our Class C. It’s in great shape and we have enjoyed our recent trip to Florida. Now being retired we will enjoy more Glamping.
Started in 1994 in a Fleetwood truck camper. Bought a Fleetwood Southwind 2000 motor home in 2006 with 4212 miles. Still using the Southwind. It provides everything we need including reliability. Only replace battries and tires as needed..
Early 80’s in a popup Volkswagen camper van. Traveled around the country in bumper-pulls, Class C motorhomes and now have a 42’ 5th wheel.
1994, bought a Lance slide in camper while stationed in Alaska. Thoroughly enjoyed our Alaskan adventure and then drove out of Alaska with my wife, two kids and our yellow lab to my next duty station in California. The trip out was magnificent, just wish we would have taken a few extra days at a couple locations.
Married for 55 years next month and we have had almost every type of camper over the years. Many memories of travels with two kids. Still at it, although now only about four months or so per year. RVing is our greatest enjoyment.
The first ‘RV” trip I took was in 1964 when my parents rented a VW camper, for a few years after that it was mostly tent camping but then they bought a caravan (in the UK) and traveled all over Europe in it as well as camping locally every weekend from April to November with The Camping Club. I bought my own first van conversion in 1991 and though I haven’t had one continuously since then I now spend about half the year in my fifth wheel and at almost 66 years old am thinking of going full time.
Back in the fiftys
Started RVing in 2008…..went fulltime in 2012
Camping a lifetime. RVing 4 years. Hoping for many many many more.
I was 6 months old the first time I went camping in a army surplus walk tent. That was 60 years ago and have never been without an RV. From 1950’s school bus conversion,TT, all the way to half million dollar class A !!!!
I did answer as honestly as I could, but it is a little disingenuous. We have had this coach 16 years, but we did a lot of camping in a Vega with tent before children limited our freedom. We did manage some with kids in tow, but only got back into it when the kids were settled out.
Purchased our Ram 3500 in June of 2010, our Eagle Cap 950 in July and took our first RV trip in August 2010. Many years before camping in tents, pop-up tent trailers and sleeping in back of pickup trucks. By far, our truck camper has been the most convenient and easy to RV in.
Have yet to go to the east coast, so much to see and do in the western states.
3rd generation RVer…
My grandparents retired at 53 sold their house and fulltimed in their Fireball TT. My parents bought a Traveleze TT back in the early 60s and we used it about 3-4 weeks a year for ever. Been a tent camper until a few years ago when DW declared we had to get an RV; did the rental thing for a few years then a couple years ago we bought or inTech Sol Horizon TT – love it! Camping and RVing has always been a part of my life.
Probably 20+ considering starting with tent, tent camper, truck camper and then moving to 5th wheel, which I did for 16 years. Then got out with the onset of covid. Miss it greatly.
We’re just a year-and-a-half into RVing, but have enjoyed tent camping over the years. Feels lux to sleep off the ground!
I completely agree with you. About 68 years ago I began tent camping and I went out one weekend per month for years in all weather. Loved it. Then about 30 years ago (I blame climate change) the earth got harder and suddenly I found the ground too hard to sleep on. For some reason, the bed of a pickup truck also became too hard to sleep on. Incredible. I tried an air mattress and even folded blankets under the sleeping bag, and then slid off onto the newly hard ground, before deciding to quit camping. Finally, four years ago, I bought my first metal tent and I love being able to sleep on an innerspring mattress in that metal tent. My metal tent does not drip inside if you make the mistake of brushing the ‘skin’ while moving around. I have had animals in my tents over and over during the years and one warm night while sleeping halfway out of my tent, I had a moose step on my arm. That moose probably carried the sound of my scream to his or her grave. Now, my metal tent doesn’
I started with a 1973 18′ Winnie in 1974, went to 1976 went to 30′ Midis then 20 ft Dolphin, ( 1 trips to Alaska in this one) Gulfstream 30′, 1994 30′ Trailer with GMC diesel, 1996 Monaco Windsor, 1999 Monaco 38′ Diplomat, 2002 43′ Monaco Dynasty and still have that. The diplomat made 2 trips to Alaska and crossed the Arctic Circle on the haul road and on the Dempster Highway, ended up spending 3 days at the Arctic Circle as it was raining the Ferry to Inuvic was not running. We made many trips to Mexico, down the end of the Baha and the Copper Canyon, and many trips to Rocky Point, Mexico. Unfortunately, I have so medical problems and looks like we will be limited to short trips to the Casino’s in MS and LA. In fact the Coach is up for sale, We pulled a Crown Vic Behind the Windsor, a Jeep Cherokee for all the others and made many runs on roads where there were boulders, Fun. My Partner and I have many times to look back on.
Frank Currie Tibbetts
My family started camping when I was two-years old in 1969, in a cabover camper in Yosemite. Over the years we went everywhere from snow skiing to Death Valley in her. In the late 70s-early 80s we rented a class-a with our cousins and went all over the Sierras. Finally bought a used 1986 Jamboree, in the late 80s. The Jamboree was traded for a new 1996 Flair. My step-dad passed away 6 years ago. That old Flair is going strong and now is used by my family, everything from big NP vacations to weekends for boys travel-baseball.
I started camping in high school with a tarp and sleeping bags. Got married in 1960 and bought first 15′ travel trailer. Have had several travel tralier’s, 2 Class A’s and now a Class C. Still enjoying RVing at 81.
If you count sleeping on an Army cot under trees, I’ve been camping for 73 years…. moving to a pop up trailer on up to a 40′ 5th wheel.
I started with my dad at age 5 and I’m now 68 so that makes it 63 years. I will say that back in the 50s the campers were much smaller and the campsites were as well.
I’ve been camping (dry) for decades. But only the last couple years have we “RV’d”. I consider having hookups an level parking to be RVing. Without is camping.
I started in 2010 with a new 17′ Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer that I could tow with the Sienna minivan I then owned. That fiberglass “egg” was a GREAT way to test the waters without spending a fortune. I found I really enjoy the RV lifestyle and, in 2014, I purchased a new true Super-C diesel puller (a 2015 Dynamax DX3-37RB) which I now full time in.
Started when I was a child in a tent around 8, moved eventually to a camper and continued ever since. Camping through the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. Now retired more of it.
Started somewhere around 1956 or 7, with my folks pulling a TT with a 1956 Plymouth Savoy. Then they up-graded TTs thru the years. When we got married we started with a 1963 VW Westfalia bus. Then 68 VW Westfalia, a couple of Ford Vans and now Roadtrek. Sixty some years? I didn’t think I was that old already? (I guess this is why I don’t like math.)
You asked the question I’m answering 48 years. But what is RVing. I’m saying we did what we could afford and at least tent camping planted the seed.
Started camping in 74, a friend with a Blazer and tent, Iowa to Colorado round trip. 76 GMC cargo van, then tents. ’86 got an old Starcraft tent trailer, first “indoor” kitchen. ’90 back to car camping with ’90 Eagle Talon. ’96 obtained a Palomino tent trailer. Unfortunately Palomino did not get much use. Got involved with pro motorsports for about 10 years, thus motels. We did get to CA most of those years in Oct. Pack camping gear in Duluth packs and large cooler, check as Airline baggage. Rent minivan. Saw much of west coast between Monterey and Vancouver. 2008/9 a couple of class C rentals. 2010 bought our first class A. 2017 bought our 2nd. At age 72 it may be our last.
Got my introduction to camping when enlisted in the Army back in 68. Kept right on camping after discharge from the army. Started with a tent, then purchased a 17 foot Shasta camping trailer. Would take the family on camping trips to the mountains and coast. Then I foolishly took the wife to Las Vegas. No more camping for her. Sold the trailer and took up backpacking. Now in my ripe old age, I am back in a homemade camping trailer. Loving every minute of it.
55 years.
Both my wife and I grew up in RVing families that had pickup campers. My parents bought one when I was six or seven years old and we traveled somewhere west of the Mississippi every year on vacation.
Shortly after we married my wife and I got a used travel trailer and still continue RVing today having owned numerous trailers and motorhomes.
I started rving in a 1964 VW microbus that I converted myself. Now, after 3VWs, 1 class A, 2 sailboats, 1 class B and 3 Lazy Daze Class C’s I’m finally hanging up the keys. It’s been a wonderful run.
I’m envious, Ron! It sounds like a life well lived! Congrats!
I have been camping in a tent most of my life and loved it! I decided at 59 years old, it was time to get out of the tent and bought a travel trailer back in 2019. I had a great year during 2020 due to COVID because I was laid off and glamped over 40 days. This year not so much due to my busy work schedule. So next year we are spending our weekends and vacation time in New Hampshire on a seasonal site. I think it will work out better for us.
Since 1965.
How long have I been RVing? I just got my first, used travel trailer last month after scouring ads for the past 5 years for a good opportunity that I could jump on in time. I spent those years learning all I could from my travel trailer friends. I’m so incredibly excited and can’t wait to expand my camping across this beautiful country now that I’ve retired and have more freedom!
My wife and I started tent camping but found out that tents were not working for us with 3 little children. we then bought a pop-up trailer and used that for several years but sold it when we bought a new house. Well that didn’t last too long so bought a used pop-up.
We sold that when the kids did not want to go camping anymore. Some 30 years later when
I retired we bought a KeyStone 26rls and have been very happy on the road when we can..