First Trailer at 60

[Bamabox]

Welcome to the forum. An invaluable source of good information, and it won’t take long to figure out the sources LOL. DW and I bought our first trailer when 70, and it’s not polite to tell a lady’s age. We had talked about it for years, and finally it was, “if not now…………..when?”. Enjoy.

[FlyingAroundRV]

Some good advice about practicing backing the trailer around corners etc. When you're doing that get some cheap traffic cones from Wallyworld or somewhere and work to stay within them etc.
We also found a cheap set of walkie talkies really helpful for the DW to watch for low overhangs etc while I back 'er in. We tried going the hand signals method, but the DW kept wandering out of sight of the mirrors and waving madly at me. Now if I could only get her to let her finger off the talk button once in a while…

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by FlyingAroundRV

Some good advice about practicing backing the trailer around corners etc. When you're doing that get some cheap traffic cones from Wallyworld or somewhere and work to stay within them etc.
We also found a cheap set of walkie talkies really helpful for the DW to watch for low overhangs etc while I back 'er in. We tried going the hand signals method, but the DW kept wandering out of sight of the mirrors and waving madly at me. Now if I could only get her to let her finger off the talk button once in a while…

Using the hands free speakers on your phones is a better option than walkie talkies.
We used walkie talkies at 1st, but someone would never take their finger off the talk button so someone else could ask a question.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Using the hands free speakers on your phones is a better option than walkie talkies.
We used walkie talkies at 1st, but someone would never take their finger off the talk button so someone else could ask a question.

"WE" had the same issue with two way radios although it stop her from making hand gesters that had me thinking she was having a seizure . I put a wired rear view camera on the trailer so I can see and hear back there. We still use the phones when cell service is available as habing the hands free via the radio is convenient.

[FresnoTom]

We’ve certainly camped over the years in tents. My parents-in-law always had trailers (until they reached an age where it was not a good idea), but it’s definitely different owning your own. Looking forward to the adventure!

[InkedMarie]

Originally Posted by jxnbbl

Welcome, we didn't do it for the same reasons but got our first trailer last year and upgraded it this year as we plan on doing a good amount of traveling. We have had a blast for a total of about 10-12 weeks on the road this year.

I’m in NH too and our state has so many nice places to camp!

[InkedMarie]

Tom, welcome from NH! We were 59 when we started, just a couple years ago. Life’s too short to enjoy life!

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Using the hands free speakers on your phones is a better option than walkie talkies.
We used walkie talkies at 1st, but someone would never take their finger off the talk button so someone else could ask a question.

We were at a park enjoying an adult beverage when the park escort pulled in next to us followed by a motorhome. The escort went to the drivers window & pointed to the hookups explaining them while fellows wife jumped out with her walkie talkie & is behind the motorhome just yaking away, the fellow ask the escort if she would mind going back there to tell his wife to turn the walkie talkie on, we bout fell out of our chairs laughing.

[Berdan]

Tom,

Congratulations! You beat me by 3 years. I just bought my first trailer last month. Hope to get it out of the driveway here at least once in the next couple of weeks.

Brien

[FlyingAroundRV]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Using the hands free speakers on your phones is a better option than walkie talkies.
We used walkie talkies at 1st, but someone would never take their finger off the talk button so someone else could ask a question.

Except that only works when you have cell coverage. We found almost all NPs and a lot of SPs don't have cell coverage except near the office.



Also, if you are on a prepaid cell phone it eats money like it's going out of fashion. Disclaimer: As non residents in the US we don't keep an active phone account there, only prepaid cell phones while we're there.

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by FlyingAroundRV

Except that only works when you have cell coverage. We found almost all NPs and a lot of SPs don't have cell coverage except near the office.



Also, if you are on a prepaid cell phone it eats money like it's going out of fashion. Disclaimer: As non residents in the US we don't keep an active phone account there, only prepaid cell phones while we're there.

Then a training session between both parties on the use of walkie talkies should take place before each camping season to prevent having to do so in the middle of trying back into a site. Along with acceptable hand signals.

[dutchmensport]

travelin texans.... that a great walki-talki story. I loved it! Thanks for the laugh!

[LHdream]

Originally Posted by FresnoTom

Turned 60 last month and realized that retirement is looming. Decided I needed to jump on the huge bandwagon and buy a trailer.

Actually, have been looking for a while, but finally found what we wanted. Just purchased a 2018 Keystone Springdale 179qbwe.

My wife’s family has always had trailers, so it has been interesting to hear how very different the market is now. Found a lot of old and very expensive trailers or brand-new, but not much in-between.

Glad to be here to learn from you all!

Fresno Tom

Congratulations on a great purchase! The main thing is that you remain young at heart and in your thoughts, and are open to adventure.

[Danimal713]

I have been camping since a baby. There is a "blackmail" picture floating around of me getting a bath in a dishpan! I was under 2 at that time. We tent camped for a very long time then my parents purchased a small (17') Winnebago trailer. Later 2 motorhomes. after I was out of the house, I tent camped for awhile then had several popups. The last was a Dutchman we had for 10 years and sold to friends who had it another 9 then was sold to hunters. We blew a motor in WY heading to Tetons in a minivan pulling the Dutchman and came home with a very expensive souvenir- a GMC Yukon XL (GMC version of Suburban). The minivan was tired anyway and Mom was tired of the Mom-taxi. Since we had a bigger motor we went to RV show "just to look" and came home with one. RVision 24' hybrid with 3 pop-out beds. A queen out front and 2 full out each side in rear- slightly unusual but had storage everywhere and equivalent usable floor space of a 28" camper. We had that style for 15 years. The first was wrecked after 7 years in a horrific accident caused by a retread from a semi on the road. The camper flipped but because the 1/4" steel plates where torsion bars connect to hitch sheared, the truck didn't flip. No one was hurt and we got a refund for campsite and stayed in a cabin at a KOA instead. 2 kids came from different colleges to meet us. We ended up finding a same year in decent condition and dealer trucked it 460 miles to a sister dealer 13 miles from house for free!. We had that for another 8 years. I keep things in good condition so sold a 15 year old camper during COVID for $6000 in 4 hours. The people have 11 kids (my first thought was they needed to figure out what was causing that!).
We found current camper Crossroads Sunset Trails 291RK on side of road for sale (also during COVID) and got it. I like it when on site but getting it there and maneuvered is a big PITB! It has a huge turning radius and is much taller than previous camper. So I echo the need to practice practice practice turning and backing in a large unused parking area. I am very good backing trailers (doing it a long time) and this one gives me fits getting in/out of narrow driveway on narrow street. I upgraded truck to a RAM for more power (can you say HEMI!) cause the 5.3L Silverado was having to work too hard up the hills- I had to wind engine between 4-5000 rpm to maintain speed up long interstate grades plus it was 14 years old and 149K miles. The RAM pulls much better but sucks gas worse than the Chevy. But I always figured it an interum truck till she retires and we can be gone 4-6 weeks at a time.
When wife retires in 2 years me are considering a used Sprinter chassis with the 3.0L diesel cause it gets decent fuel mileage and can pull a small vehicle- think JEEP- I have 2 old CJs and working to get at least one of them back together and running reliably. Anyway we LOVE LOVE LOVE camping.
Our goal is hit all National Parks- already have 18 under our belt. Life is too short not to enjoy and I have met some of the nicest people at camp grounds (also some of the rudest but I choose to focus on the nice ones in the majority). Practice moving it in/out of places and pick some kewel things to go see. BTW, I still have tents and use them at least one-2 times/year. The diference now is I bring an AIR BED. I'll be 67 on Thanksgiving this year. Just keep moving and ignore the aches!
I added a picture of wreck on I-57 July 8, 2012 heading to Land Between The Lakes. No one was injured in a 3 car/1 camper wreck. I do believe in God and Him watching over us! We were heading to the left and ended up going backwards at 60+ when bars sheared and camper flipped. If the steel had not sheared, the tow vehicle would have flipped to and the dogs and us probably would have been injured.

[Falcon67]

She - bought a new F-150 with 360 degree cams and the upscale trailer tow. We're about to go to the high school parking lot to calibrate it.