On Traveling Alone

by Helen
(Texas)

I'm an older woman who will be traveling alone. I've recently bought a 1965 travel trailer, it needs some work on it, which I hope to finish by the end of this year...if I can figure out what I'm doing. LOL.

I'm looking forward to taking off on trips early next year. But at the same time I'm a bit worried about being on my own. I'm a loner by nature so I think that will help. I plan to take one or two dogs with me too. It's just the newness of doing this, I guess.

I know it sounds silly, and in fact, it is silly but what bothers me is the thought of having people watch me when I pull in somewhere, backing up, unhitching, setting up, etc. I'm a klutz anyway, so I'm bound to make a lot of mistakes along the way. How did you two manage when you first started out?

Comments for On Traveling Alone

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Aug 02, 2019

Wish we could hear from Helen
by: Anonymous

It was a long time ago that Helen posted the message that started this thread. I've always wondered how she did with her solo RVing.

By now, Peter and I are on our second truck camper. Not a Lance this time, a Northern Light, chosen because of its construction style and insulation. Gotta admit I like the Lance floorplan and cabinetry much better, but traveling as we do in the winter, even down South the insulation makes a difference.

Aug 01, 2019

Hi Josh?
by: Gary

I would like to travel with people of like mind. I am a loner too, but respect other people like me and frankly love to be around other loners which does not make much sense.. lol.. But if you would like to travel in the western US as a group to cover each other email me [email protected]

Jun 01, 2019

Alone on the road
by: Doug S

I’m planning on full time rv’ing very soon. One thing I’m doing as you are is gathering as much information as I can. I’m learning a lot. Yes, as a man, big and kinda burly. I have to admit I am a bit apprehensive about being alone in the wilderness. I think I’ll get over it very quickly. Fortunately I have a look of a biker ex-con which will deter anyone of making me a mark but it’s only a look I got though genes. Of course I can do what I need to if needed but still I’m going to take all the tips I can get.
I’m learning too about size of vehicle and trailer. I’m gonna brush up on places I want to be before I purchase my travel trailer. I love my truck and it’s set to pull 11,000 if I want but I’m a minimalist and only need a 19 to 24 ft trailer if that to be happy. Around gross 8,000 or a little less. I have a senior dog she will be no help with safety but securing rv yes. She has a deep big dog bark. English bulldog. She can’t do the hikes and walks. She lives the inside.
So to end I’ll day I saw a hitch lock that’s much better than the ball lock. It incapsulated the whole hitch and would take a lot to cut off. Happy boondocking if see a guy alone who’s scary bald tattooed and hefty that looks intimidating it’s gonna be me someday. Lol I’m nice as they come and would give the shirt off my back to anyone.

Feb 26, 2018

Glad I'm not alone
by: Cindy

Hi Helen,
I'm so glad to read this and know I'm not the only older woman thinking of doing this alone. I'm curious how it all worked out for you. I'm just starting to consider this new adventure and reading all I can about it. I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I hope you can tell me how your experience turned out.

Aug 03, 2015

Helen You Are One Of My Heroes :)
by: Canadian Lady

Helen,

You are one of my heroes!

Keep travelling, and all the best!

-Canadian Lady

Mar 26, 2014

a woman traveling alone
by: Spencer's friend

You are describing me exactly! I got my truck last week, will pick up my trailer next Monday and I swear, I have no idea what I am doing! I have never towed anything let alone a 22ft trailer. Electricity is beyond me as well. My only companion is my (not-ferocious-looking) standard poodle. I KNOW people will laugh at me when I try to back in to my first campsite but I've decided to join them rather than be embarrassed. I could not let your comment go by without letting you know, "You are not alone." Good luck to us both!

Spencer's friend

Sep 23, 2011

Roadrunner
by: Helen

Hi! thanks for your good words, but I have to confess: I really am a klutz. My rehabbing is a lot of fumbling around mostly. I have yet to understand the electrical stuff, it's just beyond me. I don't usually bother with what other people think but this is all new to me so I feel like I'm doing a floor show for people when I, for instance, fall off the ladder or ....my latest....leave a hammer on top of the tarped trailer, pull the tarp off and here comes the hammer, just barely missed my big toe. LOL. Of course I wouldn't be laughing if it had hit my toe!
Thanks again!
Take care, Helen

Sep 23, 2011

Not to worry
by: Roadrunner

Helen, you are probably not a klutz if you are doing your own camper rehab. As for the other campers, most of them (a) can still remember their own learning curve (or are still in it), and (b) are willing to help and then leave you alone. We all go through the learning curve, and it provides some good stories :). As for the other folks, the "tsk-tsk'ers," don't give them a vote in your happiness anyway; their opinion doesn't help or matter.

Sep 23, 2011

response to Susan
by: Helen

Hi Susan! Thanks for all the great advice! I think I'll be doing a lot of boondocking to save on money. I've got a lot to learn! I didn't know I might be able to pick my site, that would be good. I'm so looking forward to getting on the road, just kinda' scary right now, ha!
thanks again, Helen

Sep 23, 2011

While you're learning
by: Susan in Saugerties

You can practice a lot at home. Then when you go out, you can try to minimize the number of people who will be observing by choosing secluded sites. Many times a campground will let you drive through to choose your own site, then return to the office to check in. See if you can get a site at the end of a row, or a pull-through with bushes on both sides. Then just go about your business, and ignore others. Most people in campgrounds observe signals that you are open to be approached, or wish to be left alone. Having never been "a woman alone" in a campground, I don't know if some guys will just not be able to resist "helping."

If you're equipped to boondock (no hookups), you have a lot more choices. There are many tricks you can learn to make this possible, or more comfortable. We added a solar panel to the top of our camper that helps a lot in keeping our battery charged up, we replaced all our incandescent bulbs with LEDS, we know how to sanitize water, we save washwater to flush the toilet, etc. etc.

We've found that one of the hardest things to manage is the refrigerator! We installed a thermometer on the wall next to the refrigerator, with a sensor inside, so we always know what temp it is inside the refrigerator (it fluctuates a lot). At first we would put it on "battery" while we were on the move, but we kept forgetting to change it to propane when we stopped for something, and it's amazing how fast it drains that battery! When we left it on propane while we were on the road, the flame kept blowing out. So we experimented with putting tape over the vent louvers on the outside, until we found the exact right amount, that keeps the compartment ventilated but the flame stays on. (We have a Lance camper - sits up on a pickup truck - so this might not apply to your situation.) Obviously, if you're plugged in, no problem.

Have fun, and don't worry!

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