From our first tent to our current motorcoach, here are the campers and RVs we have owned.
Tent Camping
The first time we camped together was in a tent at Sugar Bottom Campground on Coralville Lake.
The next time was at a campground when we floated the Upper Iowa River. A music festival was being held across the river, and we didn’t get much sleep that night.
The last time we slept in a tent was in Haiti, while on a mission trip. It rained so hard our second night that we abandoned our rooftop tent and found shelter in the clinic.
Pop-up Camper
In 2008, we purchased a used pop-up that we could easily pull with our truck. The canvas was good and it didn’t leak. Unfortunately, the hot water heater was cracked and the refrigerator didn’t work.
It was tent camping off the ground. But, we liked it and took it to the nearest campground as often as possible. Our grandson Trey went camping with us. He was only four.
Maxlite – Our First Travel Trailer
The following spring, we traded our pop-up for a small travel trailer. The Maxlite was perfect for us. It had two slide-outs, a working bathroom, and a kitchen.
We pulled it to Missouri when we relocated to Kansas City and lived in it at Smithville Lake until we closed on our new house.
Salem – Our 2nd Travel Trailer
In 2013, we were ready for a larger trailer. The Maxlite was traded for the Salem. This travel trailer had a separate bedroom and a much bigger bathroom than our previous trailer. We enjoyed it for two years before deciding to upgrade to a 5th Wheel.
First 5th Wheel – Open Range Ultra Light
We purchased our Open Range Ultra Light in February 2015. We pulled it to Mount Rushmore that first summer. In May 2016, we took it to the Smokey Mountains and an RV Rally in Tennessee. By this time, we had downsized to our smaller home with the large RV port.
Second Fifth Wheel – Grand Design Solitude
In March 2017, we traded our Ultra Light for a 5th wheel that was built for full-time living. In October, after taking it out on weekend trips to nearby lakes and campgrounds, we pulled it to El Paso, Texas for Andy’s first travel nursing assignment. We lived in our Grand Design Solitude 379FLS for almost two years. We modified it, redecorated it, and made it our home.
Class A Motorcoach – 2019 Sportscoach 404RB
Our new home. We are still getting used to the change from the 5th wheel to the motorcoach. Read about our decision to trade at Our New Home
