We pulled into the wooded campground later than hoped. It was 4:30 pm, less than two hours before dark. They call it a shakedown – our first camping trip when we’d finally use our new RV in the wild. It was no surprise that we were running late.
What We Learned from Tent Compounds (Not Like a Cult)
Before we bought a camper, we spent years exploring the country in my pickup truck. We mostly tent camped, often for weeks or months at a time. Our camps became more like tent compounds. The full spread took hours to build and break down. When extreme weather hit or we needed internet, we found a motel. Several times, people tried but failed to cut through our locks. Thus, for years, we kept one eye on our stuff, another on our savings, and a third on the many RV campers available.
A Basecamp on Wheels
When the time came to choose a camper, the lessons from our tent life proved invaluable. What we needed was a “tent-on-wheels” with a touch of luxury. A detachable camper, aka a travel trailer, that worked for full-hookup campgrounds, primitive dry-camping sites, and backcountry boondocking.
This led us to the Casita Spirit Deluxe. It’s a 17-foot fiberglass egg with a hundred cubic feet of interior. Yes, it can feel tight, but so does a tent. Thus, we quickly adopted one tent-life technique that extends as a tip for new RV owners: do as much outside as possible. The camper is mostly for sleeping, showering, and holing up during inclement weather.
Learning the Language of Camper Life
Our biggest challenge was jumping into the camper life with almost no experience. I basically walked up to anyone who a) had a camper, b) seemed willing to chat, and c) did not appear to be a kidnapper. You will learn a ton from fellow RV owners. Advice is not always accurate and usually applies more to the owner’s situation than yours, but the goal is to triangulate your own path.
Planning Realistic Trips: Reservations versus Winging It
In the tent life days, we might have winged it. But once we had the camper, we moved more cautiously. When towing a tiny home, you need a suitable spot. There are fewer of those sites available, creating higher demand. During our first year, we did not feel ready to boondock. So, we mostly reserved sites. This relaxed our drives because we weren’t racing to find an open site.
How Far to Go
Early on, we correctly hypothesized that 4-5 hours was our max daily driving range. Our average speed was around 60-65 mph when towing our camper. In general, we found that adding one hour to a Google Maps estimate helped us create more realistic drive-time expectations.
New Ways to Adventure
For us, the purpose of transitioning from tent to RV camper was to continue our adventurous lifestyle with increased comfort. On warmer days, we can now go for a blistering bike ride and afterward cool down inside the air-conditioned camper. On cooler days, we can paddle through splashing rapids and warm up with the furnace. The camper opened up each season for more ways to get out there.
If you’re considering the transition from tent to trailer, here are a few additional resources you might find useful:
- What is the Best RV for Beginners?
- 17 RV Driving Safety Tips for Beginners
- Buying an RV For the First Time: A Tale of Mishaps and Adventures
Did you make a similar transition to RV living? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below.
A great article. But the author failed to mention how many folks walk up to fiberglass egg campers in campgrounds! They are very uncommon.
My wife and recently transitioned from tent to trailer as well. We wanted the smallest possible trailer with a queen size bed and a separate dinette (for eating and grandkids). We considered Casita but the bed would be full size or we would lose the separate dinette. We opted for the Escape 19, another fiberglass egg brand. We didn’t ease into it though – we drove from Dayton OH to Chilliwack BC (think Vancouver) to pick it up and towed it home stopping at several national parks and recreation areas. We had no issues with hookups or driving (I have plenty of towing experience with boats). We did one overnight at a hotel thinking it would be a good break. Not so. Hauling crap in, not our bed, noisy. We found “overnight” campgrounds with level sites and hookups for $40/night in August! Much better than a hotel. These sites are perfect as a quick overnight to break up long drives.
We rearranged things more than once during the trip. After 3 weeks in the trailer, we’re fairly comfortable with what gets stowed where and I’ve made some custom mods to help that with a couple yet to do. We also noted what got used and what didn’t so we can better adjust what stuff we need.
We did a 4 night stay with no hookups. Our holding tank and water capacity was fine. Could probably do 6 nights if careful. We had to run our 2200W generator for 30 minutes each morning and evening to keep the single deep cycle battery charged for the compressor fridge. Since then I’ve installed lithium batteries and solar so we should be fine for 6 nights off grid with no generator unless we need a lot of AC. Our AC works fine from the single 2200W gen as well as from the 3000W inverter and lithium batteries although we can probably only use an hour of AC per day with average sun shine for the solar. The author notes his 30A linked gen set (2 x 2000/2200W generators). My experience is you only need one. I only use propane hot water unless hooked up and I doubt the microwave or toaster oven will work WITH the AC on, but so what. Only need a single generator!
We used the AC based heat strips a couple of times when we had hookups. Since we got home, I did fire up the propane furnace and it works great. Looking forward to a January trip down to Dallas and the gulf coast which will be our first winter camping in a trailer.
I find I can do 6-8 hours driving if mainly interstate (Think Denver back to Dayton or Dayton to Dallas). In smaller roads, 3-5 hours is better. I avoid urban areas, especially for gas. Much easier to get gas at large interstate gas stations. I’m skilled at backing a trailer (boat ramps, side entry garage) but really try to avoid it at gas stations etc. where other vehicles are darting around.
Also, having a fridge, kitchen, and bathroom makes it practical to have lunch stops at scenic overlooks or almost anywhere. What to keep in the fridge and pantry is another learning experience. Keep track of what you use and what you don’t, and adjust for the next trip!
Hi Dave, thanks for sharing your experience with the Escape19–sounds like you’re having some great trips!
Very good article. I have moved from tent to what I call my ‘aluminum tent’. It’s a 6’x12′ cargo trailer. I had the factory put in 2 windows, an RV door with a screen door, roof vent and raise the roof about a foot. I use it for sleeping. Still set up a canopy for cooking outside, etc. Use battery for 12 volt lights, etc.
Hi Jack, your aluminum tent sounds like a great DIY set-up. Have fun out there!
I really enjoyed your article as I, too, have a Casita Spirit Deluxe! That was not always the case, as my husband and I first had a Pop-up, and then a longer “stick built” trailer. We enjoyed both, but bad weather caused a literal dampening of our excitement with the former! I was not exactly thrilled with the idea of downsizing, but my husband was leading the charge. His decision proved prescient as I began to take over the driving duties of the Casita when his health declined. It was less daunting than I had imagined, and when towing with our large van, it was like nothing was even back there! Gas station navigating was my first challenge, and there is a learning curve as with most things. Backing in weird places with audiences can still be a nemesis, but any woman who thinks she can’t RV solo should think again. In 2021, though we didn’t know it, my husband and I took our last week long trip together. I was now doing all the set up, both in and out of the camper, as well as the driving, hitching and unhitching. My confidence had grown enough that, after his passing in the spring of 2022, I made a cathartic trip to our familiar MerleFest music festival. I triple checked myself on everything I did, but it proved I could do it all. My key to success is planning ahead and being methodical and unrushed. Staying on the top half of your gas tank isn’t a bad idea either. I hope to enjoy many more familiar, as well as more far flung trips, before I get too old to enjoy them. Our “little egg” that I was at first not thrilled about, now provides me many comforting memories, and a promise of more new adventures just as my husband would’ve wished for me. Happy travels everyone!
Hi Vicki, great to hear you have a Casita Spirit Deluxe, and I’m glad you enjoyed the article! I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m glad you got to do some trips together in the egg before he passed away. Great to hear you’re still getting out there, and given that we chat with every Casita owner we come across, maybe we’ll bump into you sometime!
I’m sorry for your loss but impressed you keep camping on your own. My wife does the trailer tongue jack and stabilizers, but isn’t willing to drive yet! We also both do the pre-tow checklist independently.