I hope you can eventually find a piece of land for your home base. The peacefulness of quiet and solitude is priceless! We currently have a spot in an rv park, long term. I love being hooked up to water, power and sewage but it comes with a price. No privacy. Not to sound harsh, but when I’m there, I just want to chill or take care of chores, etc…the neighbors have school aged kids that are homeschooled, so they don’t have much interaction and they’ve taken a liking to me & my boyfriend. So anytime we’re outside, they’re right there asking questions 🤪. Sometimes I just need to get things done, ya know?! I’d love to just quit my job and travel full time, that’s definitely the plan for retirement, I know I shouldn’t wait bc you never know what will happen between now & then but that’s the goal. But I love seeing your videos on Sundays. ❤
Take your time looking for a truck. Also get a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent shop. Your old truck still looks good to me and is less complicated and cheaper to maintain than a new diesel truck (which I don't recommend at all). Probably better off with a newer gas rig instead if you must change vehicles. Good luck. We always enjoy your Sunday videos.
Two years ago, I got 3.5 off grid beautiful remote land with no neighbors in northern AZ. My 2018 TT is parked, skirted, wood stove there. Since getting mytruck bed shell 9 mo ago, I'm doing extended trips. Spent 6 wks boondocking around Duck Creek Village in southern Utah, including Blow Hard Mountain 😋 Right now, sitting in the rocky mountainous terrain, ALONE, between Bouse and Q, AZ for the perfect temps! My 2 dogs love the off leash exploring! (Btw, 400 watts solar on TT, 200 watts on bed shell.) Simple shell build out with a cargo hitched that holds 30 gal water bladder. Life is good!
Good morning Catherine. I am sure the problems will be solved cause you helped a lot of people to enjoy their coffees watching your beautiful videos . Have good holidays ❤
Cat, i bought a new chevy Silverado in 2002. It has over 350000 mi. I have boondocked in it, drove it to cali for work, my kids a used it. It needs a brake job. But i love my truck!!😂😂
I love how you are so good at explaining the pros and cons of living in your camper. Very helpful, I’m new to this lifestyle and have learned a lot from you!
I spent 30 days in Patagonia. Rented a little camper van and went from Santiago Chile and drove to punta arenas where I dropped it off. I thought about much you would enjoy that adventure. Right up your alley, car camping, hiking, backpacking, new foods, etc... it was surprisingly affordable including air transportation. I did the same in New Zealand years ago.
We’re retired driving South America in our Promaster and Patagonia is really wild and different even though the weather is equally wild unpredictable. It’s a great change from all the other countries we’ve driven through with open wilderness and summer is just starting…
Travelled solo throughout Chile in 1997, from the Atacama desert all the way down to Punta Arenas. Things are just different in the southern hemisphere , would love to make it back some time!
@@susans8539 We were harassed once in N. Idaho, probably due to our rig having CA plates. Scary moment when you're towing. Fortunately, it was a brief episode.
I live in the desert on the outskirts of a small town. 2 1/2 hour drive to Big City. On a parcel big enough to keep neighbors a peaceful distance away. Water/Power/Septic. I am still close enough to visit family and get out of the city. Big relief. No gardeners or leaf blowers.
You are such an inspiration, Catherine. Love your videos. Really great quality and you share a lot of great information for those of us planning to do something similar. Have a lovely time with your family!
It's good to change things up every so often and address concerns with our stuff. "Pay me now or pay me later" as the saying goes. Meaning, you can either take the time and money to repair something now or you'll end up paying in one way or another later either way. One way is less costlier than the other. Enjoy that quality time with your family.
Good for you Catherine! Enjoy the break from constant travel and the time with family and friends. Best wishes on finding the perfect tow vehicle for you.
I live in a mixed use trailer and Mobilehome park in Ventura. I love being here. Most people are here full time. My neighbor across from me is a snowbird so he lives over half the year here and half in Florida where his kids are. He has his site set up so nicely. I’ve been parked here about 18 yrs now. I can’t believe it. But it’s been nice having a stable place to call home.
I just love the logistics of it all...! As someone who has spent a lot of time on the road the past several years (I did over about 15 months without a legit home, just to see what it was like), it was very enjoyable to consider all the options and find flow about where to be when. Like you, the Eastern Sierra is always on the docket... and so many other beautiful spots I've found in California. I myself refuse to become a resident of CA but I spend a lot of time there because I love the land so much. You're so level-headed in how you decide to make your movements, I think that's really important so you don't feel like you're just out there being pushed around. Best of luck finding your next rig and cheers to more amazing adventures! 🥂
Im in a house and repairs are endless too, however i do them myself too. I dont get to travel much except weekends and inexpensive vacations. I do tent camping because i have small car and cant do rustic camping . So i have a lot of cons too. My pros a steady job and paycheck, organic gardening, building equity, and of course utilities like heat, water, and air. Now having said that if i lose my job and cant find another i will be on the road too. Thanks for your videos, i enjoy watching them
Sounds like this is a perfect situation for you at the moment. Family time, break time, plenty of time to focus on finding the right vehicle and getting repairs taken care of. Enjoy the Boat Parade!
When you’re ready for a few acres of your own private land, you should look around Southern Utah. There is plenty of land out here in different stages of development. Keep planning and you’ll figure it all out.
I know what you mean. Back in the Navy days we called it dry dock, truckers and farmers call it overhaul. Ben Franklin called it a stitch in time saves nine. Whatever you call it, the repairs ain't gonna get cheaper so do it now. Good Luck, like your channel.
Buying a piece of land and placing an RV on it to live full time is not that easy like some commenters suggest. Some ordinances only allow you to camp for 14 days a year on ur property. Check your local laws before buying a piece of land. You're better off buying a warehouse that your camper fits in. Privacy and security.
Catherine,do what is the best for you! Only You! Do not rush into any truck investment. Narrow down your must haves and narrow down choices and take a look what people who own it have to say! Remember you are making a decision for the future. Some older,2019.-2022.models are better than new ones with new engines... ...and it was just enough to say..." my yearly check ups".. Good luck.
May your Holidays be filled with love, laughter and family. Hoping Joey is doing the same. And yes your truck is just a little tired, time for something new. Wish Chevy would sponsor you, what a thought. Blessings and Holiday wishes.
Good Sunday Morning 🌄 Thank You for sharing your travels again. Winter isn't far off now. Find a good place to stay Safe and Warm! Keep posting and I'll keep watching 🙏👍🐕🦺
I think you will be happy wherever you stay because of your positive attitude. Btw, just in case you didn't know, Chantry Flats reopened recently. I hope to hike the Winter Creek Trail to Mt Wilson mid-week sometime in December. -And my suggestion for a summer adventure is for you to take your camping truck (not big trailer) to Mineral King!
Stationary for a brief time to reset in a safe location is wise. Maybe your trailer needs those wheels on the rear frame? Might have prevented the jack damage. Yes take time to be sure the next tow vehicle is the best investment for you. Reminder, every vehicle will have some time/thing that needs repair/attention. Reliability is the key factor. Low mileage, mechanically well cared for, dont be too concerned about style/design appearance. Think about a early 1980's Chevrolet/GMC truck restored/excellent condition. They will not have every new thing. But certainly easy to fix, very tough/reliable depending upon the model, not better MPG. Good quality will not be inexpensive. Consider a suburban type vehicle rather than a pickup truck? Enjoy the "hunt"! IMPORTANT: read and understand the recent court ruling about vehicle "lemon laws". Used vehicles on dealers lots may not be the best deal that they seem. CHEERS!
Catherine! Come to Maine! We live on the edge of Baxter State Park, my husband’s a ranger here..you can stay in our trailer😂😊we’ve been following along for a couple of years now, you’re a Sunday night ritual for us..whisky, woodstove and your adventures!! Fond wishes and happy trails. Ps we have an intech Sol Horizon…❤you really inspired us..
I noticed the little note from Mila , hanging in the trailer. Made me smile , that's sweet. Just what I have gleaned from watching the automotive channels that I watch on YT. Do your research before you buy a newer truck. They have a lot of problems , more than your older Chevy ! Ford trucks especially. The auto market is in a spiral right now and prices are coming down ,that's one good thing but they need to come down a lot more. I believe they will for a short term. Dealerships are having lots of trouble selling them so be patient and look in different areas , some areas are less affected , so far , but they are all feeling the bite . People just can't afford the crazy prices that have been in place the last few years . Good luck. Fwiw , I bought a new Ram 2500 Cummings 6.7L in 2016 . . . . knock on wood , I haven't had any problems except taking it in for the recall problems when I get the notice in the mail which were minor things that hadn't given trouble but the recall probably saved me from it. Good luck on your search ! You could probably have a new drive train set in that chevy for what you could buy a used , newer model . . . just a thought.
Sounds like a good idea- winter is hard to travel, you can spend lots of time with your family and take your time finding a new truck with the help of family members. A friend of mine has a great set up with a place for their RV on a guys property. It's a large property and he has utilities for them but they have total privacy. This is in Georgia. You are going to find that kind of opportunity in less populated, less expensive area
Good Morning Catherine. It makes sense to have your trailer stationary for a couple months just to save on wear & tear of always moving it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving !
Sounds like a great choice for the holidays ... and California's rainy season. I miss SoCal (moved away). Hoping you find a good "new to you" vehicle in So Cal. Lots of nomads take time to do repairs and such, so just keep us updated... we understand the need to clean & do repairs in your home. 👋🏼 till the next video.
Great next step. You have been talking about making changes. I also full timmed and eventually found a private campground where I own my own site to get off the road when I want and now also have a family place to land as needed. But I am still free to roam as needed as well! I wish you many more journeys. ❤
Great video Catherine! Very good thinking and planning! I don't, but many people need this kind of information desperately. Praying you will find the most perfect deal on the most fabulous tow vehicle you could have imagined. Praying all your physical exams turn out great. Happy Thanksgiving with family. Looking forward to your beautiful videos to come.
So nice to experience the good morning chat with you. I’m glad that you get to visit family and have your home on wheels nearby to rest and recuperate. I know that Sedona AZ, is popular, but maybe not so crowded in Winter months. I would be interested in seeing hiking around there. I wish you and yours the best, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Your not alone with the poor construction of trailers my zinger light 18 ft. similar to yours began falling apart as well held by staples which needed re fastening with wood screws very bad for a 50 grand trailer up here in canada have a great day 👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌷🌷
I can see how living in a trailer park temporarily can allow you more freedom to just go places without having to worry about where your gonna park it. It also gives you more time to spend with family and friends for an extended period of time. Thanks for the update and Happy Thanksgiving Cat 😊
My 2 cents ..... Get a 3/4 ton truck with a long bed if possible. Adventure rig - A pop top truck camper that fits to the end of the truck bed (no rear over hang). We had one for 25 years and never took it off (always ready to go)! They are fairly light so the 3/4 ton truck should be able to handle the camper and trailer together.
I’m glad you have a base camp so to speak while you look at options for trucks n travel locations.i hope yours find a reliable n safe rig ( definitely check for rust on undercarriage) if older vehicle. I’m glad you’ll be able to visit and spend time with your family and look forward to wherever you decide to adventure and whatever way you choose! Some of the vans are really nice n look forward to seeing your next adventure rig . Take care and have a great Thanksgiving! (Heather ) ❤
Good things to know.. thx for sharing ❤ I love having a home base where I can grow food and enjoy quiet peaceful countryside where I live near family❤ I will instead going on adventures to share with my followers' audience 🎉
Good Sunday morning to you Cat! How’s Joey? Is he still on his hike? So happy you’re getting to spend some time with your family for the holidays. I love the different looks you give us on your nomadic life style, so real and you always give me something to think about. You are such a treat to me as I sit here spinning my wheels, and my time goes by. I am much closer to the end than the beginning. Wishing you a great thanksgiving with your friends and family.😘 can’t wait to see what’s next for 2025. Your friend in Pennsylvania. Bob😘!
Glad you found a temporary home base for the holidays. We full-timed for about 2.5 years but after having trailer woes, we decided to get a home base. We are in a park with a tiny home near Palm Springs. We have a new trailer that we tow with our GMC Sierra 2500. On the truck, we have a Four Wheel Camper Project M topper, which has a comfy bed, power, and lights. They start around 12-14K, I think. You can customize your camper and still use the truck bed for hauling stuff if you need to. FWC also has a shell model with heater, more like a truck camper with pop-up. Of course you've probably seen those on your travels. Happy holidays!
We are very part time and we have a trailer much like yours in length and construction. We take a few short trips each year and usually one long one (5-8k mi.). I know how to repair and maintain my rig and I spend a fair amount of time in my driveway fixing things that have broken on a trip. I can understand that you couldn’t keep up with the WORK involved if you’re constantly on the move. This sounds like a really great resting place for a little while😉
Very Smart , maintenance, preventative and repair are essential for safety and for economics. Stick built homes or mobile units of every kind need maintenance. And also our minds and bodies need time to engage in healthy maintenance. You are a pro in every sense of the word Catherine! Thank for sharing your knowledge as well as your adventures, you are so kind! Have a fabulous holiday season 🥰🥰
A full life is an adventure, and you are the poster child for that! In the end, it is within our struggles that memories are born. A new truck is a wise decision, use a family member to guide you. Establishing a " close to family" base camp is also wise decision. Your life compass is sound and it;s pointing you in the right directions.
Catherine... good morning angel. Great video. I'm glad that you're considering a new tow vehicle. You've covered a lot of ground with your old truck. But three hundred thousand miles is quite a bit. Be vigilant with your decision. Have a great holiday with your family. Hope you get to eat some pecan pie. And your hair looks fantastic sweetheart. I love it. Be safe and have fun. Hope you can put up with the neighbors in your temporary home. See ya, bye. 🌹🎼
My parents had a 31 ft MH. They would come to visit and stay in their rig in my driveway off to the side. It was really ideal. They would go off to their home outside after dinner time for some quiet private time and leave me to my quiet privacy and it was perfect. Their visit was always welcomed and it was less intrusive with their own rig. I’d forget they were out there sometimes. I do the same to go visit my daughter now. And it gives me a respite from the activity in the house. Ideal if they have the space. 👍
Been following your channel for a while… really enjoy it!! I know you did some videos of Hawaii a long time ago. I’d love to see more of that… but this time with doing more hiking and camping or RVing if possible.
Good morning Catherine we are longtime subscribers to your channel. We also have a 2003 Chevy Silverado Duramax diesel with the LS and automatic, but our vehicles are 2 Wheel Dr. I will continue putting Band-Aids on my truck. I have friends who have newer diesel pick up trucks and they keep saying how expensive it is to maintain the emissions on the newer diesels, always check engine lights. I’m glad you have someone that knows about tow vehicles to steer you in the right direction. I’m a retired truck driver and my last truck that I drove had that DEF fluid which was very expensive but I’m glad my company paid for itagain keep up your hard work. We love your videos and enjoy your holidays with your family and friends.
Sounds like a wise decision to pause, think and spend time near family. I towed with my built out Sprinter 4x4 and now my F-250 with an ikamper for roaming backcountry. That setup worked very well. Seasons determine where basecamp is and you can wander quite far. Consider an F-150 4x4 with the 3.5 ecoboost (great for those high passes) Maybe add overload springs (I did that also on a previous truck. No effect on empty ride but huge help with towing load and handling. Will be interested to see what you do next. Be safe!
Did something similar! I had an RV and sold it to buy a 34ft Jayco trailer to put in a park in Birch Bay WA near my mom. I’ve been here since May paying $500 a month plus utilities. Pretty good. But it’s winter and I am going to put trailer in storage for 95 a month. I bought a 2006 Town and Country van that has over 200k miles of it having work done to drive it to CA and AZ for winter. I’m getting the van ready to live in full time. I don’t have a truck to pull a trailer and don’t want to do that. I’d rather travel lighter in van but I do have a cat so will see how it goes. I have a motel 6 reserved at Xmas in Ventura as my son and wife live there. I too struggle with a permanent home. I’d like one and wish id had the means to buy a house outright before I retired but that would’ve meant working to 70! But this does give me freedom. I may even go to Europe this spring instead of putting trailer back in the park this summer. Thanks for sharing your story!
We have a truck with a Raised cap. Maybe this would be more roomy for your excursions when not using your rig. Can’t wait to see what you decide . Looking forward to Joey re-joining you. Your smile is brighter with him around 😎
A van would be my choice for the tow vehicle, also to go camping and exploring with only the van. I do this combo personally and now I'm old and we just stay home😁...enjoy your videos!!
Great info! Glad you are going to be with family and get all the yearly check-ups done. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas early, Cat! Happy adventure vehicle hunting too! ❤❤❤
Hi Catherine, I am in Texas and for many of the reasons you discussed on this morning‘s video I am actually interested in a camper van. Only one thing to maintain, and can park in a driveway still visit, but have my own space just a thought
I like your Springdale. It's a good size for traveling around. And I just moved into a trailer park (RV resort?). Kids are moving away for school and I'm not interested in maintaining a house or paying rent for an apartment. I'll buy again eventually but don't want to deal with it for now. This particular RV park is new with really nice amenities.
We had a Springdale for years, but yes, they really are cheaply made. We drove through high winds and it literally ripped the aluminum siding off and it was a major repair. We only used it for weekend/summer trips and had to fix so many things on it over the years. Still, it was a great little trailer until the roof started leaking and we got black mold.
I stayed once in a RV trailer park for a short while. Other than access to the swimming pool and laundry room, I've found being stuck in one place not great. Even a 2 week camping time limit is too long for me. I like roaming around better, like 1 or 2 weeks at San Clemente State Beach, then 1 or 2 weeks at Skinner Lake in Temecula, or Paris Lake, or Palomar Mountain, or Yucaipa or Chino Parks, or Hemet Lake. There are an endless number of Federal, State, and County Parks, plus a massive amount of free BLM areas in southern California Between having a trailer, a RV, and a Van, I found my Van has the most pros vs cons, the most flexibility and the least hassle. Easiest to drive, park anywhere, virtually no advance planning where to park, least expensive to operate and repair. Our toy hauler trailer which we still use is great, and our old Winnebago RV was great, but hands down, my DIY custom camper Van has turned out to be the best all around rig. Its got almost 400k miles and if & when anything breaks, and everything always breaks, no matter if its old or new, its easy, fast, and cheap to fix. I'll never sell it. I drive it until the wheels fall off and just throw new ones on it. I've rebuilt the engine twice, the transmission three times, and at one time or another, have replaced just about every part once or twice. Its a GMC SAFARI VAN and it just runs & runs forever. For the past 7 or 8 yesrs, I've been roaming around the 11 western states, always chasing the sun & good weather, so I'm usually in Southern California during the winter months. I love San Diego and San Clememte, and Palm Springs, and Malibu, and Santa Barbara. There are so many great spots on the coast, and a lot of FREE dispersed camping and BLM areas in the desert. I usually come back to southern California in November or December and leave to stroll slowly north in April or May !!!
I'm a full timer myself. I park host in the Park city Utah area for the summers. The last few winters I stayed at rv parks in Arizona. It was extremely difficult to find a place as most places were booked. This winter I'm heading to southern Utah for the winter in an rv park. A lot of full timers have quit I guess so it was much easier to find a place.
Watch all the you tube videos on problems with newer vehicles. It is super important you do your home work.Some have more problems than others.Good luck.
I hope you can eventually find a piece of land for your home base. The peacefulness of quiet and solitude is priceless! We currently have a spot in an rv park, long term. I love being hooked up to water, power and sewage but it comes with a price. No privacy. Not to sound harsh, but when I’m there, I just want to chill or take care of chores, etc…the neighbors have school aged kids that are homeschooled, so they don’t have much interaction and they’ve taken a liking to me & my boyfriend. So anytime we’re outside, they’re right there asking questions 🤪. Sometimes I just need to get things done, ya know?! I’d love to just quit my job and travel full time, that’s definitely the plan for retirement, I know I shouldn’t wait bc you never know what will happen between now & then but that’s the goal. But I love seeing your videos on Sundays. ❤
HAPPY THANKSGIVING and God Bless ❤
Take your time looking for a truck. Also get a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent shop. Your old truck still looks good to me and is less complicated and cheaper to maintain than a new diesel truck (which I don't recommend at all). Probably better off with a newer gas rig instead if you must change vehicles. Good luck. We always enjoy your Sunday videos.
Thank you for the update. Blessings
Take care Catherine and enjoy the time with your family.
Two years ago, I got 3.5 off grid beautiful remote land with no neighbors in northern AZ. My 2018 TT is parked, skirted, wood stove there. Since getting mytruck bed shell 9 mo ago, I'm doing extended trips. Spent 6 wks boondocking around Duck Creek Village in southern Utah, including Blow Hard Mountain 😋 Right now, sitting in the rocky mountainous terrain, ALONE, between Bouse and Q, AZ for the perfect temps! My 2 dogs love the off leash exploring! (Btw, 400 watts solar on TT, 200 watts on bed shell.) Simple shell build out with a cargo hitched that holds 30 gal water bladder. Life is good!
Sounds like a smart move to move into a RV trailer park so that you can spend more hassle-free time with family. ❤
Good morning Catherine. I am sure the problems will be solved cause you helped a lot of people to enjoy their coffees watching your beautiful videos . Have good holidays ❤
She can start with her man Joey😂 hell help
Cat, i bought a new chevy Silverado in 2002. It has over 350000 mi. I have boondocked in it, drove it to cali for work, my kids a used it. It needs a brake job. But i love my truck!!😂😂
I love how you are so good at explaining the pros and cons of living in your camper. Very helpful, I’m new to this lifestyle and have learned a lot from you!
I spent 30 days in Patagonia. Rented a little camper van and went from Santiago Chile and drove to punta arenas where I dropped it off. I thought about much you would enjoy that adventure. Right up your alley, car camping, hiking, backpacking, new foods, etc... it was surprisingly affordable including air transportation. I did the same in New Zealand years ago.
We’re retired driving South America in our Promaster and Patagonia is really wild and different even though the weather is equally wild unpredictable. It’s a great change from all the other countries we’ve driven through with open wilderness and summer is just starting…
Travelled solo throughout Chile in 1997, from the Atacama desert all the way down to Punta Arenas. Things are just different in the southern hemisphere , would love to make it back some time!
Thanks for the update. Enjoy your family time. No matter what you choose, I'm sure we'll all be curious to see what the new year brings.
You’d love Idaho! It’s inexpensive, lots of hiking trails and free campsites, and is such a beautiful state. They are also camper/trailer friendly. 😊
I heard people with Cali plates get harassed in Idaho.
@ I’m from Cali, moved to ID and have never experienced harassment. Thanks tho, I’ll keep an eye out.
@@susans8539 We were harassed once in N. Idaho, probably due to our rig having CA plates. Scary moment when you're towing. Fortunately, it was a brief episode.
You're still young Catherine. Lots of adventure ahead.
Rest, refresh, repair! We all need a little time out.
Time goes by too fast. I am glad you are settled for now. Family is precious and don’t look back.
I live in the desert on the outskirts of a small town. 2 1/2 hour drive to Big City. On a parcel big enough to keep neighbors a peaceful distance away. Water/Power/Septic. I am still close enough to visit family and get out of the city. Big relief. No gardeners or leaf blowers.
Good morning, Catherine! We'll be watching your video soon! ❤
Can’t wait to see what you get! Happy Holidays 😊
Happy holidays!
Tennessee is absolutely beautiful. There are great sites and amazing trails.
Tennessee and Kentucky summers and Winters suck... Much better year round weather out West
You are such an inspiration, Catherine. Love your videos. Really great quality and you share a lot of great information for those of us planning to do something similar. Have a lovely time with your family!
It's good to change things up every so often and address concerns with our stuff. "Pay me now or pay me later" as the saying goes. Meaning, you can either take the time and money to repair something now or you'll end up paying in one way or another later either way. One way is less costlier than the other. Enjoy that quality time with your family.
Good for you Catherine! Enjoy the break from constant travel and the time with family and friends. Best wishes on finding the perfect tow vehicle for you.
I live in a mixed use trailer and Mobilehome park in Ventura. I love being here. Most people are here full time. My neighbor across from me is a snowbird so he lives over half the year here and half in Florida where his kids are. He has his site set up so nicely. I’ve been parked here about 18 yrs now. I can’t believe it. But it’s been nice having a stable place to call home.
I just love the logistics of it all...! As someone who has spent a lot of time on the road the past several years (I did over about 15 months without a legit home, just to see what it was like), it was very enjoyable to consider all the options and find flow about where to be when. Like you, the Eastern Sierra is always on the docket... and so many other beautiful spots I've found in California. I myself refuse to become a resident of CA but I spend a lot of time there because I love the land so much. You're so level-headed in how you decide to make your movements, I think that's really important so you don't feel like you're just out there being pushed around. Best of luck finding your next rig and cheers to more amazing adventures! 🥂
❤May you have A Beautiful Thanksgiving with your loved ones Catherine !😊
I love that you are giving yourself the flexibility to enjoy other options. Life is the journey! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season
Im in a house and repairs are endless too, however i do them myself too. I dont get to travel much except weekends and inexpensive vacations. I do tent camping because i have small car and cant do rustic camping . So i have a lot of cons too. My pros a steady job and paycheck, organic gardening, building equity, and of course utilities like heat, water, and air. Now having said that if i lose my job and cant find another i will be on the road too. Thanks for your videos, i enjoy watching them
Happy Holidays, Catherine. Can't wait to see your new rig and the magnificent vistas that come with it.
Omg. Never buy from carmax. They have high prices, but I'm glad you got to return it.
Sounds like this is a perfect situation for you at the moment. Family time, break time, plenty of time to focus on finding the right vehicle and getting repairs taken care of. Enjoy the Boat Parade!
When you’re ready for a few acres of your own private land, you should look around Southern Utah. There is plenty of land out here in different stages of development. Keep planning and you’ll figure it all out.
I know what you mean. Back in the Navy days we called it dry dock, truckers and farmers call it overhaul. Ben Franklin called it a stitch in time saves nine. Whatever you call it, the repairs ain't gonna get cheaper so do it now.
Good Luck, like your channel.
Buying a piece of land and placing an RV on it to live full time is not that easy like some commenters suggest. Some ordinances only allow you to camp for 14 days a year on ur property. Check your local laws before buying a piece of land. You're better off buying a warehouse that your camper fits in. Privacy and security.
Glad to hear you secured a spot.
Catherine,do what is the best for you! Only You!
Do not rush into any truck investment.
Narrow down your must haves and narrow down choices and take a look what people who own it have to say!
Remember you are making a decision for the future.
Some older,2019.-2022.models are better than new ones with new engines...
...and it was just enough to say..." my yearly check ups"..
Good luck.
May your Holidays be filled with love, laughter and family. Hoping Joey is doing the same. And yes your truck is just a little tired, time for something new. Wish Chevy would sponsor you, what a thought. Blessings and Holiday wishes.
Good Sunday Morning 🌄 Thank You for sharing your travels again. Winter isn't far off now. Find a good place to stay Safe and Warm! Keep posting and I'll keep watching 🙏👍🐕🦺
I think you will be happy wherever you stay because of your positive attitude. Btw, just in case you didn't know, Chantry Flats reopened recently. I hope to hike the Winter Creek Trail to Mt Wilson mid-week sometime in December. -And my suggestion for a summer adventure is for you to take your camping truck (not big trailer) to Mineral King!
Coffee with Cat never gets old, thanks for sharing, be safe, enjoy your holidays.
Stationary for a brief time to reset in a safe location is wise.
Maybe your trailer needs those wheels on the rear frame? Might have prevented the jack damage.
Yes take time to be sure the next tow vehicle is the best investment for you. Reminder, every vehicle will have some time/thing that needs repair/attention.
Reliability is the key factor. Low mileage, mechanically well cared for, dont be too concerned about style/design appearance.
Think about a early 1980's Chevrolet/GMC truck restored/excellent condition. They will not have every new thing. But certainly easy to fix, very tough/reliable depending upon the model, not better MPG. Good quality will not be inexpensive.
Consider a suburban type vehicle rather than a pickup truck?
Enjoy the "hunt"!
IMPORTANT: read and understand the recent court ruling about vehicle "lemon laws". Used vehicles on dealers lots may not be the best deal that they seem.
CHEERS!
Catherine! Come to Maine! We live on the edge of Baxter State Park, my husband’s a ranger here..you can stay in our trailer😂😊we’ve been following along for a couple of years now, you’re a Sunday night ritual for us..whisky, woodstove and your adventures!! Fond wishes and happy trails. Ps we have an intech Sol Horizon…❤you really inspired us..
You can fly nonstop to New Orleans in 3 hours from California on Southwest Airlines. You could then rent a car and explore the bayous.
I noticed the little note from Mila , hanging in the trailer. Made me smile , that's sweet. Just what I have gleaned from watching the automotive channels that I watch on YT. Do your research before you buy a newer truck. They have a lot of problems , more than your older Chevy ! Ford trucks especially. The auto market is in a spiral right now and prices are coming down ,that's one good thing but they need to come down a lot more. I believe they will for a short term. Dealerships are having lots of trouble selling them so be patient and look in different areas , some areas are less affected , so far , but they are all feeling the bite . People just can't afford the crazy prices that have been in place the last few years . Good luck. Fwiw , I bought a new Ram 2500 Cummings 6.7L in 2016 . . . . knock on wood , I haven't had any problems except taking it in for the recall problems when I get the notice in the mail which were minor things that hadn't given trouble but the recall probably saved me from it. Good luck on your search ! You could probably have a new drive train set in that chevy for what you could buy a used , newer model . . . just a thought.
Sounds like a good idea- winter is hard to travel, you can spend lots of time with your family and take your time finding a new truck with the help of family members.
A friend of mine has a great set up with a place for their RV on a guys property. It's a large property and he has utilities for them but they have total privacy. This is in Georgia. You are going to find that kind of opportunity in less populated, less expensive area
Glad you are enjoying your family ❤
Sounds like a great set of choices, Catherine. We're with you.👍🇨🇦😎
Good Morning Catherine. It makes sense to have your trailer stationary for a couple months just to save on wear & tear of always moving it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving !
Sounds like a great choice for the holidays ... and California's rainy season. I miss SoCal (moved away). Hoping you find a good "new to you" vehicle in So Cal. Lots of nomads take time to do repairs and such, so just keep us updated... we understand the need to clean & do repairs in your home. 👋🏼 till the next video.
Great next step. You have been talking about making changes.
I also full timmed and eventually found a private campground where I own my own site to get off the road when I want and now also have a family place to land as needed. But I am still free to roam as needed as well!
I wish you many more journeys. ❤
Your decision makes a lot of sense. Happy wintering!
Great video Catherine! Very good thinking and planning! I don't, but many people need this kind of information desperately. Praying you will find the most perfect deal on the most fabulous tow vehicle you could have imagined. Praying all your physical exams turn out great. Happy Thanksgiving with family. Looking forward to your beautiful videos to come.
Thanks so much Joyce!
I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving with your family. Family is very important
So nice to experience the good morning chat with you. I’m glad that you get to visit family and have your home on wheels nearby to rest and recuperate. I know that Sedona AZ, is popular, but maybe not so crowded in Winter months. I would be interested in seeing hiking around there. I wish you and yours the best, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Your not alone with the poor construction of trailers my zinger light 18 ft. similar to yours began falling apart as well held by staples which needed re fastening with wood screws very bad for a 50 grand trailer up here in canada have a great day 👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌷🌷
I can see how living in a trailer park temporarily can allow you more freedom to just go places without having to worry about where your gonna park it. It also gives you more time to spend with family and friends for an extended period of time. Thanks for the update and Happy Thanksgiving Cat 😊
All the best in your search for for new tow/adventure vehicle. I am sure you will find something that meets the need... and continued safe travels...
Norco, CA, has lots of used/new truck dealerships and good mechanics. I speak from experience. Good luck and thanks for sharing your content.
The "Bob Wells - CheapRVLiving" bought a van in the Corona-Norco area ... and I use to live there & noticed all the trucks & vans for sale. 👍🏼
My 2 cents .....
Get a 3/4 ton truck with a long bed if possible.
Adventure rig - A pop top truck camper that fits to the end of the truck bed (no rear over hang).
We had one for 25 years and never took it off (always ready to go)!
They are fairly light so the 3/4 ton truck should be able to handle the camper and trailer together.
She already had a truck camper. A pop-up truck camper is not going to be warm enough in the winter.
warmer then what she has now! And the pop up truck capers have winter packages and have a heater, unlike a truck cap!@@Starfish2145
Happy holidays Catherine. Thank you again for your wonderful, informative and inspiring videos.
Great! Now you can enjoy your family, and you have a safe space for your rig.
I’m glad you have a base camp so to speak while you look at options for trucks n travel locations.i hope yours find a reliable n safe rig ( definitely check for rust on undercarriage) if older vehicle. I’m glad you’ll be able to visit and spend time with your family and look forward to wherever you decide to adventure and whatever way you choose! Some of the vans are really nice n look forward to seeing your next adventure rig . Take care and have a great Thanksgiving! (Heather ) ❤
Good things to know.. thx for sharing ❤ I love having a home base where I can grow food and enjoy quiet peaceful countryside where I live near family❤ I will instead going on adventures to share with my followers' audience 🎉
Smart move for being close to family for the holidays,SCal for winter
Good Sunday morning to you Cat! How’s Joey? Is he still on his hike? So happy you’re getting to spend some time with your family for the holidays. I love the different looks you give us on your nomadic life style, so real and you always give me something to think about. You are such a treat to me as I sit here spinning my wheels, and my time goes by. I am much closer to the end than the beginning. Wishing you a great thanksgiving with your friends and family.😘 can’t wait to see what’s next for 2025. Your friend in Pennsylvania. Bob😘!
Merry Christmas Catherine
Wow! Thank you so much for the generous gift Lynn! A Merry Christmas to you too!
Glad you found a temporary home base for the holidays. We full-timed for about 2.5 years but after having trailer woes, we decided to get a home base. We are in a park with a tiny home near Palm Springs. We have a new trailer that we tow with our GMC Sierra 2500. On the truck, we have a Four Wheel Camper Project M topper, which has a comfy bed, power, and lights. They start around 12-14K, I think. You can customize your camper and still use the truck bed for hauling stuff if you need to. FWC also has a shell model with heater, more like a truck camper with pop-up. Of course you've probably seen those on your travels. Happy holidays!
Get yourself a fiberglass towable ie, casita, no leaks, no rot, no fuss!
We are very part time and we have a trailer much like yours in length and construction. We take a few short trips each year and usually one long one (5-8k mi.). I know how to repair and maintain my rig and I spend a fair amount of time in my driveway fixing things that have broken on a trip. I can understand that you couldn’t keep up with the WORK involved if you’re constantly on the move. This sounds like a really great resting place for a little while😉
Very Smart , maintenance, preventative and repair are essential for safety and for economics. Stick built homes or mobile units of every kind need maintenance. And also our minds and bodies need time to engage in healthy maintenance. You are a pro in every sense of the word Catherine! Thank for sharing your knowledge as well as your adventures, you are so kind! Have a fabulous holiday season 🥰🥰
A full life is an adventure, and you are the poster child for that! In the end, it is within our struggles that memories are born. A new truck is a wise decision, use a family member to guide you. Establishing a " close to family" base camp is also wise decision. Your life compass is sound and it;s pointing you in the right directions.
Catherine... good morning angel. Great video. I'm glad that you're considering a new tow vehicle. You've covered a lot of ground with your old truck. But three hundred thousand miles is quite a bit. Be vigilant with your decision. Have a great holiday with your family. Hope you get to eat some pecan pie. And your hair looks fantastic sweetheart. I love it. Be safe and have fun. Hope you can put up with the neighbors in your temporary home. See ya, bye. 🌹🎼
Thank you Randy!
My parents had a 31 ft MH. They would come to visit and stay in their rig in my driveway off to the side. It was really ideal. They would go off to their home outside after dinner time for some quiet private time and leave me to my quiet privacy and it was perfect. Their visit was always welcomed and it was less intrusive with their own rig. I’d forget they were out there sometimes. I do the same to go visit my daughter now. And it gives me a respite from the activity in the house. Ideal if they have the space. 👍
Been following your channel for a while… really enjoy it!! I know you did some videos of Hawaii a long time ago. I’d love to see more of that… but this time with doing more hiking and camping or RVing if possible.
Glad to see you settle down in one spot for awhile. At least for a little bit with winter coming right around the corner. Congrats.
Say it ain’t so Catherine. You are the boon dock queen. 👍👍
Good morning Catherine we are longtime subscribers to your channel. We also have a 2003 Chevy Silverado Duramax diesel with the LS and automatic, but our vehicles are 2 Wheel Dr. I will continue putting Band-Aids on my truck. I have friends who have newer diesel pick up trucks and they keep saying how expensive it is to maintain the emissions on the newer diesels, always check engine lights. I’m glad you have someone that knows about tow vehicles to steer you in the right direction. I’m a retired truck driver and my last truck that I drove had that DEF fluid which was very expensive but I’m glad my company paid for itagain keep up your hard work. We love your videos and enjoy your holidays with your family and friends.
All the best in your search for your new tower.
I can’t wait to see your new adventure rig and new adventures! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the update on your trailer and I hope you enjoy spending time with your family. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃❤
Very informative. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Sounds like a wise decision to pause, think and spend time near family. I towed with my built out Sprinter 4x4 and now my F-250 with an ikamper for roaming backcountry. That setup worked very well. Seasons determine where basecamp is and you can wander quite far. Consider an F-150 4x4 with the 3.5 ecoboost (great for those high passes) Maybe add overload springs (I did that also on a previous truck. No effect on empty ride but huge help with towing load and handling. Will be interested to see what you do next. Be safe!
I went thru to Vehicle "Search" recently,,, Be Careful to avoid "Rust Buckets" an "Flood Damaged" Vehicles,,,
Did something similar! I had an RV and sold it to buy a 34ft Jayco trailer to put in a park in Birch Bay WA near my mom. I’ve been here since May paying $500 a month plus utilities. Pretty good. But it’s winter and I am going to put trailer in storage for 95 a month. I bought a 2006 Town and Country van that has over 200k miles of it having work done to drive it to CA and AZ for winter. I’m getting the van ready to live in full time. I don’t have a truck to pull a trailer and don’t want to do that. I’d rather travel lighter in van but I do have a cat so will see how it goes. I have a motel 6 reserved at Xmas in Ventura as my son and wife live there. I too struggle with a permanent home. I’d like one and wish id had the means to buy a house outright before I retired but that would’ve meant working to 70! But this does give me freedom. I may even go to Europe this spring instead of putting trailer back in the park this summer. Thanks for sharing your story!
We have a truck with a Raised cap. Maybe this would be more roomy for your excursions when not using your rig. Can’t wait to see what you decide . Looking forward to Joey re-joining you. Your smile is brighter with him around 😎
It sounds nice. Maybe you should stay there for a few months and relax until spring time. It could be very rejuvenating.
A van would be my choice for the tow vehicle, also to go camping and exploring with only the van. I do this combo personally and now I'm old and we just stay home😁...enjoy your videos!!
Sounds like another exciting adventure. 🤩💕
Great info! Glad you are going to be with family and get all the yearly check-ups done.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas early, Cat! Happy adventure vehicle hunting too! ❤❤❤
Thank you 🙏
You are so inspiring ❤️
Hi Catherine, I am in Texas and for many of the reasons you discussed on this morning‘s video I am actually interested in a camper van. Only one thing to maintain, and can park in a driveway still visit, but have my own space just a thought
Interesting information- thanks for sharing. :) I hope you enjoy your family time very much! ❤ Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁 ❤
I like your Springdale. It's a good size for traveling around. And I just moved into a trailer park (RV resort?). Kids are moving away for school and I'm not interested in maintaining a house or paying rent for an apartment. I'll buy again eventually but don't want to deal with it for now. This particular RV park is new with really nice amenities.
We had a Springdale for years, but yes, they really are cheaply made. We drove through high winds and it literally ripped the aluminum siding off and it was a major repair. We only used it for weekend/summer trips and had to fix so many things on it over the years. Still, it was a great little trailer until the roof started leaking and we got black mold.
Hi Cat, you may enjoy backpacking on the Channel Islands National Park. Island Packers leaves out of Ventura harbor.
I stayed once in a RV trailer park for a short while. Other than access to the swimming pool and laundry room, I've found being stuck in one place not great. Even a 2 week camping time limit is too long for me. I like roaming around better, like 1 or 2 weeks at San Clemente State Beach, then 1 or 2 weeks at Skinner Lake in Temecula, or Paris Lake, or Palomar Mountain, or Yucaipa or Chino Parks, or Hemet Lake. There are an endless number of Federal, State, and County Parks, plus a massive amount of free BLM areas in southern California
Between having a trailer, a RV, and a Van, I found my Van has the most pros vs cons, the most flexibility and the least hassle. Easiest to drive, park anywhere, virtually no advance planning where to park, least expensive to operate and repair. Our toy hauler trailer which we still use is great, and our old Winnebago RV was great, but hands down, my DIY custom camper Van has turned out to be the best all around rig. Its got almost 400k miles and if & when anything breaks, and everything always breaks, no matter if its old or new, its easy, fast, and cheap to fix. I'll never sell it. I drive it until the wheels fall off and just throw new ones on it. I've rebuilt the engine twice, the transmission three times, and at one time or another, have replaced just about every part once or twice. Its a GMC SAFARI VAN and it just runs & runs forever.
For the past 7 or 8 yesrs, I've been roaming around the 11 western states, always chasing the sun & good weather, so I'm usually in Southern California during the winter months. I love San Diego and San Clememte, and Palm Springs, and Malibu, and Santa Barbara. There are so many great spots on the coast, and a lot of FREE dispersed camping and BLM areas in the desert.
I usually come back to southern California in November or December and leave to stroll slowly north in April or May !!!
I'm a full timer myself. I park host in the Park city Utah area for the summers. The last few winters I stayed at rv parks in Arizona. It was extremely difficult to find a place as most places were booked. This winter I'm heading to southern Utah for the winter in an rv park. A lot of full timers have quit I guess so it was much easier to find a place.
It sounds like a great decision Cat!! Will look forward to more adventures. Would love to see a video of the Sequoias!!
Watch all the you tube videos on problems with newer vehicles. It is super important you do your home work.Some have more problems than others.Good luck.
Great update .... I'm excited for you. You'll figure it all out!! < Happy Thanks Giving!