To RV or Not to RV, That Is The Question

While I'm planning my trip, I've had to decide what vehicle to use for the adventure.  I started out thinking a Sprinter van would be fun, so I rented one through Outdoorsy for a weekend and went from Reno to L.A and back.

The road trip was great, but I decided this van was too big for one or two people.  When I looked in the rear view mirror, I saw way too much real estate between me and the back door.  It was also a bit difficult to handle in the wind, and finding ideal parking spots was a challenge.  Plus, it's expensive to rent!

Next I looked into smaller vans.  I test drove the Nissan NV200, the Dodge Ram Promaster which can be fitted out to a camper, and the Ford Transit Connect.  I liked the Ford the best.  Here is the Ford Transit Connect:

I really liked the way it handled on the road, I liked the size, and the seats could be completely folded down flat to the floor to make lots of room for a bed and storage.  I ultimately didn't buy it because I would have had to trade in my car, and when I came back from the trip I wasn't sure I wanted to have this van as my primary vehicle.  It is not an AWD vehicle.  I live in the mountains and need AWD in Reno.

The next progression was the idea of hauling a teardrop or small hiker trailer. 

I drove an hour and a half to Nevada City, CA to check out a place that rents teardrop trailers.  It was a windy, picturesque drive and the town is definitely worth a visit.  Here's a panorama overlook from that drive:

I didn't choose this trailer option because I would have had to install a trailer hitch on my car for about $600.  The trailer was going to rent at about $1500/month.  I decided that during the times I'm solo on my trip, the trailer would be difficult to maneuver by myself (parking, backing up, hitching).  I also didn't want to have my gas mileage go way down.  I wondered, too, if hauling something would put a lot of wear and tear on my car.  I also felt like the sleeping quarters were a bit claustrophobic.  And, it could break down by getting a flat tire.

Next, I got all psyched about a roof top tent for my car.  I found a place in Soquel called Tepui.  I went and visited the showroom.

                         

 

These roof top tents come in soft and hard shell varieties.  The hard shell ones are lower profile and sleeker when collapsed.  The soft shells have a high profile on your roof when collapsed.  They range in price from $1000 - $5000 depending on how fancy.  A major drawback for me was the fact that the tent has to stay on your roof for the whole season, it's not meant to be taken on and off.  When it's off the roof (during the winter season) it will have to find a place in my garage.

I also felt a bit claustrophobic in this tent, too.  And the ladder has to stay in place even when you are in the tent, so it's really not any safer from intruders than a regular tent on the ground.  And what if I needed to get a dog in this tent, how would she get in there?  The salesperson said I could put a blanket on my front hood and let the dog climb in from the windshield.  Really?  I guess some dogs would be up for that, but others may flat out refuse.

Entering and exiting via the ladder for humans also seemed a bit cumbersome.  What about those late night trips to the potty?  Could be dangerous.  I still think it's a very cool idea, however, and maybe someday I'll test one out for fun.

So after all that research while driving my dear friends and relatives crazy with my indecisiveness, I settled on a good old-fashioned, two-plus person tent from REI.

The last time I put up a tent was...never?  My ex husband used to handle that.  I did help him set up the tents, however, and it's so neat how the tent technology has improved from fifteen years ago.  I asked the long-haired, long-bearded REI dude to show me how to set the tent up in the store and then I came home and assembled it in less than seven minutes.  Yay!

After my first leg of the trip I may be wishing I had that roof top tent, RV, or tear drop trailer, but for now I'm happy with my decision.  I can't beat the price.  For under $500 I got a tent, 2 sleeping bags, 2 air mattresses and some camping kit.

Many of my retired yoga students come back from their camping trips in their Pop-Ups and RVs and say, "It sure beats tent camping."  I may have that attidude too, someday.  Heck, that day may be sooner than later, but for now, let the adventure begin...with a tent.  And, I reserve the right to stay in a hotel anytime I need a real bed and real shower.