Life in the Unit

March 2005

We have discovered something this past month (February). Sitting in a 300 sq ft space with three adults and a cat is a lot harder than traveling in a 300 sq ft space with three adults and a cat. We have been staying put for over three months now and we are beginning to feel the walls caving in.

Finding Space outside the RV Space is one of the two great considerations of traveling in an RV. (The other being movement, one cannot store things in an RV without considering the fact that they will be jostled to and fro at some point or another, even when parked for a while.) We knew that space would be an issue when we started this project. We have discovered that it is a bigger issue when you stay inside more.

Of course, there are ways to plan for space when traveling that we either could not do because of finances or decided not to do because we didn't anticipate the challenges.

The first consideration, of course, is what you buy or rent. We were limited on this point by our financial resources. One can spend anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000 on an RV unit, depending upon amenities, size, age and so forth. We were closer to the lower end that spectrum (as we're sure you figured out already).

We did find a 10-year-old 35 foot unit for under $25,000, which by many standards is a steal. The unit is large in terms of length, but with no pull-outs, the interior is more like a submarine than an apartment. Fifth-wheelers are shorter in length, but because they do not have driving compartments, and all that goes with that, they have much larger interiors. But a fifth wheeler can be more expensive because you have to own a large enough vehicle to be able to tow it. Big pick-up trucks can be quite expensive.

We settled for something that allowed us to move around, but only barely.

Finding Space inside the RV There are units that are designed to accommodate assistive devices. These include units with compartments for carrying scooters and units with chair lifts. Also, some units have better stairs and lower entrances which make it easier on the knees and sturdier going up. The Handicapped Travel Club has a great source page including companies that sell or retrofit such units and used RV ads.

This is not to say that we'd do anything different. The Ample Traveler©, like most grassroots projects, couldn't wait for perfect opportunities. It was important to get out on the road and see what was there.

This is not to say we've given up. We are parked for a while and have decided to stay so because we need to replenish resources and plan the next phase of our project. We are more committed than ever to promoting inclusive travel. We believe more than ever that the time has come for the free ability to move for all people.

This is an adventure and what's an adventure without some challenges along the way.

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