THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The so called Great Compromise of 1787 provided Congress with a dual system of representation. Our very own Great Compromise (the one in 2011) has provided us with a live-aboard RV that meets most of our needs. While the Great Compromise of 1787 was passed by a heart-stopping margin of one vote, our very own Compromise easily passed by a vote of 2 in favor–one abstention. The abstaining vote was Daisy, our herding dog. She’s literally stuck in an unresolvable quandary: chasing squirrels in our big yard vs. chasing the music with her humans.
OK, so our own compromise might not affect the entire population of the United States, but for us it has been just as difficult a decision. We’ve actually bought, tried out, and sold several types of RV, but not with the initial intention of buying and then selling them. It’s just that, after we’d lived in them for awhile, the glaring defects became–well, glaring.
OUR BRIEF RV HISTORY
BEFORE WE MET. . . Alan’s first RV in his earlier life was a van (Class B). It was good for short trips with the family but he didn’t think that type of RV would provide enough space for two of us and Daisy.
My first RV was a 28’ sailboat. . .OK so a sailboat technically isn’t an RV. . .but15 years of being a dedicated live-aboard cruiser honed my minimalist living skills in the same way an RV does. Small spaces are small spaces. Because Alan had sailed and cruised, too, we briefly considered traveling by boat. Ultimately we decided that we’d seen many water destinations but not enough of the rest of the country. . .and we’re not getting any younger (sailboats require much more work and a bit of strength.) So an RV better suited this chapter of our lives.
AFTER WE MET. . . When I met him, Alan lived in a house and owned a Scamp 5th wheel. He disliked hooking and unhooking it so basically when he traveled the RV stayed attached. He found it was too cumbersome to drive around town on a regular basis.
During the selling process of Alan’s 5th wheel, I bought a 13’ Scamp tag-along trailer for my frequent trips from South Carolina to Florida. We knew it was too small for living aboard, but we took a long trip in it anyway just to get the feel of the pulling-the-trailer-behind-the-car experience. Much of our ultimate needs list was hammered out from this month long trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. We knew the little trailer lacked many necessities we’d need for long term living, so I sold it.
While still living in the house, we were going through RV withdrawal symptoms pretty badly so we purchased a 24’ Sunseeker (Class C). We loved the living space, but at 7 mpg and $4.00/gal gas prices, we never felt like we could afford to go anywhere. Or at least, we found ourselves spending way too much time hashing over and weighing the value of the trip vs. the cost. (We just don’t want to have to think that hard.) We enjoyed living in the Sunseeker during some of our house remodeling in Florida and then we sold it. If we ever get the wanderlust out of our blood, we may again purchase a Class C. It had very nice living accommodations.
OUR CURRENT RIG (for awhile anyway). . . After much research, online and in person, with a bit of RV experience under our collective belts, and a towing car we do not want to get rid of (a low mileage, 6 cyl Mazda Tribute SUV that gets credible gas mileage of about 12 mpg while towing), we decided to buy a 17’ Casita. 
WHY THE CASITA?
- We like small fiberglass (less opportunities for leaks, light-weight, compact, and affordable)
- We like having a tag-along trailer (drop off the trailer, scoot out and about in the car)
- Affordable gas mileage (We’ll feel free to pull up stakes as often as we feel like it)
- Comfortable driving–the Class C felt like driving a Mack truck (as we age our driving skills will no doubt decline as we do)
- Dedicated bed (we are dedicated nap-takers!)
- Dedicated table and seating (we like to eat and work at a table)
- Enough surface area for prepping vegetables (we juice every day so there’s a lot of chopping going on in our home)
- Propane/AC refrigerator/freezer with adequate capacity to hold a weeks worth of veggies and meat
- Bathroom/shower (also serve as a storage room for three music instruments and a wall full of shelf-pantry for food)
- One axle = only two tires (fewer tires to replace; cheaper ferry & toll prices)
The biggest negative of the 17’ Casita: it’ll be a little cramped for a herding dog and her two humans. A partial solution will be our popup screen room (tent) which may help with the problem of Traveling Light with Dog.
Through our three years of trying out RV’s, we’ve only lost a little money, and we’ve gained much experience and a broad perspective of our needs. Along with every one of our RVs has also come some sort of compromise. The trick is to find the best compromise for your life right now. . .and then adapt to it.
At least for now, we’ll be chasing the music in our 17’ Casita travel trailer. . .
Well, maybe not. . .welcome to our New Digs! New Rig!
