Why I bought a Casita . . .
The decision to buy a Casita evolved over time. I got the idea to live in an RV by stumbling across Tioga George’s blog many years ago. Since he lives in a Class C, I thought that’s what I would get. However, over those years of scrimping and saving to buy my RV, I reconsidered the choice of a Class C.
I didn’t like the idea of my home having to go to an auto repair shop (if I could find one that would work on my RV). Where would the crew and I sleep? I also didn’t like always having to take my big ol’ lumbering home with me everywhere I went.
I started to look into travel trailers.
I thought I’d pick up a used one. On forums I noticed one of the first pieces of advice anyone gives about buying a used travel trailer or RV of any kind is… look for evidence of leaks.
That told me that a leakproof trailer is important.
When I saw the way a Casita is made from two fiberglass shells connected around the middle, thus reducing possibilities of leaks, I was very interested. The size, simple design, and functionality of the Casita appealed to me, and as time went by, the growth of my savings made me realize, if I continued to live frugally, I could buy a new Casita (and a tow vehicle to pull it with).
The location of the factory (TX) was “doable,” as opposed to someplace in the Northwest or Canada, for instance. I could leave Georgia, drive to my sister’s house in Mississippi in one day, and drive to the Casita factory in Rice, Texas, in another single day. In other words I could pick up my new Casita in two days of driving. I briefly looked at the Scamp, Escape, and others, but the Casita suited me best.
This next part is directed at female wannabes.
Women often ask me if hitching and unhitching a trailer is difficult. No, it isn’t. I’ve found that the chores normally done by men are not harder than the chores done by women. Typically “male chores” only seem difficult to women because they sometimes require strength. I don’t have much strength in my hands. Rather than give up, I compensate by using leverage and tools.
When hitching or unhitching, I’ve found that the only thing that requires strength is putting the cotter pins through the holes in the stabilizer bar and then pulling them out when I want to remove the bar. I use a rubber mallet to tap the pins in or out… voila! Problem solved!
I don’t understand why women make such a big deal about hitching and unhitching.
You back the tow vehicle into the correct position and crank the coupler down. So what if it takes you 30 tries the first time. It seems as silly to me to worry about hitching and unhitching as it would be to worry about setting up a collapsible baby stroller. You can do that, right?
After a few successes you can hitch and unhitch with confidence. The same goes for hooking up the chains, the break-away cord, etc. So don’t let that be an issue. The important thing, once you get your trailer or any RV, for that matter, is to TAKE CHARGE of it. Don’t cave in if you aren’t successful at something the first or second or third try and go running to a man for help. Women can do these things!
And while we’re on the subject . . .
I’ll bring up a pet peeve related not only to travel trailers, but any RV. Don’t get mad at me. I have a right to a few peeves and this is my blog, okay?
Here goes, to those of you who are half of a couple . . . .
I absolutely hate that it always seems to be the man doing the hitching and unhitching, or backing the RV into a site (while the woman stands there making dainty little hand signals), or checking the fluids, etc. Does it take a certain type of genitals to do these jobs? No, of course not! Get yourself out there learning how to do these important things. You’ll be much better equipped in the event you are left alone or your man becomes incapacitated. It’s foolish in this day and age to let strict gender roles rule your behavior. Okay, enough of that. Well, one more thing . . . . Guys, let the woman takes the reins once in a while.
The camera arrived!
I am so excited! In fact, I was so excited I arrived at the post office 45 minutes before it opened! Tomorrow I’ll tell you all about my new camera and post my first attempts with it. I’m studying the manual tonight. Mick, thank you so much!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 