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RV's and Trout Bumming
RV's make Trout Bumming so easy and provide a very
comfortable lifestyle. From an RV you can employ all
other forms of Trout Bumming listed here. One can
haul all the gear they need, stay just about
anywhere in comfort, and easily move on to your next
destination. There is much information on the web
involving the RV lifestyle. Below I will share only
a bit as it relates to the Trout Bumming
lifestyle. Ill provide what has worked for me as
I’ve owned and sold several RV's over the years.
Remember again, this advice is coming from a guy
that camps off a motorcycle in the back country and
is subjective.
RV' s can be broken down into several kinds.
Truck Overhead Campers
Truck campers have advantages and disadvantages to
the Trout Bumming lifestyle. They probably lend
themselves best to the lifestyle. They can be
removed from the vehicle when trips are done or left
at a campsite, and the vehicle can be used to
explore other locations, and are often less
expensive. They don’t take up much space, thus can
easily be stored in a backyard.
I’ve tried and sold four truck campers over the
years. One was a mini truck camper for a Toyota
pickup. My wife and I used it for Trout Bumming
trips all over the west, including the Miracle Mile,
Green River below Flaming Gorge and other locations.
It was definitely tight living but had all the
comforts of a bigger truck camper, only smaller. It
was what we could afford at the time and some of our
best trips were made in this little camper.
Full size overhead truck campers offer more room,
security and comfort. You can even get them with a
slide out dining area! For me they have worked well
as a Trout Bum travel vehicle. They also lend them
self to "stealth camping". Lance supposedly builds
the best, most expensive, and the heaviest. The
below site has much information for those looking
for a truck camper.
Click here for information on Truck
Campers
Truck pop-up campers & trailers
Not owning a pop up trailer I have no personal
experience with them, although I know many who have.
They are light weight designed to be pulled by small
vehicles/small motors. Because of canvas sides they
tend to be cold inside, fall and spring. If you plan
on using them in grizzly bear country they do not
qualify for "hard sided camping only" areas.
Remember they are also not secure. They do not
effect your vehicles gas mileage much, and pull
well.
Pop-Up Truck Campers
I have never owned a pop up truck camper but after
trying all the others it would be my first choice.
I've talked to many owners while Trout Bumming,
using them. The fuel mileage is better, they are not
as tipsy, easier to load and unload from trucks, and
are light weight. They are secure as long as the top
is down and can be used in "hard sided only" camping
areas in a pinch, as long as you sleep in them with
the top down. Both of the above can be stored in
back yards if you are a city dweller because they
are not tall and take up very little room.
Types of Motor Homes
Class C Motor homes
Never owned one of these because they have limited
use for me in the back country and your always stuck
with it rather than pulling a trailer which can be
dropped.
The biggest benefit to these is for what I call "Mad
Dash Trout Bumming Trips". I’ve met a few guys while
on the road that have done this. Basically a group
of fly fishing buddies plan a Trout Bumming trip
cross country, to Yellowstone Park for example, and
stop along roadside pull offs, next to famous
western rivers for fishing. When the trip is
complete they mad dash it back home again. Always
sounded like fun to me! They also lend themselves to
family trips. The downsides to the Class C is poor
gas mileage, sticking to major roads and again not
being able to drop the RV and go elsewhere.
Class A Motor homes
The same as the Class C but less maneuverable and
worse fuel mileage. Lots of room and comfort.
Different Kinds of
Trailers
Bumper pull trailers
Trailers up to 24 feet are usually easy to pull,
maneuverable and lend themselves well to the Trout
Bum. There are plenty of used ones out there, so
costs can be low. I’ve owned one 21 foot bumper
pull, and used several government issued for law
enforcement projects throughout my career.
Comfortable simple and a good choice. One's with
slides, really open them up. They do not pull as
well as 5th wheels.
5th Wheels
Bigger and more room, but oh they pull so nice
compared to bumper pulls. Wise use of space up front
with plenty of storage options below, and super
comfortable especially with slides. Never owned one
but know several people that have. Lots of good
deals out there on used ones.
5th Wheel Toy Haulers
When it comes to my personal Trout Bumming style
this is one of my favorite options. They are lighter
than standard 5th wheels, cost less and
again so nice to pull. Usually twice the fuel
mileage as a class C motor home. The beauty is they
allow you to haul an ATV/motorcycle for hitting the
back country, kayaks and more. I like to set up a
fly tying station in the back “hauling room”, so its
out of the way when camped. They have more fresh
water storage, grey and black water storage for boon
docking then any other trailer. I can boondock
comfortably for 3 weeks on the water carried in
mine.
RV Parks
I rarely stay in RV parks because they are not often
located near the places I like to fish. But I do
utilize them when on the road traveling at times. If
I need to do laundry I find they tend to have
cleaner laundry mats then the public ones. Also, if
I get caught in a big city overnight I will use them
for security reasons.
But for those who need to be hooked up and like the
comforts of RV parks, they may be perfect for you.
One could set up "house" for awhile and travel to
fishing locations nearby.
TB TIP... Many
Walmarts offer overnight RV parking.
RV Boon Docking
Boondocking refers to RVing in remote areas or back
country, for extended periods, off the grid. This is
my favorite style and near, or often on good fishing
locations.
Boondocking lends itself to other Trout Bumming
lifestyles listed on this site. One needs to set up
their RV for this kind of living. Golf cart
batteries, solar recharging panels, switching inside
lighting to LED's and more. There is so much
information on the web regarding this lifestyle, so
rather than going more in depth here visit the sites
I've linked below. They have helped me learn much.
TB Tip... Never buy an RV new. The deprecation hit is so bad.
The market is flooded with used RV's. RV market
stats show that people buy RVs with high
expectations and end up selling them within 5 years,
with very little use on them. Buy used and find one
with upgrades, and a great price!
TB TIP... Many Walmarts offer overnight RV parking.
Recommended BoonDocking sites
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