I realized today that this is the longest I've stayed at a particular campground -- three months now and counting. What does one do in one's spare time when not watching TV, updating webpages, and wandering around the area to see what's happening? ... well, one checks out all the RVs coming and going. I've taken a few shots of some that I thought were really cool or unusual, then I got the idea to collect them in this chapter. Below are the few I've picked up on so far -- I'll be adding more to this chapter in the future.
This is one of my all-time favorites. I spotted it in Quartzsite and was amazed by the amount of equipment this guy had on his roof! I definitely put this in the unusual category.
AS USUAL, CLICK ANY PICTURE TO GET A LARGER VIEW!
Firstly, the Long and Short of It ... LOL.
Left, one that I showed back in Chapter 33, the Ford F250 pulling about a 35' Fifth-Wheel, pulling a little SUV. Too long for my taste -- I get worried with just a single towed vehicle. Then, on the right, about the smallest trailer I've yet seen. It's a 17' Casita, made South of Dallas, costs about $13,000 new. Being pulled here by a Lincoln Towncar that looks a little longer than the trailer. A really neat rig, though, if you're not too tall. It's got all the usual -- gas heat, a/c, toilet, shower, holding tanks, gas stove, gas/electric refrigerator, microwave -- everything is just a little bit smaller than in most trailers.
Here we have a couple that fall into my cool category. You probably will have to click on both to get a larger view to really appreciate them. On the left, the neatest place I ever saw to put your "where we've been" map. On the right, a really cool quote on the spare tire -- can't read it? then click it ... hahahahaha ... totally cool! You'll love it!
Since first creating this page, I've learned that the truck pulling the fifth wheel pulling something else isn't as unusual as I thought. On the left, one of the motorcycle guests had a 37' (I think) pulling a trailer with his big Harley in it -- said he sometimes replaced the Harley with a golf-cart, depending on where he was going. Then, on the right, even a longer one recently showed up -- total length was 68' -- 4' over the legal limit in some states.
Now, this picture on the left really isn't an RV, but I thought was really cool -- did you know Pennsylvania puts its website on the license plate? I didn't!
2004: Hey! Florida has it now, too! Click either license plate to see the PA and FL website names.
Hoho! The picture on the right also isn't an RV, but is certainly in the COOL category! This is my all-time favorite car -- a customized, chopped, and channeled 1949 Mercury - same as the car that James Dean was racing against in Rebel Without a Cause .. click it to see more.
On the left, one of those "matching RVs" -- I think it's so cool when people get their tow vehicle painted the same elaborate color as their RV.
And speaking of tow vehicles, I fell out of my truck laffing when I saw the sign on the truck to your right!
And here we have a May 2002 addition to the cool RV pictures. Have you ever seen one of the remote-control, supportless awnings? I saw one on a Newmar recently and took a couple of pictures. The awning supports are the scissor-like arms that are nearly hidden under the awning. You have a remote (like for your TV) that allows the awning to be extended to whatever distance is desired. Now I consider this pretty much the epitome of RV luxury!
Now I'm really going to diverge, so I've changed the chapter title to include "stuff".
And that's about all I've got for now -- Click on "Back to Index" or "Next Chapter".
Well, I first put this chapter out here in late 2001. At that time, I named it "Cool and Unusual RVs". It's now September 2002 and I've decided to add "Stuff" to the title. It started out as RVs, evolved to cars, trucks, and license plates. Now I'm going to start on billboards -- so let's just call it "stuff".
35. Cool and Unusual RVs & "Stuff"
My Travel Log
Nothing in this site is copyrighted -- I'd be honored if you'd reuse anything you find here for your website
Click any photo for a larger view
Some time ago, I noticed the most unusual billboard I've yet seen in my travels. If you've spent much time in Florida, you've noticed the Ron-Jon Surf Shop signs. They tell you how many miles you are from Ron-Jon's -- the largest I've seen is about 75 miles I think. Anyway, going South on I-75, I switch over to the Florida Turnpike just after passing Wildwood. At the change-over, there's a Ron-Jon sign with the left half on the North side of the highway and the right half on the South. I haven't yet gotten a decent picture of them, but here are the best attempts thus far. Click either one for more detail.
Two more "stuff" items. On the left is the strangest pet I've ever seen in a campground. The Conrads from Kentucky have a duck named Pidge that they found in Pigeon Forge. When they're home, he flies over the subdivision during the day, then returns home at night. On the right, an unusual campsite we stayed in for one night. A friend, Bill, in Crawfordville, Florida, built this for his travelling parents, complete with water, electricity, and plumbing. A great stay -- very quiet and very daaaark. Thanks for your hospitality, Bill!
Just found a couple of "cool and unusual" pictures from the campground in Huntsville. These are shots of a 1937 Ford. When I saw it, I had to go ask what it was. I don't recall ever seeing a 1937 before -- that's why it's unusual, ok?
April 2003 - Just saw my first 4-slide Motor Home! Quite impressive. It was locked, but I looked in the front window. Really nice looking. I tried to envision how it must look with all 4 slides in -- seems like it would get a little narrow. It's a 2002 Gulfstream, but I forget what the full name was. It was at a consignment lot in Merritt Island, Florida for $210,000. A little aside on the same topic. I also noted that they now have a 5-slide Fifth Wheel! Can't find a picture, but you can read about "At the National Trade show in Louisville, Carriage, Inc. unveiled its new Carri-Lite "XTRM5" fifth wheel, which features five slideouts, a first for the industry. " at carriageinc.com . If you find a picture, email it to me and I'll put it here on the Cool and Unusual page.
July 2003 (photo and link updated 2/28/09) - I guess 5 slides won't be unusual long ... Rexhall is advertising the new T-Rex Doublewide that "allows the RV enthusiast, with the mere push of a button, to almost double the size of the coach while parked." Both sides slide out from front door or driver's seat to back. Click pic on the left to read all about it.
Then there's the 45' Terra Wind, pictured here, that will go on land or sea. Click the pic on your right to read about this $850K to $1.2M wonder.
October 2004 - I don't know how long they've had them, but today I saw a 27'Class C with two slides! Really the first Class C I've seen that I could live with. And the ceiling was tall enough for me (6'4") also! Click the either photo to go to the Coachmen Concord webpage.
November 2004 - One day, Joyce asked me if I knew why RV builders hadn't thought to have a slide come out the back of the RV, instead of the sides. Voila! A few days later, we saw this Outback in a campground in Alabama. Don't know how long they've been around, but it's the first that I've noticed.
To the right - Sometime back, I saw an auto transport with 12 cars on it! I told Joyce and she couldn't believe it, so I've been looking since for one to get a photo of. Recently, I saw an 11-car transport - next-best thing!
October 2005 - Finally back to basics - an unusual RV. A friend of mine thought this might be the answer to RVing during the "gas crisis." Wonder if we'll still be referring to it as a temporary crisis a year from now.
November 2009 - On the right, even cheaper. Detail here.
August 2007 - On the right, saw my first 5-slide Class A! Read about it in Chapter 81.
December 2007 - Just read an article in Chuck Woodbury's newsletter on an RV with a SLIDE-UP! Click the photo on the left to go read all about it.
On the left: It's probably not really new, but I don't have a photo on the site yet, so ... how about an RV with a car in the basement? Looks like it only accommodates certain types of cars. Click the photo to see more detail.
On the right: One of our Friendly Floridians welcoming snowbirds to our fair state. A favorite expression of some is "I-95 goes both ways" .... LOL
Click it to see the whole car ... not too exciting, but lets you know it's real.
On the left, about the biggest RV I've seen. Some guy saw it, took a picture, but I have no details. If you do, email me. Click on it to enlarge and see what's pulling it. On the right, about the smallest ever - seen in Chuck Woodbury's newsletter.
Sept 2008: How about a couple of RVs with BALCONIES! There are those that think balconies on RVs are really silly. On left is a new Country Coach (CountryCoach.com) version and right is of unknown origin.
On the left, another biggie. A real two-story 5th wheel! Not sure what you need to tow it, but I'll bet it weighs a bunch. Click photo to see a video. It's for sale! (February 2009) Isn't there a limit on heighth of vehicles? Seems this might be taller than an 18-wheeler.
And speaking of biggies ... I was staying at the Space and Rocket Center Campground in Huntsville in March 2010 and had these parked nextdoor to me. On the right, a monster with 4 slides, dual rear wheels, and a Hummer toadie. Wow! Years ago, I think the "rule" was duallies on coaches over 35' -- now it must be 40'.
Then, left and right, a really neat-looking 5th wheel being towed by a very impressive semi tractor. Another Wow! These two really made my 36' Damon look a little bit small.
