Why do I need the smallest RV?

Parking restrictions played a big roll in my decision.    As I was planning to purchase my RV 6-8 months prior to my departure for Mexico, I wanted the RV at my home and not miles away in a storage lot.  Parking at my residence allows easy access to power supply and tools.  Local regulations on street parking for RVs limit the maximum length to 20'.

Fuel economy was my second consideration.  With a budget of $600. per month, the difference between 6 mpg and 10 mpg is substantial.  This difference has been further amplified with the recent skyrocketing of gas prices.

Mexican roads heavily influenced my decision.  I follow several blogs about RV travel in Mexico.  It is commonplace for bloggers to post about the limited access to small towns and villages; the circumnavigation of large cities due to traffic concerns; the difficulties faced when passing road construction sites and detours; and parking of large vehicles in general.  Most blogs also post stories about going to town using buses, taxis or getting rides from friends in order to go into town.  I want to go when I am ready and a shorter RV will facilitate this.

The Search Begins

When I decided that my trip to Mexico would be by motorhome and not by boat I started looking for the perfect RV for me.   While making my decision I kept a quote from Sterling Hayden's book "Wanderer" in mind:

"What does a man need - really need?  A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment."

I find it interesting that he wrote "six feet to lie down in" when he stood 6'5"!  Those of you under the age of 65 can click on the following url http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Hayden to learn more about this maverick/actor/author/adventurer.    In another section of his book, he professed the belief that a voyage (in my case a journey) was better appreciated if it made you stretch your assets to their fullest.  While I can afford to spend much more per month than my budget of $600., setting a low budget amount will, hopefully, force me to take the time to stop and smell the cactus.

Traveling solo in Mexico, what do I need - really need?  I need the smallest, self-contained RV I can find.  

Decision!

I thoroughly enjoyed my many boat excursions.  While "on the hook" at various anchorages at Santa Catalina Island, I took the time to evaluate the benefits and detriments of living on a sailboat.  The benefits are numerous: the view of the shore from the sea; the quiet and inexpensive (wind is free) mode of travel; the lack of traffic; sailing through a pod of dolphins and watching the occasional breeching whale; and, access to remote locations not reachable by land.

The detriments are also numerous: confinement to a space of less than 200 square feet for days at a time; travel time up to twenty times longer than if by vehicle; where to find groceries and other necessities; and, the lack of  daily human interface.

As I looked back on my many automobile trips to Mexico I realized that my most memorable times involved the small villages I visited and the people I met.  To experience similar adventures by boat would require docking at a major city, renting a car and traveling many miles.  To experience the wonders of the ocean, all I will need is my inflatable dinghy and outboard motor.

My final decision is to travel by motorhome!