Author, Speaker Joei Carlton

 Joei Carlton has seven published books about her travels including A Million Miles From Home, Alaska Bound and Gagged, and her latest release, Chasing the Lost Dream. Joei has contributed to several anthologies including the award-winning book, RV Traveling Takes, Women's Journey of the Open Road, and been interviewed live about world travel for cable television and National Public Radio. In addition to her writing, Joei speaks professionally at Good Sam Camping Rallies, Escapee Camping Rallies, and RV Shows.

Truck Camper Magazine caught up with Joei after she had a long day being interviewed about RVing for a Vancouver, British Columbia television show called Vancouver Living.

TCM: What do you do with your truck camper?

Joei: I spend at least six-months a year in my truck camper promoting my books. I also do a lot of lecturing at RV shows and events including three lectures on full-time RVing. I tell my audience that being a full-time RVer is not a 24/7 vacation. Your RV still has to be cleaned, you still have to do laundry, and you still have to cook meals. It’s the same as a house only smaller. And in my case, a lot smaller.

TCM: How does truck camping affect your writing?

Joei: When I’m traveling, I’m always writing. Different things happen when you’re on the road. The people you meet are intriguing. They have just come from somewhere else. They’re not like your neighbor at home that did the same thing they did yesterday and will do the same thing again tomorrow.

TCM: How did you get into truck camping?

Joei: I sold a house in Sarasota, Florida and bought a fifth wheeler. I only had it for a year and a week because I got rear ended on the highway. After that I wanted to be one piece and small enough to see what was sneaking up behind me. Once I got a truck camper I never looked back. I could load and unload it myself. I could do everything.

TCM: What kind of truck camper did you get?

Joei: After the fifth-wheeler, I bought a 10 foot Elkhorn truck camper in 1999 and lived in it full-time for seven years. The day after labor day I donated the Elkhorn and I’m now shopping for a new truck camper. My truck is a Ford F250 diesel - which I love. It’s got less than 140K miles and it’s a diesel so it should be good for a half-million.

TCM: Do you enjoy your time truck camping?

Joei: Life on the road is so much simpler. Being an RVer is a way of life. If all goes well I have a good time, if it doesn’t I have a new book.

For more information about Joei, her travel books, and her lecture series, visit her web site at www.joeicarlton.com. 

Since the interview, Joei has bought a 2004 Adventurer truck camper.