Getting Help from an Experienced Virginia Traffic Lawyer Is Your First Step Toward Reinstating Your License

 

When I advise clients about their case, they are primarily worried about jail time.

The next question my new clients always ask is, What is the minimum license suspension if found guilty of a DUI in Virginia? The answer I give them depends on their specific circumstances. 

In my experience as a Virginia lawyer representing people who have driving charges, DUI charges, and misdemeanor offenses, I have developed a deep understanding of what a person’s driver’s license means to them.

It’s more than just the prerequisite document you need to operate a motor vehicle; a driver’s license is the embodiment of the freedom we have to move about as we choose.

DUI License Suspensions in Virginia

Virginia’s DUI laws are strict. You face two separate suspension periods, potentially, under the Virginia DUI law, even if you have never been in trouble before. The duration of the suspension periods increases if you have prior DUI convictions.

The first suspension period you face is an administrative suspension. The DMV suspends your license administratively if a DWI warrant is issued against you or if you refuse to take a chemical test. In both circumstances, the arresting officer will advise you of the suspension and confiscate your driver’s license.

In Virginia, a chemical test could be either a blood draw or a breathalyzer test. The arresting officer must honor your rights regarding these tests after your arrest. 

The court will order your license to be suspended if you are convicted of your DUI charges. The court does not distinguish between pleading guilty and facing a jury verdict of guilty of DUI. The length of the court-ordered suspension also depends on whether you were previously convicted of DUI.

You should be aware that your administrative suspension and your court-ordered suspension must run consecutively. You must serve your administrative suspension first, followed by the court-ordered suspension.

License Suspension/Reinstatement Periods for DUI Charges in Virginia

First Offense DUI

The administrative suspension period for a DUI in Virginia varies depending on whether you fail or refuse the chemical test. For first-time offenders, failing the chemical test—meaning operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater—results in a seven-day suspension.

However, refusing to take a chemical test results in a one-year suspension of your driver’s license. You are ineligible for reinstatement or a restricted license for the first 30 days of an administrative suspension under Virginia law.

The court will suspend your license for one year after a first-offense DUI conviction. The court may allow you to apply for the immediate reinstatement of your license. You must ask the court for permission to apply for a restricted license.

Requirements to Get a Restricted License

There are numerous requirements you must meet before you can have your license reinstated on a restricted basis after your first offense DUI. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, you must satisfy the following requirements before receiving a restricted license:

• Pay the reinstatement fee, which is $220 for a DUI charge but could be more depending upon the number of driving violations on your record;
• Complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) as a condition of your probation;
• Produce an SR22 certificate of financial responsibility from an auto insurance company; and
• Install an ignition interlock device on whatever vehicle you plan to drive.

Virginia requires an ignition interlock device for all DUI restricted licenses.

For a first-time offender, the court will set the minimum amount of time the device must be used at six months. The court could order a longer installation period. You should be aware that you are responsible for paying for the costs associated with the ignition interlock device.

Second Offense DUI

The administrative suspension period for a second offense DUI in Virginia is 60 days.

A person convicted of a second offense DUI must wait three years before having a license reinstated in full.

However, a person convicted of a second offense DUI can apply for a restricted license in four months if the second DUI was more than five years after the first offense. If the second offense occurred within five years, then the driver must wait one year before applying for a restricted license.

Many of the same conditions that apply to first offenders also apply to second offenders. However, the ignition interlock system must be installed on every vehicle that is owned by or registered to you.

Third Offense DUI

A person with a third offense DUI in Virginia faces significant penalties, including license suspension. The DMV will order your license to be suspended administratively up to the time of your trial if you have third offense DUI charges.

Additionally, the court will revoke your driver’s license after a conviction for a third offense DUI. However, you can apply for a restricted license after serving three years of license suspension. You may have to wait five years before you can apply for license restoration.

All the same requirements that apply to someone convicted of a second DUI apply to someone convicted of a third offense DUI. The DMV will likely test you on driving skills and knowledge before reinstating your license.

What Does Having a Restricted License Mean?

The court can place numerous restrictions on your license. You are driving with a suspended license for DUI if you violate one of those restrictions. Some restrictions in Virginia include:

• Driving with a curfew;
• Continued use of an ignition interlock device; and
• Driving with no passengers except for family members or with no minor children.

The court will also likely restrict the circumstances where you will be allowed to drive, such as:

• Driving to and from work;
• Taking yourself or minor dependents to school;
• Attending driving school classes; and
• Attending medical appointments.

The restrictions the court places on your license should reflect the circumstances of your case. 

Out-of-State DUI License Suspension

If you are a resident of Virginia and have a DUI conviction in another state, the courts of Virginia have no jurisdiction to overturn that ruling.

You could apply for reinstatement of your license in Virginia only after the foreign state reinstates your driving privileges. Therefore, you must complete all the requirements specified by the other state before applying for reinstatement in Virginia.

You should be aware that out-of-state DUI convictions count toward enhanced penalties for DUI. So if you have a DUI conviction in Maryland and have DUI charges in Virginia that came after the Maryland conviction, you could face a second DUI offense. 

How Can I Help You Get Your License Back?

Experience counts. If you have DUI charges in Virginia, then you need an experienced advocate—someone who puts your needs before anything else. Getting the best outcome possible for you is my sole priority. I understand how important it is to get your life back on track as soon as possible after a DUI charge. 

I work with you to reduce the stress you experience from facing a DUI charge. My approach allows you to focus on your daily activities even while your case is pending. I will use all my resources to put you in the best position possible.

Call me today at 540-318-5824 for an appointment, and let’s start working together to put this episode behind you.

 

The post In Virginia, How Do You Get Your License Back After a DUI Suspension? appeared first on Andrew Flusche.

Aligning Yourself with a Knowledgeable Virginia DUI Defense Lawyer Could Help You Keep a DUI Off of Your Record

 

Every year, numerous people who have never been arrested before face DUI charges in Virginia. For many people, the only charge they ever pick up is a DUI.

However, that one simple mistake that you made getting behind the wheel after having a drink could be costly if you don’t act right away. 

If you have a first-offense DUI charge and have a clean record, you might be wondering what you should do to keep your record clean. Seeking the help of an extremely knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced Virginia DUI lawyer can give you the best chance possible to keep your criminal record clean. 

Is a DUI Record in Virginia Permanent?

A conviction for DUI in Virginia remains on your criminal record indefinitely. There are no provisions under Virginia law currently that allow for a judge to expunge your record for a conviction.

Criminal records follow you wherever you go. If you have a DUI conviction in another state, there is a good chance that the prosecution will find out and use that against you. Similarly, if you have a DUI conviction in Virginia and pick up a DUI charge in another state, then you could face a second-offense DUI charge in that state. 

As you can see, keeping a DUI conviction off of your criminal record is very important. 

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Virginia?

Your driving record is an important piece of your history. It contains information about deferred prosecutions, convictions, traffic violations, revocations, suspensions, and accidents for which you bear responsibility. 

Unlike with criminal records, the Virginia DMV automatically removes entries from your driving record after a specific amount of time passes. For example, a first-offense conviction for DUI must remain on your record for 11 years.

After 11 years, the DMV will remove the entry. DUI charges older than 10 years do not technically count as priors in Virginia to automatically enhance your penalties, but they can still be considered by the court.

The DMV may record information about your DUI arrest and whether you have an administrative suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test. 

Under the Virginia DMV’s demerit system, a DUI conviction carries six demerit points. The six demerit points remain on your driving history for at least two years.

Six demerit points are the most the DMV will assign for one offense. The DMV will assign three or four points to less severe offenses.

The DMV has the authority to suspend your license if you accumulate too many demerit points over two years. If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months or 18 points in two years, then the DMV will assign you to complete its driver improvement clinic.

You have 90 days to complete the program from the date you acquire your 12th point or 18th point. The DMV will suspend your license if you do not complete the driver improvement clinic in the 90-day window.

If you have 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in two years, the DMV will suspend your license for 90 days and require you to complete the driver improvement clinic.

How Does a DUI Charge Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

A DUI charge could cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. Your insurance company might not impose a higher rate if you receive an acquittal. Your rates will almost certainly go up if you have a DUI record in Virginia.

Following a DUI conviction, the DMV will consider you a high-risk driver. As a result, you may have to carry higher minimum insurance limits for bodily injury and property damage and file an FR-44 financial responsibility form with the DMV. 

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Criminal Record and Driving Record Clean?

Your criminal record tells the world only a small part of your story. Sometimes people place too great of an emphasis on a person’s criminal history as a good barometer of their character. Having a DUI charge is certainly not proof of a bad character. 

Nonetheless, having a clean criminal record is beneficial in many situations. Some of those situations include:

• Searching for a new job;
• Trying to obtain a security clearance;
• Applying for a firearms license;
•  Obtaining a commercial driver’s license;
• Applying for housing;
• Filing a mortgage application; 
• Applying for permanent residency or naturalization; and
• Applying for a driver’s license in another state.

In any of these situations, you may lose out on your chance for advancement if you have a DUI conviction on your record.

What Are the Other Penalties for a DUI Charge in Virginia?

A typical first-offense DUI charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. The most jail time you could get for a DUI conviction is one year. Also, the court could order you to pay fines up to $2,500.

You face the threat of stiffer penalties depending on the circumstances of your arrest. If someone suffers an injury or dies in a collision, the police could bring felony charges against you. Additionally, the severity of the penalty increases if you have a long criminal history, including previous DUI convictions.

Jail and fines are not the only punishment you could suffer for a DUI conviction. The court may put you on probation. While on probation, you must attend the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), perform community service, and attend counseling if deemed necessary.

Additionally, the court will revoke your driver’s license for one year. If you want to have your license reinstated on a restricted basis, you will need to install an ignition interlock device for at least six months. Sometimes the Virginia DMV will also make you go through the whole license testing process again.

How Can a Virginia DUI Defense Lawyer Help Me Keep My Record Clean?

Having a lawyer who is willing to fight for you tooth and nail can help you achieve the best result possible for your DUI charge.

Although results are never guaranteed, you stand a better chance of successfully negotiating with the prosecution to get your charges reduced. However, if the prosecution refuses to plea bargain and reduce the charges against you, there are several options available.

A lawyer who has litigated hundreds, if not thousands of cases, understands how to handle a DUI defense. First, a high-quality DUI lawyer will take a close look at the actions of the police to determine whether they violated your rights. 

You have the right to file a motion to suppress if the arresting officers violated your constitutional rights.

Fourth Amendment Violation

The prosecution must prove that the police performed their duties without violating your right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

For example, if the police pulled you over without an accident, the police have to show that they had reasonable suspicion to stop you. The judge must throw out the evidence against you if the police violated your rights.

Miranda Warnings

Additionally, you might have a good argument to make if the police asked you questions while you were in custody but didn’t read you your rights. You could ask the judge to exclude any incriminating statements you made to police.

The prosecution does not have to dismiss the case if the court suppresses your statements. However, preventing your statements from coming into evidence at trial could severely weaken the Commonwealth’s case against you.

Here’s a common example of how a statement you made could hurt you.

Suppose you drive your car into a ditch on the side of the road. When police investigate, they suspect you had been drinking. They take you back to the police station and begin to ask you questions. If you admit that you had a few drinks before getting behind the wheel, the prosecution may try to use this admission against you.

However, the judge might rule that you were under arrest if you were not free to leave. In that situation, the police must read you your Miranda rights. If they don’t, then the judge will not let the prosecution use your statements in court. This could severely hamper the prosecution’s ability to prove you were driving under the influence.

Defending Your Rights at Trial

One way to keep a clean record is to win an acquittal at trial. Remember that the prosecution always has the burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

With the advice of a highly experienced attorney, you could evaluate your chances of success at trial. Receiving an acquittal from the jury means that your case is over and no one could ever hold it against you. In that case, your record remains clean. 

Contact an Experienced DUI Lawyer to Learn More About How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Virginia

Throughout my career, I have worked to help people like you avoid the harsh consequences of a DUI charge. When my clients ask, How long does a DUI stay on your record in Virginia? I advise them of the possible consequences of a DUI conviction and then help them figure out the best solution for them.

In some cases, negotiating a favorable plea bargain is the best way to minimize the harm a DUI conviction could cause. In other cases, my client’s best option is to fight every step of the way. Call me today at 540-318-5824 to make an appointment and find out how I can help keep your record clean.

 

The post How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Virginia? appeared first on Andrew Flusche.

It has been many months since I last was able to get to one of the monthly IDPA matches at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol club outside of Charlottesville, VA. To my delight, everything aligned this month and I was excited to shoot and to see some old friends again. Given that I had missed the May match at the Cavalier club, I was looking forward to just getting in some range time. Even the weather cooperated; mostly overcast skies helped to moderate the warm temperatures. 

The first stage our squad shot was a "standards" stage. There were three groups of three overlapping targets shot from ever shrinking shooting boxes as we moved through the stage.

In an interesting twist, the center target in each array was declared "hard cover" for the targets behind it, meaning shoot throughs didn't count. That bit me on the last target array on the limited count stage. With that 5 second penalty, I was -6 on the stage.

Next up was a scenario called "Room Clearing 101." We began sitting at a table with our unloaded gun and the first loading device on the table, and our hands on the laptop keyboard. The course required us to load the gun, engage a steel popper activator and a drop turner target while seated. Next we moved forward down the "hallway" to engage a target around a corner, before moving down the next hall where we encountered five more threat targets through an opening in the wall.

After the miss on the previous stage, I was very pleased to shoot this stage clean, with zero points down. Seeing the -0 holes on the drop turner target was especially satisfying.

Moving onto to another range, we saw an elaborate setup featuring two vehicles that made up the next two stages, "Fender Bender" and "Fender Bender-er." The stage brief stated that we were involved in a rear end accident while driving through Southeast DC. 

In the first scenario of the duo, we were said to be the driver of the car that was hit. We began standing at the rear of the car, with a hand on each vehicle, as it we were leaning over inspecting the damage. We were then attacked by gang members. There was a target to be engaged over the trunk, and another further away to the left in the open. Leaving the start position, we rounded the vehicle, engaging two low targets on the move. Heading down range we found two more threats behind a wall. Next we moved across the stage to find more threats from cover.

At the final shooting position I felt at the time I had pulled a shot wide on the first target. After engaging the last target I swung back to do a make up and found my gun at slide lock. A too quick calculation had me deciding to end the run. Sadly the wide shot was not just a -1 or -3, it was a miss altogether. In retrospect, I should have taken the time to reload and fired another shot. I can certainly reload and reengage in much less than the 5 seconds the miss cost me.

I can be at a campground in Shenandoah National Park in 2 hours. To be sure can get a camp site, I need to make reservations months in advance. This past weekend we had a reservation, booked late last year, so we spent two relaxing nights in the woods. It was also the first time we’ve dry camped in the Ascape - no hookups at all.

Dry campgrounds tend to attract more tent campers, and the sites are often more spread out. We were 3000 feet above sea level there, so a good 10 degrees cooler than back in Richmond. All good reasons to camp more often in dry campgrounds. Tent people are more my people than the folks in 40 foot luxury apartments on wheels. I fought some “sell out you are not really camping” thoughts when I bought the Ascape. But I got over it, because I was tired of sleeping on the ground. But there are no luxury recliners in my camper. It’s 72 square feet - where would I put them?

We got in relatively late on Friday, around 8 PM. So we just set up and retired to the camper to play board games, where I got squashed in Scrabble.

Saturday morning I hit the trail before 10 AM, doing a 7 mile loop from the campground.

• North on Appalachian Trail to Rose River Fire Road
• East on fire road, cross Skyline drive and turn left on Rose Rover horse trail.
• Follow horse trail to Rose Rover loop trail.
• Follow loop trail past Rose River Falls to Dark Hollow Falls Trail
• Climb past lower and middle falls to touristy and busy upper falls.
• Take .7 mile steep and rocky trail to Dark Hollow Falls parking lot - it will be a zoo if it’s a nice day.
• Cross street and pick up an unnamed trail back to campground.

On the Dark Hollow trail, don’t miss out on noticing the really poor footwear choices of your fellow “hikers.” I saw a woman in dollar store flip-flops with a baby in a baby carrier. I hope she didn’t fall and land on the kid. I’ve fallen on that trail. It is steep and rocky.

The hike is 3.5 miles down, then 3.5 miles back up. Once you hit the Rose River loop, you are paralleling rocky streams filled with little runs and falls the entire way, with countless opportunities to chill in a boulder in the river and relax.

Dark Hollow Falls is quite nice. The top viewing area will be over run with tourists. The middle falls, just a two-minute walk further, will be empty. I sat by the middle falls and had a good 10 minutes to myself before anybody else showed up. The last leg from Dark Hollow Falls to the parking lot is also filled with rocky rapids and mini falls all along the way. There are also a couple of places with inviting looking pools at the base of the falls.

I made it back to the campground around 1:30 PM and after a beer and a shower ($1.75 for 5 minutes!) I bought firewood for the night and took a pleasant 60-minute nap in the cool mountain air. I grilled steaks and corn on the cob for dinner, and we spent the evening relaxing by the campfire. With beer.

Campsite visitors

Checkout time on Sunday is noon, which is pretty liberal. Beats the KOAs that kick you out by 10 AM. Shenandoah National park is highly recommended. I buy an annual pass every year. And I booked a fall October weekend at Loft Mountain campground in the park, because Big Meadows was already sold out.

I can be at a campground in Shenandoah National Park in 2 hours. To be sure can get a camp site, I need to make reservations months in advance. This past weekend we had a reservation, booked late last year, so we spent two relaxing nights in the woods. It was also the first time we’ve dry camped in the Ascape - no hookups at all.

Dry campgrounds tend to attract more tent campers, and the sites are often more spread out. We were 3000 feet above sea level there, so a good 10 degrees cooler than back in Richmond. All good reasons to camp more often in dry campgrounds. Tent people are more my people than the folks in 40 foot luxury apartments on wheels. I fought some “sell out you are not really camping” thoughts when I bought the Ascape. But I got over it, because I was tired of sleeping on the ground. But there are no luxury recliners in my camper. It’s 72 square feet - where would I put them?

We got in relatively late on Friday, around 8 PM. So we just set up and retired to the camper to play board games, where I got squashed in Scrabble.

Saturday morning I hit the trail before 10 AM, doing a 7 mile loop from the campground.

• North on Appalachian Trail to Rose River Fire Road
• East on fire road, cross Skyline drive and turn left on Rose Rover horse trail.
• Follow horse trail to Rose Rover loop trail.
• Follow loop trail past Rose River Falls to Dark Hollow Falls Trail
• Climb past lower and middle falls to touristy and busy upper falls.
• Take .7 mile steep and rocky trail to Dark Hollow Falls parking lot - it will be a zoo if it’s a nice day.
• Cross street and pick up an unnamed trail back to campground.

On the Dark Hollow trail, don’t miss out on noticing the really poor footwear choices of your fellow “hikers.” I saw a woman in dollar store flip-flops with a baby in a baby carrier. I hope she didn’t fall and land on the kid. I’ve fallen on that trail. It is steep and rocky.

The hike is 3.5 miles down, then 3.5 miles back up. Once you hit the Rose River loop, you are paralleling rocky streams filled with little runs and falls the entire way, with countless opportunities to chill in a boulder in the river and relax.

Dark Hollow Falls is quite nice. The top viewing area will be over run with tourists. The middle falls, just a two-minute walk further, will be empty. I sat by the middle falls and had a good 10 minutes to myself before anybody else showed up. The last leg from Dark Hollow Falls to the parking lot is also filled with rocky rapids and mini falls all along the way. There are also a couple of places with inviting looking pools at the base of the falls.

I made it back to the campground around 1:30 PM and after a beer and a shower ($1.75 for 5 minutes!) I bought firewood for the night and took a pleasant 60-minute nap in the cool mountain air. I grilled steaks and corn on the cob for dinner, and we spent the evening relaxing by the campfire. With beer.

Campsite visitors

Checkout time on Sunday is noon, which is pretty liberal. Beats the KOAs that kick you out by 10 AM. Shenandoah National park is highly recommended. I buy an annual pass every year. And I booked a fall October weekend at Loft Mountain campground in the park, because Big Meadows was already sold out.

One year ago we picked up our camper - a 2020 Aliner Grand Ascape Plus. This is probably not news, unless this is your first visit to this corner of the Internet. 41 nights of camping later seems like a good time to look back at the last year.

First, the summer and fall of 2020 sucked a lot less for us because of Journey. We named the camper Journey. Journey Ascape. Get it? If you are my age and don’t get that, we probably can’t be friends. I’m sorry, but those are the rules. Anyway, back to the camper. We camped 30-ish nights last year, mostly staying in Virginia, but we did venture out of state twice into NC. I was reading stories on Twitter about people who hadn’t left their 400 sq. foot NYC apartment in weeks, and we were taking off every other weekend to hang out in the woods around the campfire and go hiking.

Yes, I was incredibly fortunate in that I had a job that wasn’t negatively impacted last year, and I worked from home anyway, so very little changed in that regard over 2020. Nobody in my house caught as much as a cold last year. It wasn’t like our pandemic was a party, but it was a much less miserable than it could have been, and on camping weekends it was downright fun.

I had been lusting for an Aliner Aframe for years, and did not know the Ascape existed until I went to Aliner’s website to look at the current Aframe lineup in March 2020. I absolutely would buy the Ascape again. We had the water pump replaced under warranty, otherwise it’s been just fine. It’s the perfect size for two people. It has all the stuff you want in a camper - 3-way fridge, microwave, stove, sink, hot water heater, cassette toilet, large bed, ac and heat. It’s only 1700 lbs. dry and tows easily behind our 2012 Ford Edge. The Edge easily maintains 65 mph through the Appalachian Mountains, and I get 14 MPG towing in the mountains and 16 MPG when towing east to the beach. We’ve camped in brutal 95F heat and the AC cools the camper to comfortable in less than 20 minutes and has no trouble keeping it there. It’s small enough that a $25 wall wart space heater easily keeps the camper comfortable in colder weather, meaning we don’t use our propane when shore power is available.

Negatives? It’s pretty close to a perfectly designed 14 foot tiny trailer. It’s not a nap friendly camper as the bench seats are too narrow to nap on, and you have to choose between the bed and the table. But I’d need a bigger trailer to have separate dining and sleeping areas. It’s got a large storage area under the cushions at the front of the trailer, but it’s a PITA to get to as usually bedding, pillows, etc. are stuffed under there during the day. Easier access to that storage would be nice. Draining the hot water heater requires a socket wrench to remove the plug, although it’s on the side and not under the camper, which is nice. And the gray water drain is so low to the ground due to the camper size that getting it to drain at most dump stations is an issue. I’ve stopped trying. I drain it into a 5-gallon container, then dump the container in the drain. It’s an 11 gallon tank, so only takes two cycles. The cassette toilet is super simple to deal with. Pull out the 5 gallon black water tank via an outside door and drain it into a toilet or dump station.

Owning the camper has changed how I drive, which I did not expect. When towing I don’t exceed 65 mph, so I camp in the right lane, set the cruise if not in the mountains, and go. It makes for a stress less driving experience as I’m not constantly changing lanes to pass, get back in the right lane, etc. I’ve noticed lately when driving without towing, I’m often just going 70 in the right lane, not the 78 that was my norm pre-camper. Minimizing lane changes reduces risk and stress. Or maybe I’m just older and not in as much of a rush.

If you buy a camper, do not buy all the stuff immediately. Camp a few times, borrowing all you can from home prior to investing in camping stuff. When the camper is new, you don’t know what you don’t know. We probably spent a few hundred bucks on accessories that we didn’t like or need and have since abandoned or replaced. Things not to skimp on include camp chairs, get good ones that will last, and a cooler. You don’t need a Yeti. The Igloo Marine Extreme is about $60 and delivers 80% of the performance of a Yeti. Also buy a hitch lock and a wheel boot and use both anytime parked and not hitched. RV thefts are way up. We have customized the interior of the camper a bit with additional storage, curtains, and wall art.

Another neat thing about the Ascape is that I can fit into a lot of campsites the folks with living rooms on wheels can’t use. It’ll fit in the parking area for most tent sites in a state park or commercial campground. This is especially helpful now as campgrounds are solidly booked across the country. I suspect (hope) that with the pandemic fading as a threat and life returning to normal, many new campers will return to their Holiday Inns. If you are looking to buy, this fall/winter could be a buyers market.

And finally, the camper has completely changed our future plans. Pre-camper the goal for years has been to move to the beach. Now we are thinking mountains. I researched moving west but between access to healthcare, cost of living etc. no city out west checks the boxes quite like Richmond and points east do. So we are looking around at Appalachian mountain towns that might make a nice home. My completely objective spreadsheet suggests Salem VA is our top location, with Roanoke and Asheville also in the mix. We’ll be researching and visiting over the next year, although staying in Richmond is certainly an option as being 90 minutes from the Ocean and the mountains is not a bad thing at all.

One year ago we picked up our camper - a 2020 Aliner Grand Ascape Plus. This is probably not news, unless this is your first visit to this corner of the Internet. 41 nights of camping later seems like a good time to look back at the last year.

First, the summer and fall of 2020 sucked a lot less for us because of Journey. We named the camper Journey. Journey Ascape. Get it? If you are my age and don’t get that, we probably can’t be friends. I’m sorry, but those are the rules. Anyway, back to the camper. We camped 30-ish nights last year, mostly staying in Virginia, but we did venture out of state twice into NC. I was reading stories on Twitter about people who hadn’t left their 400 sq. foot NYC apartment in weeks, and we were taking off every other weekend to hang out in the woods around the campfire and go hiking.

Yes, I was incredibly fortunate in that I had a job that wasn’t negatively impacted last year, and I worked from home anyway, so very little changed in that regard over 2020. Nobody in my house caught as much as a cold last year. It wasn’t like our pandemic was a party, but it was a much less miserable than it could have been, and on camping weekends it was downright fun.

I had been lusting for an Aliner Aframe for years, and did not know the Ascape existed until I went to Aliner’s website to look at the current Aframe lineup in March 2020. I absolutely would buy the Ascape again. We had the water pump replaced under warranty, otherwise it’s been just fine. It’s the perfect size for two people. It has all the stuff you want in a camper - 3-way fridge, microwave, stove, sink, hot water heater, cassette toilet, large bed, ac and heat. It’s only 1700 lbs. dry and tows easily behind our 2012 Ford Edge. The Edge easily maintains 65 mph through the Appalachian Mountains, and I get 14 MPG towing in the mountains and 16 MPG when towing east to the beach. We’ve camped in brutal 95F heat and the AC cools the camper to comfortable in less than 20 minutes and has no trouble keeping it there. It’s small enough that a $25 wall wart space heater easily keeps the camper comfortable in colder weather, meaning we don’t use our propane when shore power is available.

Negatives? It’s pretty close to a perfectly designed 14 foot tiny trailer. It’s not a nap friendly camper as the bench seats are too narrow to nap on, and you have to choose between the bed and the table. But I’d need a bigger trailer to have separate dining and sleeping areas. It’s got a large storage area under the cushions at the front of the trailer, but it’s a PITA to get to as usually bedding, pillows, etc. are stuffed under there during the day. Easier access to that storage would be nice. Draining the hot water heater requires a socket wrench to remove the plug, although it’s on the side and not under the camper, which is nice. And the gray water drain is so low to the ground due to the camper size that getting it to drain at most dump stations is an issue. I’ve stopped trying. I drain it into a 5-gallon container, then dump the container in the drain. It’s an 11 gallon tank, so only takes two cycles. The cassette toilet is super simple to deal with. Pull out the 5 gallon black water tank via an outside door and drain it into a toilet or dump station.

Owning the camper has changed how I drive, which I did not expect. When towing I don’t exceed 65 mph, so I camp in the right lane, set the cruise if not in the mountains, and go. It makes for a stress less driving experience as I’m not constantly changing lanes to pass, get back in the right lane, etc. I’ve noticed lately when driving without towing, I’m often just going 70 in the right lane, not the 78 that was my norm pre-camper. Minimizing lane changes reduces risk and stress. Or maybe I’m just older and not in as much of a rush.

If you buy a camper, do not buy all the stuff immediately. Camp a few times, borrowing all you can from home prior to investing in camping stuff. When the camper is new, you don’t know what you don’t know. We probably spent a few hundred bucks on accessories that we didn’t like or need and have since abandoned or replaced. Things not to skimp on include camp chairs, get good ones that will last, and a cooler. You don’t need a Yeti. The Igloo Marine Extreme is about $60 and delivers 80% of the performance of a Yeti. Also buy a hitch lock and a wheel boot and use both anytime parked and not hitched. RV thefts are way up. We have customized the interior of the camper a bit with additional storage, curtains, and wall art.

Another neat thing about the Ascape is that I can fit into a lot of campsites the folks with living rooms on wheels can’t use. It’ll fit in the parking area for most tent sites in a state park or commercial campground. This is especially helpful now as campgrounds are solidly booked across the country. I suspect (hope) that with the pandemic fading as a threat and life returning to normal, many new campers will return to their Holiday Inns. If you are looking to buy, this fall/winter could be a buyers market.

And finally, the camper has completely changed our future plans. Pre-camper the goal for years has been to move to the beach. Now we are thinking mountains. I researched moving west but between access to healthcare, cost of living etc. no city out west checks the boxes quite like Richmond and points east do. So we are looking around at Appalachian mountain towns that might make a nice home. My completely objective spreadsheet suggests Salem VA is our top location, with Roanoke and Asheville also in the mix. We’ll be researching and visiting over the next year, although staying in Richmond is certainly an option as being 90 minutes from the Ocean and the mountains is not a bad thing at all.