Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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Post Info TOPIC: A Newbie's Initial Thoughts


RV-Dreams Community Member

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A Newbie's Initial Thoughts


 

My wife and I were considering full timing about a year ago and received a lot of encouragement from posters on this forum.  So, we 70 somethings jumped in and, after much research, bought a 35 foot fiver and a Silverado 3500 diesel dually, a truck "big enough to stop the camper, not just pull it" – per advice read on this forum. 

We were concerned about pulling something that long having only experienced towing a trailer carrying a 16 foot boat.  We did some research as did our dealer (we highly recommend Family Camping Outlet in Pottstown, PA) and the dealer found Allen Gingrich (www.RVSafeT.com) for us.  We spent 2 days (4 hours per day) working with Allen on driving, backing, turning, merging into traffic, parking, driver/spotter communication, setting up the camper, etc.  He even sat in the passenger seat as I drove to our first campground!  Allen is enthusiastic and knowledgeable -- he obviously enjoys what he is doing and his enjoyment is infectious.  A goal of his is to make sure each of his clients is comfortable behind the wheel and can drive their rig safely before he turns them loose.  We also highly recommend Allen and plan to book a "refresher" with him this December. 

As newbies, I'd like to pass along only 5 of the many things we have learned during our first 3 months of full-timing:  1) Expect and plan for the unexpected – we bought a new unit to avoid "problems."  The control panel and a front leveling jack went out after just a few stops.  The manufacturer (K-Z) was cooperative, quickly got the parts to the technician to make the repairs and met their warranty responsibilities without question.  2) Don't be afraid or reluctant to ask for help – we needed help a couple of times already; for example, my wife asked a "neighbor" to help her back me up about 200 feet to an alternate site on our second stop (the assigned site had an overhanging tree that was too low to allow us to pull through or back in under it).  Another time a "Campground Angel," as we call them, ran after us as we were leaving to let us know about the vent cover we left open (and we use a checklist before moving!).  3) This really is an OJT experience.  No matter how handy you are or how much you have researched full-time RVing, there always are new things to experience or something else to learn.  4) Go slow, this is not all vacation, you still have bills to pay, plans to make, and things, occasionally, to fix – for example, we didn't go slow enough in selecting one of our first sites and I chose a site where I quickly found out that the black and grey tanks do not easily drain uphill.  And 5) Per Howard, don't try to see everything – we have slowed down and, until we really get used to this new way of life, we plan on spending about 2 weeks between moves and taking day trips to enjoy the wonderful things this country of ours has to offer. 

 

I am truly sorry for the long post – Peace, blessings and safety to you all.



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 1122
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Great post, and good advice (the slow down part). Safe travels.

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Ron and Janice

 

2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system

2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114  LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW

FT class of 2016



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 911
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Good times! Sounds like you're getting in the grove.

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Full timing since 2/27/14.

Silverado HD 3500 4X4 Dually.

Momentum 380 by Grand Design.



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 654
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Sounds like you are off to an awesome start! Keep up the good work!

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Bill & Kelly - with Callie along the ride.  

2011 Ford F350 Diesel Dually 4x4 

2014 Heartland Landmark, Grand Canyon 

"All those who wander are not lost" Tolkien

 BLOG:  http://bkamericanodyssey.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 1192
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No doubt your words of wisdom will help someone down the road. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us...we all learn from each other around here. It sounds to me like you are well on your way. No need to hurry, take your time and enjoy the scenery.

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2018 Thor Windsport 35M -- 2018 Camry Toad

-- USAF Retired -- Full-timing since December 2007 - Part-Timing since July 2011
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http://http://travelingrvwx.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 161
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George, this is a great post.  Something to go along with item #1 in knowing something may go wrong, is having the patience to go along with that and that ultimately, this too shall pass.  If you fret too much over such things, it may not be worth it to you.   



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Paul & Kim

99 Ford F350 Crew Cab

2013 Montana 3582RL

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