I can not describe how thrilled my partner and I are to have found this web site!
A little bit about us: I am Susan, 56, no kids, looking forward to retirement and starting the planning process NOW.
My partner is Gary, 54, two kids, grown and on their own.
Together we have two dogs, Honda (55 lbs) & Diesel (115 lbs) both rescues who travel with us in our current RV a 30' toy hauler by KZ MXT.
We reside in No. Central Florida and we both work fulltime, which we want off the rat race wagon desperately but we know it takes planning and time. Currently we must wait several years for the housing market to turn around but that gives us more preparation time.
We try and get away at least two weekends a month and we talk with everyone we meet about the lifestyle. People are very friendly. We are amazed at the number of full timers!
We recently traveled to Asheville NC area for Thanksgiving and our social outing for two days was to spend one dayvisiting campgrounds in Asheville NC area and the other day in the Gatlinburg TN area speaking with people and gathering information.
Gary is researching the 5th wheel in our future and I am taking care of the financial end of it.
We welcome anyone's suggestions and input for our future.
I have been to the library to see if any of the books Howard references are available unfortunately our area does not have a very good library so for now I will keep looking.
We have tighted our belts so we can hardly breathe, but we are ok with our decision to meet our goal for our future. The economic tough times and our ages have helped believe it or not.
We come home from a weekend of camping so relaxed and refreshed.
Our big brain freeze is "what can we do" to supplement our income while full timing, we know there must be something we can do to be "self employed" but we have not discovered our nitch yet!
Thanks for letting me go on and on, guess you can tell how excited we are, it's so nice to have something to feel alive and excited about. Susan
Tim & Robyn said
05:47 PM Dec 9, 2008
Welcome aboard... I envy you that you are at least able to go out occasionally... we're not that far along yet, but had hoped to be fulltiming within a year... what with the economy the way it is now, having lost from our investments what we had planned to spend on getting started, health issues (resolving, thank God), etc. we have no idea how long it will be now. If I could figure a way to get set up I could continue to work for as long as necessary.... all I need is a satellite uplink and internet access because I'm a telecommuter.
Anyway, let me be among the first to greet you!
subra1228 said
08:01 PM Dec 9, 2008
Congratulations!!
I know it take a lot of time to obtain, understand & assimmilate all of the information!! Get yourself some file folders, label them (i.e. rigs, finances, workamping, etc..) and as you get information, you can be organized. Do the same on your computer - make folders and save favorites in the named folders (as opposed to "fulltiming", which I first did, then had so many, it was quite cumbersome).
One book to defintely buy and you can read & reread is the RV Buyer's Survival Guide - we saved a bunch of money when buying our rig & highly recommend this book.
We spent 6 months looking and researching before we purchased our 1st RV and we really enjoyed the process, its was great entertainment and the price was right, looking is free!
We recently went to the Fall RV Show at the Tampa Fairgrounds and we have January 17th marked on our calendar for the winter show coming up.
RV'ing has changed so much over the last 20+ years. When I relocated to Florida I came in a 3/4 ton Ford 4x4 with an 8-1/2' camper on the back with a husband and two cats and we lived full time in that for months until we purchased a used Terry 5th wheel which we lived full time in for two years until we purchased a home.
I love the concept of living with less "stuff" - it is mind blowing the amount of "stuff" a person can gather over time.
I have found wealth of information on this web site as well as great links to other web sites of people going full time and I find that extremely helpful.
When we were researching our 1st RV purchase it was more difficult to find useful information on the web but this journey is providing more information and I enjoy reading everyone's differing opinions.
We are your average middle class consumer. More than anything I want to enjoy the remainder of my life rather than "waiting" for retirement. I have known too many who tried that and failed and are no longer with us.
I have the file folders set up and I truly enjoy reading people's blogs, writing is such a great outlet.
I am especially fascinated about setting up a web page, as Gary is a computer junkie and he would love that aspect as would I.
Well off to the workplace I must go, but thanks for the welcome, love hearing from everyone. Susan
thebearII said
02:54 PM Dec 10, 2008
Welcome to a great family of explorers. Anything you want to know about just about anything is or will be available from the folks on this site.
RV selection- my wife and I had two separate areas of interest. She chose the inside layout and I chose the outside layout. We looked around for about a year and then for two weeks we travelled from dealer to dealer and an RV show to narrow down our choice. We found the perfect 5th wheel for us and ordered a brand new one through a dealer from the factory. We were able to customize a little and add extras to meet our needs.
One thing we were glad we did, is order the largest 5th wheel this manufacturer made and we could afford. The floor plan we chose was basically available in a 32 ft and also in a 37 ft model. We chose the 37ft because it allowed for a washer dryer and an 18" deep counter instead of 9" deep in the kitchen. Pluse extra storage comparments on the outside.
Income on the road- it's tough and a lot tougher now then it was a few years ago. It looks like most fulltimers can get by comfortably on $2500 to $3500 per month at a minimum. Some have been able to survive for $1000 to $1500 per month. But I'm not sure I would want to cutback on some of my luxuries (sat TV, Internet, dining out, new vehicles when needed...etc) to reach that level. So trying to find mobile jobs/income source that supplies $2k to $4K income per month all year is nearly impossible. I've been looking but haven't found anything yet.
Anyway, good luck and welcome.
Speedhitch said
03:11 PM Dec 10, 2008
Fulltiming is an individual lifestyle. I mean that each person or persons have different expectations and needs in this type of living. For anyone individual to give you the answer to what you need to do is not going to happen. I will say this...you will find so much information here at RV-Dreams and from people that know what they are talking about. Fulltimers that have been down the road many times. Join in the forums and feel free to ask questions and we will be more than happy to help.
Joe and Sherri
Smokey-Bear said
06:03 PM Dec 10, 2008
Susan,
One place to look for RV information might be the public library's research dept. They might have a copy of the "RV Consumers Group" book.
When we did research for our full time RV... we were lucky to find that publication at the local library. If they don't have it, as if any other library's they are connected to might.
I could also suggest as you are working towards the year you can start Full Timing... you visit the RV shows. We used to do this with several sheets of a Livabality Check List" in hand. This was a list I worked up that listed several items we wanted the next RV we would own... to have. We wrote the specs down on each RV we liked. Listing the number of drawers and their sizes. If the RV felt comfortable with the floor plan. The size of the basement storage. How much additional weight it could carry above what the factory listed for the RV with Water tank and Propane tanks full. We knew once we were full time... we'd need more "STUFF" than a weekend user would be carrying. Those RV's I liked... I would pick up their brochures.
In fact the RV we did buy, a used Challenger by Damon Corp... was one we walked through when visiting the RV show one year. Sure was glad I saved the brochure... we had all the spec information on the RV.
The List sure helped us... after the 15 to 30 RV's seen at a show... they begin to blend all together... I'd not remember which one had the best floor plan.. which one had the best kitchen design... The list would help us recall each RV. These days a Digital camera would sure help as well.
As for making additional $$ on the road. One quick way to increase your money would be to volunteer in exchange for a RV Site. Most State parks have VIP or Host volunteer duties. Although these don't actually give you a pay check... they do give you a site to park on. That alone keeps you for paying for that same site... In my book that's a big help for saving $$.
Good Luck with your full time plans... Soon the years will pass and you'll be starting on your next Adventure !!
Marv
Hogladyrider said
04:53 AM Dec 11, 2008
I am currently reading the pre-trip journal here at RV Dreams and it is amazing the similarities in feelings we have with others regarding the decision to get out of the rat race etc.
Of special interest was the four original choices of 5th wheels that were narrowed down to, that was the first I'd heard of Cambridge and the other choices were already on our list as well.
We will have digital camera in hand when we visit the RV Show in Tampa in January.
One thing I do not understand is the RV Satellite thing. That will be a separate research item. Other than state parks, the campground facilities we have visited all have cable/internet included with the fee and we have utilized same and they work great. So I will add RV Satellite to the research list.
I especially enjoy seeing the blogspot addresses in some of the posters signatures I check them all out.
Our library system here in Lake County Florida is not a good one at all and I do not want to be out purchasing dozens of books at this point in time.
If any of you full timers are in the Central Florida area at any time I'd love to know and if interested we'd love to share a cup of coffee or cool drink with you and sit around and chat about the lifestyle. Of course since we are still in the full time rat race workforce it would have to be on weekends.
Susan
Loralie said
10:36 AM Dec 11, 2008
Hi and Welcome! My husband and I began our research about 5 years ago and now we are down to 55 days!!! Oh my...so much yet to do!!!
Anyhow, reading the blogs and especially the start ups for everyone was very helpful to me. Additionally I found the irv2.com site and it's forum has sections for many of the major rv makers. Reading those can give insight into what people like and don't like about their choices. We decided we liked the Excel 5th wheel for its quality. Then when we found a used set (rv and truck) we jumped at it even though its a little smaller than we might want. (However, when driving it feels PLENTY big!!)
Good luck and have fun!
Loralie
Hogladyrider said
06:36 AM Dec 13, 2008
In researching full timing I find many references to "Life on Wheels" conferences as a must prior to hitting the road.
I see where this program has been discontinued due to the unfortunate passing of the founder.
Can anyone who has taken this program share some of the information they learned here?
I have completed reading the pre-full time and one year journal of Howard and Linda and have learned a lot as well as things we have already experienced in our own RV travels.
One question though is why do several of you chose Arizona for the winter months? I understand why you avoid Florida, the higher cost of sites in the winter, I prefer to call it price gouging but whatever the market will pay. Susan
A little bit about us:
I am Susan, 56, no kids, looking forward to retirement and starting the planning process NOW.
My partner is Gary, 54, two kids, grown and on their own.
Together we have two dogs, Honda (55 lbs) & Diesel (115 lbs) both rescues who travel with us in our current RV a 30' toy hauler by KZ MXT.
We reside in No. Central Florida and we both work fulltime, which we want off the rat race wagon desperately but we know it takes planning and time. Currently we must wait several years for the housing market to turn around but that gives us more preparation time.
We try and get away at least two weekends a month and we talk with everyone we meet about the lifestyle. People are very friendly. We are amazed at the number of full timers!
We recently traveled to Asheville NC area for Thanksgiving and our social outing for two days was to spend one dayvisiting campgrounds in Asheville NC area and the other day in the Gatlinburg TN area speaking with people and gathering information.
Gary is researching the 5th wheel in our future and I am taking care of the financial end of it.
We welcome anyone's suggestions and input for our future.
I have been to the library to see if any of the books Howard references are available unfortunately our area does not have a very good library so for now I will keep looking.
We have tighted our belts so we can hardly breathe, but we are ok with our decision to meet our goal for our future. The economic tough times and our ages have helped believe it or not.
We come home from a weekend of camping so relaxed and refreshed.
Our big brain freeze is "what can we do" to supplement our income while full timing, we know there must be something we can do to be "self employed" but we have not discovered our nitch yet!
Thanks for letting me go on and on, guess you can tell how excited we are, it's so nice to have something to feel alive and excited about.
Susan
Anyway, let me be among the first to greet you!
I know it take a lot of time to obtain, understand & assimmilate all of the information!! Get yourself some file folders, label them (i.e. rigs, finances, workamping, etc..) and as you get information, you can be organized. Do the same on your computer - make folders and save favorites in the named folders (as opposed to "fulltiming", which I first did, then had so many, it was quite cumbersome).
One book to defintely buy and you can read & reread is the RV Buyer's Survival Guide - we saved a bunch of money when buying our rig & highly recommend this book.
Good luck! You found a great site to get information!
Suzanne
http://campingandtravels.blogspot.com
We recently went to the Fall RV Show at the Tampa Fairgrounds and we have January 17th marked on our calendar for the winter show coming up.
RV'ing has changed so much over the last 20+ years. When I relocated to Florida I came in a 3/4 ton Ford 4x4 with an 8-1/2' camper on the back with a husband and two cats and we lived full time in that for months until we purchased a used Terry 5th wheel which we lived full time in for two years until we purchased a home.
I love the concept of living with less "stuff" - it is mind blowing the amount of "stuff" a person can gather over time.
I have found wealth of information on this web site as well as great links to other web sites of people going full time and I find that extremely helpful.
When we were researching our 1st RV purchase it was more difficult to find useful information on the web but this journey is providing more information and I enjoy reading everyone's differing opinions.
We are your average middle class consumer. More than anything I want to enjoy the remainder of my life rather than "waiting" for retirement. I have known too many who tried that and failed and are no longer with us.
I have the file folders set up and I truly enjoy reading people's blogs, writing is such a great outlet.
I am especially fascinated about setting up a web page, as Gary is a computer junkie and he would love that aspect as would I.
Well off to the workplace I must go, but thanks for the welcome, love hearing from everyone.
Susan
One place to look for RV information might be the public library's research dept. They might have a copy of the "RV Consumers Group" book.
When we did research for our full time RV... we were lucky to find that publication at the local library. If they don't have it, as if any other library's they are connected to might.
I could also suggest as you are working towards the year you can start Full Timing... you visit the RV shows. We used to do this with several sheets of a Livabality Check List" in hand. This was a list I worked up that listed several items we wanted the next RV we would own... to have. We wrote the specs down on each RV we liked. Listing the number of drawers and their sizes. If the RV felt comfortable with the floor plan. The size of the basement storage. How much additional weight it could carry above what the factory listed for the RV with Water tank and Propane tanks full. We knew once we were full time... we'd need more "STUFF" than a weekend user would be carrying. Those RV's I liked... I would pick up their brochures.
In fact the RV we did buy, a used Challenger by Damon Corp... was one we walked through when visiting the RV show one year. Sure was glad I saved the brochure... we had all the spec information on the RV.
The List sure helped us... after the 15 to 30 RV's seen at a show... they begin to blend all together... I'd not remember which one had the best floor plan.. which one had the best kitchen design... The list would help us recall each RV. These days a Digital camera would sure help as well.
As for making additional $$ on the road. One quick way to increase your money would be to volunteer in exchange for a RV Site. Most State parks have VIP or Host volunteer duties. Although these don't actually give you a pay check... they do give you a site to park on. That alone keeps you for paying for that same site... In my book that's a big help for saving $$.
Good Luck with your full time plans... Soon the years will pass and you'll be starting on your next Adventure !!
Marv
Of special interest was the four original choices of 5th wheels that were narrowed down to, that was the first I'd heard of Cambridge and the other choices were already on our list as well.
We will have digital camera in hand when we visit the RV Show in Tampa in January.
One thing I do not understand is the RV Satellite thing. That will be a separate research item. Other than state parks, the campground facilities we have visited all have cable/internet included with the fee and we have utilized same and they work great. So I will add RV Satellite to the research list.
I especially enjoy seeing the blogspot addresses in some of the posters signatures I check them all out.
Our library system here in Lake County Florida is not a good one at all and I do not want to be out purchasing dozens of books at this point in time.
If any of you full timers are in the Central Florida area at any time I'd love to know and if interested we'd love to share a cup of coffee or cool drink with you and sit around and chat about the lifestyle. Of course since we are still in the full time rat race workforce it would have to be on weekends.
Susan
I see where this program has been discontinued due to the unfortunate passing of the founder.
Can anyone who has taken this program share some of the information they learned here?
I have completed reading the pre-full time and one year journal of Howard and Linda and have learned a lot as well as things we have already experienced in our own RV travels.
One question though is why do several of you chose Arizona for the winter months? I understand why you avoid Florida, the higher cost of sites in the winter, I prefer to call it price gouging but whatever the market will pay.
Susan