Hello.  We are Pam and Ric Moser from Arkansas.  We have just purchased a small fifth wheel and will be going to Iowa next week to pick it up.  We don't aspire to be full-timers but - who knows - we might work up to that. . . Ric retired early due to some health issues and I retired last October to spend more time with him (nothing like a serious health issue to make realize that life is precious and time may be short).  On a scale of 1 being comfortable and 10 being terrified, I'm at about a seven as far as comfort level with RVing.  I'm concerned about driving down the highway pulling this thing and am concerned I'll make mistakes with campground etiquette, etc.  Hubby is just excited.  I've read as much as I can on-line and we've ordered some books that haven't come yet.  We also have two small dogs and a medium-size dog that must be included in our plans.  I can tell you are friendly, knowledgeable group and will be happy for your guidance.  Thanks.

Pam

WElcome to the dream, the best is yet to come, Gene

Welcome Pam and Ric, glad to have you on board. After a couple trips with your rig you should feel better. The unknowns in the beginning will be gone as you gain experience with your RV. If you get to an RV park and aren't sure about something ask your neighbors, RV'ers are a friendly bunch.

Greetings Pam and Ric. My husband Don and I were forced into an early retirement due to health issues too. And soon we will be full time RVing ourselves. We have to pussy-cats that are our traveling companions. Welcome to the RV-Dreams family. Ann

Hi Pam I am new to the forum also. Don't be to concerned about making mistakes you wont make any that we have not made, it just make the trip and adventure more fun and a better memoir. It is nice to hear from a fellow Arkie I was raised in Walnut Ridge. Welcome to the Forum.

Welcome to the forum, Pam,

Almost all of us that have RVs can remember that first exciting / terrifying trip. Yes, you'll make mistakes, but those mistakes make great camp fire stories on future trips.

Take your time, be careful, and enjoy the trip. This is the only first trip you will ever have, and more than likely, you'll always remember it. 

Jim

Hi Pam & Ric. Don't worry about dragging that big thing down the road.......just do like me & close your eyes when meeting oncoming traffic! Just kidding. It is a little scary at first but with a few miles under your belt it will become second nature to you. It will actually feel funny when you're unhooked and driving without it. At least that is my reaction when we take the TT for a trip. I haven't pulled a 5ver yet but from what I've been told it's a better way to go than TT. I hate to admit this but at the rally Connie will make sure everyone knows so here is my big confession.....she can back the damn thing up much better than me! We're relatively new at this but if we can do it anybody can. Good Luck. As for this forum, you won't find a nicer or better informed group of people on the net. Remember grasshopper, the longest trip begins with a single step. --Rod

Welcome Pam & Ric. We just got started too a few weeks ago.

After 20 years driving small sports cars without ever driving a pickup truck, we recently drove ~150 miles to buy a truck, took an overnight bag, stayed in a hotel, and picked up a 37 foot fifth wheel the next day! We got a five minute, 2 mile long road "lesson" from the RV dealer - after which, with a smile, said SEEYA.

Wow what a difference! The first few miles were a little tense but we survived them and for the next 140 miles IT WAS GREAT! Just watch those right turns - I'm still getting used to swinging wide rights to give the trailer clearance.

Good Luck - you'll do fine! (just go slow, and when you're feeling uneasy, go slower)

Bob

It's not bad, you will get used to wide right turns and stopping distances.

True story. I was 16 and had my permit. I had been driving since about 11-12 years old, but... never towing. I had backed in and pulled up (my mother didn't "do" clutches) but that was it.

About 50 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge, my dad told me to drive.
Always do what your father tells you when you're 16. It's a 4-lane, what can happen.

I was fine. No fishtailing, no tight rights, perfect in & out of every rest area.
Didn't slip the clutch once.
Then I got off the wrong exit and we ended up in some godforsaken section of Detroit.

Like he was going to sign for my license after that....
He didn't, either.

-- Edited by TrishsTravco on Thursday 27th of August 2009 08:34:52 PM

Hello from Arkansas. Thanks to all of you for the moral support. We drove from Arkansas to Iowa on Wednesday to pick up our small fifth wheeler. The orientation from the dealer was good. We took off with the intention to make it home in two days. Our first night in a campground was outside St. Louis, MO. It was such a nice little campground, we decided to stay an extra day and tour St. Louis a bit. As predicted, neighbors on both sides were helpful. One neighbor tried to help us unhitch the fifth wheel (although he had no more idea than we had) and the other neighbor sought me out to tell me about a wonderful farmers' market in town if we were staying over. Had nice visits with both. We don't have TV yet so we crawled into bed and listened to mysteries on CD. We made it home this evening with no major problem. We'll probably go on some short trips close to home until we feel a little more comfortable. I guess my reaction is that the trip was, well . . .fun!!! Thanks again, folks. I know I'll be posting questions soon! Pam Moser

Hi Pam and welcome! This is a wonderful group and they will help you and your husband whenever you need need them. I'm glad to hear your first trip went well. My husband and I will soon be taking our first trip as well. I'm excited and scared at the same time. The future is never certain, but we want to just get out there. We are older....66 and 68...so we're looking at going rVing for as long as we can....

What 5th wheel did you get? Where are you headed?  Look forward to hearing about your adventures...

Hello, Tricia.

I don't consider you "older" because then we'd be older too - we both turn 62 in a few days.  Looks like you've got a nice rig!  We decided on a 25 FT Palamino Puma because it is very lightweight and I thought I would be more comfortable pulling a shorter unit, at least to start. We looked at many and I liked the layout considering it is small.

I think we'll take a couple short trips around our area until we get the feel of this RVing lifestyle, then we'll probably do trips to Montana and Pennsylvnia to visit relatives.  We're contemplating a month or so in Florida (lived there 7 years prior to moving to AR) this winter.

What are your travel plans?

Welcome Pam & Rick!  As others have previously posted this is a WONDERFUL bunch here on this site.  Hang in there....it does get easier.

Pulling a 5th wheel is much easier than a TT.  We started out with a TT, had it one year, sold it and now we have a 5th wheel and we are addicted.

RVr's are a very friendly group of people, please don't hesitate to ask especially if you are in a campground.

Currently we are weekend campers and we have found fellow RVr's to be the greatest bunch of people.

Keep in touch and let us know how things are going.

Susan