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!!
"Of course we miss the dishwasher, the icemaker, the big screen TV, the hot tub, the walk-in closets full of clothes, the spacious shower, and a full-size bathroom. But we really, really miss …… big, thick, fluffy toilet paper. :)"
My husband wants me to REALLY, REALLY think about the above, especially the part about the fluffy toilet paper (no kidding). He thinks this part of fulltiming could be the difference for me. Particularly the water and toilet situation. First, exactly how different is it? Second, is it difficult to adjust to....particularly ladies?
I think you give up some things in order to get others.......
Also, let's see.... New RVs come with big screen TVs (well, relatively big anyway... bigger than what we have in our house); and I saw a post elsewhere on this forum about an inflatable hot tub ... So I guess the only things you'll have to get used to are a smaller bath room and no walk-in closet... but then you don't need that many clothes in this lifestyle anyway... Since you move around, who cares if you wear the same outfits?
Oh, I also forgot - You can have a dishwasher in your RV if you really want one... but you might have to give up your oven for it, so you'll really need a convection/microwave...
For me the biggest adjustment was not being able to take long, hot showers when my arthritis/fibromyalgia kicked in....and not being able to shave in the shower. That one I solved by using baby lotion, a basin of warm water and taking my time. Added bonus - softer legs. <g>
The TP was never an issue, once we got DirecTV then reception was solved, with only two we never used the dishwasher anyway, paper plates burn nicely in the campfire, and I did have a stash of clothes stored elsewhere for swapping out.
We don't have a MH yet...we're working on it though...but we were in boating for 18 years (37' SeaRay) on the Great Lakes and had the same kind of toilets in our boats that are in RVs. You MUST use special "dissolvable" toilet paper (you don't even want to know what happens when you don't or when something undesolvable gets in the tank or the lines!!!) but you can get it in 2-ply and it's really not bad...in fact, I never even thought about it being different until I read your post!!! I am a lady so I can personally attest to the fact that it's NOT an issue. NOWWWWW the lack of a long leisurely hot bath might be for me!!! Guess we'll just have to stay in parks with hottubs!!??
-- Edited by Janenne at 22:32, 2007-07-09
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Janenne & Roger ... and kittycat Lindy. House for sale and looking for the right MH
There might well be things you will miss, but then all of life is a compromise. Nothing comes free and for some things the price tag may be more than you wish to pay. That you have to decide for yourself.
For us the price was small and the benefits far outweighed the price. We do miss the friends we had at home, we miss seeing our grandchildren almost every day. However, we don't miss mowing the lawn, going to work everyday, paying the real estate taxes, paying the utility bills, etc. In comparison, the thickness of my toilet paper and not having a walk-in closet are non-issues when compared to all our new lifestyle has to offer.
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Full timing since 1/1/2005 American Tradition & Jeep Wrangler www.howethsjournal.blogspot.com
Ah yes, the quote that started this thread was from our answer to a FAQ about what we miss as full-timers.
However, I just have to post the REST of the answer here as well.
"Sure we miss all those things. But we don’t miss them nearly enough to go back to the type of lifestyle it took to have all that. I’ve said it over and over and over. Full-timing is about trade-offs and compromises."
"Let’s turn it around. If we went back to our previous life tomorrow, what would we miss about full-timing? Are you kidding me? We would miss all of it – freedom, nature, travel, being together, meeting wonderful people, sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, birds, wildlife, 80 degree February days, 10 mile bike rides through charming towns, canoeing a river surrounded by natural habitat, hiking a forest trail, finding a hidden treasure, fly-fishing in a mountain stream, golf on crappy courses with good people, no alarm clocks, two-hour coffee time, falling asleep beside a campfire, sharing s’mores with the neighbors, helping out at animals shelters, assisting hurricane victims, silence of the woods, anytime naps, freedom, freedom, freedom ....... Get the picture? :)"
Just wanted the whole answer to be clear to the Forum visitors.
Thanks for all your replies, especially from the ladies. I agree that it's a compromise as is everything in life. But in this case, what you give up is nothing compared to what you get. Love the forum. It's a tremendous help as we move forward with our fulltiming plans. Thanks.
We have a walk-in corner shower with a seat, queen size bed (and some RVs come with king size beds). The toilet paper is different but work on your fold methods LOL. We actually have two bathrooms. I think Howard really put everything in perspective when he began to discuss what he would miss about the full-time lifestyle. I personally believe that puts it all in perspective. There are things that will be different. We have not actually started full-timing yet but we are hosting in our new motorhome. Yesterday I went home (sticks and bricks) to get a few things and I just couldn't wait to get back to the motorhome. It is funny, we haven't had this motorhome a whole month and already it is home to us. Oh, yes I forgot - a lot of new RVs come with the larger flat screen TVs that are HD ready. If your RV doesn't you can upgrade your TV just as you might upgrade a TV at your house.
When I think of what I will miss most not having a "house" is taking sit down baths. When it is cold in the winter, I don't warm up until I get in that hot bath. A shower is great in the summer but there is nothing like soaking in a tub in the winter to warm these old bones. However, missing that tub pales by comparision to the gain.
I hear ya Phyllis. As I said in an earlier post...I do like my soaking baths...especially when I'm cold. BUT, like I also said, we'll just have to make sure we stay at a park, once in awhile, that has a hot tub!!!
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Janenne & Roger ... and kittycat Lindy. House for sale and looking for the right MH
Dont care what all says I still MISS my bathtub soak on cold winter nites it would relax me and I would sleep better. However, we are not longer in real cold winters but still MISS the tub. Even our inflatable one is just not the same. Also miss the dishwasher. Just conviences of the home folks. southwestwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs
I miss standing on a ladder and washing 2nd story windows, tying a rope around my waist and around the chimney while I repair the roof, trimming trees, picking up sticks and branches after a strong wind, pulling weeds from the flower beds, and countless hours of mowing grass. I miss shoveling snow, freezing temperatures, and driving on icy roads.
Now if you believe that, I've got a great bridge I would like to sell to you!!!
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
I love being DEBT FREE ! Nothing materialistic takes the place of that feeling. Any Dave Ramsey fans out there? Used equity from the house to buy a great motorhome at a great price on e-bay. "Towed" is a 10 year old 197,000 mile well maintained Honda Accord. Living a simple life and loving every minute of it !!!! Brenda
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We may not have it all together, but together we have it all! D, B & H
I noticed that no one has mentioned attending a church you are a member of. I think that would be something I would miss as much as anything since I have been a member of the same Catholic church all my life. We could attend a church anywhere and it would have advantages of meeting others of faith throughout the country so the trade off I think would be OK.
Just a Thought.
God Bless all of you.
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Larry & Vivian Fox 2003 F350 CC DRW 4X4 6.0 Diesel TorqShift Auto Trans '08 Heartland Sundance 2997BHS
We have friends that are Full-timers and they go to church every Sunday. When the pastor finds out about their life-style, they are often asked to come back for another service and tell the congregation about their travels. They also do a lot of volunteer work, so they include that in their talks.
They have made many friends by doing this and they really enjoy it.
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.