It is getting to be crunch time. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

It is getting to be crunch time.

jagco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ken & Sarah wrote:

I tend to procrastinate somewhat.

You and me both biggrin

I know the 160 days will go by fast. I hope you enjoy your travels.

Jeff

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello there!! Crunch time is so exciting! I was wondering, reading your entry, if you have been planning this adventure for the past 5-7 years? I ask because we are on the other end - just starting the planning portion - and we are at least 7 years away from beginning our full-timing life. Does it still stay as exciting while the process is unfolding? We are so excited now, planning the type of vehicle, checknig out fifth wheels, saving money etc etc etc, and its hard to imagine that excitement staying consistent over such a long period of time. What has it been like for you?

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We started talking about fulltiming about 4 years ago. Original plans was for 2011. Then we moved it up to Feb 2009. Then having various issues to deal with, we decided Oct 2009. Then we had a health scare that turned out to be a non-issue.

So, here we are - we have lived in a fiver since January, first a 2002 Cedar Creek and then bought the Montana in March. Lord willing, we finally TAKE OFF January 11, less than 4 weeks away.

Time is being spent now getting medical concerns out of the way. Having dinner with friends. Spending time with granddaughters. Planning routes around commitments we have made for volunteer work.

Take our word for it -the time will fly by. It is surely worth the wait.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Crunch time will be eating chips and drinking cold drinks on your patio!...or is that munch time? Don't wish your life away...it all comes in do time. Crunch away every day and have fun planning and Dreaming...That is what this is all about.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm definitely not wishing these next years by....we try to make the most of every day, every moment!! biggrin

I'm just wondering about the energy and excitement behind our planning when there are years ahead before it becomes a reality.

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Phyllis and Leonard:

We two are anxiously waiting the time out. Our goal is May 1st, 2010 but we still have to sell our house. So, that date is adjustable depending on the sale. Can't hardly wait. It's all we think about. I can't even keep my mind on my work - I may get fired before I leave voluntarily.

In the process of looking for a 5 er. We have bought an F350 superduty Ford diesel dually and have looked at the Montana but have not been able to find a Montana that it will pull. Would you mind telling us what model you bought.

We, also, have a lot of medical problems that will have to be dealt with but we have made up our minds we're going no matter what the doc says. We've put this off too many years because of medical problems and we have decided we can deal with it on the road as well as we can deal with it here sitting in a recliner.

Thanks, Judy and Bob

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dreamers wrote:

In the process of looking for a 5 er. We have bought an F350 superduty Ford diesel dually and have looked at the Montana but have not been able to find a Montana that it will pull. Would you mind telling us what model you bought.

Thanks, Judy and Bob

Gee Whiz!!! How big is the Montana you are looking at? I am not sure there is one so large the F350 won't handle with ease. There are F350s on the road with huge Mobile Suites and doing well. Maybe you need to go look at the specs on the F350 again and compare the numbers. As I remember, it is listed to tow around 16500, and has a 4000 lb pin weight capacity. A simple formula for pin weight is to take 25% of the fiver's weight and use that number.
Seriously, I would take a second look at the numbers.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dreamers wrote:
Phyllis and Leonard:
In the process of looking for a 5 er. We have bought an F350 superduty Ford diesel dually and have looked at the Montana but have not been able to find a Montana that it will pull. Would you mind telling us what model you bought.
Thanks, Judy and Bob

Judy and Bob,

Yes, definitely check the manufacturers specs. You are misreading something. The Trailer Life 2009 Towing Guide shows the F350, CC, 4:30 rear end, tow package, rated to pull 18,200#.

I'm easily pulling 17,000 with my 06.

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Judy and Bob - we have a 2009 3455SA. We have no problem pulling with our 2006 F250 Super Duty with tow haul package. It is rated to pull 15,500. Go to the Montana Owners Club site www.MontanaOwners.com They have a great forum. In their survey you will see most people pull their rigs with either a F250 or F350.

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks 53 merc for your input. When we bought the truck we though we were covering ourselves. But, honest to God, the tow weight says 12,300 pounds and that's not much. Maybe there's more to really determining the tow weight than just looking at the tow weight as it is listed in the book.

Maybe my DH needs a formula. His must be wrong as we see the same things you see.

Judy and Bob

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fred, it's a used 2004 with only 79,000 miles (diesel) but it is a 4:10. We understand all 2004 models were 4:10.

Judy

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Phyllis and Leonard - do you have a plan for where you are headed when you hit the road on January 11th??!! :) You must be getting so excited!

Judy and/or Bob (whoever is still working with their daydreaming mind! LOL) I know what you mean...with a departure date only months away, it must be so hard to stay focused on work!!! I get sidetracked at work and I'm just vicariously enjoying everyone else's excitement!! smile

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Go to a site called "changingears.com".Much information and will take you to Ford towing site. That spelling is correct.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dreamers, since you have an 04, you will grow to love the Torqueshift transmission. It removes the need for a pac-brake. Ours works like a charm, and we have an 04 F250. We are confidently pulling 14400 with ours. (and our loaded weight is from a scale, not estimated)

According to my owner's manual, the 04 regular cab is rated for 12700. I was astounded to say the least. The supercab and crew cab ratings are the same. My F250 is rated for 13100.

I do know the ratings are confidently and consistently disregarded on these rigs. The 350 dually is a beast. The 4:10 rear ratio helps a bunch. My 250 has a 3.76 and has absolutely no problem with the weight we tow. I did have to add Timbrens to the rear axle to remove the 2 inch sag I go when hitched. All I can say is, hook up, drive off and have a great time.

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

2riker2go - We head SOUTH to warmer weather. Actually Leonard is from Louisiana so we will spend a few weeks there. Then we head to Livingston TX to change residency. Then to Pharr TX (near McAllen) where we work on a project with NOMADS for the month of February. From there ???????

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sounds awesome!! biggrin

Anywhere warm sounds wonderful right now - its 15 degrees here this morning!

-- Edited by 2riker2go on Thursday 17th of December 2009 08:11:37 AM

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks! will do that.

Judy

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

53 Merc wrote:

Dreamers, since you have an 04, you will grow to love the Torqueshift transmission. It removes the need for a pac-brake. Ours works like a charm, and we have an 04 F250. We are confidently pulling 14400 with ours. (and our loaded weight is from a scale, not estimated)

According to my owner's manual, the 04 regular cab is rated for 12700. I was astounded to say the least. The supercab and crew cab ratings are the same. My F250 is rated for 13100.

I do know the ratings are confidently and consistently disregarded on these rigs. The 350 dually is a beast. The 4:10 rear ratio helps a bunch. My 250 has a 3.76 and has absolutely no problem with the weight we tow. I did have to add Timbrens to the rear axle to remove the 2 inch sag I go when hitched. All I can say is, hook up, drive off and have a great time.

What is a pac brake. We do have a factory installed towing package.
Judy

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:

Go to a site called "changingears.com".Much information and will take you to Ford towing site. That spelling is correct.

We definitely will do that.

Judy

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dreamers wrote:

53 Merc wrote:

What is a pac brake. We do have a factory installed towing package.
Judy

Pac-Brake is the name of one brand of exhaust restrictor to help slow the rig without heavy use of the tow vehicle brakes. They are in wide use, especially on Cummins engines.

Gary · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dang Ken and Sarah, wish I were in your shoes.

Jessica and Harry, I can empathize with you. The DW and I are still around 7 years away (depending on the Daughter’s College Plans) and we are in the research phase. I’ve been doing this since about Oct 09 and will continue it until who knows when. Been to a few RV shows and have gone to a few dealers.

Now, it’s figuring out likes/dislikes, what would be options that we could/could not live with or without and such. Once we narrow that down, we will then know what type of tow vehicle we will need to do the job. To keep my thoughts straight, I have an Excel spreadsheet with tabs for different categories that I put notes down in. Anything I read or hear that puts an idea in my head goes into the spreadsheet.

As for keeping up the enthusiasm, it comes and goes. Some days I don’t even think about it, other days, I’m researching more things, getting more ideas and getting rid of stuff that hasn’t seen the light of day since we moved to our present S&B.

The day will come when we are in Ken and Sarah’s shoes and going into the “Full Bore Linear Panic Mode” as the days tick down to hours and then to LAUNCH!