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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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Finally, getting back into RV'ing!
Post Info TOPIC: Finally, getting back into RV'ing!
4x4given


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:
Finally, getting back into RV'ing!
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We had a 2001 Dutchmen Sport Lite hybrid back in 2001.  We made the mistake of selling it year later.

Now, about 8 years later, we are finally back, RV'ing.  We spent just over a year  researching, looking at, researching, going to shows, researching and planing.  Did I mention researching?  So on 12-5-09, we picked up our new TT.

We started out looking / researching inexpensive 5ers,  then TT's, then 5ers, then nicer 5ers, the really nice 5ers, then inexpensive Class A's, then back to mid range 5ers, then back to inexpensive 5ers, then back to TT's.  It took a year and we watched a lot of good deals go by.  We've considered, researched and looked at LOT's of RV's, both new and used.  And we finally settled on a (lower) mid range TT for a bargain price.  The trailer is a Keystone Sprinter 318FLS and it weighs about 8,300 empty and around 11,800 loaded.  It's a pretty long trailer and it has most of what we want.  At least as a starter unit for the next 5 - 8 years (we still hope to eventually get a nice 5er).

We knew we were getting close after we stumbled across a deal on a TV, a couple months ago, that we couldn't pass up.  A 2007 Ford F350 SuperCab 4x4 DRW (auto) diesel with factory Tow Command package in *excellent* condition, for $14999.  It has a B&W flipover gooseneck hitch and a factory Class V hitch and an EAZ 14,000 lb rated weight distribution hitch setup, with anti-sway.

We drove up from Kyle (just south of Austin) to Cleburne (just south of Fort Worth) and spent about 3 hours doing the PDI, signed the paperwork, hitched up and headed to a nearby campground, The RV Ranch and spent the night.  We had a great time!  It was so neat to be back in an RV and it be large enough to have some family and freinds come visit!  The park was awesome and the staff was super friendly and informative.   Towing it back home to Kyle was simple, smooth and easy.  No swaying or bucking.



We are planning on spending the last 2 weeks of December, here again, visiting family for Christmas.  So... wish us the best and we hope to meet some of y'all real soon!



-- Edited by 4x4given on Thursday 3rd of December 2009 08:22:55 AM

-- Edited by 4x4given on Tuesday 8th of December 2009 11:46:09 AM

__________________
Have RV - Will Travel
2007 Ford F350 SuperCab 4x4 DRW diesel
2010 Keystone Sprinter 318FLS (for roughing it)
1995 Harley Electra Glide Ultra Classic (his)
2009 Harley Deluxe (hers)
4 little doggies and 2 birds (ours)
janieD


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 318
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Looks like fun, welcome back to the RV world. Love the truck too.

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janieD
2007 Dodge 3500 DRW 5.9L
2010 Excel Limited 30RSO
Full Timing starting June 2010
Blog: www.flamingoonastick.blogspot.com
Speedhitch


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 1043
Date:
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Good deal all around! We know that you will have so much fun on the road. Maybe we will see you out there somewhere.

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/
eagleshea


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 117
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Wow, 8 years out of RVing !!  How did you do it.  Well, welcome back and hopefully you will have many great years doing one of the best things on earth !!

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2010 Ford F-350 FX4 Dually , 2011 Keystone Montana 3400 RL - For Sale 
Terry and Jo


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 5399
Date:
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Welcome back from your "hiatus" from RV'ing and welcome to the family at RV Dreams.

Good luck in all your planning and traveling.

Terry

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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug
phyllen


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 624
Date:
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You "stole" that truck. SHAME ON YOU!!!! Actually, congrats and enjoy!

Phyllis

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Phyllis and Leonard

2011 F350 King Ranch Dually    2016 Ford Escape

No longer own an RV.   No need.  No longer RV.

 

myownhighwaysinmymind.blogspot.com

 
DagoRanch


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 128
Date:
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You got an 07' F350 4x4 DRW Diesel for $14,900!!!!  WOW!

That is one heck of a deal.   That's my price-range and all I've been coming up with 2003's with around 100,000K on them.

Great find, if you find another one like that, let me know!!  I'm jealous!

__________________

Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
4x4given


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 27
Date:
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Hey, don't let 100,000 miles scare you off from a diesel tow rig. *PROVIDED* you check it out thoroughly and verify it is in GOOD, SOLID condition.  We are really happy with our (used) truck and I'm pretty confident that it can provide many years and lots of miles dependable of service.

Here's the deal on the truck we got.

1 - It was purchased new by Enterprise Leasing for operation out of San Antonio as a car hauler.  It was ordered with the Tow Command package and they installed a B&W flip over gooseneck hitch.

2 - It was a fleet vehicle and got regular maintenance (which I verified).

3 - I had a local ford dealer run an OASIS report and it only had one warranty repair, an EGR valve replacment at 121,000 miles, in Sept 2008.

4 - We also got a CarFax from the dealer we bought it from and it was clean.

5 - As a former mechanic (gas/diesel) for about 15 years, I checked it over with a fine tooth (and very picky) comb.  It had two issues.
   
 ** First, the FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module) was going bad.  The dealer covered 50% of the cost.  My part was $300 (most dealerships charge just over $1,000)

  ** Second, the rear axle seals are seeping just enough to make the emergency brake shoes slick and prevent the e-brake from working.  I'll fix this, because it's the only way I *KNOW* it's done right.  It will cost me about $100 in parts for seals, bearings, shoes and lube.  (the bearings are fine, but I'm going to replace them anyway)

6 - The interior was dirty.  (the dealer didn't bother to clean it.  the up side is the dealer didn't try to "hide" anything either.  I've since, cleaned and detailed it)

7 - Because it was a fleet vehicle, it had 148,000 miles on it.  The hour meter showed 3,100 hours, which averaged out to about 45 miles an hour for the life of the truck.  Translation = highway miles.  (this is a GOOD thing)

So, there is the truck.  Now the "deal".

I traded in my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (2wd, 4.0L, auto, base model) which I bought new and maintained very well.  It had just developed a problem with the driver's power window regulator and the rear hatch lock.  It also had 148,000 miles (the same as the truck).  Now I had been researching selling the Jeep for some time and I felt that if I could get $2,500 out of it, I would be *VERY* happy.

The dealer said they had just marked the truck down from $17,999 to $14,999.  He said he paid $15,000 even for it and even showed me the check / purchase order.  Anyway, he said that because it was a SuperCab, nobody was interested in it.  They all wanted Crew / Quad cab trucks.  So, he was just trying to get it off the lot (it had been there 3 months).

The dealer walked outside and just walked around my Jeep.  Didn't open a door, didn't look in it, nothing!  And then came back in and offered me $4,500 for the Jeep!

Putting on my best poker face, I agreed and drove off with the Ford for my Jeep and $11,335 out the door + $300 for the FICM repair.

(sorry for the LONG post)

-- Edited by 4x4given on Friday 4th of December 2009 04:12:38 PM

-- Edited by 4x4given on Saturday 5th of December 2009 12:31:16 AM



-- Edited by 4x4given on Tuesday 8th of December 2009 11:55:07 AM

__________________
Have RV - Will Travel
2007 Ford F350 SuperCab 4x4 DRW diesel
2010 Keystone Sprinter 318FLS (for roughing it)
1995 Harley Electra Glide Ultra Classic (his)
2009 Harley Deluxe (hers)
4 little doggies and 2 birds (ours)
Dakota Grey


RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 22
Date:
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Congratulations on two awesome deals. Welcome back to the RVing world. Enjoy your weekend.

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Ken & Pam

2006 Dutchmen, 26 L - DSL, pulled by a 2000 F 350 SRW, 7.3 Power Stroke.
TxYellowRose


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 385
Date:
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Hiya Neighbor!

I say neighbor because we're in Cedar Park, on the north side of Austin. 

Welcome to what I have found to be THE best site on the Internet for full-timing!  I haven't been here all that long but have found that the folks here are helpful, friendly, supportive and downright fun.  Howard and Linda have established a wonderful community in cyberspace.

Congrats on your new rig and welcome back to the world of RVing!  You've certainly waited long enough to come back and sure do deserve a great rig.

See ya in the forums and down the road!



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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles
Set Sail in June 2010
2010 Montana 3585SA HE
Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW
Full-timing blog:  Phoenix Once Again
Check out My Reiki Web Presence
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