I cannot tell you how glad I am that I found this forum! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

I cannot tell you how glad I am that I found this forum!

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good luck you can work from the road you do need to plan for it.

Mallo

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks
We're just begining the serious stages of our plan. (Until recently, it's only been a dream. But, I hope I can find some information through this forum that will help us design a plan that will be executable.)

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the forum, Tim.

This truely is a great place to learn all about the full-timing lifestyle. If you can, you might consider signing up for one of Howard and Linda's Rallys. The info that you would get there would be invaluable.

Good luck with your plans.

Jim

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tim,

Welcome to RV Dream's forums. You will find a lot of folks here with a W - I - D - E range of knowledge. Feel free to ask questions and make comments as we all tend to learn from each other and from everyone's questions. A new perspective on an issue is always welcome.

Good luck with your plans.

Terry

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the forum. You might want to check out this blog and talk to Brooke about their adventures with their kids as they travel.

http://operationexplorations.blogspot.com

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks everybody!
I can't believe that I feel almost overwelmed by the warmth of this forum.
I look forward to spending much time here.

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the RV-Dreams family!!!

I, too, recommend that you and your family attend a RV-Dreams Rally. For Evin and me, it was true value for our dollar. Great and beneficial information, met wonderful people that we are still in touch with. We are going to our second rally next week. Can hardly wait. Factory tours are also great. We did this before our first purchase and will do it again.

Because you are going to have small chidren with you I recommend that you read Jack Mayer's website http://www.jackdanmayer.com before selecting your vehicle(s). You will probably need a larger/longer unit for a family of four.

If you read Howard's recent journal entries you will meet a family(read their blog also) that had a similar experience that Evin and I had several months after going on the road. Because of family health issues, we had to go back to the "sticks and bricks." We have found that we really miss the full-time lifestyle and we are now doing everything in our power to get back out there. Life was much more rewarding and fuller RVing.

What an adventure for your children!!!

Good luck,

Steve

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just wanted to add that when look for a tow read this article: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/11/chevy-vs-ford-in-heavy-duty-rumble-in-the-rockies.html I think you will find it of interest. I might add I have always been

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hit the wrong button and my response got sent too early.

I have always been a Ford man having owned F-150s, 250s and a 450. I found this article to be quiet interesting. The link is: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/11/chevy-vs-ford-in-heavy-duty-rumble-in-the-rockies.html. I was shocked to see how well the Chevy did in an independent test that addresses real issues one might encounter when RVing in the mountains.

Hope it helps.

Steve

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Steve C wrote:
Hi Tim,
Welcome to the RV-Dreams family!!!
I, too, recommend that you and your family attend a RV-Dreams Rally. For Evin and me, it was true value for our dollar. Great and beneficial information, met wonderful people that we are still in touch with. We are going to our second rally next week. Can hardly wait. Factory tours are also great. We did this before our first purchase and will do it again.
Because you are going to have small chidren with you I recommend that you read Jack Mayer's website http://www.jackdanmayer.com before selecting your vehicle(s). You will probably need a larger/longer unit for a family of four.
If you read Howard's recent journal entries you will meet a family(read their blog also) that had a similar experience that Evin and I had several months after going on the road. Because of family health issues, we had to go back to the "sticks and bricks." We have found that we really miss the full-time lifestyle and we are now doing everything in our power to get back out there. Life was much more rewarding and fuller RVing.
What an adventure for your children!!!
Good luck,
Steve

Thanks Steve!

I really like Jack's rig!

Before I became disabled I owned my own transporation company and several Class "8"'s.

We still haven't bought our 1st rig yet, But, several factors are pointing me to a used class "A".

The #1 being price and availability. I have a 1996 3/4 ton diesel that I could use as a tow vehicle. But, it is getting older; and the all the "decent" 5th wheels I've seen are way out of my budget; and I believe most 5th wheels would be too much for a 3/4 ton PUT.

Secondly, I get uncomfortable sitting or driving a smaller vehicle for any length of time. I think a class "A" will enable me some mobility without hindering our travel time to much.

A class "8" tractor is more comfortable for me to drive. But, it's more difficult for me to get in & out of; then that's that "affordability" thing again.(Besides, we plan on taking our two adopted APBT's; and a class "8" or other tow vehicle would be all the more cramped.)

Third; I believe a class "A" may be more conducive to "Roadschooling" while on the move. (A class "8" might be ok; but again "affordability". I also know the sleeping arrangement might not be the best. But, my kids love sleeping on the couch anyway.)

The other concerns I have about a class "A" is storage for some "tradeshow" equipment. I thought about a large 5th wheel "Toy" hauler. BUT!!! A DPUT or class "8" tow vehicle and a large THT is way, WAY out of our current budget!

I hope I'm thinking "right". I am here to LEARN and hopefully find some encouraging "mentors" to help me walk through the whole transformation process.

-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 02:03:35 PM

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

BTW; I would've loved to gotten here soon enough to make the "spring" rally. My wife and I even discussed trying to crash it; even though we're not registered haven't got an RV yet. biggrin

Unfortunately, the "Fall" rally will be out of the question this year because my wife can't take any vacation past August. cry

But, I would like to make a smaller get together if there is one close enough.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

tcox4freedom wrote:
BTW; I would've loved to gotten here soon enough to make the "spring" rally. My wife and I even discussed trying to crash it; even though we're not registered haven't got an RV yet.

Tim,

Send a message to Howard and Linda. Even though you wouldn't have a campsite, they still might let you in on the seminars. You'd just have to stay in a hotel or motel somewhere reasonably close. At any rate, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Terry

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks terry; I will.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Come on! Crash the rally! It's going to be fun.

tcox4freedom · RV-Dreams Community Member

I just emailed Howard.

If he says yes, I'll try to make it for a day or two. But, it might be difficult to get it together in the short time frame. (Remember, my wife and I are NOT yet free to roam the road.)

We have two kids, two dogs, two horses and a chicken that will need to be cared for while we are away. I'm also not sure if my wife can get the time off with such short notice. BUT!! I game enough to give it a shot!

-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 05:22:22 PM

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, you can. You just need to make the decision to do so. Make it so Mr. Sulu!