Hi Cindye...first of all, my condolences on the loss of your mom, and kudos for the start of the next chapter!

I'd highly recommend shopping around and getting acquainted with the various RV types, brands and quality. Find RV lots in your area where you can both go tour a lot of RVs and get an idea of what is available (not necessarily for shopping, but for filling your heads with ideas to talk about.) I'd also recommend focusing on units that will give you and your young adult son each private space... as you're going through RVs talk about how you both might share the small space, and continue his home schooling. It's great that he's involved with the conversations!

As far as finding something dependable, keep reading the forums and see what others say about specific brands and types. Set your budget and shop around to see what you can realistically afford. Before you buy, get it inspected by a reliable and trusted mechanic, and even an RV expert to go over all of the systems. Be on the look out for signs of water damage - such as bulging or squishy feeling floors and walls. Look for signs of rust in the frame, or any unusual looking twists - the body should be perfectly straight. Learn how to read DOT stamps on the tires, so you know if they're near needing to be replaced (most will need to be replaced, regardless of tread or mileage, at about 6-7 years old.)

- Cherie

Hi Cindye,

It can be really overwhelming to be where you are in the process, but exciting too. I second everything that Cherie said.

I can add that depending on where you are in Texas I would try to go to PPL Motohomes. They are a consignment (resale) rv dealer and now have locations in New Braunfels and in Houston. Houston. They sell everything and it's a good place to see what is available out there. Their larger inventory is in Houston, but New Braunfels might be a lot closer.

Have fun dreaming and planning!

Cindye;

Welcome to the forum...you've come to the right place for info on rving.  Sorry about the passing of your mom and I admire your sense of adventure and the dedication to your son.

I second the recommendation of PPL.  Also, the internet is your best friend when shopping for a used RV.  Someone on this forum ,who lives in FL, traveled to MI and saved a ton of money--even with travel expenses.  If you find something you really like but is slightly out of budget, don't be shy about making a counter offer.

Keep in mind that if you get a towable, as opposed to a motorhome, you will need a suitable tow vehicle.  Do a lot of reading on this forum-especially under the topics of 'Buying an RV' and 'Buying a Tow vehicle'....also 'Financial considerations'.  You will find that all areas of rving are covered here.

My wife and I are in the process of establishing a budget for our fulltiming life.  So far, and without any fulltiming experience--just relying on what I've gleaned on this forum, we are at about $2500 per month.  We will probably have to work to the tune of about $6k per year when we start out.

Good luck with whatever you finally decide on.  Remember, if you have any more questions of any kind, come to the RV-Dreams family and ask.

Vance

terry and jo,

 Thanks for the words of wisdom. As far as me and my son have discused and have found on the internet we are wanting a class c cab over. I think that is what they are called. I think they are perfect for what we are needing. I want something that will have all the small creature comforts of home but on a lot smaller scale. My son likes the ones with the bed over the cab and has staked his claim to it if we can get one. :) All we need is a place to sleep, fix meals, a way to was the dust off when the day is done, and the ability to enjoy Gods beautiful works of art. :)

Thank you for the welcome lol should have been the first thing I said in this reply. I found that I am inlove with this site when I stumbled on it in my search of my dream. I really do not want a pull behind tt I really would love a motorhome. I have found many styles of class c that really appeal to what I am looking for. I read a lot of diffrent posts on here last night and I found that I am wanting to follow this dream of travel even more.

 

I do have a few questions as far as the fulltiming goes. What is the best storage ideas you have come across in your searches and travels. Me and the kiddo were discussing the vacume bags for our clothes and blankets which would help save a lot of space. A friend that used to live with me without knowing also gave me an idea or two. For our DVDs we were looking into the binder style of holders, (she had a plastic type of tote that she had hers in and when not in use it slid under the bed.  I have seen a few photos of plastic drawers in cabnets for food storage. I have considered getting a food saver system for leftovers to be had later. We have also talked about dishes. I am planning on buying plastic plates, bowls,and cups. A leason I learned from my moms first trip in her travel trailer trip. She placed glass dishes in the cabnet and when the made it to their destination half of them had hit the floor and were sadly broken. So Plastic is my choice :) Which is also thinner which saves some small space. Any space saving information is a plussssss.  Another question I have is for the shower tub feature. In my moms camper as well as a friends they have complained that when you step in them they feel smushy and feel like they are going to fall through. Is there any way to fix this problem short of totaly redoing the floor under it? My friend could use the information. I will also be passing this site information to her as well as my dad. ok one more question for now will ask more later. Workamping i think its called... Is there an age limit? My son says he would love to help by working as well. He can do yard work and things like that. We will have to work while living on the road. Even if we have to stay in one place for 6 months to a year to get us from place to place we are willing to do what ever it takes to make our dream a reality. ;)

And you are right about the question thing. The only dumb question is the un-asked ones that could have helped prevent something bad from happining.

How is the wif doing I read your post of the hiccup I belive. Or was that some one else? lol read a lot lastnight.

Again thanks for everything you are all great and this is like a whole set of encyclopdias for rvers. I love it.

thank you so much.

 I am on a very limited budget as well but like one person said if I do not do this now I probably never will. I am already writing a plan of action down as to what we need to keep and all we are going to get rid of. My little sister will get most of what I have because she lives with me as well as her four kids. :/ I love my sister and my niece and nephews but I am so ready fo it to be just me and my son.  When you started out rving what was your biggest fear and how does that fear affect you today? I have been feeling guilty and selfish because I am up and leaving pretty much my whole family  I have talked about becoming a truck driver for years and put it off because my moms health was not good. She is the one that told me she could see me going full time in an rv and I would love it.  Once she passed away I felt like I was trapped and no way to get free and I got to looking up travel methods that my son could travel with me. And I fell in love with the concept of going where the wind blows. I have alway wanted to travel  I have not told all of my family about my dissision yet but my little sister that lives with me knows. I told her so she can start getting ready to have the utilities put in her name. I feel like I am being a terible daughter, sister, aunt, and mother for wanting to leave this texas heat behind till the winter time. But, I know this will be a great adventure and they will be behind my decision 100% and we will come back to visit.

Thank you.