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!!
We have owned two pop-ups and one hard sided TT over our 26 year marriage, so are well versed in the vacationing aspects of RVing. Our sons are in or entering college out of state and we have no real ties to the area we live in since we were a military family. Why not put the few nice pieces of furniture and stuff in storage, sell the house so we have no debt and a nest egg for a future drown payment and hit the road? She said she would give it a try for a year or two as long as we have plans to settle back in brick and sticks in the future. So, I will be gathering data here (great site by the way!) for the next 18-24 months as we prepare to go full time in an RV. I have a 2010 F150 Super Crew with HD tow pkg (11,300lbs), so will focus on TT's in the 9,000 lbs loaded range. All input is welcome and we look forward to seeing you in camp one day.
FYI - GPN is pronounced "jeeping"
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USAF Retired 2010. Began full timing June 2015, ended Dec 2018. 2007 Allegro Bus 40QSP with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland TOAD. Our blog: keepingupwiththejonesrv.blogspot.com.
David: welcome to the best RV forum on the internet!!! MHO!!!! If you are going to full-time with a travel Trailer; check out the Artic Fox website for their four seasons units. Spoke to several people who are pleased with theirs.
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Life is too short. Live it Now!
Currently at Shady Acres RV Park Lebanon; Tennessee
In your research, keep yourselves open to other ideas. In fact, I'm fearful that after the two of you start seeing some of the larger and more equipped RV's your plans may change.
We have been owners of different travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers. While we are in a luxury model now, we used to have a Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite (by Forest River) that was pretty nice, except for the furniture. The reason I mention that one is because we were told that the ultra-lite could be towed by an F150. Fifth wheel trailers will definitely be easier to tow than a similar length in a travel trailer. There is very little "fishtailing" going on, if any.
When doing your research, find out what the Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW) of your truck is to be sure that the GVWR ratings (Gross Vehicular Weight Ratings) of both the truck and the trailer don't exceed the GCVW. Do NOT go by what the dealers say the "towing weight" is on the F150. I've seen trucks under on the towing weight but overweight on the GCVW. All of this is to insure that your truck is heavy enough to handle the trailer with regards to towing, handling windy conditions (natural and meeting semi-trucks), and in stopping the whole rig.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
Thanks Terry. I really like my F150 and its capabilities, but not so much that I will sacrifice safety or skimp on the right size TT or 5'er. I am studying the math for towing on this and other forums. I was less informed (and the RV dealer is just as bad if not worse than the truck dealer) on my previous RV purchase and had my towing scare. Never again! The F150 is great for a 6000 lb trailer and made towing a non-event. I will want the same confidence in our full time rig. A MH towing a Jeep is also attractive to me, but may be beyond the budget.
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USAF Retired 2010. Began full timing June 2015, ended Dec 2018. 2007 Allegro Bus 40QSP with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland TOAD. Our blog: keepingupwiththejonesrv.blogspot.com.
I missed your signature before, so thanks for your service. As a vet myself, we (the wife and I) have a tendency to try to at least thank our veterans. When we can, we try to buy their meals when we see them in uniform at a restaurant. When we made a trip to Colorado Springs some years back, I told her she would have to "temper herself" in that regard because of all the bases in that area.
When researching the trucks, also keep in mind that the diesel ones will be more capable of pulling than the gasoline engines will.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
In our eleven years of full timing we haven't seen too many full timers in TT. There isn't much storage in them compared to fifth wheels. When folks get out of the vacation/camping mode and enter the full time mode many things that weren't needed before become important. That said we do see some folks full timing in TT.
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Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (wife), Katie, Kelli (cats) Full timed for eleven years in a 2004 Sightseer 35N. Snowbirds for one winter and now settled down in CO.
Beautiful! Love your story - love the "proposal" and am celebrating your new adventure! As long as you two are on the same page - it's gonna be a great one! Congratulations!
Thanks Terry. I really like my F150 and its capabilities, but not so much that I will sacrifice safety or skimp on the right size TT or 5'er. I am studying the math for towing on this and other forums. I was less informed (and the RV dealer is just as bad if not worse than the truck dealer) on my previous RV purchase and had my towing scare. Never again! The F150 is great for a 6000 lb trailer and made towing a non-event. I will want the same confidence in our full time rig. A MH towing a Jeep is also attractive to me, but may be beyond the budget.
Not necessarily. There are great bargains on used coaches, if you do your research. I think you'd appreciate the added storage as a full timer. We sure did!
We spent the day Saturday at the RV show north of Baltimore, MD and quickly understand why so many full timers use 5th wheels and motor coaches. With only one TT we consider as a suitable floor plan, it looks like we will probably scrap the TT and my nice F150 option. A diesel pusher towing my Wrangler is our new favorite option. Based on our estimated budget once we liquidate stuff, there seems to be many 2005-2009 coaches with only 15-30k miles on them we could afford. They look good on the web site pictures, but still they are 5-8 years old. We have a couple years to search, so we will need to inspect candidates carefully and be ready to buy when we find the right one. Any advice on purchasing a coach that age is appreciated.
-- Edited by Gpndavid on Tuesday 26th of February 2013 08:05:43 PM
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USAF Retired 2010. Began full timing June 2015, ended Dec 2018. 2007 Allegro Bus 40QSP with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland TOAD. Our blog: keepingupwiththejonesrv.blogspot.com.
We are about to launch into the world of full-time RV living. We have a contract on our house in Maryland and will close on 12 June. It has been two years of research, planning, changes and dreaming. It is fun to look back at my introduction and see how far we have come. Thanks for the support.
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USAF Retired 2010. Began full timing June 2015, ended Dec 2018. 2007 Allegro Bus 40QSP with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland TOAD. Our blog: keepingupwiththejonesrv.blogspot.com.
Wow, when you decided on a coach, I can see you really did your homework. Tiffin is a great choice and the Q Bus is our desire also. We have a very nice 2006 Newmar Scottsdale 32', but oh how we yearn for Allegro 40' DP Q to fulltime in. So Enjoy the ride.
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Larry & Brenda Burton + Skeeter the Toy Poodle
FT'in since Thanksgiving 2014
2006 Newmar Scottsdale 32' for sale or trade for at least
Wishin we were you GpnDavid! Have fun and good luck!!
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GRACIE’S GOLDEN GETAWAY Barry and Marianne traveling with Golden Retriever Maggie 2014 Ford F-450 DRW Super Heavy Duty Lariat 2015 Solitude 305RE for full-time in 2016 Current: Carlisle, PA
Congrats here too David! I was just about to make a TT comment, but I see you don't waste time. I'm sure you both will have a grand adventure!
BTW, as an ex-Army guy myself, thank you for your service. I couldn't make 20 yrs (9 yrs and I was done) so I'm always in admiration and respect of those who can stick it out (not to mention survive) for so long. In a few more years, my DW and I are right behind you guys.
Chip
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1999 National Tropical Class A gasser
Toad - 2.4l Chevy Cobalt SS with 400k miles and counting.