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! -> Our Dreams Just Keep Getting Bigger!
Post Info TOPIC: Our Dreams Just Keep Getting Bigger!
Deb and Fred


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Our Dreams Just Keep Getting Bigger!
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I grew up in Temple, TX and my wife Deb grew up in Scottsdale, AZ. The Air Force took me to AZ and that's how I met Deb. We have spent most of our lives in Arizona, but we now live in Sun City Texas. We have always loved camping, hiking, site seeing, traveling, and just being outdoors as long is its together. Our first camping trip together was in a Chevy Blazer with two dome tents. (The bed room suite and the storage room.)

Every year we would go camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with our friends in tents. As we got older, we got a bigger tent so we could have a queen size air mattress. It was OK, but we were still sleeping on the ground. So after I retired in 2010, we moved up to a Tear Drop Trailer with a tent that attached to the side and that put our queen size bed off the ground. It was better, but we were still basically tent camping. After a terrible wet cold camping trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior, we decided to sell the Tear Drop and get a travel trailer.

So last year we bought a Casita fiber glass trailer and joined the Casita Club. We have gone to several Casita Rallies and are really loving the upgrade to our camping experience. I am supposed to be retired, but I keep taking consulting jobs in Minnesoata, especially because they are near out grand daughter. I usually rent an apartment to stay in, but decided this time to buy a fifth wheel trailer to stay in. And that's what brought us to this forum.

We did a lot of lurking (research) before we got our fifth wheel, but RV-Dreams has really got us to thinking about selling the sticks in Texas and hitting the road full-time. We're still struggling with the idea, but it is sounding better and better. Deb would still like a home base, but it could be something like the Escapees offers.

By the way, we are looking for a good tow vehicle. Something like a diesel one ton dually.



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Deb & Fred

2004 Mobile Suites 33RS3 - 2013 F350 CC 4X4 PLATINUM 

2004 Casita Liberty Deluxe - 2008 VW Touareg (Tow Egg)

Area Patrolled by Dachshund Security - Gus

 
Lucky Mike


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Congrats.....make sure you leave enough room in the side storage for a tent!!! ,old habits are hard to break and the grand kids should be able to see one before they go the way of the 8 track!!!

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My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
Terry and Jo


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Fred and Deb,

Welcome to the forums.  Since I know what trailer you have, any of the "Big Three" (Dodge, Ford, and GM) will suffice for that size of trailer.  However, keep in mind that should you ever think you might consider a larger trailer, it would be good to get a truck that is a little bigger than you need.  Besides, it never hurts to have too much truck instead of having too much trailer.

Good luck with your research and planning.  Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind with regards to RV"s and the RV lifestyle.  Knowing Deb's penchant for wanting a "home base," I wouldn't let her read any of the blogs of the forum members.  Once she sees what all could be considered as her "back yard" (meaning the whole country), she may change her mind.  I know of one couple where the husband was suffering from some health issues and they were spending their time on the back porch looking at the same lake.  Later, they got to thinking and decided to sell it all and go RV'ing.

Besides, a home base can be in a mobile home park near family members with one's RV.  That is our situation, although we aren't retired yet.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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

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Jack Mayer


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Well, speaking of "too much truck" - I have one for sale that will do the job and meet the "too much" requirements for your current trailer...but what about the next one? Same basic size as a CC dually - but much more capable. :)



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Jack & Danielle Mayer
PLEASE USE EMAIL TO COMMUNICATE

http://www.jackdanmayer.com,
2009 Volvo 780 HDT, 2015 New Horizons 45'Custom 5th, smart car
New Horizons Ambassadors - Let us help you build your dream RV.....
Deb and Fred


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Posts: 5
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Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Jack, I had to pick Deb up off the floor when she saw your truck. She is still adjusting to the size of our 5ver. You realize we were in tents not too long ago.

I'm having the 5ver moved to my next job in a few weeks and we're going to take our time and do lots of research before we get the perfect TV. Deb is still surprised that we need a one ton dually, but I'm giving the MDTs and HDTs a look too. Your truck is a beauty.

I'm still on the nightshift for a couple of weeks. (reason for the late night replies)

Fred


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Deb & Fred

2004 Mobile Suites 33RS3 - 2013 F350 CC 4X4 PLATINUM 

2004 Casita Liberty Deluxe - 2008 VW Touareg (Tow Egg)

Area Patrolled by Dachshund Security - Gus

 
MarkS


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In terms of performance and safety you can't beat an HDT. A fully loaded 5th wheel of the largest size equates to an empty refrigerated semi-trailer. You literally do not know it's back there. Fuel mileage is equal to or better than any other tow vehicle or motorhome at 8 to 12 mpg. Tires will last up to 300K miles. You will replace them for age, not wear. They are designed to be driven all day so you can drive all day and still feel fresh as a daisy. The only down side is if they break, repairs are more expensive. They look big but can maneuver just about anywhere. Height is more of an issue than girth. Purchase price is typically cheaper for a used HDT than a new smaller truck. Especially if you can find one already modified, like Jack's.

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MarkS & Jackie
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2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed
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Jack Mayer


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Fred, you might want to take a look at my website - the link is in my signature line. There I discuss some of the Pros/cons of HDTs. They are not for everyone, but it is something to consider in your research. If you have questions, feel free to email me....even if it is not about my truck. :)

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Jack & Danielle Mayer
PLEASE USE EMAIL TO COMMUNICATE

http://www.jackdanmayer.com,
2009 Volvo 780 HDT, 2015 New Horizons 45'Custom 5th, smart car
New Horizons Ambassadors - Let us help you build your dream RV.....
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