Following our kids footsteps who are already living their dream - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sgfgrover15 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Following our kids footsteps who are already living their dream

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the Forum, see you on the road..

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome.. and how wonderful that you and your kids can co-inspire each other to live your dreams!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Steve and Lynne,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums. While the RV'ing lifestyle isn't for everyone, it sounds like you have the background to really take to it. Especially with two family members going into the park systems.

Glean all you can from the forums here, and ask all the questions that come to mind, because the only "dumb" questions are the ones not asked and then later find that one has experienced a big error or cost a lot of money. Not only are the folks here knowledgeable, but they are friendly, helpful and encouraging. If you start to narrow your choices down to brands or models, then look for owner's associations that also have forums. Glean all you can from there as well, and most of those forums will welcome folks that only register to ask questions. I joined at least 3 different "brand" forums as well as a couple of general forums such as RV Dreams.

Now, with owner's forums in mind, you will find that a number of the topics raised seem to be folks looking for the answers for a problem they are having with their RV. Do not take that as an indicator that the brand/model is not a good one. Forums just attract folks looking for solutions from other owners of the same brand. If a question of quality is there, as the other owners a question such as, "If you were to buy another RV, would you buy the same brand/model as you have now?" I think you would be surprised at the number of those folks that would buy the same brand again.

Consider what your lifestyle and where you will want to go when choosing an RV. It might be that you will want to get a unit that is well insulated to allow for you to live where you want. Also, a question to ask of dealers and manufacturers is whether their RV will be warranted even if the owners are full time living in their RV. Some don't, so be wary of those that may hesitate when you ask that question. Sometimes, their sales literature may even state that they don't.

Even if you aren't serious of a brand yet, spend as much time in units at either RV shows or on the dealer's lots. Walk around inside with the thoughts of how it would be to do normal, everyday functions such as cooking and showering and how one's bedroom was laid out. Also consider whether your plans are to always be hooked up to electric, water and sewer, or whether you would plan on "living off the grid." Some RV's have the options of generators and inverters that would make living off the grid easier. Also, look at holding tank sizes. Ones with too small of a black tank, for instance, may necessitate one leaving their site to go dump tanks.

Whatever you do, have fun with the research and planning. You've got time to do it right. If you do choose to go with a truck and trailer instead of a motorhome, be sure and choose the trailer first so that you can insure that when you get a truck, you can get one large enough to safely handle the trailer you want. It is better to have too much truck than too much trailer.

Good luck, and we look forward to your questions and comments.

Terry

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the family! Bet your kids are really proud of you! Looking forward to seeing you on the road.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

welcome to the forum.......enjoy!!!!!

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Steve and Lynne! Im kind of a newbie too, and everyone here has been helpful and loaded with useful information!! Happy planning and list making! Mary

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Steve and Lynne,

Wow, you're already doing things so right I don't have a single doubt that this will come together well for you! It will be great to meet you at the Spring Rally. The next 18 months will be so much fun looking, talking and planning and will fly by. So happy for you all!!!

Sherry

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome and so great to read a post where the kids are mentioned and it isn't "Our kids think we are crazy because we want to full-time."! It so cool!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome!! Here is where it's at!!!

sgfgrover15 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks everyone. Alot to absorb....

Thanks for the great questions to ask, Terry. We would not have thought about warranty.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not a problem with being able to answer some "un-thought-of" questions. When we were researching for our RV, considering both fifth wheels and motorhomes, we did over two years of research and planning. And yes, planning is an important part of research so that one gets what one wants their RV to be able to accomplish with what lifestyle and travel options one wants to have. That is why I said to glean as much information as you can from all the different forums.

For example, I am an "serious, amateur" photographer that loves taking pictures of nature and wildlife (plus other things.) When we finally get to go on the road and travel, we want the option of having an RV that we can park for months (if necessary) while we check out the region for national and state parks and any other attractions that the region in particular may offer. For instance, Utah has 5 national parks as well as all their state parks. So, I can envision us parking somewhere in southern Utah and exploring Utah, northern Arizona, SW Colorado and parts of Nevada while in that region.

Using our F450 for all of that travel is a no-no, so we also have a Ford F150 for that, as well as extra storage under the rear topper. The F150 will also be our "scout" car and "tag-a-long" for Jo to watch the trailer from behind.

Staying in one place for "months" may have us staying in mobile home parks instead of RV parks. Some mobile home parks, at least here in Oklahoma City, offer spaces for RV's. Plus, the monthly lot rent is less than in an RV park. Now, if we didn't have our own washer and dryer, the RV park with a laundromat might be more in line.

Terry