I am seriously considering renting my 3500+ sq ft home and rving fulltime six months here and the rest of colder months, in Stuart Florida.

My idea is to find a 35-40' class a or fifth wheel to rent for me and my two dachshunds for a year, just to see if I would like it before buying.

Any thoughts on type of vehicle and places to find rentals?  I could drive my car to Stuart area and then rent something there, or I could drive the rig from here, leaving car if it's a fifth wheel.  Problem with that is I'd need a pick-up truck that could accommodate it so the rental should probably be a class a.

I drove for the city of Boston's mass transportation buses for many years, so it should be fun.  Although, the fifth wheels are probably different in that you're towing.

Anyway, thanks for having me.  I hope to learn a lot here.

 

Jeannie

Exeter? Small world! Can you suggest what type, size rig for me and my small dogs? Used or new? Is Camping World a good place to look?
Hi to Nikki and Klee Kia!
Thank you!
Jeannie, Spirit, and Sage

I cant steer you in either direction. We each have our own needs , I guess I would suggest going around to different dealers and looking at all options......then look at your long term budget and see what is affordable.....dont forget to look thru the used market on craigslist and the smaller dealers in the area.....

Rt.11 RV in farmington NH
125 RV in Gonic NH

also there are 2 larger dealers up above Old orchard beach in Maine...

Good luck on your search....

I agree that renting, if an option for that length of time, would probably be very expensive unless you could find an individual that might be willing to work with you on some kind of deal. You would need to really look around at the units available, always set a price that you won't exceed no matter what. Looking online will give you a good idea of what prices run. If it were me, I would look at the Class A's to begin with simply because right now, with high gas prices, there are a lot on the market and prices are pretty good. You are in a much more expensive area of the country than we are but I would think that would still apply. I guess with the A, the question would be "How would you get around once in FL?" A lot of people tow a car along so you get into that quandary. Every RV has its pluses and minuses so decide specifically what you are looking for. We have found smaller RV dealers a lot better to work with in the past especially when it a family-type business where word of mouth makes or breaks them. When we were in SE AL, we met a lot of snowbirds fleeing the northern winters. And, if you can, find someone to inspect the RV for you. You should be able to locate a buyer's checklist on the internet that you can copy so you can look like you know what you are doing when you go looking as it gives you an edge. Good luck in your search!

Jeannie,
Welcome to the forum. There is a blue bar near the top of the forum page. On the far left is the "Main Page". By clicking on the main page you will find the classifieds.

If you are seriously thinking a New Horizons, look on the same blue bar for "Find all users" and look up Jack Mayer, he is a New Horizons ambassador and therefore always has an upgraded one for sale as he replaces his every two years or so. He can also answer any questions about them and knows what other units are on the market.

Personally, I've never hear of anyone renting for that period of time. You might consider renting for a shorter period, but from what I understand it's very expensive. Many of us buy something less expensive starting out and upgrade as we learn what we like.

Sherry

Jeannie,

That Crossroads is a lot less weight than a New Horizons.  It's roughly 12,000 lbs lighter, so it wouldn't need a medium duty truck.  Just to give you an idea of size, a Ford F450 is rated at the low end of the MDT's and a light duty truck, something like an F250 or F350 is all one would need to tow the Crossroads.  Now, the New Horizons would require an MDT.  If you are considering RV's less than the New Horizons but more than something like the Crossroads, you might consider the DRV Suites models.  Click on the link below and look for a file there called "Our New Home" if you want to see what ours looks like.  If I've done things right, you should see the pictures as a "slideshow" with small thumbnails below.  One can even pause the slideshow if you want to spend time looking at one photo.

Our New Home

Terry

Hi Terry,

That is a beautiful home you have there. I looked at local dealers and don't see them on their lots. It must be something that I'd have to order. Anything else you might recommend that would be a nice in between in quality to the New Horizon and Crossroads? Maybe there is a list somewhere of quality ratings?
Thanks for being so helpful.