I think I am going to take the jump. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Rockin EZ · RV-Dreams Community Member

I think I am going to take the jump.

Readytogo · RV-Dreams Family Member

No better time than now. We have been talking about it for several years. Once our son is out of college we will be leaving the corporate world. Read this blog, http://www.interstellarorchard.com/ She is full timing in a Casita.

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

a couple of things to consider.

If you decide to get a motor home, can the pickup be towed four down or will you need a dolly?

Do you have an exit plan?
As in what do you plan to do when you can't travel any more:
A) And have only a depreciating asset - your RV.
B) Or if you have back up funds along with the RV.

Do you have health insurance that is paid for or will you have to pay for that yourself?

Have you decided on a mail forwarding service and legal domicile yet?
SD, TX and FL are the most popular because they have no state income tax and are friendly to full timers. They make it easy to become a resident when you have no real fixed address.
We settled on SD and were able to use our mail forwarding service address on our drivers license and vehicle registration. Our county removed us from jury duty because we are full timers.

As for RV size, in eleven full timing years we have seen people full timing in everything from slide-in pickup campers, vans, to 46 foot diesel pushers. It all depends on what you are comfortable with. Most I have seen are in motor homes at least 30 feet long or fifth wheel trailers 27 feet or more long.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

A solo can be very flexible about what RV they have, they just have to please one person and they can live in less space. Once freed of everything else you can work your way down the list of things you need to do for fulltiming, much of what Clay listed.

I am not sure of your reasons for holding on to that particular truck, but I am sure they make sense. Just don't let it hold you back from your dreams.

Depending on where you are, you might not need the temp apartment. Spring is coming, it will get warmer, and maybe you can be in a campground in 45 days.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here is another blog, one that I "used" to follow when I had more time, that is for a couple that are full-timing in a Casita. They have been in theirs now for a few years that I know of, so it can certainly be done. Just think "minimalistic."

Casita Escapes

Oh, and welcome to the RV Dreams forums. The folks here have a lot of knowledge to share, along with encouragement. Glad to have you as part of the "family."

Terry

Rockin EZ · RV-Dreams Community Member

BJOYCE thanks for the reply. No real attachment to the truck, it is paid for. I am also considering selling the small truck and looking into a larger tow vehicle (If i decide on a TT or 5th wheel). I plan on moving into a studio apartment while I sell the condo. Once the condo is sold I will have the money needed to make the decision on which RV.

This will also help me downsize, and give me a staging area with a little $$ in my pocket to look around.

-- Edited by Rockin EZ on Sunday 26th of January 2014 11:41:19 PM

Rockin EZ · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Terry & Jo.

I had a 13' Casita many years ago. It was fine for 2 person vacation trips, but minimal is the word. A light weight may just be too small for me and a cat.

I am still in flux, but there is no reason I can't sell the truck and get something larger, as long as it is paid for in full. I want no debt.

Rockin EZ · RV-Dreams Community Member

Clay, as far as Exit Plans I plan on purchasing a small piece of land and setting up a 'tiny home' (See "tiny house movement" on Google).

I hope to use the time in the RV to see enough of the country to decide where I want to purchase.

I still have my 401k and SS in 18 months if I decide to retire early.

Who knows I may find an engineering position in another part of the country, and the RV would make it a minimal risk to try out a position in a new place.

I have been reading the great information on deciding which state to claim as my domicile. I am from Texas, have relatives there, and the land in nice places is cheap for the Tiny House project. Seems reasonable as long as the insurance and auto registration costs work out. SD is another prime consideration depending on those factors.

Thanks for the reply.