Greetings from upstate New York - RV-Dreams Community Forum

MikenRobin · RV-Dreams Family Member

Greetings from upstate New York

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum. I don't think that 4 years is too early to start. At one of Howard and Linda's Rallies, you'll get and idea of what RV is right for you, how you go about getting ready to full-time and so much else. These rallies are so informative, you'll be amazed at what you can learn about the lifestyle.

Jim

-- Edited by Jim01 on Saturday 1st of November 2014 05:59:57 AM

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello, From a fellow upstate New Yorker.. I'm originally out of Albany.

Good place here to get good info.

I would wait a bit on the rally.. Many models of RV's will be done and gone, Internet connectivity and suppliers and networking will be totally different, Even the tow rigs are changing year to year know.

Aside from basic camping needs.. much of the others would be outdated in 2 years... let alone 4.

You could do 6 months of reserch now.. and it could all be useless in 4 years.. You are already camping, so I assume you have the basics covered..

On the other hand.. TN in the spring is nice I think.. Nashville, graceland, Memphis combined with the rally.. could be a nice vacation..

Good luck.

only my opinion from a forever newbie.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome from this transplanted New Yorker! Originally from the Champlain Valley/Adirondack region and now reside about 30 Miles East of the Music City.

Late April and Early May should be a great time in East Tennessee; Go to WeatherUnderground.com which has a range of recent years history.

It all depends on what you want; owning the TT and if you like it keep it until you get closer to your departure date. I would definitely want to locate a friend who has one and see if you could ride shotgun to get a feel for it. I have talked to a few and seen a few become uncomfortable with thier purchases and lose big dollars trading or selling what they have. I live in a 5th wheel with two slides and it is comfortable; but I never had experience with towing one!
So my opinion may not be worth 2 cents. LOL! I hauled for an RV dealer in the mid-1970's but 5ers were not too popular then. Airstreams were the ticket with Surburbans.

I have owned and drove two Class-C's. One was 27' and swayed to much over 65 MPH because of the long overhang over the rear axles. The other a 21' and it crusided along nicely at 70 MPH; burned less gas too. I also towed TT's and with torsion bars they tow good also.

Jim and Barb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Mike!

We started planning 5 years before we retired and are now in our first year of FT'ing. We thought it would never get here but now that we are on the road those 5 years seemed to go quick. There is a lot to prepare for and you will find this site a great help.

Our blog and those of others can give you some insight of what to expect to help you prepare.

Good luck!

Jim

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would definitely go, as there are things you will learn now that will help you in the future. Another thing is, if you are like most folks, your timeline will move up. 2019 will become 2018, then 2017 and so on. If and when you go, do the open rig walk throughs and ask lots of questions of the owners. The ORW's are so much better than asking a salesman at an RV show about a rig. Also, you may even want to go to a second rally as a refresher, once you get closer to retirement. Many people do.

Here are a couple of ideas of other things to start on now:

1) Try to begin your purging process now. It will result in less stress in the end.

2) Try to live on the amount of money you think you will be living on when you retire, just so you get used to it. Put the rest away in an IRA.

Jim (and Diana)

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Mike! If you go to the rally you won't make it till 2019.......Just saying.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the group! Another former NYer. Lived in Brockport, between Buffalo & Rochester. The rallies are great. We've been to two. One a year before we headed out FT and the other about 3 months after. It wouldn't hurt to get some info now. There is a LOT. Some of it pertaining to the personal side, leaving family/friends/church/etc behind, how others live in a very small space together, etc. So you'd get some good info now. Then as others say, do another later for more updated info and as a refresher. You'll meet great people!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the forums.

Even though I've not made it to any of Howard and Linda's rallies, I'd suggest going. You will be surprised of the number of things folks will mention that a full-timer "should" or "must" have for the lifestyle or for the rigs and their maintenance.

At any rate, don't forget to read Howard and Linda's journal and the forums. There are lots of tips and techniques to learn and a lot of us aren't afraid of speaking/writing of our mistakes. It is very wise to learn from our mistakes so you can avoid your own.

Terry

MikenRobin · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks to all for your responses, they have been very helpful. I will be trying to reschedule one appointment that conflicts with the spring rally, once that is done it looks like we are going to register. I have been following most of the blogs of you that posted here, I find it very interesting to see how others fill the day, while I'm at work (grumble). I also keep up with Howard and Linda's journal. I think I have read almost this entire site, I now just read the recent posts, as I started rereading ones I already read. Can you tell we are kinda obsessed now. FT has been a long time dream of ours, one we really didn't think would ever happen, but now looks like its possible.

Yesterday, while having morning coffee, Robin says " lets go out for breakfast and then look at RVs" Hey I'm all for it, but mention that it may not be such a good idea as that is the same scenario that got us into our present TT that we bought new only 7 months ago. Well long story short, we did not buy one, but we looked at a Heartland Big Country 3650RL ( the same model I've been eyeing on line) we absolutely fell in love with that Monster. We had all we could do to walk away without signing papers. Now we are learning about the reduction of the "STUFF" I think we start with a garage clearing in the spring. I've come to terms with the fact that my other long time dream (Corvette) must go to start the new life. Wish us luck, and hope to see you on the road in the future.

Mike

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I gave up on the classic car dream a few years back. Mine was for a late 60's Ford. After really thinking about it, I used to be under the hood of those cars all the time, just to keep them going. New vehicles are a lot better, in regards to maintenance.

Kudos to you for beginning the purging process!

Jim (and Diana)