Looking forward to ft RV. How does this work? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Wallacejnj · RV-Dreams Community Member

Looking forward to ft RV. How does this work?

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Best info I can give is to read the blogs of people who full time. Most, like us, have a link in their signature block.

How much experience RVing have you had? If you've never RVed before I recommend renting an RV for a week so you can try it out. Most often that will be a Class C.

Since you are talking about 35-40 ft, your talking diesel. Lots of good used RVs out there, just a matter of looking and finding one in your budget. Figure ~8 mpg for fuel. Yearly service between $500 with $1200 every few years when you have extensive fluid/filter replacements.

Where are you going to establish your domicile? Lots of fulltimers go with Florida, South Dakota, or Texas because all three have no income taxes, all are RV friendly, and all have mail forwarding companies that work with fulltimers. We use Escapees in Livingston, TX.

Barb

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jim,

First of all, thanks for your service. Secondly, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You have definitely found a good source of information in the folks that make up the RV Dream's forum "family."

While I won't be a great source for the RV'ing lifestyle because we have pretty much stayed in one place for extended periods of time, I can help with some other aspects. Barb is correct with an estimate of what kind of mpg a Class A would get.

As for domiciles, I've not had to research that too much. However, look into the requirements for the states where you will be spending a lot of time. For instance, how long of a time or what other elements would a state have in place that would see you being classified as a citizen of that state? If for instance, you take a paying job somewhere, does that constitute becoming a resident of that state? California might be the strictest in that regard, so that might be something to look at and research. Also, wherever your "residence" is (aka domicile state) will determine what taxes you will pay when you purchase an RV.

Good luck with your research and planning, and it's good to have you as part of the family.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

May I suggest you go to this link

http://www.rv-dreams.com/rally2.html

and try to work out a way to sign up and attend the Fall RV-Dreams Fall Educational Rally. No RV is required.

You will learn more about full-timing, obtain LOTs of handouts and learn about “all things RV” at this gathering than anyplace else including “reading the internet.” And, BTW, you’ll have a great time and meet some really nice people. It is well worth the cost and your time.

Bill

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

"What are the typical costs, per mile, to operate a 35-40 ft. Class A?"

Here's my simple formula for fuel costs based on last years 11,000 mile trip around the USA. Gas cost = $3.50 per gallon divided by 7 miles per gallon for the Class A motorhome. Equals 50 cents per mile. Your trip from San Diego to Maine (3,232 miles) will cost a little over $1,600.00 one way.

Motorhome maintenance over the last two years averaged out to a little over $100.00 per month for us.

"What are typical pitfalls when just getting started?"

Have a nice emergency fund to cover the unknown stuff that WILL happen. Cash covers most of the pitfalls that will come your way.

It's a great life.... enjoy it.