Amanda,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams' forums.  You will find that this is a good source for answers to questions about both the RV's and the RV lifestyle.  So, feel free to ask any question that comes to mind, and don't be afraid to ask dumb questions.  The only dumb ones are those that don't get asked and one makes an expensive or time consuming mistake.

However, two things concern me with your situation, but I can't say that things still couldn't work out for you.  First of all, living paycheck to paycheck is going to make it more difficult, especially if you have a need for making repairs to your RV.  Obviously, if you are having to buy a used RV, in addition to the money to purchase the RV, one also needs to have a "maintenance fund" in case one needs to make repairs.  If you don't have that fund in place immediately after purchasing the RV, then trying to fix one with major problems could completely strap you for available funds.

We have one couple here at RV Dreams that purchased a used RV and had an independent inspector look over the rig before they finalized the deal.  Now, they are faced with expensive repairs, partly due to water damage (I think), and will have to be without their "home" for a number of weeks.  In their case, I think they have family with whom they can stay while that repair is being done.

Good luck with your research and planning.

Terry

OK, I'll be the bad old mom and try and talk some truth to dreams here. If you only have $20K to spend on rig plus living expenses until you 'find work', then don't do it. Any unit you get for that amount (10-15K) is going to require work, it will cost money to move, and any decent solar system is going to be $3-4K alone by the time you get panels, new batteries, controllers, etc. And at that age, the tires will need to be replaced - figure $1-2K for those. A diesel truck with 100K miles isn't a worry, but diesels do cost more to maintain.

What about health care for the three of you - I didn't see that mentioned. And just what type of jobs do you think are going to be out there waiting for you that will provide sufficient income ($25-$30K) that will allow the three of you a minimal quality of life in addition to child support? For winter, you need to be below Interstate 10 to hopefully be out of freezing temperatures - and even then it can get cold. And are you able to home school your child - do you have the expertise and stamina to do that?

It is a great dream, but how about staying put and putting money into your dream fund so that you are better able to handle the 'oops' that come when fulltiming - after all pulling a house down the road at 60 mph does affect them over time. And if you have experience with motel management, then look into work-camping and have things lined up before you decide to venture out.

Time and planning are your friends - life isn't over when you turn 30. I turn 70 tomorrow and it is just beginning so don't rush in where angels would fear to tread. Plan, research, investigate, save, and THEN with everything lined up go. If it was just you and your husband, I'd just shake my head and not bother, as you are young enough to recover from making the mistake of not planning, but you are talking about several children (yours, his, and yours together) and all need parents who include how to make sure they are taken care of in their planning. That's what happens when we become parents, we are no long just single agents dancing in the wind - we have to be responsible and plan with THEIR needs at the top of the list.


Barb

Firstly, welcome to a large group of folks that also share RV dreams. It's great that you have passion for your future adventure, but....

Previous posters have expressed caution and you should be heeding these "warnings". You are young (12 and 15 in 'adult years' as my mom used to say when I was your age) and time is on your side so don't rush this. Figure out the plan.

Your first step is get control of your finances. I say this because of your statement about living paycheck to paycheck and your reported near term 20K dollars to begin this journey suggests potential issues, that fortunately, are usually fairly easy to fix with a bit of patience. You do not need to answer with exact details of your financial situation on here but ask yourself about the nature of your current income and outgo. If you have debt of any kind, credit cards, car loans other debts etc, then I'd plan to pay them off ASAP as first step toward chasing an RV dream. With that done put the money that was used for such debt into building up an emergency fund, then fund all of your dreams (don't forget saving for later when you are fully retired). In the meantime, figure out what it will cost you to have this dream. Figure out a strategy to support it through workamping or other work suitable for the lifestyle.

Lastly, an RV is a small space and typical full timers are 2 people sharing that tiny space (but by no means carved in stone). Being able to afford the lifestyle, even on a shoestring, is one thing... small spaces can be psychologically challenging also. Know thyself and understand, not only your own trigger points, but those of your signifcant other and your children. You will inherit a whole new set of conditions compared to your current situation are you ready for that?

If you are honest with yourself you will be able to tell if you are realistic, if your plans are realistic or if you are seeing the world through the filter of rose colored glasses. Your situation is unique to you and only you can answer the tough questions as they relate to you. Knowledge is power, so ask away and bask in the warm glow of confidence that comes from dispelling fear and indecision. You may also find out that this is the not lifestyle for you or pehaps just not now, and that is okay too.  Either way you come out a winner when you know more about yourself than you did before. Gook luck and let the research begin!

Brian

If there's one thing I've learnt about folks when they are determined to do something they will, and often without consideration for the consequences or looking at the total big picture. Can it be done yes. Can it turn into a disaster - for some absolutely yes. If you say you can you will if you say you can't you won't. Nothing's impossible but if you are asking the vast majority of whether they personally would plan on doing what you are as you are right now in time, the chances are likely the majority would say no and for what to most of us on the surface seems like very logical reasons.

I'm a big proponent of you can replace money but you can never ever replace your time on this earth. Time and most importantly good health in that time are the most precious commodity any single one of us has. Everyone talks about balance, but our experience it is a lot easier said than done to achieve in life. We've been battling that one ourselves for over half a century and some.

No one knows us better than we know ourselves, so look in the mirror long and hard and ask yourself, what is the absolute worst possible outcome of a) Hitting the road now as we are or b) Putting it off for a few more years, when you might have a bit better cushion around you to ease some of the stresses. The most important things here are the answers to what is the absolute WORST possible scenario and most importantly can you live with it or yourself if it affects any of your loved ones worse?

Good luck, and be sure to let us all know what that mirror said back to you! Sadly, it's becoming increasingly harder for folks today to have patience and stay the course to build and work towards their goals and any future plans, when we live in such a "NOW" society.

SD.

PS: Barb - Hope you have a fabulous birthday my friend. Whatever you've been doing, keep on keeping on you're looking good.