Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Beginning the dream!
Post Info TOPIC: Beginning the dream!
AudreyLynn


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Beginning the dream!
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Hey y'all, I'm AudreyLynn.

I'll start with the bio and go from there. biggrin

I'm the widow of a retired military veteran, raised 6 kids and have 9 grandchildren. 

I've been researching the nomadic lifestyle for a few years now and originally thought I wanted to live on the road in a Van.  I imagined myself being able to retire in a couple more years and reduce my "footprint" and only problem is, after checking out a few of the Vans in my dreams, I realized right quick that my "feet" were a little too big for the van life.  So I moved up to Travel Trailer!  Back in March of this year, I purchased a 2015 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2304 w/murphy bed. 21.8ft.  The couple that purchased it just a few months before me realized that it was too small for them so I got a great deal as a used RV. I really lucked out on that one. 

I sold my house and am currently living in my RV on one of my daughters' properties, paying their electric bill as my rent (plus having a quick babysitter in a pinch is a perk for her ha!).  I work full time so remaining stationary is a necessary evil at the moment and in fact I haven't found the right tow vehicle yet so can't even take it out for weekends!  I could sure use some advice in that regard as I know little about which would be the best one for my RV.

Before I close this post, I just wanted to mention that I found the RV-Dreams website back in early 2013 (My first bookmark was "How we decided to follow our RV-Dreams") and I'm pretty sure I read every journal entry at the time.  That was one of those pivotal moments that helped me decide to make RV living my dream too! So thank you!

Ok, I've written close to a novelette, so I'll stop for now, but I'm excited to read through the forums and catch up on the journal entries I've missed since I first found the site!

I can't wait to meet y'all and learn from the best!

Thanks again! AudreyLynn



-- Edited by AudreyLynn on Monday 2nd of November 2015 02:10:23 PM

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FT - March 2015

AudreyLynn's Blog

Cassie my 2015 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2304 w/murphy bed.

Tow Vehicle Hunting :) 

Cassie
Terry and Jo


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 5399
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Audrey,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forum family as an active member.  You'll find this forum to be loaded with a lot of knowledgeable (and sometimes sarcastic) people.  For the most part, we are all pretty helpful and friendly, although some have wondered about me.

Below is a link to the information on your trailer, based on what you just wrote in your introductory message.

2015 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2304

Based on the weight information there, your trailer's empty weight (from the factory) is likely the 3,964 lbs.  With the CCC weight (Cargo Carrying Capacity) of 1,421 lbs added to the empty weight of 3,964 lbs, your trailer's GVWR (Gross Vehicular Weight Rating) is likely around 5400 lbs.  Incidentally, the CCC weight is basically what you put into the trailer and that is to include the weight of any water in the holding tanks and plus the weight of the LPG in your LGP cylinders.

Anyway, when looking at trucks, you want to make sure you get one heavy enough to tow your GVWR of 5400 lbs.  The best way to look at that is to get the trucks GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight) and make sure the actual weight of the truck (with fuel, passengers, pets and cargo) and the weight of the trailer do not exceed that GCVW.  As light as your trailer is, I imagine that a lot of 1/2 ton trucks (Ford F150, GM and Dodge 1500 series) would tow the trailer.  However, consider the following.

As for your trailer, I notice you are in Virginia.  How cold will it get there?  You may find that the trailer doesn't have enough insulation and protection otherwise from the cold to be comfortable in cold weather.  You might find yourself needing a supplemental heater to keep the interior warm, and perhaps even skirting around the trailer to help prevent freeze-ups in the water systems of your trailer.

Should you find that your trailer isn't quite good enough for you to winter in, you might be considering a larger, better insulated trailer, and if that is the case, you may find a bigger one would need a bigger truck.  All that said, I'd recommend NOT buying a truck until you see for sure whether your trailer would be sufficient enough for you for your needs.

At any rate, feel free to ask questions here, and you'll find lots of folks willing to help you out.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug
Koop


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Posts: 20
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Audrey Lynn, nice to meet you!   My name is Wade and I am just beginning my journey.   My plan is Portland OR, Weed CA, Bakersfield and then maybe Indio to visit some friends.   Wish me luck!



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2006 Ventana Pusher
jrzygrl64


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 654
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Welcome!

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Bill & Kelly - with Callie along the ride.  

2011 Ford F350 Diesel Dually 4x4 

2014 Heartland Landmark, Grand Canyon 

"All those who wander are not lost" Tolkien

 BLOG:  http://bkamericanodyssey.com/
AudreyLynn


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Posts: 2
Date:
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Thank you Terry for the great info!  Yes, it can get frigid here in VA (I say this as I sit with windows and door open in 75 degree weather on 12/27 ~rolls eyes~), so I've been trying to prepare.

I have a compost toilet so I won't have to worry about the black tank or water to the toilet.  I've also insulated all the windows with bubble wrap to help and I have an electric space heater that I use in conjunction with the propane furnace as it helps keep the humidity down.  As for the water lines, I will use the pink stuff and just bring in bottled water to drink and cook with (I actually don't do much cooking. lol) and I can shower at my kids or at the gym outside of my office.  I really can't afford skirting and once I leave here in a year or three, I will only be going to places with mild weather and won't need it later so I'll have to do without that for now.

Right now my biggest concern is will my fridge/freezer work if we get down into the teens and twenties?  The low temps don't normally last a long time, but we do get there on occasion. I'm in the SE part of VA so it's not like in the mountains or anything.

Is that my biggest concern? Or am I missing something else?

As for the tow vehicle, I agree I should wait.  The lease on my car is not up until June so I still have a bit.  In fact, I'm leaning toward trading my Trailer in on a Class C once I'm ready to hit the road which as I said in my earlier post, might not be for a couple more years.  So, really not sure what to do about another vehicle at this point.

Thank you again for your answers and this time I won't take so long to respond.  I'm in advertising and as you can imagine, up until Christmas, this was the craziest busiest time of the year for me. biggrin

AudreyLynn



__________________

FT - March 2015

AudreyLynn's Blog

Cassie my 2015 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2304 w/murphy bed.

Tow Vehicle Hunting :) 

Cassie
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