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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MCJM


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Hey All!
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So we are finally going to do it!  We have dreamed of full time RVing for years.  We have upgraded our RV every few years and our trucks, expecting that by the time we retire we will have what we want to travel in full time.  But last year we had a surprise child and with the added burden of expense and mortgage, etc., we decided to "go where the money is" as my husband put it and he transferred to an out of state yard (he works for the railroad).   We sold our house and moved into our 27ft TT and were doing fine, for about 4 days.  Unfortunately, with the kids and dogs and no bunks at all, it didn't work out and we rented a house because we had just gotten out of debt but didn't want to get into more.  But now, it's a year later and we have had some time to think and plan.  We saved money and finally made the decision to upgrade to a FW bunkhouse.  We already had our Chevy dually.  Now, we aren't going to be as mobile as other people since my husband works for the railroad.  He has to stay in the "division" that he has seniority in but that encompasses about 3 states.  Even with that, we said there is still opportunity to travel and give up the mortgage, tied down kinda lifestyle and give it a try full timing before we settle on a place to live.  He has the seniority to go to any job he wants, so here we go.  Of course, our family and friends are short on supporters.  But since this means complete financial freedom we are excited and can't wait to start out on our little journey.  I am thankful that there is this forum so I can talk to others with similar interests and look to you guys for support.  I can't wait to "meet" you guys!



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2 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 crazy married couple in an RV
Lucky Larry


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Congrats well done!

I think you'll do fine.

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John U


RV-Dreams Family Member

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MCJM,

Welcome to the Forum!

When first got back from Nam and bought my first gasser RV I decided that I was unwilling to pay a park $486 a month plus to have people all around me. (Chicago area) Bought 2.5 acres outside town, installed septic, elec, and well. Rabbit ears for tv. $125 mortgage, expenses avg 50-60 month. Lived nicely under 200 month housing. Sold 4 yrs later for 15X what had paid. Bought 10 acres this time. Was nice not to have to pay rent for lot or mortgage and still have ability to just take your house with you when on vacation or working at distance!
Bunk bed model seems correct for 2 kids and 2 dogs LOL

John

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Because You only live once

Only the Journey matters

Not the Destinations!
MCJM


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Funny you should mention that, John, because we have thought about doing that exact same thing. We are currently in SC and there's no restrictions in this area for doing just that. So if we continue to stay in the area we plan to buy something out from town and move the RV onto it. Then if we move later, we can either rent it or sell it. Great minds think alike, huh? Besides, I'm much happier out by myself.

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2 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 crazy married couple in an RV
Camper Chronicles


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Congratulations! It's a huge step but the financial freedom is an amazing thing!!

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 Trace 

Ford F350 Super Duty 4x2.  Open Range 386FLR

Follow our journey at www.camperchronicles.com

 
jayc


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We like RV parks in town. I know this goes against what you want, but think about it, you're in a town with no friends or relatives to come visit. You live outside of town on your own land. Put in a garden or landscape your place. Improve it so it will bring more money when/if you do sell. When you get tired of working, who will you talk to? Watching television is okay, but I'd rather be around friendly, like-minded people and make new friends. You can probably check out the park before moving in, but so far, we've been lucky and found good people in most of the parks.

This is not a way to make any money, but is an alternative life plan that might be worth considering.



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MarkS


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Screw the family and friends, you don't need 'em. Make your own decisions and live with the results. You won't please everyone but you'll please yourselves.

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MarkS & Jackie
MSgt, USAF, Ret
2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
fulltime since Oct 8, 2016
MCJM


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Thanks for the responses. I've enjoyed reading the positive support. Update on our little situation... We have less than 2 months left in the rental house. We are packing the RV and giving, selling or throwing away a lot of our stuff. Unfortunately, I can't part with everything so we are getting a small storage in town. Wow, can't believe we are this close to something we have been dreaming about for almost a decade! It's exciting and a little scary but here we go...

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RonC


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MarkS ... you're so freakin' sentimental! You should consider expressing your true inner feelings.



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2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system

2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114  LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW

FT class of 2016
MarkS


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RonC wrote:

MarkS ... you're so freakin' sentimental! You should consider expressing your true inner feelings.

 RonC, hey! I said that with a tear in my eye! Oh wait, that was because of allergies! 



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MarkS & Jackie
MSgt, USAF, Ret
2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
fulltime since Oct 8, 2016
BiggarView


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RonC wrote:

MarkS ... you're so freakin' sentimental! You should consider expressing your true inner feelings.

 Methinks he's already expressing his true innner feelings.... afterall, this is the same person that would, if he had his way, eradicate rodents with toxic nuclear waste, so obviously he has no concern for the collateral damage to friends and family.  He's "that" close to a rubber room.  Just kidding Mark. 

Brianbiggrin



-- Edited by BiggarView on Saturday 4th of June 2016 03:24:42 PM

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Brian, Cindi & Josie (our fur baby)
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie 4x4 CCLB, CTD, Aisin, B&W hitch, dually
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MarkS


RV-Dreams Family Member

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BiggarView wrote:
RonC wrote:

MarkS ... you're so freakin' sentimental! You should consider expressing your true inner feelings.

 Methinks he's already expressing his true innner feelings.... afterall, this is the same person that would, if he had his way, eradicate rodents with toxic nuclear waste, so obviously he has no concern for the collateral damage to friends and family.  He's "that" close to a rubber room.  Just kidding Mark. 

Brianbiggrin



-- Edited by BiggarView on Saturday 4th of June 2016 03:24:42 PM

 Brian, you know me too well! Bottom line is, there are two questions with no single correct answer...how much will it cost to full time? And, what do I tell my family and friends? My answer was the short answer. It works in all cases but is followed with a thousand caveats designed to modify the wording specifically for each individual. And concerning the nuclear waste... I am careful not to get it on pets!



-- Edited by MarkS on Sunday 5th of June 2016 11:13:39 AM

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MarkS & Jackie
MSgt, USAF, Ret
2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
fulltime since Oct 8, 2016
Camper Chronicles


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Congratulations and welcome! Initially I kepy my job as well and limited my travel to the southeast part of the US before expanding our travels. There is so much to see in any state if you really take your time and do stuff, I think three states is a great way to get started.

Good luck to you guys!!

Tracy

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 Trace 

Ford F350 Super Duty 4x2.  Open Range 386FLR

Follow our journey at www.camperchronicles.com

 
jtrack


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Gratz! Good for you.

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John & Theresa

Retired USAF, MSgt

2011, F-250, 6.7L Power Stroke

5th Wheel to come
MCJM


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Thanks guys! Since we have been stocking the RV and getting more familiar with it, I am starting to have questions about things. So I will definitely be browsing through the forum for answers and possibly posting some more threads soon. My father in law is a "snowbird" so he has been a great supporter of us and good resource for advice. But since he still has a SnB home there are things that he can't help with. Can't wait to hear other ideas from you guys out there living it!

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