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!!
An old Navy vet and his lovely bride, served 22 years active then 15 more for the govt. Its Time! we are hitting the road soon. We will be perusing these posts for advice and insights.
We know we want a 5th wheel. BUT, Front living? Rear Entertainment? What will I do with my bikes? 3 Precious Gems? Will we entertain? Probably not. 40 ft? Solar power? F-250? F-350? Dually? Front Kitchen? Interior storage? Toy Hauler?
Pin Weight? GWVR?
What do you do for mail?
Here is what I'm thinking; I like the Front Living Floor Plan. I have no problem driving an F-350. We have camped and traveled before. The Military bases have a LOT of CGs.
thanks in advance.
We look forward to seeing you out there as we trudge the road of happy destiny.
-- Edited by Gunnar on Thursday 22nd of December 2016 10:55:50 AM
First ... welcome Gunnar! You've come to the right place. A LOT to learn and there is a lot of experience in the collective minds of all the RV Dreams Team! Since you are way on the front end of this thing I can only offer one bit of advice at this point. Buy (or at least select) the 5th wheel first ... then buy a truck that can tow it without using any more than 80% of it's capability. Most often made mistake of newbies is too much trailer and too little truck. I did it myself, because my dealer said "it will tow it just fine". It did, but I wasn't legal, so that cost me a little money☹️
Good luck with your research!
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 22nd of December 2016 10:33:15 PM
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Ron and Janice
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
First off - thank you for your service! And welcome!
I think you need to at the very least have your 5th wheel picked out and/or ordered before getting a truck. We were narrowed down to 2 or 3 when we bought our truck and then bought a totally different third one, but it was similar enough in weight that our F350 diesel DRW pulls it just fine. We knew we couldn't afford to move up to the heavier rigs.
As far as mail - we use my parents FL address but lots of people use Escapees (FL or TX) for their mail service.
When choosing a floor plan, I suggest looking at a show, like the one coming up in Tampa in January, plan on spending a few days and sit in as many as you can, spend a little time trying to visualize living in it. Some you won't like right off the bat, some will warrant a second look. Research how each you like is built to see if it suits you. Price point will play a huge role - generally higher price is heavier and considered to be a "better" build. Having said that - there are different "value" points for each of us.
We own a 2014 Heartland Landmark, been full-time for over 2 years and we feel we have gotten an excellent value for our money in our home. Would more money have bought us a "better" rig - if we could afford a New Horizons or similar - probably - but those are way above our budget.
Good luck in your search and decisions. Ask as many questions as needed, as the rest of us have - and still do.
