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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Looking at buying an RV and going full time
Post Info TOPIC: Looking at buying an RV and going full time
Jwcabell


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Looking at buying an RV and going full time
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Hello!  My husband and I are considering going full time rving.  We love to travel as do our children.  However, our situation gets a little complicated because we have 10 children plus our pets.  I've found a fifth wheel that would fit our family (with a few modifications) so I'm basically researching everything I can before buying so I don't miss anything before making such a large purchase.  Currently when we travel, we take our 12 passenger, board all our pets and have to get several hotel rooms wherever we are going and eat out the entire time (which adds up to a LOT if we want our kids to actually get full) Looking forward to reading through the forums and learning some new things!



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RonC


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I see that you are considering a 5th wheel.  I'm pretty sure that people can't ride (legally or safely) in either a 5th wheel or Travel Trailer.  I don't know of any tow vehicle that has accommodations for 2 adults, 10 kids and 8 pets, so I assume that you will keep your current 12 passenger and follow the rig. It's just my wife and me in a 41 foot 5th wheel and on rainy days ... it can seem a little cramped for us.  Most campgrounds have restrictions on the number of people and pets and vehicles and charge extra for the extra people.  You are definitely going to be breaking new ground.  Call around to some campgrounds and check on their policies when doing your research on this.  Good luck with this.



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 11:23:05 AM



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 11:23:38 AM



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 11:27:25 AM



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 11:29:00 AM



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 04:40:10 PM



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 06:41:46 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

FT class of 2016
PrairieRV


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I will say I have no advice for the OP, but I can only say, "WOW!!" That you are considering to full-time with so many people and pets. How old are your children? How many and what types of pets? I'm going to be very interested in following your story. I hope you'll keep us informed as you make your decisions and then start your RV lives.

A comment on RonC's post, don't you think an enclosed patio awning would help relieve some of the crowding inside the 5th wheel trailer?  Of course, it would depend on the climate they're in at the time.



-- Edited by PrairieRV on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 12:50:02 PM

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RonC


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Repeating myself here ... but RV Campgrounds "probably" wouldn't let you sleep in an enclosed patio awning. "Probably" won't go for the 4 dogs ... they wouldn't know about the 4 cats (presumably). Please just do yourself a favor and call and ask campgrounds what their policy is with regard to how many humans can be in a 5th wheel and how many pets are allowed. It would be a shame to buy a 5th wheel and then learn you would not be allowed in most RV parks due to headcount and pet count.



-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 04:43:19 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

FT class of 2016
Howard


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Welcome to the RV-Dreams Forum.  I will also say "WOW!!".  I certainly understand why you would want to get a fifth wheel and stay in campgrounds and cook your own meals rather than hotels and dining out.  But as Ron pointed out there are many challenges.

You're on the right track.  Do all your homework and make an informed decision.



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PrairieRV


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RonC, no arguing from me. I was only thinking about the enclosed "patio" for relief during a rainy day when things may get to feeling a bit to close. I definitely recommend everyone should sleep inside, out of the elements. Though I understand some campgrounds will let you set up a tent next to your RV, probably for a price.

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LarryW21


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I suggest a month long tryout to determine the dynamics of 12 people in one RV. 



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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
RonC


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I think Larry makes a great suggestion. Rent something and try it out, just to get a feel for how things might work for you and your situation.

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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

FT class of 2016
LarryW21


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Thank you, Ron. I'm a believer in renting to determine if folks like our lifestyle, what type of RV to purchase, RV size etc.

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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
Jwcabell


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I actually called around to several because when I originally started looking, I noticed the limits on people. It does limit the campgrounds we can stay in with our pets and our kids and overall is more expensive than if we just had a normal size family, lol. Although still cheaper than a hotel.

Our plan is to RV when school lets out this year and see how it goes. We will def still buy one either way but it will have an impact on whether we can go full time or just travel for the holidays. My biggest fear with the animals is one getting out of the RV. There's still also the problem of how the cats will travel. We have car seats for our dogs.

So our towing will have to be caravan style. Not my favorite but it's the only way. We have a 12 passenger that I will drive with most of the kids and our small dogs while my husband drives the truck and fifth wheel with two kids and our big dog. I'm also considering towing a very small trailer behind me for closet space and extra storage. I'd rather not go that route though. We also won't be driving over 6 hours at time most of the time and staying in one place for several weeks.

Our kids ages are 13, 13, 11, 10, 10, 8, 7, 5, and 1 year old twins. We have 4 dogs, Australian shepherd, chihuahua, ratcha, and we have one rescue Pomeranian if we don't find her a home soon. Then we have 4 cats. That's a LOT of people and pets in a very small area even if it is a larger fifth wheel. I had to find one with a bunk room that sleeps 5 plus two bathrooms so I have a place to put a litter box.

I'm following a few other large families who RV full time to see how they manage as well. I have not seen one with so many animals plus the kids though. I also just saw the enclosed patio on a website and thought it would be perfect, especially for rainy days because for the most part, we will need to eat outside. My other big concern is being able to cook for our crowd with the current oven options there are in RV's. We bake and use the stove top and they are pretty small.

I have no doubt we can RV for a vacation without the pets but full time with everyone would be def be quite an adventure!

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Jwcabell


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Also, while our kids are still with us, I do feel like we are really limited on which campground we can stay in even without considering our numbers. My kids need a playground and be able to ride their bikes and stay busy. Not all campgrounds are the best idea for literally a bus load of kids.

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Howard


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You probably already know about this family, but if not here are a couple of links. 

Family Of 14 Sells Home, Lives Full-time In RV - From NBC Today Show, Jan 28, 2013

Kellogg Show - Their website for their ongoing adventures 



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PrairieRV


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I saw something on TV a few years ago about a couple who traveled with their cats. They had a hatch under a dinette seat so the cats could access the "basement" storage area. They had the litter box down there. That would be a way to keep the litter box out of the way. I'd think with so many people it would be good to have an extra toilet available.


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FLmom


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Howard wrote:

You probably already know about this family, but if not here are a couple of links. 

Family Of 14 Sells Home, Lives Full-time In RV - From NBC Today Show, Jan 28, 2013

Kellogg Show - Their website for their ongoing adventures 

 WOW!!!! Really puts things into perspective for me stressing about hitting the road with 2.5 kids a parrot and a dog



-- Edited by FLmom on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 08:20:50 PM

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