Dreamers Class of 2018 - RV-Dreams Community Forum

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Dreamers Class of 2018

MAYBE2021 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Dan and Rhonda,

As our user ID suggests, we are planning for 2021 but we are getting impatient (and tired of doing yard work) and are starting the pain of downsizing now. I doubt we will be ready by the end of 2018 but we are giving it a try. Our original plan was to wait until I retire (2021) but we realized we could save money by having my wife becoming a park host at one of the local state parks while I continue to work. That would work out great since we spend so much time at the state parks anyway.

Do you have your RV yet? We have a 26' TT that we will likely start out in but will up size in a year or so. Our original plan was to get a fifth wheel but the more we looked at it we realized a TT more fits our lifestyle and I really don't want my everyday driving and exploring to be in a DRW TV; Just my preference.

Welcome to the forum. There's lot of good information here.

Steve

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hey there Maybe 2021,

It sounds like you are working on a good plan. We started out thinking we would be 2020 but like you, we got excited and moved it up. We don't get to spend much time together due to our work schedules so we decided that time together was more important. With a few sacrifices we can make it work so we are taking the plunge. We purchased our RV, a 2016 Heartland Bighorn, a couple of years ago. We love it but really haven't been able to take it out much. Dan doesn't have regular weekends for short trips so there are only a few weekly vacation trips during the year. Once we get in it fulltime there will be some adjusting but so far it seems like a really livable design.

Good luck with your downsizing. That was a couple year task for us. It took a few "rounds" of going through everything to trim down all the stuff and family memorabilia. We had a big garage sale this spring and sold most of our furniture and decor items. The house went on the market over Memorial Day weekend and once that was sold we packed up what was left and moved into a 1 BR apartment. It has been quite the experience but the goal is in sight.

You are fortunate to have a campground close by that you might be able to work at. That would be perfect. There aren't many around here that are open during the winter which is why we ended up in an apartment. Plus I had a knee replacement in October so the apartment made that a lot easier.

Good luck with making it into 2018. We will be cheering you on!!!! biggrin

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

2018 will be our 7th year of dreaming as we hit the road in 2012. Or maybe it’s Livin the Dream instead. Whatever. Welcome.

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Ours was great with one of our sons home for the holiday. I have to admit that I found myself wondering where we would be next year biggrin and feeling a bit nostalgic knowing that we (most likely) will not be here with family next year. hmm I say most likely because we do not have definite travel plans but we do not currently plan to be back for the holidays next year. Anyone else experience that feeling? Or the excitement of wondering where in the country you might be this time next year???

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Maybe2021... we're like you, when we started... we were looking at 2021 but knowledge is power and we've cut 2 years off our target. there is an outside chance that we move into an RV and start off more or less stationary for a year or so starting in late 2018 but a lot has to fall into place for that to happen. We have a rig picked out and all things being what they are at this time, it will likely be our final selection as it is ideal for us. But never say never. Still wavering on the TV but with good advice from Bill and Linda from this forum, who has been peppered with questions from me along the way we feel confident that either of our two finalists for TV will be more than up to the task.

In any event, here's to future success to all of the class of 2018. Maybe it will include us, but 2019 looks much more likely.

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Happy New Year 2018!!! It is our graduation year...finally. Who all is in this class with us and when will you be making the move??? Jump on in here and share your excitement and experiences. It OUR year, let's do it together. biggrin

Blackvelvet55 · RV-Dreams Community Member

The time has finally come. My daughter finished culinary school in July ‘17 found a job and move to an apartment in November. The house closed escrow in December, I purchased a used motorhome a few days later. Last week I got the “toad”. So all the pieces are in place. I’m planning to move out of apartment and into RV in April, and on the road no later than the end of June.

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Congrats Blackvelvet55. Welcome to the class of 2018. It sounds like you are making great progress. We are in the process of finalizing the move out of our temporary apartment. Next Monday is D (departure) day for us. After all the downsizing we are still organizing and packing stuff...Uhgg. If I had one piece of advice for anyone it would be start the downsizing/purging early and be tough. Enjoy the anticipation. biggrin

2Dreamers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well, we did it. We graduated! We left Indiana on January 30th and headed to Florida. Sure is better weather down this way. We went to Bushnell in central Florida to establish domicile. We are now Florida residents complete with driver licenses, license plates and wills. 😂🏝 The process went very smooth. We were at the DMV for about 1 1/2 hours but they were super nice and totally understood our situation. Anyone else doing the Florida thing?

vannchan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congratulations. We are planning on becoming full-timers this year. We did buy a 5th wheel (our dealer is keeping it no charge until we are ready for it) and the truck is on order. The main thing is getting rid of a lot of stuff and selling the house. Once the house goes we will be in the RV full time but I will still be working. In a couple of years I will retire and then we will start traveling staying a month at a time in most places. We live in Texas so will most likely remain domiciled in Texas

cork8364 · RV-Dreams Community Member

My wife and I plan to hit the road late spring or early summer this year. Dreading the downsizing; but hope to finish most of it while the wife is out of town for 3 weeks next month training with her new guide dog. Plan to get the house on the market in mid-March with dreams of heading somewhere by June. We already have the truck and fifth-wheel, with the recent addition of the Truma tank less water heater and I am finishing up the construction of a Cherry table/desk combo that will replace the original table. I needed a place for the wife’s computer and closed-circuit magnifying equipment. But I’m scared to drill into the walls to attach it so am looking for some other ways to install it that won’t damage the rig.

Not sure of the domicile state; kicking around South Dakota, Florida and Texas but haven't quite figured it out. I'm retired military so I don't need to worry too much about health insurance, but if anybody has any advice to help us pick a domicile state I'm all ears.

Happy Travels

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jeff ... congratulations! Based on your choices it seems you learned a lot at the rally😀. I’ll look forward to hearing about your adventures and maybe we’ll hook up again one of these days! Stay safe my friend!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jeff,

With regards to domicile states, also look into taxing information. It may not apply to you in any way, but we found that some states tax pensions, some tax pensions and Social Security, and some don't tax either. In the overall, it might not make any difference if there is another "expense" that is higher in a state that doesn't tax as much, i.e., personal property taxes.

Terry

vannchan · RV-Dreams Family Member

cork8364 wrote:
... and I am finishing up the construction of a Cherry table/desk combo that will replace the original table. I needed a place for the wife’s computer and closed-circuit magnifying equipment. But I’m scared to drill into the walls to attach it so am looking for some other ways to install it that won’t damage the rig.

As part of the desk/table you are building, could you build up one end - a solid wall where you could attach the equipment?

And good luck on the offload of stuff. My wife and I are working on that now and I really hope we are able to bring our RV down and move into it by middle of summer if not before.

cork8364 · RV-Dreams Community Member

vannchan wrote:
As part of the desk/table you are building, could you build up one end - a solid wall where you could attach the equipment?

Thanks for the suggestion; I'll look into it. I already have built a set of drawers on the one end so I think that end is good. Your suggestion may help a couple of things, stability is one, the other is that it could hide the power cords. I'll post some pictures later.

superman · RV-Dreams Community Member

We plan to launch late this year as well. Our major steps:

1. Purchase Home base (RV Lot) /Snowbird location in Florida. (done)

2. Downsize Junk (underway)

3. Get house on Market (2 weeks out)

4. Build Pad on Home base (spring or fall - decision)

5. Move last son to College (May)

6. Order new Class A DP Rig (when house closes +3-4 months of build time). Use current rig (5th wheel) until then.

7. Order new TOAD (when house closes or we trade in current rig - decision still needed).

-- Edited by superman on Tuesday 27th of February 2018 09:30:28 AM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

superman: I hope your home base doesn't come with a giant bungee cord attached that keeps you from seeing more of the country. Just my 2c since it took us multiple winters to find where in Florida, Texas, Arizona and California we would like to spend the winter.

superman · RV-Dreams Community Member

bjoyce wrote:
superman: I hope your home base doesn't come with a giant bungee cord attached that keeps you from seeing more of the country. Just my 2c since it took us multiple winters to find where in Florida, Texas, Arizona and California we would like to spend the winter.

Agreed. Because my wife has a tech job and needs a physical address for her company, this was a good compromise for us. Cheaper than renting a place, etc.

cork8364 · RV-Dreams Community Member

The house went on the market late afternoon March 27, we received an over list price offer on March 28th. Wasn't expecting that but am not disappointed at all. I have been able to sell almost all of my woodworking tools and have made a huge dent in what we need to go through. How is currently scheduled to close on May 4th but since we have some appointments spread out throughout the month of May we won't be hitting the road until June 1.

cork8364 · RV-Dreams Community Member

We put the house on the market on March 27th. It was sold on March 28th and we closed on May 3rd. So much has happened in between, still don't know where anything is and trying to figure out what we need in the rig. Looking forward to adventures.

Tpiketrooper · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hello folks,

After reading numerous blogs on when to start the process, we have done it. This year we sold our 4200sqft home and down sized to a 1600qft home. WOW where to put all my sh$%&**. My wife got on Facebook Market Place and sold 50% of it. We are retiring in 2023. Yes 5 years away, but listening to the Pros out there this this the time to start. We have been looking at numerous Class A homes and started narrowing it down. We have been asked numerous times by our friends where are we going to go first. Well, I tell them we are going to put a map of the United States on our wall and throw a dart at it. Where it lands is our destination. I read how some people get excited and start earlier. I wish we could do the same, but we can't do to my retirement. I will say this.... Thanks to all out there who post there experiences on what to do how to do and what not to do is so much greatly appreciated by us that are getting ready to take the journey.

Hope to see you all out there somewhere.

Tony and Traciann

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

2023 will come up faster than you think. And it will more than likely sneak up on you in the last 24 months. Ask me how I know this. We are less than 12 months away from starting and like you, we started this plan about 6 years ago. We started with a Motor Home idea but it changed to a fifth wheel. We have neither the truck or trailer yet but we have a fairly solid idea of what they will be. We had hoped for a late 2018 start but Cindi landed a nice job that will really add to our starting cash pile, downside is we have less time to purge, plan, organize etc since we are both working full days and still have to take care of all the routine stuff. As we near the kickoff we are both starting to feel the heat. But the end is now in sight for this phase of our lives.... bring on the new memories, the new adventures... we're ready. You will be too.

Welcome aboard.