I feel I am ready for the fulltiming lifestyle, but my wife is apprehensive about making such a big change. While my parents have owned an RV in the past and after they retired, they did not do fulltiming, but did travel extensively. I have never owned an RV, my travels on the road have been via tent sometimes and motels other times.
The wife wants us to rent an RV for a month and try it out before making the decision. Of course I will do anything to relieve some of her concerns.
However, it appears that for many of you, including Howard and Linda, did jump into the lifestyle without much previous RV experience. I know that Howard states that they were going to rent at first, but bypassed that step. Did any of you rent for a month or so to see if you liked it? Afterall, fulltiming is not exactly the same as an extended vacation. Since the rentals tend to be smaller, would renting really help make the decision? What did you do to help determine if this was really the lifestyle you wanted before dropping a bundle for a rig and tow vehicle (or MH)?
This wannabee would love to hear from those who have gone through the process.
Judy said
01:02 PM May 8, 2007
We rented a Class c for a vacation only...We enjoyed it and later bought one that was used to see if we would enjoy it more of which we did again only for vacations and wkends. We then bought a used Class A MH loved it also again vacations and wkends. We then bought a pull behind new Keystone Outback and again what can I say wkends and vacatons again!! Sold the Outback and decided that "We"loved traveling and the life it brings (so far that "We"is still having some problems in "saying we love this kind of iife") Boiught a fiver.... Until we give this thing a full year of it then "We" shall decide if its what "We" want to do. So I am being honest here and will tell you to rent or find a used RV before you give it all up in the home that you now have and do this for a period of time first!! southwestjudy & Bob & 2dogs
RVDude said
01:33 PM May 8, 2007
Once you consider the cost of renting even a small MH for a month at some $6,000 ($200/day x 30) plus your expenses, you might rethink the renting approach. Do some math as you could buy a class C and sell it after a year and suffer less loss on depreciation. By buying one, you also have the critical advantage of the rig being yours and getting closer to that moving in feeling.
Be forewarned, you stand a fairly high chance of getting hooked in that trial year and things just get better from there!
Doncat said
06:50 PM May 8, 2007
We started with a 19foot Prowler travel trailer, it was used twice and the man's wife did not like "camping". We decided it would be nice to use it at the lake on fishing trips. It only took one trip for us to decide that we love RVs! I have since moved up to a 30' Prowler and have been enjoying it for 3 years. I am looking at fulltimer quality fifth wheels or motorhomes to purchase in the near future, then we will hit the road. Can't wait.. Don and Cheryl
Luvglass said
08:50 PM May 8, 2007
We did a mini version of this experiment, we rented a 30' class C for a week and really lived in it, cooking all our meals in, instead of eating out like on vacation.
At the end of the week we both felt that we could live happily in a larger more comfortable unit. We calculated the downside, of what appeared to be at the time a very impulsive decision, and it was only time and some money, which we felt we could afford. To be really prudent we should have purchased used equipment to minimize the loss from depreciation, but because we had absoulutely no experience with RV's we thought we'd have a better chance of happiness if we bought new. A calculated gamble which in our case worked out.
We're absolutely ecstatic after 15 months, but that may change at some time in the future. At that time we'll put up for sale signs and move on to whatever is next in this one time game of life we're all playing.
As I look back on my life I find myself more sorry for the things I didn't try, than the ones I did that didn't work out.
Good luck,
Fred
bjoyce said
11:54 AM May 9, 2007
We had the experience of staying with my in-laws in a couple of their motorhomes a few times before we bought. But our first RV was a 35' motorhome and it was almost a year before we took a longer than one week trip in it, two months long. Less than a year later we were full-timers, after one two-month trip and two one-month ones. Renting does seem like a good way to start, but I would start with a one week trip within 500 miles to give a smaller taste of the life. One month in a rental could be overwhelming and the temptation to drive 5,000 miles on the trip would be strong. Most full-timers would take six months to go 5,000 miles. Realize the drivability and livability of the rentals is not up to one you can buy, they are the cheapest of the cheap. Also realize that most full-timers have a truck or car to drive for shopping and sightseeing and with rentals you take the RV with you.
Sandra said
02:34 PM May 9, 2007
We bought a used 24 ft Class C and had it for a couple of years while we were still working. It was far too small with the two of us and our dog (since deceased). My husband wanted to go this route as he didn't think I'd like the RV lifestyle but now we're nearly three years into it!
blijil said
06:36 AM May 10, 2007
We first began thinking about the fulltime lifestyle several years ago. We spent several weeks in Namibia Africa and although it was a great experience, hauling suitcases wasn't exact what we considered a travel luxury. After a years research we bought our fifth wheel 2 years before retirement so that we could spend some long vacations in the rig to make sure we would enjoy the lifestyle. After retirement we have spent 5 weeks in Scotland and a summer in the mountains of New Mexico followed by many longer adventures in the rig. This summer we will spend in northern NM and southern Colorado camping. We are pretty sure by now that the lifestyle works for us but we will have to wait until summer of 08 when our youngest daughter graduates from high school and starts her own lifestyle change at university.
Do whatever works for you. We think it is worth it. Larry and Jacki
Fly Buoy V said
11:59 AM Jul 25, 2007
"As I look back on my life I find myself more sorry for the things I didn't try, than the ones I did that didn't work out."...Fred aka: Luvglass
Truer words were never spoken Fred. Thanks for all your insightful answers throughout this entire Forum. As "Wannabees" and working on selling our home to purchase the MH, it is very inspiring to read words like above from you and all the other "RVing Veterans" out there.
-- Edited by Fly Buoy V at 13:00, 2007-07-25
Perfectlygoode said
06:57 PM Jul 25, 2007
We did think about renting and taking a trip in an rv, but it just seemed like to much money. So, we jumped in with both feet. I have done a fair amount of camping in my life, but not my husband. Quite frankly, I was surprised when he first suggested the idea of an rv. We first thought we would keep the house and travel. We knew we wanted to relocate to a milder climate (no more snow for us). We felt the rv would give us the advantage of staying in different locations for longer periods of time--making sure we really liked the area before investing in property. Bottom line, we decided why keep a house we knew we were eventually going to sell. Sooooo, here we go. We pick up the fifth wheel Aug 22 and let the adventure begin!! Debbie
Tylersamma said
07:51 PM Jul 25, 2007
We rented a class C for 2 weeks in 2004, mostly dry camping. The rental was very cheesy quality-wise, but we loved the experience. Then purchased a class B in 2005. We called this our "RV-101 course" and have spent 2+ years learning (and loving) the lifestyle. We have now purchased our class A 40' diesel pusher, sold the condo and almost everything in it. We are currently parked locally until I can retire in September, then will begin our great adventure. I know, it sounds as though we have wasted a lot of time with planning, but we knew our date and actually began the planning process 7 years ago. We are now so much more than ready
Speedhitch said
04:54 PM Jul 26, 2007
We have been planning to fulltime since 1974. I still don't think that is enough time to put together a plan but we are still trying. We started out with a tent then went to a popup, cabover, tung pull, 5th wheel, Class C, Class A one more 5th wheel and then the one we have now is a 39 foot 5ver. We have done it all and still working on the plan. We live full time in our 5ver while our home is on the market. We hope to sale it soon and then we can really start planning. You can plan yourself right out of a plan if you work hard enough at it....so just do it. Its great when a plan comes together!
Good Luck
Joe and Sherri
Happytrails said
09:09 AM Jul 28, 2007
Different strokes for different folks - I think you are very sensitive to your wife's concerns and that is a great thing!! Both parties have to been sold on this lifestyle or it probably won't work for long. It is a small space and you are together 24/7. With that all said, you have been given some good options here. You can rent an RV for a week and take a trip together such as what Fred and Jo did. Yes, renting can be expensive but so can making the wrong decision. Talk to a lot of people, read lots of books on the topic and attend RV shows and walk through the different RVs available today. We have had several different types of RVs through the years but when we purchased our first motorhome we were sold on the idea of the full-time lifestyle. We discovered coming home after an outing became depressing for us and we just wanted more and more of the travel and lifestyle. Of course, the first motorhome wasn't very large etc. so we ended up purchasing another which would be better for us when full-timing. We purchased used and think for us this was a good economical decision. More bang for the buck and the "hit" has already been taken. Good luck and go slow with your decision. It is a big decision and important to both parties.
SKOOBDO said
10:28 AM Jul 28, 2007
The only thing I have to say, is that no matter how long you "try" to plan your life and your future, there is no way it will end up exactly that way. I used to do that, but found out, times change people change, so my advice is do what you want to do today (with the future in mind). Anyone reading this post, if you think back 10 years ago and look at all the events and changes that have occurred in your life (good and bad), and where you were then, I'm sure back then you didn't have a clue you would be where you are today or doing whatever it is your doing today. I thought about fulltiming a few years ago, and just did it. I believe the reason some folks have a problem deciding, is they have a problem with "change" and may tend to dwell on the "bad" more than the good, which as we all know there is good and bad with everything we do in life. Anyone out there considering fulltiming, good luck in your decision!
The wife wants us to rent an RV for a month and try it out before making the decision. Of course I will do anything to relieve some of her concerns.
However, it appears that for many of you, including Howard and Linda, did jump into the lifestyle without much previous RV experience. I know that Howard states that they were going to rent at first, but bypassed that step. Did any of you rent for a month or so to see if you liked it? Afterall, fulltiming is not exactly the same as an extended vacation. Since the rentals tend to be smaller, would renting really help make the decision? What did you do to help determine if this was really the lifestyle you wanted before dropping a bundle for a rig and tow vehicle (or MH)?
This wannabee would love to hear from those who have gone through the process.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2dogs
Once you consider the cost of renting even a small MH for a month at some $6,000 ($200/day x 30) plus your expenses, you might rethink the renting approach. Do some math as you could buy a class C and sell it after a year and suffer less loss on depreciation. By buying one, you also have the critical advantage of the rig being yours and getting closer to that moving in feeling.
Be forewarned, you stand a fairly high chance of getting hooked in that trial year and things just get better from there!
Renting does seem like a good way to start, but I would start with a one week trip within 500 miles to give a smaller taste of the life. One month in a rental could be overwhelming and the temptation to drive 5,000 miles on the trip would be strong. Most full-timers would take six months to go 5,000 miles.
Realize the drivability and livability of the rentals is not up to one you can buy, they are the cheapest of the cheap. Also realize that most full-timers have a truck or car to drive for shopping and sightseeing and with rentals you take the RV with you.
Do whatever works for you. We think it is worth it.
Larry and Jacki
Truer words were never spoken Fred. Thanks for all your insightful answers throughout this entire Forum. As "Wannabees" and working on selling our home to purchase the MH, it is very inspiring to read words like above from you and all the other "RVing Veterans" out there.
-- Edited by Fly Buoy V at 13:00, 2007-07-25
We have had several different types of RVs through the years but when we purchased our first motorhome we were sold on the idea of the full-time lifestyle. We discovered coming home after an outing became depressing for us and we just wanted more and more of the travel and lifestyle. Of course, the first motorhome wasn't very large etc. so we ended up purchasing another which would be better for us when full-timing. We purchased used and think for us this was a good economical decision. More bang for the buck and the "hit" has already been taken.
Good luck and go slow with your decision. It is a big decision and important to both parties.
The only thing I have to say, is that no matter how long you "try" to plan your life and your future, there is no way it will end up exactly that way. I used to do that, but found out, times change people change, so my advice is do what you want to do today (with the future in mind). Anyone reading this post, if you think back 10 years ago and look at all the events and changes that have occurred in your life (good and bad), and where you were then, I'm sure back then you didn't have a clue you would be where you are today or doing whatever it is your doing today. I thought about fulltiming a few years ago, and just did it. I believe the reason some folks have a problem deciding, is they have a problem with "change" and may tend to dwell on the "bad" more than the good, which as we all know there is good and bad with everything we do in life. Anyone out there considering fulltiming, good luck in your decision!