We're finalizing the loan terms tomorrow, but I just wanted to thank everyone for your support and to let you know that I have bought a 5th wheel. As soon as I walked into it, I fell in love with it - and I didn't feel that way about anything else I saw.
Here is a link to what I bought, plus the RV park I'm moving to - it's right on the beach, in Half Moon Bay, CA!
I made the decision to hold off on Workamping for a few years, although I still have my resume in the Workamper News. I actually got a call yesterday from someone who wanted to hire me for an office job from Sept. to April, but I need cash and she wasn't willing to do that. I'm going to keep my resume in there, just in case the perfect job comes along and I can't resist it. : )
So the plan now is that I'm going to have the 5th wheel transported to the park in Half Moon Bay, and I will live there for the next few years until I can save as much money as possible - then I will trade up for a Class A or Class C, and go on the road.
I'm going to give 30 days' notice to my landlord on Friday and will start moving things into my RV beginning next week. The sellers said they will pull it to a good area of their lot, clean it inside and out, and I will have access to it until I'm ready to have it moved to its permanent location.
Anyway I will definitely be on other parts of this forum, asking questions about the best way to do things in my new RV!
Best, Roberta
Mallo said
05:42 PM Jun 10, 2009
It looks very nice. But once you own a fifth wheel you'll never want a class A or C. 8)
Mallo
Terry and Jo said
07:36 PM Jun 10, 2009
Congratulations, you're on your way.
However, I have a question. Try as I might, I couldn't make out the name on the side of the fifth wheel in your picture. What brand and model is it?
Terry
rheadabovewater said
07:40 PM Jun 10, 2009
Hi,
It's a 2000 Westport M37.
I wanted to take the time to really check out the best models, but I found that 1) RV dealers are disappearing fast around my area, and the inventory is sparse; and 2) time was a factor. The longer I'm in this house I'm renting, the more money I'm throwing away (I was laid off 5 weeks ago).
Roberta
rheadabovewater said
08:33 PM Jun 10, 2009
Mallo wrote:>It looks very nice. But once you own a fifth wheel you'll never want a class A or C
Mallo<
You know, it's funny you should say that. I looked at nothing but Class As and Class Cs, and I just didn't really care for them. Then I got the bright idea to look at my 5th wheel, and that did it for me - I was home.
retread said
10:12 PM Jun 10, 2009
Congratulations!
We're pleased to hear things are working out for you! Best wishes on getting out of that rental and into the full-time RV. We LOVE our 5th wheel and could afford it and a truck easier than a comparable motorhome. Linda
Judy said
07:41 AM Jun 11, 2009
Glad you found something and wish you the best of luck travelin down the highways. southwestjudy
Mallo said
07:47 AM Jun 11, 2009
rheadabovewater wrote:
Mallo wrote:>It looks very nice. But once you own a fifth wheel you'll never want a class A or C
Mallo<
You know, it's funny you should say that. I looked at nothing but Class As and Class Cs, and I just didn't really care for them. Then I got the bright idea to look at my 5th wheel, and that did it for me - I was home.
That is what my Brideandjoy did. We were bouncing all over then she stepped into a fifth wheel and that was that. Now to find you a good in expensive late model tow truck. Personally I think the 7.3 liter power stroke is one of the better pulling trucks out there. Not high on horsepower but we find we get up and down the hills easy enough. A clean used truck and that fifth wheel and your ready to go any place you want.
If you do choose to go the truck route but have concerns about towing the Brideandjoy highly reccomends Dick Reeds driving school.
Mallo
rheadabovewater said
08:27 AM Jun 11, 2009
Wow, thank you....tell me, is mileage a problem with those trucks? Right now I have a VW New Beetle that is starting to give me problems - I love the car, but am thinking about getting something else in the fairly near future.
Mallo said
12:33 PM Jun 11, 2009
rheadabovewater wrote:
Wow, thank you....tell me, is mileage a problem with those trucks? Right now I have a VW New Beetle that is starting to give me problems - I love the car, but am thinking about getting something else in the fairly near future.
Mileage is not a reason to buy a towing truck.
We have an F350 Cab and Chassis we get 15 to 16 MPG driving around without the fiver. Towing we get 8 (all mountains and winding roads or a head wind) to 12 (plains with a tail wind. Normal is 9.5 to 10.5 towing. That is towing a 12,000 pound fifth wheel.
That is with the 7.3 Powerstroke and a truck that weighs in at 8000 pounds sitting on the curb.
The newest engines get less because of the new smog devices. There are tow rigs that will get you better mileage. The Dodge with the 5.9 Cummins is reputed to get close to 20 empty and 13 plus towing. I'm leery of Dodge transmissions though I understand that the newer units with the 5.9 didn't have the transmission issues that the older ones did.
That said the older Fords like I have also have transmission issues but that is caused by the undersized transmission cooler (if you go that route get an upgrade to the transmission cooler and you'll be fine).
Do not rush into buying a tow truck. Rebuilding one is an expensive proposition. If you go diesel find a good shop to take any used truck you think you may want to buy to and have it checked over.
Mallo
wmalefyt said
03:47 PM Jun 11, 2009
Congratulations and best wishes on your new to you 5th wheel. We're looking forward to getting our first 5th wheel by next year.
One suggestion, please get the dealer to show you how to operate everything and make sure everything works before you have it moved from his lot.
nwlambear said
07:51 PM Jun 11, 2009
Congratulations!! It's beautiful and looks very comfortable! Why don't you want to take it on the road? Looks like a nice RV park also....And a beach to walk on...how nice!! Enjoy your new home...
rheadabovewater said
07:54 PM Jun 11, 2009
Thank you so much!
I don't want to take it on the road yet. For one thing I don't have a truck and can't afford one right now. Also I want to hold at least one more job before I go workamping - in this area, I can earn a lot of money(including a bonus) being an executive assistant and that money will come in very handy while I'm tooling around in the country.
pierreandcolleen said
08:26 PM Jun 13, 2009
We stayed here for almost a week. What a great place!!! I enjoyed the bike/walking path near the ocean and nature preserve.
Here is a link to what I bought, plus the RV park I'm moving to - it's right on the beach, in Half Moon Bay, CA!
http://picasaweb.google.com/roberta.kendall/MyRV?authkey=Gv1sRgCI23itni-NKOBw&feat=directlink
I made the decision to hold off on Workamping for a few years, although I still have my resume in the Workamper News. I actually got a call yesterday from someone who wanted to hire me for an office job from Sept. to April, but I need cash and she wasn't willing to do that. I'm going to keep my resume in there, just in case the perfect job comes along and I can't resist it. : )
So the plan now is that I'm going to have the 5th wheel transported to the park in Half Moon Bay, and I will live there for the next few years until I can save as much money as possible - then I will trade up for a Class A or Class C, and go on the road.
I'm going to give 30 days' notice to my landlord on Friday and will start moving things into my RV beginning next week. The sellers said they will pull it to a good area of their lot, clean it inside and out, and I will have access to it until I'm ready to have it moved to its permanent location.
Anyway I will definitely be on other parts of this forum, asking questions about the best way to do things in my new RV!
Best, Roberta
It looks very nice. But once you own a fifth wheel you'll never want a class A or C. 8)
Mallo
However, I have a question. Try as I might, I couldn't make out the name on the side of the fifth wheel in your picture. What brand and model is it?
Terry
southwestjudy
That is what my Brideandjoy did. We were bouncing all over then she stepped into a fifth wheel and that was that. Now to find you a good in expensive late model tow truck. Personally I think the 7.3 liter power stroke is one of the better pulling trucks out there. Not high on horsepower but we find we get up and down the hills easy enough. A clean used truck and that fifth wheel and your ready to go any place you want.
If you do choose to go the truck route but have concerns about towing the Brideandjoy highly reccomends Dick Reeds driving school.
Mallo
Mileage is not a reason to buy a towing truck.
We have an F350 Cab and Chassis we get 15 to 16 MPG driving around without the fiver. Towing we get 8 (all mountains and winding roads or a head wind) to 12 (plains with a tail wind. Normal is 9.5 to 10.5 towing. That is towing a 12,000 pound fifth wheel.
That is with the 7.3 Powerstroke and a truck that weighs in at 8000 pounds sitting on the curb.
The newest engines get less because of the new smog devices. There are tow rigs that will get you better mileage. The Dodge with the 5.9 Cummins is reputed to get close to 20 empty and 13 plus towing. I'm leery of Dodge transmissions though I understand that the newer units with the 5.9 didn't have the transmission issues that the older ones did.
That said the older Fords like I have also have transmission issues but that is caused by the undersized transmission cooler (if you go that route get an upgrade to the transmission cooler and you'll be fine).
Do not rush into buying a tow truck. Rebuilding one is an expensive proposition. If you go diesel find a good shop to take any used truck you think you may want to buy to and have it checked over.
Mallo
-Colleen