Fulltiming.. over-cab bed as main bed? 24 ft too small?
CarMichael said
11:36 AM Nov 10, 2009
Hi, I'm having a conundrum. I am new to all this.. and am about to solo Fulltime and am in process of picking a Class C motorhome. I was thinking I would try to go as small as possible.. so I can fit in parking spaces and national parks, etc.. maybe 24ft with a slideout.. WITHOUT a rear bed.. and sleep in the over-cab bed. Is this a horrible idea??
I'm 30 years old and in good shape.. so I don't think I'll have the physical problems that some of the older folks may have. Is the padding not very good up there.. too cold or too hot? Will I feel claustrophobic?
If I do decide to go with a rear-bed.. then I think I'm going to have to get a 27ft with a few slideouts. Is this big enough for a solo traveler.. yet small enough to be maneuverable in tight spaces and fit in the best spots in national/state parks?
Thanks in advance for your help!
I'm so excited to be joining you guys out there!
Terry and Jo said
11:47 AM Nov 10, 2009
First of all, welcome to the forum. You have found a wealth of knowledge in the form of very friendly folks.
As for your choice of an RV, I would look into how much insulation is around that overhead bed area. If you are full-timing in it and in cold weather, it might be lacking in insulation, even though the warmth from whatever heat source you are using would be rising to that level. It might get just a bit cool on the bottom of the bed space.
As for the length of a 27 footer in parks, Jo and I have a 26 foot fifth wheel and where we have been it is easy to get both the trailer and the truck in the RV space. I really don't think 27 foot would be a problem at all.
But then, while we have done a lot of National Park campsite camping, most of it has been in just 3 or 4 different campgrounds in Colorado. From what I have read of other's experiences, most sites are large enough for at least 35 to 40 foot long units.
Good hunting in your vehicle search.
Terry
Luvglass said
01:09 PM Nov 10, 2009
Only you can say whether it's a good idea or not. Size and amenities is relative. I just read about a guy that's been fulltiming for over a year now in a teardrop trailer pulled by a small SUV and he's looking to move up to a 21 foot class B.
It shouldn't be a problem to find a brand with adequate insulation but only you can address the claustrophobia question. I would think that models such as you are interested in should be relatively easy to find for rent. Try one out before making any major decisions.
Anything up to about 30 feet will fit in any National or State park.
Good luck,
CarMichael said
02:34 PM Nov 10, 2009
Luvglass wrote:
I would think that models such as you are interested in should be relatively easy to find for rent. Try one out before making any major decisions.
Thanks for the advice Luvglass and Terry..
I really would like to rent an RV first.. but all the rental companies require a three night minimum and so the cheapest I've found is $650 and that doesn't even include gas. All I really just want drive somewhere about 150 miles away.. spend the night.. and then drive it back the next day... very frustrating.. I can't convince myself to spend $750 total for a simple test... grr....
CarMichael said
04:28 PM Nov 10, 2009
Another thing.. can you parallel park on residential streets or occupy commercial parking lot spaces with a 27 footer?
RonandJacki said
05:04 PM Nov 11, 2009
I'd be really Leary of parking on a city street. Restrictions keep getting tighter all the time about residential parking. As for commercial parking, Wal-Mart seems to allow parking to a point but not camping. There is a directory available for the Wal-Marts that have RV and truck parking. But again, city ordinances are making it tough.
Woodchip said
08:46 PM Nov 11, 2009
Hey CarMichael...
Just saw your post on here and although I don't really have much to add in addition to what the other folks on here have suggested, I do have a question about how you're attempting this....given your age and all.
I'll be hitting the road full-time too, God willing, when I'm 32. I see that you're 30 and I was just wondering...how are you able to do this...fulltiming it?
I guess I'm just wondering if you're experiencing some of the same things that I go through....having friends and family thinking I'm nuts! Renting out my house while I do this.... Attempting workamping.
One thing I can tell you is that you'll get a lot of great, solid advice from this site. Everyone has been great.
Look forward to your response.
-Woodchip-
CarMichael said
09:25 PM Nov 11, 2009
hey woodchip,
Well luckily I have a full-time job in the tech industry that allows me to work my own hours from anywhere I can access the internet. I been just working from coffee shops and my boring home office.. and I feel like I'm not taking advantage of my blessed situation .. and so it finally hit me.. why not work from the valley of Yosemite or in between kayak-runs down a whitewater river?!?
All my friends and family love the idea... except one friend who hates the sight of trees and dirt and is not really open to new things. He thinks I'll be sick of it in 4 months.. so I got a bet with him going.. and of course MY MOM hates the idea. She's all scared about my safety.. and she thinks this will keep me from getting married soon. I think the type of person I would want to marry are the adventurous types I might meet on the road.. and she has these crazy ideas about serial killers and such.. but oh well.. I can't change her mind.
But yeah the plan is.. purchasing the motorhome in late December (I figure good deals to be had near Christmas as salesmen trying to meet 2009 quotas), spend January rigging the motorhome to fit my needs and move my stuff in to a storage unit, then February rent out the condo, and off to the west coast I go! I want to rent out my condo with a 6 to 12 month contract at first... just in case I find fulltiming isn't for me I can pretty easily go back to my old life.. so I find this all to be relatively low risk.
I would love to also do some workamping/volunteering as well.. ideally become a rafting river guide in Montana or something..
How soon is 32 for you? Some friends thought I was nuts at first.. but after they thought about it.. they came around on the idea.. I guess it's kind of shocking at first.. and some don't realize how civilized you can actually live from a motorhome.
I do have anxiety about pulling the trigger every once in a while.. but I think it will be the best decision of my life once I pull out of the driveway..
-- Edited by CarMichael on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 09:57:44 PM
Luvglass said
10:25 PM Nov 11, 2009
CarMichael,
What a plan! You are going to love it. Your right, there's no downside.
contra said
10:42 PM Nov 11, 2009
CarMichael ~
We do have some experience with a 24' Class C...we have one! And it's for sale!! :) We briefly considered starting our fulltiming adventure in this rig, but for 2 people, a large dog, and an extra-large cat, it was a little too small. Although we both said that if it was just the 2 of us, it would be worth reconsidering. Ours has a permanent corner bed, along with the cab-over bed. It also has good storage capacity, both internal and external, for a unit of this size. Those 2 factors are what initially sold us on this unit. It's very easy to drive; it doesn't feel much different than driving an SUV and parking is a snap.
We'd be glad to share more information or pictures. Feel free to send us a private message if you're interested
-Connie
yudith27 said
04:10 PM Nov 12, 2009
Hi everybody !!! We are really new to this me and husband this week star full timing too Im 27 and he is 30, many people think were nut too LOL. But we think its wonderfull to leave all ties behind and experience a whole new life. We start with a very small one 18ft and in the future move to a bigger one, right now we are remodeling, painting,decorating ... WE ARE SO EXITED thanks everybody
As for your choice of an RV, I would look into how much insulation is around that overhead bed area. If you are full-timing in it and in cold weather, it might be lacking in insulation, even though the warmth from whatever heat source you are using would be rising to that level. It might get just a bit cool on the bottom of the bed space.
As for the length of a 27 footer in parks, Jo and I have a 26 foot fifth wheel and where we have been it is easy to get both the trailer and the truck in the RV space. I really don't think 27 foot would be a problem at all.
But then, while we have done a lot of National Park campsite camping, most of it has been in just 3 or 4 different campgrounds in Colorado. From what I have read of other's experiences, most sites are large enough for at least 35 to 40 foot long units.
Good hunting in your vehicle search.
Terry
Well luckily I have a full-time job in the tech industry that allows me to work my own hours from anywhere I can access the internet. I been just working from coffee shops and my boring home office.. and I feel like I'm not taking advantage of my blessed situation .. and so it finally hit me.. why not work from the valley of Yosemite or in between kayak-runs down a whitewater river?!?
All my friends and family love the idea... except one friend who hates the sight of trees and dirt and is not really open to new things. He thinks I'll be sick of it in 4 months.. so I got a bet with him going.. and of course MY MOM hates the idea. She's all scared about my safety.. and she thinks this will keep me from getting married soon. I think the type of person I would want to marry are the adventurous types I might meet on the road.. and she has these crazy ideas about serial killers and such.. but oh well.. I can't change her mind.
But yeah the plan is.. purchasing the motorhome in late December (I figure good deals to be had near Christmas as salesmen trying to meet 2009 quotas), spend January rigging the motorhome to fit my needs and move my stuff in to a storage unit, then February rent out the condo, and off to the west coast I go! I want to rent out my condo with a 6 to 12 month contract at first... just in case I find fulltiming isn't for me I can pretty easily go back to my old life.. so I find this all to be relatively low risk.
I would love to also do some workamping/volunteering as well.. ideally become a rafting river guide in Montana or something..
How soon is 32 for you? Some friends thought I was nuts at first.. but after they thought about it.. they came around on the idea.. I guess it's kind of shocking at first.. and some don't realize how civilized you can actually live from a motorhome.
I do have anxiety about pulling the trigger every once in a while.. but I think it will be the best decision of my life once I pull out of the driveway..
-- Edited by CarMichael on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 09:57:44 PM
We do have some experience with a 24' Class C...we have one! And it's for sale!! :) We briefly considered starting our fulltiming adventure in this rig, but for 2 people, a large dog, and an extra-large cat, it was a little too small. Although we both said that if it was just the 2 of us, it would be worth reconsidering. Ours has a permanent corner bed, along with the cab-over bed. It also has good storage capacity, both internal and external, for a unit of this size. Those 2 factors are what initially sold us on this unit. It's very easy to drive; it doesn't feel much different than driving an SUV and parking is a snap.
We'd be glad to share more information or pictures. Feel free to send us a private message if you're interested
-Connie
p.d sorry for my grammar not the best