We have owned two pop-ups and one hard sided TT over our 26 year marriage, so are well versed in the vacationing aspects of RVing. Our sons are in or entering college out of state and we have no real ties to the area we live in since we were a military family. Why not put the few nice pieces of furniture and stuff in storage, sell the house so we have no debt and a nest egg for a future drown payment and hit the road? She said she would give it a try for a year or two as long as we have plans to settle back in brick and sticks in the future. So, I will be gathering data here (great site by the way!) for the next 18-24 months as we prepare to go full time in an RV. I have a 2010 F150 Super Crew with HD tow pkg (11,300lbs), so will focus on TT's in the 9,000 lbs loaded range. All input is welcome and we look forward to seeing you in camp one day.
FYI - GPN is pronounced "jeeping"
PIEERE said
08:09 PM Feb 15, 2013
David: welcome to the best RV forum on the internet!!! MHO!!!! If you are going to full-time with a travel Trailer; check out the Artic Fox website for their four seasons units. Spoke to several people who are pleased with theirs.
Lucky Mike said
09:56 PM Feb 15, 2013
Welcome to the forum Dave!!!!!!
Ckerr said
11:18 PM Feb 15, 2013
Welcome Dave! Let the adventure begin!
Dog Folks said
02:55 AM Feb 16, 2013
Sent you a PM. Check your in box.
Terry and Jo said
04:42 AM Feb 16, 2013
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, David.
In your research, keep yourselves open to other ideas. In fact, I'm fearful that after the two of you start seeing some of the larger and more equipped RV's your plans may change.
We have been owners of different travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers. While we are in a luxury model now, we used to have a Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite (by Forest River) that was pretty nice, except for the furniture. The reason I mention that one is because we were told that the ultra-lite could be towed by an F150. Fifth wheel trailers will definitely be easier to tow than a similar length in a travel trailer. There is very little "fishtailing" going on, if any.
When doing your research, find out what the Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW) of your truck is to be sure that the GVWR ratings (Gross Vehicular Weight Ratings) of both the truck and the trailer don't exceed the GCVW. Do NOT go by what the dealers say the "towing weight" is on the F150. I've seen trucks under on the towing weight but overweight on the GCVW. All of this is to insure that your truck is heavy enough to handle the trailer with regards to towing, handling windy conditions (natural and meeting semi-trucks), and in stopping the whole rig.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
RunsWithScissors said
02:56 PM Feb 16, 2013
When your partner shares your dream, or at least is flexible enough to share in it with you, life can be so grand, eh? Enjoy!
Gpndavid said
05:10 PM Feb 16, 2013
Thanks Terry. I really like my F150 and its capabilities, but not so much that I will sacrifice safety or skimp on the right size TT or 5'er. I am studying the math for towing on this and other forums. I was less informed (and the RV dealer is just as bad if not worse than the truck dealer) on my previous RV purchase and had my towing scare. Never again! The F150 is great for a 6000 lb trailer and made towing a non-event. I will want the same confidence in our full time rig. A MH towing a Jeep is also attractive to me, but may be beyond the budget.
Terry and Jo said
06:07 PM Feb 16, 2013
David,
I missed your signature before, so thanks for your service. As a vet myself, we (the wife and I) have a tendency to try to at least thank our veterans. When we can, we try to buy their meals when we see them in uniform at a restaurant. When we made a trip to Colorado Springs some years back, I told her she would have to "temper herself" in that regard because of all the bases in that area.
When researching the trucks, also keep in mind that the diesel ones will be more capable of pulling than the gasoline engines will.
Terry
Clay L said
07:51 PM Feb 16, 2013
In our eleven years of full timing we haven't seen too many full timers in TT. There isn't much storage in them compared to fifth wheels. When folks get out of the vacation/camping mode and enter the full time mode many things that weren't needed before become important. That said we do see some folks full timing in TT.
BruceandTrisha said
11:27 PM Feb 16, 2013
Beautiful! Love your story - love the "proposal" and am celebrating your new adventure! As long as you two are on the same page - it's gonna be a great one! Congratulations!
Loydstuts said
12:21 AM Feb 17, 2013
Gpndavid wrote:
Thanks Terry. I really like my F150 and its capabilities, but not so much that I will sacrifice safety or skimp on the right size TT or 5'er. I am studying the math for towing on this and other forums. I was less informed (and the RV dealer is just as bad if not worse than the truck dealer) on my previous RV purchase and had my towing scare. Never again! The F150 is great for a 6000 lb trailer and made towing a non-event. I will want the same confidence in our full time rig. A MH towing a Jeep is also attractive to me, but may be beyond the budget.
Not necessarily. There are great bargains on used coaches, if you do your research. I think you'd appreciate the added storage as a full timer. We sure did!
Gpndavid said
08:03 PM Feb 26, 2013
We spent the day Saturday at the RV show north of Baltimore, MD and quickly understand why so many full timers use 5th wheels and motor coaches. With only one TT we consider as a suitable floor plan, it looks like we will probably scrap the TT and my nice F150 option. A diesel pusher towing my Wrangler is our new favorite option. Based on our estimated budget once we liquidate stuff, there seems to be many 2005-2009 coaches with only 15-30k miles on them we could afford. They look good on the web site pictures, but still they are 5-8 years old. We have a couple years to search, so we will need to inspect candidates carefully and be ready to buy when we find the right one. Any advice on purchasing a coach that age is appreciated.
-- Edited by Gpndavid on Tuesday 26th of February 2013 08:05:43 PM
Gpndavid said
08:38 PM Apr 5, 2015
We are about to launch into the world of full-time RV living. We have a contract on our house in Maryland and will close on 12 June. It has been two years of research, planning, changes and dreaming. It is fun to look back at my introduction and see how far we have come. Thanks for the support.
TRAILERKING said
08:40 PM Apr 5, 2015
Great to hear...
rocknb said
09:20 PM Apr 5, 2015
Howdy Howdy GPNDavid,
Wow, when you decided on a coach, I can see you really did your homework. Tiffin is a great choice and the Q Bus is our desire also. We have a very nice 2006 Newmar Scottsdale 32', but oh how we yearn for Allegro 40' DP Q to fulltime in. So Enjoy the ride.
Barbaraok said
09:48 PM Apr 5, 2015
The next great adventure of your life is just starting - have fun!
Barb
BiggarView said
05:02 AM Apr 6, 2015
Thanks for the update. Let the good times roll!
marianne57 said
06:42 AM Apr 6, 2015
Wishin we were you GpnDavid! Have fun and good luck!!
Camper Chronicles said
07:22 PM Apr 7, 2015
Congratulations !!!
Sushidog said
06:49 AM Apr 8, 2015
Congrats here too David! I was just about to make a TT comment, but I see you don't waste time. I'm sure you both will have a grand adventure!
BTW, as an ex-Army guy myself, thank you for your service. I couldn't make 20 yrs (9 yrs and I was done) so I'm always in admiration and respect of those who can stick it out (not to mention survive) for so long. In a few more years, my DW and I are right behind you guys.
We have owned two pop-ups and one hard sided TT over our 26 year marriage, so are well versed in the vacationing aspects of RVing. Our sons are in or entering college out of state and we have no real ties to the area we live in since we were a military family. Why not put the few nice pieces of furniture and stuff in storage, sell the house so we have no debt and a nest egg for a future drown payment and hit the road? She said she would give it a try for a year or two as long as we have plans to settle back in brick and sticks in the future. So, I will be gathering data here (great site by the way!) for the next 18-24 months as we prepare to go full time in an RV. I have a 2010 F150 Super Crew with HD tow pkg (11,300lbs), so will focus on TT's in the 9,000 lbs loaded range. All input is welcome and we look forward to seeing you in camp one day.
FYI - GPN is pronounced "jeeping"
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, David.
In your research, keep yourselves open to other ideas. In fact, I'm fearful that after the two of you start seeing some of the larger and more equipped RV's your plans may change.
We have been owners of different travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers. While we are in a luxury model now, we used to have a Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite (by Forest River) that was pretty nice, except for the furniture. The reason I mention that one is because we were told that the ultra-lite could be towed by an F150. Fifth wheel trailers will definitely be easier to tow than a similar length in a travel trailer. There is very little "fishtailing" going on, if any.
When doing your research, find out what the Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW) of your truck is to be sure that the GVWR ratings (Gross Vehicular Weight Ratings) of both the truck and the trailer don't exceed the GCVW. Do NOT go by what the dealers say the "towing weight" is on the F150. I've seen trucks under on the towing weight but overweight on the GCVW. All of this is to insure that your truck is heavy enough to handle the trailer with regards to towing, handling windy conditions (natural and meeting semi-trucks), and in stopping the whole rig.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
Thanks Terry. I really like my F150 and its capabilities, but not so much that I will sacrifice safety or skimp on the right size TT or 5'er. I am studying the math for towing on this and other forums. I was less informed (and the RV dealer is just as bad if not worse than the truck dealer) on my previous RV purchase and had my towing scare. Never again! The F150 is great for a 6000 lb trailer and made towing a non-event. I will want the same confidence in our full time rig. A MH towing a Jeep is also attractive to me, but may be beyond the budget.
David,
I missed your signature before, so thanks for your service. As a vet myself, we (the wife and I) have a tendency to try to at least thank our veterans. When we can, we try to buy their meals when we see them in uniform at a restaurant. When we made a trip to Colorado Springs some years back, I told her she would have to "temper herself" in that regard because of all the bases in that area.
When researching the trucks, also keep in mind that the diesel ones will be more capable of pulling than the gasoline engines will.
Terry
When folks get out of the vacation/camping mode and enter the full time mode many things that weren't needed before become important.
That said we do see some folks full timing in TT.
Beautiful! Love your story - love the "proposal" and am celebrating your new adventure! As long as you two are on the same page - it's gonna be a great one! Congratulations!
Not necessarily. There are great bargains on used coaches, if you do your research. I think you'd appreciate the added storage as a full timer. We sure did!
We spent the day Saturday at the RV show north of Baltimore, MD and quickly understand why so many full timers use 5th wheels and motor coaches. With only one TT we consider as a suitable floor plan, it looks like we will probably scrap the TT and my nice F150 option. A diesel pusher towing my Wrangler is our new favorite option. Based on our estimated budget once we liquidate stuff, there seems to be many 2005-2009 coaches with only 15-30k miles on them we could afford. They look good on the web site pictures, but still they are 5-8 years old. We have a couple years to search, so we will need to inspect candidates carefully and be ready to buy when we find the right one. Any advice on purchasing a coach that age is appreciated.
-- Edited by Gpndavid on Tuesday 26th of February 2013 08:05:43 PM
Howdy Howdy GPNDavid,
Wow, when you decided on a coach, I can see you really did your homework. Tiffin is a great choice and the Q Bus is our desire also. We have a very nice 2006 Newmar Scottsdale 32', but oh how we yearn for Allegro 40' DP Q to fulltime in. So Enjoy the ride.
Barb
Thanks for the update. Let the good times roll!
BTW, as an ex-Army guy myself, thank you for your service. I couldn't make 20 yrs (9 yrs and I was done) so I'm always in admiration and respect of those who can stick it out (not to mention survive) for so long. In a few more years, my DW and I are right behind you guys.
Chip