Hi there - I just now joined.!! My dream is to purge all my belongings, and climb into an RV and go visit friends and relatives that I have neglected while taking care of my elders. I took care of my Uncle, then my Mom and now my Dad. He's 96, and when he goes "to meet my mother".........I plan to carry out this dream. I'd welcome advice on this endeavor. I'm 71 years old, and single. My thought is that an RV is best, in my situation, for times when I am uncomfortable with my surroundings, and could start-up and move without getting out of one vehicle into another. However, I am not mechanically inclined, so would need something in good mechanical shape. Anyway, there's my introduction. Any advice?
sologal said
12:06 AM Oct 5, 2013
Hi Ruby, I just joined as well. "71-female-single" and wanting to rv-GOOD ON YA!!! My one suggestion would be to have a very good travel plan like A.M.A here in Canada. Breakdowns can always happen so you must have a good company [nationwide] to help out. I would also advise you to stay in places where security is present [this can be joining others, rallies, occupied secure campgrounds etc.] The most important thing is to be where ever you feel the most relaxed and safe, if that is a campground with 1000 other campers that's great and you will meet many others who prefer the safety in numbers. Go with your gut and have a wonderful time with your life travels- you deserve a break to enjoy friends and family. Good luck to you....Deb
Ruby Lee said
01:16 AM Oct 5, 2013
Thank you, Deb, for your words of encouragement. I meant to do this sooner in life. It was my plan when I bought my home 10 years ago! Of course the bottom fell out of the market, so I won't be able to purchase the R.V. of my dreams............I'll just keep looking. I really don't plan on camping, actually. It will be a life of staying at one daughter's, then another, then another, then head off to see friends. I'd just like to carry my little apartment with me, so I won't be "invading" their space.
Again, thanks for your encouragement...........Sincerely, Ruby
Terry and Jo said
04:16 AM Oct 6, 2013
Ruby,
I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, but I'm on vacation in Colorado and running around with family and everything else we are doing, I'm having a time finding time to do it all. Welcome to the RV Dreams forum family. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and downright encouraging for others. Feel free to ask questions as we always welcome those as well.
Your situation bring to mind my grandmother on my dad's side of the family. Back when I was between 14 and 16, she turned 80 years old. When I woke up the day of her birthday, my mother said that Grandma had called and wanted me to give her a ride on my motor scooter. So, I drove up to see her and we drove around until she said she was ready to go back home. The next year, at age 81, she wanted to ride a mule, so we found someone that had one that was pretty gentle and took her for that as well. The whole point is to not get the idea that "something can't be done."
Good luck.
Terry
Ruby Lee said
05:32 AM Oct 6, 2013
Dear Terry and Jo
Gosh it's fun to see people responding to my dream.!!! Your Grandma was something else.!!! Maybe my kids and grandkids will say that about me someday... Although it's not why I want to do it.
I've been looking on ebay to get ideas, and think I like the Toyota campers. They seem to get better gas mileage. There are a few that have low miles and look pretty clean. Do you think they are too old? Some of the people I've listened to, have said that it doesn't matter about mpg. If you don't have enough to go, you wait until you do. Of course, my favorites are the diesel vans, which get good mileage.............and there's only me.............but they are expensive. Lots to think about. The smaller the better for me. I have a hobby that I make a little money at - I would like to adapt part of the interior for a little workshop. I make purses out of recycled leather. Anyway, I could
Ruby Lee said
05:35 AM Oct 6, 2013
(continued) ....go on and on. (my computer has a habit of "sending", before I'm finished.
Thanks for your input...........Sincerely, Ruby
WestWardHo said
06:34 AM Oct 6, 2013
Ruby, welcome!
Suggest you go to Howard's journal (link on on the main page of this site). There is a great group of female solo-ers that go from RV-Dreams Rally to the next one. They run the Solo Cafe which keeps Howard happy with his breakfasts! 😄 There are Solo guys on here too. Everyone helpful, even us married types! I wouldn't worry too much about safety just follow you intuition and your heart.
Sherry
Terry and Jo said
02:18 PM Oct 6, 2013
Ruby,
My last experience with a Toyota RV was one called a Chinook, but that was way back in the '80's. As campers go, it was OK, but for an RV in which one will stay long term, it would never have done. The one we experienced was Jo's parent's RV, and Jo was driving it one day toward her parent's house. A near collision at an intersection caused Jo to swerve and when she did, the RV rolled over. Our thought was, and still is, that theirs was too top heavy for such a small truck frame. In fairness, that RV was built on the frame of the small Toyotas, not the larger trucks like Toyota builds today.
However, it wouldn't hurt to keep in mind that factor of one being top heavy. Like I said, I've not looked at the newer Toyota RV's so I can't say if they are good or not in that respect. If you are looking at the Class C's, I can't help a lot, but I do know that I see several called a View or what is called the Minnie Winnie. (Who knows, those may be one and the same thing. That's how little I know. OK. Never mind....I just looked and the View is made by Winnebago. However, here is a link to a young lady who purchased one of those some time back and is RV'ing in hers. If you read through her blog from earlier, you can get a good sense of her comfort and pleasure with the View. I've personally been too busy with other things to have time to keep up with blogs like I used to do.
If you do take an interest in the View, you could contact Lynne on her blog and I'm sure she would be more than willing to answer questions and give advice. Oh, and her photography is darn good too.
Oh, and Pieere here on RV Dreams also has a Class C. His is an '88 model and looks sharp. He could probably be of help as well. I'm sure that there are several others with knowledge of the C's, so I apologize for not mentioning them here as well. But, they can chime in for themselves and offer welcome and advice.
Terry
betty890 said
05:37 PM Oct 6, 2013
What a great post! I have been retired for 7 years. I want to travel and being a fulltime RVr seems to be a great way to travel!
I have never traveled in an RV! So, while I continue to manage my finances, what would be a good way to find out if this really is a
good idea? Renting an RV is about $200 a night. Yet, I need to pair up with someone to show me RV living.
I appreciate any comments!
Betty
St. Louis, MO
SnowGypsy said
07:27 PM Oct 6, 2013
Well, I was working at a company that sold factory direct and a gentleman in his mid-80s called to order. Well, he knew what he wanted and why, he planned to work in a volunteer program where he would travel and use his carpentry skills on churches in need of those services. Now, his children called, more than once, telling the owner not to sell him a trailer but that really isn't how things work and I am sure he would have found someone else to sell him one. He picked up his trailer and traveled for sometime. Only issue he had was one day he called as he had stuck his slide into an embankment and they talked him through it.
We had one of the micro-minis in the mid-90s and my husband did not like how it handled and although I can't remember some of the issues with the micro-minis, that could probably be researched, there were more than a couple. I couldn't find it but I saw a youtube of an lady, retired, and she had one of the van campers and had installed cameras in probably 3 or 4 places, it was set up really great and I don't think she had a single blind spot. I do see blogs with singles and couples living full-time in a van. Class Bs are nice but pricey because of their popularity. You might look at the Coachmen Starflight which I think is cute and functional or maybe one of the sport Class Cs which are around 21 to 23'. There are always good deals out there but you have to be ready to go when they come to the surface.
Ruby Lee said
02:55 PM Oct 7, 2013
Hi Betty - I just wrote a nice long reply to you....my computer is jumping all over the place, so I don't know if it sent, or got "lost in space"............anyway, thanks for writing and I hope I can get this computer fixed, so I can write a complete sentence without having to "rewrite"..........Hope to talk later, Ruby
Ruby Lee said
03:12 PM Oct 7, 2013
Hi Terry and Jo - I've been thinking about the "top heavy" aspect of the Toyotas, and have seen one that looks like it would never tip over - a Dodge Transvan. Of course I would have to look for one to "come out of the woodwork". But, I have time.
Thanks for your input.........I have financial things to straighten out, so will keep looking and studying as things come together.
Thanks, again, Ruby
betty890 said
11:55 PM Oct 10, 2013
Thank you Ruby Lee!
Yahoo has changed their e-mail format. Not sure if I received your reply. Could you resend? betty890@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Ruby Lee said
12:47 AM Oct 11, 2013
Betty, Well, I don't know what's wrong with my computer.!! The cursor jumps all over, and I have to keep going back to fix my words......sometimes - like now - I've started over three times.!!
Anyway, what I've been trying to say is: St. Louis area is one place I'll be going when the time is right.....I have friends in Washington, MO - and they travel a lot. I'm just finding out all I can about RV'ing. In fact I just ordered two books from Amazon. One is about choosing the right RV, and one is about the lifestyle. Can't wait to get them. I think I'll need to pair up to start with. I understand there are a lot of solo Grandmas out there, who may be able to "show me the ropes".
Thanks for writing, and good luck on your new adventure.....Sincerely, Ruby
betty890 said
11:22 PM Oct 21, 2013
Thank you Ruby Lee!
There is never too much information! Books, internet, friends, etc!
Hi there - I just now joined.!! My dream is to purge all my belongings, and climb into an RV and go visit friends and relatives that I have neglected while taking care of my elders. I took care of my Uncle, then my Mom and now my Dad. He's 96, and when he goes "to meet my mother".........I plan to carry out this dream. I'd welcome advice on this endeavor. I'm 71 years old, and single. My thought is that an RV is best, in my situation, for times when I am uncomfortable with my surroundings, and could start-up and move without getting out of one vehicle into another. However, I am not mechanically inclined, so would need something in good mechanical shape. Anyway, there's my introduction. Any advice?
Again, thanks for your encouragement...........Sincerely, Ruby
Ruby,
I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, but I'm on vacation in Colorado and running around with family and everything else we are doing, I'm having a time finding time to do it all. Welcome to the RV Dreams forum family. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and downright encouraging for others. Feel free to ask questions as we always welcome those as well.
Your situation bring to mind my grandmother on my dad's side of the family. Back when I was between 14 and 16, she turned 80 years old. When I woke up the day of her birthday, my mother said that Grandma had called and wanted me to give her a ride on my motor scooter. So, I drove up to see her and we drove around until she said she was ready to go back home. The next year, at age 81, she wanted to ride a mule, so we found someone that had one that was pretty gentle and took her for that as well. The whole point is to not get the idea that "something can't be done."
Good luck.
Terry
Gosh it's fun to see people responding to my dream.!!! Your Grandma was something else.!!! Maybe my kids and grandkids will say that about me someday...
I've been looking on ebay to get ideas, and think I like the Toyota campers. They seem to get better gas mileage. There are a few that have low miles and look pretty clean. Do you think they are too old? Some of the people I've listened to, have said that it doesn't matter about mpg. If you don't have enough to go, you wait until you do. Of course, my favorites are the diesel vans, which get good mileage.............and there's only me.............but they are expensive. Lots to think about. The smaller the better for me. I have a hobby that I make a little money at - I would like to adapt part of the interior for a little workshop. I make purses out of recycled leather. Anyway, I could
Thanks for your input...........Sincerely, Ruby
Suggest you go to Howard's journal (link on on the main page of this site). There is a great group of female solo-ers that go from RV-Dreams Rally to the next one. They run the Solo Cafe which keeps Howard happy with his breakfasts! 😄 There are Solo guys on here too. Everyone helpful, even us married types! I wouldn't worry too much about safety just follow you intuition and your heart.
Sherry
Ruby,
My last experience with a Toyota RV was one called a Chinook, but that was way back in the '80's. As campers go, it was OK, but for an RV in which one will stay long term, it would never have done. The one we experienced was Jo's parent's RV, and Jo was driving it one day toward her parent's house. A near collision at an intersection caused Jo to swerve and when she did, the RV rolled over. Our thought was, and still is, that theirs was too top heavy for such a small truck frame. In fairness, that RV was built on the frame of the small Toyotas, not the larger trucks like Toyota builds today.
However, it wouldn't hurt to keep in mind that factor of one being top heavy. Like I said, I've not looked at the newer Toyota RV's so I can't say if they are good or not in that respect. If you are looking at the Class C's, I can't help a lot, but I do know that I see several called a View or what is called the Minnie Winnie. (Who knows, those may be one and the same thing. That's how little I know. OK. Never mind....I just looked and the View is made by Winnebago. However, here is a link to a young lady who purchased one of those some time back and is RV'ing in hers. If you read through her blog from earlier, you can get a good sense of her comfort and pleasure with the View. I've personally been too busy with other things to have time to keep up with blogs like I used to do.
Lynne and Millie's Winnie Views
If you do take an interest in the View, you could contact Lynne on her blog and I'm sure she would be more than willing to answer questions and give advice. Oh, and her photography is darn good too.
Oh, and Pieere here on RV Dreams also has a Class C. His is an '88 model and looks sharp. He could probably be of help as well. I'm sure that there are several others with knowledge of the C's, so I apologize for not mentioning them here as well. But, they can chime in for themselves and offer welcome and advice.
Terry
What a great post! I have been retired for 7 years. I want to travel and being a fulltime RVr seems to be a great way to travel!
I have never traveled in an RV! So, while I continue to manage my finances, what would be a good way to find out if this really is a
good idea? Renting an RV is about $200 a night. Yet, I need to pair up with someone to show me RV living.
I appreciate any comments!
Betty
St. Louis, MO
We had one of the micro-minis in the mid-90s and my husband did not like how it handled and although I can't remember some of the issues with the micro-minis, that could probably be researched, there were more than a couple. I couldn't find it but I saw a youtube of an lady, retired, and she had one of the van campers and had installed cameras in probably 3 or 4 places, it was set up really great and I don't think she had a single blind spot. I do see blogs with singles and couples living full-time in a van. Class Bs are nice but pricey because of their popularity. You might look at the Coachmen Starflight which I think is cute and functional or maybe one of the sport Class Cs which are around 21 to 23'. There are always good deals out there but you have to be ready to go when they come to the surface.
Hi Betty - I just wrote a nice long reply to you....my computer is jumping all over the place, so I don't know if it sent, or got "lost in space"............anyway, thanks for writing and I hope I can get this computer fixed, so I can write a complete sentence without having to "rewrite"..........Hope to talk later, Ruby
Hi Terry and Jo - I've been thinking about the "top heavy" aspect of the Toyotas, and have seen one that looks like it would never tip over - a Dodge Transvan. Of course I would have to look for one to "come out of the woodwork". But, I have time.
Thanks for your input.........I have financial things to straighten out, so will keep looking and studying as things come together.
Thanks, again, Ruby
Thank you Ruby Lee!
Yahoo has changed their e-mail format. Not sure if I received your reply. Could you resend? betty890@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Anyway, what I've been trying to say is: St. Louis area is one place I'll be going when the time is right.....I have friends in Washington, MO - and they travel a lot. I'm just finding out all I can about RV'ing. In fact I just ordered two books from Amazon. One is about choosing the right RV, and one is about the lifestyle. Can't wait to get them. I think I'll need to pair up to start with. I understand there are a lot of solo Grandmas out there, who may be able to "show me the ropes".
Thanks for writing, and good luck on your new adventure.....Sincerely, Ruby
Thank you Ruby Lee!
There is never too much information! Books, internet, friends, etc!