Howdy Pard'ner from Wyoming! Thanks to the open welcome from "the friendliest group of RVing enthusiasts on the web"
I seem to be falling unexpectedly into the Fulltiming Lifestyle. Maybe in a month I'll make the big step, maybe longer. I tend to be too hesitant. I have actually made most of the needed changes already by accident.
About 2 years ago I became an 'empty-nester' when the youngest of my 6 children moved out. I had some sudden transitions to deal with and decided to give up my small farm. No more farm chores, no more loan.
A friend encouraged me at the time to get rid of most of my 'stuff' and just travel. I did get rid of a whole lot, and it was great not having to keep it all straight and organized. When reading the forums, I am so glad that I did. It looks like a huge chore to purge on purpose.
Soon afterwards I was able to arrange my investments so they brought me a regular, modest income.
Next, attending a Dave Ramsey class moved me much closer to no debt.
I have tried settling near various relatives and then going to visit others and trying their area on for size. But, I just don't want the effort and expense of a home for one person.
Two of my sons have encouraged me to get an RV and travel. I finally realized they were serious and started looking into it.
I have learned much more since finding Technomadia and hence the RV-Dreams community. And my parents just took me on an inter-state trip in their Class C motorhome to teach me the ropes.
I grew up camping, canoeing and going to my grandparent's rustic hunting cabin. I also went off across America camping in a van in the '70s. For awhile I lived in old log cabins in the Rockies in Colorado. In other words, 'roughing it' and living on a tight budget are second nature to me.
Be looking for me around the site, as I have much to learn and many questions. I can't quite figure out whether I should get a Toyota Motorhome (can park more places and less gas as I want to hit both Wyoming and Florida every year) or a 34' Motorhome (which would be much more comfortable for me). I also need to understand the realities of cheap/free camping sites and boondocking equipment.
Thanks so much for being such a supportive community and I am looking forward to getting to know many of you better.
cherylbrv said
05:39 PM May 18, 2014
Welcome aboard!
Lucky Mike said
05:47 PM May 18, 2014
You will do well Grasshopper!!!!.................I started out the same way and am still out here!!!......Welcome!!
MarkS said
06:33 PM May 18, 2014
You will do well wether you're boring Alice or not. Wyoming is a great place to be From.
Jo and Ben said
06:06 AM May 19, 2014
Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn lots and make friends :) Hope to see you on the road sometime.
el Rojo and Pam said
06:47 AM May 19, 2014
Welcome to the family Dawn! Glad to have you here.
Red
BiggarView said
07:08 AM May 19, 2014
Wecome aboard, lots of friendly people 'round these parts.
DebbieM said
06:46 PM May 19, 2014
Welcome! There is a lot of great info and people here!
TRAILERKING said
09:34 PM May 19, 2014
WELCOME!
Aurora Borealis said
12:13 AM May 20, 2014
Thank you for the warm welcome. It has been difficult to think through exactly what it will be like. It is a great benefit to learn from all
Y'all's experiences.
WestWardHo said
06:26 AM May 20, 2014
Welcome Aurora Boreallis,
If I can just add, no matter how much thinking you do what it will be like, it most likely will be different and I'm guessing you'll like it even more. You'll find lots of friendly Dreamers out here and we look out for each other.
Let us know what rig type you decide works best for you.
Sherry
Aurora Borealis said
10:07 AM May 22, 2014
WestWardHo wrote:
Welcome Aurora Boreallis,
If I can just add, no matter how much thinking you do what it will be like, it most likely will be different and I'm guessing you'll like it even more. You'll find lots of friendly Dreamers out here and we look out for each other.
Let us know what rig type you decide works best for you.
Sherry
I was able to get to the city yesterday and go to a large RV lot. How exciting!
I am moving back to planning and saving mode as I have offered to watch my grandson while my 20 yr old daughter gets her RN. Will have to see how those plans work out.
Meanwhile, I saw that 5th wheels are just like a house! I'm thinking that if I got a truck with a comfortable seat, on the rare occasion I got to a destination in the dark and did not feel safe, I could just sleep in the truck. The main reason for a motorhome was because of being single. But, if I'm only going to move once a month, that is not so much of an issue.
I'm thinking if I work on getting an appropriate truck soon, I could always put a truck camper on it a few years during my planning stage. That is more appropriate for occasional visiting and practice camping. If I change plans, it always easier to sell a truck than a Toyota motorhome.
Terry and Jo said
07:12 PM May 22, 2014
Dawn,
If you purchase a truck with the intentions of getting a fifth wheel later, be sure your truck is big enough to handle the bigger RV. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to trade trucks as well as RV's. Or at least, trying to sell both the truck and the slide-in camper separately.
Terry
Aurora Borealis said
10:02 PM May 22, 2014
Thanks, Terry.
I just got home and my 2nd son was saying something similar.
The older class C and A's seem to be such a good deal on what you get, he suggested I get a smaller SUV/crossover type car with 4wdr for now. Then plan on using it as a toad later.
I suppose the main thing is to just look and learn. Between my 4 sons & husband I did not do anything at all concerning vehicles for over 30 years. I understand vehicles and RVs a lot more from going to the various dealers today.
Terry and Jo said
07:39 PM May 23, 2014
When looking at your vehicle that could be a toad, be sure and check to see how they can be towed. Some vehicles have to be towed on a tow dolly with two wheels up on the dolly and others can be towed "four-down," meaning they are simply towed in neutral. But, not all vehicles can be towed four-down.
Terry
Aurora Borealis said
05:33 PM Sep 3, 2014
Hi all!
After thinking and looking and coming up with ideas:
I have a 2002 Tiffen 26 on hold out of state. I will try going toad-less at least for awhile until I am used to driving it.
it is in the South and it would be too far to go up there, so I will look forward to meeting y'all another time.
I seem to be falling unexpectedly into the Fulltiming Lifestyle. Maybe in a month I'll make the big step, maybe longer. I tend to be too hesitant. I have actually made most of the needed changes already by accident.
About 2 years ago I became an 'empty-nester' when the youngest of my 6 children moved out. I had some sudden transitions to deal with and decided to give up my small farm. No more farm chores, no more loan.
A friend encouraged me at the time to get rid of most of my 'stuff' and just travel. I did get rid of a whole lot, and it was great not having to keep it all straight and organized. When reading the forums, I am so glad that I did. It looks like a huge chore to purge on purpose.
Soon afterwards I was able to arrange my investments so they brought me a regular, modest income.
Next, attending a Dave Ramsey class moved me much closer to no debt.
I have tried settling near various relatives and then going to visit others and trying their area on for size. But, I just don't want the effort and expense of a home for one person.
Two of my sons have encouraged me to get an RV and travel. I finally realized they were serious and started looking into it.
I have learned much more since finding Technomadia and hence the RV-Dreams community. And my parents just took me on an inter-state trip in their Class C motorhome to teach me the ropes.
I grew up camping, canoeing and going to my grandparent's rustic hunting cabin. I also went off across America camping in a van in the '70s. For awhile I lived in old log cabins in the Rockies in Colorado. In other words, 'roughing it' and living on a tight budget are second nature to me.
Be looking for me around the site, as I have much to learn and many questions. I can't quite figure out whether I should get a Toyota Motorhome (can park more places and less gas as I want to hit both Wyoming and Florida every year) or a 34' Motorhome (which would be much more comfortable for me). I also need to understand the realities of cheap/free camping sites and boondocking equipment.
Thanks so much for being such a supportive community and I am looking forward to getting to know many of you better.
Red
Wecome aboard, lots of friendly people 'round these parts.
Welcome! There is a lot of great info and people here!
If I can just add, no matter how much thinking you do what it will be like, it most likely will be different and I'm guessing you'll like it even more. You'll find lots of friendly Dreamers out here and we look out for each other.
Let us know what rig type you decide works best for you.
Sherry
I was able to get to the city yesterday and go to a large RV lot. How exciting!
I am moving back to planning and saving mode as I have offered to watch my grandson while my 20 yr old daughter gets her RN. Will have to see how those plans work out.
Meanwhile, I saw that 5th wheels are just like a house! I'm thinking that if I got a truck with a comfortable seat, on the rare occasion I got to a destination in the dark and did not feel safe, I could just sleep in the truck. The main reason for a motorhome was because of being single. But, if I'm only going to move once a month, that is not so much of an issue.
I'm thinking if I work on getting an appropriate truck soon, I could always put a truck camper on it a few years during my planning stage. That is more appropriate for occasional visiting and practice camping. If I change plans, it always easier to sell a truck than a Toyota motorhome.
Dawn,
If you purchase a truck with the intentions of getting a fifth wheel later, be sure your truck is big enough to handle the bigger RV. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to trade trucks as well as RV's. Or at least, trying to sell both the truck and the slide-in camper separately.
Terry
Thanks, Terry.
I just got home and my 2nd son was saying something similar.
The older class C and A's seem to be such a good deal on what you get, he suggested I get a smaller SUV/crossover type car with 4wdr for now. Then plan on using it as a toad later.
I suppose the main thing is to just look and learn. Between my 4 sons & husband I did not do anything at all concerning vehicles for over 30 years. I understand vehicles and RVs a lot more from going to the various dealers today.
When looking at your vehicle that could be a toad, be sure and check to see how they can be towed. Some vehicles have to be towed on a tow dolly with two wheels up on the dolly and others can be towed "four-down," meaning they are simply towed in neutral. But, not all vehicles can be towed four-down.
Terry
Hi all!
After thinking and looking and coming up with ideas:
I have a 2002 Tiffen 26 on hold out of state. I will try going toad-less at least for awhile until I am used to driving it.
it is in the South and it would be too far to go up there, so I will look forward to meeting y'all another time.