We are Mike & Nancy from Canada's Capital City of Ottawa.
We are well on our way to our retirement dream of being Full Time RVers or Full Time Snowbirds.
Our goal, see no more snow. I just began my retirement on Monday. Wifey within about 6 weeks.
We also just bought our tow vehicle. A beautiful 2012 Ford F150 Fx4 with Ecoboost. Next step to acquire a 5th wheel.
We already have a few fivers in mind but as I have a short box, I'm having Superglide hitch installed later in the week.
I just had the front two windows tinted, what a difference, no more burned left arm. I also just had the trailer brake controller added by Ford.
I felt the OEM brake controller was far more desirable as it talks to the truck computer and shows the statistics on screen.
As I'm the first one retired I get to do the packing and selling everything we don't need plus lots of give away too.
So as they say, let the fun begin, we are pretty anxious to head out on the road.
Trabuco said
09:28 PM Jun 20, 2015
Let the journey begin! Welcome to the forum.
Barbaraok said
09:43 PM Jun 20, 2015
Retirement and RVing - the most exhausting, fun time of your life. Welcome to the adventures.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but an F150 isn't really going to be able to pull, or more importantly, stop much in the way of a 5th wheel. Please pay careful attention to weights, etc. as you look.
There are many 1/2 ton towable units, just not large, well insulated ones. But as long as you want to avoid the cold and are happy with a smaller one, I don't see a problem.
Just verify your truck has the max specs for the 2012 Ecoboost of 11,300 lbs towing and 3,060lb payload and stay within about 80% of those figures (or whatever you do have) and you should be good to go. In fact the Ecoboost 150 has a higher payload rating than my F-250!
Chip
pkhalin said
07:26 PM Jun 21, 2015
Welcome, welcome.
Good luck and even better travels.
Camr said
07:33 PM Jun 24, 2015
Hi Mike and Nancy, when looking for a Canadian residence, consider The BC coast and Vancouver Island. We came from the prairies last fall intending to stay for a couple of months, then off to Snowbird country! We haven't left. Changed our province of residency and couldn't be happier. Congratulations on your retirement.
TRAILERKING said
07:56 PM Jun 24, 2015
Hey Camr.......Welcome aboard. Do you get lots of cloudiness and rain??
Camr said
08:18 PM Jun 26, 2015
Last winter was the winter that never came. We are camped at an RV park south of Victoria on the ocean, and we didn't have one day that it went below zero C. However, last winter was not a normal winter. All that is required is a heated water hose. December and January are traditionally the wettest months, but coming from the prairies I'm happy that the precipitation goes down the drain rather than having to shovel it. We have not had any appreciable amount of rain for two months. We still have our house back home on 14 acres that our son is living in. But I can honestly say that I am happier living in 500 sq. ft. by the ocean than I have ever been in my life. We have a 15 minute drive into a city that people travel the world to visit. And the wonderful thing about full timing is that if we ever become complacent about where we live, we just hook up and find a different front yard!
Life is good.
French Bikers said
06:26 PM Jun 28, 2015
Hello Mike & Nancy welcome to the forum. Me and my wife are from Rosemere in Quebec and will start FT as of oct 2016, hope to see you on the road one of these days.
Greetings:
We are Mike & Nancy from Canada's Capital City of Ottawa.
We are well on our way to our retirement dream of being Full Time RVers or Full Time Snowbirds.
Our goal, see no more snow. I just began my retirement on Monday. Wifey within about 6 weeks.
We also just bought our tow vehicle. A beautiful 2012 Ford F150 Fx4 with Ecoboost. Next step to acquire a 5th wheel.
We already have a few fivers in mind but as I have a short box, I'm having Superglide hitch installed later in the week.
I just had the front two windows tinted, what a difference, no more burned left arm. I also just had the trailer brake controller added by Ford.
I felt the OEM brake controller was far more desirable as it talks to the truck computer and shows the statistics on screen.
As I'm the first one retired I get to do the packing and selling everything we don't need plus lots of give away too.
So as they say, let the fun begin, we are pretty anxious to head out on the road.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but an F150 isn't really going to be able to pull, or more importantly, stop much in the way of a 5th wheel. Please pay careful attention to weights, etc. as you look.
Barb
Welcome aboard 'Birds.
www.viewrvs.com/5th-wheel/scamp/2011/2011-scamp-5th-a.php
Just kidding!
There are many 1/2 ton towable units, just not large, well insulated ones. But as long as you want to avoid the cold and are happy with a smaller one, I don't see a problem.
Just verify your truck has the max specs for the 2012 Ecoboost of 11,300 lbs towing and 3,060lb payload and stay within about 80% of those figures (or whatever you do have) and you should be good to go. In fact the Ecoboost 150 has a higher payload rating than my F-250!
Chip
Welcome, welcome.
Good luck and even better travels.
Hi Mike and Nancy, when looking for a Canadian residence, consider The BC coast and Vancouver Island. We came from the prairies last fall intending to stay for a couple of months, then off to Snowbird country! We haven't left. Changed our province of residency and couldn't be happier. Congratulations on your retirement.
Life is good.
Jean