Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
We have decided to go fulltime, hopefully in the next 6 months. We like the idea of having a second vehicle but trying to decide which one to keep, we have a 2006 Ford Explorer with about 65,000 miles on it which we could probably sell for around $12,000. The other vehicle is a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with 153,000 that we could probably sell for around $6,500. The Jeep is a blast to explore in but not a real good long distance vehicle, the Explorer is better long distance but not much to explore the trails. The other option is to sell both and purchase a newer Wrangler, decisions, decisions?
Lots of considerations to make.. that ultimately come down to your personal style and desires.
Which will bring you greater joy (sounds like you enjoy the trails - how often will be places to take advantage of this feature? Would renting a Jeep suffice when you do?)
Since it will be a chase car - how many miles do you plan to travel in your 5th wheel? Will the fuel economy of following along in this vehicle play a decision point?
Which will serve your needs best as a daily driver?
What about maintenance costs?
(all rhetorical questions for consideration .. no need to answer :) )
Tough one. We had to choose between a 2012 Jeep Rubicon,, a 2012 Prius and possibly a Lincoln MKX. We like off road stuff so we opted to bring the Jeep.
Which meant we gave up MPG and comfort. This year a lot of our travels have been in the eastern states plus traveling alone and we have not found or been able to do much trail riding so we say,,, should have brought the Lincoln. But next year we plan to tour the mid states like Colorado and I'm sure will be happy we have the jeep.
Which is more mechanical sound?
We like offroad also so we have a Z71 which can go limited off road and we load a Polaris RZR 50" wide UTV in the back. That little mountain goat can go anywhere.
The Z71 is very comfortable on the road with or without the RZR loaded. I've had it weighed and the truck weighs 5300# and with RZR loaded it is 6300#.
As Jeep guy, I can tell you the 2007 and newer Wranglers are much more comfortable than what you have. My 2010 Wrangler Rubicon automatic averages about 17 mpg and is very quiet on road. The 2012 and newer have a new motor with significantly more power and better mpg.
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USAF Retired 2010. Began full timing June 2015, ended Dec 2018. 2007 Allegro Bus 40QSP with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland TOAD. Our blog: keepingupwiththejonesrv.blogspot.com.
Something else to consider is that the second vehicle can be used to haul some extra items that one might not want in the bed of a truck or in the basement of the trailer.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
Sell them both and use the tow vehicle for your exploring. A significant part of the RV life style is the actual traveling and traveling together makes it even better. I've seen some spectacular scenery while driving and feel so much would have been lost without DW by my side to share. Some how calling her up on a CB to say "did you see that" just wouldn't have the same effect.
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Paul & Kathy
2014 Phaeton 42LH
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you will like what you see"