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I have been looking for an appropriate RV that I can live in full time. Needless to say it’s a full time job just looking. Class A, Class C or something I can easily pull behind my pick-up truck (half-ton). There are a ton of pros and cons for everything but was hoping for some input by others and their experiences. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Jimbo, our ideal rig was a late model Thor Outlaw toy hauler. More space than you know what to do with. While we don’t use it full time, it is the most versatile motor home that we could find. I can’t stress enough how much space there is and with the loft bedroom, you don’t give up anything. The floor plan is very functional even with the slide in. If you start to look at the Outlaws, you should note, there was a big gross weight change in 2014 where they went from a 22,000 lb chassis to a 26,000 lb chassis. Any questions, feel free. Jeff
Thanks Jeff! That’s an awesome idea! I never even considered a “toy hauler’, mostly because I don’t have any toys to haul, but I can see how that useable space could be turned into anything. Great suggestion! My quest continues!
Thanks again Jeff!
JimHi Jim, since you already have a truck there are so many reasons to go with a trailer, particularly a fifth wheeler if your truck can pull one. With an RV, there’s a whole new set of engine maintenance and the wheels are bigger meaning they’re more expensive than on a trailer. Also depending on the state, it has to be driven to the local (local to your permanent address) DMV to get registered. If you’re out of state, or living in it and not driving as much, this can be a hassle.
One downside to trailers vs RVs is that when you’re travelling, passengers can not get up to get a drink or use the restroom while actually driving but have to wait to stop. If you’re not going to be travelling too often or don’t mind stopping, this isn’t a big deal obviously.
Also, I couldn’t stress it enough….go with slideouts no matter what!
Best of luck. Let us know what you end up with 😀
Pippi
Thanks Pippi! A friend told me about how expensive those big tires are, plus not every mechanic will or can work on Class A motor homes, but apparently the Class C’s are easier since they’re basically a van engine/van front end. I’m definitely leaning toward some type of trailer after all this good info. I really don’t plan on travelling too much with it, just set up in the mountains and do what I do best, absolutely nothing! Haha! I will be all by myself so the stopping/drinking/etc., won’t be a problem. I just want the solitude to drink my coffee, read some books and watch some tube (which is a whole separate topic). Right now I’m filling up my hard drive on my laptop in addition to a one terabyte external hard drive, with all kinds of movies and visual entertainment since I have unlimited internet now, but that will disappear as soon as I get out of Dodge. OK, I seem to be getting off base and writing an entire book here, so I shall say “Thanks Pippi and everyone else”.
Happy Trails to you,
Jim
P.S. Excellent idea with this whole blog site/forum!Apshoaf, I feel your pain! The options are endless. Then, just when I think I found something, it’s either sold, has some problem I don’t want to deal with like registering an out of state vehicle here in California where the emissions requirements are quite strict compared to other states, or the people just don’t return my call/email. On top of that, as I look at the endless supply of RV’s, I keep thinking to myself “if I only had a couple extra thousand dollars I could get that one”. Haha! I need Pippis’ bumper sticker tattooed on my forehead “Keep it simple”!
There is no wrong way. Spend some time sitting in different configurations (class A, C, trailer), see what feels like home. A half ton pickup really limits your ability to pull larger trailers but maybe you don’t need a larger trailer.
When we decided we wanted to full time, we were focused on a class a. In the end we bought a 40 foot fifth wheel. It felt more like home to us and we had the truck to pull it.
Every configuration is used for full time, from tiny little class B van conversions to the largest of the large class A. It all depends on what you want, what you need, and what fits your budget. Just have fun with it.
Whatever feels like home, I like that! I agree I’m limited by my half ton pick up, but since it’s just me luckily I don’t need much room, considering the entire world will be my front porch and back yard! Thanks Marks!
I lived in a 32 foot travel trailer when I was going to college and loved it. When my buddies were complaining about noise in the dorms I was laughing at them. They always came out to my place to get away from it all. this travel trailer did not have slide outs and it would get kinda small when you added a couple of people to it.
Later we bought another 32 foot but it had two slide outs one where the kitchen table was and the other one where the LR was. It made all of the difference in the world for space. We took the whole family to Disney for a week. We had three theat were 8-9 yrs old and 5 adults and we were comfortable in it. The couch made a bed the table then it had two bunks int he rear one double one single plus a queen bed in the front. We cooked large meals as we were tired of park type food.
I would definitely advise the slide outs. They are really worth it. If you are going to live in it full time with slide outs they do have protective awnings that go over them to protect the area.
I will be moving into a travel trailer again in the future and I like the idea of the toy hauler. Even if it were just me that area give you allot of room for storage.
My Uncle is a Big prepper and I was telling him how the toy hauler would give hi more room for the things he wanted to keep close to him.
We enjoy the golf cart in the parks so a Toy Hauler could be in th future.Thanks so much Pippi for making this forum! Great topic. I am thinking about making this move and always wondered about the differences between trailers and RV’s.
Hi Jim,
A couple of things in favour of a trailer.
First, there is no need for a towed vehicle. Toads add a second vehicle to maintain along with the main rig. Second, if something happens with the motor or drive train in a motorized RV, most times you’re going to be looking for a motel to stay in until it’s repaired. That can be anywhere from a day to a week or more.
As for trailers to fifth wheels, the main point is weight distribution. A fifth wheel has a higher pin weight centered over the rear axle. This can easily exceed a thousand pounds (half ton max). For you, this would mean a new (to you) vehicle. Trailer pin weights rarely exceed 400 pounds.
Just some things to think about.
Cheers
Thanks Frank, I did not know that about 5th wheelers, and I certainly don’t want to buy another truck! I am on a budget and the cash I have will only cover a decent RV, not some luxury rig by any means. I have looked at the 5th wheelers and thought “Darn, those things are nice and roomy”haha, little did I know there was a price to pay for that room! Since my failed spinal surgery I’m on SSDI, so the income is not great, but living in some type of inexpensive RV/trailer for a year or so would allow me to save a nice chunck of change for my Battleship Galactica RV, just have to stick it out for a while in a smaller trailer. It seems the closer you get to $20,000 the mansions on wheels start popping up on my screen! Wish me luck! P.S. I went yesterday and looked at a Class C, sounded and looked good in the ad, till I got there. They were using it as a doghouse for their Husky, the thing was a mess, carpet destroyed, holes chewed in the upholstery as well as filthy upholstery and it really stunk in there! I love dogs, but come on, a $5000 dog house with a 460 engine? I thanked the guy for his time and moved on. That’s my latest RV shopping experience. Merry Christmas to all of you, or Happy Holidays if you prefer. Either way, Peace!
I started with a Class C then went to a TT (travel trailer). I wanted something bigger and new (for warranty). I was able to get a 35′ TT for half the price of a new 5er. So, TT’s are much cheaper to buy.
Then there’s the tires (cheaper), no motor (lots and lots more cheaper) and lighter (for your TV – truck).
I would also suggest new if you get anything with a motor or get a used one where you can get a warranty.
Since you are only a “weekender” I would go with a TT. I’m looking to upgrade to a 5er as I can now afford a new one now but will wait a bit.
BTW, I’m a full-timer and wouldn’t trade the lifestyle for anything.
I am not sure what the tire issue is here. The trailer should still have a “E” (not “c”) tire which is essentially a truck tire. One should not skimp on tires. The very best tires are a must. The last thing you want is to have a blow out. The blow out will damage your wheel well at the least and at the worst, it may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. A tire cleaner that DOES NOT have petroleum distillates is a must. If you are parked for an extended time, then really good tire covers are necessary. I currently have a 5th wheel that is a dream to pull. I had a bumper pull that was easier to park. Both were great. I have had unlimited use of a 38’class A. It is really a nice home, but you are seriously limited as to where you can go with it. I boon dock most of the time, so this is an issue for me.
jimbo, be VERY careful re: the weight of any trailer you’ll consider. Salesman will lie about the capabilities of any tow vehicle if they think it will help them sell you their trailer. It’s easy to find yourself overweight in one or more parameters. This is an important aspect that gets very little attention until something goes wrong which, because of the way trailer weights have been increasing, is happening more often. There is something called a Towing Guide. It’s a manual of specifications that Federal law requires manufacturers to publish for vehicles typically used for towing. The trick is, that manufacturers are ONLY required to make said guide available during the model year AND only when a customer knows to ask for one. I understand that these guides are NOT made available after the statutory period so, finding the Towing Guide for an old vehicle is pretty much impossible. Minor changes in accessories can have big changes on a vehicle’s tow rating too so, you have to know EXACTLY how a vehicle is configured to be able to determine its’ TRUE RATED tow capacity. Since most full size pickup trucks will tow a trailer under ideal conditions, it’s easy to NOT see problems that can be very serious when conditions are less than ideal. There are Escapees RV Club forums that go into this topic in depth (complete with horror stories). As trailers become larger and heavier, HDTs (Heavy Duty Trucks) are becoming more popular. Bottom line; do your homework!
Thanks jkoenig24! My search has ended! I bought a 2005 Mallard by Fleetwood travel trailer, 23ft, tows great with my pickup, had the controller installed for the electric brakes, plenty of room for just little ‘ol 220 lb, 6’2″ me! Haha. It has a seperate bedroom with built in dresser, sofa that turns into a bed, dining table that turns into a bed, central heat and air conditioning, new awning, new battery, new brakes. It was a great deal, unfortunately the sellers son was diagnosed with leukemia so he needed some money fast, for those of you who are Christians you will understand that the Good Lord put us together and the sale benefited us both. I am very happy, everything works perfectly! Now all I have to do is continue weeding out all the crap I have accumulated over the years, donate or into the dumpster depending on what it is. I am one happy camper, haha, and now I can just un-hitch and fly around town getting whatever I need in my truck, not stuck with a class A needing a towable vehicle, and don’t have to pack up everything in a class C if I want to leave for the day, or two! Thank you all for your input on this subject, it really helped me and I’m sure it will help others. Oh, also bought a solar charger for the battery and going to add another battery, bought a 4000 peak, 3200 watt running generator to power my a/c, hooked it up and no problem. Got them both at Harbor Freight ’cause I had 2 coupons totalling $350 off. The generator ended up costing $299 and the solar charger was like $129, so it’s all coming together! Hope to see you all on the road soon! Losing my home unlimited internet is about the worst thing about this whole situation! Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
JimThanks Frank! Here’s some pics I
took and turned into my very
amateurish YouTube video, but
At least you can check it out
before I start filling it up
with all my stuff. http://youtu.be/CBv9LQOUJqMThat video is great. You’re on your way my friend. Keep in touch with the forum and let us know how you’re doing.
Wow, congratulations Jim!! How exciting. I watched your video. I’m vicariously excited for you. Your shower looks particularly tall, too!
Glad to hear a lot of the parts are coming together serendipitously and in such a great way.
Happy trails! 😀
Congratulations on your purchase. I saw your YouTube, and I think you will truly enjoy your travel trailer. It looks amazing.
I have a 24′ Sunset Trail travel trailer by Crossroads, and I love it. What I really like is once I an all set up at a campground, or wherever, my truck is free to take me sightseeing.
Again, congratulations….YAY….you did it. lol
–Jimmy Rants– (The new kid on the block)
Thanks Jimmy! BTW, my legal name is Jimmy also! Haha! Great minds think alike! I am so excited about this transition I can barely sleep! I’m like you, I already had the truck, just smog checked it last month so the trailer seemed to be the way to go, and like you, all I have to do is unhitch, and BAM, off to town or wherever for whatever! See you in the great outdoors! And thanks Pippi for this fantastic forum! We just need more Pippi vids, preferably longer than 2 minutes, you are a wealth of knowledge, speak well and look fantastic! I even watched your belly dancing vids! Add talented to the list. Peace!
JimAll Jimmy’s are awesome. HA.
I think the next time I buy another truck, I might step it up one notch like going from a F-150 to an F-250 in case I want to buy another travel trailer. I might get brave and get a F-350 since I enjoy paying for gasoline. (NOT!). lol. I’m really interested in getting something that is an Artic Package, or Extreme Weather rated to zero degrees. It does get cold here in Colorado, and staying warm is a good thing. lol
Yeah, I’m glad Pippi started this thing. I know I will enjoy it.
Well, enjoy your travel trailer, and who knows, one of these old days we might end up grilling some burgers or something in a campground somewhere.
Take care.
–Jim–
Thanks Jimmy Jimbo and super congrats Jimmy Rants. I’m glad to have you guys and your knowlede and questions here. 😀
Thanks fellow Jimmy, you are correct, all Jimmy’s are awesome! and thanks Pippi, all Pippi’s are awesome too, even though the only other Pippi I know of is Pippi Longstocking, but she was awesome as well! Now I can’t get the Pippi Longstocking song out of my head, haha! “I am Pippi Longstocking and I love my funny name”! That’s what happens when you raise a little girl who loved Pippi Longstocking way back in another lifetime, maybe the late 80’s? Anyway, I digress (and divulge my old age)…. Free burgers for Pippi when we do have the giant Pippenings get together! Now that sounds like a fun plan! Mucho love and peace to all you fellow RVers!
Hi Pippi and all my fellow Happy Wanderers! Look what I just recieved in the mail! I’m so happy! It will be the last item I add before heading out into the great outdoors! I’ll have to give this some thought as to the best place to put it. Oops, I can’t figure out how to add a picture to this post, so I’ll make a quick, make that very quick, youtube vid…
Jimbo,
As a photographer I get asked alot “Which is better, Canon or Nikon.” The short, yet long, answer is “it depends.” It depends on what your use for it is.
Full-timer? Boondocker and living off the grid or RV park camper tethered to utilites? On-the-go or parking for long periods in an RV park?? Married or single(us guys will usually tolerate a lot more minor inconveniences than a woman will), A jack-of-all-trades(this will tell if you want to buy new or used)?
You said you planned on living in it alone so that answers one question and a half ton truck is the tow vehicle. I have reservations about the truck.If you have a truck that can SAFELY pull a trailer then that is an option. Just because you have a hitch and can go 65 mph doesn’t mean you can SAFELY pull a trailer. The salesman will tell you “Oh sure, your rig will pull this little beauty” but don’t listen to him. He’s not interested in keeping you alive, he’s interested in selling a trailer. You need more than horsepower. You need a truck that is designed to handle that kind of load. Most of the truck manufacturers offer a “trailer special” truck that’s designed with a truck drivetrain and suspension for heavy loads. I’ve talked to more than one person that found out that their motor could pull the trailer but the transmission was never designed for that heavy of a load. Got a spare $3000 for a new tranny? Look into it. You want a truck, not a half-ton gentleman’s pick-up truck.
I personally own a 30′ Class A motorhome. I wanted something that I can pull a toad with(my car at the moment thats paid for). A trailer will actually give you more usable space than a motorhome because about the first 5 feet of that motorhome is not livable space. It’s dedicated to the motoring of the vehicle. My 30′ Moho actually has about 18% less living space(25′) than a 30′ travel trailer, so that’s something to consider. Don’t forget that you have to maneuver anything that you get. Don’t think you won’t take a wrong turn and have to make tight turns on streets that were never designed for anything other that a large pick-up truck.
Pippi mentioned to always get something with slide-outs and I don’t agree with that. Each slide-outs adds about 1500 lbs to the weight of the rig. More weight means less gas mileage, more money to purchase and maintain, and in the case of a trailer, a heavier tow vehicle to SAFELY pull it.
They require yet more maintenance( lubricating the slides, seals seem to be a problem that’s age related, alignement of the slide with the flooring, etc….) but are better for extended stays. If you’re always on the go, extending and retracting them alot then you will be quickly addressing issues on them as well as everything else.Since you’re situation is of limited income then you’ll be buying a used rig. That means you’ll also need to be handy with a multi-meter for testing electrical circuits, a comprehensive selection of wrenching tools, screwdrivers of all kinds, some woodworking stuff like a saw to replace water damaged framing and flooring, and the one tool that you will use extensively at first, a caulking gun. A lot of people let their RV sit for a long time unused then decide to sell it because they aren’t using it. During that time, things go to hell and it usually starts with seals on seams, around windows, and around things on the roof.
Here’s a link to a book that I bought before making my decision because I wanted to know what to look for in an RV,
http://www.amazon.com/How-Select-Inspect-Buy-RV/dp/1890049107.Given your physical condition at this time I would pay an RV Inspector to check out any rig you’re considering. You need to check for water damage(the BIGGEST issue) and that means getting up on that roof and crawling around in tight spaces looking for it.
I’ll stop for now and let you chew on all this.
Buzz
RBuzz, thanks for the input, much appreciated. I don’t know if you’ve read all my postings, but it’s a done deal, and the truck has the tow package, so all is good. One of these days I will upgrade, but for now this suits me fantastically well! Gotta start somewhere, right? All of the great info from all the RVers here will help me and others in the future.
JimNo problem RBuzz! Your information will help me in the future and I’m sure will help others that are currently in this situation. So actually it’s a good thing you missed a page! We all (especially us newbies) find this info invaluable. Thanks again and hopefully one day we can have a Pippi BBQ party! That came out strange, we’re not going to BBQ you Pippi! Hahaha! Sometimes I crack myself up!
Nothing but Peace and Love to you all!
JimA half ton truck cannot pull a 5th wheel…..in fact, they cannot pull much of anything unless a newer Hemi Dodge or Ford with the 6.2. Half tons strain pulling even a small trailer. I pulled my new Pacific Coachworks 25 foot tango trailer home with a half ton Ford with a 351. The Tango is labeled” Ultralight” at 4700 pounds but it was like towing the Queen Mary at low tide. A week later my 2500 Dodge Cummins diesel came in and towing is a breeze with the 5.9.
Another Outlaw advantage, Gas has dropped in price and the V-10 Ford is bullet proof. You can purchase a new crated engine for the cost of a diesel service and major tune up. The Outlaw has floor space that can hold chairs, tables, workshop,belly dance floor etc….. I have a friend with one and we sit 15 inside with lawn chairs with room to spare.
Hi Hollywoodjimbo,
Sounds like you found a nice trailer and heading off to a quiet area to read, drink coffee and relax sounds like a great plan… Safe travelsThank you my friend! I’m currently
at Tuttle creek in Ca. at the base of Mt. Whitney on one of four available BLM campsites. Life is great here, $300 for 8 months of camping! All the comforts of home without the mega rent! Thanks Fuzzy and thanks Pippi for all your hard work! Peace!Hi Pippi! I have a Verizon iPhone and am lucky if I can watch a YouTube video! I had a sprint unlimited internet plan that gets absolutely nothing anywhere around here. I will start asking around for anything that works except some kind of expensive satellite internet. When I find something that works I’ll let you know. There are 4 BLM campgrounds this pass is good for and I can move around so if I get some solid info on the best place for internet, that’s where I’m moving to. Peace!
Here’s my perspective having owned everything from a slide in to a Class A which I’m in now. Traveling in a vehicle pulling a trailer in my opinion and the opinion of most of those who’ve traveled with me, is not anywhere near the same experience of a motorhome. Pulling a trailer you are traveling in your truck or car. You have no access to the trailer unless you stop. In a motorhome you really are in a house on wheels. Everyone, other than the driver of course, inside can do virtually whatever they want while the motorhome is going down the road. Watch Tv, be on the computer, laying or sitting on the sofa, in bed sleeping or doing whatever makes you happy in a bed, cooking, etc. You have access to the bathroom and refrigerator. You have space. This is huge. Another thing that’s very important to consider and often overlooked is where the bed is. In a lot of class C’s the bed is over the cab. Bunkbeds are cool when you’re 12 but not cool the older and lazier you get. I do not enjoy climbing in and out of bed especially to go to the bathroom during the night. I also have this thing about being able to sit on my bed and do things like put on my socks. So trust me on that one at least. Make sure your bed is on ground level. Long wheelbase class C’s have the bedroom in the rear. Oh and the issue of having to tow a car? I can’t see my car when it’s behind me and I can’t feel my car behind me. Only time I notice it is when backing up. Having 2 drive trains to maintain is not an issue for me I do it myself and consider the benefits of a Class A to far outweigh that issue. At the end of thew day it’s a personal preference. I really like the whole experience of driving my house and with the huge front windshields feeling like I’m the captain on the bridge of a starhip. I do not like traveling in a car or truck.
I forgot to mention the tire cost issue. I’m on a low budget so I have ways around that. Used tires and retreads. First off let me say never, ever put them on the front. “The steer tires.” Those should always be purchased new and be of adequate quality. Your life depends on them. For the rears however you can get by with retreads or used. You have to learn how to read the info on tires such as size, load range, and last but by no means least the date code. Out of date tires even if they look brand new are extremely dangerous.
Sorry for the multiple posts but I forgot something about the bed issue. If you’re single this doesn’t matter but if you’re a couple it’s a big deal and often overlooked. A “walk around” bed! The only thing worse than having to climb over your partner to get in and out of bed is being your partner.
Hello Hollywoodjimbo (Jimmy). Can you please give me some numbers and explanations…like the price of the trailer you bought or the $300 for 8 months (is that only for a parking spot, or for some utilities?).
Thanks
Hi Vincenzo. I paid $5000 for the trailer and regarding the 8 months for $300, it is just a BLM property camp site. I have a generator and a good amount of solar for electricity plus the campground has it’s own well for delicious water. There is also a dump station, and it’s only minutes to the town of Lone Pine, CA. It’s a rather nice option if you’re looking to live on the cheap! and
it’s incredibly beautiful up there! I was going to add some pictures but I can’t seem to figure out how to do that….Hi Jim, to post pics they need an associated link. So if you put them on instargam or photobucket then use the link to them, they will show up.
I’d love to see pics! Sounds like you’ve got it made. I love the well water too!
Well, after raising two kids and lots of adventures with a Coleman Tent Trailer, I decided to take the plunge and purchase a 35-foot Class A diesel pusher. It’s an Angola Coach on a stainless steel and aluminum MCI chassis – definitely NOT a “Stick ‘n Staple” or “Fiberglass & Twigs” rig! All-electric, no propane or gasoline on board. 8kw genset for boondocking. Perfect interior: seats 6, feeds 4 and sleeps 2! LOL! I already had the perfect “toad” – a 2003 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen 5-spd – so it was just a matter of obtaining a tow bar and I’m good to go!
May I present to you “Aesop’s Tortoise!”
Hello All,
I think this is a great topic! I have some questions about sizes / age of an RV or 5th wheel.
Has anyone had issues with staying at parks due to size or age of the RV or 5th wheel?
Also wondering if one travels with more then one dog and is it an issue at the parks?
Another question…Anyone reading this, what would be the best advice for a newbie living on the road full time?Thanks for a great post & Thank you Pippi for all you Pippenings!
MelissaHi Melissa, I did a video that addresses a couple of these questions:
In summary, yes, there can be issues with both of these. You just have to call ahead to plan out where you will stay and run everything by the managers first. Also, don’t just stick to what the websites may say. Call and ask to be sure if you find one you really like.
Best of luck!
Pippi –
Sorry it took awhile, but here’s a link to my PhotoBucket pics of Tortoise:
http://s304.photobucket.com/user/stuffbyrj/slideshow/
Enjoy!
Not sure if you all catch new entries into an older thread like this one, but here goes…
My name’s Richard, currently in San Angelo TX.
It was good to read how Jimbo thought through the issues and came up with his solution, the TT. I’d be interested how he feels about it, now about a year later.
Rusty’s tortoise looks great! Nice pics.
There was talk in the early posts about Class A vs 5th Wheel and also of toy haulers. That’s the stage that I’m at now. Thinking about the future and getting into full-timing when I pull the plug and officially retire.
So far my thinking has gone along the following lines:
1) Originally, I was leaning towards a diesel pusher, probably about 15 or more years old, to keep the cost down to about $30K. Another $10K for a toad. Diesel because they tend to be pretty bullet proof long term relative to gas engines. I liked the idea of having the extra storage space, and the quick setup afforded by a motorhome.
2) Recently, I have thought about a 5th wheel toy hauler instead. Not so much for toys, but to have the garage/back deck for woodworking and carving. I’m figuring that the same $40K could split $20K for the used 5th wheel, and $20K for a used 1ton diesel truck. The 5th wheel takes a bit longer to set up and has a lot less storage space… but the hobby space would be a plus.
My main concern between these two options is which would be suitably reliable? The $30K used diesel pusher, or the $20K 1ton truck?
I’m in no hurry to decide as I don’t retire for 5 years. But I’m enjoying pre-planning my new life as a full-timer.
I would be eager to hear all your thoughts on these broad issues that I’m working through.
Richard
Hi Richard, thanks for your interest. My first question to you would be are you planning to drive around regularly or do you think you’ll stay put for a couple months at a time?
My next question is, have you RVed at all before? Sometimes folks may buy a nice RV and travel for a summer and realize it’s not for them, or they don’t like all the maintenance involved.
If you bought a 5th wheeler and traveled around with that, then your local mode of transportation would be a big truck. That’s something to consider if you’d mind the large vehicle and gas it requires for local errands and shopping.
A friend of mine has a 5th wheeler that’s a toy hauler and he has a big room in the back with a residential sized washer and dryer and a large trunk-type freezer and bunk beds. He says they all ride very easily though with all that extra weight it wouldn’t be ideal for on-going travel.
Are you leaning towards one or the other?
Hi Pippi, thanks for getting back.
I expect that I will be one of those “take 15 weeks to get anywhere” types. Drive for a few hours then settle in for the week, repeat, until you get to Oregon for summer, then Florida for winter, then Maine for summer… etc.
I enjoy poking around with maintenance, improvements, and the like. Your videos on roof insulation/your new floor/wall insulation, etc. and other peoples’ on solar are right up my alley in terms of interest. I’ve always enjoyed camping and with the larger RV’s matching/exceeding the size of my apartment, it looks like the ideal blend of living, traveling, tinkering and seeing the country from a “retirement pace”. Combined with my wood carving in a garage space & deck, it feels about right.
Regarding your friends Toy Hauler setup and not being ideal for travel… would it be ok if your traveling was say 150 miles followed by a week stay as you moseyed your way north or south for 3 months. Then a couple of months in that locale until it was time to follow the sun again? Or were you thinking more one place for a year at a time?
I could see the benefit of a motorhome for frequent setups and teardowns to travel. And I could always find a “Pippi” solution to having my wood carving table swing out from one of the basement bays for outside carving. I’m picturing one of those swing out and up things that some folks mount a mixer or such in a kitchen cabinet. It’s pretty heavy (150 lbs) but I’m sure there’s a creative solution to be found. They have swing out grills too (another of my passions).
Anyway, I’m enjoying thinking about it while I wait for my long anticipated retirement.
I think a toy hauler would absolutely serve you. Then you’d have your truck to get around locally til you move again. Best of luck, I love your wood carving table idea! 😀
After much debate with both my daughter and my son, I have finally made a decision to go FT into RV’ing. Now it’s the prep stage. I originally had thought I need a class A…but, after reading and researching I think a TT would be the best bet for me. MY problem now…..a vehicle to tow with!!! I have an 04 chevy Malibu that only has 64,000 miles on it and I HATE to give her up…I’ve been told she CAN’T tow anything…however there are PLENTY of youtube vids that say otherwise. I’m torn. I’m also starting to look for a toy hauler or one with a bunk room for the extra space. I have a home based business that is still in the infant stage, and once I get into the lifestyle I’d want to continue for the little bit of income it will provide. This PROBABLY won’t be happening for another year or two…So I have time to make upgrades to a vehicle if needed. Any thoughts, tips and advice would be appreciated. OH…and I’d be a snowbird…my daughter lives in MN and my son here in FL….best of both worlds!
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