Hi, We are seriously considering the fulltime rv lifestyle for our family. We have four children and two big dogs. We will need to live in our toy hauler for the next 2 1/2 years while my husband finishes college here in rural Montana. After that we have no idea where we will end up so we thought an rv would be great instead of losing thousands of dollars to rent. Because we don't like to stay in one place for too long, we think we will just keep on full-timing even after my husband gets a job in his field(forestry). We are looking at a Keystone Fusion. Do any of you have advice for us or have you heard of any reasons we should or should not buy this model? It is a 2013, and the rv place is asking $84,000. Does this sound reasonable? Thanks in advance for your help!

First off, 25-30% off sticker price for a new rig is what you should aim for. When you go to sell it you might only get half what you paid for it.But if it were me with four kids and two dogs for 2.5 years, I would forget the RV as it will be way to small for that crowd. Plus you must figure in the rent for a place to park it. I'd use the money, instead, to rent a house to give my family 3 to 4 times more room and comfort.

The problem with moving a lot is: "No matter where you go, there you are" Yogi Berra. You will loose with depreciation, so try to buy a house with owner financing, it's just like rent, and many will give you a deal if you rent a while fixing it up then buying. It's best the family sets down roots and becomes friends in one place. No RV will be big enough for your family.

Surviving Montana winters in a RV would be a big challenge.

The Fusion will be a good camper, but in Montana, full timing with any camper will be a challenge in the winter months. You'll constantly be struggling with water freeze-up. By the time you invest in the camper, invest in rent for your camping site, invest in the amount of propane it will take to heat the camper in the winter, (and you'll probably be going through 2 - 30 pound tanks a week in the camper, and if it get's colder it will demand even more.) That's approximately $22 - $30 for one tank, so, $44 (for 2 tanks) a week will add up to $176 a month. At $30 a tank, that's $240 a month for heat, and that's if the weather is "with you!" Then you'll have the constant challenge every time you move to underskirt the camper in cold weather, otherwise you'll REALLY experience heat expenses.Now the summer months will probably be nice, the kids can sleep in a tent giving them more room. Wet dogs in the camper ... (and dogs get wet)... is not pleasant either.How old are you're kids. If they are young, they'll be as flexible and adaptable as a string of spaghetti in boiling water. But if they are older (approaching teen years ... NO HOUSE is ever big enough!Here's something to consider.. a mobile home rather than a trailer. They are built to live in, better insulated, they are still mobile, you still have all the issues of preventing water freezing in the winter, but you'll have more room and the cost's will probably be less, because they're made for cold weather.Otherwise, you'd probably be better off living in a house. RV's are really not a cheep way to live, nor are they simple. They demand constant work and attention, can become very small very quick, and demand a very disciplined life style (everything has to be though out, planned, executed, and maintained. Otherwise you'll go crazy in a camper). It takes discipline, because unlike a house, they become junked up VERY fast if everything is not kept in it's place all the time!You're idea is noble, but you're setting yourself up for some real challenges. There again, nothing is impossible! People live in trees and eat bugs and live a happy life on the top of some mountain no one' ever heard of and make it too. But you also have to consider, it's not just you, it's your entire family involved.

Advice for first time rv buyers | Good Sam Community

dedmiston
Moderator
Feb 07, 2014
derwud wrote:
Indoor RV Park

No fire rings?

How does the cost compare to full-timing at one of these?
WhitehouseLV
Explorer III
Feb 08, 2014
I bet that was created for folks working in the Bakken. Living situations over there is crazy. I've heard of people renting out spaces under there mobile homes. Heck word was all the strippers were leaving Vegas for ND because trey could make more. Oops, sorry about that.. a little off topic :B
Supercharged
Explorer
Feb 08, 2014
Racerx11 wrote:
Rent an apartment...trust me.
You passed math with a A+ in school.
TheBeag5plus
Explorer
Feb 08, 2014
The room in a TH is definitely one of the best set ups, in my opinion for full timing. There are some good blogs out there on people full timing. We are not living in ours yet, still in the process of selling the house, but are heading that direction. We are not sure how long we will go full time, but I have searched out all information I can find on the subject and have learned a lot. There are some good tips for insulating for cold weather and such. We have friends who have a Fuzion and I believe they like it. I believe the garage has a heat vent, but I know they have a heater they use as well when they have people sleeping in the garage. Our garage does not have a heat vent, so we opted to install a catalytic heater to heat the garage when we dry camp. Haven't tested it out yet. Definitely would get a unit with the second bathroom! We have camped all our lives, with our parents and after we got married. We have 3 children, 5 grandchildren and have had them all stay with us in our TH. It was great! We had a blast every time. Best of luck to you!
Racerx11
Explorer
Feb 08, 2014
Supercharged wrote:
Racerx11 wrote:
Rent an apartment...trust me.
You passed math with a A+ in school.

Well it was an A but yeah, thanks !

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