Full timing... with kids... Do I dare?

I have never wrote a blog, forum or posted something online before. So please bare with me. I'll try not to make this a "life story" here we go...

I am a 31 year old disabled veteran, with out going into a personal info my wife and I are on a fixed income. We bought a house 4 years ago and came into our mortgage with equity. Through the years we try to be as normal as we can with our situation and we have been blessed with 2 wonderful boys (3 years old and 2 months old) We enjoy camping in our current trailer (32 foot travel trailer bunk house). But recently with local changes we decided to sell our house and buy a new house else where. BUT THEN we got hooked on a cable TV show about people buying an RV and some episodes the couple have kids and decided to sell everything and raise their kids on the road... Sounds like a blast. Being in my position I would love to travel the US and provide the best life possible for my kids. So my wife (shes not all in on the idea but a part of her really wants to do it) loves the idea of home schooling the kids and being able to travel to different historic areas to teach kids the great history this country has...

So to recap, I have a house if I sell I will have equity (to buy a decent Class A Diesel Pusher, attach our family vehicle and just LEAVE start another adventure with my own little family. We have a fixed income so we are able to budget and plan accordingly.

We are already selling all our furniture and almost a majority of the hand me down belongings because the original plan was to buy another house and use the equity money to buy new furniture (except the kids beds and our bed) We currently have a 2015 Augusta Flex 32BHK that has an awesome bunk room for the 3 year old. I know with the motorhome I may not have that same luxury for him (at least I haven't seen one in my researching so far)

So I guess this is where I am, I have options... I would love to pack the family and hit the road and begin an awesome adventure. But this is where you guys come in. WHAT ARE YOUR ADVICES? Is someone out there reading this that did the same thing I am dreaming? do you have advice? Do you know a good place to buy a motorhome? Is this a bad idea I will regret a month into? Any advice will be great!

Thank you!
Mike

Merrykalia
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
We part-time, fulltime in our 36' bunkhouse fifth wheel. We have two daughters, aged 11 and 8 and they love it. We camp-host at state parks, which is free, but requires us to volunteer, but the work is not hard. The hours vary, but at a MD state park, it is 25 hrs per week per camping unit. This allows us to see the area, eat like we were home but still have no costs associated with camping.

We are in our RV from May 1 until Sept 1, but then we do go back to our home. We are considering heading west next year, but that is just wishful thinking right now.

If you are set to sell your house, stick with the RV you currently have and try it for a few months, just to see how it would be. Don't go blowing the equity you have in your house just yet.

Look around the country for someplace that you might like to live, try to find a state park or national park to camphost at and give it a try for a couple of months. You can always head back home, or at least to wherever you call home.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
First of all, thank you for your service. Freedom isn't free. My husband is a Vietnam Vet so we're a lot older and travel with no kids, however, during our travels across this great country we have met many families living in and traveling in their RV's. Many oil workers, welders and others live in mostly fifth wheels and tow it with a large truck, but I don't see why it wouldn't be doable in a DP. Fuel, campgrounds, insurance and maintenance will be your largest costs. You can control the fuel by staying put for a month. You also get better rates at most campgrounds if you ask for their monthly rate. You may have to pay extra for electric. We spend about $600-$900 per month on campgrounds. Since you are 100% disabled veteran, you can stay at military campgrounds which are very reasonable. You can also stay at Corps of Engineers campgrounds that are very reasonable (many of these don't have full hookups). For the RV, if you decide on a DP, look at the Forest River Berkshire model with bunk beds. On RV Trader you can search for keyword and put in bunk beds and see other models. Insurance for full timers is rather expensive. Plus you will also have to insure your toad vehicle. It will NOT be cheaper than living in a home. It will be frustrating at times. Can you do your own maintenance? My husband did ours for awhile but can no longer do so because of heart surgery so we now pay someone else to do so. You also need a plan and money in the bank in case of emergencies like emergency work on the RV, illness, accidents, etc. Unless you have family you can stay with you will need hotels. Many bases have inns you can stay in that are reasonable. Having said all the above, I say go for it! Ask yourself what's the absolute worse thing that could happen and what would you do if it did? If you can deal with that, go for it.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
I would seek the advice of someone that has actually done it. Not someone that has not even lived full time.

Try these guys, they are full time with 12 yes 12 kids. They take their kids to just about every national park in the country and tie it with their homeschooling. : Ticknor Tribe

Here is another excellent site, clicky does not work. Copy and paste.

http://www.familiesontheroad.com/

Hope this helps.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2015
Go on a month long trip (at minimum longer better)..........see what it is like living in 280 sq.ft.

See how the CG costs add up, how much you spend on fuel, how well the 4 of you cope with being 'together', see how YOU deal with the travel, the set-up/tear down.

And this is not a vacation trip but one with 'home schooling', cooking meals, doing laundry etc.

Full Timing is a great lifestyle.....just isn't for everyone.
Health issues drive most back to a 'house' followed by those that just didn't like it.

AND EVERYBODY needs to really WANT to do it.........wife (shes not all in on the idea...) probably is worried about who is going to be doing all the work. No friends/family to pitch in etc.

Lot to take on with 2 very young kids.

SO who's dream is it really :H
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
It is a fantasy. The reality is wrought with enough problems to make it a major disaster. While it is possible, very few can make it a go for a long time. Retirees, without the responsibilities of children, even have a hard time fulltiming for extended periods. Fulltiming is not cheap living. In fact it can and often is more expensive that a conventional lifestyle. Then you have the legalities of schooling. The laws vary from state to state, and you may find yourself in trouble with authorities for not meeting certain standards. Then you have the issue of some who may think living in a "trailer camp" with children is abuse! If you cross state lines, what about health care? many insurance plans will have issues with getting healthcare away fro their network.

Not to rain on your parade, but it is not the cake walk many think it is.
OkSixpack
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
Could you possibly try it for a year in the trailer you have, without selling your house first? That way you could always start back at square one if needed. Good luck, and thanks for your service. Also, if you are on a truly fixed income with no raises, inflation will keep on happening.
Jim
Yogi___Boo
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015
It appears from what you're saying you are 100% P & T from the VA, so yes, your income is certainly stable. Do you have additional funds to pay the costs caused by life on the road? Car insurance, MH insurance, new tires when needed, diesel fuel? RV park rentals? MH break downs or car problems?

Are your wife & kids on ChampVA? Getting their care could be a little difficult, as yours would be from the VA. Some of the things you'll run into will turn out not to be "a blast" but a giant PITA. Some kids need stability, friends, social contacts besides Mom and Dad.

I could go on and on why I don't think this is a good idea, but will just leave you with this thought, even though you think it will be a blast, everything you do now will just become a little bit more difficult.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2015
its not cheap full timing, where you gonna park every night? what about winter. repairs . with kids,, I would not do it. I
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2015
Just a reminder, diesel pushers besides being a depreciating asset are the absolute most expensive RV there is. To be honest with you, it is a bad investment. There are other forms of RVs that are far less expensive to buy and maintain. Bottom line, yes it is totally doable, just dont expect to live cheaper.

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