I need a reality check

Hi full timers,

I apologize in advance for the large post!

I have dreamed about this lifestyle since I was a kid. Now I'm in a position where I might actually be able to make it a reality in the coming year. Some background: I'm a 27 year old male. I am a software developer and have the ability to work remotely from anywhere. I make enough money to afford the payment on a new RV and campground fees with minimal stress, on top of current bills (cell phone, internet, etc).

Why do I want this lifestyle? There are number of reasons.

1) Freedom: I don't want to be tied down, I want the ability to pick up and leave whenever I want. I want to be the master of my own space and my own life.

2) Solitude: I like being alone. In fact I love it. With the exception of a dog, I see this being a completely solo endeavor. In the event that I want to settle down with someone I don't foresee continuing the full time life with them.

3) To see the continent: Obviously I want to experience North America in ways not possible with other lifestyles.

My plan: I want to purchase a small diesel class A motorhome. Small because I want to be as agile as possible and have as many options as possible regarding parking lots, camp sites, etc. Diesel because I want the reliability that comes with a diesel engine.

I'd like to avoid flat towing a car if possible, so my plan is to buy a small motorcycle and haul it on the trailer hitch. This will get me around town economically when it isn't practical to drive the RV. Obviously this would cause an issue in inclement weather, but I feel confident that I can get around that with some planning (cook at home instead of going out, make sure I have plenty of supplies, etc).

I don't want to travel very quickly. I plan on staying a minimum of one week, and probably a month or more at each location. I will need a stable internet connection and electrical power in order to do my job and I don't think I'll get much of that on the road - so I plan to travel short distances between campgrounds on the weekends, maybe boondocking between destinations, and staying put for the work week.

I've been doing a lot of reading and trying to learn from the successes and failures of various bloggers and forum posters. I think I have a pretty good idea of what it's really like, but of course you can never know until you try it. So those of you who have been there and done this - where are the holes in my plan?

Thanks in advance!

PghBob
Explorer
Dec 18, 2014
You mentioned interest in a small Class A for full-timing and perhaps a scooter/mc attached. When choosing your RV, take note of the GCWR of the unit, and the OCCC of the unit to insure that you are not over-weight on the chassis, tranny and tires. I've looked at smaller Class A units for several years at shows, and in some of them we would exceed the weight rating just by boarding the four adults in our family, without food, water, and stuff. As a potential full-timer, you will likely be carrying more stuff than we short-timers. Best wishes on your planned adventure.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2014
27 yrs. old.....have a good job with remote work capabilities.....have ESOP/401K & health coverage nation wide.

Why haven't you already hit the road!!!!

We FTd for 7 yrs and if it wasn't for 'life changes' we would still be out on the road.

Internet.......Verizon hands down. Best overall nation wide coverage.
Get some form of 'booster' for those areas where signal strength is not best.
For us a simple 'truckers antenna' with adapters to plug into our basic cell phones worked. More techy stuff available.

Transportation.......
I used a motorcycle exclusively for 8 yrs. when I was your age.
Rain/cold/hot etc. Grocery shopping/dating----the motorcycle was it.
Many people have done the same. It is a non-issue.

GO for it!

You are in a better position to do so then MANY folks.
KarnaughAtlas
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014
Kevarino wrote:
I've been thinking of internet access and working for a awhile, but have not put this into practice.

I think that getting a small virtual server at an ISP (Internet Service Provider)would allow you to have high bandwidth to do heavy lifting. And just remote into it using windows Remote Desktop, or Team Viewer and maybe webex. That way all the hard work will be done by the server and all you need is a slower connection to view what is going on with the server. Also you could have them do backups and have all data protected.

I'm not sure if there would be less monthly data use, but it could help with the performance. The ISP I currently use is he.net but there are 100's of them out there.

Kevin

This is actually a really great idea. I don't think remote desktop uses very much bandwidth at all, and I could stream all of my media to the server. Thank you!
Kevarino
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014
I've been thinking of internet access and working for a awhile, but have not put this into practice.

I think that getting a small virtual server at an ISP (Internet Service Provider)would allow you to have high bandwidth to do heavy lifting. And just remote into it using windows Remote Desktop, or Team Viewer and maybe webex. That way all the hard work will be done by the server and all you need is a slower connection to view what is going on with the server. Also you could have them do backups and have all data protected.

I'm not sure if there would be less monthly data use, but it could help with the performance. The ISP I currently use is he.net but there are 100's of them out there.

Kevin
camper19709
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014
I say GO FOR IT!!!
I can't help with your internet questions but I say, try the motorcycle/scooter route and if it does not work. Sell it and get a toad. No big deal. I like your wanting to keep the length at about 30ft. 30ft Class A's can have lots of storage and be very comfortable. And very maneuverable. Don't think you need a diesel for longevity. Gas will take you many many miles with lower initial cost, lower maintanence costs a better gas mileage.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2014
We use Verizon with our Jetpack. We also stayed in the boonies in the West and we got good service. If you're traveling West, Verizon is the one to get. East - don't know. However, definitely don't rely on campground Wifi. It's awful and they don't usually let you do streaming. It's purpose if for email and short surfing.

As far as towing a car. It's simple. You pull to your campground site area, disconnect the towed and park it in a empty site or wherever. Back your RV in and park the towed at your site. If the park is small you can also unhook the car at the park entrance, drive and park at your site and walk back to get the car. You can also ask for a pull-through spot and no unhooking until you're parked. It really is not any bother. Just don't think you back your RV with the towed vehicle attached. You can't and shouldn't try. A foot or so, yes, but no further.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2014
You will not be streaming movies at RV parks using their WiFi and you need quite a data plan to do it using the cell phone. I do not know of anyone that offers an unlimited data plan. I use Verizon and have a hot spot on my phone.

For TV, you can use cable at the RV park if they have it or you can purchase a portable satellite dish.

You cannot backup with a toad but it really does not limit your mobility because you will be using the toad for your trips to the store. You just need to get between places to park.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014
KarnaughAtlas wrote:
I'd really rather plan to avoid having a toad as I think it would limit my mobility. I've backed up short trailers with long wheelbase vehicles before, it is not fun at all. That being said I do see how relying on a motorcycle might be impractical - but I do want to try it and see if it will work for me. Worst case, I can sell the bike and buy a cheap economy car.

If no one has mentioned it - backing up with a toad attached is almost impossible.

Yes, toads do limit mobility a bit. It also greatly enhances your mobility after you get setup.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2014
Life is an adventure. Don't regret when you are in your 60's that you did not avail yourself of that adventure. Go for it.
Rent something for a couple months to be sure the lifestyle works for you. After a few months the 'vacation' aspects of full time living wear off and it becomes much like living in any home or apartment just very mobile. If you are still on board with the lifestyle after a few months then consider purchasing 'pre-owned'. It saves a ton of money, a ton of depreciation, and allows somebody else to fix all the stuff that should have been fixed by the factory but wasn't.

In addition to the above listed webpages here are some more:

Escapees, LoveYourRV, GoneWithTheWynns, NuRvers and there are many many more. Just google RV full time lifestyle and start from there.
Steeljag
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
I also think it's great your headed out at 27 YOA. Being single the MC should work for you. I think some type of Enduro type MC would be perfect for boon docking, seeing the area, and a grocery getter.

I can't help with the internet / Wifi issues.

It will be an adventure, enjoy it! If you ever get to Florida I'll buy you a beer!