Newbie Full-timing questions

Howdy!

With a family your size with with 5 childern I would be looking at a toy hauler with two bathrooms. You can find them with two queen size beds in the toy hauler area and also a bunk loft located in the kitchen area.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

Can't speak to the 5th wheel question but for the others:
Will you be traveling all the time or staying put in one area? If so, what area?
1. Check out www.woodalls.com for campgrounds and RV Parks. State and Federal usually have a 2 week stay limit. Privately owned parks usually have monthly rates. After you find some parks, always check them out on www.rvparkreviews.com
2. We spend about $900-$1500 per month on campgrounds. That's an average of $30-$50 per night. That usually includes water, electric and sewer. Sometimes it includes cable. You won't be able to rely on cable or wi-fi. You will need satellite TV and a wi-fi hotspot like Verizon mi-fi. Both are expensive.
If you find parks with monthly rates, most of the time they charge extra for electricity. They usually explain that on their websites and give the amount per KWH they charge. They require a deposit and usually bill monthly for electric. There are also RV Resorts that sell lots. That works if you stay in one place for several months.
For an idea in Florida, check out Williston Crossings RV Resort in Williston FL. It has a nice pool and rents monthly sites. Another problem you will have with campgrounds and RV parks in Florida is that they are geared for snowbirds and cater to older people. When we travel we see lots of families at KOA's and Yogi Jellystone Campgrounds but they do cost more because they have more things for the kiddies. Some in popular areas with lots of amenities could be $100 per night.

There is a big difference between trailer parks and RV parks.

Some RV parks are very high end. They don't allow kids and are $120/night.

Some others are cheap and funky, and some are in the middle.

Some parks do have both trailers (mobile homes, or here we call them 'park models') and RVs. Again, there are ritzy places and not ritzy ones.

You can find whatever type you want :).

Where we're going to be is still up in the air a bit. I work for a very large company and HR/tax rules are quite nuanced. I know i can be in Florida, California and Seattle without issue, but tax concerns/hr rules elsewhere can make it complex. I'm sorting all this out still.

That said, the plan is to be in a one place for 2 weeks to just under a month before traveling more. We'd like to stay someplace decent. Not fancy (though here and there would be nice) and definitely nowhere "funky" with questionable neighbors. I'd like to see us boondock for a couple of days out of the month - maybe on weekends...

I was hoping to be closer to $300-500 not $900-1500 per month. I didn't know electric would be extra. I wonder if electric would be cheaper for an RV than a home?

We just looked at a 2013 keystone raptor toy hauler tonight. It was in great shape: barely used even. Even had a generator. We're not ready to pull the trigger though I want to make sure "this is a good one" and all that first.

I'll have to get educated about campsites and rental space...any suggestions on where to get started?

Consider volunteering at federal Campgrounds. You will get a free site usually with water, electric and sewer.You will volunteer so many hours a week in trade. This will cut down on expenses and allow you to photograph nature. In the Tonto national forest I have gotten great shots of Road runners, Gila monsters, tarantulas and man different birds.

darsben wrote:
Consider volunteering at federal Campgrounds. You will get a free site usually with water, electric and sewer.You will volunteer so many hours a week in trade. This will cut down on expenses and allow you to photograph nature. In the Tonto national forest I have gotten great shots of Road runners, Gila monsters, tarantulas and man different birds.

that's a pretty cool idea. I already a full time job and have my photography/blogging to keep me busy. I wonder how many hours/months do i have to volunteer for to get a site?

You'll get better info if you give us a little better idea of your travel plans. Are you focusing on one area of the country, how often you plan to move, etc. We are retired and been full timing for one year in a 43' Toy Hauler in which we carry out Goldwing motorcycle. We put 11,000 miles on last year, so fuel is an expense. Because of our rig size, we can rarely stay at state or nat'l parks. We have used various RV parks and resorts and our monthly expense with electric/water/sewer has been between 450 - $1100 per month. You'll often pay more for pull-thru sites or the premium sites it may take to comfortably accommodate your rig and family. If you can stay somewhere long enough to get a monthly rate, you can save some money and we did that when we wintered in south Alabama and central Florida this past winter. If you are somewhere that'll require you to use your furnace you can expect propane expenses to run quite a bit - up to $100 or more a month. We rarely need it but don't want to be in cold climates.

I cannot imagine 7 folks in one rig, but that's up to ya'll. As already stated, a TH will probably work better, BUT they are heavier by design and will increase the vehicle type and operating expenses for it. Ours has just 1 bathroom? But they have 2 bathroom models and Grand Design are rated for full-time use. As far as safety, we have never had an issue but do not stay in rough areas either. For the most part the RV community is friendly and helpful to each other. Of course we don't have kiddos with us to worry about.

Keep in mind that there will be monthly and annual maintenance to do on the rig and most things are not real inexpensive. The more you can do yourself, the more you'll be able to save. If you're handy with tools that'll be a money saver for you. Hope this helps.

Check out this blog This couple and their 6 kids full time for a year or so seeing the country.
Kinsa's Blog

I believe they bought a Toy hauler with a loft bed.

elhajj33 wrote:
Hi all,

My first post in the forums (be gentle if i break any social rules) :) My wife and I, and our 5 kids are seriously considering full timing. I've been reading the forums for a while and finally decided to post for the first time with some questions. Here goes:

1. 5th Wheels to buy. We're wondering what the "Chevys" and "Cadillacs" of 5th wheelers are? We really like the 2015 coachmen brookestone, but we've also looked at a 2013 Keystone Raptor today that was pretty posh. For us, the bigger the better and the TV will most likely be a Ford f-350. but we're wondering who makes the low end and high-end of 5ers?

2. Trailer parks or....What appeals to us about full timing is being able to be out in nature. I'm a semi pro photographer and i want us to be able to see beautiful places without breaking the bank each month. The wife and I are not excited about being in trailer parks with the kids being around who knows who.... are there "nice/safe" places to stay other than local trailer parks (this is the dumbest of my questions, i'm sorry but I don't know of any other way to ask it?)

3. Monthly camping/rental cost. I know this varies, but we're trying to figure out a budget and we're not sure what to put as the "rental space cost" per month. Sure would help if we could get a ball park.

I have a 1000 other questions, but I'll hold off for now, thanks again!

A few questions to consider before starting your RV adventure:

1. What kind of weather do want to RV in?
2. Weather will determine geographical areas for raving
3. How old and how big are your kids? This answer will help narrow down the choices of RV choices
4. How are you going to school the kids?
5. Go on the good Sam RV web site and you get all the Information you need about RV parks i.e. Costs, location maps, amenities etc. Also buy the Good Sam RV
Park directory.
6. Have you worked out your medical plans for the family, financial
Banking plan to pay bills, getting your mail
7. Look at a Emergecy Roadside service plan ie Good Sam, Good Sam Travel assistance plan for medical emergencies if you are unable to drive your home(where ever that might be.

Check out national parks, national forests, & state parks for reasonably priced spots. If you want max flexibility, install enough solar and/or generator to allow you to go without electric plug-in for at least a week at a time. You would get payback pretty fast.

Make sure you switch to LED lighting if it's not in the RV you buy. That will save a ton of electricity.

Do your reading on here to educate yourself before you jump in. Go to RV shows and check out the options in RVs.

I think it's a great idea for a family!