For the last six years we've been PT'ing for six months out of the year and enjoying the freedom of being on the road, and having a home base also. Well that just all changed due to the fact that we sold our S&B. Our intent was on finding another S&B that was better suited for this stage of our lives The problem is we're having a hard time finding that place, which now means with winter coming we'll do what we know best. That seems to be traveling/living in an RV. So to all you FT'ers that over the years have helped us become very proficient PT'ers, and to the other FT'ers that would egg me on by saying "just stop playing around and go FT" move over. You got one more rig pulling into your park trying to get that good spot before happy hour. We have no idea how long we'll keep it up, guess we'll just have to see how it all goes.In my very round about way, that's my way of saying thank you for all of your help over the years. Special thanks to Avan and Kirk (don't know if you two are even still reading this forum anymore.) You two took a very green PT RV'er and made me look like a FT'er to many in the parks that we would pull into.

We have our home up for sale. Some times I panic wondering if I can do it without a home base, other times I can't wait to get this sold so we can be on our way. Good luck to you......If you can handle it for 6 months, you can do it for 12. :) :)

John&Joey wrote:....The problem is we're having a hard time finding that place, which now means with winter coming we'll do what we know best. That seems to be traveling/living in an RV....Look at it this way, you have a ton of experience of being on the road RV'ing part time so you are WAY ahead of a newbie full timer!Welcome to the fun side you just might like enough to stay a full timer! :C

Our Home Base has changed a few times. We use our DD's (instead of DS) and hope to use an RV Lot less than 2 hrs from them once we semi-retire. We've had our own room with our own bed, sheets and mattress, some furniture from our former home, a walk-in closet with family photos and things we had put in storage. Two months ago, switched DH's DL, tags back to that state and address, so now we match. Will be closing out the mail forwarding box soon. Couldn't be happier, just bring a suitcase and the cats when we go for a visit and check our mail and see the Grandbabies.

amandasgramma wrote:...snip... Some times I panic wondering if I can do it without a home base...I think that is pretty normal and a good thing. Once you're on the road and living the lifestyle I think you're going to find out that a large percentage of FT'ers have a home base. Some will call it a home park, park model, a spot with FHU with kids, or a owner RV lot, but it's a home base none-the-less. Many will have an extra car, pontoon, storage units with grills and other stuff at this location. Living on the road for 12 months a year is taxing and expensive, and you'll need some down time in a location where "they know your name" to recharge yourself. I'm sure there are some that keep on rolling, but I think they also stop doing it after they have seen what they set out to see. Good luck on your new adventure.

We've been fulltime for over 8 years. We want to travel for as long as we can. However, we travel only 6 months a year, DH works for 5 to 6 months every year. I usually volunteer as a park host, so we get free rent for those months. We love our 6 months on the road, we traveled from CA to the east coast in 2011. Usually we stay west of Arkansas. On the day we left our sold home it was a relief. No more lawns to mow, or trim to paint, etc, etc. In December we are headed to Tucson for 3 months to play with the senior crowd!

Reluctant FT'ing | Good Sam Community

4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2015
John&Joey wrote:
For the last six years we've been PT'ing for six months out of the year and enjoying the freedom of being on the road, and having a home base also. Well that just all changed due to the fact that we sold our S&B. Our intent was on finding another S&B that was better suited for this stage of our lives

The problem is we're having a hard time finding that place, which now means with winter coming we'll do what we know best. That seems to be traveling/living in an RV. So to all you FT'ers that over the years have helped us become very proficient PT'ers, and to the other FT'ers that would egg me on by saying "just stop playing around and go FT" move over. You got one more rig pulling into your park trying to get that good spot before happy hour. We have no idea how long we'll keep it up, guess we'll just have to see how it all goes.

In my very round about way, that's my way of saying thank you for all of your help over the years. Special thanks to Avan and Kirk (don't know if you two are even still reading this forum anymore.) You two took a very green PT RV'er and made me look like a FT'er to many in the parks that we would pull into.

John and Joey, this might help:

When I decided after a bout with stage 4 head and neck cancer to retire overseas and start my own business there I thought about keeping a place here in the states. But I realized that was just my "Escape Hatch" in case I failed at my new endeavor. I decided that having that "Parachute" was just an excuse to fail. I sold everything and went.

It's easy to think that there is no going back from a decision but that is rarely true. But it is easy to set yourself up for failure and run back "Home" when things get tough. But getting through the tough parts on your own is a very rewarding thing that ultimately leads to a greater sense of pleasure and feeling of success in the end.

It is hard to give up that "Home Base" I know all too well as I have spent so much of my life living and working overseas and have had to do just that several times. But it was always worth it.

Good Luck to you both.
gatorcq
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
we have narrow it down to Arizona, which part NOPE. So we keep traveling and having fun.
Our Some time is Now.
was_butnotnow
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
RE_Todd Your question Per month, per yer?? Ask yourself do you spend that much a MONTH in a sticks and bricks?
Another answer is... If you have to ask you can't afford it..
RE_Todd
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
TenOC wrote:
Without the cost of a stick home, full-timming is not that expensive. I budget $3K for fuel, $3K for camping fees, $3k for food, and $3k for other.
Per month, per year??
PortWentworthSa
Explorer
Aug 26, 2014
We are retired. My DW and I have talked about FT'ing in our M/H. She is sort of against it for now saying she wants her house. For me I am ready to sell it and get rid of the tons of JUNK we have collected over the 30+ years in this house.

My thoughts are that if you jump in and go FT'ing and don't like it you can always buy another house and park the RV. I'm thinking ADVENTURE.
TenOC
Nomad
Aug 25, 2014
Without the cost of a stick home, full-timming is not that expensive. I budget $3K for fuel, $3K for camping fees, $3k for food, and $3k for other. Pretend that you died and give all the "stuff" to the kids -- it will save them a lot of problems when you do die. If you stop full timming you can alway buy more stuff at someone auction or estate sale.
puttd
Explorer
Aug 25, 2014
Hey John and Joey. This is Avan's daughter. I'll pass on the thanks. I think Dad shows up now and then on this site. Saw the topic cause I'm thinking of full timing too.
klebs
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
We plan on joining you folks in 2017 when we retire, sell our S&B in Maryland and go FT. I have never driven a motorhome before or even camped for more than 2 weeks in a popup trailer, and I'm grabbing every bit of "Do this, not that" forum stuff I can read. Favorite dream rig right now is a Thor Tuscany XTE 36MQ. I can't believe the number of questions that need answering just to put our minds at ease about things like banking, healthcare, taxes, clearing out our stuff, selling the B&T, towing a toad, etc. It's going to take 3 years just to erase the angst about doing this.
CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014
We have wintered in Yuma AZ the past 2 winters always returning to our S/B of 30 plus years. This past spring we decided to sell everything at auction and go Full Time. We became full timers on July 12th. We are spending the summer in Northern Idaho in a quiet RV park where we have already made new friends. We will start heading south in late September, through Colorado, New Mexico, Southeastern Arizona, and finally into Yuma sometime before Thanksgiving. We are of the mindset that "home is where you park it" For now, our intentions are to Full Time as long as we are able to. When we reach the end of the road, we will execute our exit plan and find an apartment for Seniors, sit back and continue our travels by reading Trailer Life and this forum.

Meanwhile, hope to see you around the campfire!
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014
Keep on travelin!! We sold everything and never looked back. 5 years ago.