Hi Everyone,I'm deciding what type of RV to purchase. A little bit about me:50 year old womanDivorcedGrown KidsSelf Employed (can work from anywhere)Driving experience: Airplanes, Buses, Boats, Trucks pulling trailers, Cars, Tractors, Drove an older RV years ago. I'm mentioning this because I'm very comfortable behind the wheel.What I'm looking to do: I'll park and live in the RV for months at a time and would like the freedom to move back and forth from beach town to mountain town. I take frequent business trips (3 days at a time) sometimes on a weekly basis . . . I'm mentioning this because I may not run the water etc for a few days at a time.What is important to me: (this is what I've thought about so far)Efficiency (fuel, utilities, etc)Well insulatedNice appliances (love to cook) Easy hookup, easy maintenanceI don't need anything fancy, definitely want to start with something used, I don't need a lot of space but would like to be comfortable.Thoughts, insight, opinions . . . . . . .greatly appreciated.Thanks

So many ways to live in one of these critters. I'm very partial to my 2008 Vista Mini 4230 on the sprinter chassis (diesel, 25ft, 15+ mpg) but that's just me. Boondocks for 4 days easy. So my recommendation is look at floor plans to see what excites you and falls within your budget. Shop, shop, search, research and then do it some more. Don't limit your area searching either. I saved close to 20k simply by flying to the dealer and driving the rig home. Of course I also had two other dealers in the same area with similar rigs in case I needed a backup plan - I didn't, the dealer I worked with (Pedata in Tucson) even paid my airfare.

Go to some RV shows to check out different options available. You many not buy new but it should give you lots of ideas.When you leave for 3 days at a time, turn your water off and retract the awnings. You don't want to return just to find out one of your water pipes started leaking the first night or a gust of wind tossed your awning into your neighbor's yard.Self-employed, work from anywhere - via Internet? Carrying inventory with you? Providing services?

I would be looking for a late model travel trailer (or even 5th wheel) from one of the premium manufacturers of "4 season" trailers like Northwood Manufacturing with a suitable tow vehicle. As stated previously, since you are going to be living in it nearly full time, a floor plan that you like and find livable is very important. Start looking at different floor plans, and picture yourself living in each one. Try standing at the stove and sink as if you were cooking. Sit at the dinette, try the shower, sit on the stool, etc. to see what will work for your life style. If this is your only home, you will need generous storage, which probably means a little bigger.With a towable - as opposed to a self powered RV - you only have on engine and drive train to maintain, so normal day to day costs, as well as original purchase price, should be lower.Start kicking some tires - you will begin to start getting ideas of what make sense to you ...

One possibility might be a well made truck camper. You only have one vehicle, but you still can leave your home behind in camp while you run around in your truck. First, find the camper, then get the truck. Joy of this rig is that you will end up with enough truck to move up into hauling a trailer or a fifth wheel if you find you need more space. Many of the smaller rigs have very little counter space, and we both like to cook too so that is something to consider.

Stillpoint wrote:Hi Everyone,I'm deciding what type of RV to purchase. A little bit about me:50 year old womanDivorcedGrown KidsSelf Employed (can work from anywhere)Driving experience: Airplanes, Buses, Boats, Trucks pulling trailers, Cars, Tractors, Drove an older RV years ago. I'm mentioning this because I'm very comfortable behind the wheel.What I'm looking to do: I'll park and live in the RV for months at a time and would like the freedom to move back and forth from beach town to mountain town. I take frequent business trips (3 days at a time) sometimes on a weekly basis . . . I'm mentioning this because I may not run the water etc for a few days at a time.What is important to me: (this is what I've thought about so far)Efficiency (fuel, utilities, etc)Well insulatedNice appliances (love to cook) Easy hookup, easy maintenanceI don't need anything fancy, definitely want to start with something used, I don't need a lot of space but would like to be comfortable.Thoughts, insight, opinions . . . . . . .greatly appreciated.ThanksWith those kinds of creditials, why mess with a RV? Surely there is some guy out there who would love to hook up with you in a home.

RV Purchase Question | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Sez_Hoo_
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
IMHO she should consider a super C or a class A. Here is why. If she is going to full time in a 5th wheel or TT then her tow vehicle is also going to be her daily driver. That being said it would be better to go with a class A or a super C and tow a smaller car for a daily driver. The fuel mileage for a drivable rv compared to the fuel mileage for the tow vehicle when towing are close to the same. Being parked for a period of time will be saving money if she has a small toad compared to a 3/4 ton truck as a daily driver. Also as a full time rv a Super C or class A will offer more room and more storage.
allen8106
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
Google RVSue, she's 63 and has been living alone full time for two years in a 17 foot Casita with a solar panel. She lives on about $12,000 a year. Read her blog from the beginning and you will gain a tremendous amount of insight.
arnko37
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
Check out the "Loners On Wheels" website. There are many women in that group like yourself.
bobfears
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Stillpoint wrote:
Hi Everyone,

I'm deciding what type of RV to purchase.

A little bit about me:
50 year old woman
Divorced
Grown Kids
Self Employed (can work from anywhere)
Driving experience: Airplanes, Buses, Boats, Trucks pulling trailers, Cars, Tractors, Drove an older RV years ago. I'm mentioning this because I'm very comfortable behind the wheel.

What I'm looking to do: I'll park and live in the RV for months at a time and would like the freedom to move back and forth from beach town to mountain town.

I take frequent business trips (3 days at a time) sometimes on a weekly basis . . . I'm mentioning this because I may not run the water etc for a few days at a time.

What is important to me: (this is what I've thought about so far)
Efficiency (fuel, utilities, etc)
Well insulated
Nice appliances (love to cook)
Easy hookup, easy maintenance

I don't need anything fancy, definitely want to start with something used, I don't need a lot of space but would like to be comfortable.

Thoughts, insight, opinions . . . . . . .greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Since you like to cook I would recommend a rear kitchen design. We have had 2 travel trailers in the last three years, both were whats called rear living. They don't have much of a kitchen. I would recommend either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel. Fuel mileage will never be great when towing probably 10 mpg. When not towing you probably get 15 to 18 mpg. Make sure you get a unit that is well insulated, what they call 4 seasons. Good luck in your new adventure. Rving is a blast! P.S. Go to rv compamy websites and look at the floor plans. Some companies are Keystone, Jayco, Forest River, Primetime. If you see something at a dealer that you like offer 30 to 35% off, their markup is incredible. Your tow vehicle needs to be large enough to be safe. I would recommend a 3/4 ton pickup. Sorry if I am running on.
thecampingman
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Would you be towing your daily driver? Unless your daily driver is a 1-ton pickup you'll be looking at Class A or Class C motorhome. And since class C's typically only have enough power & suspension to handle their own weight you'll probably need a Class A motorhome. Diesel, because diesel's can sit from time to time without the problems associated with letting a gas motor sit. Plus they have the power to tow.
They're not fuel efficient, but you'll be driving your daily driver most of the time.
You can find a nice used class A for around $100,000. Then you'll have to pay to park it.

It's quite a commitment. Have you considered just apartment hopping, or extended stay hotels?
RoadXYZ
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2013
Have seen several women with small motorhomes or C's .. towing a small, economical vehicle. Some have towed small trucks.

You spoke of traveling and leaving the unit parked somewhere .. depending on your business necessities you may do well with a small camper on a truck and pull a toy hauler .. somewhere to sleep, etc. while you travel without toy hauler .. have you talked with other singles at rv parks in your area ?
2edgesword
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
I would 2nd the suggestion to go to an RV show. There are soooo many options when it comes to travel trailers. A show is a good way to investigate the many options versus running around to see individual trailers.

Regarding used versus new, unless you're well versed in things mechanical (I'm not) I'd go with a new unit with a good warranty. A travel trailer is a combination of home and vehicle. Unless you feel confident that you can do a thorough inspection of both I'd shy away from buying used unless it's used with an extended warranty that can be transferred.

Enjoy the hunt :).
F105
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
wannavolunteerFT wrote:
F105... I imagine that the OP like myself is looking to continue enjoying life even without some guy... I have almost the same credentials (minus the airplane and bus experience and minus being self employed) and although a guy to share travels and life with would be nice, I don't intend to live my life around trying to find one. I am still planning to do something very similar to OP, except doing volunteer work in a very few years. Some of us are not scared to live alone.

And I can certainly understand your position and wish you the best of luck.

See you down the road.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
F105... I imagine that the OP like myself is looking to continue enjoying life even without some guy... I have almost the same credentials (minus the airplane and bus experience and minus being self employed) and although a guy to share travels and life with would be nice, I don't intend to live my life around trying to find one. I am still planning to do something very similar to OP, except doing volunteer work in a very few years. Some of us are not scared to live alone.
F105
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Stillpoint wrote:
Hi Everyone,

I'm deciding what type of RV to purchase.

A little bit about me:
50 year old woman
Divorced
Grown Kids
Self Employed (can work from anywhere)
Driving experience: Airplanes, Buses, Boats, Trucks pulling trailers, Cars, Tractors, Drove an older RV years ago. I'm mentioning this because I'm very comfortable behind the wheel.

What I'm looking to do: I'll park and live in the RV for months at a time and would like the freedom to move back and forth from beach town to mountain town.

I take frequent business trips (3 days at a time) sometimes on a weekly basis . . . I'm mentioning this because I may not run the water etc for a few days at a time.

What is important to me: (this is what I've thought about so far)
Efficiency (fuel, utilities, etc)
Well insulated
Nice appliances (love to cook)
Easy hookup, easy maintenance

I don't need anything fancy, definitely want to start with something used, I don't need a lot of space but would like to be comfortable.

Thoughts, insight, opinions . . . . . . .greatly appreciated.

Thanks

With those kinds of creditials, why mess with a RV? Surely there is some guy out there who would love to hook up with you in a home.