Forum Discussion

Tom_Diane's avatar
Tom_Diane
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016

What to FT in? And why?

I see on other threads and in particularly a recent one in General RV'ing.
The question was asked about 2 different 5er's for first time FTer's.
Their request was of a Montego Bay or a Sundance!
One reply expressed their preference but suggested that neither unit was suitable for full timing!
I Have a Sundance, 32RE. We hosted in it for 3 years and not a complaint!
What am I missing in a Full time RV?
I get that dual pane glass, maybe 50 amp service would be a plus. I don't have the dual glass but I do have the 50 amp service.
Our unit has 3 slides and when the living area is opened, we have nearly a 14 x14 living area including the kitchen with a dinette. We take on of the recliners and swing it out to the middle of the floor and its like home! We can also have access to the fridge, table, bed and bath room while enroute without extending the slides. We have a 3 season package which is just a vent to the basement.
I take no offense to others opinions on what to Full time in but in the end there are only so many ways that these units can be put together and I was told that if you visit the manufacture, there really wouldn't be a lot of difference when building them and your trim comes from just a group of contractors depending on the brand.
If a person is full timing, Wouldn't a person be inclined to follow the weather? The only thing I see that could give some credence is that bigger is better or having an ice maker or a washer dryer combo is the standard!
Because of health issues, I will never get to FT but we do use it every day starting in mid to late March and we don't take it home until sometime around the end of October. Lots of local and week end trips for grandkid fixes! We have a season pass locally and then do 3 or 4, 1000 or so mile trips through out the year! So what defines an RV that is suited for full timing? I have had the Sundance for going on 7 years now and have never had a complaint or a problem as a result of using it! A flush valve because of my neglect coming out of winterization, a tail light blub and a side marker lens, simple issues!
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Jan 29, 2016
    We have a friend that fulltimed for over 20 years in a tear drop TT pulled by a mini-van, and was very happy with her setup until health issues forced her off the road at age 84. Another couple we know, fulltimed for 2 years in a 42 foot DP with pretty much every bell and whistle available, and gave it up because they were too cramped. My wife and I are doing just fine in our 34 foot gas Class A, and haven't made any significant changes in 8 years other than moving up several years newer with a slide. What works for you may be completely different from what works for me, so I wouldn't dare try to tell you what's right for you.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jan 29, 2016
    From what I've read, I think most people recommend a 5er (TT) for long term stays and a MH for traveling is because there's an assumption that you'll be on the road more. With the MH, you can use the amenities while you are traveling - with the 5er (or TT) you have to pull over to get lunch out of the fridge, etc.

    I do agree with the opinion that there is no "right rig" to full-time (or snowbird, or RV, or camp). There is only the "right rig" for YOU. Everybody has different needs, wants and desires.
  • avan's avatar
    avan
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2016
    gbopp wrote:
    I don't fulltime but, I'm guessing they recommend a 5th wheel for long term parking because there's more involved in setting up/taking down than a MH?
    JMO
    Since you ended this with a ?, assume you are asking if that's correct. Since the early 70's, I've owned 3 MHs including the one I now have. While FTing for 14+ yrs, I averaged 50 moves per year and during that time had 2 fifth wheels, one a 36' pulled by a 1 ton PU and one a 40' pulled by a MDT. Assuming that a MH is going to tow a toad, I see zero difference in setting up camp or breaking down camp between a MH and 5vr, assuming similarly equipped.

    Hitching or unhitching a 5ver is as easy or maybe easier than hitching/unhitching a 4 down toad/MH combo and is much easier than doing the same with a toad on a trailer or caddy. Setting up utilities should be zero differences. That leaves leveling. If one compares leveling a MH with auto leveling jacks to a 5ver with auto leveling jacks, again there is no measurable difference. Leveling without auto levelers on either RV is pretty much a draw as well.

    When we decided to go FT, the first thing we did was to put our 36' MH up for sale in favor of a fiver. The drivers for that decision were 1) it seemed more 'homey' not to driver and passenger seats/steering wheel etc in our living room 2) we wanted to maintain a single drive train 3) for the dollars involved (i.e., not a diesel pusher) the 5vre provided more and bigger storage bays and 4) back in those days (early 90's) MH slides, if available, were shallow as in 10" +/- while the 5ver slides were 2 to 3 times as deep. The fiver with slides extended seemed less of a tunnel than did the MH's and the entire length was living space rather than partially occupied by a cockpit.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2016
    It is all personal taste. We RV'd for 30 years. TCs & MH. When we selected an RV for FTing I didn't want a steering wheel in my living room so got a 5ver. Bored with FTing in 4 years. Had nothing to do with the RV. After not RVing for 15 years went to a TT for RVing 6 months a year. Now a MH again for 6 months a year with that steering wheel in our living room. :B I've liked all the RVs. There is no perfect RV. It is just what you have now because of your life style at the time. From all my RVing over the years there is only one thing I could not be without if I FT'd again. A hobby room. Like a toy hauler or MH with an extra room. Need a hobby room. Not all hobbies can be done outside. Before we quit FTing we were sitting at the dining room table working on jigsaw puzzle on a cold rainy day. I told my wife I'm not going to die couped up in an RV the rest of my life working on jigsaw puzzles. I love RVing but I need elbow room at least 6 months of a year.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:


    We did for 7 yrs. in a 5th wheel 'traveling' every week WHICH many folks do not recommend....they recommend 5vr for long term parking and MH for traveling.
    WHY I don't know and don't really care cause truck/5vr combo was what we liked.

    I don't fulltime but, I'm guessing they recommend a 5th wheel for long term parking because there's more involved in setting up/taking down than a MH?
    JMO
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jan 29, 2016
    I've seen people full time in a VW Camper, so what one decides to FT is whatever makes you comfortable. Most people respond with what they feel they need. For me, there is no RV big enough for me to want to live in it full time.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2016
    In the end, does it "really" matter what other's are using, or doing, or whatever? As long as YOU are happy with your rig and it works for you, that's really ALL that matters, isn't it?

    It's easy to get caught up in all the glitch and glitter of newer, bigger, and (supposedly) "better" things "out there." Advertisers would have you buying a new car every day if you could afford it. Folks who carry on about their campers, their style of campers, or whatever, especially who say, "this is the ONLY way to do it".... well ... are pretty narrow in their thoughts, in my opinion.

    The only person I need to please is "me". The only person you have to please is "you". You can't live someone else's lifestyle.

    Sounds like you've got a pretty decent 5er there. Nothing wrong with that. Until you have some kind of issues that become too big for you to handle or your life style changes drastically, I'd say your in pretty good shape.

    One other thing you need to consider also, when it comes to full timing, I think, very few people just jump in and do it. Those who do have a lot to learn and over come. And if they've purchased the "mega camper", now they have an investment that's overwhelming.

    Those who have graduated to full timing, because they've been the week-end warrior all their lives, they REALLY do know what they want (usually), or better ... they may know what they DON'T want in a camper. For those folks, they need to dream and ask question too. Still, it should never make you (or me) feel guilty, or get the "eye of envy" looking around.

    I'm just saying, I suppose, if you are content with your camper, that's really all that matters. Take those comments with a grain of salt. They're dreaming the dream .... you're living the dream! Right?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 29, 2016
    Folks FT in every conceivable RV made.

    And who cares!

    Choice.......is a great thing!!

    We did for 7 yrs. in a 5th wheel 'traveling' every week WHICH many folks do not recommend....they recommend 5vr for long term parking and MH for traveling.
    WHY I don't know and don't really care cause truck/5vr combo was what we liked.

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