Forum Discussion
DutchmenSport
Sep 02, 2019Explorer
We have tent camped, pop-up camped, travel trailer camped, and now fifth wheel camped. My wife grew up camping and her parents had it all, pop-up, travel trailer, truck camper, motor home, even a boat, (never a fifth wheel though). My parents owned a travel trailer in the 1960's. We both agree that every moment spent camping, traveling, exploring new locations, has always been a magnificent experience. About the time we think, "Wow! nothing can beat this!" along comes "tomorrow" that does "top it!"
And it is my prediction that when you take possession of your Class A, you will be thrilled out of your mind and you'll find this RVing experience enthralling too.
I think the best advise I can give you, is to purchase that RV at least a year before you plan on hitting the road on a full time basis. You REALLY need that year to go camping on short trips near home where you can work out the many, many, many bugs in the RV itself, AND to learn your own style of RVing. You need to get to know your RV inside and out, you need to know and be prepared to do a lot of "fixes" yourself, and not be afraid to do so. You need to work out everything from insurance, to a permanent residence, to internet access, to the type of tooth paste which works best for you.
It sounds like a glamours lifestyle. But if you are not prepared in advance for any eventual event, campsite, or style of camping, you'll find yourself bewildered and at a loss. The way to avoid this, is to gain experience with your new RV and get to know it, and yourself, and really .... that takes about a year with any RV. You need to experience hot weather camping, and sub-freezing weather camping, rain and drought, boondocking and full hook-up campsites. It's better to do this when you are just a few hours from home, have somewhere you can go home to, so you can adjust your "style" for the next outing. This only occurs over time.
Then when you truly hit the road full time, .... oh, I guarantee you ... you'll still have surprises and situations you never dreamed would happen, but at least you'll be prepared to handle them.
This is my advise. Good luck.
And it is my prediction that when you take possession of your Class A, you will be thrilled out of your mind and you'll find this RVing experience enthralling too.
I think the best advise I can give you, is to purchase that RV at least a year before you plan on hitting the road on a full time basis. You REALLY need that year to go camping on short trips near home where you can work out the many, many, many bugs in the RV itself, AND to learn your own style of RVing. You need to get to know your RV inside and out, you need to know and be prepared to do a lot of "fixes" yourself, and not be afraid to do so. You need to work out everything from insurance, to a permanent residence, to internet access, to the type of tooth paste which works best for you.
It sounds like a glamours lifestyle. But if you are not prepared in advance for any eventual event, campsite, or style of camping, you'll find yourself bewildered and at a loss. The way to avoid this, is to gain experience with your new RV and get to know it, and yourself, and really .... that takes about a year with any RV. You need to experience hot weather camping, and sub-freezing weather camping, rain and drought, boondocking and full hook-up campsites. It's better to do this when you are just a few hours from home, have somewhere you can go home to, so you can adjust your "style" for the next outing. This only occurs over time.
Then when you truly hit the road full time, .... oh, I guarantee you ... you'll still have surprises and situations you never dreamed would happen, but at least you'll be prepared to handle them.
This is my advise. Good luck.
About Motorhome Group
38,763 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 05, 2025