Thinking of "Full Time" with your help
Hello folks. This is my first post so be gentle... I’ve read many posts on different forums on a great deal of issues and hope I’ve learned enough to not ask too many dumb questions. Now there ...
Forum Discussion
Several suggestions and a couple of caveats:
We have been full timing for five years now and do pretty much what you're proposing except we don't stay at relative's homes...we do visit but our stays are limited. We enjoy the adventures of travels and visiting various areas of our great country. We had a 40' Dynasty and felt cramped in it so we went with the quad slide Executive in my signature below. You will not be disappointed with the extra 5 feet. Be sure to look at the bath and a half models. The tag axle allows for a more secure ride and more CCC...(cargo carrying capacity) AKA, being able to cart around more stuff....this becomes important when you're on the road for a long period of time. Now for some caveats....
With a large luxury coach comes luxury items. 3 a/c, larger tvs, residential fridge, etc etc. These items come at a price...that price is in AMPS....a 15amp circuit won't cut it, nor will a 20amp, despite what someone might tell you. A 30amp is marginal and usually a 50amp is necessary. Some rigs are 100amps.
Anyway, use CAUTION at your relative's homes!! 50 AMP service is NOT a dryer plug!!!! You'll fry your electronics if you try to plug into one without modification.
The other issue you may experience is your length. Yes many coastal roads in California are restricted to motorhomes over 40' in length. Caltrans offers a map showing which roads are prohibited. That said, we've traveled over 42 States so far with very few issues. We have run into some low bridges, some smaller highways which I felt uncomfortable being on and some campgrounds that we would not fit into, but all in all we haven't had problems. Of course, we haven't been to the New England states yet...You did mention the National Parks and you'll find most State and National parks are not suited for a 45' rig. It's not the size of the sites that limit you, it's the roads, trees and boulders that will hamper you being able to get TO the sites.
Finally, whatever rig you're looking at, ask if the tag axle can be lifted. Lifting the tag allows you a better turning radius than dragging it along. Being able to adjust the pressure in the tag also allows you to fine tune the weight balance. More pressure on the tag, less weight on the drive axle and increased weight on the steer axle.....
One other thing...before you buy, think about where you want to establish your RESIDENCY STATE. South Dakota has only a 3% sales tax and no income tax. That's why we chose that state instead of California which has a 9 1/2% sales tax. On a $400,000 coach that's a huge savings.....good luck on your decision and spend lots of time continuing your research before you pull the trigger on a new rig....Dennis
We have been full timing for five years now and do pretty much what you're proposing except we don't stay at relative's homes...we do visit but our stays are limited. We enjoy the adventures of travels and visiting various areas of our great country. We had a 40' Dynasty and felt cramped in it so we went with the quad slide Executive in my signature below. You will not be disappointed with the extra 5 feet. Be sure to look at the bath and a half models. The tag axle allows for a more secure ride and more CCC...(cargo carrying capacity) AKA, being able to cart around more stuff....this becomes important when you're on the road for a long period of time. Now for some caveats....
With a large luxury coach comes luxury items. 3 a/c, larger tvs, residential fridge, etc etc. These items come at a price...that price is in AMPS....a 15amp circuit won't cut it, nor will a 20amp, despite what someone might tell you. A 30amp is marginal and usually a 50amp is necessary. Some rigs are 100amps.
Anyway, use CAUTION at your relative's homes!! 50 AMP service is NOT a dryer plug!!!! You'll fry your electronics if you try to plug into one without modification.
The other issue you may experience is your length. Yes many coastal roads in California are restricted to motorhomes over 40' in length. Caltrans offers a map showing which roads are prohibited. That said, we've traveled over 42 States so far with very few issues. We have run into some low bridges, some smaller highways which I felt uncomfortable being on and some campgrounds that we would not fit into, but all in all we haven't had problems. Of course, we haven't been to the New England states yet...You did mention the National Parks and you'll find most State and National parks are not suited for a 45' rig. It's not the size of the sites that limit you, it's the roads, trees and boulders that will hamper you being able to get TO the sites.
Finally, whatever rig you're looking at, ask if the tag axle can be lifted. Lifting the tag allows you a better turning radius than dragging it along. Being able to adjust the pressure in the tag also allows you to fine tune the weight balance. More pressure on the tag, less weight on the drive axle and increased weight on the steer axle.....
One other thing...before you buy, think about where you want to establish your RESIDENCY STATE. South Dakota has only a 3% sales tax and no income tax. That's why we chose that state instead of California which has a 9 1/2% sales tax. On a $400,000 coach that's a huge savings.....good luck on your decision and spend lots of time continuing your research before you pull the trigger on a new rig....Dennis
