Hi

DownTheAvenue wrote:
The best plan to full time RV has a stronger exit strategy than the entrance strategy.

LOL I like this post :)
If a die hard rv'er with tons of experience we know what we are getting into way more than someone who is a recreational weekender type.
So true how to be careful before jumping in and be sure you do have some strong exit plan in place if needed. The full time RV life is not for all even if the romance of it is there.

OP there are tons of great resources for getting a nice used motorhome! Have fun looking and finding your new home :)

The best plan to full time RV has a stronger exit strategy than the entrance strategy.

Hope that you enjoy your new lifestyle. Please do not do what the previous owners of our truck & trailer did. Retired, sold the house, bought the RV, then 6 months later discovered that they had made a huge mistake. The lifestyle was not for them & they wanted out in the worst way.

Do the research before laying down a single $.

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Welcome Fred! I suggest you spend a little time looking through this forum and other forums as well so you walk in with a good knowledge base to make your purchase. I would strongly encourage you to have a pressurized leak test before you buy anything of that vintage. They can show you any current leaks in the trailer. That will give you an idea of where to look for damage.

RV's are great, but water is their worst enemy. A little roof leak can lead to rotten wood in the roof, walls and eventually floors, and a nightmare to fix. Further, water will lead to mold and mildew. Be prepared to walk away if you suspect water damage.

When you think about full timing, think about things that are important to YOU. For some people that is a big bathroom, for others its a big bedroom, for others its a big kitchen. Its rare to find a camper with EVERYTHING you want, especially in an older rig. Consider where you will be going and what you plan to do with it.

For example, if you are going to the American Southwest, you might spend a considerable amount of time outdoors because it rarely rains. If you are going to the Southeast, maybe you want more "living space" inside because you'll be escaping heat and humidity. Take that into consideration when deciding what features you want.

I wish you the best of luck. My wife and I are looking forward to the day we can retire and travel with abandon!

Fizz wrote:
A unit that lived in Florida for 15 yrs might have salt damage if it spent much time by the ocean.

Not to mention having the caulk get eaten alive by the relentless sun....

I wouldn't be buying anything from Florida or Texas after the hurricane flooding they had last year.

I'd suggest you rent and see how you enjoy this life first.

A unit that lived in Florida for 15 yrs might have salt damage if it spent much time by the ocean.

What's your budget? Perhaps we can help you zero in on a good manufacturer. You mentioned Newmar... that a very good one and in a different league than Pace Arrow. Winnebago is another good one as are Country Coach and Travel Supreme - for starters.

If you're talking at PPL Consignment in Texas, I would recommend them for looking. However, for a 15-year unit you'll have to do a LOT of thorough inspecting - mainly for leaks. If you see any discoloration at the ceiling/walls step away. Leaks are difficult to trace and in an older RV you might have some rotting going on. Remember that Texas has had hurricanes and lots of rain so be wary with leak signs. On the other hand, if you find one without leak signs having gone through the storms, that's an excellent sign! :) Good luck.

You might also go over to the Fulltiming section and gather some information on the lifestyle and where to set up your domicile. It's a great lifestyle!