I find myself in a position after a divorce with my kids in college, and I don't want to purchase a new house right now. I've had campers for the last thirty years. Started with tent trailers, then TT, then 5ers. Best times I had with my family/kids was camping and our adventures.Now comes my time for the next couple of years. My kids think I have lost my mind. Maybe they are right, but hey, it's only 24 months or so.I'm purchasing a used F450 and used Teton Homes and plan on going full-time for the next two to three years. I still work, but I have massive flexibility on where I'm located to do that so if I get the bug to go somewhere...I'm going.I live in Southern California and lots of times I'll be at an RV park. Then I'll be gone fishing in Mammoth, Wyoming or...What are your experiences on RV parks? Security concerns?What things would you do if you were me to make my 5er more livable that I probably will not think of?Best long term internet strategy. This is the one thing that must work.Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm pretty adept at camping for a couple of weeks at a time, but full-time might be a tad different.Ciao...Ken

Lucky you!!! I don't think you'll have any security problems at rv parks. Check rvparkreviews.com and they'll give you a pretty good idea of places to stay. As far as internet we have Verizon and have been pleased with it. A lot of the parks have something called Tengo internet but I've never seen it work well. Get out there and have a ball!!

I can't offer you any real advice other than with security. Use common sense, it will get you further than you might ever believe.RV Parks, use the Good Sam online site for park information and planning your routes.Living as a full timer, what will depend a lot on your personal living habits. More of a learning curve kind of thing, but I think you will do just fine.Best of Wishes as you take on your new lifestyle. As for others not fully understanding...Well that's kind of like the old Jeep saying "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".But, also keep in mind that your kids only have your best interest in mind.

Get a Verizon MiFi or Millenicom which runs on the Verizon network. Install a Traveler II sat dish on the roof and get a Directv or Dish RV plan. In metro areas the OTA digital signals are full HD and the bat wing picks these up fine.Join Passport America for some discount RV Parks for a few years at a time when moving around. The life style in RV Resorts(note not just RV parks) is great with Tennis, Pickle Ball, Dances, Parties, etc etc. The East Valley of Phoenix is a great winter location. Move north in the hot summer months. Hemet has http://www.goldenvillagepalms.com/ or Palm Springs has lots on nice RV Resorts like the Outdoor Resort.We spend five winters at Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon, AZ and loved it.Set up a nice computer desk if the TH does not already have one.Have fun! There are other singles out there doing the same thing!Chris

For longer stays, see if you can find a Gated park/resort. Gates tend to cut down on non-park traffic. If you check-in a place and after one or two nites don't feel comfortable, MOVE. We use Verizon for phones and internet, but just recently installed an external antenna and WiFi repeater setup (approx $100 bucks) really helps so we can actually use the parks WiFi and keep our Verizon usage under our limit. For TV we have a Wineguard Traveler Slim Line dish for DirecTV with the Distant Network feeds to enable us to get network shows no matter where we are (provided we're not in the middle of a forest). The Bat Wing works for locals provided you're within there broadcast area, but some of the nicest places are out of their area, thus the Satellite. Remember, keep your black tank valve closed and dump only when close to full. Other than that have FUN, but sorry you still have to work. We gave that up a few years ago.

For security I prefer something in .40 caliber or larger. My personalhoice is 45/70 because I can use it in rifle and pistol. A shotgun rack in the tow vehicle and another next to the bed is a big plus. My 2014 Ram has the capability to create a WiFi hotspot for up to 10 device located within 150 feet of it. The only problem, and this applies to all major carriers, is spotty coverage in the Rocky Mts and upper states in the West.

Advice for My New 5er Adventure - especially RV Parks

j2catfish
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
You will have a nice area to set up your computer system in most Tetons. All the electronic external hookups will be terminated at the built-in desk making the connections simple. Only problem I have found(that can be worked around) is the lack of a good chair from which to work at the computer desk. Both my older (1997) unit and my present (2007) model are set up fairly similar.
Good luck!
Semper Fi,
Catfish
Atom_Ant
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
streamers395 wrote:
@AtomAnt Your Redwood is a thing of beauty! I am adding that dishwasher immediately!

ok...I am a little slow, I finally get what everyone means by local channels.
Thanks Streamers
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2013
Yep, if you get a RV DTV or Dish account you get NY or LA main channels(CBS NBC ABC FOX). Bat wing will get you locals.

Sat data service is very slow and expensive. 4g MiFi is much better. Chris
streamers395
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
@AtomAnt Your Redwood is a thing of beauty! I am adding that dishwasher immediately!

ok...I am a little slow, I finally get what everyone means by local channels.
yankeecamper
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Ok, Im not a full timer but I have been all over tne US in the last 9 yrs. I find my Verison sevice works real well in most area ( yes know matter what service you have it is not 100%). I use the Tailgater for Dish network both HD & SD channels, (you can get Direct SD channels(no HD channels) on the Tailgater). You can get local channels added for a small fee by changing Zip codes when you change area. I use my bat wing for local channels. We use Verzion MYFI for our internet service. You may want to look into Dish Net to see if you can use that internet service when your moving around. (It is the Hughes system that Dish bought). Most RV parks have long term stay that is fairly reasonable or if you do not mind moving every three weeks look at the Thousand Trails membership. (save money and buy it for a member.) Check rvparkstore.com for membership resells. GO FOR IT and ENJOY!!!!! The kids will get used to it
Atom_Ant
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
I have the Trav'ler as well - and it locks onto 3 satellites at the same time, whereas the domes have to toggle back and forth between satellites.

Domes have their place on motorhomes. They can continue to lock on the satellite while traveling. Trav'ler's need to be tucked away.
streamers395
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
I already use a Verizon mifi so I will keep on with that.

I have to have highspeed broadband. Anyone have experience with something like hughesnet? I wonder if it works well if you are down in a canyon between 2 10,000 mountains?

@Chris - Thanks for the suggestions. Are you saying to use both the satellite dish and bat wings? Did I read that right? Why not just use Dish fulltime?

@Michelle - Thanks for the tip on black water. I will try and park close to your rif and use your toilet all the time! I like my work!

@Bombfixer - SW M29 w 8 3/8 barrel. And knowing how to mimick perfectly the sound of a 12 gauge being pumped!

@Tiger4x4RV - thx for the tip on health insurance. I will check.

Thank you everyone!
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Dec 10, 2013
Me Again wrote:
AuntSmurf wrote:
If you're going to be moving around, invest in a Wineguard Dome. Around $600, but well worth it. Just plug it in and it finds the signal within minutes. Works on Dish, DirectTV, Bell, and one more. No hassle of directing the dish, and if it needs to be moved on your site for some reason (mowing, moving the picnic table, want to set your lawn chair in that spot :B ) it automatically finds your signal again. One of the best investments we have made!

The Traveler II with full HD reception is a better setup in today world on HD TV. Domes are really old school SD units.

Chris

Agree, I have the Travler HD sat on my 5er, push a button, it does the rest...HD is hard to beat..
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 10, 2013
AuntSmurf wrote:
If you're going to be moving around, invest in a Wineguard Dome. Around $600, but well worth it. Just plug it in and it finds the signal within minutes. Works on Dish, DirectTV, Bell, and one more. No hassle of directing the dish, and if it needs to be moved on your site for some reason (mowing, moving the picnic table, want to set your lawn chair in that spot :B ) it automatically finds your signal again. One of the best investments we have made!

The Traveler II with full HD reception is a better setup in today world on HD TV. Domes are really old school SD units.

Chris
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Dec 10, 2013
Yeah Chris, it's Sprint from what I understand....and again, it ISN'T 4G...It works fairly well, but my phone is faster with 4G, (Verizon)..

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