Choosing among the many fulltime options

[mkl654321]

OK--I am in an unusual situation. I am 58 and have an excellent job that I do exclusively online. Thus, I have the freedom to indulge my propensity to travel, well, everywhere. I live and travel alone (though I may wish to install a cat), and my evaluation is that I don't like any place all the time but there are times of the year when I really want to be in certain areas:

1. Late fall through winter: southern CA coast if financially feasible; otherwise, AZ
2. Early spring: Utah/AZ desert parks, weather permitting
3. Late spring: Yosemite, northern CA coast, Lake Tahoe
4. Summer: the Rockies and/or the Cascades
5. Late summer/early fall: Oregon coast

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Until I croak.

Now, I currently have a Mazda with 408,000 miles that I call "Uncle Pete." I've been driving him all around, camping when feasible, staying in hotels otherwise, staying connected to my work with a Verizon hotspot. I actually love doing this. But Uncle Pete is going to die soon (I assume!), and I'd like to transition to a full-time RV lifestyle. I really don't need much room, and would prefer a smaller, more maneuverable RV to a Bloat Coach Industries Behemoth powered by a repurposed aircraft carrier power plant. My choices, as I see them, are:

1. A 21-23 foot Class C or Class A. No towed vehicle (I think the smaller RVs would be total slugs and get about 0.7 mpg when towing anything heavier than a helium balloon).
2. A larger C or A, possibly with a towed vehicle. Not ridiculous combined length, hopefully.
3. A really small Class C, like a Toyota (cheap), or a Class B (expensive, to me, ridiculously so for what you get)
4. A pickup truck like a Ford Mastodon or a Chevy Manhood, happily towing a fifth wheel until the day when a 60 mph crosswind hits and I die in a tangle of wreckage by the side of the interstate.
5. Smaller towing vehicle, like a RAV4, and a teardrop-style minimalist trailer (not nearly as cheap as I think they ought to be).

My budget is about 30K to spend, and I make about 4K a month. My existence tax (medical and other insurance, baksheesh to the gummint) is about 1K a month, so I could afford some version of all of the above options. I just can't decide on which is best.

Since I'm going to be spending a lot of time in national parks, and since I'll be moving often, small seems better. A major issue is mobility after I do park somewhere. There, my objectives seem to conflict. Even the lightest, smallest towed vehicle, together with an RV big enough to tow it, would make my combined length 35+ feet, and prohibit backing up--at all. If the rig is standalone and small enough, I can just drive it around, But I think that would get old fast.

I am happy boondocking/dry camping/WalMarting for extended periods of time, know how to take Navy showers, and am happy living on apples and beef jerky for days at a time. Frankly, ANY RV setup seems like a step up from setting up a tent in the rain or sleeping in Uncle Pete.

I would appreciate any and all insights, suggestions, snarky comments from irascible old farts, etc. It seems to me that there is not one single clear choice here. Thanks all!

[rkortes]

dahkota wrote:
You want to go fulltime, small and cheap? Check out RV Sue. She has the rig, the internet access, and the experiences for which you may be looking.

I was going to recommend RVsue as well. Great Blog from a gal that operates 24/7/365 on a budget in a small rig. I would actually go a bit bigger than her, but she has all the kinks worked out. A small 5th wheel with a truck would be ideal from by perspective, but there are a lot of options out there. 2nd choice would be a van/suv with a bumper pull.

Class C or A would be out for me if I wasn't pulling a toad. I think most folks like to have the freedom of some sort of vehicle to run around in that isn't their home.... especially when full timing.

[Ductape]

Given your disdain for what most RV'ers like, I suggest a Van.

Down by the river. 😉

[Geocritter]

Borrowing from the words 19th century Lord Dunraven used to describe sailing ships “An RV is a bundle of compromises, and the cleverest instructor is he who, out of a mess of hostile parts, succeeds in creating the most harmonious whole.”

You are on a very personal journey and only you know what’s right for you. In my case I chose a 33’ Class A and tow a Dodge Caravan. Because my RV gets 6-7mpg I only drive it when relocating from one geographical area to another. Upon relocating I typically park my RV for at least a month to take advantage of cheaper RV park rates. I then use the RV as a home base and explore the area with my 25mpg Caravan that I also camp in while I’m exploring. To reach areas inaccessible to my Caravan I either ride my 250KLR dualsport Kawasaki motorcycle or backpack. Future plans call for the installation of an extensive solar system to allow more boondocking. I’m a sun lover and avoid dreary overcast areas so solar makes good sense for me.

Knowing what I know now after full timing for 2.5 years I’d probably go for a 27’-30’ Class A or Class C with a better floorplan. Since I’m single and work from my RV I’m soon going to replace the queen sized bed with a single and build a small office area in the bedroom. After that I’ll replace my current office area (the dinette) with a storage cabinet and more kitchen counter space. I’m hoping I can find some better (more comfortable) driver/passenger seats since when I’m parked I use them as easy chairs. In RV’s whenever something can do double or triple duty you come out ahead.

I hope you find my remarks useful.

Steve

[mkl654321]

OH BTW, I did buy and live in a 23 ft Class C for almost a year. I was enrolled online at Oregon State at the time and used an AT&T hotspot. It was a used RV from Cruise America. I liked it a lot because it had a regular pickup truck cab and so, I didn't have to snuggle up to the engine (that doghouse arrangement is really uncomfortable and cramped for me). I didn't care that I had to go outside to access the house. I sold it because of financial issues and because gas **** was in full swing ($5 a gallon) at the time. But it was more than enough for me for several months.

[RVcrazy]

Since you mention a cat, you need to keep a litter box location in mind. Perhaps you could keep it in the shower or closet, but many smaller units will not give you good options...

[Old-Biscuit]

Start checking pricing on those various units and see what 30K will buy you.

Single/-----go with the smaller Class C as it will not only be your home but your mode of grocery getting

[rockhillmanor]

Used 24 foot Class C.

The best bang for your buck.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

another interesting blog is Interstellar Orchard www.interstellarorchard.com

written by a female solo traveler in a small Casita Travel Trailer.

Small Class A (less than 30') would be my vote with 1 or 2 slides there would be plenty of room.

Something like a Thor Ace 29' http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Funtime-RV-Inc-2865396/listing/2012-Thor-Motor-Coach-A.C.E-29.1-1158...

[mockturtle]

dahkota wrote:
You want to go fulltime, small and cheap? Check out RV Sue. She has the rig, the internet access, and the experiences for which you may be looking.

I agree. Probably the most cost effective combination you could ask for. Of course, I prefer my Tiger but you don't want to spend that much.

[TechWriter]

mkl654321 wrote:
I am 58 and have an excellent job that I do exclusively online . . .
I'm going to be spending a lot of time in national parks

This might be a problem.

[dahkota]

You want to go fulltime, small and cheap? Check out RV Sue. She has the rig, the internet access, and the experiences for which you may be looking.

[jrp]

I have no input on the size or type of RV, its purely personal preference. Some start small and move up to larger rigs; some start large and downsize to smaller rigs as their travel patterns change.

I do want to point out that you should look into the state income tax issues for those working in multiple states. Regardless of where your domicile state is, every time you stop in a new state and perform work that generates income, you owe state taxes on that income as a non-resident (except in the 7 states with no income tax).
This group published an article on the problem a few years ago.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2013/12/12/road-warrior-state-inco...

There is a draft bill in both houses of congress to address this growing problem, but so far its not gone very far and several of the larger tax states are vehemently against it.

[gbopp]

mkl654321 wrote:
I would appreciate any and all insights, suggestions, snarky comments from irascible old farts, etc.

I would like to give you a snarky comment. But, I'm too busy drooling with envy over your situation/lifestyle.

Are you sure Uncle Pete isn't good for another 100,000 miles. 🙂
Enjoy your travels, whatever you chose.

[avan]

Why not rent one for a week or so to see "how it fits". You can see what fits me but whether or not it's a good choice for you, who knows.