Clueless where to start

[Mantiou]

Want to sell my home after 40 years and see the usa , may be by my self and cat maybe a dog not sure what size to get must be a drive able one , looked a little but totally clueless , going to be my home for the rest of my life, I want to experience every rock , ocean , mountain , but how , so many questionsn, how to use computer to get bank deposits ,what type of rv for traveling everywhere except New England , I'm using my children inherit ants yea , enough to travel I'm 62 not wonderfully healthy but can drive , my only way out is to live again and experience all I can ,

Thank you
I really don't where to start as far as a rv
Sue

[carl2591]

I had a friend and his wife in the space of 6 months, give, sell, donate everything in there house, sell the house and by a used motorhome. They spent a week in a local RV park and the full timed for the next 7 yrs. along the way the sold the MH and got a pickup and 5th wheel trailer.

they would spend time doing home builds for a organizations like habitat for humanity and other activities.. they did not need to work for money just trying to keep expensive low doing volunteer work.

It can be done. check out workamper.com site and the links mentioned above.

[LG61820]

Here's a blog I've followed since the writer, a single woman, started preparing for the full-time lifestyle: http://dewelldesigns.blogspot.com/#axzz3UVvbLuhF

Another single woman's blog: http://www.interstellarorchard.com/

And still a third single woman's blog. I especially like her "Girl's Guide to Rving": http://winnieviews.blogspot.com/

You will find links on these blogs to other blogs. Reading about the decisions made by these women and others will help you imagine what you want your life to be like also. Best Wishes! LG

[pamvanw]

I second the above suggestion! Check out
www.rvsueandcrew.net

[neal10a]

Some good advise and experience given. In addition it is helpful to be handy and mechanically inclined when owning an RV. It is a real problem to rely on other to do repair work for you. Insurance is helpful, but expensive in comparison and has it own hassles to deal with.
RVing is exciting and enjoyable, but has its problems and sometimes inconveniences that get magnified when a person is not able to cope or deal with them. Many RV manufacturers and dealers do not design, engineer or build RV to be as road worthy as they should be and therefore problems can easily happen. Not trying to be negative but realistic.
Renting a summer home or hotel travel is comparable to owning and maintaining an RV. The RV main advantage is freedom.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

You might find RVSueandCrew.net an interesting read. It is RV Sue and her canine crew living on quite a frugal budget travelling as a solo.

One thing I've learnt after much research about going full time, there's tons of different opinions on what is the preferable rig depending often on what the writer has experienced, and there are varying ways of travelling, ie; boon docking, dispersed camping, using CGs versus Resorts, moving every few days versus time sitting in one location. Likewise, budgets seem to be all over the place for individuals/couples/families depending on how they travel, what facilities they chose and in what mode.

Take your time, do plenty of research, keep a few Pros and Cons list as you are researching based on which type of rig, which mode of travelling, whether working on the road/volunteering/hosting etc might be of interest to you. Not just from a financial point of view but from an interaction with others as well.

What interests do you have? History, Museums, Cultural, Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, Hiking, Lakes, Mountains etc.

Happy Travels Sue!

[Mountain_Mama]

rkortes wrote:

Mountain Mama wrote:
Sue, I know you don't even know what kind of RV you want yet, but I like to learn about all kinds of RVing info. I found this Website very edutational even if you're not a "do it yourselfer. Also when we've been shopping for RVs, I look at PPL Motorhomes website to get ideas about different floor plans that are available. At least you can see how much counter space they have, if you can access refrigerator & bathroom with slides closed, can you get around bed to make it or is it crammed in a corner, etc. I just study them & think about different things like mentioned.

My husband & I have a 5th wheel & truck which I love, but I've thought about the future if I'm ever alone & still want to RV, I think I would get a class C & a toad.

Do your research, take your time & good luck!

Very Nice resources... thanks for posting and linking! 🙂

You're welcome!

[rkortes]

Mountain Mama wrote:
Sue, I know you don't even know what kind of RV you want yet, but I like to learn about all kinds of RVing info. I found this Website very edutational even if you're not a "do it yourselfer. Also when we've been shopping for RVs, I look at PPL Motorhomes website to get ideas about different floor plans that are available. At least you can see how much counter space they have, if you can access refrigerator & bathroom with slides closed, can you get around bed to make it or is it crammed in a corner, etc. I just study them & think about different things like mentioned.

My husband & I have a 5th wheel & truck which I love, but I've thought about the future if I'm ever alone & still want to RV, I think I would get a class C & a toad.

Do your research, take your time & good luck!

Very Nice resources... thanks for posting and linking! 🙂

[Mountain_Mama]

Sue, I know you don't even know what kind of RV you want yet, but I like to learn about all kinds of RVing info. I found this Website very edutational even if you're not a "do it yourselfer. Also when we've been shopping for RVs, I look at PPL Motorhomes website to get ideas about different floor plans that are available. At least you can see how much counter space they have, if you can access refrigerator & bathroom with slides closed, can you get around bed to make it or is it crammed in a corner, etc. I just study them & think about different things like mentioned.

My husband & I have a 5th wheel & truck which I love, but I've thought about the future if I'm ever alone & still want to RV, I think I would get a class C & a toad.

Do your research, take your time & good luck!

[EAGLE_N5ST]

There are a lot of good books out there with a boatload of information on full time rving. Reading those really gives you some different perspectives on things you might not have thought of. I would recommend reading those first so you know what questions to ask when you start looking. I even read a book about lady that took off on her own to do just what you are planning. Lots of good info. Google full time rving books and that should give you places to purchase them.

[joanne0012]

Reading, renting, and visiting RV shows will give you lots of information, but you need a basis for actually processing it, so my favorite suggestion above is to visit a campground and talk to people who seem like they might be undertaking an adventure like yours.

You can't live in a house full time one day, and then start living in an RV full time the next. You need transition time in which you own both and take short trips so you know whether it's a good fit, what vehicle and equipment suit you, etc. A woman traveling alone needs a reliable vehicle: don't scrimp.

The link above with lots of blogs is very entertaining but leaves out my very favorite, which got me started on my own RV adventures. Andy doesn't post much any more, but his story is so detailed and personalized, it gives a good feel for the experience of transitioning to full time.

Travels with Andy

Traveling with a pet puts major constraints on you, especially with a dog: How long you can leave the vehicle unattended, where you can park (especially on hot days and some campgrounds don't allow dogs), etc.

There are several reliable mail-forwarding services, you can just pick one. Likewise, handling all your finances (banking, charge accounts, etc.) online is easy and most of those accounts want you to "go paperless" anyway.

[PghBob]

Hi Sue and Welcome. I agree with the others that before buying you should try out the lifestyle for a bit first, to make sure you are comfortable with all aspects of RVing. You will need to learn to park your RV, often times backing into a campsite. You will need to learn the "messy" side of your RV, that is dumping your gray and black tanks every so often depending on use and the size of your tanks. You will need to learn how to level your RV. So, I suggest, as did others, that a rental unit is a good way to learn and also try before you buy. When and if you are ready to look at various RV types and floor plans, consider going to the RV show in Hershey, PA mid-September. It's not that far from Mass. They bill themselves as the largest RV show in the country, and having gone there several times ourselves before buying, I can attest that virtually all types of RVs are on display there. You will need several days to see it all. Also, consider spending time on this forum reading and learning RV specific jargon and terms so that when you do go to a show or dealer, they know that you know what you are talking about. Best wishes for success.

[rkortes]

X2 What TomB. says... give it a whirl by renting first. You might find out it just ain't your thang!..... Or you may love it! 🙂

[JnJnKatiebug]

lj_cox wrote:
If you're towing a car behind that RV, I don't see much difference between that or towing a fifthwheel or travel trailer. In both cases you need to hitch up and unhitch. (Full disclosure, we fulltime in a fifthwheel.)

As far as helpful suggestions for the OP, I think one of the best things you can do (besides checking out the websites already recommended) is go spend some time at RV dealers or better yet at an RV show or two. Sit in the rigs that appeal to you. Picture yourself hanging out, doing hobbies, cooking, watching TV - whatever you like to do. Look for a good fit for you and your likes. Think about where the items you need to have along will be stowed. If you have pets, where will the food and water bowls go? Where will the cat litter box go? (W/D enclosure works great if having a W/D in the rig isn't a priority.) If you watch TV will you get a crick in your neck if you sit in the chair you like best? Those sorts of things make a lot of difference down the road.
Hope this helps!

We do this as well but I also get in the shower and see how much room I have. If you are going to live in the RV you need a shower with plenty of room. Some of the RV showers are too small for me.

I disagree about the hooking and unhooking. I have owned all type of RV's. Hooking up the Jeep behind the Motorhome take 1/10 of the time compared to hooking up a trailer. I can hook up in less than one minute.

It sounds like living a dream, go for it.

[JAXFL]

I suggest that instead of spending time right now at a dealership or renting an RV or buying one, is that you need to close down the computer/tablet and get in your vehicle and drive to any campground where your see folks and talk to them. As with most of us we love to tell folks about the RV lifestyle and RVing and our coach so finding folks to educate you on some of the basics is easy. Don't just talk to 1 person there are a lot of RV's parked there just kind of mingle.