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

[littlemo]

tonyandkaren wrote:
Lots of good suggestions so far! One of the most important things is getting the right RV for your fulltiming lifestyle. Since everyone is different what is great for me may not suit you at all. Where you'll travel, where you'll camp, how long you'll stay at a location, the amount of money you'll have to spend each month, the type of roads that you'll travel along, your interests, likes and dislikes will all enter into your decision. Read over some of these blogs by fulltimers - http://www.hitchitch.com/links.html You'll find a wide variety of lifestyles.

One caution - some national parks do not allow dogs on the trails and also do not allow them to stay unattended in a RV. Before you get a dog consider how much time you'll want to spend at places that may not be dog friendly.

Great link!

[tonyandkaren]

Lots of good suggestions so far! One of the most important things is getting the right RV for your fulltiming lifestyle. Since everyone is different what is great for me may not suit you at all. Where you'll travel, where you'll camp, how long you'll stay at a location, the amount of money you'll have to spend each month, the type of roads that you'll travel along, your interests, likes and dislikes will all enter into your decision. Read over some of these blogs by fulltimers - http://www.hitchitch.com/links.html You'll find a wide variety of lifestyles.

One caution - some national parks do not allow dogs on the trails and also do not allow them to stay unattended in a RV. Before you get a dog consider how much time you'll want to spend at places that may not be dog friendly.

[TomB_]

Rent one to see if you like it.
If you like it, then start looking at floor plans to find what would work for you.
If you really want to see every rock in our great country, make sure your coach has a generator.
Be sure you dump your tanks every 3-4 days to keep from making a big mess. (Don't ask how I know this!)
DW says to put your must see places on a list & make it happen.

See you on the road! :B

[lj_cox]

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.

When we had a better idea of what we wanted in a rig we took a mock PDI (pre-delivery inspection) list with us to the RV shows and spent some time looking in cabinets and crawling under the rig and opening the basement power access and so forth. That really helped us narrow down our choices and get a good idea of fit and finish.

Hope this helps!

[Dick_B]

Contact Chuck Woodbury who has been doing that for many years in a Class C.

[kknowlton]

It's a lot of information, for sure. Some good suggestions for websites and groups to check out that you've been given. I agree that you might want to rent a small motorhome (Class C - the kind that has a truck or van front end) first, for perhaps a weekend or a few days during the week, and use it at a campground in your area, to get a feel for RVing.

By the way, "toad" = car you tow behind a motorhome. 🙂 TV = tow vehicle, i.e. something (like an SUV or pickup) you tow a trailer with.

I agree that for a single person, a motorhome is probably the best choice, rather than a trailer and tow vehicle, just because hitching & unhitching a trailer large enough to live in is not an easy task. Easier with a 5th wheel, perhaps, than with a regular "bumper pull" trailer, but the motorhome would be even easier to use.

[RoamingRV]

I would suggest that you try renting one first. Maybe a class C and do some local traveling - it will give you a good idea of whether you like driving it, what it's limitations are, what you really need vs want. I would also agree with some of the others and tell you to contact some RV clubs that have other women who understand what you are going through and can help guide you. They can't decide for you but can answer any questions you may have. Escapees are excellent as the others posted above are also good. My suggestion is to take one step at a time. Don't get overwhelmed by it all. Banking, etc. is all simple with a computer and the internet. Bills can be paid online. There is an answer to it all but don't think you will get all of them right away. One at a time. Good luck - it sounds exciting.

[rav]

Check out the Escapees RV club lots of great info there

[RckyMtnVia]

Sue, the first place to start is to figure out how much room you need and whether you want to tow a car or have a truck tow a fifth wheel. You said you want to see every rock, ocean and mountain. You could park at a campground and use your truck or car to see the sights, or if you get a smaller rv (25 feet) you could use that to see the sights and not have to tow a car. You also need to figure out a budget. As someone above said, rent an rv and drive around to see how you like it. A quick Google search shows there are rv rentals available in Boylston, Stoughton, Berkley and Allston. Also go to the Class A forum on this site and read the sticky on First Time Buyer and RV FAQ. You could also look at an rv sales site like RVTrader.com to see the different types of rvs available and their cost. Keep coming back here with questions and you will get lots on help and answers.

[the_bear_II]

Here's a good site with lots of information on Fulltime RVing

www.rv-dreams.com

[donn0128]

Cheaper is a truck and travel trailer. For a single person better is a motor home and toad. How big depends on how much money you have to spend. You can outfit a new combo for maybe 125K as a start all the way up to a million dollars. Your choice. Used you could probably start around 60K.

[edbehnke]

step one to me is figure out your money, medical coverage and mail situation. are your kids going to deal with it for years????? many people just become residences of a state like SD and do a mail box there. (mydakotaaddress.com is one of several). who is going to take your mail? put all of your billings and banking on line. for banking, just go to the bank website and sign up, that simple.

second thing is what do you mean a rv for everywhere but new england???? you will be living in your rv so it will be with you wherever you go.

and if you are 62 i suspect that you will end up buying several rvs over the next number of years if you enjoy the rving.

since you are a newbie buy a used rv and try it out before you sell your house if at all possible...you may not like rving. you rent a rv and try it out. find someone in your area to ask questions and maybe travel a little with them.

and hear are some sites for a single woman.
https://www.google.com/search?q=women+rving+alone&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8