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NewtoRVlife's avatar
NewtoRVlife
Explorer
Nov 09, 2020

Going full time with dogs

Hello everyone,hope youre all ok.My name is Robert and im considering going full time(divorce forces home sale,and dont want to get into another expensive hole),but have a few questions.First of all I now live in a 3000 sq ft home,with my 3 small dogs.We are used to the large living space and big yard,in this situation how do you prepare mentally to downsize big time?
How do i prepare my dogs (they on occasion are quite yappy and have free reign of the house?
What do i need to do when leaving them alone in the rv(we live in Florida where its HOOOOOT most of the time?
Obviously i want to try to get something in the 30Foot range,with a budget of about $20k-25.I have seen many units in my price range,is there one i should avoid?
Again i apologize for all the quetions(I have many more but didnt want to go on forever.Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and i wish everyone well.....
  • Before you take the plunge do a lot of research. Fulltiming may not be as cheap or convenient as you think.
    Do you plan to travel? What will you use to pull your RV?
    If buying used, condition is the important factor.
    Do you plan on staying at a campground? Check to make sure they allow permanent residents.
    Some have a limit on the number of dogs or may not allow pets to be left alone in the RV.
    You may be better off buying or renting a mobile home in a park.
    Only you can decide what is best for your situation.
  • Are you going to be traveling the country in your RV or is it going to be your stationary full time residence? If the later, then I strongly advise AGAINST a RV. Nothing about them is designed for full time stationary, residential living. You would be better served buying or renting a mobile home or even modest traditional housing.
  • DownTheAvenue wrote:
    Are you going to be traveling the country in your RV or is it going to be your stationary full time residence? If the later, then I strongly advise AGAINST a RV. Nothing about them is designed for full time stationary, residential living. You would be better served buying or renting a mobile home or even modest traditional housing.


    THIS ^^^^^
  • Stationary....check mobile home parkls for rentals/purchase etc. Park Models would be better suit if NOT traveling

    Traveling....
    Yappy dogs are NOT welcome in private CGs
    Yappy dogs are tolerated in State/National/COE parks but limited to 14 day stays
    3 yappy dogs...many CGs have 2 dog limits so you MUST confirm pet policies PRIOR to reservations/stays
    Yappy dogs are NOT something folks want to hear all day long.
    Dogs can adapt to small environment but Yappy must be trained out of them

    What type of RV are you considering?
    Travel trailer/5th wheel...requires properly sized tow vehicle
    Motorhome...Class A, Class B, Class C
    If Motorhome...what vehicle do you plan on towing?


    What RVng/Camping experience do you have?

    Full Time RVng is NOT cheaper then Apt/Condo/House
    A/C will run all the time in HOT temps, Fridge may have issues maintaining safe temps in HOT temps
    CG sites can be expensive...cheaper by the week...cheapest by the month (which usually requires metered electric which can be costly...especially in HOT temps)

    Will you still be working/income...Medical Insurance/Registrations/RV Insurance---Full Timers Policy etc
    Working....yappy dogs WILL cause you problems
  • Agreed, 3 yappy dogs will not make you popular and could get you kicked out of many campgrounds.
  • valhalla360 wrote:
    Agreed, 3 yappy dogs will not make you popular and could get you kicked out of many campgrounds.



    Definitely.
  • valhalla360 wrote:
    Agreed, 3 yappy dogs will not make you popular and could get you kicked out of many campgrounds.


    Everyone that knows me knows i love dogs as much as life, but
    +another on vahalla360's post.
  • We had 2 dogs when we went full-time ( not yappy ) We bought our motorhome 1 year before starting out and during the summer months, spent every weekend in our motorhome so they could feel comfortable there. We planned our routine so that they were usually with us. You will have a more difficult time being single without someone to help. You better work on the training for the yappiness before you start out. People will not appreciate that, not even me, a dog lover.