Problems encountered full timing ?

[Cloud_9]

Just wondering what you folks have found in your travels, that you did not expect, or plan for.

We are not yet full timing, but have taken several long cross country trips, For example, one of the things we were surprised by, was the "road". The harsh weather changes, traffic, 18 wheelers blowing by in blinding snow, etc. Your unpleasant surprises ? Could be anything.

[2oldman]

Cloud 9 wrote:
Just wondering what you folks have found in your travels, that you did not expect, or plan for.

Permanent residents in RV parks. I never in my wildest dreams expected to find so many people living in trailers. I find a truck stop or other suitable large flat place much more comfortable.

[grandpalarry]

Keep track of your friends you meet along the way, talk to them and find out where they have been and what they have done, chances are they may have found a little bit of gold you might like to go see, or maby they encountered a problem that you can avoid, road conditions , rude camp hosts, bad food-and on and on.
If they are going to someplace you did not plan on going to, go with them, fun is in the groups.
Life is to short to go thru it by yourself.

The magic of a campfire
where the fish get bigger
the mountains get higher
the hike was uphill both ways
and new friends become old friends

[Clay_L]

We carry lots of quarters for the laundromats.

[Cloud_9]

Great replies, thats the feedback I was seeking. Very encouraging to see the positives. My example, perhaps a not so good one, was the feeling we had of being a long way from home, and thinking what it would be like "on the road" full time. However, I meant it to be a much broader question, as you all have understood. Such as, the over advertised RV park, "level sites, big rig friendly". Arriving at the end of a long day in a new location.

[BarbaraOK]

We don't carry lots and lots of quarters. Not sure what I would use them for?

Roads - yes, they can be a problem; both roads that NEED desperately need to be fixed and those that ARE being fixed. Lost a side mirror coming down I-90 into Montana from the pass driving between concrete barriers with no place to move for sign sticking out into the roadway!

Snow - if we encounter it on our way to Arizona in the winter, we just wait it out. The place we stay in Mesa has solar snow removal equipment, so we've never had to worry about shoveling/scraping etc.

Loop freeways are your friends for getting around big cities. When possible, do them on a Sunday morning. But they aren't always bad - - we drove our MH (towing our car) through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge without any problems. People on line gave us directions (which streets to use, which lane to use) and it turned out to be only about 5 miles on city streets between I-280 and Highway 101, and not a big deal. Got lots of waves from people walking down the sidewalks, and absolutely beautiful views going across the GG Bridge in the outside lane. Plus, when you go north, there is no toll!

Since we have no deadlines, we are in charge of when and where we travel. Love the US Highways (except Highway 99 from Bakersfield to Sacramento). You just have to learn to go with the flow.

Barb

[rockhillmanor]

Cloud 9 wrote:
Just wondering what you folks have found in your travels, that you did not expect, or plan for.

We are not yet full timing, but have taken several long cross country trips, For example, one of the things we were surprised by, was the "road". The harsh weather changes, traffic, 18 wheelers blowing by in blinding snow, etc. Your unpleasant surprises ? Could be anything.

No one can really predict if they will successfully to do it forever. Simply because you have 'never' done it!

An exit plan put in place, IMHO, JMHO should be the first item on everyone's list BEFORE going full time.

SNOW? Full Timer's don't do snow and it is no longer in their vocabulary!

And btw you need to carry quarters with you all the time. Lots and lots of quarters! :W

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Our first year we had some surprises like those you listed. We learned from them and changed our plans accordingly. We do not drive in bad weather. We check the weather 10 days in advance and change our plans if needed. Only 2x in 5 years have we had to leave the RV for bad weather. Once in OH and once in FL. We have a weather radio for pop up storms and find the shelter when we arrive at our stop. We also learned to take the US highways rather than interstate highways and go slower. Bad road you can't do anything about except to go slower. We avoid major cities if possible. If we want to see a big city, we park outside and drive the toad in. Even with all the negatives, the positives greatly outweigh them. We consider it part of the adventure.

[Roads_Less_Trav]

We haven't had any unpleasant surprises that I can think of, except, perhaps, the time in our 7th week on the road when we drove down a little road and got STUCK and couldn't turn around!.

The pleasant surprises have outweighed any negatives by a long shot. Our horizons have been broadened, we've grown as people, our relationship has deepened, many new opportunities have opened up for us...

Full-timing is the best thing we ever did!!!!

The main thing for newcomers, I think, is to remind yourself that it is not *forever* -- it's a lifestyle you can enjoy as long as it is fun. Then you can do something else.

[MaverickBBD]

Inconsiderate and uncourteous people. I guess I should have been surprised but I figure if I am attempting to lead a stress free lifestyle others I meet would be likewise. Should have known jerks are everywhere.

[Eycom]

Surprises?:h Perhaps many years of extended business travel, dealing with ice/snow/heat/traffic/break-downs/poor roads, etc., etc., prepared me for (or drove me towards) the full time lifestyle. Those issues continue in large part, as does the maintenance on the RV or a sticks & bricks. Life is simply things that happen to you when in fact you are planning something else. The mobile lifestyle has allowed me to deal with those issues, minimize their impact, and see/experience so much of the country most people only get to read about. It's a unique freedom and I'm looking forward to more upon retirement.:)

[doxiemom11]

All the semi's - all the parks that are built right next to the expressway, or next to the railroad tracks. Parks that advertise as "big rig" friendly that are not big enough to drive thru let alone park anywhere.

Friendly people, both in and out of the campgrounds. In 2 years workamping we have met very few grumpy people.

[HappyKayakers]

Bad sections of road that sneak up on you. Before you can slow down, you just know stuff is flying around in the RV. I hit one stretch of road in southern IN that had my 5er bucking like a wild bronco. A few miles up the road I discovered I had a broken leaf spring.

[bobsallyh]

As a fulltimer there should be no reason to be traveling in snow. We start heading south before it even gets a chance and we sure ease on up north watching the weather so we don't run into snow. I didn't retire and fulltime to run around in snow. As far as traffic it comes and goes, doesn't really bother us. There are some locations we may leave earlier in the AM to avoid rush hour, and we DON"T do reservations so we don't have to be some place at a given time. Just use the KISS theory!

[Valkyriebush]

Construction on bridges in regards to traveling are a lot more nerve wracking!!! Pleasant surprise was many RV repair facilities will let you over night when needed while getting repaired. Con: overnighting in a repair facility. lol