Taking the plunge to full timing & need advice

[Sewsyq]

So DH & I have decided to sell the house and all our stuff and try full timing for a while. We do plan on buying a new house in a few years in a warmer climate so we will invest the money while we travel to later purchase a new home in a new area. I have to say I'm a little scared - so much to learn. I'm hoping you good folks who have had some experience with this will offer up some kind advice. We will be living in a 36' Keystone Cougar 5th wheel and I'm just a little nervous about feeling cramped in. Another concern is also having enough money to live on. Hubby collects a pension of 3,000 a month and thinks we can do it on that. The plan is to winter in the south, and then travel home in summer. When we're home, we won't have to worry about paying to stay anywhere as family has enough room for us, so we will save some money there. Wish us luck & please do share any advice you think will help!

SewsyQ

[reed_cundiff]

This was wife's attitude: sell house, dump stuff and get moving "yes dear!"
Reed and Elaine

[4X4Dodger]

2gypsies wrote:
1. It would help if you had a more positive attitude. Go into it saying "we can do this"! There are an estimated 2 million full-timers out there so it does work. 🙂

2. If you're trying it out for 3m at a time, our recommendation would be to move around to different parks and types of parks to see what works for you. Sitting for 3m in one place that you dislike would not be any fun. Even move from state to state for a 3-month period.

3. Full-timers manage to live in many types and sizes of RVs. We've met some in just a van. One only had the requirement of the hubby installing a bidet in it! He did!! We saw it.

4. Having outside interests helps a lot and even interests away from each other. Sometimes you just need breathing room. You don't have to do everything together.

5. Volunteering is a great outlet. We did a lot of it from campground hosting to giving lighthouse tours. It gives you purpose, something to do, and usually gives you a free campsite.

6. Yes, you can do it on $3,000/month. Keep track of what you spend per month now. Your lifestyle won't be any different. We were never interested in big city stuff, museums or amusement parks. We enjoyed public parks - national, state, national forests, etc. That saved us a lot of money. It just depends on how you want to spend your time.

7. Think positive!!!! 🙂

X2! Also keeping your home while you are fulltiming just gives you an escape hatch, a parachute, something to run back to when things get a bit difficult. I think if you really want to make it work, get rid of the house, put all your stuff you want to keep in storage and GO!. Then you will have to make it work. In the unlikely event that you find it's just not for you you still can get another house, maybe in an area you traveled to that you may like better than your current place...who knows?

[pianotuna]

Here is a simple flow chart.

Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.

If you use solar as a battery charger, one rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging system

solar spreadsheet by N8GS

If you full time or use an inverter lots, then populate the entire unshaded area of the roof with panels. I'm considering replacing my awning with solar panels.

For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:
Golden rules of solar

Joe Termite wrote:

How many watt solar power?
Thank you
Joe Termite

[Joe_Termite]

We are also planning on doing the same type camping. Wallmarts, Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops.
How much do you think your monthly expenses are?
How many watt solar power?
Thank you
Joe Termite

[Joe_Termite]

JimK-NY wrote:
Some people need the equivalent of a mobile home or larger. My wife and I and two cats fulltimed in a small truck camper. It had a small kitchen, wet bath and a memory foam full Queen sized mattress. On rainy days it was a bit cramped but otherwise we spent a great deal of time outside. We also had plenty of room for 4 seasons of clothing, food, misc supplies, camera gear, archery equipment. We also had dress clothing and luggage in case of emergencies.

We did exactly the same thing with the house. I sold the house, immediately retired from work and stored the excess junk in a storage locker. We did very well financially. With a small RV and solar power, we did not need hookups. Instead we stayed at Walmart when traveling and most of the destination sites were low cost national parks, national forests or BLM land. We averaged well less than $10/night for campground fees. Propane was about $10/month for hot water and occasional use of the furnace. I rarely needed the generator for about $5/month. Food was less expensive than when we lived in a house since we tended to eat simpler. We did eat out several times a month but those expenses were minimal, mostly diners and inexpensive restaurants. The big expense was diesel fuel. We tended to stay in the same area for several weeks so that expense was moderate.

[2gypsies1]

My take is not to put a time limit on full-timing. I hear "we'll TRY it for a year or so". That really is no commitment and you definitely won't know the lifestyle in such a short time.

Also, if you sit in one place for months and never try the rest of the country then I'm sure you'll get very bored.

We moved constantly, traveled secondary roads and got out into the boonies to really see this wonderful country of ours.

[rkortes]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I can say I have NO issues with stuff bouncing in my rear kitchen... I have a lighter, shorter TT and actually have to go up a curb to park it at home and have not lost anything due to bouncing around. I do have to be sure cabinets and things are secured, but you should do that with any type trailer. I love the floor plan and would highly recommend a rear kitchen. It meets my needs.

Really good to know.. Thanks. My wife has always like the layout of the rear kitchen model.

[Sewsyq]

TXiceman wrote:
While some full time in RVs like a Cougar, I do not recommend it. A true full time trailer will be built heavier, better insulated and have higher quality furniture.

We started full timing in a 36' Carriage Cameo and moved up to a 40' HitchHiker Champagne to get n=more storage. The penalty of a true full time trailer is the weight and the requirement for a suitable truck.

Ken

Ken, While I do appreciate the differences between a true fulltime RV and our Cougar, as of right now, our FT lifestyle will only last a short while (approx 3 yrs). Our current plan is to try it out and see if we like it...if in 3 yrs we don't, then we will have the option of settling down and building another sticks & bricks. On the other hand, if we've really taken a liking to FT we still have the option to buy up or keep going as we are if it looks feasible. While we are in a hurry to get this adventure started, we want to take our time through this experience to evaluate and really see if it is something we really want to keep going with.

Sue

[joeonthecape]

Hello SewzyQ,,welcome to fulltiming,,yeaaaa,,I fulltimed for 7 years,and I loved it,first your rig,,no problem, you will spend a great deal of time outside under your awning,just relaxing and talking to all the campers in the park. Next dont try to see the whole USA in one year,dont try to drive 500 miles a day you will be tired.Take it easy,,also some suggest workamping ,You park host and get a free site,,be sure to check this out its a good deal.Ok nuff said,have fun.

[TXiceman]

While some full time in RVs like a Cougar, I do not recommend it. A true full time trailer will be built heavier, better insulated and have higher quality furniture.

We started full timing in a 36' Carriage Cameo and moved up to a 40' HitchHiker Champagne to get n=more storage. The penalty of a true full time trailer is the weight and the requirement for a suitable truck.

Ken

[JimK-NY]

Some people need the equivalent of a mobile home or larger. My wife and I and two cats fulltimed in a small truck camper. It had a small kitchen, wet bath and a memory foam full Queen sized mattress. On rainy days it was a bit cramped but otherwise we spent a great deal of time outside. We also had plenty of room for 4 seasons of clothing, food, misc supplies, camera gear, archery equipment. We also had dress clothing and luggage in case of emergencies.

We did exactly the same thing with the house. I sold the house, immediately retired from work and stored the excess junk in a storage locker. We did very well financially. With a small RV and solar power, we did not need hookups. Instead we stayed at Walmart when traveling and most of the destination sites were low cost national parks, national forests or BLM land. We averaged well less than $10/night for campground fees. Propane was about $10/month for hot water and occasional use of the furnace. I rarely needed the generator for about $5/month. Food was less expensive than when we lived in a house since we tended to eat simpler. We did eat out several times a month but those expenses were minimal, mostly diners and inexpensive restaurants. The big expense was diesel fuel. We tended to stay in the same area for several weeks so that expense was moderate.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

soren wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Just an FYI in case you don't know.

When you hit the GA/FL line......the CG's in Florida start charging you 'extra' for electric if you stay a week or more. Most have meters. You use it, you pay them for it!

And IMHO if that same site was rented out for 2 day stays for the entire season with no extra electric charge.....why should I pay extra for it because I stayed in one spot for 2 weeks? Crazy but it's Florida, it's there job to make money off of us! :B

AND when they advertise the CG rates? When you are done signing in you will have state tax on top of the rate AND a bed tax. So if you are on a budget be sure to find out what the daily rate PLUS all their taxes are. :W

I did not know about bed taxes and extra charges for electric. I traveled mostly in the Midwest and no matter how long you stay you do NOT pay extra for electric. Then went full time and headed south. Was a bit of a sticker shock for me! Not complaining I am still here but I was not aware of it.

I'm surprised that any of this would shock you? I have seen site electric meters all over the country, not just south of the "Welcome to Florida" sign. As for separate billing being "crazy", I'll take it any day. We spent part of our winter at a great resort in west central FL. It was $58/day or $19/day if you paid by the month. The electric was an additional $60, or so, for the month. I'll take $21/day over $58, every time. You're right about taxes, they are steep. I don't think Fl. hides the fact that they have no state income tax, and are happy to let the tourist pay a lot of the costs of running the state. It is what it is, warm and affordable, all winter long, which is how I like it.

X2, daily rates are more than monthly + electric, and FL lives off sales tax and bed taxes on tourists - and there is nothing wrong with that. Pick your poison. If you choose to become a FL resident, I bet you come out ahead.

[soren]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Just an FYI in case you don't know.

When you hit the GA/FL line......the CG's in Florida start charging you 'extra' for electric if you stay a week or more. Most have meters. You use it, you pay them for it!

And IMHO if that same site was rented out for 2 day stays for the entire season with no extra electric charge.....why should I pay extra for it because I stayed in one spot for 2 weeks? Crazy but it's Florida, it's there job to make money off of us! :B

AND when they advertise the CG rates? When you are done signing in you will have state tax on top of the rate AND a bed tax. So if you are on a budget be sure to find out what the daily rate PLUS all their taxes are. :W

I did not know about bed taxes and extra charges for electric. I traveled mostly in the Midwest and no matter how long you stay you do NOT pay extra for electric. Then went full time and headed south. Was a bit of a sticker shock for me! Not complaining I am still here but I was not aware of it.

I'm surprised that any of this would shock you? I have seen site electric meters all over the country, not just south of the "Welcome to Florida" sign. As for separate billing being "crazy", I'll take it any day. We spent part of our winter at a great resort in west central FL. It was $58/day or $19/day if you paid by the month. The electric was an additional $60, or so, for the month. I'll take $21/day over $58, every time. You're right about taxes, they are steep. I don't think Fl. hides the fact that they have no state income tax, and are happy to let the tourist pay a lot of the costs of running the state. It is what it is, warm and affordable, all winter long, which is how I like it.

[Old-Biscuit]

Leave the 'sentimental things' with family and forgo the storage fees and added insurance for items in storage.

WE had an 'estate sale'.........everything was sold in one day. No hassles....no packing, no carting off to thrift stores, no hauling to dump. Just sat back and watched them haggle over our stuff.

Then found out that first 6 mos on road we STILL had more stuff then we NEEDED.
Just like the Conestoga Wagon trains we off loaded more stuff.
One of each CAN be too much. :B


Don't forget 'Full Timers' Insurance coverage........same type of home owners policy PLUS.
National Interstate, Bluesky, Foremost have those specialized polices for FTrs.

Get rid of paper statements...........on-line banking with e-bills.
Less paper/less mail/less issues