No turning back... need advise moving forward

[PatAng2016]

UPDATE :
What a Journey it was through the process of buying a RV! It was a awesome but exsulsting experience.

First and for most I want to thank all the Full timers that inputted the good, the bad and the ugly. While I may not have liked everything I read...I took it to heart and did my homework.

What we ended up with came in part from the advise given in this thread followed up with a ton of research!

We got a gently used 2014 Newmar Ventana 4369 that we are very proud of. We added tire monitoring to the rig and the Enclave, a Blue Ox 10k lb, and a Air Force One Breaking system.
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We have decided to take the plunge into full time RVing. We've listed the house with our favorite realtor and a potential buyer is coming this afternoon. The Auctioneer is coming out today as well to evaluate and a auction date has been set.

We are looking at class A 40 Foot and are really liking the Fleetwood Revolution Deisel Pusher. We are looking at slightly used ones. We've found 2 of them and they sold so fast we didn't even have a chance. We have been reading up and trying to figure out how to go about it. We were thinking as soon as the house is sold head south towards Florida in our car to find our dream RV.. because I've read that the prices are better there. Yes? No?

Other questions have also came up between me and my husband that I am also need to find advise on, so I will list them below. If you could shed some light on any or all of them we would very much appreciate it.

Does anyone travel with a Cat? We have one and I don't want to leave her behind at my SIL's if we can help it. But I don't want her to be miserable either.

We currently have a 2015 Buick LaCrosse and are not sure if it will be the right vehicle to tow as it is a full size sedan which add's more length to the already 40 foot RV. We were considering trading for a 2 door Jeep but after the last news flash with the Jeep that caught fire, I'm concerned. Does anyone have trouble getting into campgrounds with a long rig? What kind of tow set up do you use? Is there anything you can advise me to watch out for?

Mail... how do you get your mail? We have been considering escapees. Is it worth it? We will also be having medications shipped to were ever we are, any advise on this?

We are also considering making our Domicile Texas for obvious reasons pp taxes ect.. How do we go about switching everything over to TX. Do we need to make a trip there? Trying to figure out how to get a address there, then I would assume we need to physically go to the DMV?? Should we do this before we make the big purchase?

[JFNM]

PatAng2016 wrote:
...they sold so fast we didn't even have a chance. We have been reading up and trying to figure out how to go about it.

Howdy and welcome PatAng2016! Sometimes and with some coaches, you have to move fast. Obviously, finding a balance between moving too fast and too slow can be difficult.

PatAng2016 wrote:
Does anyone travel with a Cat?

I have one, he is pretty laid back and sleeps under my seat while in motion. I mostly boondock and he seems to enjoy getting to explore new places but that is only when no others are around.

PatAng2016 wrote:
We were considering trading for a 2 door Jeep

Love mine, never talked to a full-timer with a Jeep that didn't like it. Exploring Jeep trails and logging roads is a lot of fun if you enjoy that type of thing.

PatAng2016 wrote:
Mail... how do you get your mail?

I use one of the mail forwarding services (Americas Mailbox in SD) and have it sent to the local post office via general delivery (about once per month).

PatAng2016 wrote:
We are also considering making our Domicile Texas for obvious reasons

The most common/friendly states are FL, TX, and SD. In addition to taxes, healthcare has become a major consideration for some. I'm still working and have insurance thru them so am not aware of all the complications. I can answer your question only for SD. There, a one night stay (campground receipt) is enough to go to the DMV and get your new drivers license. The mail forwarding service handled my two vehicle registrations for me. The DMV trip took about 30 minutes. The vehicles took a couple of email exchanges and a money order. Very, very easy.

Good luck! Every activity/change has some associated fear and challenge to it - keep looking forward and enjoy the journey and adventure!

[Stormy_Eyes]

PatAng2016 wrote:
Again, great information that I need to get us going in the right direction! The only mistake I am worried about is having to buy the wrong thing more than once, meaning buy the right thing the first time around. Less cost and less headache.

Buying right the first time is a laudable goal, though I chose a different path. Having only rented very basic class C in the past, I did not believe we knew enough to confidently select our dream coach on the first shot. Instead, we bought a less expensive (but still nice) gasser to begin our full time adventure. We have learned a great deal from this coach in the past six months and we still really like her. Eventually we are apt to sell her as we upgrade. Then we will shop slowly and knowledgeably for the right coach. As rv's are constantly depreciating and constantly in need on care/maintanence, she will likely sell for less than we will have spent, but we do not expect to take a bath when we sell her ( as we likely would have if we re-sold a new or expensive rig). As we bought her right and are making cosmetic improvements as we go, we might just get all our money back, but we are not counting on that.

So remember there are different approaches. If you are able to find and buy the perfect coach now, that will be awesome. If you have difficulty doing so, you could pull back, buy a starter rig and shop for the upgrade at your leisure.

[PatAng2016]

Again, great information that I need to get us going in the right direction! The only mistake I am worried about is having to buy the wrong thing more than once, meaning buy the right thing the first time around. Less cost and less headache.

[J-Rooster]

www.Demartinirv.com (there out of Sacramento) has two used D.P. that you described and wanted 2004, 70,000 miles, 38', silver and black, there asking $78,000.00 and a 2011, 9,000 miles, 40', silver, black and white and there asking $169,000.00 We travel with 2 dogs and a parrot with no problems! We had a cat we traveled with but it died of old age several years ago. When we travel we have the post office hold our mail until we get to our destination then we have it forwarded. My meds, (Chimo), we have delivered thru CVS Pharmacy, I take enough with me to get to our destination then have them send it to my oncologist office (it costs me $12,000.00 per month). We pay our bills online with a Apple I-Pad we never had any problems. I recommend a Roadmaster Towing system when towing your jeep. My tow bar is 17 years old and is still in near new condition preforming just fine! Good Luck, John

[2gypsies1]

One of your concerns was that you read of a Jeep catching fire. That can happen to any vehicle. It's not a Jeep thing. 🙂 We full-timed with ours for 8 years. They provide great fun and siteseeing in the boonies. Jeeps is the preferred vehicle for full-timing because you are in so many awesome Jeeping areas.

We used Escapees mail service for 20 years. Back when we started full-timing there was no such thing as Auto Pay for bills. We had no internet and no cell phone so Escapees was very helpful. I'd highly recommend them. You do need to make a trip to Livingston, TX - their home office for your initial driver's license. This small town is very familiar with full-timers and they'll move you along with what you need to do and you'll be finished in a couple hours, if that.

Full-timers definitely use motorhomes. They are very pleasant for traveling and that's what full-timers do.

You might want to check on the full-timers forum on this site for lots of good information including having prescription mailed to you. It can be done.

This full-timer has cats and a dog. She has some good information to share. Also, her blog is excellent on 'how to do' stuff and travel with good campground reviews. They have a 40' motorhome and enjoy public campgrounds.

http://wheelingit.us/category/pet-corner/page/2/

[PatAng2016]

Thank you for all the replies, and the questions to ponder... We really appreciate it all.
Me and my husband both have camping backgrounds. It is a regular family event growing up for hubby and a summer thing for mine. We have considered and pondered this for many years. Life is short and we have learned alot, one thing we positively know is that there is no way we can take it with us when we "go".
I can't say enough how much I appreciate those who have ask us if we can afford this financially, I can only only imagine someone getting all excited, jumping in only to realized two weeks later that they have made one huge mistake!
We could keep our house but we are choosing not to, plus we are going to bank on this baby. This farm requires maintenance and we are farm done. Down the road if we need a plan B we do have that covered.

We are looking forward to sitting back and enjoying life more. We have traveled quite a bit over the years always looking for new places to go and not having to rush to get there. We was to sit for a while, leave when we are ready and stop when we choose. Me and hubby have spent the last 6 years with each other 24/7, don't think we will be to close for comfort. We are fairly happy people.

I clicked the Edmunds link and and that was great, looks like what I suspected and we will be trading my Buick in after doing a little more research. My hubby loves Jeeps so I think I know where this is heading. lol

We have converted most of our mail to online except for the things we can't, government letters ect... the meds we get mail order 6 months at a time so I guess I need to figure that out...

My Cat is fat, lazy and laid back so I guess we will see how it goes and have a plan B for her as well.

[ro_sie]

We are not full timers, but we have a 40 revolution LE and pull GMC Acadia. the Acadia, we just pull 3 fuses and hook it up. Ask your dealer or their service department. They will know all the ins and outs about towing your car. We have two yorkies and they don't seem to mind being in the MOHO. Don't know much about cats except I have a friend with two cats and they travel with her. Best of luck to you.

[Naio]

2oldman wrote:
When frightened she climbs up in the truck frame.

LOL. The first time we camped in a place with bears, my kitty went out and did not come back for hours. Eventually I figured out that's where he was. He wanted some space to himself, and he found the most bear-proof place for miles around! And centrally heated. He came back inside when the van cooled off :).

Camping with my kitty has taught me a lot about how smart and careful he is. I do worry about him, but he is very capable.

[2oldman]

Naio wrote:
If your cat goes out, you will find this affects your choice of cg. Cats want cover outside -- bushes or tall grass. A parklike environment of short grass and limbed-up trees feels very dangerous to them. There is no place to hide.

x2

My outdoor cat has affected my camping choices a lot. She appreciates the bushes and grass. When frightened she climbs up in the truck frame.

I visit Las Vegas often, but I cannot camp in a parking lot with hookups like I used to, so next time I'll head for Lake Mead (for her) and day-trip to town.

[-Gramps-]

We live full-time in our 40 ft coach. We are presently parked in a Class A motorcoach resort with lots of other full-timers. Some owners still have a house (or in some cases two). Only one has a cat. We went full time back in December, a bit sooner than we planned, before our house was sold. We owned a coach since 2005, this is our second one. I suggest you make some extended trips before you make the jump to full time. If selling your house is required to make the motorhome purchase you want, then I don't really know what to tell you except it will be a bit like having your first kid or getting married...big step that you pray will work out!

We use Good Sam's Mail forwarding Service and they provide us with our official resident address as well. I suggest you purchase a car you can tow four down...tow dollies can be a bit of a pain in a lot of campgrounds/resorts that have limited storage space, if you can't store it under your coach some cgs would prefer you not have a dolly. I have many tips, hints and insights into the world of motorhomeing thru life and living small on my website..you are free to look anytime you want!

[Snowman9000]

I don't know how this would fit with your plans, but the Escapees Club is having an RV Boot Camp for about a week in early February, at their campground in Congress, AZ. Near Phoenix. It includes all of the do's and don'ts, driving lessons, etc. They might have something nearer to you, in Florida or Texas. You'd have to check. Supposedly it's highly regarded.

[Naio]

I don't have a class A, but I travel with a cat. He dislikes the driving (usually hides), but he enjoys exploring new places (and new mouse populations!).

Some people keep their travel cats inside. Mine goes out, but only if he feels safe. If your cat goes out, you will find this affects your choice of cg. Cats want cover outside -- bushes or tall grass. A parklike environment of short grass and limbed-up trees feels very dangerous to them. There is no place to hide.

I camped in my driveway for a month with the cat before we set out, so that he could get used to the RV and consider it his home. I knew it was working out the day he sat in the doorway and played king of the mountain with his best friend cat, would not let him come into the van :).

[darsben1]

Do you have lots of money to lose?
What do you do if you do not like the RV lifestyle?
Do you have an exit plan? Most who full time do. When you are "on the road" and something happens to one of you physically or you get so old so you cannot travel anymore WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

[pianotuna]

Rent an RV. You truly don't want to shoot yourself in the foot.

There are thousands of RV's for sale. Just keep on looking.

#1 think to look for is water leaks. If there are water leaks run away.

[bsinmich]

I would surely rent a MH for a trip if you have no RV experience. To me a 5th. wheel would be out because I would not be able to use all the steps to the bedroom. We travelled a lot with a 38' MH and a Saturn Vue behind and never had a problem with any place due to size. DW loved the kitchen in our Mountain Aire better than our home kitchen.She always swaid when I died she would sell the Mountain Aire and get a Roadtrek. You can see what I use now. Since she died I have not cooked in a MH. There are so many good restaurants out there and an occasional bad one. I have made bad meals at home also.