buying our first rv

If you go 5er select it first, then match a TV. Regarding length, determine where you want to go, then check RV limits at those camps. Consider renting before buying anything.

Good idea, take the time to get the one that fits your family and your lifestyle.
I prefer a trailer as I can unhook and have the TV for side trips. Motor home is ok but you just about have to carry a toad or un hook and drive the MH if you need a side trip.

Start by going to RV shows where you get to explore all types of RVs. Imagine living in it for a week, month or more. Ask questions from other patrons, most RVers a friendly and glad to share information.
Continue to ask questions here, you will get lots of opinions. This forum is slow right now til after the holidays.

Ken

If you have not used an RV before, I would suggest renting one for maybe a week. You may find that it isn't something you enjoy as much as you expected, in which case it will have saved you a bunch of money. If you do like it, you will have a better idea of the sorts of features you want to look for or avoid

Broadly speaking, I think a motorhome is nicer and more convenient if you spend a lot of time traveling from place to place, while a trailer may be better suited if you spend awhile at any stop before moving on. Setting up and tearing down camp is quicker with the motorhome, and having ready access to the fridge and bathroom when on the road is convenient.

also realize that full-timing won't necessarily be cheaper than owning or renting a home.

agree to rent a RV before purchasing. and if you decide on a trailer, make sure you buy a tow vehicle with the appropriate specs.
pick a model/floorplan first, then pick the tow vehicle that can tow it.

Everyone has their own preferences...you need to determine what's best for you. We had a trailer and tow vehicle but as I got older, a motorhome got to be easier. Most parks do not have the room to stay connected and after a long day's drive, the unhooking and set up was too tiring for us. A class A worked out best for us as there is little work with the automatic levellers and waste tanks large enough to only need dumping every few days. Water hose and power plug in and it's relax time! We generally 'destination travel' and just rent a car when we arrive. Most enroute attractions worthy of stopping at have shuttle service so the lack of a toad doesn't inconvenience us much. The best part (for us) of the bare motorhome travelling is that if we want to Cracker Barrel it for lunch or stop at a WalMart for supplies, the coach will easily park in a normal double length parking space.There's no worry about trying to find a long enough space on the parking lot perimeter or be concerned about making a mistake and having to unhook a toad/trailer to be able to back out of a tight spot.

might buy a good used rv now and use it on week ends to see what you really want. and a great learning tool.some times bigger is not better.

midnightsadie wrote:
might buy a good used rv now and use it on week ends to see what you really want. and a great learning tool.some times bigger is not better.

This!

If you are able, buy something now with the expectation you will replace it after you use it for awhile, to figure out what you really want.

If you go the 5th/TT route, get a tow vehicle larger than what you "need" - it makes for much nicer towing.

With a motorhome (Class A), definitely plan on having a "toad" - small vehicle towed behind the motorhome.

Oh, and listen to the "fulltimers" - of which, I am not one (yet, at least!).

Weird thing - when typing this response, "motorhome" came up as incorrect - the autocorrect wanted to change it to "motor home", with that space added. Hmmm.....

JMO, but having camped and long distance traveled in popups, a hybrid, and several travel trailers, all of which obviously had to be towed, I'd be considering a MH with a small toad as the better option now that I'm older and far less interested in all the fussing around required with anything that's towed. Just yesterday I spoke at length with a fellow who had owned several travel trailers, then ultimately 2 different truck campers, and was convinced that for them the truck campers had proven to be the best option as the TC itself, with a bit of work, could be left at the campground while they toured around in their 3/4 ton. However, now that both he and his wife are getting older so too is all the fussing around so they're in the market for a 23' - 25' Class C which they can tow & park with ease pretty well anywhere and use his wife's tiny Smart car as a toad. Certainly a Class C is not as spacious as a large Class A so that may be the tipping point for those wanting to full time but either, along with a small toad, seems to me to be the best solution for we older RVrs. :)

If you have never owned an RV before, I advise getting something now and begin to experience the RV lifestyle by going on week-end camping outings and your next 2 week vacation. If you wait 2 years, buy an RV and try to full time immediately, you WILL find yourself with multiple challenges you've never anticipated and it can be overwhelming. Learning and adjusting over the next couple years will prepare you. Not only for camping, but you will need to downsize.... everything to, at most, a 40 x 8 foot box. You'll need to learn to downsize your water usage, your storage space, how much food you have in the pantry, clothing, tools, equipment, everything. Moving from a house or even an apartment to such a small space IS an adjustment. Sometimes it takes a couple years, just to figure out what is really needed in the camper for comfortable camping, and not be over crowded with useless junk you'll never use. This takes time to figure out. So right NOW is when you should be gaining your experience so you'll know how to handle everything when you do make the switch and won't be in such a state of chaos and anxiety.

To go full timing, you need to have your vehicles insured, bank accounts established, credit cards in place, other insurances worked out, and have a place of residence too. You'll have thousands of little decisions to make, just to get ready to hit-the-road. Waiting to figure it all out at the last minute will be overwhelming. And you still have the problem of disposing of your current belongings and downsizing to that 40 foot long box.

It would be good if you could get a camper now, even a used one to gain the experience and to be sure this is a life style you will be comparable with.

If, over the next 2 years, everything is really on-target, then look for a new camper. This will give you 2 years adjusting to the "cost" of RV ownership too. You may find out, it really is not as cheap as you may anticipate, and really won't be able to afford. Also, the next 2 years would give you an idea of the style of camping will suit your personal lifestyle also.... State Park, Boomdocking, Private Campgrounds, or Resort Campgrounds. It can also give you experience on WHERE to travel to also ... what part of the country suits you best? Of course, if you have the rest of your life to travel, you can go anywhere in time. But the next 2 years would give you a very good idea of what to expect.

Even if you pick up a small pop-up, you'll learn a lot of what you like and don't like, which will help determine your full time needs and dream.

Good luck. I just suggest, don't wait till the last minute to get experience that comes only with time.