Getting back in after a 5 year break

We are on the fence or on the opposite side I guess. We have been full timing and loving it. Recently we found a house in SW Florida and bought it and planned on just using it in the winter some.

Now we are considering just leaving the fiver parked up north for visits with kids/grandkids for 3 or 4 months in the summer, selling the 1-ton, and calling Florida home.

We figured in a few years if we wanted to start full timing again we could just purchase a used 1-ton, either sell or rent the house, and away we go.

We've been in & out for 48 years.. Travelled 14 months starting the day after I retired and settled in FL for five years. That's when we realized we missed the RV lifestyle, so 4 1/2 years ago we RV'd to Alaska on a 7 month trip and decided during that trip to go full time. Sold out and have been full time 3 1/2 yrs and can't imagine anything else.. We'll do this as long as life allows. It's Wonderful.

We were out of it for about 8 years, as we bought a cabin in upstate NY in '06, but we didn't sell the Class C. I tried to keep up with it, but sitting for so long was obviously not good and costly to get back on the road. We got the bug again when I heard my married son was looking for a small TT because he wanted to do with his family in the future everything we did while he was growing up. We both had diesel pickups, so it was a no brainer to get a TT that we could both use, so we traded in the Class C. My younger son is in college, so get-a-ways have been just the wife and I, and we have a great time dragging the house around. Never was a big fan of lugging suitcases into hotels. And of course, I don't miss the times you finally take your shoes off and lay down on the bed, and get asked to go get something that we forgot in the truck. With the RV, everything is always with you. Enjoy, there is a lot to explore! Safe travels!

I sold our Class C in 2010 and now 5 years later I have purchased a travel trailer in February. It is just me now and the jury is out about how I feel about the trailer. I have taken one trip (about 1600 miles) and it was very convenient to have everything at my disposal, but I am not as excited to travel now as I use to be. I am 66 and now traveling alone with my dog. I may sell the trailer after I make this next trip through Colorado from Ohio. I am holding off on making a final decision. Part of it is less interest in traveling, and part of it not liking a trailer as much as a Class C. I bought the trailer thinking it is easier to absorb the depreciation than a motorized unit that is not used a lot. I would say that was my major reason for buying the trailer and wanting to drive my F150. If my interest in travel picks up, I could end up buying a Winnebago Trend. It would fit me well, but then again, there is the depreciation piece to look at. I would only buy new, unless I could really find a well taken care of used Trend for a good price.

It only took us a couple of years of not having a RV before we realized that for us it worked better to travel in a RV instead of staying in motels and or staying in extended families homes. Yes, we did downsize but very happy pulling our own bathroom, kitchen & bed again.

Not to be confused with with my wife...SHHMG...

She who hates my guts...

;)

2012Coleman wrote:
Please define SWMBO - have not see this one.

She Who Must Be Obeyed. Also referred to as DW on this forum I believe.

Please define SWMBO - have not see this one.

We stopped RV camping for a while but did not sell the 5'vr--it sits in our driveway--also, kept the truck which definitely is useful at our Mt. cabin, particularly during the winter months. Both DW and I really miss getting out there and we are at the point where we want to hook the 5'vr up and get out there again and explore or go to our favorite spots. Lars

Would you consider renting a time or two to be SURE you want to get back in? How has your lifestyle changed that would warrant spending the $$ on another toy?