Ready to Live on the Road and Excited

[Donna_Jean]

Hello All, I just joined today so I am a newbie, I look forward to getting to know all there is to RV'ing. My husband and I are planning to retire in the spring, sell our house and buy a used 40+ Class A and live it in for at least 6 months or maybe longer. We are active and want to spend a lot of time out west in the national parks, hiking, biking and so forth. We live in MI now and plan to settle down in TN after spending time on the road. My big question is for those of you that have or lived in an RV without a residence how do you handle state residency. When we sell our house we will never live in MI again so i don't know what to do about things like drivers lic. taxes, voters registration, and so forth. I know we have over 6 months to figure this out but LOL i can't sleep at night trying to think how it all will work.

[CA_Traveler]

TechWriter wrote:
For full timers, you want a "portable" health plan . . . one that operates (and costs) equally in every state.

And the doctors won't know you and you won't know them which might be a issue in some cases.

Carry all of your records with you. Visits, Xrays, blood work, meds, dental, eyes, everything as they may not have online access.

[TechWriter]

Donna Jean wrote:
My husband and I are planning to retire in the spring, sell our house and buy a used 40+ Class A and live it in for at least 6 months or maybe longer . . . We live in MI now . . .

Donna Jean wrote:
We have a lot of equity in our house and he will fully retire when he turns 63 in May.

As mentioned previously, health insurance will be very important while on the road . . . and it sounds like both of you won't be on Medicare, so you'll have to get individual health insurance for both of you, right?

If you have health insurance through your employer, then I believe you can continue that same insurance through COBRA for 18 months. That's what we did when we started full timing in 2013. I was 63 too.

After that?

If you haven't paid for the full cost of your health insurance, prepare for sticker shock. Our pre-Obamacare COBRA plan (a BCBS PPO) cost about $1,000/month for my wife and I.

I went on Medicare in 2016, but my wife signed up for an AZ Obamacare plan for $1150/month -- just for her. Now she's also on Medicare.

For full timers, you want a "portable" health plan . . . one that operates (and costs) equally in every state.

Some more info from my blog: 2020 ACA Health Care Options for full timers.

[CA_Traveler]

Donna,

Just because something is advertised in a RV doesn't mean you know what your buying. King bed for example doesn't mean it's a standard sized King bed as in King or California King. Usually it's a larger size but the dimensions are different as needed to fit a particular RV and/or rounded or cut off corners. So be aware as sheets especially fitted ones may be unique.

Check access with the slides in as surely something will be blocked. Some have even reported they can't get to the bathroom with the slides in. Believe it or not. :@ Check the storage area with the slides out and all of my are under the slides. Double acting storage slides help but you still have to get them out.

What curb slide access do you have when parked in front of someones house? Roadside can't be deployed. Daughters MIL area does not allow reverse parking.

[ajriding]

Sounds fun.
So, 6 months is not really a big full timing life, more of a very long vacation. You said, maybe more, but Im guessing you do not meant 6 years…

Do you plan to tow a vehicle behind?

Will you be primarily traveling from campground to campground?

Have you considered a trailer instead?

For campground dwellers it is a huge bonus to have a trailer and take the vehicle out for sight seeing and day trips. Hauling a big motorhome around to every destination is difficult, and many nice spots you cannot easily take an RV in. For example, at Zion they will charge you more for a big vehicle, and you will need a "guide" (pay) to take you through the tunnel. At most parks you will be hard pressed to find parking spots, and even harder pressed to find a level spot so your fridge is happy. Some destinations you will just not ever find a place to park, and will be hated for taking up so much room and being so needy for just two people.
Forget driving down to Boulder dam.

Another plus for trailers is that there is no odometer, and no matter how far you drive you will not lose value like you will putting miles on a motor and transmission of a motorhome.
Trailers do not require insurance (though you may choose to insure it if your auto does not cover it).

Motorhomes do have their advantages, but consider carefully, maybe read more on this topic.

And if you are only gone for 6 months, then residency should not be such an issue, they will not know you are gone. Even in terrible CA you can live there for 6 months before they start wanting residency.

[magicbus]

Speaking from experience both RVing all over NA and cruising up and down the East Coast I can tell you that you will meet the same kind of folks on land and sea. They all have a sense of adventure. Some less so and advise "renting to see if you like it" and some so more who "just go try it".

Personally I would go with a slightly mature high end coach. It worked for us when bought our DP and our trawler. I firmly believe in letting someone else work out the bugs.

Dave

[CA_Traveler]

Join the Elks. Many lodges have camping facilities. Camping facilities vary but we have always felt safe at a lodge. Camping fees are a donation. We joined the Emergency Assistance Plus through the Elks. They will help with any medical emergency and have the RV driven to wherever. Including foreign travel. Hope we never need it.

[CA_Traveler]

Water can enter anywhere there is not a 100% solid surface and travel anywhere and it can be very $$$$. Plenty of posts.

Be aware that the large heavy MHs are very expensive. Example: I finally bit the bullet on replacing the 10 shocks. I knew I wasn't going to do it myself. Koni FSD $200. Install $82. $2800. But the best money I ever spent on the MH. Tires $600+ as in each.

[Donna_Jean]

Cloud Dancer wrote:
It IS exciting alright. We lasted 3-1/2 years, in a 40 ft Dutch Star with 2 slides.

Wow so for 3.5 years you only lived in an Motor Home, couple of questions, had you been RVing part time for a while first? Did you have any type of home or apartment for the 3.5 years you were on the road? and LOL i guess your marriage survived it. :C

[Donna_Jean]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Donna Jean,

And if Ian is ill, would you be comfortable driving a 42 foot vehicle with a toad?

Campgrounds are different than Marina's. Folks who can afford a boat (bring out another thousand) are more financially well off than RV'ers in general.

Many of us are happy camping with no facilities. That is even more so now that solar power and internet access are affordable.

If buying used, there are three things to look for. Look for water leaks. Look harder for water leaks. LOOK EVEN HARDER FOR WATER LEAKS.

Donna Jean wrote:

Those that know Ian feel he will not have trouble with the RV because he is use to driving a big diesel truck pulling a 43"boat and we love staying in marinas, I assume campgrounds will be similar.

I do plan on driving but not nearly as much as Ian, if he was to ill to drive i suspect we would stay put. Boats are like RV's some can be pretty low budget and some are tricked out. We have met all sorts of people from a family of six with a 25 year old boat and only a cuddy cabin to sleep in to people on luxury yachts, I expect people in campsites are not that much different. Have you ever spent much time sleeping in a cigarette style boat, while they might look pretty they suck for interior comfort:D We used the marina facilities all the time and only used our head if absolutely necessary, we also never had running water in the boat, of course the longest we ever spent on the boat was about 2 weeks at a time.

That's good advice on the leaks, where are some of the areas that are most prone to leaking. I will be sure to let Ian know, i suspect ian will join here to and read up on all the stuff to watch out for. What surprised me most when talking to people with the Class A's on how much trouble you can have with buying new. Everyone told us with new you are back and forth for repairs or tweaks they all said the same thing; "hopefully with used they will have gotten the kinks out."

[allen8106]

Transfer your residency to South Dakota. There's tons of how-to videos on YouTube.

[Donna_Jean]

CA Traveler wrote:
Yes 2009 42' HR purchased 2011. We now live in Sun Lakes AZ and travel 4+ months in the summer plus shorter winter trips. So full time for the summer months.

Kitchen Forward Quad model. Kitchen is up front, TV on midship wall and viewed looking aft. We never like the forward high TVs. Single bath and we've never wanted the space consumed by bath and a half. King bed - but I'm not sure any RV has a king bed as size is adjusted to fit an RV.

One couch, originally had 2 but one changed to a desk by prior owner. We don't have a need for 2 couches as one a large swivel desk chair are great.

3 AC/heat pumps. Propane stove top and refer. Aqua Hot (diesel) for hot water and heat (about 60K BTU as I recall). Extra circuit added so we can use 2 space heaters on second cord when at 30A CG site. Solar and other modificagions.

A lot of the ones we looked at have a king bed, we use it as a key word in our searches, it's one of our must haves, we just don't sleep well in a queen. did you have a specific floor plan in mind when you were looking, do you find an advantage in the kitchen up front. I ask because in my mind i thought having both couches behind driver/passenger seats makes for a big conversational area if we had company. I also might sit there at times when hubby is driving so i can elevate my legs.

[pianotuna]

Hi Donna Jean,

And if Ian is ill, would you be comfortable driving a 42 foot vehicle with a toad?

Campgrounds are different than Marina's. Folks who can afford a boat (bring out another thousand) are more financially well off than RV'ers in general.

Many of us are happy camping with no facilities. That is even more so now that solar power and internet access are affordable.

If buying used, there are three things to look for. Look for water leaks. Look harder for water leaks. LOOK EVEN HARDER FOR WATER LEAKS.

Donna Jean wrote:

Those that know Ian feel he will not have trouble with the RV because he is use to driving a big diesel truck pulling a 43"boat and we love staying in marinas, I assume campgrounds will be similar.

[Cloud_Dancer]

It IS exciting alright. We lasted 3-1/2 years, in a 40 ft Dutch Star with 2 slides.

[CA_Traveler]

Yes 2009 42' HR purchased 2011. We now live in Sun Lakes AZ and travel 4+ months in the summer plus shorter winter trips. So full time for the summer months.

Kitchen Forward Quad model. Kitchen is up front, TV on midship wall and viewed looking aft. We never like the forward high TVs. Single bath and we've never wanted the space consumed by bath and a half. King bed - but I'm not sure any RV has a king bed as size is adjusted to fit an RV.

One couch, originally had 2 but one changed to a desk by prior owner. We don't have a need for 2 couches as one a large swivel desk chair are great.

3 AC/heat pumps. Propane stove top and refer. Aqua Hot (diesel) for hot water and heat (about 60K BTU as I recall). Extra circuit added so we can use 2 space heaters on second cord when at 30A CG site. Solar and other modificagions.

[Donna_Jean]

CA Traveler wrote:
What a great plan. Make the best possible RV decision and go for it! Keep us informed.

We had boats on SF bay for over 40 years and water seems to attract us like a magnet. They were always our "Cabin in the woods". Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, lakes, rivers you name it.

do you have a 42' Holiday Rambler, that's around what we are looking for, I assume you don't live in it full time, does it have a bath and a half? What's your floorplan like and do you like it

We want King bed, two couches or two lazy boy chairs behind the driver seat, then kitchen and half bath, stackable washer and dryer, if possible but not deal breaker Dishwasher and TV on the outside. aqua cool and electric range. And of course my husband wants a BIG engine.