We've been researching for 2 years, made a decision, then something appeared

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by ie2special

We have the money but I AM TERRIEFIED to spend it. For us it wouldn't be used as a motorhome most of the time, it would be more or a mobile camp site. However I could get it for less than many new cars.

If spending your money is out of your comfort zone it is best to keep it in the bank, or investments or whatever.

If you collected the money for your enjoyment you should do with it what you wish.

[ie2special]

Yes, my car will pull the size TT we are looking at

No, the TT I like is only good enough for short trips and a few weeks a year. It does not compare at all to the Class A.

I couldn't be in a bigger quandary. I also hate passing up a good deal

I agree about maintence issues, we also have to pay storage, but we'd pay that for the TT too

[davidki]

I'd say a car is not a viable Tow Vehicle for any medium range TT, Our TT unloaded is about 6700 lbs and we use a 2500 hd with a 6.0l gas engine and honestly I feel at times that is not enough. Like the other person said, If the money you have in the bank is for your living and not as I say Vegas Money, leave it in the bank and rent when you want to go out... One thing you can bet on is any TT, 5th wheel and or MH will loose 50% of it value in 3 years...these things do not appreciate... On the other hand have a set amount of cash set away for recreational purpose and do not depend on it for living (Now or latter in life) go for what you want... but I understand, that money will depreciate the minute you drive any RV off the lot...

A good deal is not a good deal if you can't afford to buy it and the constant maintenance an RV will require... expecially one 10+ years old.

[ie2special]

My car isn't really a car, it's an SUV. We are looking at a 3100 lb trailer.

We plan to tow it without water, only gas. The weight is fine, I just can't decide between hybrids and TT of the same weight.

[bamaboy473]

I'm getting the impression that you're making too many decisions based on not spending money. Maybe you need to make a T-account and list what your Needs and Wants are for what you think you want and RV for.

Then, if that list points you to something that's too much money, stop looking. Compromising on features that you thought you Needed will be regretful from the start.

[Coma]

The Monarch and the TT are a very different "camping experience". The SUV can tow but it will be a short wheel base compared to a Pickup and will not handle as well, unless it's a Suburban or an Expedition.

It sounds as if you are not ready for a MH. Considering a TT after deciding on an Entegra means a whole new direction…..

Good Luck!

[ie2special]

Originally Posted by Coma

The Monarch and the TT are a very different "camping experience". The SUV can tow but it will be a short wheel base compared to a Pickup and will not handle as well, unless it's a Suburban or an Expedition.

It sounds as if you are not ready for a MH. Considering a TT after deciding on an Entegra means a whole new direction…..

Good Luck!

It was more than that We had job opportunities that neither of us could pass up....Otherwise we wouldn't be working on extremes like that

The Entegra is off the table :( until retirement number 2

[ie2special]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

I'm getting the impression that you're making too many decisions based on not spending money. Maybe you need to make a T-account and list what your Needs and Wants are for what you think you want and RV for.

Then, if that list points you to something that's too much money, stop looking. Compromising on features that you thought you Needed will be regretful from the start.

My need list is short Sleeping for 3....toilet....some sort of shower/tub....outdoor shower....Place to have room to sit and watch TV in bad weather.

My want list is HUGE

[Gordon Dewald]

My question is "What do you want?".

Some decisions are not made by being totally practical. If it was you would be purchasing a tent and throwing it in the back of your SUV. But that would not be comfortable (unless that is what you enjoy).

However that puts you into another set of quandries. Is a pup tent enough or should you buy a 3 season family tent?

Life should not always be about making the most frugal decisions, sometime you have to go out and enjoy your "stuff".

Make a decision sooner rather than later. Flip a coin if that will help. If you disagree with the first flip and get to 13 out of 25 you will know you have made a decision. Every day you waffle is a day you have lost from looking for what you want or enjoying what you purchase.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by ie2special

It was more than that We had job opportunities that neither of us could pass up....Otherwise we wouldn't be working on extremes like that

The Entegra is off the table :( until retirement number 2

It sounds as if your thinking is that you are financially insecure. Are you ready to retire or are you still hanging on to the golden handle. Keep working if it gives you pleasure.

I spoke with a friend who is a very accomplished engineer. He has built projects all over the world. I respect him very much. He kept getting pulled back into the work force for one more project. I met him during one of those projects. I asked him about retirement. His response was "Once you get past the need for professional recognition you can really enjoy retirement".

You will be amazed at how much less retirement costs than you anticipate. That is unless you go crazy. But if you maintain a similar lifestyle to what you currently have we found you will have money left over at the end of the month.

I have not spoken with anyone who is retired that said they wish they had worked longer. For the vast majority they say knowing what they now know they would have retired earlier.

We retired at 55. Not one regret.

If you are financially secure now is the time to get out there and do the things on your bucket list while you still have your health and the best days of the rest of your life.

[vincee]

ie2, working for a cemetery group I know first hand how precious and short our time to enjoy the fruits of our labors can be. If your desire is for the DP and the price is ridiculously low, pull the trigger and buy the damn thing. If you feel it is draining on your financial security you speak of you can sell it in a year or two and possibly get what you paid for it or marginally less. However, once you have such a beautiful rig the retirement juices may re-kindle and you may find yourselves making work excuses to use the rig much more than your stated one week per month, which by the way in my book is somewhere between 60 and 84 nights camped a year, not bad! Good Luck and let us know what you decided.

[Coma]

Originally Posted by ie2special

It was more than that We had job opportunities that neither of us could pass up....Otherwise we wouldn't be working on extremes like that

The Entegra is off the table :( until retirement number 2

If you are having fun working…enjoy!

That said, retirement is better than I could have hoped, beyond my expectations for sure. I passed up over a million dollars of earnings to retire early. My wife and I have our health and have had the adventure of our lives doing the Motorhome thing. I have absolutely no regrets for retiring early.

Best wishes to you both!

[AZGypsie]

You haven't given us any idea of what kind of financial outlay you are talking about, so a bit difficult to weigh the gravity of that issue.


Our experience was we wanted to continue camping and, as I am getting a little long in the tooth to be crawling in and out of a tent, we started looking at TTs. There were 2 major issues with TTs from our perspective. For me, claustrophia!! We looked at a lot of trailers, but those we could even consider hauling were way small and I felt like the walls were closing in on me. Which brings us to the second issue, if we wanted something bigger, then we also needed a new truck! The cost was prohibitive! So when having this conversation with a friend, he suggested we look at Class As. My husband, who was already retired, started poking around and called me one day and said "I want to go look at this RV. Meet me there!". I did and we bought it on the spot.


I was still working (I have since retired) but for the most part we haven't taken the rig out a lot, certainly not full time. My health is such, right now, that we won't be upping our time on the road until maybe sometime next year. But I will tell you this, whether a weekend or a vacation, I couldn't be happier. We have made it into our own little rolling home and when we do get out, I am thrilled. The biggest cost so far has been tires and gas and my husbands never ending tinkering, but its the love of our life. I would change a thing.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by AZGypsie

You haven't given us any idea of what kind of financial outlay you are talking about, so a bit difficult to weigh the gravity of that issue.


Our experience was we wanted to continue camping and, as I am getting a little long in the tooth to be crawling in and out of a tent, we started looking at TTs. There were 2 major issues with TTs from our perspective. For me, claustrophia!! We looked at a lot of trailers, but those we could even consider hauling were way small and I felt like the walls were closing in on me. Which brings us to the second issue, if we wanted something bigger, then we also needed a new truck! The cost was prohibitive! So when having this conversation with a friend, he suggested we look at Class As. My husband, who was already retired, started poking around and called me one day and said "I want to go look at this RV. Meet me there!". I did and we bought it on the spot.


I was still working (I have since retired) but for the most part we haven't taken the rig out a lot, certainly not full time. My health is such, right now, that we won't be upping our time on the road until maybe sometime next year. But I will tell you this, whether a weekend or a vacation, I couldn't be happier. We have made it into our own little rolling home and when we do get out, I am thrilled. The biggest cost so far has been tires and gas and my husbands never ending tinkering, but its the love of our life. I would change a thing.

Well said Laura.