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Old 01-18-2015, 12:09 PM   #1
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Hello From MD

Hi! My name is Natalie. I am in the process of researching a RV to purchase (hope to have it by the middle of February 2015). I will be retiring from the military at the end of the year and I'm very interested in the RV lifestyle. Initially, I will spend a few months on the road to see how well it goes. I'm primarily looking at the Forest River Georgetown 328TS and 335DS, as well as the Thor Motor Coach Windsport 34E and Hurricane 34E; although I like the Holiday Rambler Vacationer and the Thor Motor Coach Challenger-they are out of the price range that I am comfortable with for my first RV purchase. I look forward to all the advice I can get as I start this journey!
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Old 01-18-2015, 12:24 PM   #2
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And thank you for your service to our country.

Your list looks like all gas powered RV's (engine in front). They are affordable, reliable and easy to maintain (everything considered).

The other selection in Class A's is Diesel powered (engine usually in the rear) which will usually offer more power and air ride suspension...and typically cost more for the same model year and condition.

Lots of things to consider...best luck.
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Old 01-18-2015, 12:29 PM   #3
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Good luck with your choice.
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Old 01-18-2015, 12:30 PM   #4
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Hi Natalie! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Thank you for your service to our country!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Old 01-18-2015, 01:42 PM   #5
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Welcome to the forum.....Take your time researching different rigs. Talk with folks that have the rigs your interested in.


Safe and Happy Travels.
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Old 01-18-2015, 02:01 PM   #6
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Natalie,


Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service. There is a military forum you may be interested in on here. Good luck with your choice.
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Old 01-18-2015, 02:55 PM   #7
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Hi and thank you for your service! You might want to go to an RV show (the big one in Tampa ends today) and you can get a good feel for what you like. I found looking at many models that the price you see on the windshield is a little confusing until you really get an idea about what you are looking at. Pretty much the chassis on a gas MH is going to be similar, but you want to pay attention to the chassis max weights and consider what you are going to pull behind it and how. The interiors will really show you the major differences in the manufactures--from cheap materials to nice materials, from poor workmanship to well thought out engineering and workmanship. You also have to make you decision on how you plan to use it.
I started out researching 3 years ago. I spend a lot of time out west in the mountains and thought I needed a DP. Then after long research I found I could afford a newer gas mh which meant newer engineering for both the chassis and the coach, newer up to date appliances (less to replace or repair). Also gas is very cheap right now, and has been cheaper the diesel for a long time. DP cost more to maintain and service. Since I didn't have money coming out the Wazoo I decided on going gas and could purchase a much newer mh for my money. I finally narrowed on Tifton and Newmar and finally got the Newmar with lots of upgrades by the previous owner, and I mean lots!
One more thing, if you are thinking of financing, I went through Alliant credit union out of Chicago (they are the former United Airlines CU) which I was a member of but if you join Escapes RV you can become a member as well. Very easy to work with, very nice, great interest rates.
Insurance is also something to consider. I have had USAA for years because of my USAF but they wouldn't do full timer RV insurance except handing it off to another company (Progressive). I found a good insurance company through Escapes out of Iowa and they specialize in RV insurance so they had good coverage and good rates.
Hope this helps and good luck--see you out there!
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Old 01-18-2015, 05:59 PM   #8
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Welcome... And thank you for your service. My dad, now 82, was professional Army. He now travels with us with my mom when they are not doing their own land travels. They never got the Rv bug like we did! Hope you find the perfect RV for you. And, as others have noted, Rv shows are the best place to start and find what fits you, and your budget. Best of luck and welcome!!
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:49 PM   #9
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Welcome, glad to meet you!
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Old 01-18-2015, 10:50 PM   #10
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Thanks for the Warm Welcome!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I went to an RV show in Chantilly, VA yesterday, and I plan on attending another one in Richmond, VA at the Speedway next month. I appreciate all the good advice, and will take it into account as I make my decision. I also had the opportunity to test-drive the Thor Motor Coach ACE 30.1, which allowed me to cross that one off my list. The interior wasn't bad, but it was making a screeching noise the whole time I was driving it, was kind of a rough ride, and they took it to check it out after the test-drive was over. I plan on pulling my new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4X4 behind whatever RV I get. I checked the Dinghy Towing guide and the Jeep website to ensure that the Cherokee was capable of being flat-towed before trading in my Nissan Frontier for it a couple days ago. I just have to find a shop to equip it for towing with a Blue Ox tow system. I have my financing set up through USAA, so I just have to decide on which coach fits my wants and price range the best and then see what kind of deal I can get. It will be a few years before I am in a position to do the full-time RV life, but I will get out in it every chance I get when not working. I do have one question: Do you have to have a CDL to drive an RV? Again, thanks for the warm welcome and all the good advice. I look forward to seeing you all on the road.
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Old 01-19-2015, 03:48 AM   #11
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Welcome aboard and good luck with search.....
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Old 01-19-2015, 07:06 AM   #12
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Hi Natalie We are glad yall joined us. And thank you for your service
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Old 01-19-2015, 02:05 PM   #13
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A couple things regarding your latest post. Te hardest thing I had to get used to is sqeaks and creaks going down the road--I am one of "those guys" who goes nuts trying to find a rattle or ticking in my car. The towing set up for 4 wheel down will cost about $2 grand (you'll need base plate, tow bar, safety chains, wiring kit, and a braking system for the jeep so it stops when you stop the MH). If you are using USAA for finance I assume it is a short term RV loan--that is what they offered me. Short term doesn't give you much if any tax write off--that is why I looked else where. As for the driver's license, it depends on the State your driver's license is from and also to an extent, the State you register the RV in. Best thing is to look it up on line for your State's DMV--being military, you may not have your driver's license and plates in the same state you are living in now, but once you retire you will have to license and plate in the State you choose and live in as a legal resident. I use FL--no income tax, low late and registration fees, and no special driver's license requirements for a personal owned RV.
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Old 01-25-2015, 08:52 PM   #14
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Welcome to the forum!


Thank you for your service.
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