Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > iRV2.com COMMUNITY FORUMS > New Member Check-In
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-26-2017, 12:37 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
New Member - solo w/kids

Hi -

My name is Carolyn and I'm from Northern California. I've got two boys, and soon we'll have (at least) one dog. My house is on the market and, with any luck, will be sold by the beginning of June. I've got tenants in it now who have until then to move out.

Our dream is to travel. I'm still working through what kind of rig will be best for us. Initially I was going with a short TT. I realized very fast that I do not want to tow anything - that includes a toad. So, a short Class C seemed the next logical option. I wasn't finding much of what I wanted in the price range I'll be able to afford, so my thoughts turned to getting a Suburban and camping/truck camping. Thankfully, I know myself well and realized quickly that we'd end up in more cheap hotels than a hooker if we took that route and would end up spending more money than I want. That line of thinking took me to a truck and truck camper. A 1 ton diesel dually is something I could see myself driving. The camper would be smallish, but not impossible if I could get the right floor plan. The price though - could get beyond my budget. The length also. I'd want a bigger truck camper which would mean a long bed truck and over hang from the camper. Well, if I'm going to be 22-24 feet, why not circle back around to the Class C? The boys would have space stretch out while we're traveling, it's still small enough to get around in a new town, everyone would have their own space... Seems like the best option. Hit up craigslist and rv trader again and this time I found quite a few Class Cs in that length range well under my budget.

I'm currently working as a private in-home healthcare provider. Translated: I take care of my ex-mother-in-law's mom who has Alzheimer's. The initial time frame for the job has come and gone and now I'm here until 1. she passes, 2. gets to the point where she needs medical care, or 3. the insurance money paying me runs out. After that, we're out of here!!

Are there any other single parents out there? I'd love to connect with some and just chat. Find out the challenges, the tricks, the experiences, the changes, etc.

My boys and I are super excited to get started on this next chapter of our lives!
CarolynJune is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-26-2017, 12:41 PM   #2
Senior Member/RVM #90
 
MSHappyCampers's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,578
Hi Carolyn! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Hope you find the perfect rig for your needs!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
MSHappyCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2017, 12:54 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
AussieRv's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 156
Don't sell yourself short on the space. Myself, wife and little one travel full-time in a 35' class A which sometimes feels crowded and I'm glad we didn't get anything smaller. If you get a smaller unit, class C or similar, think about features like an awning and cargo bays, you will need plenty of space for storage and exterior room to spend your time.

And a hitch for bikes also. Good luck with your adventures!!
__________________
07 Newmar Canyon Star 3410 - 34' 11 FT WH W22 Chassis 8.1L 75K, 2013 Honda Fit Toad, Full Time Family
AussieRv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2017, 02:21 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
jmzumer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 292
Welcome Carolyn. You've got some decisions to make. I personally wouldn't go too small because what might seem adequate now will be crowded once you move in and start using it. We have a 32 foot A with 2 slides and it's perfect for us and also adequate when the G-kiddos are with us. Not so big that we can't fit into the various campgrounds and easy to drive. What part of No. CA are you in? We're in the Modesto area. I wish you luck in finding the best rig for you and the boys. Happy travels.
__________________
John & Marilyn
2004 Dolphin Heritage LX, 32 ft
Modesto/Ceres CA
jmzumer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2017, 06:41 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
ModestMonk's Avatar
 
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,804
Hello!

We trekked across the US when I was 14, son of a single Mom. That was about 50 years ago. I still remember just about every day, lasting memories. A few years later we did Europe.

Make sure you get something your comfortable handling. The kids will adapt.

Good Luck!
__________________
2018 ORV 24KTS 30,000+miles
2017 Ford 3.5 TwinTurbo w/MaxTow
640 Watts solar/600 Ahr
ModestMonk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2017, 06:48 PM   #6
Community Moderator


 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
We might be able to suggest more options knowing a bit more about your situation. How old are the boys? How big a breed is the dog ? What is your budget? Do you have any abilities for DIY or mechanic work? How far and how often will you be driving? Will you always be staying in warm weather? You don't want to try to heat an RV in a very cold climate for the winter.
pasdad1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2017, 08:19 PM   #7
Community Moderator
 
TonyDi's Avatar


 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,248
Hi Carolyn



Glad to have you here in the forum with us.

It sounds good at the present but down the road a bit you will find a truck camper too small for a family. Especially during inclement weather. Even a small class C while better is not going to be comfortable.
I'm also waiting on answers to questions asked in the previous post.

Happy Trails!!!
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
TonyDi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2017, 11:44 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Thank you, all, for your warm welcome!

Here's a bit more information...
I already know I do not want to tow anything. I marked that off the list very early on.
I do not want slide outs. Yes, they equal more room, but they also malfunction.
Which leads to a question that was asked: No, I don't have the diy/mechanics know-how. I can diy the inside with paint, curtains, and organizational things, but anything more than adding oil or changing a tire is beyond my realm of knowledge.
We will be staying in temperate climates. I will not drive in snow! (Ok, I realize I might time something wrong and HAVE to drive in snow, but I really, really, really, don't want to drive in snow!!!) I'm hoping to be able to plan well enough that we hit regions/states of the US when the weather is warmer vs. colder.
My boys are 13 and 9. They'll likely be 14 and 10 before we get out on the road. Chris, my 13 year old, is already as tall as me, and Jon is only about a foot shorter than us.
I do understand bigger is nicer for more room and comfort, but I do need to stick with what I'm comfortable with. I've driven transit bus in the past and am comfortable with around 24 feet.
I'd LOVE to travel full time and just keep going forever, but unless I'm able to find a job that I can do on the road, we'll have to come 'home' so I can work and save so we can go out again. The sale of my house will give us the funds to be able to go out for, I'm guessing, 6 months or so. How long we're gone for our first go 'round will really depend on what time of year it is when this job ends. If it's winter time, we'd stick around until after the holidays and maybe mosey across the southern part of the US, though I do hear of ice across I-40. So, how long we're gone and where we go initially all depends on when my job ends.
The dog. We don't have one yet. My boys have been begging me for one, but I won't get one while we're in our apartment. The apartment complex wants too much money as a pet charge. We'll likely go to the pound or a shelter to get our dog. I've already told the boys that whatever we get will need to be medium to big - a protector, rather than a cute little yap-yap dog. They said huskie. I said too much hair. They said German shepherd. I said maybe. It'll depend on what's available when we look and what feels right for us.
My budget is $25,000. I'd LOVE to stay around $20,000. I'll be buying used, for sure.
Last question, I believe, I'm in Woodland. So not too far from Modesto. We drove through there last weekend heading over to Yosemite.
Oh wait, one more - we'll definitely have to figure out a bike rack!

I appreciate all advise and opinions!!! Although I've read a lot, watched youtube videos, and looked a quite a few different rvs, I know that I still have TONS to learn!!!

In the end, it's important for me that I feel comfortable driving whatever we get. The boys will adjust. We've gone from a 4 bed/2 bath house, to 1/1 apt, to 3/2 house, to 2/1 apt. The rv will be a place to sleep and cook. Our lives will be spent outside exploring this amazing country of ours!
CarolynJune is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2017, 07:09 AM   #9
Community Moderator


 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
Here is one possibility....

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_6232.JPG
Views:	47
Size:	1.05 MB
ID:	159886
pasdad1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2017, 07:13 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
jmzumer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 292
Wow, Carolyn, I'm impressed with all your forethought. I'm rooting for you to find the perfect rig for your family. Good idea on the dog breed vs. fur in a smaller rig. German shepherds fall in the furry/shed category, but would be an excellent protector. Good point on slides. Have you checked into being a camp host? I don't know much about it, but I've heard good things and the perks might benefit your ideas. Best of travels to your family. Keep us posted on your progress.
__________________
John & Marilyn
2004 Dolphin Heritage LX, 32 ft
Modesto/Ceres CA
jmzumer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
new member, solo



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
NEW SOLO RV'ERS CHECK IN HERE!! GraciesMom Solo RV'ers 1653 Yesterday 09:00 PM
Hi kids, we're new too---new snowbirds and new to rving suse1023 New Member Check-In 18 02-10-2014 01:43 PM
New Member, my kids think it is a mid-life crisis! ie2special New Member Check-In 18 01-30-2014 06:03 AM
New Solo from New Jersey jdickson New Member Check-In 7 06-15-2012 05:00 AM
New member to the solo section! vfourmax Solo RV'ers 3 01-06-2009 10:18 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.