New to RVing and making a push to be fulltimers

[geekyexplore]

Hello all! My husband has been trying to convince me for years & years that because we love traveling (and relocating) so much, that we should just live in an RV. This is the year to test that dream. :-) We both work in tech so between remote work and contract jobs, we hope to make about as much on the road as we do stationary, except much more time off inbetween! He is on contract until November, so our hope is to get an RV early in the year, and make several 'shake down' trips to test the waters.

We have our eyes on a 04 Pace Arrow 37C. Now, we know the CCC is lower, and we know that diesel is generally suggested for fulltiming - but we think it's a good start and if we like it & stick with it, we can upgrade (used gas is within pocketbook range currently). If we like it but can't do it fulltime, it should be a good rig to vacation in. We went this weekend and checked it out - the owners have babied it and it is super clean. The interior also doesn't have wild prints or blue flowers which is a huge selling point. Only 17500 miles and the brake recall work has already been done.

We will be chronicling our adventures via a blog at Geeky Explorers (still very new and under 'construction') but we are excited to try this awesome lifestyle way before we hit retirement age! :-)

Any helpful hints, suggestions etc we more than welcome. And we look forward to using the good information on these forums to help us as we try to figure out how to use everything. :-)

[Petro]

geekyexplore;

Welcome to iRV2. Congratulations on your decision to go full time. I have suggested that to my DW for years but she keeps saying NO. There is a wealth of information available on this site. Browse the forums of interest and don't be afraid to ask questions. Keep us posted on the rig you purchase and how everything is working out for you.

Don

[WheelingIt]

Congrats on the big move! We're former semi guys ourselves and went fulltime last year. We've absolutely loved it. Since you're tech geeks you'll definitely want to look at a good, mobile internet setup. Either satellite (get the tripod type you can move around so you are not limited by campsites) or cellphone modem with external antenna and amplifier. We have the latter and it's kept us online in 99% of our travels. You can see our setup here http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/2010...n-the-boonies/

My other tip is plan to spend a few months close to home in the RV before you hit the road. It'll give you time to work out kinks and go back/forth to the storage.

Enjoy the ride! Can't wait to hear more about it!

Nina

[geekyexplore]

Thanks Petro - keep working on her - she might surprise you someday and say yes!

Wheelingit - great blog - THANK YOU. Might be peppering you with some questions once we have our RV.

[FDchief]

Welcome and congrats on your fulltiming decision. I am sure you will appreciate not having to cut the grass, and when the neighbors aren't working out, just move 100' or 100 miles

[pdq_bc]

hi geeky
and WELCOME to the forum

we are peter & larry
from vancouver, bc

one more year for us - then we will be full timing!

[JohnRR]

Being new to it myself I found a similar one to your choice a 06 Pace Arrow 38L more than adequate for a first time unit.

You can get a world of experience about it all just by reading here, it's much easier learning from the mistakes of others.

[geekyexplore]

FDChief - yes, we will be happy to ditch all those chores, and mostly our need to redo everything in a house from floor to ceiling. :-) And we do especially love the idea of ditching 'bad' neighbors easily!

pdq_bc - thanks - I have a feeling I am really going to like this forum! One more year is about our time frame. We hope to be wheels up by December 1st! We just spoke to the seller last night and if the driving test of the RV goes well, we should be owners by the end of this month. Hopefully, that gives us plenty of time to make short and long trips before December rolls around!

JohnRR - cool - we are a little concerned about the chassis as it's a workhorse 22 rather than the 24 they went to, but really - it might be a good thing we can't overload it with crap. We will have to be very selective on what we keep and what we ditch, and we are actually looking forward to the purging! While I am sure we will still make mistakes, I am all about trying to avoid them & learning from others!

[ejm4]

How did you make out? RV home in the driveway yet?

[historyljc]

Welcome geekyexplore,
Sounds like you have plan that is coming together. Enjoy your RV and your travels.

[geekyexplore]

ejm4 - sigh. No! Thanks to the snow/ice storm last week we weren't able to talk to the bank until Thursday. Now we are waiting on the seller to pay the balance so the paperwork can be finalized. Hope it gets moving this week - our rate is only good for a month!

historyljc - thanks! We can't wait to get the RV to start planning our smaller travels this year in anticipation of taking off next year fulltime!

-tricia