Starting small

[ridesolo]

Greetings. Getting started in this world after going around and around (for years) about what equipment to start with; truck & trailer, truck & 5th wheel, motorhome, etc. Having two large dogs, we need room for them with us and, as with most people, financial resources are not unlimited. Conversion vans came up more and more in our discussions and we came across a 1999 Coachmen GMC travel van w/ 60k miles and no rust, rot, dents, dings, and 100% original. The thing has comfort, better fuel economy, basic (very) kitchen facilities, and a toilet for our aging internal plumbing. The 3/4 ton chassis will allow us to drag a trailer should we decide to go that route.

I'm retired from the USAF and in a few weeks will retire, for good. Mrs is a retired dog groomer. Right now we aren't sure exactly where we're going with this whole thing, but we hope to not spend much more time enduring Ohio winters.

The Coachmen is going to work well for us, but I've got to replace the '90s vintage cassette players, 13" analog TV and VCR player with more modern digital equipment. Hope to learn lots from you folks.

[TonyDi]

For your service. Congrats on retirement!

Glad to have you here with us. Good luck with the conversion of some of your antiquated systems. At least it was a cassette player and not an old 8 track!

Happy Trails!!!!

[Petro]

ridesolo;


We are glad you joined us. There is a wealth of RV information on this site. Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions. We have a great group here who like to help when they can. Thanks for your service to our country.

Don

[myshaggydog]

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your service to our country. We hope you have many great camping adventures. Best of luck.

Happy RV'ing

[JohnRR]

Sounds like you've got a handle on it.

[Patrol 65]

Welcome to the forum! My only concern is with 2 large dogs, it will get a little cramped if you are stuck indoors because of rain at your campsite. We started in the 80's with a cargo van we modified to go camping with and 2 small dogs. Later we moved up to a Toyota motorhome which had a little more room and was fun to drive because you can park anyplace a car can. We now have one small dog but a large motorhome. Just a point to consider in making your choice.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the bunch here!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[DieselTech39]

For your service.

Glad you're aboard. Congrats on the new to you rig. Enjoy your adventures and be safe.

[becks]

Welcome, and when you get out of Midwest winters for the first time, you will be hooked. We hit the road in 2011, and have vowed never to see another winter again. Fultiming is the only way to live.

[ridesolo]

Originally Posted by Patrol 65

Welcome to the forum! My only concern is with 2 large dogs, it will get a little cramped if you are stuck indoors because of rain at your campsite. We started in the 80's with a cargo van we modified to go camping with and 2 small dogs. Later we moved up to a Toyota motorhome which had a little more room and was fun to drive because you can park anyplace a car can. We now have one small dog but a large motorhome. Just a point to consider in making your choice.

Thank you for the comment. I think things will work ok w/ the dogs. We probably won't spend very many nights in the same place when we're out and if there's too much rain we'll head for the sun. The center captains chairs are easily removed and we're considering leaving one of them at home to make more doggie space. I'm sure we'll learn as we go. We could end up adding a TT to the mixture in the future.

I'm just so darned excited to quit the "9to5" and get out of crappy winters, I think I could learn to deal with just about anything.

[ridesolo]

Originally Posted by becks

Welcome, and when you get out of Midwest winters for the first time, you will be hooked. We hit the road in 2011, and have vowed never to see another winter again. Fultiming is the only way to live.

We don't plan to fulltime, but after growing up in northern PA, then, thanks to the AF, living in North Dakota, Germany, northern New York, Fairbanks, and then here in Ohio, I honestly don't care if I see another snowflake again in my life!

[Hudgens]

Welcome to the irv2 gang! Glad you decided to join. DW and i started out tent camping and then moved up to a rig similar to the one you described (ours was probably smaller). Had lots of great trips in it. Hope you have a great time just getting out there in any kind of camping.

And...as others have mentioned, thank you for your service to our country and for the freedom that makes this life style possible.

[Chiefbvfd]

Welcome aboard...

[homeless]

dhowdy