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10-25-2014, 03:55 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,384
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Fulltime in 37' Gas Motorhome?
Anyone full timing in a similar rig? The one I am looking at has 4 slides, washer/dryer, residential refrigerator and extra closet space. We don't really plan on going fulltime, but who knows. I am thinking this model will fill our current needs plus work for us if we went fulltime without breaking the bank.
I don't plan on being in the big mountains out west much if any.
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Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
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10-25-2014, 06:20 AM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
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You don't say the price. Number one you have to like the floor plan. 4 slides should open it up well to make it seem more roomy.
That said, I would like something bigger....but only you can say if its big enough for you. The fact that you are questioning that fact makes me think you should go bigger. There are probably lots more to choose from at the 40 foot length.
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10-25-2014, 06:25 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Port, Fl
Posts: 588
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I've heard of people full timing in a 36LA. A 4 slide in the same length would make it even roomier. How does the storage look in, both inside and outside?
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10-25-2014, 06:27 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wherever the rig is parked
Posts: 8,092
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We have been full timing for close to 3 years in a 38 foot 3 slide Class A, and we are happy with the space, both living and storage.
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Bruce Dickson 2013 Thor Challenger 37GT, 5 Star Tune, Safe-T-Plus Steering Control with Air Trim, Roadmaster front and rear Sway Bars, SuperSteer rear Track Bar, Crossfires, 2018 Honda CRV . Full timers since Jan 2012.
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10-25-2014, 06:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
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People are full timing in 25 ft Class C's. The issue is what you are comfortable with. If you are comfortable in the 37 Ft that is all that counts. A lot of that depends on how much stuff you need and whether or not you have room to use it. That comes out to a very personal set of decisions.
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10-25-2014, 07:48 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Jayco Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
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We met a couple full timing in a pop-up "A" liner. We all have different standards as to what the minimum is for amenities and space.
I see no reason a 37', equipped as you describe, wouldn't make a perfectly suitable full time rig.
__________________
Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
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10-25-2014, 08:27 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salida, Colorado
Posts: 656
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When we retired 4 years ago, we sold the house and got in our 33' Dolphin and headed towards the sunset. 6 months later, my wife fell while hiking and broke her wrist. She told me she thought our 2 Jack Russell pups needed more space than the Dolphin provided. The Jack Russell pups told me they thought my wife needed more space. . . .
Still have the Dolphin, and the wife. And the pups have 5 acres to romp around on. And I am back to taking care of the 5 acres. Sigh.
Bruce
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Bruce & Judy, living the dream in Salida, CO!
2005 Nat'l Dolphin W22 Chassis, 2004 Jeep Liberty
"Let's Roll 'em, Let's Roll 'em!"
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10-25-2014, 11:38 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,434
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I think it depends on a lot of things. Not only what size your comfortable with and the floor plan but what type if full-timing lifestyle you might enjoy, how much stuff you want to bring along, etc.
If you're the outdoorsy type who will be camped where the weather is mild most of the time and you're happy without a lot of "stuff", a small RV should be fine. You'll be hanging out under the awning or exploring the area. The world will be your living room/backyard.
If, however, you're homebodies whose idea of heaven is watching movies, reading books, etc. while parked in a lush RV park and/or you've got a lot of hobbies/activities that requires "stuff" (kayaks, telescopes, bicycles, etc.) you might want a bigger RV to rattle around in.
We're looking for our "perfect" full-timing RV and we're thinking smaller (33-38 feet-ish). But were like the outdoors, plan to spend our time where the weather is moderate and don't plan on bringing a lot of stuff. We have a 2400 sqft house now and spend a lot of time on our front porch or back deck, weather permitting, or just going for walks and exploring in our Jeep. We expect to do that even more when we go RVing.
Not to mention, you can get a 35 foot class A in a lot more places than a 45 foot class A. More campgrounds, more boondocking spots, etc. But like I said, depends on how you might use it. Bigger works for some, very small works for others.
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10-25-2014, 12:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ON THE ROAD...SOMEWHERE
Posts: 6,973
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As has already been said...sure you can depending on what you, your wife, your pets and specific NEEDS are.
My biggest caution is making sure you can do that all, store what you need, carry gas, water, propane and still remain within weight specs. We started with a 39' Winnebago and part timed it for one somer. It didn't work for US being me, Sandee and out 2 German Shepherd Dogs. I wanted the option to carry full water and we quickly found that with what we had for our part time needs maxed out the rear axle no matter how much we tried to re-distribute the load. Now...that being said a shorter chassis on the same axles would have probably helped reduce that problem but then we wouldn't have had the storage we wanted/needed.
To be honest, I don't think we really had the Winnebago seriously loaded either. We weren't carrying a lot of clothes or household items like pots, pans and such. We actually started with 1800# of CCC and by the time we maxed out the rear axle we still had about 500# left if we could have moved more weight forward.
So...keep that in mind as you sort the issues out. The bottom line regarding CCC is that you can seldom use all of it because one axle will max out before you reach it. My "guesstimate" is that if you can load a coach and actually use 75% of the CCC listed for that coach, you are doing good.
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Don, Sandee & GSD Zeus. Guardian GSDs Gunny (7/11/15) & Thor (5/5/15)
2006 2015 DSDP 4320 4369, FL Chassis, 2013 CR-V 2020 Jeep Overland, Blue Ox Avail, SMI AF1.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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10-25-2014, 01:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Gosnell, AR
Posts: 483
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we are 1/2 tp 3/4 timers in a 31 footer with no slides and are just as content as can be. As others have said, it is all a matter of wants and needs, ours are simple. And we both agree that something bigger is not necessary.
__________________
Berniece & Russell with LilBit a Netherland Dwarf rabbit
1987 Southwind, 1995 Ford F150 Supercab 4X4 toad
Life in the fast lane? No thanks! We will stop and smell the flowers at every chance.
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10-25-2014, 01:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salida, Colorado
Posts: 656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan McMartin
I think it depends on a lot of things. Not only what size your comfortable with and the floor plan but what type if full-timing lifestyle you might enjoy, how much stuff you want to bring along, etc.
If you're the outdoorsy type who will be camped where the weather is mild most of the time and you're happy without a lot of "stuff", a small RV should be fine. You'll be hanging out under the awning or exploring the area. The world will be your living room/backyard.
If, however, you're homebodies whose idea of heaven is watching movies, reading books, etc. while parked in a lush RV park and/or you've got a lot of hobbies/activities that requires "stuff" (kayaks, telescopes, bicycles, etc.) you might want a bigger RV to rattle around in.
We're looking for our "perfect" full-timing RV and we're thinking smaller (33-38 feet-ish). But were like the outdoors, plan to spend our time where the weather is moderate and don't plan on bringing a lot of stuff. We have a 2400 sqft house now and spend a lot of time on our front porch or back deck, weather permitting, or just going for walks and exploring in our Jeep. We expect to do that even more when we go RVing.
Not to mention, you can get a 35 foot class A in a lot more places than a 45 foot class A. More campgrounds, more boondocking spots, etc. But like I said, depends on how you might use it. Bigger works for some, very small works for others.
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Hello, Dan. You guys sound a lot like us! Will you ever consider selling your home and doing the FT'ing? That is what we are wrestling with. I know the OP asked for FT'ers experience, and ours was limited to only 6 months, but the 33' length of our coach was a factor, whether I admit it or not. Friends of ours that FT have a 36' gasser, and love it. If we keep the home, our Dolphin will work for extended trips. If we sell, I do agree with others that for our likes, something between 35-38' would be a starting point for shopping.
Bruce
__________________
Bruce & Judy, living the dream in Salida, CO!
2005 Nat'l Dolphin W22 Chassis, 2004 Jeep Liberty
"Let's Roll 'em, Let's Roll 'em!"
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10-25-2014, 08:46 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,434
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebug5
Hello, Dan. You guys sound a lot like us! Will you ever consider selling your home and doing the FT'ing? That is what we are wrestling with. I know the OP asked for FT'ers experience, and ours was limited to only 6 months, but the 33' length of our coach was a factor, whether I admit it or not. Friends of ours that FT have a 36' gasser, and love it. If we keep the home, our Dolphin will work for extended trips. If we sell, I do agree with others that for our likes, something between 35-38' would be a starting point for shopping.
Bruce
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That's the plan. Waiting for our youngest son to graduate high school in 2016. We don't want the big house, the yard work, the headaches. Besides, we want to travel and see the country. Why pay a mortgage if you're going to leave the house empty half the time? Don't know how long we're going to FT, could be a couple of years or until we're too old to do it anymore. Through various personal experiences, we've just come to the conclusion that owning a lot of stuff is a sort of prison. We want to be free of that, to go where we want, when we want.
Like I said, bigger means there aren't as many options as far as campgrounds or boondocking locations. But it also means you have an excuse to carry more stuff. More stuff to maintain, to break, to replace, to clean, etc. We're trying to get away from that.
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10-26-2014, 05:04 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,384
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We also love to sit outside under the awning and enjoy nature. We do this a lot at our S&B, but after a while the neighbor's barking dog bugs us big time. I am looking at a Newmar Canyon Star and it is right at 37'. This model will still be able to be parked along the side of the house. This is one of the reasons for looking at this length. A 40' may fit, but I don't want to take the gamble and it will not fit.
This 37' model is about 3' 6" longer than what we have now. But it has more slides which will give us more room plus give room for Sophie (Yorkie) to run.
I want to be prepared in case the barking dog along with the upkeep plus taxes/insurance push us more toward going full time. We have discussed quite a few times about buying a lot and setting it up for a home base. We could even build something on the lot if we decide to stop the full timing.
__________________
Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
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10-26-2014, 05:38 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 471
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All about wants & needs.
We like to cook. We don't consider opening a can & heating the contents cooking. So we need kitchen space we haven't found in our budget.
Another something is the amount of weight the MH can carry. A tag axle will take care of that though you will loose some basement storage space.
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