House on the market

[oldmanlaland]

Hi all!
just as soon as we get rid of our house we are going full time RV.
my question is this should we buy a older one and learn how to drive something bigger than our car or just get the 34' we want and drive in parking lots

[Scarab0088]

This question only raises more questions for me...like:
Is this your first RV ever?
Is a 34' RV your future home (kinda' small for full-timing).
Do you have the cash-flow to buy then sell (maybe taking a loss) an RV before getting that one you want?
Etc.

Best Luck and safe travels

[spsm]

I see that U R a junior member, but does that apply to camping also ? I think I would try a rental unit, before my house goes on the market.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by oldmanlaland

Hi all!
just as soon as we get rid of our house we are going full time RV.
my question is this should we buy a older one and learn how to drive something bigger than our car or just get the 34' we want and drive in parking lots

Buying and trading is an expensive way to learn. For a few hundred dollars you can attend an RV driving school. You will quickly learn that the difference in driving a 40' vs a 34' is minuscule and the comfort level of a 40' over a 34' is huge.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Buying and trading is an expensive way to learn. For a few hundred dollars you can attend an RV driving school. You will quickly learn that the difference in driving a 40' vs a 34' is minuscule and the comfort level of a 40' over a 34' is huge.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Totally agree!

[Gordon Dewald]

Welcome to the RV life. It is a life that most of us enjoy from casual weekends to full time.

Before you get to the used vs new issue I suggest you find the floor plan that works best for you. You will be out there in all kinds of conditions and will find that there will be times when you will be confined to your abode. During those times will you have enough space to be comfortable?

Go to different dealerships and sit in different sizes and floor plans. Ditch the salesman and "play house". Imagine you cannot go outside and try to perform the hobbies and activities you would like to do when confined. Is there enough room to prepare food, layout hobbies or games, watch sports and a movie without disturbing each other, etc.

The floor plan will give you a size. Now is the time to discuss the manufacturer and whether you can rationalize a new or used RV.

Good luck with your search.

[bsirby]

Welcome to IRV2.
I think the most important thing to consider when buying, is what you are comfortable learning how to drive. My DH does most of the driving, but I am learning myself how to drive and I won't say it's a hard switch from car to RV, but it definitely takes more concentration, and learning to drive with mirrors. An RV is wider and so much longer than a car, so that is an adjustment. And that's on the highway. I have not even attempted to back this beast into a campsite. Second is floor plan. You want as much living space as possible and one that you are comfortable in and happy with. Good luck with your choice and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

[Clay L]

Something you need to be aware of.
Many full timers find that they need at least 1500 pounds of cargo carrying capacity (CCC) for each adult. The CCC or the newer designation OCCC will be on a sticker somewhere in the motor home - usually in a cabinet or closet.
I have seen a number of motor homes (including some diesel pushers) that have as little as 360 pounds of CCC. That is hardly enough for a weekend much less full timing.

You can see the definition of CCC HERE,
and New OCCC HERE.
Scroll down to "2009 New weight label" and download the pdf file.


To get CCC subtract the weight of water you will carry and the weight of the people you will carry from the OCCC.


We have 2800 pounds of CCC and would like to have 3500. We started with a 30 footer with no slides and after a year traded it in on a new 35 footer with two slides.

[sprayman]

i agree with getting a bigger unit, also with lessons and then renting

you will lose a lot if you buy then decide eo trade for another.

i recently bought new truck, i got a deeper discount because i had

no trade.

good advice in this forum.

Jim

[hal1phx]

Good luck with your transition ....

[JohnRR]

Good luck with your choices.

[stan5711]

I see it said on hear a lot (buy your last motorhome first),after buying mine 2 years ago I now wish I would have done things different,i wish I would have went newer and maybe even bigger.

[super_rep]

RULE of THUMB. It takes 3 RVs for you to find the one that suits you best. Keep this in mind and get a "good" used unit to start with. You'll soon learn what you want and don't have.

[denlock]

Good luck with your decision.