Important question; which rig?

[FDchief]

Hello to all. I need some advice and am turning to the friends on IRV2. Somewhere between August of this year and the next, I will begin full-timing. Here's my dilemma, I currently have an Itasca Suncruiser 33V with two slides. A great motorhome which I bought new, and has 21k miles on the WH chassis.

I was all along going to buy a 40' pusher (I was looking at Monaco Dip or Endeavor), but now am worried about the additional monthly payment along with the added fuel costs. So here is my question; what are you full-timing in, and am I pushing it to attemp it in my current rig?

Please let me know your thoughts, I would appreciate all input.

[FDchief]

Hello to all. I need some advice and am turning to the friends on IRV2. Somewhere between August of this year and the next, I will begin full-timing. Here's my dilemma, I currently have an Itasca Suncruiser 33V with two slides. A great motorhome which I bought new, and has 21k miles on the WH chassis.

I was all along going to buy a 40' pusher (I was looking at Monaco Dip or Endeavor), but now am worried about the additional monthly payment along with the added fuel costs. So here is my question; what are you full-timing in, and am I pushing it to attemp it in my current rig?

Please let me know your thoughts, I would appreciate all input.

[LindaH]

Why not start out fulltiming in your current rig?

You don't say whether or not your current rig is paid for, but if you have a loan on it, would you be able to sell it or trade it in for at least what you owe on it, or would you be "upside down?"

[FDchief]

Linda, I do not have the title on it, but am close to what I can sell it for. My monthly payment would be about half if I keep my current coach of that of a newer one. Mostly considering the cargo carrying capacity of a diesel vs. my coach.

[K-Star]

I would say before you sink a lot of money in a new rig, try fulltiming for a few months to see if it is what you really want to do. 33' is certainly doable for fulltiming. You may get out there and decide it isn't your cup of tea and then you would have spent a lot of $$$$ needlessly. If you find it is your thing, then you can decide if you want to go with a bigger rig. either way, fulltiming require one to pare down to the necessities and find a way to store the things you do not need all the time. Some people tow a utility trailer for things not used very often. Others (like me) have things in storage that I can get to.

[FDchief]

K-Star, thanks for your thoughts. it does make since to use what I already have, but being a true American, I WANT bigger! I have lowered my wants by just a little and looking at DPs around the age of my coach with a little smaller motor for better fuel economy, and a little shorter (38'). This might be a way to full time in a DP on budget.

[K-Star]

Greg

I hear ya. Many of us start looking for our new coach the minute we pick up our current coach

[Digital Boy]

Greg & Lynn,

We have fulltimed since 2006 in our 38' DP with one slide. On a number of ocasions we have considered moving to a longer rig with more slides. Then, we sit down until the thought passes.

We have met a number of fulltimers who live in travel trailers, fifth wheels, gas coaches and pushers. So, I agree with the other replies . . .

Start out with what you have. Determine if fulltiming is definately for you. Learn to live with whatever space and storage limitations you have in your currnt rig. Then, after a while, determine the features and additional room you really, really want. And start looking at preowned rigs that meet your new requirements.

We bought our '98 Dutch Star DP in 2003 with 54,000 miles (barely broken in for a diesel.) We paid about one-half of the original retail price. When we do move up to bigger and better, it will be another preowned rig. It will be affordable and the bugs will have been worked out!

[MMouser]

All good advice. Lew and Sima (Digital Boy)have made the transition with much thought and success. Now is the best time to take that deep breath, always anilizing your future and its possibilities. For many big gains are now a available. For others you could be digging yourself into a hole.

My personal opinion for a fulltimers rig has specifics.
No matter what type of rig you choose safety takes priority.
You will want equipment strong enough to handle daily living. This includes storms of wind and rain, hail and sleet/snow. You must take into consideration highway travel(jarring)and indoor humidity (longivity in construction).
Remember everything you own will be in the rig. That includes yourselves.
Can the rig handle your safety?