Community Forums

PDogg73 · 11-20-2018, 08:48 PM

My wife and I are looking into purchasing a 5th wheel for full time RV living. Wanted to see if their is any advice for someone starting this life style. Thanks for the help.

twogypsies · 11-20-2018, 09:47 PM

Read all you can on this forum. Have you ever owned a RV? That, in itself, will take some learning. How old are you? If you have to purchase your medical insurance it's going to be costly and you need insurance that you can travel with. Are you selling your house? You then need to choose a state for domiciling as that will be your new address for obtaining medical, driver's license, registration, voting, etc. You won't be on vacation. You'll be living a new lifestyle. It's awesome!!

momdoc · 11-21-2018, 04:17 AM

Welcome to the forum.

You are joining a good group of folks here with good info to share. Read the various threads here and ask questions as they come up.

Take your time finding the right rig for you and then start a check list of all the things that you need to do to prepare. Things like mail, RV insurance, health insurance, internet, TV needs, need for solar, are just a few.

Good luck

Enjoy the adventure.

Bogie71 · 11-21-2018, 05:22 AM

Hi there, just starting the same search ourselves. I am about 80% sold on getting a 5th wheel, but worried about fitting into a lot of parks. While I am still working I'd like to stay in an area for longer periods, so we won't be packing and moving the trailer every other day like I do now when we go camping. Having our small Class C has spoiled me in getting into any space I want.

twogypsies · 11-21-2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie71

Hi there, just starting the same search ourselves. I am about 80% sold on getting a 5th wheel, but worried about fitting into a lot of parks. While I am still working I'd like to stay in an area for longer periods, so we won't be packing and moving the trailer every other day like I do now when we go camping. Having our small Class C has spoiled me in getting into any space I want.

I can't imagine you not fitting in RV parks. We never had a problem with our 40' motorhome.

Get the RV you'll be happy living in. You'll fit.

TonyMac · 11-21-2018, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDogg73

My wife and I are looking into purchasing a 5th wheel for full time RV living. Wanted to see if their is any advice for someone starting this life style. Thanks for the help.

Yes. Do it part time for a decade first, then go full time. That way you'll have time to figure out what rig fits your needs, and if you might even like RVing.

katielee · 11-21-2018, 04:08 PM

We are not old timers like many of the other folks that have responded so far. But we did go through the whole issue you are facing. TAKE YOU TIME. Can't say that loud enough. We spent a year reading posts here and one other forums. I have watched thousands of Youtube videos on reviews of rigs, issues you have to deal with, how other full timers started, you name it. There is no such thing as too much information.

We decided to start small and make sure we actually wanted to do this. After spending a year researching, we had settled on a class A or C. Spent forever shopping, comparing, looking. Then one day we were reading some posts that suggested renting for a bit to make sure we even liked it.

In our area, there are limited rental opportunities except for renting private rigs. We really did not feel comfortable doing that as newby's. We decided to but an entry level travel trailer and see if we liked it.

We did and loved it. In no time we were going every chance we got. Fortunately for us, we are retired and can go when we want :-)

We decided to go ahead and get a rig we could drive. More research, looking, reading, riding, and we found the one we wanted. Now we are going three weeks out of each month. We book places for one week then take our chances for a week. So far we have found places to stay every time.

We fully plan on doing this a couple of more months then going for a month at a time. If all goes well, we will go full time.

Not knowing your specific situation, we can't tell you which way to go. We are fortunate enough not to be tied down and able to sustain the life we want. Take your time and enjoy the trip. It WILL be worth it.

chuck and katie

marjoa · 11-22-2018, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katielee

and we found the one we wanted.
chuck and katie

To bad you didn't let us in on what you finally ended up with.

BTW…do yourself and us a favor by putting—detailed information—of your rig by creating a signature. That way you won't have to type this information each time in all your future posts. Look at some other posters signatures if you need some examples.
You do this by:
1) Going to the top of this page and click the top left tab named “User CP”
2) Look at the menu on the left and scroll down to “Settings & Options” and click “Edit Signature”
3) In that text box type all the information about your MH, Year, model, length, mileage, any aftermarket extras installed, your toad and so on. You’ll be limited to 3 lines unless you become a IRV2 supporter.

Kurtsara · 11-22-2018, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

To bad you didn't let us in on what you finally ended up with.

BTW…do yourself and us a favor by putting—detailed information—of your rig by creating a signature. That way you won't have to type this information each time in all your future posts. Look at some other posters signatures if you need some examples.
You do this by:
1) Going to the top of this page and click the top left tab named “User CP”
2) Look at the menu on the left and scroll down to “Settings & Options” and click “Edit Signature”
3) In that text box type all the information about your MH, Year, model, length, mileage, any aftermarket extras installed, your toad and so on. You’ll be limited to 3 lines unless you become a IRV2 supporter.

I don't even let the signatures load. Some put to much crap in their signatures.

I don't care how many dogs and cats people have and I hate when they call them fur babies. They are dogs and cats.

jarata · 11-22-2018, 09:51 AM

Thats quite a change to jump into it when you never did it before what if you dont like it.Do your research its not a non stop vacation Good Luck with choices

PDogg73 · 11-22-2018, 10:13 AM

So for the trouble, new at this, didn't mean to not give enough information. Just trying to learn

Edd505 · 11-22-2018, 07:43 PM

Everything you wanted t know about full timing.
https://www.rv-dreams.com/

PDogg73 · 11-22-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edd505

Everything you wanted t know about full timing.
https://www.rv-dreams.com/

Thank you

okmunky · 11-22-2018, 09:14 PM

I found IRV2 when I was first planning to buy an RV. I knew NOTHING, but the great folks here have helped me at every turn.

Fast forward almost 8 years and I LOVE full time RV life. Read, ask questions and read lots more. This is a great lifestyle once you learn the essentials. Decide if you want to stay in RV parks or enjoy the freedoms of dry camping, aka boondocking. Then set your rig up to accommodate the way you want to live.