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06-28-2016, 08:28 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3
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Newbies with a lot of questions
Greetings,
Not sure where this post goes so let ne know if I need to move it. We want to give up our apartment and go full time in a motorhome. We have a lot of questions and will list them below and wait for answers as they come in. - Class A or C, we think an A would feel more like a home
- Diesel or gas, diesel maintenance costs scare us
- We live in Texas and are leaning toward keeping it as our domicile. We like our church family and doctors and want to keep them
- Do we need a stellar credit report for financing
- We have a 2014 Kia Soul auto trans, tow it on a dolly or rent a car as needed
- Can a UPS Store be used a s a legal address for registration, insurance, Medicare
- Our net income is $37K, is that enough to fulltime
We appreciate any insight and advice you could offer
Chris, Brenda & Patches
Two Peas in a Pod +1
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06-28-2016, 08:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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1. We got our first A in 1998 and haven't looked back.
2. Yes they can get expensive. Our first engine repair with this rig was almost your yearly budget.
3. That could take up a whole column! We're in WA, have already paid the sales/use tax on the MH and cars, no income tax and low yearly license fees. Coming in from out of state would be costly though as you have to pay the sales/use tax on RV's even if you owned them for years. Check with Escapees, they're headquartered there and can answer most or all of the domicile questions.
4. That depends on what you buy, how much you finance, how much down etc. Ours were in the 820's when we bought the present rig and even then we had troubles due to our ages
5. I don't think the Kia automatics are towable four down so either of your choices might work. Some people have reported having trouble finding a place to rent from that was easy to get to or would deliver.
6. Don't know about that, I know that some mail forwarding services can be used in some states.
7. People do it for less and some for more
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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06-28-2016, 08:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
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It really depends on what you want in life. The smaller you go the more of a minimalist you have to be. Think that through. As he said, people do it for less. I'd go to an A gas in the 30-35 ft range as a starter. Cheaper and simpler with enough room to live for a week in the rain without killing each other. Keep the Kia as you will want a towed. Moving the MH for a quart of milk is a PITA. A used dolly will be worth what you paid if you decide later to sell. After a year or so if you really want something bigger and heavier and understand things better then look at a dp. It will then seem like a palace. Look into Escapees if you want to stay a Tx resident.
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06-29-2016, 05:46 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Sioux Falls, SD formerly Massachusetts
Posts: 90
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With the amount of income you have I would strongly suggest you avoid financing if at all possible.
__________________
Grace & Carl. Full time 5/31/16. Past-1980-ish 24 ft class A. 2003 Monaco Dynasty 40 Chancellor, 2010 Mini Cooper S, both CRASHED on 11/19 Now - 2006 Monaco Dynasty Platinum IV, 2011 Mini Cooper S CRASHED November 11/21 deer strike. 2016 GMC Acadia.
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06-29-2016, 01:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Northern California
Posts: 211
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We're full timing in a 31' class A gasser.
You need to be best friends with your wife in a small mh.
Gas mh will mosts like be cheaper to buy and maintain.
We are doing full time on a little bit more than your $37k, but our mh and Jeep are paid for.
We have a home base at SL's with a pad,power,water and sewer and spend half the year traveling. If you have to rent a space or campground all year your $37k is going to get a little slim. If you boondocks a lot it will help.
It's all in what you want to do but above all have a great adventure and drive safe.
__________________
Rick and Patty
2019 Jayco Melbourne 24L
2015 Mini Cooper
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06-30-2016, 04:46 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Full-timers - Home is where we park it.
Posts: 4,722
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My answers to your questions are below in red.
- Class A or C, we think an A would feel more like a home
I recommend a Class A. IMO, a Class C is too small and does not have enough cargo carrying capacity for full-time use.
- Diesel or gas, diesel maintenance costs scare us
Although diesels are more expensive, they are more durable and usually have more cargo carrying capacity. That being said, we full-timed for 9 years in a gasser.
- We live in Texas and are leaning toward keeping it as our domicile. We like our church family and doctors and want to keep them
Texas is a good place to domicile. As has been suggested, check out Escapees.
- Do we need a stellar credit report for financing
You do not need a perfect credit rating to finance, but do take out your loan before you move out of your apartment. Although you can get financing later, it is easier when you have a fixed residence. After you go full-time, notify your bank of a change of address, and everything should be fine.
- We have a 2014 Kia Soul auto trans, tow it on a dolly or rent a car as needed
Look in your owners manual for a section called "Recreational Towing." Also, Motorhome Magazine publishes an annual dinghy towing guide. Look for it on their website.
- Can a UPS Store be used a s a legal address for registration, insurance, Medicare
Probably not. Escapees address can definitely be used, so check them out.
- Our net income is $37K, is that enough to fulltime
Some do it on less, some need more.
We appreciate any insight and advice you could offer
Chris, Brenda & Patches
Two Peas in a Pod +1
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06-30-2016, 09:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,832
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For what it's worth my all in budget is ~40k per year. That is after federal income taxes (think take home pay).
I am single, FL domicile, no debt, plan on 6-8000 miles per year.
Can you do it on ~37? with financing??? You can do anything if you really want to I suppose.
You really need to look at why you're doing it. It sounds like the OP likes their current location (church, doctors, etc) so they will not be travelling much (my interpretation).
Put a budget together, do some research, ask more questions. It's a great community. People are willing to help where they can.
Let us know what you decide.
__________________
I don't subscribe to threads I reply to so will not see your reply to my comment. Drop me a direct message if you want a reply from me.
Cheers!
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06-30-2016, 01:56 PM
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#8
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
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Hi Chris & Brenda! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
We're not fulltimers yet so I'll let others answer your questions!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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06-30-2016, 03:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: anywhere, USA
Posts: 1,691
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You can full time on whatever amount. We full time on much less but don't have a payment on the RV. We settled for older that we could pay cash for. We have a class c and pull a toad.
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06-30-2016, 04:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2peasinapod
Our net income is $37K, is that enough to fulltime
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How much you spend depends on where you are and what you deem necessities. There's another thread somewhere here with a similar question and one reply was that it takes a minimum of $50,000 a year to full time. I currently do it on half of what you have, so you should be able to manage on $37,000 if you budget properly.
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06-30-2016, 07:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,680
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PAZ (above post) gave you the answers).
You can do it on your projected $37,000. There are many ways to cut costs. Only you know what your current lifestyle cost you. You will have pluses and minuses in full-timing vs. living in an apartment. Some things will remain the same. It evens out.
Your big thing is the RV. Look for a suitable used one and have it checked over thoroughly by someone competent. Plan on a contingency fund for future repairs. I'd recommend a Class A for the storage but again, you know how much you'll need. Many full-timers get by very well on the minimal and a smaller RV.
To get you started and since you live in Texas, check this consignment place to get an idea on floorplans and what you can purchase on your budget:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classa/...motorhomes.php
Good luck!
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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07-05-2016, 07:37 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Stone Mountain, Ga
Posts: 282
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[*]Class A or C.
personal preference, you can get a big C in a diesel, so it's not that relevant.
[*]Diesel or gas, diesel maintenance costs scare us.
Personal preference I think they equal out for maintenance. Diesel cost more but service is less frequent, major repairs can be costly.
[*]We live in Texas and are leaning toward keeping it as our domicile. We like our church family and doctors and want to keep them.
Sounds like you may want to live in an Rv in your hometown. I think Texas has a book on fulltime rving, seems to be one of the ideal states to domicile.
[*]Do we need a stellar credit report for financing.
I think anyone can get financed if you shop around, rate may be higher.
[*]We have a 2014 Kia Soul auto trans, tow it on a dolly or rent a car as needed.
Personal preference, I still haven't figured this one out.we have two bikes that I like to carry.
[*]Can a UPS Store be used a s a legal address for registration, insurance, Medicare.
I doubt UPS will work, Google the topic, this has been an aggravating topic for us in our state.
[*]Our net income is $37K, is that enough to fulltime.
I agree we can do what we want if we want it bad enough. I think I have read lots of families with less doing it. Just come up with a good budget and stick to it, include maintenance.
We are fulltime while we finish our last few years of work. I have no desire to go back to a stick/brick and look forward to pulling out to travel. I came up with a very tight budget of 25k a year to travel on, it included a travel plan, clothes, souvineers, maintenance of toad, new tires, etc, anything I could think of, very extensive and to the penny. I also looked at what we would make at Amazon for one season and it was a wash, meaning we wouldn't have to touch or retirement of a year. There are plenty of opportunities to earn income or work camping. The choice to fulltime is as personal as the options. Find what works, be happy with your decisions and have no regrets, regardless. You can always trade down the road to something else. Enjoy the adventure and the destination!
__________________
Anthony & DW
2001 Ultimate Freedom
Cummins 350 ISC, Spartan MM GT Chasis
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07-05-2016, 09:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LookAtUSNow
I came up with a very tight budget of 25k a year to travel on, it included a travel plan, clothes, souvineers, maintenance of toad, new tires, etc, anything I could think of, very extensive and to the penny.
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You can save even more by crossing off souvenirs. They'll just add more weight to the RV. RVers have a motto - bring something in and something needs to go out.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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07-06-2016, 07:31 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 2,557
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With a budget of $37K I'd suggest making a plan of being debt free when you hit the road. Make a budget showing your monthly bills like cell phone, healthcare, insurance etc.. Then estimate travel expenses, fuel, campgrounds, maint. costs, food & entertainment. If you don't purchase an extended service plan, then you'll need to set aside a few hundred a month for emergency repairs. Because no matter what you buy it WILL need repairs of some kind. Hopefully nothing major. After purchasing a used diesel pusher we've full timed for 6yrs. and our spending has averaged $35Kyr., but we have a pretty good cushion, and an ESP. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to talk you out of doing what you want to do, just make sure you're prepared. As for us I wouldn't change a thing.
__________________
2000 Dutch Star Pusher
2009 Saturn Vue Towed
Full timed for 6yrs.
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