Community Forums

RaeAnn · 12-07-2018, 09:57 AM

My sister and I along with her 12-year old daughter plan to full time in about 18 months or so, (Sister is under contract with local college). We are looking at several different classes but are having the hardest time deciding on which to choose. I thought I would ask the opinion of those who have gone before us. We enjoy several hobbies that will come with us and possibly be a source of income, such as making jewelry, sculpting, crocheting, and painting. We were looking at Class C's so that we could stay in national and state parks, however, looking at the weights I am not sure we would be able to take what we need and stay under max weight. We are also considering a fifth wheel or a class A but I am a bit intimidated by driving something that large. How hard is it to learn to drive either of those? Thank you for your help.

Blondiega1 · 12-07-2018, 10:28 AM

I took the RV driving course back in July. Best money we spent!
I now share the driving with my husband in our Class A. (43' and towing a car)

Google RV Driving School and you'll find it.

MSHappyCampers · 12-08-2018, 11:29 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Don't make the mistake of buying something too small so that you're all miserable! Look at the floorplans carefully. A good driving school would probably be a good investment.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

saddlesore · 12-08-2018, 11:41 AM

Keep in mind..
Your 1st coach is a learning tool..
When You tour/view "In Person" any perspective coach..
View it First with all slides retracted,
If the coach is fully usable without the slides extended, then give it a second look.
(Think wally-docking,rest areas,truckstops...any where that you cannot/do not have room for the slides to be extended)

BUY USED! & buy one with everything you "think" you want and will need..
IF the perspective coach seems a bit small but still "DO-Able" .......REMEMBER!!!
What seemed small... becomes unbearably TINY after being Coop'd up" for a week or more due to weather...
(AKA.....Cabin Fever)
And.... You WILL make mistakes and have booboo's We all have.....(sometimes more than twice..)
Within a year or two you will discover..about the RV

What you love about the RV...
What you can kinda-sorta tolerate with the RV..
And what you absolutely hate about that !@#$%^%$#@! RV.
Then you can go get what you should have gotten in the first place..
Happy Hunting

NRR · 12-08-2018, 03:04 PM

Saddlesore is right on target. Not many buy their last RV first.

You mention sculpting. If in clay that would require a kiln. I don’t know. Maybe there are small ones out there now days. Even so, they have to draw allot of power from someplace I would think.

twogypsies · 12-08-2018, 03:46 PM

Three people in a Class C with assorted hobbies will be cramped. You'll have a lot more storage for supplies and 'stuff' in a Class A.

Don't worry about staying in public parks in a bigger RV. We stayed in many national parks with our 40' motorhome with no problem.... also in state parks. Public parks were always our first choice.

A Class A is easy to drive. We both did so, alternating whenever we moved from place to place so the skills were fresh in case, one HAD to drive due to medical issues.

How does the teen feel about leaving her school and friends? There are many full-timing familes but they usually begin when the children are younger. The teen age is hard to begin with in a normal situation.