Community Forums

Kalen Vavla · 05-05-2016, 04:53 PM

I could use some perspective. 5 years ago we jumped straight into fulltime. We bought an RV, moved into it, sold the house, and drove away. My parents had done the same thing, about 10 years earlier, so I thought that was normal. I am noticing now that the majority of RV owners are part time. All these years my belief had been that every RV owner dreams of being fulltime. Am I wrong? If you’re not fulltime, do you want to be? What is stopping you? If you are fulltime, how did you make the transition?

dix39 · 05-05-2016, 05:08 PM

We considered it after retiring back in the late 90s and decided it wasn't for us. I have too many hobbies and projects that I enjoy and my wife didn't want to give up our life here. Also, most of what we enjoy doing is within a few hours of where we live, as is most of our family.

We decided to keep the house and travel when we wanted too, which we have done and continue to do. We're both very happy with that decision. We're usually gone up to 3 months of the year.

We also traveled with an RV pretty extensively before retiring, so that part wouldn't have been anything new. Also, we don't care much about staying in developed campgrounds.

IMHO, full timing isn't for everyone, but some folks seem to love it.

Steve

RV Vagabond · 05-05-2016, 05:12 PM

There are no general rules, it's a very personal thing. Whether you are retired or not is a major factor, but mainly whether or not you are willing to give up the luxury of a large landed home, jacuzzi, swimming pool, garage, pool table, etc. Maybe a better question is are you fulltiming in one city, or frequently traveling around the country. I travel most of the time, but may get tired of that at some point, or become too handicapped to drive much or any at all.

vsheetz · 05-05-2016, 05:15 PM

Depends. At retirement we don't think full time is for us. Part time - extended trips of some months duration.

Nickdalzell1 · 05-05-2016, 05:20 PM

It started for me being in major debt living in a apartment. I saw an old motor home from 1973 but with the engine and transmission missing, looked it over and it seemed perfect to use as a handmade trailer given the bumper mounts were perfect spots to mount a tongue hitch and rig the tail lights up. The owner was going to scrap it but sold it to me for $200. It made an excellent trailer because the axles were at each end so none of the weight was pressing down on the vehicle hitch and even a car could tow it (had a Dodge 3/4 ton at the time)

I learned much of the pains of the rv life and learned many lessons that hard way. It got me out of an apartment, out of needing a mortgage (was paid for) and moving was as easy as hitching and taking off. Three campgrounds later I parked for good, then the roof fell in from old age and rot. Trailer number 2 caught fire because the previous owner thought it was better to run all the AC circuits to 30 amp, with only one breaker to deal with the entire thing. All it took was the air conditioning and water heater to cook the wiring and start a fire.

Now I stay here with a real piece of work. But it's still cheaper. I have the same space as I did in the apartment but much better views.

Lanny1763 · 05-05-2016, 05:25 PM

We've been fulltiming officially since Feb 2014. To me it feels the same as when we had a traditional sticks/bricks house, but now we're in a different place throughout the year. We have started workkamping which keeps us grounded in one place for 3 to 6 months at a time. We did this to keep busy/save a buck or two, but still see different parts of the country. Some places or workkamping stints are better than others, but that's the best part. Move on from the bad ones, stay at the good ones. We've met folks that will be friends for life. It's a personal choice, commit to whichever decision you make. Good luck.

twogypsies · 05-05-2016, 05:34 PM

I think you may be seeing the lack of full-timers in the type of parks you're staying or the area.

Full-timers travel constantly or else they volunteer in parks or workamp. They also enjoy public parks or boondocking. Many, many of them hang out in the western states. Many full-timers meet up with other full-timers over and over throughout the country. They stay connected and if they're in a area they get together. They think nothing of driving an extra 200 miles out of their way to get together. We were members of the Escapees RV Club and that's where we met the majority of friends. That's been our experience anyway. Naturally, since we were usually surrounded by full-timers we felt there are a lot of them out there.

There are also many family full-timers and a growing population of young working full-timers. With technology they're able to work from their RV. Escapees now has a special group of them called X-scapers.

dexters · 05-05-2016, 05:37 PM

If you have roots in an area it is hard to go full timing.

Nickdalzell1 · 05-05-2016, 05:38 PM

Plenty of full timing parkers here, with wheels removed and even elaborate wood decks or porches attached. Some portable buildings also, and a golf cart or two.

SD Traveler · 05-05-2016, 05:49 PM

Love the ability to move around and visit different places. Hate yard work and the routine life of staying in a one place. When we visit family and friends we are always in our home and yet our home has changing views. Can't think of a better way to live. We happen to have 4 kids spread out and we can visit without fouling up their routine as they are working and raising kids.

twogypsies · 05-05-2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickdalzell1

Plenty of full timing parkers here, with wheels removed and even elaborate wood decks or porches attached. Some portable buildings also, and a golf cart or two.

That's not full-timing. That's living in a trailer park.

stepside454 · 05-05-2016, 09:42 PM

We are planning on giving it a shot in about 1 1/2 yrs . We are 50& 53 , tired of our dead end jobs , have little debt & a big case of wanderlust . My biggest concern is health care costs .
Our motorhome should work fine for us .

Dutch Star Don · 05-05-2016, 10:09 PM

I think it's different for everyone. Our two daughters and four grandchildren live less than ten minutes away. For US, not living near them wouldn't work. We're a close family and not only see each other at least once a week, both daughters have RV's and we camp together.

We take several 2-3 week trips a year and will do another 9 week coast to coast trip this August. I like coming home and relaxing in my house we've owned for 32 years. I have a lot of tools and do a lot of fabricating out of my garage.

Again, full timing looks like it could be exciting, just not for us.

Stickdog · 05-05-2016, 10:11 PM

We're starting our seventh year on the road. We usually volunteer and preferably at US F&W refuges. We have done state parks, USFS and USACE.
This was our plan and so far we are very content with the way it has worked. We travel a month or two between volunteer positions and we sometimes take vacations sans trailer but are always glad to return home to our 5th wheel.
We stay in contact with many friends we've made along the way and often plan our travels to cross paths.
Some day we'll have to hang up the keys but memories and lots of photos will carry on.