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RV Wizard · 09-20-2009, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meandering Retiree

To see this beautiful country while we still are able to do so.

Although we are not retired, we resemble this mentality! In order to do so we had to find a coach that would allow us to pull a service vehicle and provide enough room for us to not feel claustrophobic. We were in no rush as we had kids still at home, a business that demanded most, if not all of our time and an RV we could use to get away when we could. I spent about 5 years doing research as to the kind of unit, brand of chassis and mfg of the coach that would fit our future needs; one that would not give us a lot of grief and we could afford.
Looking back we can say that all the homework paid off and we have never regretted doing what we have done and will do again in the same rig we have had for 8 years now. I love the lifestyle; the people we come across and the scenery of our great nation.

randco · 09-21-2009, 12:46 PM

The motivation for us is to follow our dreams. We have both traveled extensively with our jobs. We have both been in all but about 10 states in this beautiful country of ours and have had the opportunity spend time in the U.K, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. We started out tent camping, upgraded to a pop-up, upgraded to a TT parked full time on a beautiful lakeside lot. We used the TT as our summer retreat. In 1990 I was transferred from the Chicago area to Florida so we had to sell the TT at the lake. We missed the outdoors. In the mid 90's we bought a 33' Class A and had it for about 3 years. We sold it because we couldn't justify the costs but we knew one day that we would return to the RV lifestyle.

Well here it is 10 years later, I am retired and the Mrs. has about 8 months to go. We first thought that we might get a TT and purchase a Suburban or a Yukon, but as we searched for vehicles we liked to looks of the 5th wheels. Thought about getting a GMC Sierra 2500HD, diesel/Allison trans. Crew Cab and a 5er. Another situation popped up. We have animals that will travel with us. Two dogs and 2 cats. We thought about what a hassle it would be moving them from the truck to the 5er every time we stopped. We looked at Class C's, but we thought they might be a little small. So we decided to get another Class A, started looking about 9 months ago. We test drove a 2005 Winnebago 38J on a Workhorse platform and really liked it and the floorplan. But, the more we crawled in and out of it and tried to recreate seating and function, we found it wasn't right for us. I have been reading several forums and most of you preach, floorplan, floorplan, floorplan and you were right. It was not going to be what we wanted. So, the Mrs. says "let's look at the diesels", I was shocked. We test drove a 38' gasser and followed that up by immediately driving a 2004 Winnebago Journey DP. That test drive did it for both of us. The DP was a dream to drive, I still get a grin on my face thinking about that test drive.

At any rate, we have decided on a DP in the 2003 - 2004 range and have decided that we prefer the Winnebago and Thor/Damon and Mandalay products. That's what we are searching for at the present time. When we find what we want we will pay cash for it and it will be ours. After the Mrs retires we intend to semi-time, maybe 9 months or so on the road until the housing market gets better. Then we are going to sell our home put a lot of our things in storage and full time for a while.

That's our dream for the immediate future. What will happen? Who knows. I guess we will just take it one day at a time.

TW · 09-21-2009, 04:19 PM

we just love the RV Lifestyle. First we pulled a rented Trailer behind the VW Variant from El Paso to Teton and back... that got us hooked. When we moved to Alberta it was a bigger Trailer, a couple of Motorhomes, so we could drive from AB to El Paso, just to visit our friends... never thought we would just love this lifestyle and see the country and stay at places, where no MOTEL is. Down the road we will end up with a DP. Heck we would love a Dishwasher and so on in the Motorhome.

Going to Club Meetings, you meet friends and enjoy the GOOD times....
what a life......?!! and it is so much fun to shop for the next RV!!!?

TW

chasfm11 · 09-21-2009, 08:05 PM

I guess you could say that we started without a motivation. We have been sailboats for years and our kids grew up on our Catalina 22, going to regattas and sleeping on the boat, porta potty and all. We traveled across country in a conversion van and even slept in that a couple of times.

Fast forward a few years and the kids were gone. We were going to pick up a relative in NC and take her up to PA. We thought that it might be fun to try an RV so we found a very reasonable rental (we were in off season). We had a good time but a breakdown made us question the wisdom. A couple of years later, we thought we'd take a trip to the Dakotas. We decided to give the rental RV another try and had a great trip - but unfortunately another breakdown. We thought we might like to own one but had to change houses first (HOA, no parking place). We were in the new place exactly a year (Jan/04) and I just happened to check the local dealer's website. He had just significantly dropped the price on the one that I had looked at the previous August. Two weeks later, it was sitting in our driveway.

I think we can honestly say "it just happened." Now that it has, our motivation is clear - it is our getaway and we have seen a lot of country in it. We use it when I attend model sailboat regattas but mostly we do weekends in the State Parks and extended trips (4,400 miles in 22 days last year.) I'm still working so it is hard to use it as much as we like but maybe this is the year that we'll break 50 days in it.

dajudge · 09-22-2009, 07:53 PM

We started with a tent, then a truck camper. Thatdid nothave a shower, so we bought a used tt. We then bought two new tts in a row. Were not satisfied with either one. One had two doors and we couldnot keep it from raining in the back door. Then we bought a used airsteam. It towed well, was solid but after three years we bought our first motorhome. We liked it because it gave my co pilot a chance to stretch or walk around and when i needed a drink or a snack, she obligedme. Then we bought a used allegro bay pusher basement style, and we almost rolled the wheels off. After ten years, i started looking for an allegro bay with slides. A year later, i found my dream coach. An allegro bay gas 35 ft with two slides, o6 with only 12000 miles. I negotiated the price on the phone and when we agreed, i drove my old one 840 miles from louisians to florida and made the trade. I have not had one minute of regret. With the tiffin reputation for customer service and quality, i would never buy anything else. I would not buy a new one even if i could afford it. I bought this one for half the price of a new one, in like new shape. I think anybody who buys a new one has more money than good sense.

dajudge · 09-22-2009, 07:54 PM

By the way, i am not a newbie. We started in 1974

empty pockets · 09-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Someone has to buy new or you couldn't buy used. Ive always bought new, I don't know why its just the way i am.We have owned 2 boats and 5 tts and 5thwheels. our last is a 2006 cougar bought on our way home sept 05 from the truck show up in St.Ignace MI.Yea i know now that im at retirement age kinda wish i had some of that money i threw away.we have 5 girls and never went anywhere with out them. they are our life. they have seen every state except Hawaii and Alaska.two weeks ago we sold our house and I think we are on our way to Florida where two of the girls live. life is full of ups and downs and I wouldn't have it any other way.Greg