Community Forums

Jochen · 10-20-2010, 09:07 AM

Hi everybody,
We are a couple from Germany and we just LOVE the US. Late 2011, after retirement we plan to buy a Class A motorhome and travel the USA and Canada. Not as fulltimers but something like 3 months travel, 3 months home etc. Now it is time for me to learn from you all: What is the right motorhome, what is important, what to we have to pay attention to. And once started we love to share with you our experiences: Roads to travel, places to see and mistakes to avoid. And we will surely have a beer with one or two of you on a nice campground.
Isn`t that a good plan for retirement?
Best regards and - see you
Jochen

RickO · 10-20-2010, 10:31 AM

Welcome to the forum! I think your retirement plan sounds outstanding and you'll be able to learn a lot and share your stories here on the forum. Seems to me the biggest problem you'll have is figuring out how to put in a tap to pour a good Pills from the side of the new coach.

Rick

historyljc · 10-20-2010, 11:20 AM

Welcome Jochen,
Just pick a starting point, stay a couple of week and explore. Move 1-200 miles, repeat process. You're coming from a lovely country, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one.

nomadjshappy · 10-21-2010, 05:19 AM

If You get to Toronto Canada Area, Come by for a visit, we live in the country and you are welcome to drop by. Hope you have happy travels.

Ron
Nomad just Happy

Jochen · 10-22-2010, 04:59 AM

Thank you all for your warm welcome. Rick, the key question is: Has a 45 feet motorhome space enough to store a German size beer-barrel? And yes, Jim, we will do it exactly this way, because we will be there to enjoy - not to hurry. Thank you Ron, for your invitation. It is still a little bit of time, but will love to have a nice evening with your folks in Toronto.
Tomorrow we are flying to Florida for a 2 week sun vacation. Here in Germany it is rainy and cold (mid 50ies) and I can`t await to pull on my shorts and t-shirts. And we will surely take a day and drop by a dealer to get a first "look and feel" of a MH.

Jochen

TW · 10-22-2010, 05:53 AM

Welcome to iRV2. Of course you can pick our brains.
Just remember, you can only stay in the US 2 x 90 days within 1 year on a Tourist VISA.
As far as I understand it and Canada / Mexico do not count as EXIT countries.
We try to 'snowbird' every winter, but sometimes it just does not work out.
Willkommen in Chilliwack, BC if you are here in the WEST

TW

scgator · 10-22-2010, 06:34 AM

Excellent plan for retirement, and an Excellent country to see !!!! Welcome to the forums and the US>>>>>>>>>>>>>scgator

denochs · 10-22-2010, 06:41 AM

You come from an equally beautiful country. We've toured it by car.

Watch out for the sales people at dealerships. I suggest you write on a piece of paper your criteria for a mh and begin shopping. With current sales and fuel prices here in the US, you may find your best deal by waiting until next year to buy. Of course, things could change, but it doesn't look like it.

Also, I suggest you buy something used. You loose too much money and have too many "new" bugs to work out with a new coach.

Dave

Poptop · 10-22-2010, 03:13 PM

Welcome to the site. Sounds like you have a great retirement plan. Times flys by quickly at it will be here before you know it. Having a cold brew one of these days sounds good to me. Shop around for a good late model used motorhome and you will probably save enough money to pay for a year or two of travel and of course, a few more cold kegs!! Someday I'd like to tour your country and see where my grandparents came from 100 years ago or so.

RVThere · 10-22-2010, 03:33 PM

Whiel you're in Florida for two weeks, go to some RV dealers and see what is for sale and what floorplan suits you best. Let the salesman know you're not ready to buy until late in 2011.

We got to know a family from Austria who did a similar trip. They flew to Florida, bought a used motorhome, and toured the US with 3 young girls for 3 months. We met them in Yosemite. Turns out they only live a few miles/kilometers from my wife's relatives in Switzerland.

Purplefans & Harvey · 10-23-2010, 10:54 PM

Guten Tag! Vielen Fragen sind gut hier!

Purplefans & Harvey · 10-25-2010, 09:07 PM

Sorry. My mother would be ashamed of my German. Guess those classes in high school didn't sink in all those years ago! Welcome anyway! Ask lots of questions here!