Mid-life crisis, of a fit of madness?!

[Mandana]

Hello!

My gosh, this is all quite surreal, but here goes ...

In the space of 10 days life has changed dramatically for us. My husband handed in his notice on Good Friday and will retire in a month. Since then we found out our house could fetch more than we hoped for, so have decided to sell up and hit the road to travel the States before we return to the UK sometime at the end of 2014.

Yesterday, on our first visit to RV showrooms, we came across a 2012 Thor Tuscany that only had 2,000 miles on the clock, and decided to put a deposit down on it.

Like I said - this could be classed as a mid-life crisis, or a true fit of madness. You decide! The jury is still out here!

We really don't know the first thing about RVing, so here goes. Joining forums, reading blogs, finding out the pitfalls and joys of the great outdoors, but also (very) concerned about giving up loads of space and living in a motor home.

Any and all advice will be welcome, especially about taking our 2 cats with us.

Quite nervous, but also excited we have this fabulous opportunity.

Looking forward to joining in and getting to know you

[CLIFFTALL]

Welcome to IRV2. Sounds exciting. Looking forward to hearing of your adventures.
Cliff

[Mandana]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Welcome to IRV2. Sounds exciting. Looking forward to hearing of your adventures.
Cliff

Thanks Clifftall

[Petro]

Mandana;


We are glad you joined us. There is a wealth of information available to you here. Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions. We have a great group here who like to help when they can. Post often and share your RV adventures with us.

Don

[Go Dawgs]

Doesn't sound like a mid-life crisis or a fit of madness to me. Sounds great. Don't worry about what you don't know. You will learn and you will ask and you will enjoy. Sounds to me like a dream come true.

Happy Travels
Arnold

[F117plt]

Originally Posted by Mandana

Hello!

My gosh, this is all quite surreal, but here goes ...

In the space of 10 days life has changed dramatically for us. My husband handed in his notice on Good Friday and will retire in a month. Since then we found out our house could fetch more than we hoped for, so have decided to sell up and hit the road to travel the States before we return to the UK sometime at the end of 2014.

Yesterday, on our first visit to RV showrooms, we came across a 2012 Thor Tuscany that only had 2,000 miles on the clock, and decided to put a deposit down on it.

Like I said - this could be classed as a mid-life crisis, or a true fit of madness. You decide! The jury is still out here!

We really don't know the first thing about RVing, so here goes. Joining forums, reading blogs, finding out the pitfalls and joys of the great outdoors, but also (very) concerned about giving up loads of space and living in a motor home.

Any and all advice will be welcome, especially about taking our 2 cats with us.

Quite nervous, but also excited we have this fabulous opportunity.

Looking forward to joining in and getting to know you

Check the Tuscany out very closely. I owned one, very poor workmanship IMO. Mine leaked like a sieve. Check for wood damage around the slideouts (although it isn't really solid wood but partical board wrapped in a plastic covering). Check for cargo compartment leaks also.

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

[sgtjoe]

We travel about 7 months out of the year. We started in 2004 with two cats and they traveled good with one exception, they were not declawed. Our leather furniture shows the results of them not being declawed. Both of them were too old to have it done. One passed away last June at 18 years and the other one still travels with us and she is coming up on 19. Once she passes on there will be no more cats unless they are declawed. Then we will consider newer MH or a complete make over.

So the only problem with Cats so far has been the scratching. Other then that they travel pretty good. The one hides under the covers as soon as she hears the engine start and comes out when she feels the slide moving out.

Word of caution, make sure you know where the cats are when bringing in the slides.
Enjoy the road, it's fun.

[JohnRR]

[sdennislee]

Hi and

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join us!

Congrats on the new rig! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in it! Also, congrats on the upcoming retirement!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[denochs]

WE are FTs too. DW (dear wife) misses her comfort things that have little to do with functionality. So, if you or your DH needs those things, be prepared to make an adjustment.

We travel with two cats too. If yours are not outside cats you can train them not to scratch. But cover your seats and chairs until then. Neither of ours are declawed. If they are outside cats, you may have a problem. They will take longer to adjust than you will. We've talked to several RVers that travel with their cats. Generally one will react differently to the movements than the other, but both will love it after a while.

We're enjoying the freedom and travel opportunities.

Dave

[Mandana]

Wow, thanks for the wonderful welcome! It's much appreciated, and we're both really looking forward to this next chapter in our lives.

We're so grateful to have this fabulous experience, and to be able to live 'The American Dream'. It will be hard (especially for me) to return to the UK, but I keep telling myself 'it's better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all'

Thanks also for the Tuscany advice GBFleming. We will be sure to check it out carefully before putting down our hard-earned cash. It's actually a brand new vehicle as the previous owner bought it, hardly used it, then traded it in for a larger one. Yay us as he took the depreciation hit!

We will take care with the cats and the slides sgtjoe. Thanks for pointing that out. It'll be very important to make sure one of them isn't under the bed as that would result in a squashed kitty

Sorry yours used your furniture as scratch posts. We'll take scratch posts and pads with us as declawing is not something I'd ever consider. It's actually the equivalent of us having our fingers cut off at the first knuckle, not just having their claws removed (see here What You Need To Know About Declawing - Declawing.com)

Can't wait to get on the road now! Just a trip back to the UK first, selling the house and getting rid of lots of baggage between us and the first trip

[sgtjoe]

Mandana, thanks for the info on declawing. I knew it was painful but had no idea as to the extent of the surgery.
As to the slide caper, let me tell you our story. In June of 2000 we were full timing out of SLC, UT and found a great deal on a 36' triple slide 5th wheel in Idaho. We bought it and moved in with the dogs and cats. Stayed local a few days to get the jest of the new unit and work out any kinks. Took it to the dealer to get a few minor things fixed and then departed. When we got about 250 miles down the road we stopped for the night and I put out the three slides. Then we noticed one of the cats was missing. We looked all over the 5th wheel, then I called the dealer to inform them that one of my cats got out while they were working on it. I asked them to put food out and watch for her and to call me if they see her and that we would be back there in the morning. Later that night we heard a few loud meows and thought it was the other cat until one of the dogs started barking in the upper bedroom. As I went up there I could hear our missing cat meowing from under the bed. Very carefully I moved the slide in enough so that she could get out. Lesson learned, ALWAYS account for where the fur kids are before moving a slide in or out. Called the dealer next day to tell them what happened.