Community Forums

ewolin · 03-04-2018, 05:44 PM

Hi All,

My wife Betsy and I will retire shortly, and we've long talked about getting an RV and traveling all over the US, and even to Alaska. We typically use a tent in the national parks, but now that we're a bit older that doesn't quite cut it any more!

I'm thinking of a 28'-33' Class A, large enough to live in for long periods, small enough to take into most national and state parks. We'll tow a car behind. A diesel pusher would be great, not sure we can afford it. We're thinking of a used RV, five years or less. We're willing to pay a premium for quality, we won't be full-timing but I think we'll be giving the RV a workout.

We're total newbies, any and all advice would be appreciated. We're thinking of purchasing within the coming year.

Our interests are hiking, backpacking, kayaking, bicycling, bird watching, and just about any nature-based pursuit, on water or in the mountains. We both like to cook, and my wife especially likes to bake, so we'll need an oven.

I like to fix just about everything, including auto maintenance, not sure how easy it is to work on RV engines, brakes, suspension, transmission, etc. My floor jack, jack stands, and ramps won't handle the weight of an RV, guess I'll have to look for heavier ones...and I imagine RV tires weigh a ton and may have to be jacked up to get back on.

We expect occasional visits from kids and grandkids, and maybe friends, but nothing extended, so a large sleeping capacity is not important (we'll have tents, anyway).

Hope to learn lots from this site.

Elliott and Betsy Wolin

P.S. My wife is a wildlife biologist, and I'm a physicist (particle and nuclear physics)

momdoc · 03-04-2018, 06:12 PM

Welcome. Sounds like you guys have a good plan in place. There are lots of good folks and good info here to read and then ask specific questions. You will love the life style. And even though the learning curve is a long one it is only steep in the beginning. Enjoy the adventure

TomandGloria · 03-04-2018, 06:15 PM

Welcome aboard and hope your search goes well. I think anything up to 40’ will get you into most state and national parks. What part of VA are you in?

Sweetbriar · 03-04-2018, 06:34 PM

Need to know your coach buy budget to help narrow down potential rigs. Regarding coach size don't discount something larger. I have a 32' and at day 10 the walls start closing in. For long outings moving to 34' or 36' range brings more to the table with minimal camp site limitations. But there are people full timing in van's and pop up trailers and enjoying every minute.

Maintenance on these things isn't rocket science but I think a physicist should be able to noodle most of it out. If not you can do like the rest of us and Google it. I have probably spend more time and effort on the house side than the chassis with regards to preventative or corrective maintenance.

Being a particle and nuclear type physicist any chance you're hanging around the Jefferson Lab in Newport News? If so there's an RV show this coming weekend at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. You'll only see new rigs but floor plans for the most part stay pretty much the same from model year to the next. Colors and gadgets do change. Give you some ideas when you go looking for a used coach.

https://thehrcc.com/event/virginia-rv-camping-show/

**TonyDi** · 03-04-2018, 08:55 PM

Hi Elliott & Betsy

Glad to have you here in the forum with us. You're gonna like it here.

Let us know how we can help you.

Happy Trails!!!

saddlesore · 03-04-2018, 09:32 PM

1st WELCOME ABOARD!!!!
Remember.....!
Your 1st coach is a TOOL!
To learn what you like & love
To learn what you can tolerate
AND what you ABSOLUTELY HATE!
So buy used !
Then after a year or so of use You will know exactly WHAT you want and need for your chosen lifestyle ..

I suggest a 36' to 38' with a minimal of slides & "blingy things" for your 1st coach....crawl before you walk...walk before you run.......

When the time comes to "step up to the plate" so to speak for your "Forever Coach",
Don't limit yourself to the Big Three or Four manufacturers..... go look and drive the "other" manufacturers offerings as well...ie: Prevost conversions/Newell/and Foretravel.....both new and used....
This is what the wife & I did..very happy with our choice of coach..
The Kids can make their own retirement.

Happy Hunting

Stever53 · 03-04-2018, 11:06 PM

Hi

this place is great

Safe travels

smlranger · 03-05-2018, 04:50 AM

Welcome to IRV2 fellow Virginians. Saddlesore gives good advice. If you live in or near the Richmond area, I would be glad to meet up with your for lunch, etc. and share my knowledge and experiences. Have owned RV's since 1985....trailers and motorhomes, gas and diesel. Traveled all over the US.

Send me a private message if you are interested. Also, stay away from Camping World.

MSHappyCampers · 03-05-2018, 09:44 AM

Hi Elliott & Betsy!

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

Hope you find the perfect rig for your needs!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

ewolin · 03-06-2018, 11:53 AM

Hi,

We live in Williamsburg, VA.

Elliott

ewolin · 03-06-2018, 11:57 AM

Hi,

I worked at Jefferson Lab for about 20 years, 2+ years as a visitor, about 17 years as a staff physicist.

We were able to attend the DC RV show, which is how we settled on a 28'-34' Class A.

Not all physicists are good at mechanical things. Theorists tend not to know which end of the wrench to hold, and experimental physicists may specialize in software or analysis or simulations. I'm somewhat unusual in doing all my own electrical, plumbing, carpentry, woodworking, and auto repairs.

Elliott

Mr_D · 03-06-2018, 12:08 PM

I think you'll find that that's too small. We figured 38' with 2 slides was as large as we wanted. That lasted two years of part time use so we went to a triple slide 40'. That lasted 13 years of part time use so we went to a 45' quad slide unit. Then the DW died and now the 6 cats and I have the MH to ourselves.