Community Forums

Wileefox · 04-30-2021, 07:43 AM

Due to health reasons, I've been forced into Rertirement. So we are considering selling our house and buying a Class C in which we plan to become snowbirds. Wintering in the south, summering in our beloved north dakota. Having previously Been TT owners, we are not total novices at RV life. But understanding that travel trailers are a different animal than class C motorhomes, we are looking for tips and tricks to ease our way into a class c life. We are a couple in late 50's early 60's. Do not plan to use a toad. Will be visiting friends and relatives across the country.

Skip426 · 04-30-2021, 09:18 AM

Welcome to iRV2.

I'd say if Class C rentals are available in your area , rent a unit for a few weeks to try it out .

JMHO: Class C , may be fairly easy to go RVing in without a toad , but not have the space ( load capacity ) for full timing .

Josephls · 04-30-2021, 09:19 AM

I’m originally from North Dakota. So your looking at going full time in a class C with no toad? No toad so your obviously planning a small class C. Your also selling your home? I think your going to learn to hate it fast. So what’s your contingency plan if it doesn’t pan out? Home prices won’t be going down , even in ND. Also if this for health reasons have you thought ahead about insurance? You mention visiting friends and family across the country. Is that going to work year round, every year? Do they have hook ups you can use or campgrounds near by?

Would it be possible to rent out your current home to cover any mortgage and try full timing for a couple years in a small Class C as your intending? You really need to do your advance work to avoid as many pitfalls as possible and there are plenty .

We have 28’ Phoenix cruiser and go on an avg 3 month trip every year. We tow as well so getting around is a breeze. This aside it’s not cheap so if your looking at this to save money you really really need to do your advance work to see where you fall against your current costs.

On a side note, id never want to stay with family and friends on an ongoing schedule. Visitors are like fish and after three days they really start to stink .

Gene Owens · 04-30-2021, 10:02 AM

I have a 32 foot Forester class C with 2 slides that I have used on month long trips but I have a "stix and bricks" to return to with plenty of parking space and electrical hookup when needed. I have never had a toad along as you are planning and that works well most of the time as the C has a large double door fridge so I can keep a weeks worth of food ready to cook, etc. I think you guys might want to rent a C for a few weeks and be sure this will work. Storage in my C is adequate for 2 adults and 1 large dog but I don't have to bring along all my worldly "valuables/keep sakes".

Trapper2022 · 04-30-2021, 10:07 AM

While full timing we saw many people full time living and traveling in a class C. I was more than a little surprised how many had kids also. It can be done but almost all the ones I saw were towing a car. We used to stay for a month in areas we liked. I could not imagine unhooking water, electric and lowering leveling jacks every day to sight see or go to store. Daily car rental only works if you only stay in large city’s. We now only part time 4-5 months a year. Down sized to class C and we tow a Jeep. After realizing all the stuff I brought along for years I did not need I think I could full time in a class c with just the two of us pretty easy. Going with out the tow, not going to happen. Safe travels. Enjoy all there is to see in this great country.

Enjoy the journey

Hurricane-TX · 04-30-2021, 10:13 AM

Good luck but you will need a toad.

Phil G. · 04-30-2021, 10:46 AM

You will eventually grow to really like a Class C (or Class A or Class B) over a TT ... I predict. Here's some reasons:

1) When traveling, the cab air conditioning or heating can keep the whole coach interior at comfortable temperatures for quick stops and when arriving at your final destinations.

2) The passenger, while carefully and at a constant speed traveling down the road - can go back and use the bathroom.

3) When parked, both the passenger and driver can go directly back into the coach from the cab and visa-versa.

4) While traveling, the fairly large size wires going from the engine alternator back to the coach batteries will charge them much faster than what the tow vehicle did with the TT batteries.

5) When camped without hookups, relatively short chassis engine idling runs can be used to quickly and quietly charge up the coach batteries if you don't want to use the coach generator ... or don't have any - or enough - solar panel power to do it (i.e. as when parked in the shade or under cloudy skies too much).

6) When camped in extreme heat or cold conditions, with the chassis engine idling the cab heater or air conditioner can be used to supplement the coach systems to insure maintaining a comfortable coach here and there during unusual weather conditions.

Our small Class C makes for very versatile and comfortable traveling or camping so that we don't have to seek out northern or high locations in the summer, southern or low locations in the winter, clear skies for solar battery charging, or tow a vehicle in order to conveniently get around in a given area. We travel and explore like a turtle - in a comfortable little home that's with us all the time.

Old-Biscuit · 04-30-2021, 01:15 PM

Health issues......early 60's

What is your plan for Health Insurance Coverage NATIONWIDE?

No Toad........then everytime you need to go get something you have to break camp/stow everything away/go to town---park/shop/return and set back up ---level, utilities etc

Been awhile since RVng...........RENT ---go for a Month and see how it plays out

We FTd for 7 yrs.....Loved it but both parties must be on-board with it and understand/adopt as needed
Even Large RVs are just small shoe-boxes.

Check out the FTrs Section in this Forum
Research Medical Insurance Coverages, Domicile, Financial Institutes, Income (FTng is not cheaper then S&B just different)
RENT a RV/Take Month long trip

Best wishes.......

okcnewbie · 04-30-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wileefox

Due to health reasons, I've been forced into Rertirement. So we are considering selling our house and buying a Class C in which we plan to become snowbirds. Wintering in the south, summering in our beloved north dakota. Having previously Been TT owners, we are not total novices at RV life. But understanding that travel trailers are a different animal than class C motorhomes, we are looking for tips and tricks to ease our way into a class c life. We are a couple in late 50's early 60's. Do not plan to use a toad. Will be visiting friends and relatives across the country.

Sorry to hear about your health problems and hopefully you get many years of retirement. Travelling is defiantely one way to make use of an early retirement.

As an irv2 noob (we all were) make sure you keep your thread going. Check back often so we know you're still here.

You can wait on the TOAD and may or may not find you want/need one.
Travelling to see family and friends sometimes means you have a car available.
If you can go a season or two without selling your S&B than you might want to do that.
You also wouldn't be the first one that started with a Class C and later found out that you want to Class A. The A's have more storage and actually turn better than C's.
Since you've had an RV before I would only rent if you have extra money or think there's anyway you could be intimidated driving a MH. In my case it's so much fun I just needed a little practice.

jackreno · 05-01-2021, 01:00 AM

Wileefox :

You are going to get many different opinions on your subject, but here is mine.

I now own a class C/B+ 25 foot long small slide out and I owned a 33 foot class A with 2 slide outs and will have to say full timing I would go back to the class A 33 foot or longer with 2 or more slide outs.

Full timing you need room and storage and many class C's don't offer this, class A's carry more weight, more fresh water, more fuel, more black/grey tank capacity and far more outside/inside storage.

Yes you will need to have a small car or small suv to tow behind to go get grocery's, go see friends, sight see, go to doctor office, etc, etc..

Even a truck with a good size 5th wheel makes a good full time living RV, take a look at those as well, just don't go to small when full timing.. size does matter..

Just my 2 cents and many years as a RVer and owning many different RV's..

jjrbus · 05-01-2021, 07:05 PM

Got medically retired and sold my home in NY and escaped the state. Full timed for 10 years and wanted to buy a house in FL, about 2006. Well the real estate bubble was going full blast and small 2 bedroom houses in crappy hoods were $225,000 dollars!

So I was stuck, not a pleasant feeling. Fortunately the bubble burst and I was able to buy a cheap house and trade up to a decent house in a nice neighborhood. But I did take a bath on the RV when I sold it.

So I am in the keep the house and rent it out crowd.

Nobody 1 · 05-04-2021, 03:32 AM

If you have health problems I would weigh my options
I have seen it more times than not that a camper is not were you want to be
If illness returns. Traveling is great we kept our home and return to it in the spring. If one of us I’ll I have a place to go.we had a couple beside us with a class.C he had knee replacement it was so sad he couldn’t get in the door and the times he did he almost fell out the door
Safe travels

f14av8r · 05-06-2021, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wileefox

Due to health reasons, I've been forced into Rertirement. So we are considering selling our house and buying a Class C in which we plan to become snowbirds. Wintering in the south, summering in our beloved north dakota. Having previously Been TT owners, we are not total novices at RV life. But understanding that travel trailers are a different animal than class C motorhomes, we are looking for tips and tricks to ease our way into a class c life. We are a couple in late 50's early 60's. Do not plan to use a toad. Will be visiting friends and relatives across the country.

I own a Tiffin Wayfarer. Previously owned a Winnebago Journey. Downsizing was hard but we love the Wayfarer for what we do. We lived in the Journey while building our house. I would not recommend the Wayfarer (or any Class C) for full-time living. I know some make it happen and are perfectly happy but, if your motorhome will truly be your only home, a Class C is just too small. Storage is a real challenge!

PrefrPourOvr · 05-19-2021, 08:24 PM

Hello and praying for your continued positive attitude in spite of health challenges. Class C might allow you to navigate city streets in the event you want “to catch the symphony” or “dinner out at a nice place by the river” . . . exactly the reason my wife and I have ordered an LTV Unity Class C (often called a B+). If you’re going to be full time, definitely think thru your floor plan desires: might need to be Super C! Check out Renegade, with Brad at Holland Motor Homes.