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Update at the end of the thread.

Hiya, I'll try to keep this short. First, I already know how stupid I've been about this whole RV thing. All the same, I think my complete inability to make a decision is just plain pride. I know there's a pony under here somewhere. If I just keep digging (and spending) I'll be vindicated.

Some of you might remember that in March 2012 I bought an RV from someone I trusted, didn't do my homework, and got burned pretty good. Turned out the roof leaked like a sieve and the floor was rotted from the kitchen to the cab. Got a new floor and other stuff including what I thought was fixed leaks. Nope, after much $ and many fixes, I just found evidence of another leak. There's water in the storage bay.( This is a 2005 Gulfstream B+ Cruiser. 22 ft.) I got up on the ladder and recaulked the seam the best I know how. This morning there's more water in the bay. Not as much, but enough.

I paid 18K for the rig. I've spent about 12K. So I'm into this thing for as much as I can afford. Also, I can't in good conscience sell this to anyone but a hobbyist. I've been told there is probably more rot under and behind the kitchen and in the eyebrow.

Finally, here's the dilemma. I can't get past my own emotions far enough to decide what to do: sell to a hobbyist for what little I can get and with full disclosure, donate to a charity, keep but don't put any more $ into it and drive it until it falls apart. The problem with keeping it is the outside looks like heck, many of the decals are peeling and the paint is all bleached out. As much as I enjoyed the one long trip I've taken in it, I did learn about how single women in cheap, old RVs can be treated by some. It ain't pretty. See, I told you pride and embarrassment.

I'd very much appreciate hearing anything any of you can share with me. And yes, I know I don't deserve it; I haven't contributed much here during the last year. Life's been a challenge, but I do read and think of all of you, often.

My old user name was Olive6000 (no 1 at the end) There are pics around of all the work I did on the inside. She's pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Nikki

I do remember how cute the inside of your rig is and all the work you did to make it so. I would say if you want to continue to RV, then trade it in on another. If you buy used, you know to do your homework first. An RV dealer will appraise your present RV and make you an offer for trade. They will adjust that figure up or down according to the deal you can come to on a bottom line for the newer. RV. That's what I did when I traded in my lemon Pleasureway that was costing me too much too often for the last Roadtrek I had. Loved that well-made Roadtrek and would probably be in it still but....that's old news now, and I am happy with the RV I have now.

Don't feel bad about how you were treated, etc. just rake it as a lesson learned. You already proved you can do it and enjoy the travels, so that's my advice.

Thank you, Liz. Your response is very comforting.

Nikki

I agree with Liz. I loved my Gulfstream, but after the damage fixing leaks constantly got difficult. I traded it in, did not lie about anything, but didn't tell more than I had to. I knew I wouldn't get a lot, but I got a deal all considered on this one. That said, I cut my losses quickly without putting much more into this. I'm so sorry for all you spent, but that's past and the future is ahead. Make sure if you do trade that you take anything out of the old that you might want. I even got the dealer to move over my solar and do several other things... which I negotiated after we agreed on price, before I signed anything.

Thank you, Beth. Getting all this out of my head and onto the forum helps a lot. You're so right about the past being behind me and the future ahead. I think about fulltiming often. But being out there without a home base to return to is pretty scary. I doubt I'd have the finances to buy another home. Anybody care to share what their plans are for coming off the road?

Nikki

I think you have gotten some pretty good advice. Trade it in on an RV in better shape and cut your losses. Don't give up on RVing....don't dwell on the past except for the fun you had while RVing. As for coming off the road, I'm not a fulltimer so can't do more than tell you what I hear from a lot of my RVing friends. Many buy a park model in a nice RV park when they come off the road.

Yes, Colleen. Very good advice. I think my RVing days are over. Disappointment doesn't begin to cover the way I feel. Still, I'm very grateful for the good memories. There's just no money for another RV and I don't do debt. So, the end of an adventure unless I sell the house and go full time. I do feel better after hearing what everyone had to say. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Nikki

P.S. Just to top it off, I'll confess to buying a 2015 Honda Fit with dreams of towing. Ha! Never occurred to me that Honda could change the transmission so towing isn't possible. I told the salesman over and over that I was buying the car to tow. He didn't say a word. Now, I know that I sound like a terrible victim. That's never very attractive. But I accept that I didn't do my homework and got what I got. I'm just disappointed in myself.

There are some good memories and I'm very proud of myself for taking at least one long trip. Wow. That was one expensive vacation.

Best to all. Travel safe.

Oh, Nikki, I am so sorry you have been through this. Lately, I feel like I can relate a little. Nobody likes to be taken advantage of! I had really hoped to see you on the road again one day.

Never say never Nikki. Keep you eyes open.

The hardest thing for me was going back into a loan for the new RV when I had worked so hard pay off everything and had the old rig paid for and was living within my budget so comfortably. But I know that the S&B house is paid for so technically I do own half of that as an asset. I probably have lost dollars each of the two times I have traded rigs in the past 10 years but I try to leave that in the past and learn from all my choices. If I live too many years the dogs and I may all be eating a expensive dog food.

Having visited your beautiful home I understand your reluctance to sell and go full time. It seems just the right size. You have such a beautiful collection of art work that you enjoy and you don't have to negotiate with a landlord whether or not you can have pets. That "pets" issue is always in the back of my mind when I think about the option of renting.

Still at the end of the day what will you regret. The choices that you made or the choices that you didn't make? Where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now? What dreams can you imagination, think up that make your heart sing, scary or not......What does your spirit need to thrive in this world? Feed it gently and listen to it carefully.

Right before I left for Ireland my daughter texted me, told me to have fun and do at least one irresponsible thing......It reminded me that I have been fairly successful in teaching both my grown children to dream and go find adventures. I still have more trouble allowing myself the same encouragement at times. Being dependable, responsible, logical, rational and "good", all the time is not always for our spirits. Find a little of what you need and go after it whatever that is. Feed your soul.

I sort of know what you're going through. First, as for the leak, caulk some more. I once had a leak inside and it took three tries to find where it was coming in which was about 3' from where the water was and it was only a one inch slit in the rubber roof. Is the engine in good shape? If it is, I would probably think about just keeping it for short trips. On the other hand, as you know, I sold my rig. I just sort of lost interest in traveling especially by myself. I found it a constant worry to keep up the rig and the expense of the insurance when I wasn't driving it much drove me crazy. I've obviously compensated by acquiring a pack of dogs which I adore. (Right now they're chasing each other all over the house like the crazy little terriers they are.) There's a lot to be said for being debt free. The move up here has put me back in debt which I'll probably die before its paid off. I think if you went fulltime you'd miss your artwork that gives you pleasure. The only way I could afford to go fulltime was to workkamp and I have to tell you I got tired of dealing with the public and some of the campground owners that treated you like slave labor. I rented my house out so I had it to come back to and put my stuff in storage. I rented it through a rental agent who took care of collecting the rent and any emergencies that took place.

I just hope before you sell your rig you make at least one more trip, to visit me here.

Thank you all for your support. I can always count on this forum for interesting ideas and positive thoughts. I don't know that I'm any closer to a decision than I was when I started the thread, but I do have new info, and that's always good. Now enough of my whining.

N

There are as many solutions and ideas as there are gals here! I think we all really want you to do what YOU want to do. Right now you can't see the trees because the forest is looming so large. Let me add my voice to all the others - from my years and years of RV experience and gray hair.

When I was faced with a similar dilemma, the gals on this forum told me to do whatever it takes to get me where I wanted to be. If that means a financial loss, so be it. If I wanted to continue RVing, then find a dealer that would take my impossible to sell motorhome and get me what I wanted. I have never been sorry I took that advice. My solution might not be right for anyone else, but it was right for me. And you will find what is right for you. When a decision seems impossible, make two columns on a piece of paper. Write down all the pros on one side and cons on the other for each solution. You will probably catch yourself trying to "pad" one side. It might not be the side you think. But your subconscious is speaking to you. It might tell you that you'd be willing to do just about anything to keep RVing. Or it might be saying I tried it, got the merit badge, don't want to continue.

FYI: RV leaks rarely come in where the water settles or the damage done. And it is true that it might take more than a couple of times to repair/seal. Seal around every single place where two surfaces meet or where something has been installed - every seam, around every vent, and especially the corners. Dry rot is always a scary thing. BUT, I have seen RVs that I wondered if it was the dirt holding them together! One of my sons has a motorhome that looks like it was rescued from the scrap heap 20 years ago and left to melt. He drives it almost every day and lives in it the rest of the time! Most things can be repaired or replaced; patched together with chewing gum and paper clips. However, if you aren't just pining away to RV, then patching up, taping up, painting up, etc. isn't your thing. If you ARE pining to spend time in the RV, then stock up on paper clips and pay your roadside service provider every year! Or decide that payments aren't really the work of the devil!

Good luck!

Thanks, Evie. Your insight has been a huge help. I think I have a new way to approach my confusion and fear.

Nikki

I don't think I would ever want to full time. Not that I'm in love with my house. I'm always glad to go some where but I'm just as glad when I get back home. I think if I could only have one vehicle I would have a van camper like a Roadtrek. The problem with that is you can buy a Cadillac for what they want for a used Roadtrek. I drove a full size van for years and camped in it a few times with a port a potty. The only thing is that in the South you need air conditioning. I could make do without a refrigerator or kitchen but I want a bathroom.

If the tires, brakes and engine are good on your motorhome I would keep patching and drive it. I know for me it gets to a point that I'm afraid to go very far. My motorhome is going on 14 years old. I keep it serviced and fix anything that breaks but it's always something.

Martha

I don't have any experience in owning an rv so I can't offer any advice on that, but I hear your frustration. I am hoping to sell my house and go full time and let the chips fall where they may. I am trying to learn as much as I can from these ladies and they have been helpful. I have worked my tail off on this old house and yard, I love my gardens that I created and the peace and quiet. But after my husband passed, I feel like I don't have anyone to share it with and that changed my thinking. I live in a remote area and find myself bored and restless. We always traveled together and I still want to go on the road again. I woke up yesterday morning with an inch of water in my basement from all of this rain. House maintenance by myself on a limited income, yard upkeep and all of the associated bills are wearing me down. So when I asked myself if I am happy, the answer was no. I need more now, and I want to see as much as I can, taste as much different food that I can, meet new people, forge new friendships and experience every little bit I can while I can. So slowly but surely, I am getting things done, researching rvs, talking to people and my first rv will be just to get me started until I get everything figured out. Don't be hard on yourself because it is not an easy decision to make. I too, probably can't afford to just go buy a house somewhere else but I know that if I don't listen to my heart, I will regret it And yes sometimes I change my mind mid stream. The important thing is to move forward with whatever you decide, whether it be baby steps or leaps and bounds. A year from now all of this worry won't matter. I wish you luck and a big hug.