Hi - newbie from Kansas

[cnq50b]

Hi all,

I'm so excited to join your group - means my dream is closer to a reality....

I've had wanderlust most of my life but have been busy raising my 4 wonderful, now, nearly-fully grown kids. Youngest is finishing her final year in college this year so I will be more free to roam shortly (tuition holds me down more than she does ). Still need to work full-time a few more years - but looking forward to meandering trips, unscheduled stops, naps when I feel like it & charting my own course without any commitments. Starting out I'll mostly be traveling to visit my son in Cali, my daughter who is moving to TX, my brother in WA, the coasts & anywhere else the spirit leads me.

I'm looking seriously for a vehicle & welcome your advice. Since I'll start out traveling more than camping, I'm focusing mostly on class B's - the pleasure-way is one of my favorites. I like how easily class b's can blend in & I can park it in my driveway if it isn't too big. The other one I'm drawn to is the Chinook - love the size, but the mpg worry me a bit & it would most likely have to be stored which means I wouldn't be able to be as impromptu as I'd like.

Reliability is another key component. So I'd love to hear about your experiences with different vehicles - especially if there are brands to avoid.

I'm looking forward to the next adventure in life & getting to know you all better.

Thanks, Catherine

[mitch5252]

..

Welcome, Catherine! I can't offer you any advice because I have only had one rig in my life (my current one). But I can give you a big Ol' Forum Welcome. There are lots of very intelligent and experienced ladies here...they'll chime in!

In the meantime, just jump in whenever and wherever you want! We're glad you found us.

..

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Travelinana]

Welcome Catherine, it's so great to have a new member excited about planning her adventure. Regarding your RV, I have had a Pleasureway and I loved it but I really wanted a little more room with still the ability to park just about anywhere. I then bought a Chinook, 24' without a slide. I recently sold it but I had it 6 years and I absolutely loved it. I am now preparing to be a fulltimer and decided to start with a bumper pull big enough to have a real bed and recliner. When I say preparing I am in the middle of the 'stuff' that must be disposed of. There are several of us in different stages of doing this. I will add on the Chinook, many of them are way overpriced. They aren't made anymore and for some reason the sellers think that makes them more valuable. My suggestion is always check NADA to determine what a vehicle is really worth. Keep us posted on progress.

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome! yes, Life is Good on the Road!! Can't give advise on the B's, C's, & A's since we've been towing/hauling for the last 8 yrs. (started with a 17' hybrid now have 30' 5th wheel.) But there are many here who will have the answers to your questions on them....so, jump in any where and ask away. ...Welcome, again...

[WickedLady]

Welcome to the forum, Catherine.

[Gentleladybear]

Welcom Catherine, glad to have you onboard. We love pictures so always photograph stuff and post it.

Nan

[Dawn309]

Hi and welcome!! I can't give advice on B's but there are a lot of ladies here who can, especially Travilnana who you have already heard from. Be sure and feel free to jump in on anything. We love new voices and look forward to meeting you down the road.

[cnq50b]

Thanks for the warm welcome.
I'll be perusing the forums here - gathering as much info as I can.

My first trips will probably be in my Honda Odyssey checking out units that are in the area - Iowa, St. Louis, etc... There's a sprinter pleasureway in Des Moines, Iowa & VanCityRV in St. Louis which specializes in class b's. (nice day trips from KC) I really need to touch & feel them before I decide which way to go, but I know I'll find just the right one.

One encouraging thing already - I always thought I'd buy one that would be my forever traveling home - already I see that many of you have gone from one to another... something I hadn't thought of. I'll focus on what I need right now & let tomorrow take care of itself...

And thanks for word on Chinooks, Travelinana, I'll check NADA on each vehicle I consider...

Until later...

[ellenw]

Welcome, Kansas! You and I are at the same point of beginning our explorations, but you'll be purchasing a couple of years ahead of me - if I can manage to hold off and be patient. I'm planning on a 23'-25' C Class with a fixed bed, but boy oh boy those B's that are so easy to park about anywhere are inviting!

At the same time you're looking into Pleasure-Ways and Chinooks, look into the GTG forum too. I think those sound like just as much fun!

[Sandersmr]

Welcome! I don't have anything to add since I'm also a tower. But you will have fun figuring out what is right for you. And yes, I will be buying another, I'm not in my forever trailer yet - this one doesn't have enough room for long duration trips.

[Redetotry]

Welcome to the forum Catherine. I own a Pleasure Way and have been very pleased so far. I looked for several years at various brands and finally decided to focus on either a Roadtrek or a Pleasure Way leaning towards the Pleasure Way. I have added a link to Van City where I purchased mine, if you are looking at used, scroll down and you will see Used Inventory on the left of your screen. Van City has a very good reputation a they are ery aware of how much the recommendations on RV forums mean. Mine is a 2003 PW Excel on a Dodge Ram 3500 chassis. It looks brand new inside and out, the only thing I might have rather had was the twin bed set up instead of the couch that makes into a bed with the flip of a switch. It is however very comfortable and since I travel mostly alone it works. I also have the enclosed bathroom rather than the shower that slides into the aisle. I would watch the inventory at VC and if you see something you like call them, they are flexible on prices so don't let the listed price put you off looking into any that is near your target price. Good luck with your search and join in the conversations!
BJ

http://www.vancityrv.com/

[cnq50b]

Continued thanks for the welcomes, everyone.

And thanks for the referral, BJ. VanCity was on my list for a research road trip. I appreciate your insight on the bed vs. sofa bed situation - I, too, like the twin bed setup - but we'll see what I find...

Well, my search officially got underway this afternoon when a friend mentioned he saw a Rialta available close by - so I went out today to see & test drive it. The interior seems smaller than the full-size van class b's but it drove really well & has had all major systems updated or replaced recently. The drive was nice & tight - very pleasurable. Price is a little high (in my opinion) but now it looks like Rialtas are contenders also. By the way, it had twin beds in back with nice mattresses.

Guess, the fun has just begun... I'll be spending time on the 'rig' category to learn more from all of you...

Later, Catherine

[mitch5252]

...I'm also a tower.

I've always pictured you on the short side...

[Redwahine]

I'm a tower too! My DH (6' 6") calls anyone shorter than 6' a "squatty body".