Been AWOL From Forum Awhile

[LadyTexan]

I've been missing from the forums for awhile, I've been lurking but not posting. My project work picked back up in July and I've been working (gasp) pretty much full time since mid-July. Haven't had much time to do anything other than read blogs and the forums. But the project is winding down for this quarter, and I'm starting to get excited about my future RV'ing again.

I qualify for my military pension staring in October, and I received my official retirement orders last week! I retired out of the Navy Reserves, so retirement pay and benefits don't start until you turn 60. Well, guess what? That birthday is rapidly approaching, and I'm looking forward to starting this next chapter of my life. I'll probably keep working my project work for another year, saving that money to pay for an RV. The way I figure, if I work for another year I'll have enough to pay cash for a small trailer and tow vehicle or a self-contained MH. I'm still not sure what I want, but it's probably going to be something like a large Casita or a Class B/C. A Class A is just too big for one person, and I won't be going full time at first.

There is a huge RV show in Dallas next weekend, so guess who will be first in line? I want to check out all sizes and kinds of homes on wheels and get a feel for what is available. Looking at pictures and reading your descriptions is nice, but I need to get in it and see how I fit (does that make sense?). Plus I want to get an idea of prices. Then in October I want to rent one for a weekend or so just to see how I like being in one for a period of time, and to see how my dog Oliver feels about it LOL

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Looking forward to participating more in the forum here and sharing your adventures vicariously. I'm sure I'll have questions as I start my 'journey' towards buying my 'home on wheels.'

Cari

[BirdbyBird]

And Cari you know from reading we love to "help" shop for rigs.... Congratulations for coming down to the final planning stages. I am sure that the weeks will fly by and your brain will be stuffed with information. And as you noted, walking through and sitting in units and using your imagination as you expect you might use a rig is most helpful. Have fun! I always meet the nicest people as I walk through units at the RV shows....

[Bethers]

Cari, I don't know how far you are from where the TX gtg is going to be held - but if you could get there for even a day - you'd be able to see all kinds of different rigs and why people like what they have. Might be worth your time. And it's always worth the time to get together with anyone from this forum Just a thought!

And glad to see you posting!

[Dawn309]

Cari, I am going to be at the TX GTG and you are more than welcome to come in and try out my rig. I have a Class A but with a different kind of floor plan. For me, it's perfect for one person. Right now, my Mom is with me, but if she weren't, it would still be perfect for me. I know there will be all kinds of rigs at the GTG and we would love to have you there.

[Sandersmr]

And I'm at the other end of the spectrum from Dawn - I have a small TT - 16BH made my Sportsmen Classic. It's been modified somewhat so that it's great for 1 person and ok for 2 and down right crowded when you throw the beasts in!!!

[retiredhappy]

I just downsized from a 30' Class C to a 19' Roadtrek. I LOVE my RT cause I can drive and park it anywhere you could park a truck. If its hot I just turn on the generator and AC for the dogs while I'm sightseeing. With my Class C I towed a Chevy Cobalt for all the sightseeing, etc. Was fine if I was in one place for a while but a real pain to disconnect for only one or two nights. My friend Carole and I just took a two week trip to South Dakota - meant two people and two dogs. Yes, it was crowded but that's what chairs are for. We spend a lot of time when not sightseeing, just sitting and reading outside.

[Nasoosie]

I just downsized from a 30' Class C to a 19' Roadtrek. I LOVE my RT cause I can drive and park it anywhere you could park a truck. If its hot I just turn on the generator and AC for the dogs while I'm sightseeing. With my Class C I towed a Chevy Cobalt for all the sightseeing, etc. Was fine if I was in one place for a while but a real pain to disconnect for only one or two nights. My friend Carole and I just took a two week trip to South Dakota - meant two people and two dogs. Yes, it was crowded but that's what chairs are for. We spend a lot of time when not sightseeing, just sitting and reading outside.

I am still thinking about how much I would LOVE to have a van-type (class B) rig. I could park it in my FL house driveway, as well, and could drive it with abandon instead of hitching and hauling and unhitching and parking and over and over. Glad to hear you and your friend managed a long trip with two pups as well! I am now seeking a relatively new, or carefully used and cared-for Class B I could trade my truck and trailer for. Tomorrow, I might reconsider yet again. Can you tell just how fickle and undecided I am? Sigh!

[LadyTexan]

Thanks for the comments and the invite to the Texas GTG. It's still pencilled in on my calendar, and I'd love to meet and visit with y'all!

I'm torn between having my all-in-one house with me and not having to hook/unhook when I get somewhere, vs. having an extra vehicle so I can park the RV and then drive around and sightsee. I see myself doing a variety of things once I fully retire - parking in one spot and just enjoying the surroundings, parking in one spot, then going off to sightsee, and sightseeing enroute to a destination. And I see that there is no 'one size fits all' which is good, I'm not one for being conventional.

I'm really looking forward to the RV show next week. I'll post more after I've seen some rigs and talked to some people. I think my main concern overall right now is going to be cost. Ah, decisions, decisions...

Cari

[psjh]

I am in the final stages of purchasing a 25' BT Cruiser. I have a 30' MH now but while it is easy to drive I can't just get up and go; also it is a 1996 so things are are showing their age. I spent most of the summer looking at TT and 5ers thinking that would be the way to travel. Get someplace and unhook and drive to things. But the more I sat in them and thought of the fact that I travel with two dogs I just felt more comfortable keeping my house with me; that way I can know the dogs are OK when I stop, just turn on the gen and air. I looked at Pleasure Way and Roadtrek, they are beautiful and well finished, but they just seemed a little tight for me. The Cruiser has opposing slides so when opened up it is truly spacious.
Look at lots of different RVs and think how it will be to live in them. The sales people have been very nice about letting me just ponder for an hour or so in a unit.