Greetings!

[Gypsygrl]

Hello All,

I've been lurking around for a few days reading your forum as I am once again contemplating purchasing an RV. I have some background and experience with RV's having had travel trailers and a class C in the past but this time is different because I am finally free! No more kids to raise, no debt, no husband (actually got rid of him about 20 years ago, lol) and now find myself considering a dream I always had - the ultimate road trip! I would be travelling alone except for my two dogs and although I'm not ready to go full time quite yet I'm seriously considering an RV for part time living. I recently sold my main house in the SF Bay area and although I do have a house in Lake Tahoe I want to keep ski leasing that house for the winter as I'm done with snow. I'm thinking I will spend my summers in Lake Tahoe and my winters in an RV. My first question is what kind of rig? I've never had a class A or a 5th wheel - any suggestions?

Thanks in advance! Kim

[retiredhappy]

Welcome Kim. As for which rig, that has to be your final decision. Check out the Show off your rigs thread here. Best advise is to go look at, sit in, pretend to cook, etc in as many different types of rigs as you can. A big rig means you will most likely tow a car for shopping/sightseeing and that limits some places you can go. We have gals on the forum that fulltime in everything from a big Class A to Roadtreks. Keep us posted on your thoughts/decisions.

[avalen]

Welcome
the type of rig you get depends on you, what you feel most comfortable in and for what ever reasons.
Good advice from Karen, go look at, sit in, pretend in, and get a feel, and of course one that fits your
budget, pricewise and gaswise.
We look forward to your posts and we love pictures too.

[mitch5252]

..

A BIG FORUM Welcome to you, Kim. I can't help you on your decision, but Karen's advice is spot-on! You can garner a lot of information reading the archives here.

So, ask away and we'll look forward to following along with your shopping adventures!

..

[Redwahine]

A big Texas welcome. I joined this forum last May with the same question. What everyone else said is spot on! We went to RV shows. Read, read, read. Joined forums and asked many questions. It is such a personal decision and difficult decision based on what type of camping you want to do. How much space you want/need, etc. etc. Good luck and keep us in the loop as you navigate the waters of selecting the perfect setup for you.

[Rufflesgurl]

Welcome Kim from the central coast of CA. Have fun shopping for your RV!

Linda

[mtngal]

Welcome Kim from central Sierra foothills (although temporarily in Texas)! Always glad to see new members on the west coast. Have fun shopping for your 'perfect' rig!

[Bethers]

Welcome, Kim. And what's been said, I have to agree with. We all want/need completely different things. So assess what you WANT and what you absolutely HAVE to have ... then start looking and thinking. And don't be afraid to ask questions ... we all have answers (just realize our answers won't always be the same )

I went off full-time in 2005 and wouldn't trade what I've done for anything. I lucked out in that the rv I bought then is still perfect for me now. In fact, it's getting old, old, old and I do look for replacements ... but while this one has lots of faults, nothing I've seen so far beats it. Unfortunately, soon, I'll have no choice and have to hope whatever used rig I go with then will worm it's way into my heart like this one did.

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum. You will find that the search and research for the just right rig is the first adventure.

[Sandersmr]

Welcome to the forum from Texas and I agree that an RV is definitely a personal decision based on your needs and want. I went the trailer route because I drive a truck already. Plus I'm not fulltiming so my trailer is tiny.

[WickedLady]

Welcome, Kim. Your rig will depend on whether you want to pull a trailer and have your tow vehicle to run around in or if you want a class A and tow a car behind. You have had a class C so know what they are like. A class B would serve for both camping and running to the store. Have fun looking.

[monik7]

Welcome! I'm in the SF Bay Area, Dublin to be exact. So glad to see we have another west coaster here. I also travel alone with my 2 dogs. Still have my sticks & bricks so don't full time, but love to get out there and see this beautiful country. Good luck with your search for the perfect rig.
Sandi

[Gypsygrl]

A big Texas welcome.

Thank you!

I did see from my lurking that you recently changed up from a 5th wheel to a class A -any particular reason?

Thanks!

Kim

[Gypsygrl]

Welcome! I'm in the SF Bay Area, Dublin to be exact. So glad to see we have another west coaster here. I also travel alone with my 2 dogs.

Hi Sandi! I'm actually right up the road from you. I rented a house in Tracy until August 15th - my Tahoe house is leased until May 5th and I needed a place to gather all my things for sorting and selling! Having two households full of stuff is proving daunting. Plus, I am still working in the bay area part-time. I was commuting down from Tahoe 2 days a week last fall but that gets old

I;m thinking alot about 5th wheel for two reasons: 1. My Yukon Denali is almost 10 years old and has 123k miles on it and although I can tow a travel trailer with it I think the vehicle would not last long with towing so I'm due for a new vehicle and was already thinking I'd rather have a truck now since I'm rarely trucking kids around anymore. Ive got an even older 528i with 175k miles that I will keep for commuting (BMW's are awesome, it still runs like a champ!) but I can't tow either of these vehicles behind a coach. 2. Having a 5th wheel and truck means only 1 engine to maintain instead of 2 with having the MH and the toad, plus - it seems like you get more space in a 5th wheel foot for foot than you do in a MH. But - 5th wheels are kind of intimidating to me --- they dwarf all the trucks I've seen towing them on the roads and that's a bit scary to me. Anyone here rolling with a 5th wheel?

Kim

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome, Kim.....We "roll" in an Open Range 5er hauled by a Toyota Tundra... And, yes, they can seem a little taller than the truck, but there are MHs out there taller than a 5er...you get use to it....this is our 2nd. 5th wheel and we love it....and you are so right about having only 1 engine to worry about....we have no "sticks & bricks" to worry about, so have "purged" our stuff down to what we have in the 5er with a few items in our son's safe keeping (his inheritance..... ) and a small shed at our seasonal campsite in PA....so our 5er has plenty of storage....but I agree that your final choice is yours....You will know you have found it when it feels like home to you.....