Full Timing

[Joan]

I am planning on going full time in approximately 5 years. Instead of focusing on the myriad of things I need to do to accomplish this, I am dreaming about what type of rig I should get. This is my current rig:



I love my little rig but it may be too little to full time in. I do know others who are doing so. One of the drawbacks is that it does not have a bathroom. One option I thought about was to tow the trailer with one of the Roadtraks:



If I decide to buy a bigger trailer, I have my eye on a small 5th wheel. Below is an example of what I am interested in:



It is fiberglass 5th wheel made by Escape Trailers in Canada. This company is coming out with a slightly larger version next year.

The above three options are appealing because I would have a separate tow vehicle to use.

Now on to motorhomes. I would like to keep the overall length less than 30 feet with 24 to 26 as the ideal. I am considering a Class B but am slowly coming to the conclusion that it like my current trailer does not have enough room. The Class C that I am interested in is the Winnebago View:



I like this layout since it has a corner bed an its length is 24 feet. I will also investigate other manufactures who have a corner bed.

Finally, Class A. These are the two that I am looking at:

The Via:




This now has a corner bed option.

And the Newmar Bay Star. This is their 2702 model, actual length 28 feet:



The drawback to the motorhomes other than the Class B is that I do not want to have a toad at least initially. Other options are a scooter or rent a car as needed.

The reason I am posting this is that now that I have my thoughts down in writing, I will hopefully move on to the things that I need to do. I am also interested in other peoples opinions or recommendations. I am not looking for anyone to make the decision for me but recognize that others have done this before me and I can learn from them.

Thanks

[BarbaraRose]

You might want to rent an RV in different lengths and types to help you decide on how much space you really need and what style you like. Everyone is different in what they like and are comfortable with.

If you are going to full-time, the trailer you have now is much too small, in my opinion. You need to consider where you would spend your time if it were raining for days on end, or really hot out, etc. That would be really cramped! And where would you store anything? And what about your dog?

I like that little 5th wheel. I saw one at the MN State Fair once and it has all the basics. Very cute!

[Bethers]

Have you been in every one of the rigs? Sat in them. Checked out the sofa and/or dining seating? Checked out the storage... and I mean check it out. The View is 2-3 feet longer than my current rig, but has LESS interior storage - so I ruled it out as my next vehicle. Yes, it does have more exterior storage, but so do the others I'm looking at - and my storage, while I may have more than I need, is critical to my full-timing. And I do not want to go outside to change out to winter clothes, or get a kitchen appliance, for example. Now, don't get me wrong. That might have the right storage for you.

I full-timed for about 5 years without a toad. I did have a scooter on a hitch rack for about 1 1/2 years which I loved. Now I do tow. It has advantages and disadvantages. I prefer not towing, but for the type of traveling I'm doing (and my workamping) I need the toad now.

Everything you posted will work. But you need to figure out which will work best for YOU. We'll all give you why something works for Us individually, but can't say what will for you. Really check them out closely - inside and out. Make lists of the pros and cons. Know what are deal breakers for you and what other things are options that are nice, but not a dealbreaker.

[monik7]

Hi Joan: I have an Itasca Navion iQ, the twin of the Winnebago View. I don't have the corner bed setup and don't full time. I sure love it though and feel I could full time if I wanted. I do travel and eat very simply however. You have 5 years to check out all the possibilities and that should be fun. Good luck!
Sandi

[JudyJB]

I've managed for 17 months to not have a toad. I did recently upgrade my bike to an electric one, so that helps.

My Class C is a big one (32') because I wanted to be able to sleep my kids and grandkids, plus have a real bedroom. My knees are not good and getting into and out of a corner bed would be difficult because I have difficulty kneeling. (My floor locomotion is scooting on my rear end.) It does take planning to run all of your errands as you are driving from one campground to another, but I have managed. I do occasionally rent a car, and yes, there are places I cannot go easily.

One thing that was important to me was to have one very comfortable place to sit, so I took out the dinette and replaced it with a recliner I had for years.

[WickedLady]

Aren't corner beds extremely hard to make up? Or would you just use a sleeping bag?

[JudyJB]

I think if I had a corner bed, I would just use a pretty fitted bottom sheet and then fold up a duvet or comforter like they do in places in Europe--no bed to make every day. You could also take a comforter and sew the side and part of the bottom to make it fitted and stay tucked in all the time. I have only about 6" on each side of my bed, so I kind of do that with the coverlet I use. It is my blanket and top sheet. I keep the one side tucked in, so when I get up in the morning, all I have to do is pull it tight on the side I sleep on. Very easy.

I can see a real problem with two people sleeping in a corner bed because one person would have to crawl over the over person to get out to use the bathroom. Kind of awkward.

[Bethers]

After I got the hang of it, my corner bed became pretty easy to make. BUT, I no longer put the fitted sheet around the regular mattress, I simply put it around my mattress topper. That makes it a breeze.

[judi]

I love your little tear drop/rain drop and it was cool to see how the kitchen opens up! I do think it would be difficult to full time in. I think I could full time in a Roadtrek Etrek, which is longer than my little SS Agile, but I sure like that Newmar Dutch Star 29'. If I had that one I would put my bicycle on the back for running errands. And if the weather was bad I would rent a car like Judy does. It's exciting to plan such adventures! I'll take a 4 - 6 week trip in the spring and then maybe rent out my house for a year and take off. I would need to easy slowly into the full time thing!