another newbie

[njpeck1944]

Hi, I'm Nancy and I have the NEED for "running away from home" for awhile. There's a pull to hit the road but my husband of 48 years refuses....so I have decided to go on my own and he can fly and meet me where ever! I'm a retired military brat and wife and I've moved all my life and I think after being in one place for 20 years my feet itch. I've been studying RV "bibles", RV site listings, I've been to one large RV show....mistake, now I want a Tiffen Phaeton. Is there that perfect, well built, class A, 28 to 30 ft RV out there? I'm sooooo confused! Too many to choose from, used, new...WHAT! Help! I will be towing my 65th birthday gift, a EOS hard top convertable, I guess Hubbie # 1 thought that would enough to scratch my itch......naw.

[Bethers]

Hi and Welcome, Nancy. Boy do I understand the "running away from home" part. You go! And follow those dreams. As to the perfect rv - keep looking and you will eventually find the perfect for YOU rv. We all have different perfects. And that's a good thing.

Glad to have you with us and look forward to hearing more from you.

[AlmostThere]

Welcome, Nancy!
I am glad you found us. As for the Phaeton, I believe a lady or two here has one and can offer info on them.
Please don't be a stranger and continue posting so we can get to know you, and you can know us. May I ask where you call home?

[Birdie]

Welcome Nancy from Texas. It is another Nancy but nickname is Birdie. I have been researching a new rig about what you are looking for.
i have a 30' Class C Fleetwood Jamboree and am looking to downsize to a 28' +- rig. Either Class C or A.

So I went to this site and bought two booklets on RV's. Just finished the first one (2006 to 2008) and ready to start the second one (2009 to 2011). They are PDF type booklets. I am researching the years between 2007 and 2010. Those years come in two booklets and covers A's, C's, 5er's, and TT's. It also covers things like: What's a fair profit/price, extended warranties, and what kind of rig should you be looking for....wished I had this when I started and I might not be selling a rig I have had for 18 months. Big thing research, know what you want, figure out a fair price, get pre-approved for financing...another forum suggested using Costco for Bank of the West as you could get the best rate there but the booklet gives you some ideas too.

J R Consumer Resources Inc.
3660 Nicklaus Drive
Clarkston, WA 99403
Phone: (509) 243-5306
Fax: (866) 401-1084
Website: www.jrconsumer.com

I have been out stepping thru a whole lot of RV's the last 3 months. Wish I could buy a new one but it will have to be used. I'd love a diesel, but that probably isn't going to happen. So come on aboard and will go shopping with you. My looks on the Class A has been Allegro 28DA and 30DA and the Allegro Breeze, then A.C.E. by Thor Motor Coach currently 29.1 great rig, the Fleetwood Storm 28F and it has an Itasca twin, and the R-Vision 2930 or 2950 Trail Lite. So let me know what you think about those....AND what ones have you seen that you like. This has been fun looking at the new ones because it lets you see what they have changed, or not, in 2 or 3 years.

Good luck in your search and looking forward to walking up those steps and hitting the road with you.

[Bethers]

They quit making them - but if I was to purchase a Class A - there's only 1 I'd want, the Safari Trek. They have used models at 26- 30 feet, I believe. The bed stores at the ceiling, which is perfect for me as a single (it's over the living room) and it has great closets and storage - as well as being made by a good manufacturer. It's my favorite of all motorhomes. I've been in 4 or 5 different ones now and fall in love all over again with each. The one I was in in Mexico was the smallest. The couple had just purchased it used a few months before; it was one of the smallest with no slides - and would have been perfect for me. If I ever fell across one, would almost move to an A - and up in size from my little C - almost.

[Liz]

Welcome, Nancy. Glad you found us. we'll all want to help you find your RV!

[VickieP]

Welcome! Keep us updated on your rv search.

[retiredhappy]

Let me add my welcome. We have several ladies who have husbands who don't like to travel. What kind of car do you have? Can it be towed wheels down? Or do you have to have a trailer? There aren't a lot of cars that can be towed wheels down if they're an automatic. Check your manual. If its not set up to tow you'll tear up the transmission.

[longdog2]

I'm one of those women whose husbands don't like to travel. We were supposed to head out on a long trip after I retired last year. Last minute found him really unhappy about leaving his part-time weekend job. So I headed out on my own. I have a 5th wheel and diesel truck (see below) and I trekked to Florida for a couple of weeks to visit a son then headed north to Michigan to visit more family. Husband flew in and spent several weeks there. Finally headed off home through Indiana where I visited the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart. Stopped in Arkansas to visit another brother and then headed home to Texas. Traveled almost two months and enjoyed the trip. Getting ready to head out again in a week or so. Birdie has lots of good research she has been doing and RVs she's been seeing but you'll know the right one when you find it.

[njpeck1944]

thank you All. Nancy, thank you for the info. I'm trying to see a Allegro Breeze but they sell out so fast I've only seen the interior of one and it was gone when I went to look at it again. I have my name on a list to be notified if a new or used one comes into the Phoenix area. I also like the look of the Allegro RED and Allegro. Somehow I got stuck on Tiffin. Lazydays is coming to Tucson in Aug and I would really like to go thru their school so would consider buying from them. Anyone have any input about them? Understand they are big in Florida. Nancy, I was born in Austin and I will be driving down to visit kin next spring.....if I can get everything to click, I'll check in with you to learn about safe sites. All input is appreciated! Interesting, my VW is both manual and automatic I'll be checking with the dealership about flat towing!! Everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. AZ nancy

[sharon]

Welcome Nancy, from the left coast! I just went around Phoenix yesterday. By around, I mean I took the 85S so I didn't have to THRU Phoenix. Lots of great info here and awesome women to back it up. Kind of like ask and ye shall receive. LOL! Enjoy the hunt, it's one of the best parts of owning an rv!

[avalen]

Welcome, so glad you found your way here, and we love to go rv shopping with you, I do it all the time and I'm not ready to hit
the road for two more years yet, but I'll certainly be ready! I currently have a fifth wheel but I'm thinking of trading it in when the
time comes, but thats jello right now cause I could just keep it and use it as home base.

[WickedLady]

Welcome. Hope to meet you on the road someday.

[Forestgal]

Welcome, Nancy!

Sounds like you're a woman who knows what she wants -- at least from an RVing standpoint. But as others have said, you'll know when you've found the right rig for you. Somehow it sings just the right song and only you can hear it. It sure is fun looking, isn't it!

As far as towing your VW ... I'm going to burst your bubble & tell you that the only VWs that can be towed wheels down are true manual transmissions, and even some of them might not be towable. I've got a Rabbit with both the manual & auto transmission (I think it's called triptonic?) and it can't. So if you're dead-set on taking a car with you you're going to either have to put your VW on a dolly or trade it in for something that can be towed wheels down. Honda Fits can, as well as their CRVs. And most Jeeps can, too.

Keep us posted on your search, Nancy. We'll be sure to have lots of opinions for you.

Laura -- and Jed

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome, Nancy.....I see that you state you are retired Military.....We are, too, and have some suggestions and resources for you that are part of your "benefits" available with that ID card you have ......We full-time (7 years come this August) and mostly use the military campgrounds...... A website that is a Wealth of Info is: http://www.militarycampgrounds.us You can browse without joining, but membership is FREE, so all you have to do is set up an account. They have a thread/section with all the military campgrounds available in the US with user reviews, etc., forums on just about anything and and a monthly Newsletter via e-mail.....We've been "Camp Hosting" at Ft. Stewart, GA the last 3 yrs. and will be there again this year. A few of the gals here have visited us there, when space has been available.... as Ft. Stewart allows non-military on a "space available" status.....Check it out....maybe this will help with the Hubby, too....

The crew here are a great here....we love to give advice, vent, share photos, and really care.....so jump in anywhere....and of course, check out the GTG section.....the next East Coast one is in September...hosted by Beth at Lake In Wood, near Lancaster, PA....

Okay, I'm done.. ..hope to see you post more soon....