 |
|
|
 |
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 5
|
|
|
Sure glad to find this site! I need a TON of advice from experienced RVers! I am looking for my first RV and plan to full time when I get it. I have several interests and a small dog; otherwise just me. Thinking of a class c or small a, but i like camping and wonder if the heights will be a problem. altho I spent 5 years on the road (age 18 to 23) and lived out of a suitcase then, i am 50 now and like my creature comforts.
right now the hard choice is which motorhome manufacturer, ease of use/maintenence (i am slightly disabled) and how big is too big? for sewing, cooking, and writing/research and the occaisional 'visits' with my 5 yr old grandson. i am thinking new is better than used since i plan to keep fulltiming until? and the warranties are appealing, so making the right choice now is predominant on my mind. Any ideas from single women living my future would help a ton right now, and thanks in advance, Christine
|
|
|
|
 | |
|
|
 |
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 2885
|
|
|
Hi Christine and Welcome,
Personally, I'll probably never buy new just because the price drops 25% as soon as you walk out the door. But IF you do go with new, make sure you've found the right size and floorplan for you. For all the activities you want, you might want a larger rv than me - I wanted as small as I could possibly get and have the features I wanted. So I bought a used Class C, 22 ft. If and when I ever have to replace this, I'll stay in the same size range - 21-24 ft - as long as I can find my floorplan.
But we're all different. I also like to go to lots of places I would have trouble getting into with a large rv - and I don't tend to stay in one place for a long time. Or when I do, like this coming summer, the cg I'll be workamping in will be my home base, but I'll be taking the rv for 3-5 day trips nearly ever week to surrounding areas and states, mainly boondocking - to see as much as I can.
I've never had a problem with heights, but much longer would have stopped me from lots of side-trips and some wonderful sights I've seen. I don't bring a car with - the rv is my home and vehicle. I know I can always rent a car if I do stay somewhere and need one.
I suggest, while you research, that you might want to rent a few different floorplans and lengths - see what you like and what you don't like.
Looking forward to having you on the road with us!
Bethers
---------------------------
Once your reputation is ruined, you can live life quite freely :) (old German saying)
Bethers
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 5
|
|
|
hello Bethers, and thanks for the reply. your advice is good to hear. i am agonizing over the size issue, trying to choose between space vs places and ease to drive and operate. i also don't like the idea of a tow vehicle and plan to start w/o one, so mileage is also a consideration. i agree with the new/used philosophy too for the most part (i have always bought used cars for that very reason) and think that a gently used rv would be great if i can find the kind i want and get it insured the way i want. there are so many decisions and maybe the idea of getting something smaller and used would give me a taste of what i need with the option of trading up and not having that cost me too much. as you can see i'm still vascillating and need to make the decision of size soon. i may need to let go of some ideas i have for where i want to spend my time or what i plan to do with my time in order to do that, as it appears you can't have both. all my camping has hitherto been in a tent, so i think i need to see what's out there for the rv lifestyle. thanks again so much for your advice, and you'll be seeing me out there soon, christine
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 2302
|
|
|
Chrsitine, My very first was a 24 ft.. and I loved it had it for 10 years...till I out grew it..but it was the best I ever had..even to this day ! I'm now in a 35ft with slides and finally after all these years now am towing.. I use to just lease a car for what ever area I was in.. and I used Enterprise as they picked you up and delivered you LOL.. but hey.. I learned for me I needed my space.. I also have Dogs..and I have a crate setup inside..so my needs were entirely different.. Yes, I did buy used the first 2 ..but then I got to want certain items.... and as far as brand..well again you have to go out and start looking at them all.. decide whether you want gas or diesel.. Talk to alot of RVers... so you can find what's best for you... as with my rig..I only get between 6 and 8 miles to a gallon..and I set it on Cruise.. coming down to Florida my mileage was in the 8 range..but going home I can tell you.. it will be more like 6..why ..tail wind and going down hill..LOL but when you get in this category.. in the bigger rigs...it's not the mileage thing you really look at.. it's comfort and conveinance.. Handling is no big thing.. I can park this anywhere I can fit..it's just getting use to using mirrors and watching a back up cam too.. Most people that have Class A's love them.. that's what it's all about.. if you are more comfy in a smaller rig..then the class C's are great..and they are multi purposed..but I'd definitely get one with a slide..
Just go to RV show and check all those out.. and check a large Dealer as many people trade in their rigs for newer or bigger models.. but do your homework !
God Bless
Barbzeee
Life is full of surprises, just go with the flow !
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 1595
|
|
|
Hi Christine, and welcome! Lots of questions you have, girlfriend! Just do your research, and cruise through the site here, you'll probably find most of them answered. Heck, we can even find you sock slippers!!! Also, check out this website, don't be put off by the Indiana address on the front (that's their new place), their main office is in Grass Valley, Ca, just above Sac. Lots and lots of pictures! Like going to an rv show from the comfort of your own home!! Happy Hunting!
http://www.demartini.com/
Good Roads,
Sharon
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
'05 Monaco Knight 34ft (Hope)
'04 Jeep Liberty (JipJip)
Sam the cat with Attitude
Chewy the Land Shark
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 156
|
|
|
Hi Christine....and welcome!
Look a lot at floorplans and more online. I also read all the message boards like RV.net and Escapees to get an idea of people's satisfaction with various RVs. Then I looked at what was available for me to see nearby. Our friends told me "You will know which one says 'home' to you when you walk in and sit down in it. And they were really right!
Mary Ellen
Sitting by the fireplace in my 2005 Open Road 349RLDS
We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!
Don & Mary Ellen
Higgins the Yorkshire Terror
2005 Open Road 349RLDS
2003 Big Honkin' GMC Truck
We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!
Don & Mary Ellen
Higgins the Yorkshire Terror
2005 Open Road 349RLDS
2003 Big Honkin' GMC Truck
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 5
|
|
|
hello sharon,
thanks for the link to the rv dealership. gv is my old home area (born and raised in sacramento and near auburn) so the home office is convenient to me. i will check it out carefully. here in vegas there are several oily dealerships/salesmen and one has to be careful about buying ANYTHING. so far i've been to several and one rv show. the choices are staggering. in auto research i have always relied on consumer reports to guide my decisions, after knowing the kind/size of car i want, then i drive them for ten+ years or more. but living in an rv is all new to me. i know i'm not ready for anything over about 30 feet, and nothing too old since i will likely have it a long time. they're all starting to look alike to me, i've seen so many. the jaycos seem like a quality rig, and there is a winnebago i like so far. but with my interests i have 're-designed' the interiors to my likeing and wonder about customizing. how hard is it to do that, and how much i wonder. research! research! and rent rent are becoming my mantras. everyone writing to me here has been very comforting and so helpful. i feel better and better about this lifestyle choice, and more confident as i read your kind words and encouragement. i can see i will have to rein in the excitement that is building in me and take it one step at a time. i am in the process now of selling off everything i own, so that is step one and feeling so freeing. i can't wait to unload the weight of all these possessions! thank you so much for all your support... christine
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 5
|
|
|
barbzeee, thanks for your great advice. it's good to hear that the larger rigs don't present too big a problem to drive/park. i think i will be fine in anything once i get used to it. as far as used goes, i wouldn't want anything oder than about 2004, and less than 10,000 miles on it is about as used as i will go. there seem to be many available here in that range. i find myself leaning toward the 25 - 30 ft range. i don't know much about the diesel engines yet, but i will find out soon. if i find the right used rig i may have to give up that option. you have been very encouraging to me and i thank you so much for telling me your experience. these are the kinds of things i need to hear to help me formulate my plans. take care and i hope to see you out there soon! christine
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 5
|
|
|
mary ellen, okay, now i'm jealous! thanks for the words of advice, and the encouragement. i know what you mean by 'that feeling of knowing'. i am open to it for sure. i also have a yorkie to bring along and am cosidering a short hair cut for him. do you do your own grooming? i have up till now, but have wondered about the bathing issue. baxter gets a bath every week now and it takes forever to blow him dry - any advice for me there? thanks so much for your wonderful encouragement, and i hope to see you out there soon. also, any advice for internet connection, satellite service etc? the place here wants $5000 to install and $120 a month to run; i think that's ridiculous myself, but i need the computer. thanks again, christine
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 156
|
|
|
Christine, we have always kept Higgins in a short puppy cut. Campgrounds are full of sand, dry leaves, pine needles, and all sorts of things that stick to Yorkie coats very nicely! Keeps things much cleaner.
Higgins is a real wiggler, and while I used to groom my English Setters years ago, I don't groom my Yorkie. We have been fortunate to find groomers along the way, some better than others, but all having nice clean premises. He gets a bath about once a month unless he needs it more often. His coat is not a lovely thick one, and he doesn't mat. Probably his biggest problems are his eye areas because he LOVES to dig and gets sand and stuff in his eyes and then tears and then his little face is yucky. I usually have to wash his face daily to keep him presentable.
I will never forget the time he pushed his favorite rock into the lake in Georgia and continued to dig away in the red mud on the bottom until he got it back on that nice red clay shore. He had red mud dredlocks! So he ran into the woods and rolled in the nice sticky pine needles to dry off.....he looked like a porcupine!
Yorkies are the greatest! And you might enjoy YorkieTalk.com.
Be sure Baxter's shots are all up to date and documented, and I usually get Higgy kennel cough prevention, too, since we meet so many other dogs.
Higgins likes to hang out on the back of our sofa so he can watch the world go by out the window. And I've finally just given up and given him the lovely afghan I made, since he loves to curl up in it. Oh yeah, we have a sign on our front door that says "A Spoiled Rotten Yorkie Lives Here."
Mary Ellen
We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!
Don & Mary Ellen
Higgins the Yorkshire Terror
2005 Open Road 349RLDS
2003 Big Honkin' GMC Truck
We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!
Don & Mary Ellen
Higgins the Yorkshire Terror
2005 Open Road 349RLDS
2003 Big Honkin' GMC Truck
|
|
|
|
| |