card for internet access over a satellite system. Cheaper up front and
the technology is moving too fast for me to make the essentially $4000+
investment a satellite system requires. VPNs are easier also. With
investment in amplifiers, antennas and repeaters (well under $1000) one
can boost signals to tap a cell tower or wireless access point so often
you can be assured of 90% coverage throughout the US.
Now a satellite system is likely safer from a hacker that a local
wireless access system. However, if I were full timing and managing my
life savings online I would probably work something out with an online
hosting company to VPN to then and then do my business. Or set up a
cutout account where I could move money into with a phone call and then
manage it online...
RV size matters only to the individual. There are people that full time
in far smaller RVs.
Chassis really doesn't matter. 95% of your components are the same -
axles, brakes, transmission. Any competent truck repair shop can service
it. The importance is actually having it done. Ride quality is
subjective. You can have a soft ride and a coach that leans, yaws and is
harder to control. What kind of ride do you like in your car? I like a
feeling of competency in my ride quality which is why I have an Audi
quattro with a sport suspension for my favorite ride, and a Foretravel
with its 8 airbag outboard suspension for my RV.
Slides - again subjective. Slideouts can be problematic. Seal problems,
air/water leakage, actuators, control systems etc. But they give you not
only more room but the illusion of more room. Key is to get a better
coach as it will have better slides.
Tag axles - subjective again. All engineering is a tradeoff. A tag gives
you more carrying capacity and a more stable ride along with better
braking. Its also another axle to service, 2 more tires to replace, and
about a 3-5% mileage decrease.
CAT/Cummins - entirely subjective and a great way to start an online
argument of massive proportions. Each is a good engine which can be
serviced anywhere. Try to get the largest engine you can afford. DD60s
are a great engine too. All 3 will outleast you AND your coach with
proper service.
A lot of service could be accomplished on the road - but you would have
to carry all the 'stuff' you need. My M-11 has a 43 quart sump. With
essentially an annual oil change depending on how often you travel you
can stop in a Speedco and have it changed and lubed for a couple of
hundred dollars in less time than it takes for a shower. I would
advocate all maint other than oil changes/trans service.
As far as the rest goes, I would recommend you check out RV.net and
search there in several of their forums. Also escapees. These
discussions have been discussed there ad infinitum for several years and
their 60,000+ member means you will get a far more varied input.
I wish you well in your move - you have a lot of research and decisions
to make before you make the final leap. I would recommend you do some
research and buy a used motorhome first. Get the best older model you
can afford (Country Coach, Newell, Foretravel, Prevost, top of the line
Monaco etc) in the size you want and go camping as often as possible -
locally and 1 and 2 weeks trips.
Find out you are happy in close quaterters day after day and are ready
to make the leap into getting rid of all your 'stuff. You will find out
whether you really like it and what works for you with coach layout etc
etc. How it handles, rides etc etc.
We can give some advice, but the best advice I can give is to just get
out there and DO IT!
Dave Head
95 U320C SE 40
northstatebiker wrote:
> Here is a few general questions for a fella (and his superior) who are
> retiring into a MotorHome in the next 18 months. I hope that some of
> you will be willing to share some honest and supported facts related
> to each.
>
> First, my wife and I did live full time in our RV (a gas rig) back
> when I was in my 30's. We traveled around and pretty much "had it"
> with RV-ing because of the numerous troubles with that RV. So, we
> have the basics down - - but now things have changed:
>
> 1. I need a computer now. It is not a want. We pay bills and I
> move cash around using my computer here at home and on the road.
>
> My question: is there smaller and less expensive satellite based
> high-speed solution out there yet or is one coming? The huge dishes
> I see are pricey and are often ground mounted. We don't watch TV on
> the move so I can live with a separate dish that will seek a signal or
> allow me to use a compass and elevation/azimuth specs.
>
>
> 2. We are moving up to a 40-footer. I know, many will say that is
> either too big or small, but we know we can live with a 40 foot coach.
>
> a. Which chassis, if you have owned more than a couple, is
> the easiest to find service for and is the best ride?
>
> b. Are there folks out there living with 2 or more
> slide-outs and what are the pro's and con's of having more than 2
> (such as 4 slides?)
>
> c. What about tag axles? Any opinions. I would prefer to
> not have a tag and a smaller/lighter/lower HP diesel.
>
> d. For those of you who have owned BOTH the Cummins and
> Cat power plants, which is cheaper/better/less hassle, etc. I can
> live with opinions so long as they are fact-based...
>
> e. Has anyone tried to perform their own maintenance on
> the road and to what level have you achieved (oil changes?). I am a
> self-maintainer for more than a couple of reasons.
>
> f. Are there must-have accessories that are not on the
> general usually-owned items? Such as Electronic, security systems,
> etc.? What about often missed must-haves??
>
> g. Have you full-timers been to Mexico or Canada or other
> places for wintering and summering breaks. Where have you laid down
> roots outside of the USA? We have our eyes on Mexico and I know this
> is a huge subject but some general information would be great. We
> have lived in several Latin Countries over the years so we have no
> fear of Mexicans or other Latin folks and in fact really enjoy those
> cultures (we lived in Spain and Portugal on our Honeymoon - - and
> stayed in France, Austria, Germany and Italy for the winter months then).
>
> h. Has anyone launched a full-timer life-style and then
> regretted it completely? Meaning, maybe Mom got sick of the road or
> you began to get tired of the lifestyle and ended it sooner than
> expected and what were your reasons to return to RV-ing as a
> hobby/recreation only? Include medical reasons and why treatment
> was not possible away from "home."
>
> i. This is a big decision: did you keep a "home base"
> (down-sized) for your Rig? Did you keep a garage or storage and how
> much did stuff did you keep, if any? I have read the gamut. Back
> when we full-timed, I kept a car, two motorcycles, furniture and so on
> because we were convinced we would own a home again. This time, we
> are not sure but are nervous about getting rid of a lot of stuff that
> will be way more expensive to replace. I own a Whole house Genset, a
> Diesel 4-wheel drive/PTO/Front bucket Tractor, and a Goldwing. Those
> latter items would cost a bunch to replace later. However, this is a
> teeter-totter thing. We want to full time for the right reasons
> (right meaning, we want that lifestyle) but are going back and forth
> with the "thing" thing. I meant that to be funny but really, I am
> serious about down-sizing. We have already begun with selling three
> of my four motorcycles and we are dumping the Jeep G.C. and so on. I
> have a utility trailer with 4 wheels which is a beauty and that we
> might keep for moving stuff later but that may be about it. We are
> pretty much dumping our furniture except Grandma's old trunk (that
> sort of thing). I have some electronics I will keep.....but, we are
> heading in the direction of a full dumping of the stuff that we know
> we can replace later.
>
> That's enough for now. We have plenty of time to work this out. We
> want to eliminate any emotional attachments. Her Mom and Dad are set
> for now and my parents are gone. I have a great Brother and
> Sister-in-Law who we will see a lot as time goes on. We hope to see
> them yearly instead of every 5 years as it is now..and he retires in 3
> to 6 years. That's one reason for freeing up from our home here.
>
> Thanks for any input and little tidbits would be great. I am guessing
> that there are others reading this who are bending in our direction as
> well.....so, I hope this serves the group. If a handful of folks
> here want to take on one or two issues at a time, that would be great.
>
> I hope the subject works. This is a very compelling subject for many
> people. The USA is in the midst of one of the biggest financial
> transitions in decades - - those of you who read financial information
> daily will agree. We are making this move now because we want to get
> on the road before fuel hits $5 to $6 a gallon or more and it will.
>
> We do have a campground membership and will likely keep busy doing
> seasonal work. If anyone has input there, that would be great. I
> have performed sales consulting out of an RV before and really enjoyed
> that - - I have a bunch of management and sales experience as well as
> management consulting work which has kept me busy over the years. So,
> we plan to have something to do......while having some 4 to 6 month
> breaks to travel overseas.
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> DJ
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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