DJ
Lots of good questions!
1. I also am a heavy computer user. I am normally online several hours a
day, deal with hundreds of email daily, and do my banking online. Some RV
parks have WIFI, but many don't, and in many who do it doesn't work all that
great. I am using my Verizon cell phone and their "Broadband Connect"
feature for my normal internet connection. It gives me very close to DSL
speed most of the time. The cost is $59.xx per month. You can get virtually
the same Broadband service, at the same monthly cost, with an aircard. The
biggest difference is that you cannot "turn off" the aircard when you don't
want to use it for an extended period. If you are just using a tethered cell
phone ("tethered" via USB cable or Bluetooth), you can remove the Broadband
feature from your account so you are not being charged if you are where you
have good wifi for an extended period. That's how it works on Verizon. Most
of the other cell phone carriers have similar data plans.
2 c. Like you, I didn't really want a tag axle. We have a 40' DP on a
Spartan chassis, and no tag. Our UVW w/fuel is 27,665. GVW is 32,000. We
have ample CCC for all we need and then some. And we have a 10k towing
capacity. We do get a four-wheel weight from time to time just to be sure
the weight distribution is what it should be.
2 i. We have no home base. We distributed large furniture items to our three
children with the understanding we might want it back someday, if there is
anything left of it! We stored a few things the kids didn't want and the DW
thought she "had" to keep.
I would recommend that you buy the motorhome at least a year before you plan
to hit the road, and give it as much use as you can to get as many bugs as
you can out of it. RVs still are not perfect by any means, but most can be
kept going by a good do-it-yourselfer who pays attention to things, and who
practices good maintenance.
Enjoy the adventure!!
Paul ... fulltimin'
'03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40e
'00 Honda Odyssey toad
KE5LXU, Escapees, FMCA, SMART, WIT
http://afchap.home.mindspring.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Diesel-RVs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Diesel-RVs@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of northstatebiker
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 9:13 AM
To: Diesel-RVs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Diesel-RVs] Moving to Full-Timing
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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