November 18, 2011

Still Sorting Through Types of RV's

I haven't posted much this week. I've been spending most of my time sorting through my stuff for Goodwill runs or throwing away. For some reason, even with experience, I don't have the urge at this time to sell on eBay or Craig's List. I have also been spending time taking care of things on my list before I depart.

I just wish I could make up my mind on what type of RV to buy when the time comes.  I know from past comments, emails received and general discussions on different RV forums, that the right RV will "hit" me either when I see it, drive it, like the floor plan, etc. Still that process is frustrating at times.

I spend a lot of time reading my blog list and then from that list finding blogs they are reading. So I have a "million' sites bookmarked with information and files of RV's for sale that I like. Lots to look at and study.

It is not if I am going to do this but when. No doubts. The only questions now, are what to buy and when to buy. How long will the RV market be a buyers market? Best to buy new or a few years old and should  I consider a model over 12 years old that was top of the line when new and is still in good shape?  Those are just some of the questions that go through my head while I look at RV's for sale.

I do know that the hounds and I need to get out on the road. I don't really want to be a long distance landlord if my house doesn't sell but I also don't want the status of my house determine my departure date. I know I will have an "end plan" when I leave and I also know that I have no idea how long I will full-time. I do know I want to boondock the majority of the time.

Some of the things I want:

I want solar panels, I want tanks large enough where I can boondock for a few weeks if not a month at a time.  I will have my big screen HD tv for my sports addiction and I plan to either take out the dinette set and install a desk for my computers,  and to eat on....basically like I do now at home. I want an outdoor shower for not only me after a day at the beach but also to keep my dogs clean. I can say I want a Class A most of the time, yet at times a Class C feels like it would be the right type to have.

I am still not convinced that a trailer pulled by my V-8 Toyota 4Runner is the way to go for me. Maybe my 4Runner can be my toad. Anyone out on the road seen a 4Runner as a toad? I know that Jeeps seem to be popular.

So I leave you on this Friday night  (Saturday Morning really) at 12:11am, with my mind made up that I am definitely going to do this and I know what I want but still no clue on what type of RV to buy. Tomorrow will be a day of digging into my LIST and hopefully marking them off my list to make my departure closer.

How long did it take you to buy an RV after you made the decision to RV full-time?

6 comments:

  1. Do you have any local RV places to go & tour though RV's? I think maybe the more you get to tour, the better of an idea of what appeals to you you'll have. It took me 3 years to decide, but in my case, I was not planning on fulltiming, so I got a small RV for other purposes. Now I need a bigger one. If it's possible, go to a few different places. A co-signment place that sells all types would be the best type of place to go through if there are any in your area. Or maybe take a vacation where there are plenty to tour through? You do lose a lot of overhead the moment you buy a new one, there are plenty of really nice gently used ones out there. But again, I think touring them would be a good idea towards your decisions.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good idea TexCyn. I have some RV dealers within 70 miles from me. I'll have to make time to go look around my college football addiction. :)

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  3. Hi, your Blog was mentioned on "Me & My Dog" so thought that I'd drop by. I travel with 8 dogs- 7 Poms and a Chi. However, before my spinal surgeries, I had Alaskan Malamutes.

    I think- ABSOLUTELY- you can travel with your three hounds. However, they need to be taken into consideration when buying your coach. I started out in an 18' TT and now have a 32' 1990 Itaska Suncruiser Motorhome. She was beautifully cared for and top of the line with nearly every option added. She is still a sweet rig and drives awesome! I love her!!

    She is, though, a basement model- which makes her sit high up. My Poms can run up/down those stairs but would it be too steep for your Bassetts with their short legs and long backs? A Class C would be closer to the ground than the new class A's. Older class A's (80's models) are closer, to the ground, but then you give up all that fantastic basement storage!

    For your interior lay-out, consider them. Where will they sleep? They are good size animals. One good place would be to take out the dinette and put kennels or beds there. If you do not want to lose the storage, put the dinette down, cover the cushions with a twin, water proof, mattress protector then top that with a blanket and their beds. Three dogs would fit fine and you'd keep your storage and the use of it- if you needed to. I have done this with my dinette only I have crates on top and they love to use the "den" under it :)

    Good Luck!
    Sheila :)
    www.Inua.us

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, your Blog was mentioned on "Me & My Dog" so thought that I'd drop by. I travel with 8 dogs- 7 Poms and a Chi. However, before my spinal surgeries, I had Alaskan Malamutes.

    I think- ABSOLUTELY- you can travel with your three hounds. However, they need to be taken into consideration when buying your coach. I started out in an 18' TT and now have a 32' 1990 Itaska Suncruiser Motorhome. She was beautifully cared for and top of the line with nearly every option added. She is still a sweet rig and drives awesome! I love her!!

    She is, though, a basement model- which makes her sit high up. My Poms can run up/down those stairs but would it be too steep for your Bassetts with their short legs and long backs? A Class C would be closer to the ground than the new class A's. Older class A's (80's models) are closer, to the ground, but then you give up all that fantastic basement storage!

    For your interior lay-out, consider them. Where will they sleep? They are good size animals. One good place would be to take out the dinette and put kennels or beds there. If you do not want to lose the storage, put the dinette down, cover the cushions with a twin, water proof, mattress protector then top that with a blanket and their beds. Three dogs would fit fine and you'd keep your storage and the use of it- if you needed to. I have done this with my dinette only I have crates on top and they love to use the "den" under it :)

    Good Luck!
    Sheila :)
    www.Inua.us

    ReplyDelete
  5. One usually sleeps on her bed, dead center, the bloodhound likes to sleep in the "dog chair" and the other basset normally moves in the night from his blanket on the floor to the couch...basically anywhere he wants.

    Good points about the stairs, I had not thought about the angle to get into a Class A. I am still thinking of a Class A with one slide just for the room. It seems larger than an A, although the floor space may be the same square footage. I will find out this Friday when I go look at RVs up on Indy.

    Thanks for the comments and Happy Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  6. One usually sleeps on her bed, dead center, the bloodhound likes to sleep in the "dog chair" and the other basset normally moves in the night from his blanket on the floor to the couch...basically anywhere he wants.

    Good points about the stairs, I had not thought about the angle to get into a Class A. I am still thinking of a Class A with one slide just for the room. It seems larger than an A, although the floor space may be the same square footage. I will find out this Friday when I go look at RVs up on Indy.

    Thanks for the comments and Happy Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete