bercher
Edmond, OK
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Joined: 04/13/2009
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Well here we are, its been 101 days since we sold everything that didn't fit into our 2010 Open Range 385RLS (385 sqft - 38' with 4 slideouts) 5th-wheel. My wife and I are still working fulltime until I can retire sometime after March 2011. We have learned a great deal and have really enjoyed our new lifestyle! Neither one of us had ever even stayed a single night in a 5th-wheel/RV let alone lived in one! We took a leap of faith and so far, we have really enjoyed the change.
In early 2009 at the ripe young ages of 41 and under with no kids and no kids in our future we decided that we wanted to simplify our lives. We started full-timing while waiting to retire for the first time around. After we retire we want to travel until we cant travel anymore, then re-plant our roots and take it from there.
The Sale of Our Property
Considering the finacial hard times we are in we got very lucky. We simply listed it in our local news paper and on Craig's list. The newspaper ad ran everyday of the week as well as the papers website. It included a description and color picture costing only $249 total. The ad would run for that price until the house sold, even if it took several months! The first couple that looked at our home ended up purchasing our home. It took about four weeks for them to make an offer. This couple actually was from out of state and found our listing on Craig's List. I have sold my last three properties 'by owner' with no problems at all. Prices of the properties ranged from $110,000 to $270,000. In Oklahoma all of the forms normally used by realtors are freely available on the internet in PDF form.
http://www.ok.gov/OREC/Publications/Uniform_Contract_and_Related_Addenda.html
For all of my property sales there have been only 4-5 forms that I had to deal with. Once I had a signed contract I would take it to the title company and they would take it from there. Of course you should always have a professional reveiw your work when dealing with something this important. From start to finish it took us six weeks to sell our home. We were very lucky!
Our Stuff
It took us several attempts to widdle our personal belongs down to size. For most, us included, its not easy to let go of belongings that have a special meaning, some that we have had for 30 years or more. Family history items, employement awards, photos and memorabilia. Most of the family history items we gave away to other family members.
The Transfer
We purchased our rig about three weeks prior to the actual transfer of our home. We parked it in our driveway and slowly moved items in making sure the things we wanted to bring with us were a good fit. Of course plenty of clothes didnt make it in, but most of them we didn't wear often anyway, so that was a good thing. I had to bring some tools, but only those that might come in handy on the road. Table saws, ladders, the big stuff, I handed off to a close friend for him to use until I came back for them, if I ever do.
Weight of Our Rig
We weighed the rig right after we picked it up from the dealer, it was 11,800 lbs. After we put our belongings in it, it was 12,800. The max weight recommended by the manufacturer is 13,800. So we should be good there. Our 2009 Extended Cab Chevy Durmax/Allison Diesel is listed at being able to pull 16,700 lbs.
Garage Sale
We had a two day garage sale and at the end of the day, we had one large trash can full of the left overs. Our moto was, if it doesn't fit we must sale it! We had the garage sale after seeing what would fit in the rig.
Some of the things that we brought or purchased for full-timing that we really have been glad that we had:
(In no particular order of importance)
Air Compressor
We had a slow leak in a tire that ended up flat and the tires need to be topped off from time to time. We also purchased a 50' extension hose that reaches everything we need to get to including the A/C units on top which we blow out from time to time.?
$140 Kobalt 5.5 Gallon Oil Free Dolly Air Compressor plus 25-Piece Accessory Kit
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pr........roductId=232177-45003-F215DKL&lpage=none
Tire Air Pressure Monitor
DORAN 360RV - 8 WHEEL TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
$499 covers all 8 of our wheels
http://www.doranmfg.com/rvtirepressuremonitors.htm?
Expensive but it really gives us peace-of-mind. It notified us of our slow leak very quickly. We also use it each time we get ready to hook up to make sure all the tires have the proper pressure. The number one failure of tires is having the wrong pressure.
Surge/Power Protection - by Progressive Industries
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_pt50c.htm
We purchased the EMS-PT50C $389.
It protects a number of things relating to power use, its another item that gives us peace of mind. We have seen it work during a couple of lighting storms.
Branch Trimmer/Pruner
Early on we picked up a couple of scratches all of the way down the side of our 5th wheel from high branches while pulling into camping spots. Now one of us will jump out as we are pulling into our camping spot with the 6' long pruner and cut off any branches that threaten to damage our rig. We use the two way radios to tell the driver to stop while the other one makes a quick cut. With the pruner you can reach all the way to the top of our 5th wheel.
$40 Corona 6' PowerGlide Long Reach Pruner
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pr........ductId=301618-63731-TP%203206&lpage=none
Two-Way Hand Held Radios
Its simple, GET SOME! They are a huge help when trying to place your rig, no yelling, and a constant reassurance that when your moving that all is well. The person outside is constantly telling the driver they are clear of objects and are moving in the right direction. When the driver stops, the person outside stops talking giving the driver a chance to say something if needed. We purchased radios made by Motorola for around $50.
AT&T Wireless highspeed internet - USB Connect Mercury card
$60 month - maximum of 5GB a month usage - We have used about 4 GB each month so far. We even watch some of our favorite TV shows online at www.cbs.com.
www.3gstore.com This website is great, they are very quick to answer your questions and ship your items! We also purchased the MBR1000 wifi Cradlepoint Router for $190 which allows you to connect up to 32 wireless devices to your single AT&T internet card. We have 6 wireless devices that hook up to our network. The USB Connect Mercury card allows you to attach an externally mounted antenna to increase your signal if needed.
Splendide Stackable Washer and Dryer
Around $1200
A must for us while working fulltime. The pair work as advertised.
Super-glide 18000 lb Hitch
There is lots of debate on which hitch to get. This one costs a little more, but we have peace of mind that we wont damage our truck while making sharp turns and maneuvers.
A/C Units
We have two and think its a must have for a 5th wheel this large. One dealer tried to convence us that one unit alone would freeze you out during the hot summers. After spending our first summer with two units, we know that the salesman was doing what they do best, saying anything to make a sale.
Floor Electric Ceramic Heaters
Lasko Remote Control Ceramic Tower Heater with Digital Display - $45 each
We place one in the living room and one in the bathroom/bedroom area. They are very quiet, swivel, have a thermometer and work great. Outside temp has been down to 35F and the inside temp in the morning is in the lower 60's with both units on high. We have yet to turn on the propane heat.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7855541
Health Insurance Coverage
You do only live once, so you can either let the lack of great health insurance keep you from living your dream, or you can grab the bull by the horns and give it a try. We plan on using a health inurance plan to cover catastrofic incidents. There will be a big deductable to meet, that is the chance we will take. There are a few other options for some of your general health care needs. Low cost clinics and government clinics such as your local health departments. If you need some basic blood work done, go donate blood, they will give you the report for free.
www.ehealthinsurance.com is where we are looking right now.
Budgetary Plans
Debt ZERO - everything will be paid off or we will not launch.
Total Retirement Income $2200 a month after taxes
Monthly Regular Bills
RV Insurance $100
Truck Insurance $100
Cell Phone $75
Internet $55
Property Taxes $50
General RV Maintenance $40
General Truck Maint. $40
Gas $300
Food/Dining $500
Laundry, Hair ect $40
Health Insurance $300
Campsite Fees (Up to) $600
TOTAL Monthly Expenses $2200
We plan on traveling slowly, staying for a month or more when we get to areas we would like to spend more time at. We plan on picking up part-time jobs or workamping to bring in a little more play money, after all we are really to young not to work.
Other interesting areas we plan on looking into.
Have you ever looked on Craigs List at other countries and seen what it costs to share a furnished apartment/home? Many other countries know how to live small and the costs reflect that. Unlike many Americans, they are very comfortable sharing living spaces with more than one family.
Have you ever looked at what it costs to take a 14 day one way cruise when the cruiselines transfer a ship from the US to Europe at the end of the season? When you factor in, room, food, drinks and the view, its not a bad deal. We have seem them for as low as $350 per person!
Ever wondered what people do when they want to go on an extended vacation for a month, year or more and they have pets or property that needs to be taken care of? They look for people they can trust to stay on their property for free! There are internet listings from all aroundthe world looking to connect people together.
Is our plan perfect, no way. Is there some areas that are stronger than others, yes. Will it work for us, we think so. Would it work for you, you only know.
Would we be disappointed if we dont try, absolutely!
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v10superduty
NW Ont.,Canada
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Joined: 02/20/2002
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thanks so much--very good info.
to the point & easy to follow--
I feel your little write up will help a few get off the fence and DO IT !!
Enjoy your adventure; in my opinion you arew doing the right thing and living many peoples dream
2000 F250 V10 dragin a 2005 Titanium 29E34RL fiver
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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It's going to be a looonngg year and half.
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bercher
Edmond, OK
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Joined: 04/13/2009
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tonyandkaren wrote:It's going to be a looonngg year and half.
You got that right!
But the practice moving, driving and living in our 5er will come in handy in 483 days!
7,180 days are behind us!
I like those numbers!
* This post was
edited 11/04/09 04:11pm by bercher *
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bercher
Edmond, OK
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Joined: 04/13/2009
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v10superduty wrote:thanks so much--very good info.
to the point & easy to follow--
I feel your little write up will help a few get off the fence and DO IT !!
Enjoy your adventure; in my opinion you arew doing the right thing and living many peoples dream
Thank you for your kind words. I know all of the posts we read before we took on this little adventure helped us, so we wanted to return the favor!
I hope it does get some people off the fence and into the game!
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BIG RIG GUY
Milton Ontario
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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Good post and excellent info.
There is a method to the madness, disturb the method and the madness begins.
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bercher
Edmond, OK
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Joined: 04/13/2009
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BIG RIG GUY wrote:Good post and excellent info.
Thanks!
I will be doing a follow up post in the days to come which will include the few modifications we have made and the few things that we have needed to address/fix. I will post a link on this posting pointing to the new post. I will probably be placing it in the Open Range section or another appropriate area.
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