What to watch for and watch out for

[allornothing]

The wife and I are in the one year count down to retirement. Our plans have always been to spend 3-4 of the winter months exploring in either a Class A or Class C whichever meets our needs and budget. I'm trying to find out what I should expect and what unexpected things, expenses, problems those of you who do this or full time RV have experienced. It's great to have a plan, but reality is normally much different.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[georgelesley]

We are sitting in a Passport America park right now and paying $18 a day instead of $36. Also go to and get familiar with Allstays.com we stay at a lot of county and city parks because they are cheaper and usually much less traffic and you can filter on that site for nearly anything you want. Forest service campgrounds are also cheaper and much less traffic. Most however do not have full hookups.

Between PA, allstays, casinos, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and a few others, we rarely pay over $15 a nite average on a trip, usually less.

[allornothing]

Well thanks for all the useful input I really appreciate it. Lot's of things that are easy to overlook. I was planning on exploring the different passes that are available. All great advice.

I'm just trying to limit those "Boy I wish I had known that before" moments. As I get older I try to not have every lesson be learned the hard way.

Thanks again.

[GoPackGo]

I fulltime so admittedly it's a little different.

I suggest that you have a talk with your doctor before you leave and have a plan in place for prescription refills, what to do about any surprise illnesses, etc.

If you get any continuing prescriptions, I suggest setting up one at a national pharmacy (I use Walgreens), having a credit card on file, and then using that retailor for any needed surprise prescriptions on your trips. That way there will be no hassles at a time you really don't need one. Just give the info for the nearest Walgreens to your doctor and ask him to phone it in.

Also set up any recurring bills on auto-pay; get any pension deposits automatically deposited to your checking account.

I carry 2 credit cards and charge pretty much everything including those Mcdonalds stops, paying them off at the end of the month - less need to find ATMs or carry cash. Yes, you can use a debit card, but I get cash back when using a CC and it also preserves the cash in my checking account. But carry your checkbook because a couple times a year I run into a small CG that does not take a CC.

Definitely get the Senior Pass NOW for $10 before it goes to $80 sometime later this year.

[doxiemom11]

My suggestion would be to join Passport America for some inexpensive options when you travel. It gets kind of expensive if you pay $40 night just to stop and sleep. Also, get the America the Beautiful senior pass - you can camp for 1/2 price at Corp of Engineer and Forestry parks and it covers day use fees and entry to national parks. I think it's still currently $10 lifetime, but will be going up very soon to $80. Must be 62 or older and can purchase at a Ranger station or usually the entrance stations at the parks. Can get FHU at parks that have them for less than $15 night and water/electric sites for $8-12. You both should get one as some parks will use one for the camping discount and the other for a vehicle or entrance fee.

[TucsonJim]

2gypsies wrote:
What caused the truck to catch on fire? People looking at this would have as their first thought a refrigerator fire although the refrig is probably in the rear. Sorry for your loss. It must have been traumatic for you.

I really don't want to hijack the OP's thread. My response to him is to be prepared for any possibility, just like you would at home. The short answer on the fire is it was caused by a fuel leak in the engine after a Ford dealer worked on the fuel system. Here's a link to my original post if anyone want's more info on the fire:

Post About The Fire

Jim

[2gypsies1]

What caused the truck to catch on fire? People looking at this would have as their first thought a refrigerator fire although the refrig is probably in the rear. Sorry for your loss. It must have been traumatic for you.

[Veebyes]

Oh wow, Tuscon Jim. Sorry for the loss. We had a blowover in 2010 & lost the trailer. It rolled down an embankment multiple times & more or less disintergrated. We were able to salvage lots of valuables. The truck did not go with it though it did get $10,000 worth of damage but it was driveable.

We were also fortunate that everyone from State Trooper to wrecker to hotel we went to & insurance company came through for us.

When something like that happens there is not much choice but get on your feet & keep going.

[2gypsies1]

The only unexpected expenses will be repair on your RV. If you are diligent about doing regular maintenance repairs should be minimal. Tires are important so always check them and replace due to age, not appearance. Don't overload your RV.

Don't go into debt over purchasing the RV. Figure what you can comfortably afford and then shop for a little less. Keep the extra money aside for repairs and don't touch it until needed.

Weather - keep a close watch on it wherever you are.

Roads - get off the interstates and drive the secondary highways. You'll see a lot more of this country's countryside and friendly people.

RV Parks - don't limit yourself to hookups. Do some dry camping and you find lovely spots in national forest campgrounds and other public parks

Other than the above..... get your RV and just GO! Don't dwell on the 'what ifs' or you'll never relax and really enjoy yourself.

[allornothing]

Thanks for the quick responses. We do plan to keep our home base which we'll spend the bulk of the summer in between some week trips. The money thing is definitely a concern, although I hope we've planned well enough. It's those unexpected expenses and additional ones when purchasing that you don't plan for when just looking at the cost of the coach.

Tucson Jim, wow I'm glad nobody was hurt, hopefully insurance made you whole.

The plan is to spend a month or so in area exploring so hopefully we'll be able to get reservations as well a get a good rate.

A lot of planning to do between now and this time next year.

Thanks for all your help

[sharker6]

If it's for only 3 or 4 months then you have it made. There isn't really anything to worry about except for finding a campground with openings. Some of the better ones in popular areas are book full a year in advance.

[TucsonJim]

We spend 3-4 months on the road. You can not plan for all possible problems. In August, we were happily driving down the road when our truck caught on fire and destroyed our truck and trailer. We were 1,800 miles from home. It was a fluke and couldn't be predicted. The Illinois Highway patrol, local fire fire fighters and our insurance company were a God-send in getting us going again. If you have medical and vehicle insurance, you should be able to weather any type of mishap and move forward. You might also have a plan in place in case of an expensive mechanical breakdown. Here's a picture of our rig burning up along side the highway.



Jim

[2oldman]

You'll need money. A steady income AND investments or savings. I see too many retirees living on a shoelace - which may work for them but not for me.

[donn0128]

Make a budget. RV maintenance, put away XX dollars a month for maintenance. Food, clothing is what you would expect at home. RV parking 35 to 50 dollars a night unless you get a monthly rate for long term stay. Everything else is pretty much normal expenses, fuel, etc.

[DutchmenSport]

I still own my stick and brick house, but consider myself a full timer, as my RV requires my full time attention! (he he!!!)

But if you're referring to those who have given up their stick and brick homes and are on the road (sort of say), permanently?... from everything I've read about the lifestyle, the number 1 thing to consider are .... those things you'd never consider. There's no way to prepare, so the best advise is to have enough capital (money) can you successfully do it. And if you think you have enough, well, maybe you need to double it!

Unfortunately, the unexpected happens. When that happens you need to have a back-up plan. This post from yesterday was a real wake-up call for me of just one such situation that can change everything in an instant! (for the week-end warrior OR the full time wanderers.) Bottom line ... plan for the unplanned!

Click here.