RE: My next tow vehicle and 5er......
I knew somebody would come out with a fifth wheel made for boondocking!
My only problem is getting into either one!
Rubber roofs and weight
Now this question may seem stupid to some of you but it is something that bugs me.
RV roofs, why is it that manufacturers, many, not all, seem to avoid that they use a "rubber" roof, one of two types. I know that it is cheaper and does not last as long as a fiberglass one. But if I was totally ignorant of it and damaged my RV because of a roof issue I would think that it would cause the manufacturer issues if there were too many like me that felt "taken in".
And I know that weight is cussed and discussed time and time again. But my question is why do some RV dealers avoid the subject. It would seem to me that if they knowingly sell a trailer to me and watch me tow it away with a vehicle not rated for the weight and it causes an accident they would be civilly liable. Am I correct? Has a dealer been sued for this?
A question about RV/fifth wheel ratings
I have been researching living full time in an RV for several years, I have spent more years planning than I wanted to but life throws you curves and you just deal with it.
My question is about the designed intended use of RVs. This ranges from "weekender/vacationer", "snowbird" or "full time". This hardly gets mentioned when you talk to a salesman unless they are showing you a full time rated RV and then it seems to be a positive sales point. I am sure that many people live full time in an RV rated for less use but could it cause you issues?
For example:
Warrentees, could this be considered abuse and could cause issues with your warrentee? Say I am living full time in an RV rated for weekending? An issue?
Loans, will a lender refuse a loan because of use. Could it be a violation of the loan agreement? Is it something I have to tell them?
Insurance, I hear mention of "Full timer insurance", does the insurance company insist on a full time rated RV?
I have been reading this blog for years and never see this topic come up.
Thanks for any positive input anyone can provide.
RE: The Down Side
I want to go like granddad did. He just went to sleep and peacefully slipped away!
Not screaming in terror like the rest of the people in his motorhome when it went off a huge cliff!
Just kidding.
RE: I want to feel safe. Put my mind at ease.
There are eight pages of replies so forgive me if I just repeated what someone else might have said.
Camping out in the wilderness or going to the store on an errand you should also do one thing, keep aware of your surroundings. Bad guys want you to be be walking around unaware of what is going one around them and make themselves easy prey. Watch what is going on around you and if you seen something suspicious get in a safe location. Lock yourself in an RV or vehicle. Hide, whatever you have to do so you can make sure that the person(s) is not a threat. Chance are if someone comes to your camp they are either a hiker or another camper. They also may be lost or need help.
A personal story comes to mind when I talk about this. My son and I got stranded too late in the day up in the Teton Mountains. We had not planned to spend the night up there and were not dressed or prepared to do so. If it had not been for the charity from some fantastic fathers and sons backpackers from Alabama we might have froze when the temperature dipped down to the low thirties that night. I feel they most likely saved our lives. I think about these people often and wish I knew more about them. They just shrugged it off and said that is what people in the backcountry do for each other.
RE: Age
I would say that you need to take an honest look at yourself. At 70 are you still good at driving? Can you take care of the RV for many things by yourself or be able to afford to have them done?
And what are you going to do instead? Is this how you want to live for a few years or is it a whim? Decide for yourself, don't just listen to strangers who do not know you. At 70 I would decide as soon as you can but I would say that it is not unreasonable.
