RE: campground reservations
We've been fulltimers for about 2 years now and have RARELY made a reservation. In fact, I can only think of three times that we did, and each of those times were during holiday periods.
However, we're in a Class A and we're completely self-contained. Those without a generator may have a different perspective.
RE: CAMPGROUND VS. RV PARK VS. RV RESORT
I think the OP has an axe to grind, for some reason.
He made a substantially similar post in this Forum at about the same time he made this one.
My advice would be to relax, have a cold one and enjoy the RV lifestyle.
Yes, it isn't a cheap lifestyle, but it sure is fun.
Well, to most of us anyway........
RE: Saturn Vue and which supplemental brake
Had a Brake Pro that had died after seven years. Looking to replace it. Driving a Winnebago Class A gasser. Confusion now reigns - EvenBrake is apparantly having lots of issues. Think I read somewhere that the Saturn weak floor means you cannot use the Unified Gear type system??? Brake Buddy has been sold and customer service seems iffy right now based upon reading here.
With limted storage with basement air, I would like to avoid a system that takes a bay with an air tank as a friend has.
So, let me have your best suggestions for me. HELP!
We have the Brake Buddy and love it.
Just an observation if I may about your comment about Brake Buddy being sold and having "iffy" customer service: You should know that it is VERY UNLIKELY that this will EVER have ANY impact on you whatsoever.
We have NEVER had to use Brake Buddy's customer service. It's pretty much a plug in and go type of thing.
RE: Number of Full-Timers?
I know precisely how many fulltimers there are.
I also know where Jimmy Hoffa is, who killed JFK and why cats purr; all of which are of equal interest to me.
RE: Full Time Residency Question
Five states have no state sales tax:
Alaska
Delaware
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon
Eight states have no state income tax:
Alaska
Florida
Nevada
South Dakota
Texas
Tennessee (only taxes dividends & interest)
Washington
Wyoming
The ONLY state with neither a sale stax nor an income tax is Alaska, largely due to the pipeline revenue (The Permanent Fund).
RE: RVWholesalers
You might want to consider joining Camping World's President's Club. The cost to join is $19.95 and it gives you 10% off all purchases for one year.
RE: Have you ever noticed?
That MSRP list wouldn't mean anything, though, because dealers often add things to the unit when it arrives.
Also, I'm not convinced that the MSRP really means a darn thing. What the units SELL FOR is (in my humble opinion) a far more reliable measure of an RV's worth than the MSRP.
This, of course, is just my opinion and is of no value to anyone else.
RE: Full Timer DIY Mantenance Question
We've only been fulltiming for about a year and a half now and our coach is new, so I (DW) have only had the occasion to perform a limited number of maintenance items, none of which are major jobs.
The stuff I've done is mainly "routine" stuff like flushing the water heater, changing the generator oil, cleaning the refrigerator & furnace vents, etc.
I'm due now for an engine oil change and another chassis lube and I don't think I am going to tackle those myself, at least not for the first time.
I'm not mechanically inclined and would prefer to watch someone do it a time or two before I try it.
As to where fulltimers do their maintenance, I would think that pretty much anywhere would work. Alot of campgrounds will let you do this stuff and alot of them don't.
RE: Washer Dryer
We would not have a MH without a W&D. That's just us.
We wouldn't have a MH with a W&D.
You'll find that this is pretty much a personal choice type of thing and both sides can give their reasons as to why (or why not) they like (or don't like) having a W&D.
Also, a quick search using the Forum's search feature will yield many, many other threads on this same topic.
You might find those threads useful.
RE: How far to travel
There is no right answer, How far/long is up to you. Somedays I feel like 3 hours is alot and some days its 10. When you get bored and your butt is sore take a break. If you want to stop for the day then do it. Pushing yourself isnt fun and its not too safe to be driving when your tired.Go with what feels right to YOU and not someone else.
Dale M
I agree with Dale.
Sometimes I drive alot, other days I drive a little; all depending on how I feel, what the weather is like, where we are and what we may see along the way that interests us.
I've driven as little as 98 miles in one day (torrential rains) and as many as 500 (in a hurry to get to a friend's funeral). On average, though, I will drive between 250 and 300 per day. After that long (about 5 to 6 hours including "pit stops") in the seat, my butt is usually ready for bed, for a meal or both.
We're fulltimers, though, so we don't have to hurry up to "spend our vacation" and our driving patterns are probably quite different from someone who is in the RV for a vacation or a getaway.
Do what feels right to you. You'll probably find that you have more fun and can be more spontaneous if you don't set "rules" on how long and/or how far you drive.
RE: Camping in Gatlinburg, TN?
In Pigeon Forge, we liked Creekside RV Park. We stayed there for 3 weeks and they take Passport America.
There are alot of nice campgrounds in that area. You will get many suggestions.
You might also try doing some of your own legwork by visiting RVParkReviews.com and taking a look at their listings for the State of Tennessee.
RE: Tell me all about Savannah, GA
While in Savannah, we went to Tybee Island and frankly couldn't see what the attraction was, but maybe we weren't looking hard enough.
We had that same impression about Tybee Island. We just couldn't see what the attraction was but then again, I guess it's not for everyone.
All in all, Savannah was a great place to spend a few days and we really enjoyed our visit there and would go back again.
RE: Thoughts on CB radios....
Many folks like CB's to find out about traffic conditions down the road. In our view, that is of no consequence as we're fulltimers and aren't in a hurry to get anywhere anyway. Also, we rarely have encountered this situation.
Many like being able to communicate with others via CB while in a caravan. In our view, walkie talkies are MUCH better for that purpose and you don't have to listen to all of the gutter talk and crass language coming from those at the lower end of the gene pool.
Some have said that having a CB is handy in communicating with other RV'ers. It has been our experience that very, very few RV'ers are on the CB and that the "RV Channel 13" is so poorly promoted and under used and therefore is pretty much worthless. Moreover, we rarely (if ever) have the need or the occasion to talk with other RV'ers while we're driving - a toot of the horn and a wave are generally all that RV'ers exchange anyway. Even then, many of them don't even return my wave so why should I think they'd want to talk to me on the CB?
We've been fulltimers for almost a year and a half now and although we've only covered 23 states, Canada & Mexico, we have NEVER had a need or a desire for a CB radio.
Some like it, some don't and to each his own.
In our view, technology has eclipsed the popularity, usage and utility of CB radios. Before we had cell phones, walkie talkies and mobile satellite communications, CB radios were a welcomed necessity. Now, however, having a CB radio, while quaint, is pretty much useless except as maybe a hobby or something to do to pass the time. We choose to pass our time while driving by talking to each other, planning a rest, fuel or meal stop, or just enjoying the scenery.
If I were ever to install a radio in my coach, it would be a HAM radio. There's alot more people to talk to, you can cover much greater distances, channels are CONSTANTLY monitored by a sea of people and there's little (if any) gutter talk from inbred simpletons.
This is my view.
Yours will (as always) vary.
RE: Happy Traveler RV near Tampa FL
No cable available unless ordered long term and installed by the cable co.
This statement is simply NOT TRUE.
Happy Traveler DOES have cable and you DO NOT have to order it long term.
We've stayed in sites 73, 75 and 79 (up near the front) and ALL OF THESE SITES had cable.
Look, if you're going to blast a park, please at LEAST make statements that have some SHRED of truth.
RE: Tell me all about Savannah, GA
Don't forget Paula Dean's place--Two Sons-- for great eats. Get there early or visit with the people in line with you.
Just an observation on this restaurant.
Actually named Lady & Sons Restaurant (at 102 West Congress Street in Savannah), it is a popular restaurant and many people seem to like it.
However, our impression of Lady & Sons Restaurant was that it is overrated and overpriced. In our view, there are many, many Savannah dining establishments with far better food and prices that aren't inflated.
RE: Extended Warranty
Tell them you want the lower interest rate, but wish to pay for the extended warranty policy separate and up front. When you hear what they have to say, you will then know the rest of the story.
Again, I agree with Bob. That would be a good move.
RE: Extended Warranty
Look for other financing.
That "reputable RV finance company" is making a good chunk of change by selling the extended warranties and that is why they made you that "offer".
Even if you cancel the warranty, the cost most certainly does NOT "drop off the bottom line" unless you also refinance the RV. Because the cost of the warranty is being financed, cancelling it will only result in a cash refund to you, but the cost of the warranty is still a factor in determining your payments.
They're hoping that you will be like many other folks and concentrate only on your payment.
Don't be one of those folks.Usually it's done by taking the amount off the last payment owed, no money back when it's canceled. That's the usual way it's done when you finance a service contract
I've cancelled at least three financed warrantees and in each case I was sent a check.
Maybe Bank of America, Regions Bank and the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union all don't operate in the "usual way".
