No it's not too early. After RVing for 40 years and for the last 8 in a small 5th wheel I often look back and see how much we didn't know during the early years. For example, we traveled for years without a campground directory just relying on state parks listed in the atlas. Dumb. I knew little about what I needed to tow a 5th wheel when we bought ours. Lot's to learn about different kinds of RV's and campgrounds and trip planning.
Dave's Wife wrote: Go to your Library and do a search on RV. I found lots of books with bunches of information albeit most of the books are pretty dated the information is pretty much still the same.
There is also this website RV Bookstore.
I learned SO much from this forum and you will too!
Sheila aka....
Thanks, Sheila! I never knew of that site and clicked the link yesterday. Found a new Newfoundland guide book for RVing and bought it yesterday to help plan our summer trip. You are so right, this forum can really help a lot.
By all means get a used RV now. I'm surprised at the amount of people that retire, go out and buy a big fancy rig just to find out the RVing isn't their thing. RV's depreciate probably just like cars if not worse so if you buy used you wouldn't take so big of a hit if you decide it's not your thing
Obviously you've found this web site, which in my mind is the best place to come to for information about RV's and the RV lifestyle. Come here and hang out. Read and ask questions. 99% of the posters will be more than happy to answer your questions, give you pointers, and help you make some of those decisions about where to go and how to get there. Nearly everyone has there opinions about which type and brand of RV or tow vehicle is the best, but the more information you have the more you will know what might fit your needs.
Rent an RV for a weekend or a week long trip, even if it's not far from home. In fact, not going real far the first time might be a good idea. Get a feel for using the facilites within the RV, cooking in the RV, and just hanging out around the RV. You'll develop a liking for specific things and probably change your mind a time or two along the way.
SIX YEARS! I am grateful that I didn't get the fulltiming / RV Lifestyle BUG until I was about a year and a half from retirement. Seemed time really drags. But after the fact... WOW - it sure did fly by!
So six years will, in seven years, seem like they evaporated! Hang in there
To the original poster, you are in a great position to take your time and end up with the right RV for you. As we headed into retirement, we spent two years reading, looking at what was out there online, going to RV shows like you are going to do.
We went full circle from considering a Class B at first through every other option..A, C, trailer. Keep an open mind. Get brochures and videos from manufacturers and study them. Take some test drives. Look at a lot of new and used RVs. All that helped a lot with our decision.
We ended up with a used B and, after 16 months and numerous trips, short and long, really love it. Of course, a B may not work for you, so here's a little input...you can get the same for each type.
Pluses are good fuel mileage, easy for both uf us to drive, can easily fit and maneuver into most campsites, fast setup and tear down, doubles as our second vehicle and we can park it in our driveway because it is a van (RVs are not allowed by our homeowners assoc). Good resale potential.
Then there are the minuses...small living spaces and you need to be tidy. Small fridge. Smaller holding tanks than bigger RVs though not a problem for us. You are pretty much limited to two people (maybe more if little kids on a short trip.) Used class Bs are a little harder to find, and they are expensive per square foot, new or used, compared to most RVs.
Because we had thought about it so long, we were able to react quickly when one came available a few miles from our home. Glad we waited a while to buy because no regrets.
These are such a great help. Fortunately, we have a good financial plan and will have good medical insurance. My job provides housing, but we own a small year-round cottage that we hope to use as a home base when we hit the roads.
My wife and I traveled extensively before kids, but unfortunately our kids are not good travelers. That's why we're looking at retirement, when our teens should all be in college.
Right now I'm reading "Meandering Down the Highway" by Nick Russell, which is his journal of their first year as FT RVrs. Written in 1999, it's amazing how dated it feels - especially when it comes to technology. Still, it's really getting my juices flowing!
And, of course, off to the RV show this weekend!
The advice to rent sounds great. Perhaps we can get the right size RV the first time. Any feelings about buying used vs new?
As my MIL would always say "don't wish your life away." You have six years of living before the next chapter begin, don't dream them away.
Also do you travel now? I've met many that dreamed of traveling only to find out they did not enjoy it. They were homebodies at heart. Traveling was just too stressful for them. If you're not a traveler, then maybe these six years should be spent doing it as much as possible to see if you really enjoy it.
If you are a traveler don't worry about RV'ing. It's a lot easier then most would think given cell phones, internet banking, skype, GPS's, and debit cards.
I'm 4.5 years before I retire and hitting the road. I started reading these 3 books that was written by a guy who quit his job bought a MH and starting traveling. I got some great ideas and places I want to go
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