[duffysmom]

Having traveled outside the US many times I'm not interested in long flights or cruising and have been thinking of renting an RV and exploring the USA. My husband needs convincing since he thinks RV's are not secure. I like the idea since I can bring my best buddy, Duffy (picture above) along. Has anyone experienced renting an RV. Perhaps it's best to fly out west and rent one there. These are just some random thoughts and possibly someone has experienced life in an RV and would share their thoughts. Thanks

[bkcunningham1]

I noticed a fairly new member of TOTV, jmitchell, has a signature link at the bottom of all of her posts called http://www.getjealous.com/mikeandjulie.

This site could be a big help to you. Their website describes their decision to "quit" their jobs, lease out their Fairfax, Va., condo; make a cabin in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia their home base; buy a small RV and travel, travel, travel.

They have posted "diaries" and photos about their trek all over the USA. They've even visited TV. Although the diary hasn't been updated in awhle, it really is interesting to read.

Sounds like a book to me Mike and Julie.

[Rag Bagger]

We retired in 2000. We were recreational sailors on the Great Lakes our entire working life and as kids.

After Four years retired aboard and cruising the East Coast and Bahamas we decided it was time to see some of the country from the road. It was to be a one year trip that wound up lasting nearly five. We did it as inexpensive as possible so that we could stay on the road longer.

We bought a used travel trailer. 34 feet long with two slides. Very comfortable. We also invested in a Diesel truck. All used so the high cost of something new was covered by the first owner.

We left Florida on our maiden road trip head for the West Coast. It took us a year to get there. No plans we just new some thing we wanted to see. But there was so much in between that is worth more time. We loved Texas. Whoda thunk it. I though it was barren but not. The Hill country is spectacular, San Antonio was great fun we hung around S-A for a month.

Basically if we found somewher we liked we just stayed for awhile and got to know some of the people and explore the surroundings.

The Dessert was something that again surprised us. We spend winter months hanging out in the Arizona dessert that is managed by The Bureau of Land Management.

For the next few years we were snow birds on the left coast. We migrated between Vancouver and San Diego following the sun. We toured most of the National Parks out west they are truely awesome. Glacier, being our favorite but The Grand Canyon just as spectacular. It truley amazes me when follks say yea I've seen The Canyon we were there for two hole days. Not going to make it for me we spent three weeks exploring just The Canyon.

We had a major commitmment in time but not money. The equipment was less than $50,000 which we slod for $35,000 after five years on the road.

One of the hugh cost savings for us was buying a membership to Thousand Trails. It is a camping membership that is very expensive ($9,000.00). But there is a way to do it for way less. That is to buy a used membership. We did that for about $2,500.00 and when we stopped camping we sold the membership for $2,000.00. The membership is very good for the west coast. The campgrounds are close together and there are many of them. It's not such a good deal on the east coast because there are not as many campgrounds to chose from. Basically as a member you stay for free up to Two or three weeks depending on the type membership you buy. There is also a $549.00 annual membership charge. This kind of investment is only a good deal if you are doing at least half the year in an RV. A big plus is the Thousand Trails campgrounds are far superior to normal RV camps. 50% of all the properties was dedicated to be left in the wild and undeveloped. All campgrounds had pools, usually two, one for adults one for family, tennis and pickle ball courts softball fields and usually two recreation centers one for adults only and one for families.

I probably haven't really answered your question because you talked about renting an RV. That would mean a short term trip due to the high cost. But to get your feet wet there are several companies that rent smaller Van mounted campers. And I would for sure rent it out west. Drive your car there and then pick up the RV.

Check out this web site http://www.trailerlife.com/ and click on forums for all kind of information about RVing

Good Luck

[duffysmom]

Wow!!! Thank you bk and RagBagger. It never ceases to amaze me the depth of experiences Totv'ers have and are willing to share. Now that I have this information I can present it to His Magesty and perhaps get him on board my plan to see the USA in my chevolet (or whatever). RagBagger, it sounds as though you were secure in your RV.

[bkcunningham1]

It is my husband's lifelong dream to do the exact trip Rag ****** did. I'm game for anything. He has a few more years before retirement and we pray we can keep our health, the world keeps spinning, America stays strong and we can buy an RV with his last bonus check. In the meantime, we'll enjoy our house in TV and everything in between.

[jmitchell]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Having traveled outside the US many times I'm not interested in long flights or cruising and have been thinking of renting an RV and exploring the USA. My husband needs convincing since he thinks RV's are not secure. I like the idea since I can bring my best buddy, Duffy (picture above) along. Has anyone experienced renting an RV. Perhaps it's best to fly out west and rent one there. These are just some random thoughts and possibly someone has experienced life in an RV and would share their thoughts. Thanks

duffysmom,

I am the jmitchell that bkcummingham mentioned and my husband, Mike, is the writer of our travel blog. As bk said, we haven't posted for awhile, which is because we are not on the road right now. I had to have hip replacement surgery (which by the way is the GREATEST thing ever - walking day of surgery after 5 months on crutches) and we are getting ready to build our DREAM home in TV this fall. BUT... we will be back on the road as soon, initially for shorter trips, but then again for months at a time during which we will rent out our TV home. Let me tell you IT WAS THE BEST, GREATEST, ETC, ETC, time in our lives!!!! We bought our little RV and absolutely LOVE it. We travel with our cat, Witty. She has had encounters through the screen door with all sorts of wildlife. We leave the door open at night to feel the fresh air and breeze. Ahhhhhh We NEVER had a single situation where we didn't feel safe. This country is absolutely fabulous as Ragbagger mentioned and there is so much to see, we have only just begun. We hope to continue to travel at least 3 months, maybe more, a year until we can't drive! Our little RV has a Mercedes diesel engine so it will last and last. If your husband wants to talk with my husband, Mike, PM me and I will give you his cell phone number. Mike absolutely LOVES being on the road and can give your husband all sorts of info. Renting an RV may be expensive and there are so many good deals right now that you might want to at least look into buying something used. Our RV was a year old and we bought it directly from the original owner. You guys should at least give it a try. Just like TV it is beyond GREAT!

[starflyte1]

We have gone to Seattle and the West coast many times, most times in our rv, but while we were working, we would fly and then rent an rv in Seattle. If your husband isn't sure he will like it, you might consider flying and renting-it is a loooong drive to Seattle.

[Rag Bagger]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Wow!!! Thank you bk and RagBagger. It never ceases to amaze me the depth of experiences Totv'ers have and are willing to share. Now that I have this information I can present it to His Magesty and perhaps get him on board my plan to see the USA in my chevolet (or whatever). RagBagger, it sounds as though you were secure in your RV.

especially out west. But we did pay some attention to our surroundings. A few times when were making a long haul, which for us was very rare, we stayed in a Walmart or even a truck stop. Not often because most ot the time we traveled less than a 100 miles to the next camp ground. Even in the desert there were many campers near by. You could usually be as far away or as close to another camper as you wanted. The camping community is very friendly and open.

I think two times in our travel we decided not to stay in a Walmart lot because the neighborhood seemed a little rough. That was it. We never carried weapons and I am a gun advocate for hunting and sport target shooting but I just never felt the need and a gun used stupdly can get you killed.

Most of our time was spent in National Parks, State Parks, National Forrests just like Ocala N.F. and The Thousand Trails campgrounds. One of the most unexpected was On the Old Pacific Coast Highway. There is about a 6 mile stretch near Ventura that is right down to the ocean run by the county. There are no services just a parallel parking spot to the ocean and you open up your door to the great pacific ocean/beach. Sleep with the waves at your door. One of the places that cost nearly nothing but had it all.

Good luck and give it a try.

[BUC]

When I finally retire in 2 years my wife and I plan on , What we're refering to as our great adventure traveling via Travel Trailer for about a year. We will join a camping organzation ie 1000's trail, being retired Navy there our many military campgrounds throughout the U.S.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Having traveled outside the US many times I'm not interested in long flights or cruising and have been thinking of renting an RV and exploring the USA. My husband needs convincing since he thinks RV's are not secure. I like the idea since I can bring my best buddy, Duffy (picture above) along.

I love the idea of renting a RV and travelling with my two dogs and cat. Like a little snail carrying her house with her. Fireboy retires in a year so I'll have to talk him into it! Shhhhh. I'll try to make him think it was his idea.

But I do have one area of concern, which is why I'd rent and not buy. We've had two sets of friends who bought RVs, used them for a year, and then sold them at a loss. Both couples are happily married. And they enjoyed the year of travel. But both couples said that they definitely didn't like the lack of friends. They would meet wonderful people at a campground that they really enjoyed, and the next day they'd be on the road and never see the people again. By the end of the year they were tired of each other's company and ravenous for some good "permanent" friends.

[Rag Bagger]

for everyone. I think the big misteak that new RVers make is they go out and buy all new stuff and high end equipment without really knowing if they like the lifestyle. It is far better to rent or buy used equipment at a fraction of new to determine if you like the life style. Because the losses on new Rvs are very high in the first few years especially in these economic times.

We tiptoed into Rving. In the first five years of our retirment we lived aboard our sailboat and cruised the East Coast and the Bahanmas so we knew we liked an independent lifestyle. When we decided to become dirt dwellers we bought a used trailer a 3/4 Ton truck and eased into RVing. The plan was to travel the country for a year. We enjoyed it so much that we upgraded the trailer in the first year and continued the adventure for nearly four years.

It's interesting that you brought up the issue regarding friendships. On the boat we made lasting friendships. Basically cruisers are a tight knit group on a similar schedule. We would constantly meet up with the same folks. Not by design but because we wound up traveling the same waters.

It was true that for us making lasting frienships in an RV is harder. Basically when you or your neighbor decide to move on they can go anywhere in a 360 degree departure. We did meet and make a few lasting relationships but once we were out of The RV we no longer keep contact.

The cruising community on the water is much more tight knit and we still have many of those friends today although long distance now.

Just keep in mind if you want to do The full time RV thing it is a lifestyle change not a vacation. Vacations are way to hectic. We loved the years that we were gypsies traveling the country via the boat and RV. We took our time and smelled the roses along the way. It's a different commitment. We had a home base back in Kentucky but we were never there except for some holidays and it was our official residence.

Renting is an option. It is a good way to try out RVing. But it will be more like a vacation than a lifestyle change.

[Barefoot]

Rag ******, thanks for your response to my concern.
You sound like a person who lives life to the fullest and enjoys every minute! An admirable attitude.