My first article called “Recreational Vehicle For Weekend Getaways” talks about different styles of recreational vehicles that you can buy used to determine if this way of weekend getaways is for you.
This article is intended for the average working person who wants to get out on the road and travel for long periods of time.
You have Class A models which are motorized RVs and look like buses.Class B which are non-motorized types like travel trailers, truck slide In’s and 5Th wheel types. Class C models which are motorized and have overhead sleeping quarters.
According to magazines I’ve read and people I have spoken too the best type of recreational vehicle for long term stays is a fifth wheel. The fifth wheel allows you flexibility for many things and you normally get better living space for a reasonable price. You will need a good truck with large towing capacity for fifth wheels.
Writing this statement above I chose to purchase a 32′ Class A motorized Pace-Arrow recreational vehicle. I looked around and attended all the Recreational trade shows to get prices and gather information before I bought mine. I knew when I retired I wanted to travel and live in the recreational vehicle and pull a car or boat, but I also wanted it affordable.
Before I retired I spent around one thousand dollars to insure the RV ran well and was ready for longer trips. I took the RV on week long fishing trips out of state and for the price of around nine thousand dollars I paid for it I got a fair deal.
The wife and I lived in the Pace-Arrow for about 10 months. What we learned from our travels shocked us and I realized I didn’t do my home work. When you travel and stay in nice RV parks most don’t want your older model in their parks. All the nice RV parks would not allow us to stay long term because they want newer looking RVs normally no older than ten years. Parking your older RV in camp sites and National parks has never been a issue.
My recommendation for anyone wanting to live in a recreational vehicle for a long period’s of time is to purchase new or near new for as much as you can afford. My other recommendation is to not sell your home like I did even though I made a nice profit, because it would have been nice to have a base camp even if we rented it.
We where living in Las Vegas, Nevada when we decided to purchase a 32′ travel trailer new. Had I had a larger capacity truck I would of and should of bought a fifth wheel.
The travel trailer allowed us to stay in all the nice RV parks and it is very comfortable for the both of us with slide outs and enough room to live comfortably.
If your deciding to travel after retirement my recommendations are as follows: Don’t sell your house, rent it if you must. Purchase a new fifth wheel and a large towing capacity truck, this way you can pull a small car, motorcycle, or boat. Unlike a Class A if your truck breaks down you have a place to sleep. If your Class A breaks down you could be in a hotel, motel for a long time waiting for parts.
If after spending weekends out in different types of RVs you’ll know if you can live in your RV for long periods of times. It is totally different than living in a house and much more flexible.
You will be amazed by the number of Americans who have lost their jobs, sold their homes, and have no where else to live other than their RV.
We are back in Colorado living in our new home waiting for our next long term travel plans.
Good Luck and Happy Traveling.
Written by Everett Johnston
Master Plumber/Pipe-Fitter