After studying RV floor plans, visiting RV dealers, and having numerous discussions with my partner in crime – my wife :) I have begin to wonder if there really is such a thing as the perfect RV out there somewhere for us. I come to this conclusion simply because the more we look and talk the more the whole process morphs into an entity of its own.
So, what is important to us in an RV? This list takes a life of its own as time passes slowly by on this road to retirement. The items that continue to pop up in this search is my quest to find the perfect RV that is small enough to get into the more out of way places while at the same time wanting it to feel like home and be within our budget. It is becoming increasingly clear that for this to happen we need a larger budget and unfortunately that is not going to happen unless we keep w$rking. And THAT is not going to happen!
So that leaves us looking at used RV’s and not new ones that we can custom order exactly how we want one. So we are focusing on other smaller items that we believe will affect our quality of life. Such as no booth dinettes, the need for a small computer desk for the spouse, adequate kitchen counter space and cabinets, large enough refrigerator etc… Now we are beginning to balance these factors with the wisdom on the net that suggests we may actually end up loving one of the options we didn't think we would like at all such as a booth dinette.
So we will continue our quest by scanning the web, stopping by RV dealers and looking over their rigs, and start asking those who own an RV similar to what we think we want about their RV experiences and eventually we will find our future home… after all time is still on our side… yes it is…
So if you own an RV maybe we will cross paths someday, somewhere in a campground or parking lot or gas station. All I ask is that you educate these poor RV rookies step by step along the way so they may too reach their goal of owning the perfect RV…
Believe me we need all the help we can get and we look forward to learning from many of you out there!
I don't think there is such thing as the perfect RV and even if you had the money to custom build one, you'd want to make changes before too long. I watched TV programs where people have custom built Newell coaches (over one million $) built and are working on their 4th or 5th one. That says to me, even with unlimited budgets, there is no perfect coach!
ReplyDeleteI think you are on the right track and will probably have to make some compromises. Just picture yourself doing the every day things in the coach you are looking at. For example, showering..is it roomy enough? What about preparing meals...room enough? In our MH, the cabinet in the bathroom sticks out too far over the sink and I find it difficult to brush my teeth without splattering water everywhere. That's one thing I would change, but didn't realize it when we bought the RV. Test all those types of scenarios so that you can imagine actually living in the RV. Also, some things can be changed along the way. We recently removed the carpet, installed Allure flooring,changed the old RV bed for a new one, and changed the sofabed for 2 recliners.
Keep looking, you'll find the perfect MH.
I second the other Karen's comments. Try out everything in a potential rig. My mom would have NEVER bought their current diesel rig if she had sat on the toilet and went through the *motions*... the wall is too close to the front of the toilet that one can not comfortably complete the *paperwork* without banging their head on the wall. Just not enough clearence.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is over 6 ft tall and had to actually stand in some shower stalls to see if the skylight would allow him to stand up straight or not. Detachable shower head is a must for a tall guy to be able to wash his hair too.
Just a few things to think about----
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the input and support from both the Karens... fortunately for my bride and I we are built more like hobbits than like normal people :) so most motor homes were built for people like us...
ReplyDeleteHi, Also read your comment to my question about park size limits. I think we are both thinking along some of the same lines. Big fifth wheels are beautiful and roomy to live in, but I wonder about how mobile they really are. My desire is not to go and live in an RV park, no mater how beautiful, for three to six months at a time. Probably not even for a full month. During our first year or two we want to see the country. See the national parks, and drive some of the back roads and see some of the small towns. I don't think a fifth wheel is the best rig for that.
ReplyDeleteSoo, I'm thinking a nice 32' - 35'. If we really like the RV park life, we can always move UP in size.
Keep Sharing your research!
I've been looking at some of the rigs that have a bunk bed option. I think that space might be convertible to a desk for a computer set up.
Well it looks like we are looking for the same type of rig... best of luck to you in your endeavor as well...
ReplyDeleteI'll echo what everybody else said, there is no perfect "ONE" but you can get close to perfect with a few different ones :)
ReplyDeleteI followed you over here from your comment on my blog about my recent Arctic Fox trade.
You were right about asking ourselves the question about it "being our home". Neither of us expect the "Fox" to be our fulltime home so to speak, but it does fill that niche that was being ignored while focusing on 5er's, boondocking ability!
I actually envision us having the Fox, a 5er, and a pull behind toyhauler eventually. Fortunately I have more than enough room to keep all these units, and they can come in handy for vistors to the ranch as well, everybody can have their own private quarters!
Having 40 acres of land makes us a little different than lot's of people wanting to go fulltime and sell everything, which we are doing as well, we're just keeping the land and using it as our home base. That gives us a lot of flexibility in acquiring rigs for sure!
Tony, no doubt having a back forty allows you maximum flexibility...
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