Considering full time RVing

[SandyM]

My husband and I are thinking of selling our home, buying a Leisure Travel class B on a Mercedes and traveling the country.
We've also thought about purchasing a truck and a small travel trailer. We are considering all costs, including maintaining and repairing a class B vs. a truck/TT. Any thoughts on what option is best for 2 people? Our family thinks we've lost our minds, but we want to travel before we get too old to enjoy it. I'm 56 and he's 61 years old. Thanks!

 

[Almost There]

Welcome to the forum!

Part of the decision is going to depend on how you like to travel/stay put. If you like to get out and explore then a tow vehicle and trailer allows you to leave the trailer in one place and go exploring to the extent of the tow vehicles' capability (4 wheel drive etc.)

A Class B is really tight for long term living for two. First because the manufacturer packs everything in to a B that they put in a Class A, forfeiting storage and room to move around. If you really think a B is going to be big enough then rent one for at least a weekend and go out in it being mindful. Try picking a bad weather weekend so that you  have to stay indoors a lot....

I'd recommend a C or a travel trailer for spaciousness and moving around ease.

IMO anything on a Mercedes platform is a real NO-GO. The engine/drive train can only be worked on by qualified Mercedes mechanics and I've seen people be stuck for weeks waiting for parts and driving/being towed hundreds of miles to get to a qualified repair shop. The cost of repairs is outrageous as compared to a gas engine in a North American vehicle.

 

[mespringer]

We retired early. Make sure that you are able to pull up stakes and spend can money wisely. Create a budget and plot it out for the next 10 years. If/when you sell your home (wait until springtime) make sure you have all the clothing, shoes, pots and pans, computer equipment, etc that will need for the next 10 years. Look at buying a used Thousand Trails membership. Since TT is not selling these for under $10,000 make sure you find one that is more in the range of $2000. A platinum or elite membership will pay for itself within the first 18months. You are too young to get Medicare so you will have to pay a huge amount for insurance or go bare. We went bare for several years and saved close to $25,000. If you buy insurance read the policy closely. You will find that they do not make any sense. It is a game they call "You Can't win." If you are healthy you can make it work.

 

[Almost There]

.  Look at buying a used Thousand Trails membership.  Since TT is not selling these for under $10,000 make sure you find one that is more in the range of $2000.  A platinum or elite membership will pay for itself within the first 18months. 

That is a good suggestion IF and ONLY IF you are planning on staying in RV parks as compared to state/national parks or boondockingwhether it's son BLM or NF land or travelling and parking overnight at truck stops, W/M, casinos, etc.

Whether any type of membership pays for itself depends entirely on the lifestyle you choose to lead.

Me, I only pay for a National Parks pass annually. I pay for a state rec pass for a state that I am in regularly. Other than that I find free camping while I travel and all winter while I snowbird in AZ.

 

[SandyM]

Welcome to the forum!

Thank you! There is so much information on this forum!

We want to travel quite a bit at first. Maybe stay in some areas for a month during the winter months.  

We found a travel trailer that we liked, but are more concerned about how it is built, than the class B.
We would probably purchase a 4 x 4 truck for towing if that's the route we decide.

Thanks for the recommendation regarding renting a unit. Definitely during a rainy weekend would be a good test!

That was my concern regarding the Mercedes engine.  My husband doesn't think it's a big deal, but I'm definitely concerned about it. We live in a big city with a Mercedes dealer, but I know they aren't everywhere and I don't want to use all of our retirement money on repairs.

 

[SandyM]

We retired early.

Lucky you for retiring early! We've lived on a budget for years, so that is part of our life. Yes, we would wait until the Spring to list our home. My toughest part is getting rid of all of our furniture, pictures, etc.  I'm already considering what we would keep regarding the kitchen items, etc. We went to a Thousand Trails campground in Palm Springs on vacation. They wanted $9000+ for the package. We will check around and see if we can find one from an individual. We will probably start with finding campgrounds on our own (state/national parks) and see how difficult it is to reserve. I can keep my health insurance through work, but it's very expensive.  We are healthy, so we'll check other insurance options. Maybe keep the COBRA for 18 months.

 

[bullfrog]

Health insurance has been our largest expense. We "retired" at 55 and 49 but actually ended up working seasonal jobs inorder to afford health insurance. It has been really expensive but they have paid out more than we have had to pay in as broken ankles, kidney stones, cancer, and etc. have had a way of finding us the last 15 years or so. We traveled a few years but then settled into a place we really like and now travel a few months a year. A motor home with a towed served us well while traveling but a trailer works better if staying for months at a time.

 

[WanderingRose]

If you can swing it financially, go.

My husband and I retired early, set out in our Class B and had a marvelous time roaming around the country before he died a month into his 65th year.

You can’t count on tomorrow.

 

[SandyM]

Bullfrog, we are also considering seasonal jobs to help with the insurance costs. I love to hear about people retiring early and enjoying life! We will probably buy a motor home because we plan to travel to all the states within a few years.

Wandering Rose, I am sorry to hear about your husband. My husband and I both lost a brother and realize that life has no guarantees. We have 3 close family members that have cancer now. That's why we're considering this already. I'm glad that you had the opportunity to travel. We are financially prepared thanks to saving for retirement through our jobs.

 

[RoamerRV428]

check out thousand trails website. you can get a zone pass for like $499 or something. you can buy other packages...that 9K is crazy. you can buy used transferable memberships also.

hubby just retired early at 52. We are 4 yrs from selling it all and hitting the road. Have to wait for kid to hit college
Only way we could do this affordable was to use CHM for health ins. Conventional ins. we could to afford. But there are options out there like the ministry coverage (disclaimer, you must read and understand this is not health ins. by contract etc...one must truly read and learn the ins and outs of this type of coverage for your family....it works wonderful for us!!)
We are rv'ers for over 30 yrs. We know exactly the rig we want to retire in and be nomadic.
It will be different for everyone on how you want to hit the road.


best of luck!

 

[sushidog]

Whatever you decide on be sure to pay close attention to carrying capacity. Not just how much available space you have, but how much additional weight your rig can carry. My DW and I will be living FT in a 1999 35ft Class A as of the first of the year, pulling our little 4 cylinder Chevy Cobalt as a toad. We chose this particular rv because of it's low mileage (29k) and weight carrying capacity (it has a tag axle). There are some really well made older RVs out there, compared to some of the newer models made more for short vacations, not full-time use, They focus on light weight as a sales feature rather than as an indication of poor durability. An older rv will usually have all the bugs worked out by the previous owner. Many of the newer models take month if not years to correct all the warranty issues resulting from rapid construction techniques and almost zero QC at the factory.

With two people on board I would at least try to find a medium sized class C - without a front window over the cab, as they almost always leak. If you want to go the small trailer route, and have sufficient resources, I suggest looking at an Oliver, as they are as well made as they come. The Arctic Fox line is not bad either. I know a couple full-timers who live in one.

Personal space is important if you want your marriage to last, so I would look at one a little bigger than you may feel comfortable with initially. For mental health reasons alone, I would not choose a class B for a couple living in it FT. But that's just me. Hey, maybe 2 class Bs! (J/K).

Chip

 

[RoamerRV428]

why can't one edit later down the road. I meant to say 'conventional ins. we could NOT afford' but I can't edit now LOL
ugh

 

[RoamerRV428]

LOL sushi there are people out there doing 2 rigs, 1 for each...whatever floats your boat as you need to roll I so get that!!

 

[highdesertranger]

there is a 15 minute time limit to edit your posts. this was put in place because some people would cause problems with what they posted and then go edit that out and play all innocent. highdesertranger

 

[RoamerRV428]

ohhh to contain the Aholes….I get it thanks HDR

 

[SandyM]

RoamerRV428 - We are looking into purchasing a transferable membership for Thousand Trails. The price is around $4,000, so we really want to check around to make sure that's a good deal. We don't want to boon-dock or park at a casino. I know this sounds like I'm spoiled, but I want a hot shower every day and a swimming pool!  We've worked hard and saved for many years, so we could retire comfortably. We have friends that have the ministry coverage and the insurance doesn't pay many of their medical bills. We will probably stay with my work plan as it seems to be the best option. We don't want a huge medical bill if one of us gets sick. We've had a popup and a small travel trailer in the past and really enjoy camping. Nomadic will be different, but we are ready for freedom away from property taxes, house insurance and all the other fun things that come with owning a home. Thanks - best of luck to you too!

 

[SandyM]

sushidog - The class B said that we can tow up to 5000#. I drive a Honda Civic now and it weighs 2700 pounds or maybe a motorcycle on a trailer. I'm not crazy about the motorcycle because I can't drive it. We've seen some motor homes that aren't built very well and are just trying to avoid serious issues in the future. We'd rather pay a bit more now, than repairing it later. Of course the sales person tells us it's the best RV on the market. We are hoping to find a preowned with low miles that's well built. We've traveled to several factories to see the quality in Iowa (Winnebago) and several in Indiana. Very eye opening! The class B that we're interested in is built in Canada. We will make a trip there before we purchase anything.
We want an entertainment center instead of a bed over the cab, so we won't have the windows to worry about.
We haven't heard about an Oliver. We'll check that out. We've looked at Arctic Fox and are impressed with the quality. We are both over 6 feet tall, so height is definitely an issue in some campers.
If we choose the class B, he'll have to spend a lot of time outside! Not a bad idea getting 2 - not sure the budget could handle that!

 

[bullfrog]

I' towed a Honda Civic with a motor home and hardly knew it was there but got tired of replacing CV boots that got torn often for some unknown reason. I have a Suzuki 4x4 which tows really well also and really enjoy exploring with it. If you are going to be staying in parks I would recommend Escapees Club as most of their members like their daily showers too.

 

[WanderingRose]

A couple has to get along very well, to travel compatibly in a class B.

 

[B and C]

A couple has to get along very well, to travel compatibly in a class B.

That is true.  My wife and I traveled in a Roadtrek 200 (I still do).  Her area was at the back where the bed and a TV are.  My area was up front in the Captain chair because I was always going in and out.  It worked well for us but we like each other.