A possibly too long introduction

[Roxi]

Hi Roxy ! Welcome!

When I decided to sell my house and buy a coach, I did all my research online and pretty much made my mind up prior to ever stepping foot in an RV. Then I went to the Tampa Supershow and went directly to the coaches I had determined would be a good fit for me to check them out. There were 2 things that stood out for me as I researched, so I thought I'd pass them along to you: (1) Buy your first RV as if it was your THIRD. (2) You will not be driving your RV all the time, so make sure it is something you feel comfortable in and has all the the comforts you find necessary in your new home.

Wishing you lots of luck. I can tell you that in the 3 years that I have been Fulltiming, I have been having the time of my life. Traveling beautiful places has been amazing, but the thing I cherish most is the community and the friendships that I have made along the way.

Renee

Thanks for the welcome and advice, Renee. I couldn't tell you the amount of hours I have spent online over the past 5+ years reading and looking at RV stuff!

Since I am already up in years, I expect this RV to be my first, third, fifth, lol! And I am certainly looking forward to the new sights I see and new people I meet!

Roxi

 

[Roxi]

Don't know if it's ok to drop a link or not, but I will be spending this Tuesday online for this:

http://www.hittheroadrvsummit.com

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Looks like an excellent way to get some good RV information. Others on RVF might find it useful as well; thanks for posting the link.

TJ

 

[Roxi]

Looks like an excellent way to get some good RV information. Others on RVF might find it useful as well; thanks for posting the link.

TJ

I printed off the schedule and marked ones I want to be sure to catch.
Roxi

 

[Roxi]

...I went to the Tampa Supershow and went directly to the coaches I had determined would be a good fit for me to check them out.

Renee

Hey Renee,

I made a major step last night on my way to RVing. A friend told me Southwest Airlines was having some good deals and encouraged me to check it out. I looked to see if there were going to be any big RV shows in the not too distant future and at a place easy for me to get to. I found the Southwest RV Supershow in Dallas scheduled for September 17-20. I was able to get a round trip flight from Albuquerque to Dallas Love Field for under $160. I am really excited. I'm flying in just for the day. I'll get to Dallas around 8:30 am and head back home around 5:30 pm. The show runs that first day from 10 am-6 pm. That will be plenty of time for me to check out my "A" list of motorhomes. Fingers crossed the show doesn't get cancelled.

Roxi

 

[Akdare]

I live in the Dallas area, and it’s a pretty good show. Dallas Market Hall where the show is held is only about 15 minutes from Love Field. National Indoor RV will no doubt be there. When we started looking for our first coach, we thought we wanted a class C, and really liked the Forest River coaches...they are all on Ford Chassis. Apparently, Chevy had stopped making the RV chassis. We ultimately decided on a 27’ gas class A Coachmen with more room. NIRVC carries the Forest River class C’s. Check out the floor plans before you go, and ask for Stephanie Lopez from NIRVC; she’s great.

Forester RVs - Forest River RV

Forester RV Range Brands

forestriverinc.com

 

[Roxi]

I live in the Dallas area, and it’s a pretty good show.
Check out the floor plans before you go, and ask for Stephanie Lopez from NIRVC; she’s great.

Forester RVs - Forest River RV

Forester RV Range Brands

forestriverinc.com

Thanks. I am interested in a Coachmen Freelander.

 

[ARD]

Hey Renee,

I made a major step last night on my way to RVing. A friend told me Southwest Airlines was having some good deals and encouraged me to check it out. I looked to see if there were going to be any big RV shows in the not too distant future and at a place easy for me to get to. I found the Southwest RV Supershow in Dallas scheduled for September 17-20. I was able to get a round trip flight from Albuquerque to Dallas Love Field for under $160. I am really excited. I'm flying in just for the day. I'll get to Dallas around 8:30 am and head back home around 5:30 pm. The show runs that first day from 10 am-6 pm. That will be plenty of time for me to check out my "A" list of motorhomes. Fingers crossed the show doesn't get cancelled.

Roxi

YAY YOU! That's really exciting! Keep us posted!?

 

[Roxi]

Hello Roxi and Welcome to RVForums. Wonderful to have you with us.

I looked up the Coachmen Freelander 22XG and it sure looked sweet to me. I can't imagine you wouldn't be happy with it.

One of our local dealers got in a Freelander 22XG so I got to see it today. So glad I got to check it out in person. Now I can scratch one more off my "A" list. When the bed is down it is supported on full wall-length "boxes." That ruins my idea for a remodel. If the bed is up or if I were to remove the bed, the open floor space is only as wide as the back door. But, the real deal breaker is a lack of exterior/basement storage. There is one little space that MIGHT fit a few hoses but that's it. And inside storage is not that great either. I realize it is a small motorhome, but...

Where should I write more about other ones I am looking at, pros and cons, etc.? I looked at the "Class C" forum but there are only about 5 posts there. I'm thinking I should be posting somewhere other than "New Member" area.

Thanks,
Roxi

 

[NWIP]

One of our local dealers got in a Freelander 22XG so I got to see it today. So glad I got to check it out in person. Now I can scratch one more off my "A" list. When the bed is down it is supported on full wall-length "boxes." That ruins my idea for a remodel. If the bed is up or if I were to remove the bed, the open floor space is only as wide as the back door. But, the real deal breaker is a lack of exterior/basement storage. There is one little space that MIGHT fit a few hoses but that's it. And inside storage is not that great either. I realize it is a small motorhome, but...

Where should I write more about other ones I am looking at, pros and cons, etc.? I looked at the "Class C" forum but there are only about 5 posts there. I'm thinking I should be posting somewhere other than "New Member" area.

Thanks,
Roxi

Glad you got to see in person, it helps. I think your on the right track posting in Class C

 

[Stretch]

Hello All! I was googling “RV forums” and this forum popped up. Can’t believe I didn’t find it sooner! I’ve been reading quite a few RV forums for probably close to 10 years, but this one “at first sight” seems extra friendly.

My name is Rosanne aka Roxi and I live at 7800’ in dry New Mexico. I retired at the end of 2019 (closed my dog grooming business). My personal odometer hit the big 70 mark in April (so hard to believe). I’m a widow of 21 years (also so hard to believe) and at around the 10 year mark I decided that I could (emotionally) sell our house and relocate. I grew up in NJ and I miss the ocean and green!

I am planning on selling my house, storing items I want to keep, and traveling around the country full time for a few years, eventually figuring out where I want to live and move into a small cottage. I hope to be on the road by next spring/summer.

I’ve been reading forums and googling everything RV for years, until I am bleary-eyed, but still read more. I’ve come full circle since I first decided to do this. I started out thinking a Class C would be the way to go, but once I started going to RV shows I realized they felt cramped, and didn’t want the upkeep of another engine. So then I started looking at the endless variety of roomier travel trailers and wearing my calculator out with vehicle tow weight ratings and GVWR, GCWR, tongue weight, trailer weights, CCC, etc., etc. OMG! And I enjoy messing with numbers! Pity the person who doesn’t!

Anyway, a couple of years ago I found my way back to the Class C arena. I’m a Chevy girl, so that helped narrow the field quite a bit. I thought I had decided on a Thor Chateau or Four Winds 24F, but then I decided I didn’t like the way the mattress had to fold up when the slide was in. Started the rounds of looking again at all the Chevy Class Cs. As of now I am leaning toward a Coachmen Freelander 22XG. I’m feeling better about the no slides and shorter length. It will just be myself and my two dogs. And I’m imagining interior mods I can do to suit me better that will give me almost as much floor space as the Thor.

Roxi

Roxi,
Welcome to the family. From a SJ man from Cape May, NJ. I have a friend ( single female ) that I directed to " CruiseAmerica " to consider the purchase of their rental fleet ( All Thors ) which are removed from rental, refurbished and sold with a waranty . They offer all their sizes for sale. They remove all the exterior graphics. And when they are customers built for the rental market the interior surfaces, corner moldings, SS sinks, interior concave entrance steps, commercial vinyl flooring, etc. You can find a visual tour from an uncompensated couple on YouTube. I was impressed with what I heard and saw

 

[JulesD]

Hello All! I was googling “RV forums” and this forum popped up. Can’t believe I didn’t find it sooner! I’ve been reading quite a few RV forums for probably close to 10 years, but this one “at first sight” seems extra friendly.

My name is Rosanne aka Roxi and I live at 7800’ in dry New Mexico. I retired at the end of 2019 (closed my dog grooming business). My personal odometer hit the big 70 mark in April (so hard to believe). I’m a widow of 21 years (also so hard to believe) and at around the 10 year mark I decided that I could (emotionally) sell our house and relocate. I grew up in NJ and I miss the ocean and green!

I am planning on selling my house, storing items I want to keep, and traveling around the country full time for a few years, eventually figuring out where I want to live and move into a small cottage. I hope to be on the road by next spring/summer.

I’ve been reading forums and googling everything RV for years, until I am bleary-eyed, but still read more. I’ve come full circle since I first decided to do this. I started out thinking a Class C would be the way to go, but once I started going to RV shows I realized they felt cramped, and didn’t want the upkeep of another engine. So then I started looking at the endless variety of roomier travel trailers and wearing my calculator out with vehicle tow weight ratings and GVWR, GCWR, tongue weight, trailer weights, CCC, etc., etc. OMG! And I enjoy messing with numbers! Pity the person who doesn’t!

Anyway, a couple of years ago I found my way back to the Class C arena. I’m a Chevy girl, so that helped narrow the field quite a bit. I thought I had decided on a Thor Chateau or Four Winds 24F, but then I decided I didn’t like the way the mattress had to fold up when the slide was in. Started the rounds of looking again at all the Chevy Class Cs. As of now I am leaning toward a Coachmen Freelander 22XG. I’m feeling better about the no slides and shorter length. It will just be myself and my two dogs. And I’m imagining interior mods I can do to suit me better that will give me almost as much floor space as the Thor.

Roxi

Hi I’m Jude,

I’m new here! IK this thread is older but I just purchased a 2021 Freelander 22xg and I LOVE it! The floor plan is what got me. I had been looking to go full time RV’ing since I’m semi retired. I wanted something small enough to boondock around urban areas. Yes it’s basic in some ways like no key fob or auto seats etc but for the price and the exciting , versatile floor plan it’s everything I needed. Im a designer/stager so I made some cosmetic changes. I channeled my inner Hippy Gypsy and made it a fun way to go!
I still have a lot of questions as I’m learning more and more about my new home ! Lol. So I’m sure I’ll be asking here too. I added some pics to show you my place. Happy to be here and meet new people.

 

["EZ"]

Hi I’m Jude,

I’m new here! IK this thread is older but I just purchased a 2021 Freelander 22xg and I LOVE it! The floor plan is what got me. I had been looking to go full time RV’ing since I’m semi retired. I wanted something small enough to boondock around urban areas. Yes it’s basic in some ways like no key fob or auto seats etc but for the price and the exciting , versatile floor plan it’s everything I needed. Im a designer/stager so I made some cosmetic changes. I channeled my inner Hippy Gypsy and made it a fun way to go!
I still have a lot of questions as I’m learning more and more about my new home ! Lol. So I’m sure I’ll be asking here too. I added some pics to show you my place. Happy to be here and meet new people.

Welcome from Georgia!

 

[JulesD]

Welcome from Georgia!

Thank you!

 

[J&JD]

While we will most likely never be full timers we have traveled to all 50 states (48 in the rv) and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. Love rving!
I didn’t fully read all your posts, have you considered a fifth wheel?

 

[Roxi]

Hi I’m Jude,

I’m new here! IK this thread is older but I just purchased a 2021 Freelander 22xg and I LOVE it! The floor plan is what got me. I had been looking to go full time RV’ing since I’m semi retired. I wanted something small enough to boondock around urban areas. Yes it’s basic in some ways like no key fob or auto seats etc but for the price and the exciting , versatile floor plan it’s everything I needed. Im a designer/stager so I made some cosmetic changes. I channeled my inner Hippy Gypsy and made it a fun way to go!
I still have a lot of questions as I’m learning more and more about my new home ! Lol. So I’m sure I’ll be asking here too. I added some pics to show you my place. Happy to be here and meet new people.

Jude, I love what you did with the "back" bedroom. Is the overhead bunk comfortable enough as a full-time bedroom? I haven't bought my motorhome yet. Hoping to catch a good deal on used next year after the pandemic buyers want to sell theirs. My current favorite is a Jayco Redhawk SE 22A.

 

[Roxi]

While we will most likely never be full timers we have traveled to all 50 states (48 in the rv) and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. Love rving!
I didn’t fully read all your posts, have you considered a fifth wheel?

I decided I didn't want to have to buy a big enough truck to tow safely.

 

[JulesD]

Hi,

yes the bunk is big enough for 2 believe it or not! Haha! But I sleep on the Murphy bed. The lounge is made of storage boxes that can hold up to 300 lbs and they fit perfectly under the bed.

 

[JulesD]

And thank you for the compliment! It’s definitely Gypsy ish but fun and very comfortable .

 

[bpaikman]

Welcome! Since no one else mentioned it yet, about the corner bed, you can buy (or rig yourself if your sew at all) a “sleep sack” or “sleeping bag liner”, or buy something like quickzip sheets (not cheap, but maybe well worth the money).