I am a solo RVer in a small Class A coach. No tow car. At age 92, I look at my “home” and feel so thankful to have it. I think about how I would be living if I did not have this rig. I would be in a small not so upscale apt. or worse, an assisted living. Lonely and friendless. Costs would be straining my income, leaving me unable to travel or enjoy buying any extras. I would be stuck in one place. No redecorating or upgrading in an apt. I am thankful I have my own affordable space, decorating it as I choose, upgrading when I can, and moving to a different location if I don’t like where I am or just want to see something new. I also treasure the many friends I have made from all over the country. I can do all this and pay off debt and save and invest to improve my finances. Yes I am so thankful for living the RV lifestyle. I will never leave it until I am forced to because of ill health or injury. Yes I will die in my RV. lol!
Doris thank you for such a wonderful description of what I want my life to be. I was just thinking I’m too old to do full time when I saw your comment! I’ve been doing camping trips for years and had different rigs. May you be blessed beyond measure.
Oh my goodness! Doris, you go young lady!! Do you stay in RV Parks? Boondock? How do you save money?? As a near future RV’er in my new to me but used Travel Trailer, I am in fear my SS income won’t get me out of debt & travel the USA. I’ve took care of everyone else over 50 yrs & only have my 86 y/o mom left. She can go if wants or stay home as in good health. I lost everything tragically about 6-7 yrs ago, no home anymore, multiple surgeries bankrupt me, cost great debt I’m trying to pay off. I live with folks to care for them. Dad’s gone now. It’s my turn to see the country!! Bumping 70 & slightly disabled now & forced into retirement after the accident. I would love any of your advise!! God Bless you on your journey!!
We RV differently than most full-time people do. We live in our RV full time, but we only move twice a year. We didn't sell everything. We have the adult kids and grandkids living in our house. We park our house right in our pasture for the summer and spend good quality time with the family. Then we go to the beach for the winter and enjoy our adventures together. It is awesome for us.
@@foxesfouracres629 that’s exactly the plan I had in my own mind to do, but unfortunately it was just my wish list. Because my young adult children just aren’t old enough for that sweet set up, yet. A longing of my heart.
Good idea! Have a base or a couple of base sites, where you live w/o constant moving along road and country. We lived on sailboat and it’s exhausting being on the go w/ weather etc. Also, maybe add few annual airline trips to visit loving friends and family who boost you up:) 💓🌅
My husband and I full timed in a motorhome for 14 years. It is definitely worth it. We sold everything also. Travel the entire United States and Canada. My husband was retired Navy, and so we joined the military travel club and did things with them but mostly we enjoyed being by ourselves and seeing this incredible country that he helped defend. we used to winter in either Florida. I got tired of that because they were too many snowbirds and Canadians that were taking over the campgrounds. So we started wintering and an RV resort in gulf Shores Alabama. Best decision we ever made met some incredible people. During the summers we traveled to the north and north west. Enjoy every minute of it. The only reason we gave it up was because my husband passed away in 2016 and I did not drive the motorhome. But if he was still alive today, we’d probably still be going.😊
We are transitioning (my wife is) she’s still working. I’m retired. I am grooming her for the “lifestyle.” I am a former merchant marine of over 25 years! A Rv is like a boat on wheels to me! Constantly working, fixing or upgrading something! My wife has always lived in a “sticks and bricks”. She is super excited to experience this lifestyle. We have 2 home bases 1 in Texas and 1 in Alabama. We have 8 grandchildren and 1 on the way. So our 1st full year will be a month or more in every city or town our children live in along with some boondocking all over. We do own a RV but will be upgrading to a model more suited for our needs. Evansville been there plenty of times. Towboater here! I have been all over inland rivers system!
@@JWLWoodWorks my uncles worked with ACBL. Gene and Harry Freeman. Sadly they are gone now. My father is the only remaining brother of seven that followed my grandfather in the towing industry.
@@JWLWoodWorks a port engineer job is real intense Keeping all those boats going! What engines do you like best. I was on boats that had the old Fairbanks, EMD and Triple Screw boat with Caterpillar 3608 and Caterpillar 3612. I worked at Marine Carriers, Nelson Marine and Parker Towing Co. There are days I certainly miss it. We are waiting for my wife to retire, before we full time. We are going with an ORV manufactured Rv. If your are looking for a new Rv? Check out their videos on their manufacturing process. Congratulations on upcoming retirement!
You randomly popped into my feed somehow, but you both engage well in front of the camera and captured my attention. You are at 7.34k, but I feel with your online/remote history you can now expand more since Darlene is going FT w/YT now!!! I appreciate you all giving such an honest and authentic vid👍 I retired at 45 from an Executive Commercial banking position to take care of my parents upon Dad's Alzheimer's diagnosis...so I am VERY happy you elaborated to appreciate everyday-like there is no tomorrow! Well done guys👏#safetravels Lisa
Great video. I'm ex-military and that's been the extent of anything that smells like "RV-life"...mostly just tent-life. But, I've driven some large machines, towed some large equipment, and I am certainly used to the unexpected. I'll never be a RU-vid'er...I'm just not socially inclined enough, but I do expect the need for a mobile office. Your setups are great so I expect I'll be binging your videos to get some insight into desk-anchoring and such. I appreciate you folks, cheers.
I've been researching RV's and gear for over 2 years now. I just bought a brand new 2024 Chevrolet 3500 HD long bed truck. We already know what RV we want. Or I should say we've narrowed it down to 3 models. We are loving Jayco.280RKS or 26RL or 265RLS.
I am the problem solver in our family. If doing or dealing with something bothers me, I will research whether there is a better way to do it. I will try to budget in items that may make the doing easier. I decided to ask my husband my what he hates about our setup. I am currently working on eliminating his irritations. I wished I had asked him sooner. Your discussion and the comments reinforce our decision to keep using our small trailer and not upgrade. Instead we are being creative in adding/adapting to our small trailer, what we want. If anyone needs gap insurance, United Health Care has a plan that you can be on up to 3 years.
I'm in the same boat with losing my job and now trying to figure out health insurance. It will be my biggest expense if I go full-time. I can teach online, but those jobs are only part-time. What did you end up doing about health insurance?
Check this out. We explain more here The Ultimate Guide to Getting Full Time RV Medical Care | Staying Healthy on the Road | RV Life ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uCZLm0i9_c4.html
SPRINKLE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH and or borax all around the entire perimeter of your RV. Raid roach ant and wasp bug spray can also works super sweet for cheap. As for mice, use steel wool around all your pipes , holes and openings. Also glass jars and snap lock containers and zip locks in metal containers also work nice against mice and bugs.
We finished dinner, while watching your video. My wife got up and said “these two are more far real than a lot of tubers.” Keep it real. See you out there on the road.
My husband and I Full-timed for 4 years back in 2013. The things you listed and shared here are real considerations. After 4 years of moving every 3 weeks, my husband and I were really tired. We had a 19ft travel trailer with no laundry & small corner shower. If we had a better shower and more income to spend on monthly spots, we probably would have continued the journey longer. Lots of pros and cons to consider with this lifestyle and this video covers a good chunk of them. Great job & good luck to you both!
I agree.. we have owned a travel trailer for years and camped with our kids since they were very young. It IS a lot of work to set up and take down and probably not something l would want to do full time, as l am always ready to go home and sleep in my bed after a camping trip.. l love to camp and my husband and l continue to camp 2-3 times a year; my plan has always been to take the camper south for the winter and be a 'snowbird'.. but waiting for the hubby to retire to do that.
Wow, thanks. My wife and I are looking into this, full time. We're still looking into what RV to go for and what all we need to plan for. In our late 30s and early 40s. As a disabled vet and it seems like 2k a month seems like it's worth doing. Looking forward to meeting and doing much more research on you all. We're kinda like excited kids who still have to wait. What all should we also consider regarding safety, health and good environment we can establish with an RV. Are there groups that we can meet? Who all should we talk to or real questions to ask? I'm just excited and asking anything that we should know and consider. Thanks for the time. Semper Fi
Thanks for posting. Hubby and I are close to being on the road. I understand your "whys". My mom kept waiting for retirement. Hated her job and couldn't wait. She finally got there and got the chance and she got cancer. She passed away at 63. I'm 57. I don't want to do that. I've worked hard to pay off debt and get things in the right place and all of that is to clear the way to do what we've always wanted to do. I'm trying not to miss my chance. See you on the road. 😁
Instant follow ❤ your story about your Dad touched me. I’ve been solo full time in my 26ft toy hauler for 3 years; just me, my dog and my Harley. My son joined the service right after high school (total surprise to me!) and I retired from the service when I was 38. I tried the rat race of healthcare as a nurse, then a nurse practitioner and as much as I loved my patients, I was miserable. I saw my Dad die suddenly when he was only 49 years old. It changed everything about how I viewed life. No longer was it something that just happens, but the fragility became so real to me. I found myself turning 44 and it hit me that I had this lengthy bucket list I hadn’t even started on…so I sold everything I owned, bought a truck and my trailer, saw my son off to his first duty start after boot camp and hit the road. I’ve cleared a lot of my bucket list and have new things I’ve added. Tomorrow is never, ever promised. People always say to me “I wish I could do what you do” or “I wish I was brave enough” or my personal un-favorite “hopefully soon, someday”. Someday might not be there when you are ready for it. Live well, travel more, find peace and joy; whatever that means to you…but do it now. Make it happen. You will never regret taking the chance, I promise.
I just retired as a nurse after almost 40 years, and l wholeheartedly agree with your description of the medical field as a 'rat race!' It definitely has changed over the years into something l don't even want to be a part of anymore.. it's no longer about the patient, only about $$ I am trying to catch my breath and focus on what my retirement will look like.. so far it has been about deep cleaning my house, and decluttering and trying to reduce belongings after years of collecting things and raising five kids..! l would like to simplify my life and possibly downsize homes, and that starts with minimalizing what we have. I have always wanted to be a snowbird, and go south for the winters.. but that hasn't happened yet.
Same, but it was my mother. She and my dad had all of these big plans... The kids were gone. We had a 5 bedroom house. We had lived for everyone else in our lives except ourselves. We sold everything and paid cash for our new home on wheels. 2 years in with zero regrets. Husband and I are discovering so much every single day. We are living life wide open now because it's never too early, but we have seen that it can be too late. Happy Travels to everyone!
Good morning from Kentucky, My wife Jo-Ann and I were Full Time RVing for just over 2 1/2 yrs. Although we had some great times Full Time RVing, and met some great friends along the way, there were also a lot of bad times as well, mostly from bad campers who purchased RV's, but never took the time to learn any camping etiquette. I had a serious health issue, and we were over 2hrs from any hospital who could deal with it. (I've had 4 stomach surgeries already) Luckly it sorted itself out that time. We had to deal with some really sketchy people in National Forest where there was no cell service. Going through Kanab, Utah the engine blew in our pickup truck, and cost us $8,000 to have a new engine put in. We had our share of ups and downs, but we're glad we got to experience Full Time RVing, and we're glad for the friends we made while on the road. After 2 1/2 years, we had enough of full timing. So, we sold our travel trailer and bought a small 2-bedroom home in Barren County, KY. We feel more comfortable and relaxed in our sticks & bricks home now, than when we lived in our RV. RVing was fun, but it's nowhere near as easy or as glamorous as some RU-vidrs make it out to be. Have a Fun, Safe & Blessed 4th of July weekend guys. JT
Right.. it seems ok for a time, until people just get tired of the 'work' it requires to do it.. l can see wanting to travel to experience new things and see new places, but at some point, you have crossed everything off the bucket list, or just get too tired to keep doing it.. and at $60 a night, or upwards of $800 a month to 'set up camp', there's nothing cheap about it.. and that doesn't even account for the wear and tear of 'blowing an engine' or having something go wrong with the rv..
Some of the saddest stories I see on RU-vid is retired people selling their sticks and bricks, putting everything they have in a rv to live the dream. Their health declines and they have no idea what they are going to do or where they are going to go. They watch the ‘live the dream’ RU-vidrs and think it is easy.
@@Trouble-v1m I agree.. after raising five kids and now starting retirement years, l am so glad we traveled the country with the kids when we were younger, and had the energy to! I thought l would continue traveling in my retirement, but hitting 60 years old.. l realize that l have lost 'steam' and am very content to sit on my back porch and listen to the birds, look at my flowers 🌸 and babysit my grandchildren two days a week 😊
Like this couple says you make the best of it. I'm getting ready to pull out getting ready to get get out of my apartment. No longer pay rent no longer pay utilities and I've built out of van and I'm getting ready to live in it but I really can't go anywhere yet because my mother still in the nursing home but when the day comes, my mother is no longer around my wings are going to be flapping
We are working towards full timing next year. I’ve been watching a lot of RU-vid videos over the past few months and I have to say I appreciate yours the most. The honesty is amazing. Keep up the good work.
We are full timers for 4 years now. The tip I have is for travel days. If we have to leave early, we get everything ready possible the day before. We close all the slides and climb into bed. We unhook everything except the electricity. It makes early departures so much less stressful.
Im a hugger and Ma'am, you look like you could use one. Respectfully Wow, this is exactly what im looking for. Thank you. And God Bless. I have a more "safety first" kinda guy. Drama is great to know but what about health and crime? The one thing im thinking about right now is Unsolved Mystery. How is the road with safety? Im not a gun carrier but should i consider it? And if there are groups, like veterans? Thank you for taking the time. Again, my wife and i aren't going to do this for a few years, so im (probably) over thinking about all this but like a kid im excited 🤪. Thanks you.
I’m from st Pete. Sold home and full time for 5 months. Oh boy. I’m loving it but it is all that! Anyway one thing I always have done have a plan. ABC. In the event of accident health issue weather problems. Have a go bag . Like when we had one for hurricanes. cash , card meds. Just a thought
I’ve lived in an RV for almost a year. I didn’t sell my house, nor I plan to. It’s cheaper than an apartment, if you stay put. I don’t regret it, however I’m glad I still have a home. I don’t feel stuck. Which was the best decision for me so when I’m tired of RV life, I still have another option.
My wife and I absolutely believe it was worth it for us to go fulltime traveling 7 years ago. We were so done with the so called "American Dream". We had it all a very nice home, 5 kids and now 9 grand kids and 4 great grand kids. The thing is we felt something was missing, I had retired from 21 yrs in the military and she retired early from a great accounting job which she loved but we still wanted more. When we decided to hit the road we were more than ready for a new adventure and this has been the best 7yrs. Was it hard to leave family somewhat, but we see them more now than before. We get to see old and new friends more, so overall it has been amazing and we look forward to many, many, many more years on the road.
I just retired from the military after 28 years and my wife and I are seriously considering full-timing. I've been binge-watching hours and hours of YT videos in prep work, but I keep coming back to yours. Solid content, no fluff, and really well put together. I know the time it takes to make good videos, so thank you for your attention to detail and really thinking through what might be helpful. I'll keep coming back as long as y'all keep putting the videos out. Thanks! --Andy
My husband and I are both Navy retirees (he did 21 and I did 24) and have been full timing for 2 1/2 years with no regrets. If I had known the life was like this, I would have bought an RV when we returned to the states from my last overseas assignment (11 years in Japan) instead of buying a house. I studied RV life for five years before taking the plunge. I contacted every manufacturer, watched every RV RU-vidr, went back to school (at age 65) and got my diesel technician certification, sold the 2500 sq. ft. house and gave away everything in it. We moved from Norfolk, VA for the more tax friendly Houston, Texas. Signed up with Escapees in Livingston, Texas as a domicile address and for mail forwarding and February 2022, we bought a 2013 Tiffin Phaeton 40 ft motorhome and began this amazing adventure on the road...LIFE IS SOOOOO GOOD!!!!
Retired at the end of last year. I am enjoying being able to get out for longer periods of time in my camper but always ready to get back to my house and acreage after a month or so.
I agree.. l don't think l could do this full time as 'there's no place like home' to me.. and l always look forward to coming back to the 'bricks and sticks!' 😊
We are those people too. Rv life allows us the flexibility to visit our kids, grandkids, friends and family around the country all year long. You’re correct enjoy each other now! I am only 55 and have had chronic illness for 5 years dang Lyme disease. We full time because I can be sick anywhere and actually feel better as we travel around. Thanks for being a great example to others and showing the real. It’s not always easy but so worth it.@RvBettertogether
I am thinking about it I have so many questions how do you get mail ? Or do you request all email ? Is there taxes on RVs ? Or just regular registration but how do you register it if your technically not a resident anymore ? How do you find out where to boon dock areas ?
I think we address many of those questions in this video - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z-ZPYgX8q_Q.htmlsi=AYweTagZwf1cpret We use Escapees for our domicile address and mail. Taxes will depend on your state but in FL we don't ay any additional on an RV. You do have to register it, just like a. car. Boondocking we use iOverlander, Campendium, the BLM map (google it) and word of mouth from other RVers. There are many Facebook groups for boondocking. This video might be more helpful on boondocking- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-88h9mcsnugQ.htmlsi=bT23J4LnCwAg_yUE
I've been solo fulltime for 5.5 yrs. Its just life. The biggest thing I can stress is DO THE MATH. It can be as cheap or expensive as you can afford. Im a wildlife/ environmental lover. I do some touristy stuff, but mostly just like to avoid snow, see new places, and visit family. If you are able... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BEING DEBT FREE! I sold my house of 22 yrs,started debt free, paid cash for my rv. It makes all the difference to me to not have debt and actually enjoy my retirement. Cant stress enough to know what kind of traveler you want to be, how much junk you want to lug around, and how often you want to break camp or easily run to a store or tourist sites. I have a B+ rv so its my only transportation. I researched rigs for 2+ yrs & had rv techs look over my choices. I love my rig & the lifestyle & like everything in life- some things suck. I also am a single female for last 27 yrs, stubbornly independent, have TWO tool boxes, not afraid to fix basic things, install a faucet, build a fire, dump stinky tanks, etc. Someone once told me rv living is just the same as normal life, vehicle problems, house repairs & maintenance...except they're on an earthquake everyday! 😂
A home of any kind had maintenance costs. You can seriously cut back monthly hosing expenses especially boon docking. And for somebody like me that has no friends and if I retire and don’t go I’ll probably die in my little house with my pets. And be eaten by them for a while before anybody finds me 😂
Yes, to the letting go of our work/volunteer/hobbies etc. Having those things of the past that gave us our identity- is a big deal. But it gives us as couples a new vista view and a new way of being together without all the things that distract. It is kind of like falling in love again with the person we first fell in love with. Just us and being a bit self focused for the first time in 35 years. Putting each other first again. And navigating that has a learning curve that is so worth it. We literally have served hundreds of meals and changed hundreds of sets of sheets in our home - most of our married life. Hospitality and generosity is important to us. We also have friends all over the nation because of it. It is interesting to be thinking of our we-ness/us-ness and learning to have each other be the main priority and focus. It is living in Wonderland and hard can be good. It isn't not ever having problems but it is dealing with problems in a healthy way and forgiving and apologizing and getting right again. Life is NOT all rose colored glasses and being real and having a life style be worth it is the point. Well said!!!!!! Love your wisdom! Thanks for being honest and real! What you are sharing is so valuable. You are an asset in this community!
What is the plan when you no longer have it in you to live the nomad life and you have sold everything. What is your No go plan? (This is what stops me from selling everything and hitting the road)
Good question! It's what keeps most from doing something like this... and honestly... it should keep SOME people from making this move. You must have a plan. For us, we invested the money from the sale of our home, letting it grow while we look for where we would like to call home again. Honestly, we have no idea where or when that will be. We just know we will not be going back to Florida. lol By the time we are ready, this investment will allow us to get into another home without issue. We have also thought about using it to purchase property that we could lease as an airbnb while we travel and make more money off it when we are not there. This would allow us to pay that house off faster and/or keep traveling and have a home base. We still both work from the road, so we pull in a decent income to do this lifestyle. We know many that do the same. I think if we weren't still working we probably wouldn't be able to do it this way. It also depends on your rig, travel costs, lifestyle choice on the road, etc.
I just fell in love with you two so much. Because you both were so raw and real before us and the camera. In this day and age when deception , fake and fraud and manipulation are everywhere, it was refreshing to see and hear yall being so honest and so human. GOD bless you both and I’ve just subscribed.
Really great video and informative! Almost 69 and getting ready to go full time in probably a Class C. Being single and retired means I don’t have many of the issues you guys talk about, but some unique challenges when I figure I probably only have 10-15 years left that I can do this!
Consider doing some meet ups. Escapees has several groups that gather several times a year and I know there is a singles group (if you like to meet new people that is:-)
We began looking at this lifestyle in 2019. My husband is retired due to a disability. I was planning to work until 65 but covid hit and as a letter carrier I was forced to work out away from the safety of home. I decided to retire at 62 instead and we had plans to buy a house in NC which didn't work out. So we rented out our house and moved to an apartment to downsize. We decided to start rv life a few months before I retired. Now more than 1 yr on the road we love it. Our kids & grands live in 6 different states...now we go visit them. No regrets. 😊
We used to RV but we had young kids & weren’t retired. 20:32 Set up & take down time was exhausting. Parks where we would get spaces required reservations 6 - 12 months in advance. Some parks are very choosy about which trailers they allow, etc. it’s definitely not as easy as other RU-vidrs want people to believe!
It can certainly be a challenge but pretty rewarding at the same time. State and National Parks are so hard to get into sometimes. I totally agree. That's why we end up boondocking most of the time. Thanks for tuning in.
OMG! Y'all hit on so many points that we feel day to day. We've been doing this nearly five years and have been through pretty much everything you've described. As a matter of fact, we have a very similar video coming up!! I swear, no lies, it has been on our video list for a while now. Excellent job! Great video. We can only hope that we can do it half as well.
When we are asked? We sold it all! Have cash! Have a huge reserve! Credit is not a backstop in most cases! Have the best insurance you can get and maintain! Be prepared to be displaced at anytime, for extended periods! Have a home base! Do all your medical at the home base once to twice a year! Ours is where our friends and family are! We have a physical address at this location! (it is a must to have a real physical address) This is the fall back location in an emergency! We are set for both or either to buy a home, property, condo ect in an emergency. Most of all when at home base each take the time to see you dude friends and girlfriends separate! Major! Also take fricken vacation from the vacation once or twice a year. Go to the Caribbean or Europe. Take a break from the RV! Just some things! Oh! Have that cash flow backstop!
I just found your channel tonight. I really enjoy hearing you guys. I am a single woman in my 50’s and breaking away from the norm because Ive seen so many people leave this earth before their time. My kids are grown so it’s my turn now.
Great video y’all. We’re considering going full time but can’t seem to find the right time. My wife owns a business that will need to be sold first & I have a corporate job with a steady pay check that’s hard to leave. Eventually we’ll get it figured out.
Seems like our story parallels a lot of your story. The Wife and I have known each other since we rode the school bus together, born and raised in small town Indiana near Kokomo. Left IN the day we got married 46 years ago for CA since I was in the military at the time, and our base was near Fresno CA. After the military both of us worked corporate jobs, computers and healthcare and our civilians jobs moved us around America. Since marriage we have been nomads and explorers living where ever corporate America sent us, so it has been easier for us to transition to fulltime RV living. We've never had that comfort zone of living in the same place all our married lives, never missed it either. Ended up our working life near Austin TX for over 20 years. We waited a little longer than y'all, fully retired, joined Escapee's, sold everything and hit the road fulltiming. Has been 4 years now fulltiming, still keeping domicile in TX. Now both of us are on Medicare. Going from 2 acres of land and a 3000 sq ft home to less than 400 sq ft in a 38 ft RV. Couples have to like each other or it isn't going to work fulltiming, but also each needs their space once in a while. Oh, and the spats you will have, shoot we have been having those for 46 years!! LOL's! Lots of family, including children and grand children still lives in Indiana and Ohio, we get up there at least once a year in the spring or summer to visit for multiple months. Yes we have had to drop everything and our plans to return across country to IN/OH for emergencies and the deaths of family members. Otherwise we travel America, spend winters in Galveston and start the process over every year beginning in April.. Yes it is essential to keep an emergency fund, spare parts, tools and the knowledge and skill to make on the road repairs yourself. Otherwise it's going to get expensive fast, or you will be waiting for hours/days for help. Keep an emergency roadside kit in your truck/RV, tire jacks, safety triangles/flairs, reflective vests, ratchet straps, gloves, tie downs, flash lights etc. Keep access to your roadside emerg kit on the passenger side of your truck or RV away from passing traffic. If you can't rely on yourself, then you will end up hating the RV life and then start posting RV hate RU-vids. We had our first major break down in 4 years on the road this August near Richmond Indiana. Broke an axle leaf spring tie bolt on I70. Interstate 70 from Indianapolis to the Ohio border has got to be the worst pot holed highway in America! Anyway got the RV off the interstate and replaced the leaf spring ourselves in a Bob Evans parking lot, then got to our campground for the night. Going RV fulltime - You have got to be self reliant, work together, willing to take whatever comes your way, deal with it and move on. Still we wouldn't trade our current lifestyle to go back. Still on the road, still loving every minute of every day. Been to a lot of spectacular places all over the US. Knoxville area near Heiskell TN is looking really good for when we finally get off the road, settle back down, hopefully many more years from now.. Keep making it real!
We've wanted to RV fir years. At 25 I had a kidney transplant another at 54. We are working hard to get an rv. We have the truck so we're ready for the rv.
Hey Barry and Darlene! Great video and thanks for sharing your insights and reflections on the last couple of years. All of the things you meantime are things we are currently considering. Glad to see you out there doing it. We are just a few years away from on the road FT , but for now we get out there as often as we can!
Planning on full time RV life in 3 years (after retirement) I have been watching a ton of videos on full time RV living and your channel is by far the most helpful....keep it real 😊
Me & my wife been married for 36 years an we very close to retirement & we are wanting to Travel with RV with a 5th wheeler 👍 Thanks D & Barry for your Honesty on RVing 🤙😁
As a former Qstoves user, I've found the switch to Asmoke to be entirely worthwhile. The precision temperature control and automated pellet feeding system of Asmoke have completely transformed my RV living experience. The convenience of being able to set and maintain my desired cooking temperature, as well as the distinct smoky flavor added by the wood pellets, has made cooking on the road a more enjoyable and delicious experience. The Asmoke Essential's portable and lightweight design paired with its battery-powered operation has made it perfect for our full-time RV living. It's also quite versatile, allowing us to grill, smoke, roast, and bake a variety of foods. And the best part? We can monitor our food's temperature remotely through the app, making our cooking process even more hassle-free. We sold everything for this lifestyle, and with Asmoke, it's definitely worth it. #Asmoke
Hey you two … Just stumbled upon your channel. What a great couple you are! I too, live full time in my RV. I have a Tiffin Class A and have been in it for two years now. I LOVE IT! I’m still working and plan to retire in a year. I started my RV lifestyle early, prior to hitting the road. I will have all the upgrades done and the bugs worked out before I do. I’ve been camping all my life, and am a pretty free spirit. Little to nothing will ever keep me from following my dreams and adventures. I’m looking forward to spending my retirement days enjoying the free life. Great video, and thanks for taking the time to share. Sorry to hear about your folks! You two are tough and resilient! Keep up the great work, stay healthy and safe! SUB EARNED! 😎🇺🇸👍🏼
You got me on your story about your parents. I got into thinking about living a nomadic lifestyle because most of my life has been on the eastern seaboard of the US. I’ve been married 28 years and my wife had a major stroke two years ago and is going down hill ever since. I have no children and have no ties to a career as such. My wife worked 40 years and retired but acted like her life was over when she did. I encouraged her to do things that made her happy and not sit in front of the TV all day. Meanwhile there are so many paces I haven’t seen and I don’t want to be stuck with property and a house. I want to pick up and go and see. Traveling I get it can be a bit much but it’s the getting there and seeing and living I want to experience. I don’t want to live my life in vain. I don’t want to live in quiet desperation.
100% guilty. It something I’m working on. It’s funny what putting yourself out there in video will reveal. Hopefully I can get better about it over time. Appreciate your feedback.
I'm looking forward to it However; I'm single --- I'm hoping it won't be as lonley as it seems ---- I watch these guys & gals van lifing It seems to be lonley --- but; I'm going to try it --- I can always find another apartment - keep my van & just travel occasionally
Get involved with groups. There are many solo female fb groups. They often do meet ups. Xscapers also has a ton of solos at their events. Seems like they often travel together.
We couldn’t afford to get a true “RV” so we bought and converted a school bus into a Skoolie. We traveled and lived in our Skoolie for almost 3 years and it was the best experience ever! We’ve since bought a house and less than six weeks in my wife and I were already missing the nomadic lifestyle… it’s now coming up on 4 years later and we are now planning to go back to full time nomad living again.
Funny you asked. This is our most recent video on that The Ultimate Guide to Getting Full Time RV Medical Care | Staying Healthy on the Road | RV Life ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uCZLm0i9_c4.html
Thank you for your videos and your content. I’m about to go full-time. My house is currently under contract with the closing on July 15 then off I go to buy a truck and an RV. Thank you for the honesty. BTW Chev/GMC 3500 Alliance Avenue 32RLS is the goal.
I am getting ready to start my full time rv life with in the next year. Spent the last 5 years building my camper trailer from scratch (imagine a 21’ fiberglass airstream best description).
Would so love to travel around the USA! I absolutely love the country.. we are Canadian and were denied entry due to not having a home or jobs in Canada. My business is temporarily closed there and all our household stuff in storage. I developed thrombosis so hopefully will get a pass to be able to travel home through the USA, otherwise I have no idea how we'll get back to Canada. I cannot fly. You are living my dream... praying borders will stay open and we will be able to RV in Canada.
We live in Canada I want to full time rv… But my husband doesn’t due cold weather issues,and he wants land to have in case he wants to not have a trailer anymore. We have been camping most of our over 35 plus years of marriage. Any idea how we can make rv life on the road???
Having land is a nice backup. I’m sure we will do this eventually, but we aren’t sure where we want to live. Waiting for grand babies 😜 Maybe RV where it’s not cold during the winter months and then spend time on your land or with family when the weather is better.
Me and my husband own a few acres and don’t have a house built on it yet and we bought an RV camper to put on it a couple weeks ago and I’ve been living in it for two weeks tomorrow and I gotta say I have not figured out the hot water situation. It’s supposed to be on demand hot water but it seems more like touching go lol We can use all the tips we can get! because I don’t think we did quite enough research lol But maybe there’s never enough research to be done until after you’ve experience things and realize what more you need to do research on..like space saving ideas .. because it’s tight ❤ But it’s really nice to be out on our property and able to slowly but surely tame the wild that it is lol and hopefully save up to get our home built here and have a little farm. In the meantime. we’ve already gotten a couple of farm puppies to protect the property so to speak. once they grow up anyway. So anyone with any advice would be much appreciated currently were using a green toilet so we don’t have to deal with black water as that is dirty work sounds like lol So we’re using a mulch toilet and it’s working great for me. My husband would prefer a regular one. Tips on tricks on how to winterize how to not let pipes freeze, etc. anything and everything you can think of that might be helpful. If you want to mention it to me I would appreciate it. Send me links or whatever!
There’s never enough research. We still learn something new everyday. We have never had to winterize. We only chase 70. lol I know many do the skirting to protect their underbelly. Tank heaters help too.
Great Video, very informative. My husband and I have been full time RVers for about 8 months now. It seemed to be a little less stressful for him, but he does not have children nor grandchildren. He has adopted all my children of course, but that connection is not the same as mine with my children. But this was my biggest concern for living on the road, my children. How do you not feel guilty for not being there for every one of their moments? I just try to breath and tell myself it is ok, the video chats are ok, and they are getting older - moving into teens so grandma/grandpa are not as much of an importance to them. Just yeah, I feel super guilty but I am having fun and its an extremely different lifestyle for sure. FREE SPIRIT IS A GREAT DESCRIPTION OF WHO YOU ARE AND IT'S GREAT!
The bugs, surprisingly, haven't been an issue. Only once or twice and we moved. I'm sure when we have grands, things will be different. I expect we'll spend more time where they are. My kids now are in collage and career minded. We travel to see them, or fly them to us a few times a year, but they are busy with their lives right now. Neither are interested in starting families... so we have the freedom to explore. You know, we have spent more time with family since being on the road than we ever did when we owned a house. Instead of a week at Christmas (we didn't live near our extended family- we moved away right after we got married) we now get to spend a month visiting at MUCH nicer times of the year. You'll know if RV travel will be right... when it's the right time.
We mainly use Starlink, backed up with T-Mobile home (which they are apparently not allowing but they haven’t shut it off yet) and we have a Verizon hot spot,
Yes even though I haven’t done this yet but greatly want to- but I also feel as though I would need a man to help me with this as in I’m no mechanic & I’d be afraid to try this myself- I have an rv & have camped my whole life & I was ready to do just this once my kids were off on their own- but now I have no man to do this with so I pray that maybe God would bring me someone that’s worthy 😊
I can totally understand where you’re coming from. Do know that there is a solo female Rv community out there. Many groups who get together and even travel together. Search on Facebook and see if you can find some. I’m sure they would be a wealth of knowledge for you,
I can't wait... I'm working on getting healthier now but am anxiously waiting 4 yrs until my grandson grads HS. (Raised him since he was a baby)Your comment about your parents hit home with me! It has been my dream..I'm sooo afraid of having that regret...Am now 63 & disabled (back) 🙏
As someone who would never ever want to do this for many reasons I really dont understand giving up a home and missing out on the appreciation of your real property. You two are still fairly young but what do you do if your health deteriorates or one of you can no longer live this way. It also seems to be somewhat limited in that you are basically visiting one country or maybe a couple more and this is what I would dislike the most as I love to travel throughout the world.
Everyone has different comfort levels and ideas of what is safe, the “right” thing and even interesting to see. We could travel this country for 10 years non stop and not see everything it offers. There’s so much here to see and experience. We sold our home in Florida at the peek of market. Invested that money wisely and by the time we need it again, it’ll have produced well for us. Also, doing this lifestyle allowed us to double our retirement investments. We have never taken the safe route. The one everyone thinks is the way to do things. We are just not those people. We prefer experiences over things because you never know if tomorrow will come. If we get sick or something happens, we come off the road and buy another house. No big deal,
Great info! We full timed for 2 years and wife wanted a house. So much more maintenance and upkeep on house and yard than I ever had on trailer. Guess we’ll meet you at Romp it Up in Oct.
Just watched your show about traveling in your retirement and what you did for a living and I have to say I admire the two of you and your wife is absolutely adorable. Enjoy life while you can because it is very brief and short thanks for the encouragement.
we listed our home in Central Florida one week ago and we are going to go full-time RVing but my husband still has to work at remodeling. Which she does locally for a while anyway so we’re going to plug-in at our daughters 1 mile away. We are right now, sorting dumping packing selling, every time someone buys a chest, everything gets dumped and we start over again. Today we tackled the garage and all the storage at the front. I am having my annual watercolor sale this weekend in the middle of all of this. We are having a moving sale the following weekend. And our realtor is having an open house the following weekend and we sure pray that will be able to sell the home so that we can buy a smaller. We’ve never had a vacation. We’ve been married 58 years. We’re ready for a break. I enjoyed your video very much. I’m gonna send it to my husband. He’s sleeping in a chair right now. It’s hot day.
No fear, F'n A right. Good on you both for your willingness to make those big moves in search of a fulfilling life. Hope to meet you one day on the trail
The opacity of courage.full of wisdom.living on the edge of life.fulfilling every moment of the uncertainty of time in our short life.your raw emotions of bringing the truth into the picture.all and all is appreciated.well done.your footprints will be remembered for the ones who looks for courage to live the life you are living. He who does not travel,does not know the value of man. Thank you for your courage to live..
We spray anything from the rig that touches the ground with a solution of water, peppermint essential oil, and dawn dish soap. We also went throughout the rig and plugged any gaps and holes from the outside. There were a lot! We have had mice (just a couple) and trapped them easily. You also need to keep your bay doors shut for the most part and do the outside stuff to deter them. It really hasn't been that big of a deal so far in our 2 years
Great question. I use RV Life for trip planning (link on our website under partners) then I add in any “big rocks”. So specific places we need to be on a certain date, like Florida RV show, our daughters college, events, concerts, family visits etc. Then I just start looking for cool places we haven’t visited. I keep a destinations folder on FB & IG. Anytime I see something cool I put it in there. So I’ll get ideas that way. We stay about 2 weeks at each place if we can. Since we still work, that gives us two weekends to explore and really see the area.
You will want to watch this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5neOly_LpHM.htmlsi=ZJ69N4ho7N2FQPhZ Then watch this one where we cut our expenses 63% ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kiHm7kCgw0s.htmlsi=r4kmZ9z0-CmBugI- It’ll give you lots of different perspective. Budget is totally dependent on what you want to do, stay, spend. It can be very wide ranging for everyone.
Definitely worth it! Thank you for sharing your journey and setting expectations. Three years and counting 'till we hit the road FT! Keep doing what you are doing and keeping it real.....
