New to RV panic

Pioneergal

New Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2024
Messages
6
Location
Montpelier
we just put a deposit down on a 21C, have a buyer for our house and began discussion about how much we love our home, and the worry that my husband has not towed a trailer before. We are considering changing our minds. Pretty much just venting but hass anyone else had that panic? our plan was to RV full time
 
Buy the trailer, rent the house out for a year and see how it goes if your second thoughts are really serious.
 
Great suggestion and one we did when we first started cruising.

Without any RV experience it's hard to tell if you'll absolutely love the life or the dream will fade fast.

Ron
 
we just put a deposit down on a 21C, have a buyer for our house and began discussion about how much we love our home, and the worry that my husband has not towed a trailer before. We are considering changing our minds. Pretty much just venting but hass anyone else had that panic? our plan was to RV full time

What led you choose to purchase the camper? What are the things you are hoping to experience?
 
A certain degree of second-guessing (if not outright panic) strikes me as 'normal' at this moment. The all-in-plunge approach would be too much of a commitment for me!

Even with a good amount of RV experience, I'm not sure I would find the full-timing lifestyle right for me (yeah, it is seductive to me for several reasons, and I've thought about it).

The 'safety net' of renting the house until confident of the choice sounds attractive unless I knew I would want to relocate my base anyway if the full-timing gig didn't work out for whatever reason.

YMMV and Good Luck
 
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RV panic

A certain degree of second-guessing (if not outright panic) strikes me as 'normal' at this moment. The all-in-plunge approach would be too much of a commitment for me!

All of the aforementioned comments are very valid. My husband used to be quite the traveler and I agreed so he could satisfy his wanderlust. However much he has slowed down.
We could not rent (although it that's a great solution) as we need the $ $$
from the sale of the house to fund a trailer and truck, and travel.
We also have some health issues so maybe this is a sign that its just not the right option for us.
Thank you for your inputs
Lynne
 
Well, #1 I wouldn't trade a stable to increasing in value asset for a depreciating truck & trailer if it has the propensity to negatively impact your retirement/lifestyle; that's just me.

Maybe a better strategy if it suits you, is to tip-toe into RV'ing with a smaller & presumably less expensive set up and keep the house. At least until you fully know the RV lifestyle is suitable.

During covid years there was an explosion of RV purchases made by folks that, much like yourselves, had never RV/camped before. Lots of those used RVs on the market today after the reality of RVing settled in.

Just my $.02 and maybe all its worth :)
 
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Well, #1 I wouldn't trade a stable to increasing in value asset for a depreciating truck & trailer if it has the propensity to negatively impact your retirement/lifestyle; that's just me.

Maybe a better strategy if it suits you, is to tip-toe into RV'ing with a smaller & presumably less expensive set up and keep the house. At least until you fully know the RV lifestyle is suitable.

During covid years there was an explosion of RV purchases made by folks that, much like yourselves, had never RV/camped before. Lots of those used RVs on the market today after the reality of RVing settled in.

Just my $.02 and maybe all its worth :)

Pretty good summation.

We rented our house and went off cruising. It worked for us but we already had the boat. Our neighbors house is up for sale and they're going cruising. But they're very experienced boaters and their chances of it all working out for them are good. But time passes and sooner or later you set the anchor for the last time. I cringe when I think of later trying to return to living in a house again. In a few years the ever increasing price of homes, at least in this area, could rule out buying one again.

We cruised for many years but when it was time to travel by a different means and see the many places in North America not reachable by boat we started by doing deliveries for CruiseAmerica. They weren't trailers but being on the road is the same kind of experience and very quickly gives feedback whether that's the lifestyle you'd enjoy. It required zero investment on our part.

Yes, lot's of turnover in trailers now. Much, much more than there used to be when folks had started in tents, moved to a tent trailer then maybe a Scamp. Many Escape buyers weren't brand new RV owners. Lot's of folks have obviously found out that life on the road isn't all wine and roses.

Ron
 
Change is always scary. Remember, you already made the decision to sell you home and buy an Escape.

The good thing about towing is that the camper always follows you.:laugh:

Best of luck!
 
"...and the worry that my husband has not towed a trailer before."
I'd never towed before getting my 2022 Escape. IMO, this piece of your panic should not be a concern. Just watch lots of related YouTube videos & read related threads on this forum. Though there's lots to learn about towing & running a trailer, none of it is difficult.

I took a different approach, sold the family home, & bought a tiny condo along with the truck & trailer. In hind sight, I often wish that I hadn't bought the condo, as being on the road is my "happy place".

Also, I agree with those who noted that some panic in your situation sounds absolutely normal.

Embrace whatever decision you make. Best of luck!
 
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But time passes and sooner or later you set the anchor for the last time. I cringe when I think of later trying to return to living in a house again. In a few years the ever increasing price of homes, at least in this area, could rule out buying one again.
I agree with others and would certainly consider renting your home first.

I'm kinda in the boat Ron mentioned. I'd really like to move, but know eventually I'll be 'off the road' and know once I sell my house I'll never be able to afford to live here again and this is where my family resides.... and honestly love them all, but don't want to live with any of them :laugh:
 
I'd suggest taking a course on trailer-towing if you can find one. It would likely ease a lot of your fears. If you are pretty sure you could buy a house again if you hate trailering and the nomadic life, then you're good. It's not an irreversible decision. If, like Donna, you couldn't go back then it might be better to rent the house out for a year and try it out. I couldn't full-time but then, I didn't need to try it to know that I couldn't. I just know I want a physical home that stays in one place. But lots of people do and love it.
 
we just put a deposit down on a 21C, have a buyer for our house and began discussion about how much we love our home, and the worry that my husband has not towed a trailer before. We are considering changing our minds. Pretty much just venting but hass anyone else had that panic? our plan was to RV full time

1-don’t rent your house if you’ve never rented property before. It being your home that you love chances are you will be very disappointed when you see what they leave you with.

2-you definitely should be first making short trips then a few lengthy trips.

3-definitely do not sell your house yet…
 
We travel a lot. Sometimes in our Escape 19 for 3 months at a time, and sometimes without the trailer. We just got back from 18 days in Iceland. It works for us because we have a small acreage and small low maintenance home with our own RV site and indoor storage for our trailer. The house, land, barn was cheap due to location, but we are 18 miles from medical and a major university along with two towns of 150,000, and 7 miles from a town of 1000. We are 50-90 miles from a major city if we ever need it. So depending on what you “need” in a home, and where you want it, it doesn’t have to cost a ton.

Also, when we travel in the trailer we save money. We spend more money when home, and much more when we travel places like Iceland. Our travel budget when RVing is always between $70-$100 a day for trip in the trailer, and we do the things we want, and go where we want. We don’t find, at least for us, that it is difficult to see North America for less than $100 a day.

Generally we are travelling at least half of the year.

As far as towing goes, it’s just a matter of doing it and building comfort level. It’s not difficult, but you do have to pay attention and think critically. We can tow 500 miles a day if needed, but typically only go 200 miles or so every few days. In between we do chores, rest and relax, and take day trips to see and do things.
 
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My opinion, others may disagree. We have spent anywhere from 2 weeks to 4-1/2 months in our trailer. When a two week trip ends, I sometimes wish we would be away longer. But when we have been gone for 3 or 4 months, we are both glad to be home where we can spread out, cook meals in a real kitchen, and engage in our hobbies. Living in a cramped space can get old. Furthermore, when the trailer needs maintenance, I find it easier to accomplish things at home where I have all the tools I need. I know personally and know of many more people who were full-timers and who are now back in a sticks and brick home than who have remained full-timers. My advice (again, opinion) is to purchase the trailer and use it to get to a warm place in the winter months or to visit many places on extended trips. In reality, the old adage that “you can’t go home again” is a fallacy. Then there are the medical considerations. Do you find a new dentist every time you have a toothache or need a cleaning, or a new doctor when you need a checkup or a medical procedure? Bottom line: I would not sell your house until you are sure you will never want to return, but if you do go home again, keep the trailer so you can get away when you desire to do so.
 
My plan would be get the trailer. Sell the house and buy a smaller home base that dose t need a lot of care while you are traveling.
Then if something happens you have a base to come back too. The trailer could playa big part even while at your base.

I often thought a larger shop which had a small living area would be ideal.

No yard to take care of.
 
There are a multitude of possibilities when considering “next step” retirement . Your personal economic stability and resources for future income merit the highest consideration. Then comes management of current assets, and then Lessing of liabilities and finally the possibility of new acquisitions if the desire, plan to use them and resources are there.

We’ve always worked things out first with a paper and pencil and an eraser. Make a plan, sleep on it, ask question (which you have done) consider opinions and alternative possibilities that you haven’t considered and then go for it.

We all hate to hear from any friends who rushed into something and some time later say “Worst mistake I ever made.” Like the signs say at the swimming pool “Walk don’t run”. Best of luck to you.
Iowa Dave
https://www.google.com/search?q=you...ate=ive&vld=cid:26ccc918,vid:owq7hgzna3E,st:0
 
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Well, #1 I wouldn't trade a stable to increasing in value asset for a depreciating truck & trailer if it has the propensity to negatively impact your retirement/lifestyle; that's just me.



Is very good point, if you are having to sell your house to finance full time travel. Especially if you haven't done any or much of it before.



With the housing market the way is in some areas(why you have a buyer already?). Yes, I'd think about whether you are thinking on ending up back there(family, friends, etc.), or do you have the "freedom" to find somewhere cheaper on your travels. I personally did about 4 MAJOR moves of 1500 miles or more, & Coast to coast. I handle it. Some people can't relocate easily(then maybe are the ones, that find out, they aren't happy full timing too for that reason).



Would the buyer be willing to rent for say 6 months to a year? You know they would take care of it. Then rent a RV for a long test.
 
When my former mailman was retiring, he and his wife were debating whether to sell their house and full-time in their new 5th wheel. They liked their house and location, though. I advised that he hang onto the house for a year while they traveled, and then sell the house if they still wanted to full-time. They did exactly that... held onto the house. After being gone about 4 months they realized they didn't want to full-time after all. That was a decade ago; they're still in the house, and the pickup & 5er have been sold. They were glad to have the home when he needed to stay very still and mostly face-down while a detached retina healed a while back. They live a few blocks away from us and I chat with him every now and then.
 
re trailer towing, I worked my way up, first trailer was a little 10 ft utility trailer we hauled extra camping gear behind our car for music festivals. then we had a popup tent trailer for awhile, plus I did a lot of towing of a hobie cat and other small sailboats, again behind a car. Then we got a Casita we towed behind a Tacoma, upgraded to the Escape 21, then upgraded the Tacoma to an F250 which turned out to be just too big, so now we're towing with an Exepedition.

re full timing, my wife and I have gone on trips as long as 4 months (jan 4 to may 5th this year, 9960 miles total, went all over Mexico with a caravan of 6 other RVs), thats about as long as I think the two of us would want to go in an Escape 21. If we were full timing, I'd probably be looking for a mid sized class A with a small car in tow.
 

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