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CLASS OF 2016


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I'm back, again. After somewhat of an absence, I have returned. Last week we took a trip to Richmond IN and made the trip from Macon, Ga in one day. What a drive that was. I had done some work on the TV and it really paid off. I was able to pull the 5ver up the 4% grade at Cumberland Pass at 50. Last time I did that pass I was lucky to do 40, so the changes were good ones.

 

I did have a minor issue where I hit the front of the 5ver with the toolbox I installed. This happened at a turn and did some damage. Minor, but it still hit. Now, after the fact, I'm looking for a low profile box. This was the first time that the 5ver had ever hit it in over a year. Guess it only takes one time.

 

The trip was beautiful and colorful. The leaves were in full change of color and the views were magnificent. In Richmond, IN, we stayed at the KOA. I must commend the owners there. They were very welcoming, greeting us at the truck and escorted us to our site. This was at 9:00 at night and they still did this. They let us pay the next morning and during our chat, we learned about some of the history around Richmond. The campground was well maintained and we also found out that they just purchased this campground about 6 months ago. I highly recommend this KOA and I don't say that lightly.

 

Well its good to be back and welcome to the class, Gene. Happy to have you.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

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We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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Well, we made it through another year. It has been an emotional year for our family, with a nephew getting married and another nephew and his wife giving birth to a baby girl; both happy events. To a sad event of losing my father to cancer.

The DW and I are wishing everyone a GREAT 2014, as we all strive to attain our dream of full timing.

Happy New Year!!!

Slow poke

2007 Country Coach Allure 470 and pushed by 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4.

We are now on the road seeing this great country of ours. Let the fun will begin!!!!

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We also wish everyone a Happy and fun filling New Year. Although we were not able to travel as much this past year due to financial issues, we are already planning our trips for this year.



First on the agenda is fixing a roof leak. I think I may have hit a tree branch and cut the rubber roof. I didn't notice it for a while until we had a heavy rain. I have covered it with a tarp until the weather gets a bit warmer so I can do a good repair. I'll want to make sure the wood is good and dry and use some Git Rot on it. Next replace the weak secion of roofing and then seal it all. Gotta love it.



I think our first trip will be to Indian Springs. Hope the weather turns warm early this year., :D


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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

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We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 2 weeks later...

We have survived the deep freeze of the south so far. Our water did freeze for 2 days, however we didn't break any pipes. Still waiting to be able to drain the black tank since it froze also. I'll just wait another day or two and then drain it. I think its frozen near the exit portion of the pipe. It's not full yet and hopefully will unthaw before that time comes. We hit lows of 9 degrees one morning and 13 the next with a high inbetween of 28, so there was no time for any thawing.

 

The rest of the week looks to be warmer temps and getting back to normal, whatever that is. Hope everyone survived as well as we did. At least we were able to stay toasty warm. :)

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

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We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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imadtchmn:

 

Just today I was reading about the same problem on the Airstream forum.

 

Here is a link to the thread and their suggested solutions.

 

Dave

Thanks for the link. That may be something for us in the future. Fortunetly our winters are short lived. We are good up to 25 degrees, but lower than that, and we begin freezing up. By the way, today everything is unthawed. Hurray!

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 2 weeks later...

Welcome to our class, Tcwndsr. Glad to have you join us. There aren't many yet, but some of us feel that time is what it takes to get ready for full timing. You will find that as you begin cleaning out, some of the things you thought you would need to keep will become items to give away to family or sell. We took 33 years of accumulation and gae away most of it, trashed alot of it and kept just a bit. We actually feel better, not having all the stuff to look after.

 

We are part-time full timers. Although I still work, we live in our RV full time. We love the fact that we can clean it from top to bottom in about an hour or so. Life has gotten simplier for us. I have 3 or 4 years left to retire, and look forward to the day that I don't have to punch a clock.

 

Today, we put new carpet in the living room of the RV and next payday, we'll get the slides done. We enjoy doing things ourself and some of it is a learning process. We try to be self-sufficient.

 

One lesson to learn, is to try to fix it yourself. You never know when the knowledge you learned at leisure, you may need in an emergency. Well that is it for today. You all have fun and welcome to our class of 2016. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 4 weeks later...

Sometimes we are glad to have the ability to boondock anywhere. What do I mean by that, you ask? This past week, Georgia was hit by an ice storm in our area, and we were one of the hardest hit in the central Georgia area. Our daugters home is totally electric so with the ice storm, she had no water (on a well), no heating, and no way to cook anything. The solution? Move in with us for 2 days. It was a bit crowded, but we managed to stay warm and fed, and the best thing, be able to shower. Sure we ran low on water with 6 people taking showers, but we managed. The 5th wheel battery got low several times and without a generator, I used my truck to recharge it. Where there is a will, there is a way. I'll be looking into getting a generator of some type, if nothing else, to charge the battery.

 

Our next 5th wheel will be better equipt to handle boondocking to include a generator, mulltiple batteries and possibly solar panels. We do plan on getting a newer 5th wheel in a few more years so we don't want to invest a lot of money in this one.

 

Only thing let to do now is the cleanup. We had a bunch of trees fall and thankfully they didn't hit anything. Two went down on each side of the pool, one along side my truck, (close call there) several in the driveway, and branches alongside the RV. We came out good. Anyone need firewood? Have a good day and stay safe.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello everyone,

 

I have been following this forum since 2004. Although never a huge poster, I had over 400 at one time. For a few years while stationed in the DC area I quit posting on Escapees and evidently, due to software upgrades, all my posts were deleted but not my account. Most of my posts back then were newbie questions as I was just beginning my research into the full-timing lifestyle. Even back then folks like Kirk, Jack, Stan and others were a wealth of information and helped give my wife and I a much better appreciation for the lifestyle.

So, here we are 10 years later and I think my wife and I have finally decided that 2016 will be our year. Although I have been posting again in other threads, I thought it was important to introduce myself to the Class of 2016. I plan to retire in 2018 but we think we will be money ahead by selling our house in 2016 and using the money savings to either pay down the balance of the fifth wheel loan we plan to take out or to apply it towards our truck.

 

I am an ex-Navy/retired Coast Guard active duty member (retired in 2008 w/ 34 yrs. total service) and now work for the Coast Guard as a civilian. My current (and last) duty station is in Houston, TX, and we live in Friendswood, TX. We are avid bike riders but due to four back surgeries since 2009, I now ride recumbent bikes and trikes. I also am an amateur wheel builder and bike mechanic. I was a homebrewer (beer/cider/mead) for 20+ years but sold all of my equipment several years ago when we finally decided that we were definitely going full-timing. I still am a lover of craft beers with IPAs being my go-to. My wife, Jan, has worked all her adult life but since moving to Houston in 2012 has been a stay-at-home grandmother (son and grandson live only a few miles from us). In all honesty, she probably wants to full-time more than me and I REALLY WANT TO GO FULL-TIMING!

 

Since we first started talking about full-timing in 2004, hitting the road in a fifth wheel pulled by an HDT has held a high appeal for us. Back then we dreamed of owning a Teton fiver but, with them out of business now, we have looked at other fivers and are leaning heavily towards a New Horizons. As far as the HDT, I have corresponded back-and-forth with Gregg at RV Haulers and hope to have him do a custom Volvo 780 for us.

 

I didn't mean to run on so long but that's our story...

 

 

 


Larry

Ex-Navy / Retired Coast Guard CWO w/ 34 Years Total Service.

Goals: 2022 - Retire from my CG civilian job, sell our house, and begin full-timing.

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Welcome to the class. We are glad to have you and like you, I also look forward to that day of whooping it up and hauling (at a gentle speed) a$$. We don't mind if your writing is longer then most. It tells us that you are serious about getting where you want to be.

 

Your choice of the New Horizons is great. From what I read from Jack, they are a great purchase.

 

Since I am at work, I'll have to cut this short. Welcome to the class.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 3 weeks later...

I just realized it has been over a year since I joined the Class of 2016. We are still on track but may be middle to later part of the year. Every time we take off for a weekend it gets harder to point the truck towards home but still have to work a little longer. The waiting period is allowing me to make upgrades to the 5er a little at a time. Changed out the original recliners for theater seats and moved across from the entertainment center. Much better viewing angle than the original position. Hope to see everyone on the road in a couple of years.

John and Sharon

2011 Heartland Big Country 3450TS

LevelUp autoleveling system

2009 F350 FX4 SRW King Ranch

Loadlifter 5000

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  • 3 weeks later...

Welcome back, burks353! Wondered if you dropped the idea of full timing. As for us, it has been a while since I last wrote here. We are in the final stages of getting another fiver and this time we have had it upgraded to a 4 season. Full bottom panel with insulation, all basement areas have expansion foam in the cracks, etc. We will be picking it up this Friday. This means we have to work a bit longer, but we are still living full time in our RV.

 

Our first trip this year will be to North Carolina for a week and then we go out again on 4th of July Holiday to Stone Mountain. I really don't understand why they have you pick a spot on the website and then they put you in a completely different area then you chose. It's like they didn't read the email they are sent and just pick a site for you. At least we do have a space. Hopefully this July will not be a washout like last year. Fingers crossed.

 

Did get all the downed trees cut up and the yard needs to be mowed now, all 3 acres of grass. Will be glad when someone else does it, but the grandkids are still young enough to love doing it, so that helps. I'll be cutting down 10 pine trees later this summer so I have that to look forward to. Never a dull moment.

 

Never worry about posts being too long. We all like to read about other's adventures and how they get prepped for full timing. There may be a suggestion or two there that you don't even realize, that will help others.

 

Well time to get packing. Have to get the old fiver cleared out by Thurday night and pull out Friday morning at 6 to pick up the new fiver. Hope it's ready. Be safe and have fun this summer.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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Well we decided to trade our faithful 2001 dutchmen for a 2004 dutchmen 33RLK. With the trade, we only had a bit of money to put with it. Turned out to be a great deal. We purchased it from MidState RV in Georgia and I must admit, everything we found wrong when we took a look and purchased it, was done and ready when we went to pick it up. The sales and service department were professional and filled us in on all the details.

 

One thing I did like, was the fact that this RV was modified to withstand the cold temps of North Dakota. Yes!! it's a four season RV now and it also has 3 slides. Here are some pics of our new baby.

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9290957/newtrailer/front.jpeg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9290957/newtrailer/desk.jpeg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9290957/newtrailer/livingroom.jpeg

 

I'll have to get a new pic for my profile now, but really glad to do it.

Edited by imadtchmn

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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Thank you Tumbleweed_FT. After the heavy rains and wind last night, we see no signs of leaks. Sitting here having my morning coffee at the desk and loving it. Now I have a place to work from.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 2 weeks later...

My wife and I have March 22, 2016 as the day we retire and hit the road in our home, a 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 35E, which we have started living in for the pass month. We have one of our stick houses for sale to pay off the RV and some other bills. So far we are managing to life style of living in an rv, conserving water and getting by on really less stuff. Who never thought it would be cheap, hasn't owned an RV. Its cost us $2800 for new tires, $2000 to repair dash ac, and they say another $2000 to change another part to get dash ac working, man I hope it all it cost for a long while. We're both still working fulltime, and scheduling trips as we get time off. Fixing rv up like we both want it, really can't wait to hit Route 66, and travel out west, catching trout with my fly rods and metal detecting for gold in them hills, while driving my Jeep Wrangler in them hills.

Know we will enjoy traveling fulltime, wish it was tomorrow.

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My wife and I have March 22, 2016 as the day we retire and hit the road in our home, a 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 35E, which we have started living in for the pass month. We have one of our stick houses for sale to pay off the RV and some other bills. So far we are managing to life style of living in an rv, conserving water and getting by on really less stuff. Who never thought it would be cheap, hasn't owned an RV. Its cost us $2800 for new tires, $2000 to repair dash ac, and they say another $2000 to change another part to get dash ac working, man I hope it all it cost for a long while. We're both still working fulltime, and scheduling trips as we get time off. Fixing rv up like we both want it, really can't wait to hit Route 66, and travel out west, catching trout with my fly rods and metal detecting for gold in them hills, while driving my Jeep Wrangler in them hills.

Know we will enjoy traveling fulltime, wish it was tomorrow.

Welcome to Escapees and good luck with your planned retirement...sounds like your getting things figured out and in order.

Larry

Ex-Navy / Retired Coast Guard CWO w/ 34 Years Total Service.

Goals: 2022 - Retire from my CG civilian job, sell our house, and begin full-timing.

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Just sold house yesterday. Ordered new one ton dually. Now only obstical is retirement age. Only 767 days.

Congrats on the sale. We are going to keep a close eye on the Houston market (currently on an upswing) and put our house on the market when we feel it is the right time. Regardless, I won't be retiring before summer 2018 but will be full-timing either late 2015, early 2016.

Larry

Ex-Navy / Retired Coast Guard CWO w/ 34 Years Total Service.

Goals: 2022 - Retire from my CG civilian job, sell our house, and begin full-timing.

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  • 4 weeks later...

First post. As of Friday, June 14, we are debt free. House, coach, cars, etc... all paid for. Looking at 12/16 for early retirement and full-time. In the meantime over the next couple of years, reduce, reduce, move from 2300 Sq. Ft. to 400 Sq. Ft., learn this 43' beast from stem to stern, sell the house, and hit it for the New Year 2017 on the longest zig-zag from east to west... 'ever' ...culminating in Alaska circa 2027, then go back and see what we might of missed. May I never experience less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit again.

Edited by DebRandio

Randy & Deborah

 

'97 Wanderlodge 43'

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Welcome DebRandio. Happy to have you join us. Glad to see you are getting an early start on getting things paid for. It will take some time to reduce your "extra baggage" from the stick and bricks. You never realize just how much stuff has accumulated. It took us over a year to reduce our weight to an acceptable level, but we did it.

 

Again, welcome and feel free to post anytime.

 

BTW Happy Fathers day to everyone, both in and outside the class of 2016.

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 1 month later...

DebRandio, DEBT FREE is the way to be. Since we became debt free in May, I finally pulled the plug on my job. Got tired of 3 hours a day driving to and from my job. I was going to retire in 2016; but the DW convinced me to do it sooner. For the last 4 weeks the DW and I have been working on the house. The master bedroom and master bath have been painted and new floors have put in both bathrooms. Also started cleaning out the 33yrs of stuff we put into this house. Hope to have it on the market next April or May. Started looking at 36ft to 38ft Newmar’s and Tiffin’s; would like a Country Coach, but they maybe beyond our budget. We are looking to be on the road by July 1st next year; which puts us in the Class of 2015. We will check in from time to time to see how the class of 2016 is doing. Enjoy the process of transforming to full-timing.

 

Scott & Suzanne

(Slowpoke)

2007 Country Coach Allure 470 and pushed by 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4.

We are now on the road seeing this great country of ours. Let the fun will begin!!!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Been a while since I've been here. We got hit by some financial things (children) this year so the only time we have been out so far is on the 4th of July. Really a bummer. However, we still have the rest of the year to go and our finances are getting back under control. Maybe we will be able to go out a time or 2. We are looking to go out around October when the grandkids have fall break. I know they miss it as badly as we do. One way or another, we will be out at least once more this year. Next year will be better. Come on RETIREMENT!!!

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imadtchmn (I'm a Dutchman)
1998 Chevy Silverado Dually 6.5L TB Diesel w/plenty of power mods
2004 Dutchmen Classic 33LRK 3 slides
Class of 2016 Come visit our Class

event.png

We're getting there one day at a time. Wishing for a fast forward button.



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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, we'll be joining the Class of 2016! Our financial situation has necessitated a change from 2015 to the Class of 2016. We hope to go fulltime in the spring of that year. I'll retire in December of 2015, and we should have our RV acquired in early 2016, which will allow us to flee Nor Cal in time for summer to arrive. We look forward to seeing you all on the road!

 

Roy

Edited by HighwayRanger

Fulltiming since 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

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