Hi, this is my first post. I'm in the throes of the transition of retiring and selling my home, buying an RV and hitting the road next fall. As challenging as this is for a 63-year old divorced dad, I think I'm actually on course. Yes, lots of questions but I think the best way for me to explain where I'm at, I'm going to list my progress and some of my assumptions. I'd really appreciate any thoughts or comments re: my general direction or help with things I'm missing. Here we go ...
Retired last December
Empty nester with kids who don't yet have families (so no grandkids to distract me yet)
Relatively stable financially with savings and retirement funds intact
75% finished with prepping my home for listing next month (the decluttering and work involved has been super stressful but just taking it a day at a time)
Have spent probably 500 hours researching RV types and options including 2 RV shows, countless hours on YouTube and visiting dealerships
Recently traded my hybrid in for a half-ton Tundra with 9,700# tow capacity
It will be just me travelling and living in a travel trailer (my preference so far) - my brother is in a similar situation so we will likely be caravanning with our separate rigs
I live in northern Minnesota and I love it here for about 7 months out of the year
My house will hopefully sell quickly based on current market demand
I've rented a 10x30 storage unit and am beginning to move belongings there
I'm thinking that I will begin a cycle in which I full-time RV for 4 to 5 months out of the year beginning this fall
When I get back from my travels in early 2020, I'll probably look for a smaller home base here in Minnesota
It's not unlikely that I will have to live in the RV for a period of time here while I buy a house and move stuff out of storage
But I don't harbor any illusions that I will be living in the travel trailer through a Minnesota winter (especially like the one we just went through)
I do like the idea of a travel trailer with enclosed and heated underbelly since I like mountains and occasional spring/fall camping and hunting trips
I like the idea of a permanent ladder and a walkable roof
I'm also leaning toward laminated FG instead of aluminum siding
I expect to boondock about half the time so I'm keeping an eye on tank capacities and solar prep options
I'm into backcountry hiking and mountain biking so those activities will figure into my future plans
I'm aiming for something in the 20' to 24' length range with dry weight under 4,500 pounds
I want a unit with a decent amount of storage. Will probably put a topper on the Tundra to increase secure storage there as well
I will definitely consider buying used but so far not finding much that interests me
I'm aware that a lot of these units are built cheap and I'm wary of getting a lemon ... the research is helping somewhat with narrowing my search parameters
I've spent my entire life roughing it on wilderness trips and sleeping on a thin pad in a tent so RVing will definitely feel like a luxury, buy my bones prefer a decent bed these days.
That brings me to today. I hope to pull the trigger on an RV purchase in May or June so I can spend a good three months breaking her in and working the bugs out here in Minnesota b4 I hit the road. I would love to hear from folks on the rationale here ... what am I missing ... looking out my window right now at the 10 inches of heavy wet white sludge and dreaming of warm places!
