I'm looking for a mentor, who has experience with all things HDT in Virginia.
I don't even own an RV at this point. I own a 1999 F250 diesel, but my research has brought me to the point where an HDT is the only sensible option. I'm 10 years or more out from retirement. My kids are just getting into the teen years. My wife wants to do big trips - Zion, Grand Canyon while the kids are "young," but is "RV skeptical" <-- if that's a thing. She wants to try before you buy. In her eyes an HDT is a huge leap, and little to no chance of changing your mind later to sell it. She grew up primitive camping - boat access only in the Adirondacks, which is okay (we've done that with her parents for a number of years now.) IMO, it's a lot of back-breaking work loading, unloading, boating to and fro, and the "wonderful" night sleep in a tent. Basically, more planning than fun.
My set up (dream) would be a 2000ish (pre-emissions) cabover to stay under 30'. Probably an Argosy with a manual transmission), converted to 4 seats - maybe keep the top bunk or be able to drop the rear seats to a bed, an 18 or 20' box, large lift gate (porch), and tow an extra diesel vehicle (easy for my wife to drive in a real emergency). lots of solar for boondocking, loads of batteries, diesel heater, diesel cooktops. I am not intimidated by of doing any of the conversion myself. Not expecting to be a full-timer - but a homebase, even if the kids take on the stewardship in the future.
My concerns at this point, beyond my wife's, are inspections, registration, upgraded licenses (this seems pretty easy), east coast modification places (truck frames/engine inframe rebuilds/exhaust <-- stuff that you're probably not going to be able to do at home even with a well equipped garage.)
Thank you,
Brian