RV's anyone???

Specialties Travel

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Haven't traveled for almost 7 years. Am contemplating a return. Don't want to do the extensive move every thirteen weeks thing I did in 1990's and am thinking I want to purchase a "Toy Hauler" to bring my garage and toy's with me. I know the price of fuel will almost equal the cost of the vehicle per year but I just remember how much I hated to pack and unpack with every new assignment. I know some who travel with a suitcase, a plate, fork, spoon and some bed linens but I just can't. I even shipped my Kitchen stuff to Hawaii when I did that assignment. What's it like out there now?

Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

God it's been a while since I have been on the site. Was just outside catching some rays and was approached by a couple asking if I was a travel nurse. I guess the "MOBLRN" license plate I got last time I renewed the licence on the 5th wheel does work. Nice couple. Said their daughter was contemplating a travel lifestyle and maybe with an RV. Had a nice chat. Recommended the forum for information. Thought I had better check and see if the "RV's Anyone" was still a sticky.

Rod

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Another update. Purchased a 2001 Volvo 770 to pull my Toyhauler. As soon as I have it finished I should be set to go anywhere on the mainland of the US, maybe Canada and Alaska too. Have some photos posted on my facebook page.

Rod

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57096&id=1099811947&l=455661a98b

Link to truck photos.

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Specializes in ER.

Wow, RNERHOUSESUPOR!

You should be able to pull your toy hauler any where you please! What will you drive to work when you get to where you are going? Do you have a Motorcycle that you take in your toy hauler?

Cris

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Yes, the motorcycle currently rides in the garage with the bicycles. Hope to put the bikes on the truck and will have a little car for the trailer garage. Once parked will turn the garage into a private bedroom for the teenager.

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Time to depart South Florida. Has been a good assignment with some great people. My third year at the same Hospital and they are wanting to sign me up for November already. Nice feeling. Haven't found the assignment for summer yet. Seems like there are a few out there but I don't want to start again till Mid July so I hadn't been really looking. Hopefully in the next couple days I can lock in a job and then go about enjoying the time off.

Then new truck should be here no later than Sunday. I can hardly wait. My brother and his family are bringing it to me and we will be taking a week to get back to Iowa. Will do a few stops along the way. I am anxious to see how the truck hooks up and pulls around the campground. I know it will be fine on the road but it's a bit longer than my current TV (Tow Vehicle) and will take a bit getting used to I'm sure. Will be nice having someone to help watch the various edges and corners. My first trip pulling the trailer with the old TV was an experience. Pulled into a campground after dark with trees everywhere. Was a couple inches away from scraping the side of the trailer pulling into a site. Thankfully I stopped to get out and look. It's what they teach the commercial drivers and a good idea for us RV'ers. Will have some new photos on Facebook I'm sure for those who are interested.

Rod

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/tele.
On traveling as a nurse living in RV:

I'm a nearly 30 something, married, and we home-school our kids. Want to start "road-schooling" and I'm looking for positions either travel nursing or as a temp in various places at different times of the year....

only 2 problems I'm running into: 1) Im an LPn and 2) I can't find a suitable motorhome in my area...I know, I know, that sounds rediculous but we need a Class C that sleeps 6 and is 'older'. Virtually impossible to find in the midwest right now....

So my questions to you veteran RV travelers are:

Know anyone wanting to sell a Class C? and Do you have any recommendations for facilities that would let me work seasonally during the year? We REALLY love the 4 corners region, want to see the Pacific coastline, and have family in Denver and Sebring.... so basically anything not north east or midwest!

I am not sure how to help with the LPN thing but there are bound to be good travel companies who work with LPN's. As far as the motorhome, look at them online and then go to the dealer with the info and ask them to help you. Sometimes they will do a video link with the place that has it and if they have it close enough, they will send it to you to come look at. I am in Fl so there are LOTS of dealerships here.

Have you gone to "RV.net" to see what they may have offered online? it is a good place to learn what to look for and what to expect. I hope something on here helpes.... :)

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The answer to your question is no. You must have a "tax home" per my CPA and the IRS. A tax home is your permanent home in a fixed loaction which I fortunately have.

Last fall I bought a 39 ft fifthwheel toyhauler and this March I left Alaska to start my traveling career in New Mexico. I got lucky and my second assignment is near my home in Alaska (80 miles away so I am still a traveler in the eyes of the IRS).

The travel expense for me is about $1500 each way (AK - NM) and the agency gives me 300. That's tough but I make it up quick.

In New Mexico I paid $300 for space rent, $59 sat tv, ~300 RV payment, 800/yr RV insurance and 100 to Good Sam. The agency pays me more than $4700 a month in per diem (housing, travel, and M&I). All of the per diem $'s are tax free.

I get the same per diem here in Alaska but I pay 600 for space rent. I do rent a space and live in it during the work week because the commute would be too much working nights. On weekends I pull my fifthwheel back to the homestead. It's also great for weekend trips to go fishing or where ever.

I should have started traveling 20 years ago!! This is great. I take my Harley, 4wheeler, mtn bike, and a small freezer full of salmon and moose with me. I've got a lot of my shop tools with me so I can work on my home and toys. I feel like I'm always at home.

Good luck and HTH,

Doug

Wow! What agency do you work for and would you recommend them? Thanks!!

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Hi Rod. I'm Jim from Michigan. Let me ask you for some advice. I've been an RN since 1982. My specialties have been ER, NICU and ICU. In 1995 I went to law school for 3 years, and have been working ever since for law firms and insurance companies. I'm currently a Medical Case Manager in Worker's Comp. and No Fault Auto. I recently decided to buy a Motorhome and start traveling. I have lots of money saved up, but I still need Health Insurance. I've calculated my costs for RV travel and it's ~ $25,000 per year. My thoughts are to work as a Travel Nurse where I could get Health Ins. and if I could make $25,000 per year, I wouldn't have to touch my principle. I understand that I will probably need to take an RN Refresher course, and work for at least 1-2 years in a Specialty to get enough experience to qualify for Travel. It seems to me that ER would be the specialty with the greatest demand. Rod, does the above sound about right? Could you suggest any other web-sites, etc. for me to get info from? Currently, my plan is to take summers off (so I can fish and bike in Yellowstone, Banff, etc.) then head south (to Arizona, Texas, etc.) to work the winters. Any help/suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! Jim at [email protected]

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Love this thread-my husband and I are planning to start traveling soon, and I was thinking about going the RV route (one of my favorite nurses traveled in an RV for years, and it sounded so great!). You had mentioned pets-we have 2 dogs and a cat, so that would probably not work for us,right? Does anyone RV travel nurse with pets? And cost-to get a very nice, higher end RV, what are we talking price wise?

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

Check the want ads, you can pay what you want to and get all the home things too! I did travel in my rv but didn't this last assignment. It is so easy to have all your things at your finger tips!! Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

OK-so it sounds like it is so wonderful....what, in your experiences, are the down sides of RV travel nursing???Please, tell all!

(If there really aren't any, I'm buying one tomarrow!!!).

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