RV's anyone???

Argo · Jan 11, 2011

Jusy for clarification. The TVs and stuff would be to put in the housing not the trailer. If I did use it to camp it would be a side excision and the heater would be a 12v through the power that is on the trailer already. I guess my main concern is having the ability to take another car and stuff for 3 people along. I really just want to end up with a diesel pusher but not Sure it would work out for the situation.

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Jan 11, 2011

I sort of already thought that, but wanted to be sure. I would be hard to decide what to bring for three people and still travel somewhat light. Depends on their requirements. I was looking hard at the Diesel pushers when I first started. Thought I would get a Pusher, and a car trailer for my Celica and Goldwing. Even had one sized and everything. Then it came to finding a RV that was rated to pull over 10,000 lbs, Not many of them, when you combine a trailer, car and motorcycle it adds up pretty fast. Then put the other stuff in. A Motorhome is easier to pull in and set up but I think I like my 5th wheel more. Good luck, let me know if you have additional questions.

Rod

Argo · Jan 22, 2011

well I am back in the search for a Class A. I am looking for and have found some nice ones in the $130k range which will keep my payments under $1000 for a mobile house. Most of them are still 20-40% up to as much as 55% off MSRP which helps get a nice one with 10k towing capacity. If I can tow my wifes car along and take my bicycle I will be doing good. These Class A diesel pushers are beasts.

I am going to fly out to vail in a few weeks to scope the area out including the hospital. I might just hire on as seasonal next sept-april, or fulltime.... not sure yet, any advice on that? If I like the area enough I would not mind staying for a year but that would be it. I want to move on to oregon and washington after that and try to be there next summer/fall. I would likely want to be in colorado or utah for winter time action since my family all snowboards.

Anyhow, the motorhome was my origional option. I like this option. What is your typical traveling housing stipend? If I can make close to my current hourly wage on the road plus the housing stipend that could almost cover my RV payment, i would be doing great......

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Jan 22, 2011

So are you planning on living in the RV in the winter time in the Mountains? That will take some preparation and you will need to be sure you have a TRUE four season rig. Dual pane windows Extra seals for any and all slideouts among other things. My Toyhauler works well down to 30 degrees, but I don't have the dual pane windows and I can see light under my slides at night standing outside. Strong blowing snow would find it's way in without much difficulty I'm sure. I really like the winter but am not sure I would choose to RV in one of the snow states during Blizzard season. Or in the high mountains. I've been told that Denver isn't too bad to overwinter, but I haven't done it my self.

Argo · Feb 1, 2011

So I took my wife to the RV show on saturday. She really likes the toyhaulers. She has some idea that you can pull her car in it... It is 14' long and 4000 lbs, a little too large and its a small scion... lol

Anyhow, I am going to take her on a road trip to check out some of the motor coachs at a dealer up north of Dallas in April. I am definately planning on being up in the mountains in the winter time. The temps often get to the negative temps over night and early morning. We have tent camped in down to 20 degree temps.

The RV will be winter preped whatever I get and the park will have full hook ups. I think a motor coach would last better in the temperatures given their better build quality that I have seen, what do you think? The 5th wheels and toy haulers, even the higher quality ones just seem to have much thinner walls and more gaps around the slides.....

If I take an RV I will be in River Run resort just south of Frisco and work in Frisco. If I choose to go the apartment route I will be in Vail staying in an Apartment. I will find out more when I scope the area out in the coming weeks.

I hope I am planning this out far enough in advance. I have been looking into where I want to go, for how long and how I am going to live when I get there for about 9 months now and I have 9 months to go until lift off....

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Feb 1, 2011

Argo,

About the only thing that will fit into most toyhaulers is a motorcycle or two. I thought I was going to be able to fit a small car in my 12 foot garage but there is only one car that is 12 ft long that I can find now and it won't fit. I have seen toyhaulers with a 14 foot garage (wish I would have been able to purchase it), but ...

Check out also some of the RV forums, Woodalls and Escapee's both have some good folks that provide real life information about living in a RV. If you can make it through the first major blizzard you should be set for the season, if not it will warm up (or at least they will clear the roads and streets so if you have to you can just pull up stakes and head south to the warmer weather. Good luck and keep posting.

Rod

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Feb 6, 2011

Two new things to post about. One good and one maybe not so good. I always like good first.

Put a deposit on a 14 foot van body to place on the back of my truck. Am looking for the right person to do some additional fabrication to the truck and make it so I can pull my Mini into the box for travel. Would like to get it done by Bike Week so I can toss the Goldwing in and spend a nite or two in Daytona instead of riding up early and back late.

Now for the not so good (maybe). Of course it's just a day after I decided to stop waiting and go ahead with my plans. I get a call that a large envelope just arrived from the IRS. Was notified last August or September that I was being audited. Sent my CPA with all the requested documents and have been waiting and waiting. Well the wait is hopefully over. Have yet to get a call from my CPA telling me what was in the envelope. Maybe he's waiting till Monday so I can go to the bank and mortgage everything to pay up. I certainly hope not. I don't think they have a case and haven't from the start. We will see what they have decided. Wish me luck all.

Rod

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Feb 15, 2011

Just participated in one of the Travel Tax Teleconfrences. Well worth the time spent and anyone considering travel should at least spend the time listening to a Tax Professional before starting out. These are my thoughts and not a paid advertisement for any tax preparers.

ditchdoc · Mar 8, 2011

I've lived full time in my RV for 1 1/2 years. Have to say "I LOVE IT!" I'm working as a traveling hemodialysis RN. I have a 40 foot 2001 Safari Panther 455 (2 slides) diesel pusher motorhome. So I'm not really "rough-n-it". I tow my Honda Civic behind. This is truely a home on wheels...My laundry is running in my washer as I write. This is my third RV...all diesel pushers....but that is what my husband and I wanted because we "get up and go" often....a weekend here and a weekend there. Like to explore different areas. The higher price of gas doesn't really concern me because my agency pays my mileage from one place to another with no travel caps....this pays for my gas. And if gas gets too expensive I can also use biodiesel...which we have looked into and have found that Catepillar says it is OK to use in our engine and OK to use for our heater (we have a hydrohot system that provides us with instant UNLIMITED hotwater....and heats the coach beautifully...and I've camped very comfortably in zero degree weather). Tommorrow I'm finishing up my assignment on the West Coast....and I'm traveling all the way to the East Coast for my next assignment. The fun part is that I'm taking a month to get there. The added bonus of using an RV for your home is that the housing stipend puts more money (tax free) in your pocket. And our repairs and any other expenses....tax write off. Those are too biggies you're missing out on if you go the apartment route. Tomorrow it will take me about 1/2 hour to disconnect and get on the road....it usually takes us only 15 minutes to set up. Motorhomes have less set up requirements than a fifthwheel or a trailer but also require more maintence. Full time RVing is a different lifestyle that works well for some but not for others. I have stayed at some beautiful campgrounds. Right now...I'm in a beautiful campground in Washington....I'm completely emmerced in the forest....no one near me....so peaceful and quiet. I've really enjoyed staying here for the past three months....but now it's time for a new adventure. The best advice I can give someone thinking about buying a trailer or motorhome....is "do your homework" ie....get a good deal on the purchase because these all do depreciate. And make sure what you are looking at will suit your needs. What kind of climates will you be traveling too? Does it have enough insulation....or air conditioners? Is it big enough....or will I feel crowed, etc. Do you have pets? Climate is a big factor that I didn't think about until I had an RV. I have two big air conditioners on my rig....yet still wouldn't even consider taking a summer contract in a desert area. I've been in Phoenix in 110 degree weather and with both my a/c's on it was still about 80 degrees in the coach. I can see why the high end coaches have three a/c's and are well insulated. Anyway....hope this helps. Be happy to answer anymore questions about RV's. Have lots of experience and am an RV enthusiest.....just love being on the road....can't wait to get out there again next week. Guess I'm a gypsy at heart.

Ok I have a question for you, how old are you if you dont mind me asken. I am looking into travle nursing but I've got one hugh problem. What about seeing your family doctor? I have to take a handful of meds two of which are schedule two drugs which technicaly I ve got to have a script for every month. Lets assume that my MD will write me three seperate scripts for my meds but my health insurance states that I can only go to pharmacy A B and C and where I am located there is not pharmacy A B or C anywhere. What the heck do you do in these two different situations? What if I cant get my MD two write me three months worth of scripts. What do I do then?

WendyBensonRN · Mar 13, 2011

I absolutely love the posts on this thread! You guys are so full of good, useful information.

I am going to start travelling in September, and at first, I am going to be staying in the company provided housing. This time next year, I want to be in an RV and enjoying the open country with my husband.

My husband has lots of questions about travel nursing, RVing, and those sorts of things. If anybody would take the time to talk to him and give him some feedback about what it is all about, I would appreciate it. Please PM me and I will provide with a contact number.

Like I said earlier, you guys have wonderful information and I will be sure to pass it along to my husband.

ICUgeek · Mar 14, 2011

Rod,

Thanks for all the advice on rv living as well as tax preparations! My question to you is what is the prevalence of tankless water heaters in an rv? Also, have you found that companies are willing to pay mileage for the rv to a new assignment or is that pretty much at your own expense? Thanks again!

Argo · Mar 19, 2011

Well because of the environment in the mountains and the travel distance to the closest park to the hospital. I am going to get an apartment in Vail. Im going to do a one year staff contract and go from there. Ill be starting mid july if all goes as planned.