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Valerie robertson → New RVillagers Group: February 15, 2019Hi, I’m a widow, 66 years old. I’m thinking of retiring and hitting the road. I’ve done a little research on what kind of RV I want. Thinking of a class C. I would love your options on one, a woman traveling alone and two on the RV itself. Thank you in advance.
MyhappymysunshineFebruary 15, 2019Hello Valerie, We admire you for wanting to start your new journey traveling. One extremely important thing we would say, after learning the hard way ourselves, is no matter what kind of rv you are looking to purchase, before you sign anything, make sure ... moreHello Valerie, We admire you for wanting to start your new journey traveling. One extremely important thing we would say, after learning the hard way ourselves, is no matter what kind of rv you are looking to purchase, before you sign anything, make sure that the dealership, private party, etc, will allow you to get a third party certified level 2 inspector to do a through, complete, inspection of the rv that you are looking to purchase. The price you will pay for an inspection approximately $300-$500, is much lower than the price you will pay for not getting one. You can search for a certified level 2 inspector on this website https://nrvia.org/locate/
We have now ended up with our second severely defective brand new rv, and we would not wish this nightmare on
anyone. If the dealership or private party refuses to allow you to bring your own certified inspector, run as fast as you can. The inspector will spend approximately 6-9 hours completely going over and checking out every inch of your prospective rv. You will have everything in writing that the inspector finds, and therefore the seller either repairs everything before you sign, or again run as fast as you can. We are sending you our sincerest best wishes. less
Harold & SharonFebruary 16, 2019I just want to thank you for this response. My husband and I are just in the preparation of looking for what is going to be the best fit for us. Your post is extremely helpful as we begin, and hopefully we will learn from your experiences.
We wish ... moreI just want to thank you for this response. My husband and I are just in the preparation of looking for what is going to be the best fit for us. Your post is extremely helpful as we begin, and hopefully we will learn from your experiences.
We wish you the best as you continue on and hope your nightmare will soon resolve itself. Again thank you for sharing. less
The RVillager February 15, 2019Valerie, welcome to the village. We encourage you to join a women's group like this one: www.rvillage.com/group/2334/women-who-rv.
In order to better answer your question about what type of rig to purchase, it will... moreValerie, welcome to the village. We encourage you to join a women's group like this one: https://www.rvillage.com/group/2334/women-who-rv.
In order to better answer your question about what type of rig to purchase, it will help other make suggestions if you add more info about what is important to you in a vehicle or lifestyle in general. For example, do you want to be able to park in a "normal" parking lot spot? Do you want to visit state and national parks (there are often length restrictions)? Do you plan to bring any pets? Would you like the ability to boondock? (Camping without hookups) There are many more considerations to think about- and you are in a great place to discuss those with a supportive community. Keep asking questions, RVillagers are known to be helpful
Happy Wanders February 15, 2019
Just remember to be safe and careful of who you befriend. But you will have a good time and there are a lot of single ladies that do fine
TheClearyClan February 15, 2019We rented four times before buying. I suggest renting different classes and types for long weekends to see what you like or not, what you can handle or not.
We have four daughters and seven grandkids, so we bought a Super-C, 32' lon... moreWe rented four times before buying. I suggest renting different classes and types for long weekends to see what you like or not, what you can handle or not.
We have four daughters and seven grandkids, so we bought a Super-C, 32' long, that sleeps 10.
One of the rentals we had was a Class-C and my wife thought it was a good idea for us to sleep over the cab. That lasted one night. She had problems getting down. She could not find the ladder rungs with her feet. The rig we bought has a dedicated master bed room. My wife is 65 and I am 68. We do not pull a car. In five and a half years with our Super-C we needed a car about half a dozen times, so we rented a car. We will do our shopping while traveling so we do not make camp and then run out.
The class, floorplan and whether or not you tow a car will all depend on what works for you.
Take your time. Go to RV Shows where you can walk through many rigs usually without a sales person haunting you.
Vanessa on the road February 15, 2019Welcome to the single ladies hitting the road. I retired two years earlier than planned, last June, and have been on the road since Halloween. My house sold the first day. A few suggestions
1. Take a bootcamp (Escapees) or R... moreWelcome to the single ladies hitting the road. I retired two years earlier than planned, last June, and have been on the road since Halloween. My house sold the first day. A few suggestions
1. Take a bootcamp (Escapees) or RV basic course (FMCA) before you buy or very soon afterward.
2. Take an RV driving course (RVDrivingschool.com is the one I just finished).
3. Read, read, read. Magazines, websites, blogs, books. There is a new book "Fear Less vs Fearless" written by a Milia Miles Lane who RVed alone for 17 years and she has a blog at: https://www.maliasmiles.com/blog/
4. Join women's groups. One I am in is a FB group called "The Traveling Sisterhood of the RV Jammies".
5. The sewer hose kit is generally bought with 2 10 foot sections...buy an extra section. You never know where you will be and need that extra length!
6. When you buy the 25' fresh water hose also grab a 10' one. Same comment as above.
7. Buy two of everything. Two y connectors for the faucet, two pressure regulators, two 90 degree elbows. You never know when you will forget one of these things at the last campsite.
8. Have extra washers with screens to keep particles out of your water.
9. Have at least three sets of keys for everything. Keep a set in the RV, keep a set in the tow or toad, a set for each driver and maybe one stuck in the bumper with one of those magnet holders you can't use on the plastic cars these days.
10. AND put trackers on the ones you use full time. I arrived at a new site today and was getting ready to go out but couldn't find my RV door key. Even though I had the additional sets I didn't want to leave with that set hanging around the RV. I used my phone to activate the tracker. It told me I was close as I got toward the front of the RV but it wasn't there but I could faintly hear it. I went outside and tried again. As I walked around the front of the RV i heard the beeping get louder...it was in the drivers side of the pass through.
I'm sure I could think of a dozen or more other lessons I have learned but this is a start. less
Happywanderah February 16, 2019Hi Valerie, join the FB group "Road Widows Road Warriors"
Also they have a group on this site!! Very supportive and helpful group!! Hope to see you in the groups and sometime on the road, I am in the planning stage too!! lo... moreHi Valerie, join the FB group "Road Widows Road Warriors"
Also they have a group on this site!! Very supportive and helpful group!! Hope to see you in the groups and sometime on the road, I am in the planning stage too!! lots of helpful info from this group as well! Thank you,, less
Andy & Maureen T February 16, 2019
You go girl!!! So far you seem to be doing everything right = Research and asking questions of other RVer's. Know what you want before investing in your future. Just remember, have fun and be safe.
Lois Z/Dog is BumpaFebruary 16, 2019Research Research and Research some more! Important question to ask yourself (about RV type) 1) Cooking space. 2) Storage space. 3) towing a car.
I was convinced I would get a Class B until I actually got into one (way too small). I ended up gettin... moreResearch Research and Research some more! Important question to ask yourself (about RV type) 1) Cooking space. 2) Storage space. 3) towing a car.
I was convinced I would get a Class B until I actually got into one (way too small). I ended up getting a 30’ Holiday Rambler Ambassador SE (Class A) and bought a Dolly for my car. I’m delighted with the size and drivability of it. Harder is learning to load my car onto the Dolly, but I’m getting better at it. Good thing I’m not a person that must cook complicated recipes, no counters to speak of. Love my large 2 door refrigerator/freezer. Lots of storage areas.
Be brave, ask others for help (no such thing as a stupid question) and face fears immediately (or else fear grows). Learn to Boondock before you are forced to (I didn’t) Have 25’ extra of water hose (I have 75’ total and I’ve needed it), extra extension cords-one for Motorhome and 1-2regular heavier duty for extra power supply. Surge Protector is essential, I upgraded from my first one (to protect my electronics in MH) I also replaced lights in living area with LED bulbs. Inside surge protector type extension cords soothe my soul.
Research Research Research has prevented me from making some big mistakes. Watching others has given me tips on what and what not to do! Learn to laugh at yourself! less
Kathy & Jon February 16, 2019We all are different and have things that are most important to us. My wife and I each made a list of 10 things in order of importance, that we thought were necessary or wants. That provided us with a good direction for which RV's would work f... moreWe all are different and have things that are most important to us. My wife and I each made a list of 10 things in order of importance, that we thought were necessary or wants. That provided us with a good direction for which RV's would work for us. Some of the things we had in common were: a bed that didn't need any setting up(so we could stop anytime and either or both or us could get a good rest. (so that meant no slide out for the bed) A table that was always a table; so that she could do her computer if I were resting OR I could get up 2 hours before her in the morning. So be a little specific. We started by picking up a whole bag of brochures from the local dealer.
Good luck. it's a journey so enjoy that part too. less
Wandering OdysseyFebruary 16, 2019Each person's needs in a unit are different. From our time in a travel trailer, my husband and I found out what was important to each of us (Him: a comfortable place to sit and wide enough for two people to pass each other - Me: No hitching and unhi... moreEach person's needs in a unit are different. From our time in a travel trailer, my husband and I found out what was important to each of us (Him: a comfortable place to sit and wide enough for two people to pass each other - Me: No hitching and unhitching, good black tank flush system - You can tell who does what in our relationship ). If your RV experience is limited, I would suggest you rent a unit to try it out. Living in an RV is the only real way of finding out what it is that is important to You! While I'm starting out with a hubby, the long term plan is that I'll be doing this for the next 10 years or so and probably without him somewhere along the line (he's a young 87 and I'm an old 63). Good luck to you! less
SoloSteveFebruary 16, 2019
If you have not yet, I would recommend you rent and try if possible. Space that looks adequate short term can get very confining if you’re in one spot for a season. Good luck, and happy trails!
Motorhome RVR (a.k.a. Cracker Box Palace)February 16, 2019
Good choice. I'm wanting to get another Class C myself. My husband likes the "A". We had a C before, no slides, and it was great for the two of us. Consider what you want to tow with it, a dolly, trailer or 4 down. Or don't tow. Lots of nice B+ out now also.
SouthParkSteve February 16, 2019Obviously everyone has a personal preference as to types of rigs. My preference (I am a solo traveler--not full time) is for a towable. Since I travel alone, the ability to do things like get up and use the bathroom, make a sandwich, etc., is ... moreObviously everyone has a personal preference as to types of rigs. My preference (I am a solo traveler--not full time) is for a towable. Since I travel alone, the ability to do things like get up and use the bathroom, make a sandwich, etc., is not really that important to me, as there is no way I could do this without pulling over anyway. I really like the ability to find a camp site and drop the trailer, and then use my truck to get around, see the sights, go to the store, etc. However, I have heard some solo women express concerns about safety in towables, because you have to go outside the rig to move on. As a guy, not as much of an issue, I guess--but if I ever found myself in a place where I didn't feel safe, I would find another place.
If you go with a motorized RV, just be aware that, unless you tow a vehicle, you will have to use your RV to get around anywhere. If you tow a vehicle, that means you have 2 engines to maintain (3 if you have a generator). If you don't tow a vehicle, it means that you will have to unhook every time you need to go anywhere--whether sightseeing, grocery stores, errands, or whatever.
Also, make sure that you are comfortable with the floor plan. A lot of folks like to go small for ease of travel, etc., but remember that the weather will not always cooperate with you. It's great to be able to use the outdoor space, but what do you do when it rains or snows for days on end--trapping you inside? My travel trailer is 23'--and I really like that size range for me. I like having a dedicated bedroom so I don't have to set up and tear down my bed each night, and I also like having a separate sofa--not part of the dinette set. There are times when I just want to sit and relax, and having to sit at a table is just not that comfortable in my opinion. I also really don't like a "wet bath" (where the toilet is IN the shower compartment), as I prefer to keep those 2 things separate whenever possible......
I personally don't want slide-outs, as they add weight, and it is just one more mechanical thing that can fail. While I would love the additional room, to me it is not worth those extras.
Just my personal opinion, and I know everyone else on here will have different ones as well.......but things to think about......
RVCRUISER August 26, 2020
We had a Class B+, Winnebago Cambria. It would make a good ride for someone like yourself. Compact yet plenty of room and storage.
RVCRUISER August 26, 2020
Tows well and great to drive. Took it to the East Coast from Nevada
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