I have a problem, help!!!!!
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,568
I hate to be doom and gloom, but we RV a lot, not full time, we kept our home. About a year ago we met a couple who decided to sell everything and go RVing full time. It did not work out, turns out husband was scared to death pulling something that weighs 16K pounds. They traded it in on a motor coach and he was ok driving the bus. Their mileage was 9 Mpg, they did not tow a vehicle so they were not able to do a lot of sight seeing unless they rented a car. They sold that, when we met them they were on vacation in a class C motorhome, it was a rental from Cruise America. We have a huge RV with 3 slides, lots of storage and lots of fun. I do take a small machine and projects I have cut out before hand. Full time, no way, as much as we love each other, imagine rain, snow, cold, etc., and being indoors in a small space 24/7. Yes, we are both still alive and so is the cat, we don't full time it and never will.
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
I would try this first. Sample before you buy.
I know people who have sold their home & did this & regretted it. They found all that traveling/moving to be too stressful. They found the places they thought would be friendly, not so friendly. They found it to be more expensive than staying put in their home/apartment. They ended up living in their RV in their kids driveways. Then finally selling out & moving into an apartment. Another sold their life long home, traveled for 1 summer & came back, wishing they'd never sold their home. I would suggest renting or buy an RV & travel for 1 summer & see how you like it first. If it's something you think you will do fine with then go for it.
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
there are a variety of things you can do. First is have a cutting frenzy week (s). Cut all the parts, put them in large bags with patterns and thread and vacumn seal it. You would be absolutely amazed at how many can fit in a stack. When you get your fifth wheel, look for places to build. We raised the bed in our rv up 5" on a platform. No one really noticed and the quilt top covered it, but boy could I stash stuff in that big space - cutting mat, scrapbook containers full of sewing notions, etc. you may discover you don need all the kitchen places for kitchen items if you are only cooking for 2. It becomes a question of what is more important. The money you get from selling your 'extra' fabric you can use to purchase backing and batting as needed.
#35
While my husband and I worked, we Had to live in a 5th Wheel because we traveled so much. I had my essential tools stashed under the bed, and when we were parked so that I could sew, I would find a quilt shop and get just what I needed for the project I was working on. Then I would leave the scraps at the quilt shop for someone to use or share. It was not ideal, but it worked for a lot of years.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 559
We talked with a couple who were in the Rocky Mountains and her husband had a heart attack while driving...she had to get the rig under control and drive down the mountain.
Told my husband no and no and no.
Had retired military friends who were full time for many years. Last I heard their road equipment got more expensive and the military pay was reduced. They had to rent housing and default on rig and get jobs.
Talked to people who tried it and they agreed first two years was fine, then they wanted a place to light.
Told my husband no and no and no.
Had retired military friends who were full time for many years. Last I heard their road equipment got more expensive and the military pay was reduced. They had to rent housing and default on rig and get jobs.
Talked to people who tried it and they agreed first two years was fine, then they wanted a place to light.
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,472
We are full-time in a 5th wheel, but we are now stationary. We found a nice park we wanted to stay at & I have a quilting shed with all my supplies and some of my stash. There are two bins and some bags & boxes in my half of the bedroom closet, a bin underneath and my machine is on a Gidget table inside or a large folding plastic table on our deck. We love it!! My husband has a regular shed for his hobbies outside & it's a good life! :-) DH made boxes for behind our recliners & I keep the little stuff in them and books on top. The storage here is wonderful!! At present my stash is 4-18 gallon tubs, 6 large dresser drawers, & "Mt. Quilts-A-Lot" stacked in a chair at the end of our bed. I also have 5 fat quarter bags filled and stacked in front of that chair & beside the bed. It's amazing how much you can fit in these campers with all the storage! You do have to be concerned with weight though while on the road.
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
We lived in a 38' 5th wheel trailer for almost two years. Mostly in one place and loved it. Prior to that an RV was home away from home while we traveled with our jobs for several years, moving every few months. You will be amazed what you can do without and how little time you spend on cleaning. Ours did have a good deal of storage space and admittedly I did not have a huge stash collection or more than one sewing machine at the time. The parks are not expensive and most of the people are very friendly. We were mostly in the southern states and spent a good deal of time outside and it helps if you really enjoy being with your spouse. Good luck. Don't over stress with worrying about what might happen, just go for it and enjoy the freedom it will bring.
Last edited by madamekelly; 06-13-2015 at 12:12 PM.
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Where ever motor home stops
Posts: 117
My husband and I retired in 2007, sold our home, moved into an RV. We kept a storage unit for a few years but, finally decided for the price of the storage unit, we could replace anything in storage. I didn't start quilting or sewing until a year later when I met a great quilter who was also a fulltime RVer. She got me started (we have traveled together since 2008). I now carry 2 sewing machines (one is a Janome Memory Craft embroidery machine, the other is a smaller Janome to take to classes) and quite a few supplies but, have a much smaller stash than most ------ that is good thing. I only sew when we are stationary for a few days. I wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything. AND, we have found some very awesome quilt shops wherever we go. We are fortunate in that both of our husbands are supportive of our hobby.
#40
I know a couple that traveled south each winter and just loved it. Finally they fixed their lower level and moved all their furniture down there and rented the upper part of their home to a nice couple. They took off in their Airstream and traveled all over the US for one year. They decided they liked it so much they put their house up for sale. She rented a small storage locker for things she absolutely could not part with and since they would come back occasionally to the city their daughter lived in, it worked out fine. They had a waterproof container put in the back of the truck for the fabric and extra supplies. I have been camping all my life and many times I think I would like to be a full timer but always love coming home. Also living in a small RV is not like having a much larger home. Good Luck.
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