NEED NEW RV PURCHASE HELP

I have been researching Motor Home purchases for 1 year now. I plan to buy sometime between 2013-2014, setting myself up for Navy retirement and traveling.

After extensive research; I was thinking about a 32'-38' Class "A", diesel, dual purpose conventional/microwave, double slide out, etc. It seems most floor plans are the same, but location of certain items and amenities like washer, dryer, oven, bench seats, chairs, etc.

Do people really use that small washer, dryer, and oven? What are some other items I should look out for that I may or may not need ?

Thank you in advance Jack

You'll get a hundred different opinions, as everyone has their "favorite".

For example, we've been on the road for over 7 years. But although our motor homes (we've had 2) have space and hooks-ups for a washer and dryer, we prefer to have the storage space instead. The RV washers are very small and can only wash a few shirts at a time. You'll constantly be doing laundry. In addition, you 'll need full hook-ups to use the washer. We like to "boondock" and don't always have the hook-ups. Instead, we have enough clothes to last a couple weeks. We then can do all the laundry in a couple hours at once using 4 or 5 machines. But again, that is our preference.

We also would never have gas oven in the RV. Those who do have one mainly use it for storage of pans. The convection/microwave works great. However, we do also have an electric toaster/rotisserie/baking oven.

Our latest rig has a full size "residential" fridge and freezer. We can't imagine being without it anymore. Lots of space and everything stays very cold.

Since you'll be living in your RV, get one made for full-timing. They will hold up better. The inexpensive "weekend" models will wear out fast (especially upholstery). be sure to get dual-pane windows.

Keep looking at as many models as you can and visit the factories. You can learn a lot about how they are made.

Our newest motor home is a 2010 40' Tiffin Phaeton, which is perfect for our full time home.

If you wish, my personal website ( The Happy Wanderers ) has more info on our rigs, the improvements I've made, and how we prepared and started living and working fulltime in our motor home.

Larry, from the picture, you are obviously "Roughing it Smoothly".

Ed Kelly wrote: Larry, from the picture, you are obviously "Roughing it Smoothly".

Obviously you're familiar with Tiffin's "motto".

Just because our "wheel estate" isn't the traditional "sticks and bricks" home, doesn't mean we can't be comfortable.

A few questions I have:

Using what you have already;
- is financing 20 or 30 years ? I heard both.
- approx how much is insurance ?
- approx how much for a diesel tune-up ?
- how much is a full tank of diesel ?
- are there any other additional expenses ?

Jack

Congratulations on your up coming retirement Senior Chief.

I would strongly recommend you rent a full size unit and drive it for a month or more before you jump in and commit to a 20 or 30 year mortgage on 'wheel estate'.

You can rent any size you want and get a pretty good idea of what the costs and expenses are going to be. And yes, there are lots of other expenses.

Dennis
ETC (retired)