Spot on. My #1 priority as a 71y/o solo female nomad, 5+ years touring US, it’s all about SAFETY these days & learning how to fix & maintain my campervan. Costs of repairs, fuel, & campgrounds cause me to slow travel.
Great tips and video. Friends of ours took their travel trailer from IL out west to Utah along with another couple with their camper. Our friends were going down the interstate when someone in a car had flagged them down. Their camper had caught on fire. They were able to get pulled over, grab some clothes, money and medicine before the camper was completely engulfed in flames 🔥, they suffered a complete loss. They had to get a U-Haul. I don’t know what caused the fire yet as they haven’t returned. They are finishing up their vacation in hotels. Might be a future video topic somewhere in there for you.
WOW!!! I am so sorry to hear about that. But I'm happy that no one was hurt by the fire. And actually I had considered making a video about RV fires too. So thanks for the suggestion. I'll see what I can do. Safe and happy travels to you!
Just an update that I had found out today. I guess that they were thinking that it was caused by a refrigerator leak? Freon is flammable I guess. They pulled over and quickly unhitched out of fear of the LP exploding. Luckily for them they were by a larger city and the fire department quickly responded. So everything that is salvageable is being hauled in a U-Haul as they finish up their 2 week vacation. And yes. Fortunately everyone is ok.
All very important Duane, great video. Great work! We have been fulltiming almost 5 years now. For 2023 our average monthly cost was $4400. So far 2024 is a little lower running around $3900 / month. All our cost are included in the above numbers, everything from CG site and electric cost to diesel fuel + DEF, groceries, communications, healthcare/ prescriptions, Truck and RV maintenance/repair etc. No major repairs to our truck or 5th wheel. The only memberships we have are KOA, Good Sam and Escapee's. Diesel fuel prices are a little lower this year, grocery prices coming down a little, and we have and been stationary more this year than last. Typically we are always in full hookup campgrounds. Right now our site cost at a real nice privately owned RV park with full amenities is $525 / month + electric, thats cheap compared to a lot of CGs. People stay at resorts or places like Fort Wilderness - gets expensive real fast! Keeping a budget and tracking your cost helps to understand how your living and where you need to cut back, like dining out. Quickbooks can help with tracking costs, you could also use excel and create a spreadsheet to track costs.
Hi Tami and Steven. Thanks so much for sharing your fulltime RVing costs and experiences. That's so valuable for others who may be thinking about getting into fulltime RVing themselves. I love to see experienced RVers sharing their knowledge. Here's wishing you both safe and happy RV travels wherever you may go!
So sorry about that folks. You have supported my channel so well and I appreciate it. But we are on the other side of the country trying to stay as cool as possible for the summer. I hope all went well with your inspection though.
I have a question for you. My fiance and I are looking at getting an rv, mainly looking at 2000-2008. I'm concerned about the powertrain reliability, the three main platforms I'm seeing is the 8.1 chevy w/ Allison transmission, the Triton v10, and we're also looking at a couple late 90's diesels with the 5.9 Cummins and Allison transmission. There is one that we like that has a caterpillar engine on a spartan chassis. Do you have an opinion on which platform is the most reliable? I'm leaning towards the diesel, but if I go with gas, is the Chevy or Ford better?
There are a lot of advantages of having a diesel engine and drivetrain in your RV. And most Caterpillar engines mated with Allison transmissions tend to be pretty reliable and that setup is made for lasting a long time too. But when you have a repair that must be made, and especially if it is a major repair, it can be incredibly expensive. So keep that in mind. A lot of RVers loved the Workhorse chassis with the Chevy engine and it's too bad they don't still compete with the Ford chassis and engine now. Both of those gas powered engines tend to be very reliable overall, but if I had to choose, I would say that the Workhorse chassis with the Chevy engine might come out a little better in my opinion. But whatever you choose, be sure to get a fluid analysis done on any engine that old to find out if there are any hidden issues that could surprise you. I hope that helps.
Thank you for the honest information! There is a lot to think about! I’m really considering this for at least a few years . Solo with my parrot 🦜 so not solo 😊
Safety is a huge issue, especially for elderly or solo travelers. Campground restrooms/showers, isolated areas, etc. Lots to think about.
Thanks for adding that to the conversation. Safe and happy RV travels to you!
Yes, as a 71y/o solo female nomad 5+ traveling in campervan across US, it’s all about SAFETY these days & maintaining the vehicle. 😮
The hardest thing I have found is finding an RV that will be if good enough quality to live in full time
There are several motorhomes that can be used for FTing. And lots of fifth wheels as well. Travel trailers are more of a challenge.
Brinkley?
@@Happy_trails_and_tails LOL ... be sure to watch next week's video. It's all about Brinkley fifth wheels. And your answer will be in that video.
@@Happy_trails_and_tails looks like just trailers. No Class C?
Spot on. My #1 priority as a 71y/o solo female nomad, 5+ years touring US, it’s all about SAFETY these days & learning how to fix & maintain my campervan. Costs of repairs, fuel, & campgrounds cause me to slow travel.
Thanks for sharing your experience here. Safe and happy RV travels to you!
Great tips and video. Friends of ours took their travel trailer from IL out west to Utah along with another couple with their camper. Our friends were going down the interstate when someone in a car had flagged them down. Their camper had caught on fire. They were able to get pulled over, grab some clothes, money and medicine before the camper was completely engulfed in flames 🔥, they suffered a complete loss. They had to get a U-Haul. I don’t know what caused the fire yet as they haven’t returned. They are finishing up their vacation in hotels. Might be a future video topic somewhere in there for you.
WOW!!! I am so sorry to hear about that. But I'm happy that no one was hurt by the fire. And actually I had considered making a video about RV fires too. So thanks for the suggestion. I'll see what I can do. Safe and happy travels to you!
Just an update that I had found out today. I guess that they were thinking that it was caused by a refrigerator leak? Freon is flammable I guess. They pulled over and quickly unhitched out of fear of the LP exploding. Luckily for them they were by a larger city and the fire department quickly responded. So everything that is salvageable is being hauled in a U-Haul as they finish up their 2 week vacation. And yes. Fortunately everyone is ok.
All very important Duane, great video. Great work! We have been fulltiming almost 5 years now. For 2023 our average monthly cost was $4400. So far 2024 is a little lower running around $3900 / month. All our cost are included in the above numbers, everything from CG site and electric cost to diesel fuel + DEF, groceries, communications, healthcare/ prescriptions, Truck and RV maintenance/repair etc. No major repairs to our truck or 5th wheel. The only memberships we have are KOA, Good Sam and Escapee's.
Diesel fuel prices are a little lower this year, grocery prices coming down a little, and we have and been stationary more this year than last. Typically we are always in full hookup campgrounds. Right now our site cost at a real nice privately owned RV park with full amenities is $525 / month + electric, thats cheap compared to a lot of CGs. People stay at resorts or places like Fort Wilderness - gets expensive real fast!
Keeping a budget and tracking your cost helps to understand how your living and where you need to cut back, like dining out. Quickbooks can help with tracking costs, you could also use excel and create a spreadsheet to track costs.
Hi Tami and Steven. Thanks so much for sharing your fulltime RVing costs and experiences. That's so valuable for others who may be thinking about getting into fulltime RVing themselves. I love to see experienced RVers sharing their knowledge. Here's wishing you both safe and happy RV travels wherever you may go!
Great informative video. You pointed out topics I had not thought about. Thank you for the videos. I really like your channel. 🎉
Thanks so much Marty. I'm glad this video was helpful. And I hope you enjoy the rest of the channel's videos too.Have safe and happy RV travels!
Very well done. Thanks, Duane.
You're very welcome Robert. Thanks for watching!
Too bad you weren’t in AZ to do an inspection for us.
So sorry about that folks. You have supported my channel so well and I appreciate it. But we are on the other side of the country trying to stay as cool as possible for the summer. I hope all went well with your inspection though.
Some honest reporting going on here, Dwayne!
Thanks for the positive feedback Kathy. Hopefully our full time RVing experience will be helpful for others considering the lifestyle.
Great information.
Thanks
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
I have a question for you. My fiance and I are looking at getting an rv, mainly looking at 2000-2008.
I'm concerned about the powertrain reliability, the three main platforms I'm seeing is the 8.1 chevy w/ Allison transmission, the Triton v10, and we're also looking at a couple late 90's diesels with the 5.9 Cummins and Allison transmission. There is one that we like that has a caterpillar engine on a spartan chassis.
Do you have an opinion on which platform is the most reliable? I'm leaning towards the diesel, but if I go with gas, is the Chevy or Ford better?
There are a lot of advantages of having a diesel engine and drivetrain in your RV. And most Caterpillar engines mated with Allison transmissions tend to be pretty reliable and that setup is made for lasting a long time too. But when you have a repair that must be made, and especially if it is a major repair, it can be incredibly expensive. So keep that in mind. A lot of RVers loved the Workhorse chassis with the Chevy engine and it's too bad they don't still compete with the Ford chassis and engine now. Both of those gas powered engines tend to be very reliable overall, but if I had to choose, I would say that the Workhorse chassis with the Chevy engine might come out a little better in my opinion. But whatever you choose, be sure to get a fluid analysis done on any engine that old to find out if there are any hidden issues that could surprise you. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare it does help. Thanks for the reply!
COST $$$ ;
Yes, it does. But there are ways to keep costs down too.
Thank you for the honest information! There is a lot to think about! I’m really considering this for at least a few years . Solo with my parrot 🦜 so not solo 😊
I'm glad the video was helpful. And I hope you and your parrot have lots of fun adventures in full time RV life! :-)