Hi! New, Full-time, Family of 4

[Rick7Nati]

Hello everyone! Well, we made the leap!! We'll be full-timing by the end of the week, just in time for Thanksgiving!! It all started when after we took the boys camping in Colorado for a week and we loved how simple and happy we were. That there is so much to see and do outside our little bubble. The wheels began turning.

Our decision to get a 5th wheel, move out of our 4 BR home and simplify was based on our desire to do more with what we have, travel more and be able to save so we can later buy land and build. The house was a huge drain on us financially. We are renting the house for about a year to see how it works out.

I have a full-time HR position and my husband runs a sign shop. We won't be "on the road" for a few months yet as we settle in and figure some things out. We were blessed enough to be able to tie into our parent's resources (power and water) for the time being. This also means we still have access to a house if the need arose. However, we are intent on making it work on our own!

The biggest hurdle at the moment has been figuring out how to empty the tanks since the 2 exit (dump) pipes are slightly downhill from the sewage drain that we would dump into. The hubby and FIL have been diligently working it out and hopefully it'll be fixed within the next day or two.

We got a pretty good deal on a 2013 FR Sierra Bunkhouse with 2.5 bath. Our two boys are pretty excited about their new living space and the fact they can use Papa and Nonna's awesome back yard anytime is a big plus! :-)

I'll be doing a LOT of reading on these forums to get tips and ideas on how to do this right. Any direction/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for letting us crash the party!
Rick, Nati & boys
2013 FR Sierra 3768 BHOK

[Terier]

Welcome to the forums! Good luck to you with the new changes that are about to take place. I am not a full timer so I'll let those with experience jump in and offer suggestions.


Take care!

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin and congrats on your new life style.

[Ford Idaho]

Greetings from SW Idaho.

If I may ask does it get very cold where you are?

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum. Hope all works out with your new arrangements. Later RJD

[Rick7Nati]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Greetings from SW Idaho.

If I may ask does it get very cold where you are?

Good morning Ford Idaho! I guess I should've stated where we're docking for now. �� were in South Texas outside of Houston. Does not get cold often so winterizing this year won't be a problem!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Rick, Nati & boys

[jgahlhoff]

Happy trails from Florida!

[Pipeman]

If you don't come up with a way to fix the uphill sewage problem you might look into one of these FloJet RV Waste Pump Kit - Xylem 18555000A - Drain & Flush Systems - Camping World I use one occasionally, when needed.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Pipeman

If you don't come up with a way to fix the uphill sewage problem you might look into one of these FloJet RV Waste Pump Kit - Xylem 18555000A - Drain & Flush Systems - Camping World I use one occasionally, when needed.

For Full Time Uphill Dumping have your Hubby and FIL make one of these! Youroo!!

[Pipeman]

Oh sure Youroo, go ahead and show off. You know I'm not mechanically inclined.... . I've got a drill press but it's just for show. If I can remember correctly that's an under sink macerator adapted for RV use???

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Pipeman

Oh sure Youroo, go ahead and show off. You know I'm not mechanically inclined.... . I've got a drill press but it's just for show. If I can remember correctly that's an under sink macerator adapted for RV use???

OK next time I will carry it Outside! Yep its a High HP Garbage Dis. adapted for RV use,and Small Forest Fires! Youroo!!

[BamaBob]

Welcome from Huntsville, AL. Congratulations on going fulltime! I hope you do enjoy the freedom this lifestyle will give you.

Here are a few resources for you to check out at fulltimers:

www.escapees.com
www.rv-dreams.com
www.gonewiththewynns.com

For your Black/Gray tank drain problems, sounds like you could use a macerator. This little number should do the trick!

Amazon.com: Flojet 18555000A Waste Water Pump: Automotive

[ependydad]

Welcome! Your story is a bit similar to our story- we launched on a "1 year trip of fulltiming" back in June. We weren't sure if this is a permanent thing or temporary thing and kept the house because of it. Like you, we are renting it out. Since we are traveling, we opted to use a property management company. For 1 month's rent + 10%, we get the peace of mind that someone else is handling all aspects of the rental. After about 4 1/2 months, we have no plan on stopping at our pre-planned stopping date.

The links that BamaBob provided are good, another that is dedicated specifically to families who fulltime is:
Fulltime Families | The Resource for your Family's Full Time RV Adventures and Aspirations

We have joined their Facebook groups and have gone to a rally. Going to a rally was amazingly helpful in us being able to connect with other families like us.

You can follow my family on my blog at:
Now Or Never - an RV Tale

It's not as up to date as I'd like, but I do regularly upload photos to Flickr at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougsetzer/albums

[Rick7Nati]

Everyone thank you for the great info!! My hubby, Rick, was thrilled to know we could buy this disposal thing to fix our problem as he was preparing to re-pipe things underneath!! He'd much prefer this!! 😄 I never thought we'd have to put so much consideration into where and how we dispose of our "waste"!! Thanks again!

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Rick7Nati

Everyone thank you for the great info!! My hubby, Rick, was thrilled to know we could buy this disposal thing to fix our problem as he was preparing to re-pipe things underneath!! He'd much prefer this!! �� I never thought we'd have to put so much consideration into where and how we dispose of our "waste"!! Thanks again!

Nati,

If you have any other questions or issues, feel free to ask! We have a lot (really a LOT!) of experienced RVers on the forum that would be happy to help & provide advice/solutions.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Pipeman

Oh sure Youroo, go ahead and show off. You know I'm not mechanically inclined.... . I've got a drill press but it's just for show. If I can remember correctly that's an under sink macerator adapted for RV use???

I believe it is a Bridgeport milling machine, not your common ordinary drill press.

p.s. I've wanted one for many years and haven't found one I could afford.

[B and B]

Maybe you need to move to Ohio and share?

[Rick7Nati]

Not sure if I should post this here on in a new thread but can anyone tell me what this is for?? Sorry the picture is sideways. It's in the master bedroom above the light switch.

[Pipeman]

So the NSA can watch you!!!!!!!! Haven't got a clue.

[AGFazio]

Originally Posted by Rick7Nati

Not sure if I should post this here on in a new thread but can anyone tell me what this is for?? Sorry the picture is sideways. It's in the master bedroom above the light switch.

Looks like a temp sensor for the AC. Do you have 2 zone AC?