Finished with the RV life

[Tundra 2014]

Have you considered taking a cruise? DW and had not one is 20 years w/ the kids. I felt like we got a bargain and had someone else wait on us. We did Celebrity, it had all drinks, tips and WiFi included. Two weeks ago, boat was 45% full. I was impressed w/ their COVID measures. I am with you on body repairs. I asked my surgeon if he had a punch card reward s program or at least a volume discount.

[PenJoe]

The physical part of camping maybe in the review, but the memories are not. I started camping in the early '60s. Once married, there was nothing better than the many years we boondocked with the kids-and in-laws. Our RV was home while we were building a second house. We combined conferences with camping vacations.

Like, you, I have body parts that are not OEM. But, there are people much worse off. After our last 3 month stint in a commercial resort campground, camping lost its appeal. We now split our time between homes in two states and lovin' it.

Though my camping days are past, I stick around this forum and once in awhile contribute. We welcome you to do the same. Happy memories!

[ppine]

thanks to JohnnyBoy.
My Dad is 97 and still talks about going deer hunting.
If I need one, I will get a motorized off road wheelchair.

[GFD47]

Not sure when yet, but I hear it off in the distance. I hope you're able to take up the suggestion to rent cabins or yurts at some of your favorite campgrounds and keep "camping" for a few more years.
I'll turn 75 soon, with both knees and both shoulders replaced, two spinal fusions, three stents and an internal heart monitor...so far, but still holding the line. Next campout is an annual crab feed with several camping buddies on the Pacific Coast starting a week from today. Lots of plans beyond that, Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise...
All the best!

[5er_tom]

We are getting there. Reluctantly. Been “most timers” since 2013, 4-5 months each summer and lots of miles. Switched to a Class C last year as the DW (a Polio survivor) was having issues riding in the truck. She can now move around in the RV, carefully, as we go down the road. We have plans for 4 months this summer and then 5 months next summer. That may be The End. I’ll be 77 in August. I still have all my original equipment except the lower lobe of one lung. My eye sight is still good and I am very comfortable driving the RV. But, we’ll see how we are in two years.

Our financial guy told us about retirement:
First 10 years are go-go years
Next ten years are slow-go years (we are here now)
Next ten years are no-go years.

This might just be how it works.

[Johnny Boy]

I like that financial advisers advice at the end of your post. Stay safe stay healthy. Johnnyboy

[Chewy2]

SDFarmer - Best wishes!

[KellyG]

My wife and I are also approaching that time, although we hope still a number of years in the future. There's a comforting poem that begins, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past...." I've found it a bit helpful, if only to a small degree.

[Freetyme]

Dreading the day I too may have to hang it up. Exploring the idea of a seasonal site. Maybe hiring someone to haul a park model to wherever that may be, probably a 2-3 hr drive from home. Half the BS gone right there. Tow vehicle, off season storage, lousy gas mileage. Could still enjoy the best parts.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Freetyme

Dreading the day I too may have to hang it up. Exploring the idea of a seasonal site. Maybe hiring someone to haul a park model to wherever that may be, probably a 2-3 hr drive from home. Half the BS gone right there. Tow vehicle, off season storage, lousy gas mileage. Could still enjoy the best parts.

I can totally vouch for this. I love having a seasonal site. Don't even own a tow vehicle.

[heavynlori]

Many of our seasonal neighbors do not own a tow vehicle. Their campers have stayed on-site since first purchased - no hassles for them as it is just like having a second home - unlock the door and “BAM” the relaxing begins instantly

[NJKris]

Makes me sad seeing a new RV simply parked and not going anywhere. I think I'll just buy a small cabin/cottage somewhere when that time comes. No wheels to look at and depress me reminding me I can't go anywhere. Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm old. My Dad never wants to leave his house now that he's pretty ancient (88), maybe that's just what happens.

[Guspech750]

Originally Posted by sdfarmer

After 45 years, 2 travel trailers, 5 5th wheels, and one motor home, I have rolled up the sewer hose for the last time. It has been a great experience and will miss everything about it. After two knee replacements, open heart surgery, and three back operations, it has gotten to be too much for me to handle. I still plan on logging on to this forum as I enjoy the back and forth between members. One thing I have learned, everybody has an opinion. Another thing that I notice, is the lack of knowledge on how RV's in general work. A great deal of the issues members seem to have are common sense issues.

So happy camping to everyone. Keep the shiny side up.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Freetyme

Dreading the day I too may have to hang it up. Exploring the idea of a seasonal site. Maybe hiring someone to haul a park model to wherever that may be, probably a 2-3 hr drive from home. Half the BS gone right there. Tow vehicle, off season storage, lousy gas mileage. Could still enjoy the best parts.

We gave up camping a few years ago to become snowbirds. On our last 3 mo. camping trip, we stayed in a commercial resort campgrounds. That was a bust for us, but it goes further than that. This resort had once been a private park with a combination of permanent park models and camping sites. It was a good combination-until the park was bought out. Fees escalated for permanent and temporary sites.

Those wanting camping sites had a choice-pay the piper or go somewhere else. The owners of permanent sites were at the mercy of the new corporate owners and there was no mercy. Pay the piper or sell.

Okay, so the permanents had two choices. The sell choice had its own pitfalls. The park models were well kept and saleable-except there was no limit to monthly fees. The corp. had already squeezed permanent owners with high rates. Now, they could raise them annually.

That puts the sellers in a difficult position. Can they afford to continue paying high fees while finding a buyer willing to accept high monthly rates that will continue to rise unabated. Maybe take a loss just to get out from under the new terms? The buyer, realizing the position the seller is in, generally does not want to take the risk. The end result is that the park model owners are in a position they never anticipated. That's pretty sad when people are on tight budgets.

Initially, we looked at these park models, considered the fees, and very quickly decided not to get strapped into this scheme. We decided that a mobile home would be a better investment. After a month long search, we found a double wide in a resident owned park. We own the home and buy shares in the park. The shares are invested to help maintain the park. On the sale of the property, the full value of your shares is returned. As such, it takes a 90% vote of shareholders to consider selling the park.

That vote is most unlikely. Commercially owned park residents are paying $600-$800/mo. Our park residents are paying $80/mo. That includes city water, city sewer, garbage pickup twice weekly, recycle once weekly, lawn maintenance, use of the gathering hall, game room, library, pool, tool shop, and kayak launch. The park also has a marina with available docks. We have a dock on brackish water for an annual fee of $100. The dock is maintained by the park. Each park resident pays their own electric bill.

The park is governed by elected park resident owners. Some of the residents have lived in the park for 30+ years, some have passed homes down to relatives. It is a mix of permanents and snowbirds.

This is what we have found to work for us. I wrote this to show some of the pitfalls you may want to avoid, and what you may want to look for if you are considering a park model.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by PenJoe

We gave up camping a few years ago to become snowbirds. On our last 3 mo. camping trip, we stayed in a commercial resort campgrounds. That was a bust for us, but it goes further than that. This resort had once been a private park with a combination of permanent park models and camping sites. It was a good combination-until the park was bought out. Fees escalated for permanent and temporary sites.

Those wanting camping sites had a choice-pay the piper or go somewhere else. The owners of permanent sites were at the mercy of the new corporate owners and there was no mercy. Pay the piper or sell.

Okay, so the permanents had two choices. The sell choice had its own pitfalls. The park models were well kept and saleable-except there was no limit to monthly fees. The corp. had already squeezed permanent owners with high rates. Now, they could raise them annually.

That puts the sellers in a difficult position. Can they afford to continue paying high fees while finding a buyer willing to accept high monthly rates that will continue to rise unabated. Maybe take a loss just to get out from under the new terms? The buyer, realizing the position the seller is in, generally does not want to take the risk. The end result is that the park model owners are in a position they never anticipated. That's pretty sad when people are on tight budgets.

Initially, we looked at these park models, considered the fees, and very quickly decided not to get strapped into this scheme. We decided that a mobile home would be a better investment. After a month long search, we found a double wide in a resident owned park. We own the home and buy shares in the park. The shares are invested to help maintain the park. On the sale of the property, the full value of your shares is returned. As such, it takes a 90% vote of shareholders to consider selling the park.

That vote is most unlikely. Commercially owned park residents are paying $600-$800/mo. Our park residents are paying $80/mo. That includes city water, city sewer, garbage pickup twice weekly, recycle once weekly, lawn maintenance, use of the gathering hall, game room, library, pool, tool shop, and kayak launch. The park also has a marina with available docks. We have a dock on brackish water for an annual fee of $100. The dock is maintained by the park. Each park resident pays their own electric bill.

The park is governed by elected park resident owners. Some of the residents have lived in the park for 30+ years, some have passed homes down to relatives. It is a mix of permanents and snowbirds.

This is what we have found to work for us. I wrote this to show some of the pitfalls you may want to avoid, and what you may want to look for if you are considering a park model.

We've moved to different CGs twice since becoming seasonals because we didn't like what was happening at the one we were in. The second time was exactly what you describe. New owners came in and the prices went way, way up.

Usually park models still have wheels on them. They can be moved.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

We've moved to different CGs twice since becoming seasonals because we didn't like what was happening at the one we were in. The second time was exactly what you describe. New owners came in and the prices went way, way up.

Usually park models still have wheels on them. They can be moved.

Yah, they can be moved, but when you add landscaping and screen porches, it is not cost effective. If it is left basic, I would agree.