Full-timing eventually

[juhesihcaaa]

Over the past few days, the husband and I have been discussing full-timing for a year or two while out daughters in middle school/high school. This is at least 6 years off (probably closer to 8 years).

If you could plan your ultimate "Travel the US" trip and hit various cities and places, where would you go? I think that is the best starting point when it comes to planning the trip. We live in Ohio now and we would like to see the 48 continental states (husband and I have a plan for an Alaska trip but that'll be just us after the kids are grown).

Any random full-timing quirks? One thing my husband brought up was clothes. How do you store it and how much do you bring? We're planning a 5th wheel setup because of the space that it gives compared to a Class C (and we refuse to get a Class A).

While this a few years off, we will absolutely be buying used, so does anyone know of any models that have a shower that will comfortably fit a 6'4 hulking bear of a man? My husband is built like a Sasquatch (and I know he'll see this-Love you!) and our current TT's shower is too small for him. Also, I want a setup that has the bathroom separating the master bedroom and rest of the space. My daughters will be close to 6 feet tall by this point so they will need their own sleeping spaces so bunk beds of some sort would be great. Or at least a bed and a couch that folds out. Something. Any suggestions would be great.

For any current full-timers:
- what is your internet set up like? Husband would be working from the road and I would handle the homeschooling so quality internet is going to be a must. Any brand of hotspots that are better than others? We're willing to pay for quality.
- how do you get mail? Obviously bills can all be done via the web now but what about other mail (online orders etc)?
- pets. we have a 4.5 year old border collie mutt, a 9 month old chihuahua/rat terrier mix, and a 9 year old maine coon mix cat. In 6-8 years we may only be down to 1 animal (the border collie would be 10+ years and the cat would be 15+ years) while the small dog will only be 6ish and they can live to 15 years old. How do you handle pets when you full time? Do they just learn to live it? Honestly, we may just wait until my cat is no longer with us because I don't think she could handle RV life but that would still leave us with 2 dogs. So, any tips?
- mental health. This is the big one. I am not a solitary creature by any means but I do need my space after a while. how do you find that when you live in a 5th wheel? I can almost see myself buying a tent and setting it up at any campsite just for a quite place to read lol (jk, sorta).
- prep. What could we do now to start prepping for this? Obviously the big thing is to downsize but how?

Okay, I realize this has become a book. I'll stop now. But if anyone has any suggestions besides what I mentioned, please tell me.

[gectisme]

Don't wait go do it now. You will find you can only see a tiny piece of all of the states in a couple of years. There is just too much to see but I think it is still worth it. You can always go back to the states where you want to see more of at a later date.

If you or your husband aren't handy at fixing stuff might try to learn some of that. Things will break and you won't have the time to schedule an appointment somewhere to get it fixed. Luckily someone on this forum has had the same issue so you can ask and more often than not get the answer on how to troubleshoot the issue and/or fix it.

Decide on what your goals are, Parks or Cities or both, etc. That can help decide the type of RV. After going to a couple of big cities and actually some of the more crowded National Parks, we have often talked about how a Class C pulling a smaller vehicle would have been a better choice for us. A big truck is just a pain to find parking for, (except maybe in Texas ) If we had the money, we would get a DX3 and pull a jeep, (dreaming right now).

It sounds like your husband will be working, which is my situation. I wish I were retired is all I can say about that. It severely limits what you have time to do/see.

One last thing that really worked out well for us is the school where the kids go have an online school program, mainly for kids that can't go to class. It is the same curriculum that they would have got if they were going to that school. It also is free, check to see if your school offers that, (if your kids are going back to the same school when you are done with the 2 years).

There is just too much, there are many sites that you can read and learn. Google "full timing in a RV". Full Time Families is one, Escapees is another. Or just do like us and learn as you go, but for sure go!

[juhesihcaaa]

We cannot do this now. There is NO way this can happen now. My daughters are both special needs (one autistic, one ADHD) and pulling them out of school/socialization while they're young is absolutely NOT going to happen.

Husband is crazy handy. And I can fix some stuff with a how-to. We're good there

Our goals are to see as much of the US as we can in a year or two. We want a good combo of cities and parks.

Our state does offer online schooling but you have to be a resident of the state. With our situation, that may not happen. Straight up homeschooling won't be hard as I have a bachelors degree and a master's degree. I'm more educated than most teachers.

"Full Time Families is one, Escapees is another. " Are those just regular bloggers or do they do videos as well?

[alsdas88]

We bought a gently used Palomino Columbus 340RK. For us its a nice arrangement and the full size/house sized (60") shower is a plus. I am 6'4" as well and this unit gives us plenty of room for our needs. While I live in it currently solo (3/4 time actually), when we lived in it for 2 months last year with our 2 dogs and 1 cat, the was plenty of breathing room.
Don't be afraid to pull the "buy it" lever. You kids will enjoy the experiences you will provide them during family outings away. The costs will only be going up if you wait, so being able to buy now will give your family the practice time needed to become successful full timers in the future.