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11-15-2015, 04:30 PM
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#1
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Rick & Nati
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SouthWest Texas
Posts: 9
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Hi! New, Full-time, Family of 4
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
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11-15-2015, 05:49 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,446
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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!
__________________
Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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11-15-2015, 06:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,734
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Welcome from Wisconsin and congrats on your new life style.
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11-15-2015, 06:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Greetings from SW Idaho.
If I may ask does it get very cold where you are?
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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11-15-2015, 07:38 PM
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#5
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,471
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Welcome to the forum. Hope all works out with your new arrangements. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing.(sold) (sold) 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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11-16-2015, 07:06 AM
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#6
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Rick & Nati
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SouthWest Texas
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Idaho
Greetings from SW Idaho.
If I may ask does it get very cold where you are?
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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
__________________
Rick, Nati, 2 boys & 2 dogs
2013 Sierra 3768 BHOK
Started Full-Timing 2015
SouthEast Texas
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11-16-2015, 07:10 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crawfordville, Florida
Posts: 610
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Happy trails from Florida!
__________________
Jerry. Vietnam vet.
Retired
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11-16-2015, 08:10 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pipeman
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For Full Time Uphill Dumping have your Hubby and FIL make one of these! Youroo!!
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11-16-2015, 08:35 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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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???
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11-16-2015, 09:48 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
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???
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OK next time I will carry it Outside! Yep its a High HP Garbage Dis. adapted for RV use,and Small Forest Fires! Youroo!!
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11-16-2015, 10:30 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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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
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 2014 - 42 2015 - 56 Jul 2016 - Fulltime
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11-16-2015, 10:39 AM
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#13
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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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
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11-16-2015, 12:52 PM
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#14
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Rick & Nati
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SouthWest Texas
Posts: 9
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Hi! New, Full-time, Family of 4
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!
__________________
Rick, Nati, 2 boys & 2 dogs
2013 Sierra 3768 BHOK
Started Full-Timing 2015
SouthEast Texas
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11-16-2015, 01:23 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
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!
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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.
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 2014 - 42 2015 - 56 Jul 2016 - Fulltime
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11-16-2015, 01:26 PM
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#16
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
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???
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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.
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11-16-2015, 02:06 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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Maybe you need to move to Ohio and share?
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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11-25-2015, 05:49 PM
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#18
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Rick & Nati
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SouthWest Texas
Posts: 9
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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.
__________________
Rick, Nati, 2 boys & 2 dogs
2013 Sierra 3768 BHOK
Started Full-Timing 2015
SouthEast Texas
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11-25-2015, 05:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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So the NSA can watch you!!!!!!!! Haven't got a clue.
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11-25-2015, 06:16 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NEW JERSEY
Posts: 86
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Quote:
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.
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Looks like a temp sensor for the AC. Do you have 2 zone AC?
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