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Topic: What options do you like for fulltiming? (Read 746 times) previous topic - next topic

What options do you like for fulltiming?

Quote from: kb0zke –
1994 Foretravel U280 40' Motorhomes of Texas 1996 Foretravel U320 40' Motorhomes of Texas

Even though we can't buy anything for a couple of years, I can still dream a bit and try to learn all I can. Would either of these coaches be good for full-time use for two adults and one cat? We're figuring on maybe 5000 miles/year with the coach towing a small toad. We'd probably move a few hundred miles at any one time, with stays anywhere from a week to a month.

The major issue in "full timing" is the bed arrangement.  Be sure to buy one that does not have the step or hump on the drivers side caused by the engine vent.
Now on to another issue, having full timed it for close to a year, am very glad we bought a private bath, and not a walk through. Might be a little cramped at times, but worth it.
Turns out the washer and dryer arn't really needed, no one we have met likes them.

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #1 –
We use ours every day on a trip to run a small load of clothes, dry towels and pre warm them before stepping out of the shower!
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #2 –
The '96 is pretty good price for a 40' U320.  I've seen them advertising it on Austin's Craiglist, although they mention in the ad it's been smoked in.  :'(  Mileage is higher than some I've seen, but that just means it hasn't sat in storage as much.
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Alfred –
Turns out the washer and dryer arn't really needed, no one we have met likes them.

My wife would not be without it, once the girls on a motorcade showed her how to use it properly.
Sure beats dragging all that laundry back & forth to the laundromat.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #4 –
Use ours too.  In fact once you wait for a washer at a major park one time you will be thankful you have it.  We just run a load at night right before we go to bed.  It washes and then we stop it in the beginning of the drying cycle and shake the clothes once and turn it back on.  Works like a charm.  As to full timing and only 5000 miles, I think you might do more than that.  Especially if you want to hit the high spots in the country.  I have taken trips that are more than 5000 miles.  If you want to go to Glacier or Yellowstone or Jackson Hole or over to the Smokies or up to Lancaster and see the Amish or into New England, you will travel a distance. Not that you will put on 50k but if you really want to travel in comfort and see the sights than you will be higher than 5,000.  I am not a full timer but a long timer and I know I put on more than that.  If you are not going to drive much a 5th wheel will give you more space and be cheaper to operate in the long run.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #5 –
Have o weigh in on the side of having the washer - My mom uses it for 6 months of the year - conveninet and saves a some $$ - just upgraded to the 2100XC this year - she claims it is a big improvement
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #6 –
"Turns out the washer and dryer arn't really needed, no one we have met likes them."

We do not have a washer in our coach so I can't speak from a personal stand point, but we have met dozens and dozens of owners who do have the washer / dryer and have never met anyone who was not crazy theirs.
Paul
36' 2000 U320
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #7 –
When we bought our coach, we thought the washer/dryer was a silly idea.  Then we had to use it during the first night of ownership (dogs  ::) ).  Now we wouldn't be without it. 

We upgraded to the 2100XC in 2008 and as Tim's mother says, it is a vast improvement over the 2000 series (greater capacity, much lower water use).  After seeing what gets washed in some campground laundry facilities, I'm glad we have our own machine.

As for the bath, ours is a walk through and we love the space.  There are pocket doors at either end so you can close it off from either the bedroom or the front of the coach (or both).  In our floorplan the closet is in the bath (it's where the potty room would be in a private bath) so it's basically a huge (for an RV) dressing suite. 

So there are options to suit everyone (and don't rule out a coach until you've seen it or a floorplan like it in person).

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #8 –
Quote
When we bought our coach, we thought the washer/dryer was a silly idea. ... Now we wouldn't be without it.

....
Quote

As for the bath, ours is a walk through and we love the space. There are pocket doors at either end so you can close it off from either the bedroom or the front of the coach (or both). In our floorplan the closet is in the bath (it's where the potty room would be in a private bath) so it's basically a huge (for an RV) dressing suite.

Ditto.

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #9 –
Side Aile, the only way to go.

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #10 –
What is it that you like about the side asile? We looked at a Newmar that had that floor plan, and we much prefer the more spacious feeling of the walk through bath... Not to mention having the washer handy to warm towels on a cold day.
Don

Quote from: Alfred –
Side Aile, the only way to go.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #11 –
WTB FTW!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X
 

Re: What options do you like for fulltiming?

Reply #12 –
1. Full size washer and dryer for sure.  This would be a must have on my list.  Combo washer/dryer are OK for part timers like us now though.  We still use local laundromats if they're decent.  Takes too long to finish a load in the combo units.
2. A recliner chair inside for one of us :)
3. Some kind of computer desk/station for a laptop maybe?  Depends on how much you use one.
4, Air card for your private wifi.

My 2¢ :)