dvfreelancer
Member
Well, we're actually a month past our one-year anniversary of full-time living. We've learned a lot our first year.
Sadly we learned early on it's better to keep to ourselves as full timers. There are just too many gossipy old harpies at a lot of parks and we've found it's a better strategy to keep to ourselves. We're not rude to people or anti-social, but if people start getting too much up in our business I politely tell them to butt out. Other full timers tell me that's pretty much the way it is for them, too. It's a fine line.
Knock on wood we've had zero problems with crime or rowdy neighbors. The only time we ever felt threatened was by a couple from our last park and we knew them. That's what prompted us to leave that park, best move we've made so far.
Noise hasn't really been a problem. Most parks are pretty good about showing troublemakers the road out and we favor those with gates. The worst problems we've had are the motorcycle people chugging through the park late at night. Can't say I really care for the motorcycles.
You'll out-grow a 5th wheel pretty fast. We're already shopping for a diesel pusher.
You'll also want a trailer if you're full timing, a big one. Big enough to hold your car, plus some storage. Dual wheels, electric brakes, a back ramp, boxed and wired for an A/C unit is a plus. If you know anyone looking to sell one, I'm buying.
Finally found a way to make a living at home as a freelance writer. I make more than I did at my old job.
It was a little difficult getting my Florida drivers license and tags. When you don't have utilities in your name, it's tricky. Luckily we paid for a separate internet connection to our cable company. So far that's been the only problem. We haven't had trouble getting insurance or other services.
You'll want a good ladder. One tall enough to get up on the roof. I've got to get up there this weekend and clean, clean, clean.
It's almost time to get busy with the caulking gun. If anyone can recommend the best outdoor RV caulk made, I'd appreciate it.
I've learned quite a lot about RV maintenance. Learned how to rebuild a SeaLand toilet, which I've done twice. Plus we had one plugged septic tank. If anyone knows anything you can put on your toilet seals to keep that grim from building up, I'd be forever in your debt.
Had to replace the inverter once and somehow managed to bend our canopy frame, that was before we even left. Have to replace one of the plastic fenders which cracked and the rear jack motor quit working, probably corrosion in the wiring...again. The kitchen sink leaks and that in spite of a tube of silicone caulk. We finally gave up and use the other side.
Had a small water leak around one of the slides that I traced the seal not deploying properly. Fixed that and everything is fine. I expect to get our five years out of this unit. All in all, not bad (knock on wood). No worse than a house.
We learned you want shade, but not trees overhead. Yes, that relates to the cleaning I need to do. And concrete pads are a gift from on high.
So, what am I going to learn the second year?
Sadly we learned early on it's better to keep to ourselves as full timers. There are just too many gossipy old harpies at a lot of parks and we've found it's a better strategy to keep to ourselves. We're not rude to people or anti-social, but if people start getting too much up in our business I politely tell them to butt out. Other full timers tell me that's pretty much the way it is for them, too. It's a fine line.
Knock on wood we've had zero problems with crime or rowdy neighbors. The only time we ever felt threatened was by a couple from our last park and we knew them. That's what prompted us to leave that park, best move we've made so far.
Noise hasn't really been a problem. Most parks are pretty good about showing troublemakers the road out and we favor those with gates. The worst problems we've had are the motorcycle people chugging through the park late at night. Can't say I really care for the motorcycles.
You'll out-grow a 5th wheel pretty fast. We're already shopping for a diesel pusher.
You'll also want a trailer if you're full timing, a big one. Big enough to hold your car, plus some storage. Dual wheels, electric brakes, a back ramp, boxed and wired for an A/C unit is a plus. If you know anyone looking to sell one, I'm buying.
Finally found a way to make a living at home as a freelance writer. I make more than I did at my old job.
It was a little difficult getting my Florida drivers license and tags. When you don't have utilities in your name, it's tricky. Luckily we paid for a separate internet connection to our cable company. So far that's been the only problem. We haven't had trouble getting insurance or other services.
You'll want a good ladder. One tall enough to get up on the roof. I've got to get up there this weekend and clean, clean, clean.
It's almost time to get busy with the caulking gun. If anyone can recommend the best outdoor RV caulk made, I'd appreciate it.
I've learned quite a lot about RV maintenance. Learned how to rebuild a SeaLand toilet, which I've done twice. Plus we had one plugged septic tank. If anyone knows anything you can put on your toilet seals to keep that grim from building up, I'd be forever in your debt.
Had to replace the inverter once and somehow managed to bend our canopy frame, that was before we even left. Have to replace one of the plastic fenders which cracked and the rear jack motor quit working, probably corrosion in the wiring...again. The kitchen sink leaks and that in spite of a tube of silicone caulk. We finally gave up and use the other side.
Had a small water leak around one of the slides that I traced the seal not deploying properly. Fixed that and everything is fine. I expect to get our five years out of this unit. All in all, not bad (knock on wood). No worse than a house.
We learned you want shade, but not trees overhead. Yes, that relates to the cleaning I need to do. And concrete pads are a gift from on high.
So, what am I going to learn the second year?
Keep us posted. I enjoyed reading your post. :approve: