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Topic: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze (Read 1019 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze
Reply #25 –
Storage?
I have been thinking about this. Instead of storing the RV near port, consider storing a short train ride or flight to a small town inland.  For example if your ship is home-ported in LA or San Francisco, store the RV in Albuquerque or Tucson. Preferably a town that you would visit your family or friends you mentioned earlier.  This would get you away from damp air and lower storage fees would allow indoor storage which would be easier on the rv. The drier climate in the SW is also a plus.  It would not totally solve the issues associated with not running the gen set monthly but the lack on moisture and indoor storage would really slow the aging. 
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze
Reply #26 –
The more I think about this scenario as presented by the OP, I am leaning towards checking out prices for a (for instance) three-month rental of a comfortable car/SUV and an AirBnB-type accommodation in a pleasant part of the country. 

Three months will fly by, and going/coming from the same homebase each year would not necessarily need to be the rule.  I'm thinking a different AirBnB-type arrangement in a different part of the country, with a vehicle large enough to accommodate whatever personal possessions I want to have with me.  If that vehicle is rented, then a more appropriately-size vehicle could be rented at the chosen destination for local exploration.

You could even rent an RV to get to your destination as a mini test, and then make adjustments if/as necessary for the next year.  If you love, love, love the RV experience, then this pattern could be modified to a three-month rental of an RV at different destinations each year.

My personal goal would be to make this endeavour as carefree as possible, without worry about what is happening to my RV/car/house while I am away at the job for many months, while providing endless choices about how/where to spend those three months, and under what living situations and transportation type. 

Perhaps a trial of some temporary arrangement, before jumping into something that would be fairly immutable once embarked upon, might be something to consider.

Since I presume there are communications opportunities aboard ship to some extent, then it would seem possible to arrange for any of the above to be ready and waiting when you return to port, and you could focus on enjoying your off time without the downtime of bringing everything out of "mothballs", so to speak, and getting everything cranking.

I'm assuming that the goal here is "ease of use", not "cheapest way".  So that said, I don't have a clue which of any of the proposed methods would be best.  Everything is always a compromise amongst whatever parameters one is working with.

I'm starting to feel envious of your position!  ;->

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
Re: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze
Reply #27 –
I expect that many members of this forum are snowbirds like me.  I've been in Alaska since the 1950s, but for the past seven years have taken my beautiful "older" LD to Mexico for several months every winter, a solo woman towing a car and dry camping with solar power, then take it back to Arizona for storage every summer.  It's not hard to learn to "summerize" with everything disconnected or turned off, but mine is not plugged in until I return.  Other forum members are fortunate enough to live near their rig if they're not using it, but since I'm thousands of miles away it's imperative to find secure storage for both the motor home and towed car, which is not necessarily expensive.  I leave mine at an RV repair yard where they can always help me if I need something fixed when I get back in the fall.  YMMV but it works for me!  Yes, like every owner there are things that need repairs and maintenance but that's to be expected.  (It's much cheaper than the ongoing costs for my house in Alaska whether I'm there or not!)
1997 MB
Re: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze
Reply #28 –
Sounds like you have options for storage and family or friends who can help.  I have a 2001 TK, and the maintenance on it is nowhere near the cost of renting or air bnb.  You don’t need a tow vehicle with that size.  It is doable, plus sounds like a lot of fun.  The storage space is not great though.  I’m going to start living in mine in a couple of weeks, in an Escapee Park.  You buy the plot and pay an annual amenities fee which includes water and trash.  I would go for it.
AlphPup
 2001 TK “Dazi”
 
Re: Thinking about Full Timing in an older Lazy Daze
Reply #29 –
Buying an older LD  reminds me of the old saying about boats. " The happiest day of my life was when I bought by 1997 LD  the second happiest day was the day I sold it". If you absolutely have to have a motor home an LD is a great choice but buying an older one is also buying a hobby. You have to have the time and money and ability to keep up on constant repairs to keep it from turning into a junker right before your eyes. If you enjoy this sort of constant maintenance and think it's a fun thing to do in your spare time an old LD is a great investment. If you want something that can sit around relatively unattended when you are not using it and just waiting for you to hook up and go an older trailer of good quality is a better option. I'm very happy with my decision to go that route and ever since I sold my LD it's like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Great rigs but just wasn't for me. I'm kind of the "keep it simple stupid" mentality and an older motor home is the exact opposite of that .
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