Full Timing in a 45' Eagle

[CindyandJohn]

Thank you all for your replies!!!

I was away for a long weekend - not in the bus though    We actually also have an S&S park model on a seasonal site - so we use that from time to time as well.

To answer some of the questions or at least clarify - we have had the Eagle for about 4 years - put about 10,000 miles on it since - not much I know. I have had plenty of tight spots and love the challenge of making it happen! We she each trip as an adventure - even when the Eagle throws a monkey wrench in the plans (thank goodness for the AAA RV Plus towing). My concern was like some have said - campgrounds making restrictions on sizes and of course how some say no converted buses. I tend to call it a motor coach whenever I talk to a campground - it makes it sound like one of those high end Prevosts! Thankfully we haven't had any campgrounds turn us away once we arrive. They usually are in awe when they see our bus come in - its a tour bus and they all think some rock star is coming!

We absolutely love the thought of total downsizing all of our stored items in the house - it will be hard to separate with some, but the kids are going to get stuff earlier than planned (not after we are gone!)

Yes, I know that we already made the decision of 45' not going to change that. I appreciate the frankness about lengths in CA. i have read things on how the lengths are limited there. I also have worried about some places in Colorado - but we will cross those lines as we get there. We also tow or Jeep Liberty to use as our main form of transportation while at a campground. I know it costs more on fuel to pull it, but we want that freedom at least for now.

We love beaches in the summer and we love to ski in the winter - so i think we will end up being opposite of the snow birds here in PA. I know that might create some issues in the southern areas, with families on vacation and such. But we will work around it.

That picture of the tree stump is AMAZING! Those are the things we love to experience. My daughter is our youngest - she is 13 - so we need to stay in our area for a little while - or at least have a home base here in the Poconos, until she is older. But that will not stop the plan to downsize. We want to get the ball rolling ASAP!!!

I am thinking we will get a year round site close to where we are now, then take the Eagle here and there on trips to other places - always having that site to return to as a home base. The campground is with the Thousand Trails network - so we have to buy a membership. We have no issue with that and can utilize the network to our advantage I am sure.

Anyhow - sorry for the long post. Just throwing more thoughts out there.

Thanks for the info and advice.
John and Cindy

[eddiepotts]

CindyandJohn, I was just noticing you said you would get a full time spot close to where you are. I know here in Texas the tax office has lots for sale that do not make the tax sale. There is a lot on the lake by my lake house that is not large enough to build on but would be perfect for a weekend camp site for $1500 and no one will buy it. Just saying where to look for small plots cheap for an address and light pole.

[buswarrior]

Happiness with size of rig comes down to driving skills and whether getting stuck makes good or bad stress.

Some of us thrive in putting a 45 foot coach in places where others can't drive an auto without clipping the apex...

Some of us can reverse as well as we can go forward, others get stressed reading about reversing.

"A man has to know his limitations" said Inspector Callahan in 1973...

That being said, run what you brung!

happy coaching!
buswarrior 

[CindyandJohn]

Eddiepotts - very good idea. We were / are thinking along those lines but didn't consider a small lot / tax sale as you stated. Our first intention is to use my fathers address as our permanent address for now, but we do want to consider moving our titles to a state which would provide benefits for tax purposes. Thanks!

Buswarrior - I too thrive on putting my Eagle where most people can't even put a car! I like to say - "If you are going to have such a big toy - you better know how to use it!"

There have been many a times where I had to back out of a sticky spot - having first to unhook the Jeep Liberty...

Cindy and I like to consider each trip an adventure. some stressful spots sure but not in a bad way - there is always the small anxiety of - Ok what do I do now? Then there was the time where I followed tractor trailers into a truck stop only to find out the road turned into a cul-de-sac and the tractor trailers where jack knifing their way out it - the only way out for me was to go around that little car wash building between the dumpster, the vacuums, and the building. It's amazing how well these buses go over curbs when needed!

Those are all parts of the adventure!

I am happy knowing we have so many sources here of great information! Thank You All!

John and Cindy

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi John,

Good to hear from you two again!

I think you guy's are worring too much... 

Nobody knows exactly what they will need until they are into it full time...

My question is, do you plan to still have your dogs when you full time?? Those big boys might be your biggest obstical.. lol

Nick-

[CindyandJohn]

Hi Nick,

I know too much worrying. It will happen and we will deal with things as they come. If I had my way we would be full timing next week!

Sorry to say Neo passed last year. So no dogs right now. I know how most campgrounds are now restricting breeds and all, so for now there aren't any new dogs in the plan, especially Bull Mastiffs. I do have a few cats (my daughter had to have one, which turned into several) all of which I am willing to give to anyone who loves cats! There is a mother and two of her sons.

Anyhow, we are anxiously awaiting our full timing opportunity.

Nice talking to you again,
John and Cindy