The Mobile Lifestyle in Retirement, Part 4: Starting Out on Your Adventure
Category: Adventurous retirement
By Betty Fitterman
http://adventuresinthebettybus.blogspot.com
October 23, 2016 — Note: This is Part 4 of a 6 Part series that Betty Fitterman was kind enough to contribute way back at Topretirements’ beginning. Here is a link to Part 1, See bottom of this article for links to the rest.
There are two important subjects to consider when you take off in a mobile home and they both have to do with baggage.
The first is relatively easy: what to pack. Generally speaking, the answer is, nothing breakable. I was determined that we would live a civilized life, so I packed real china, real glasses and good silverware. What didn’t fall out of the closet when we hit our first big bump is now packed in towels and stored away. I did save three wine glasses, and find that those plastic sock dividers are perfect for keeping them safe while traveling.
Also stored away are the my dresses and pretty shoes, winter coat and good
Comments on "The Mobile Lifestyle in Retirement, Part 4: Starting Out on Your Adventure"
Staci says:
Great article!! Would love to give it a try. Any current RVers out there?? What are you finding?
Staci says:
Also here's a question. The article states that you can park overnight in Walmart lots. If you chose to do that or not stay in an RV park or campground, how do you replenish your water and dump what needs to be dumped.
Thanks
Rich Beaudry says:
Staci, if you are "dry camping" (without connection resources), you fill will water where you can and try to be sure you are "dumped" reasonably well beforehand. In all cases, you should carry your own "clean water" hose so that you can fill with potable water at service stations, car washes or even Walmart (those that haven't removed the "handle" from the faucet -- tip: use pliers :<).
mike says:
As a part-time Rver (Class A Gas)... I can provide some answers -
Yes, you can stay over night at some Walmarts (you should always check/ask with Mgr at the store).
Usually Rvers stay at store parking on thier way to the final destinations (i.e. short term).
Depending on the RV/Motorhome you might have quite a few days of water in your
fresh water tank (my RV can actually hold 50-70 gals of water). If you need to replenish the
water tank, you can add water water either thru a gravity fill or via a external water source (i.e. house water).
There is 2 types of "dumping" that would be required.
One is Grey Water (shower, faucets, etc.). The other is Blank water (toilet).
again, depending on the size of the tanks and how much activity, you could go quite a few days
before having to "dump". For example, my family of 4 can last about a week before having to dump.
There are many places an Rver can "dump". Either at campgrounds, storage facivlities,
rv parks, Camping world, etc. The fees vary. If you stay at a campground you might have
free dump right at your site. Otherwise, there could be a minimal fee (i.e. $10).
Hope that helps.
Brigitte says:
One obvious prerequisite for a successful RV lifestyle seems to be a sense of humor- which Betty definitely has. I really enjoyed reading her blogs!
Rich says:
I really agree with you, Bridgette. I some ways, I tend to take things to heart too much to get past the things that are relatively unpleasant to me. I would to much better if I could learn and follow through as Betty did. DSST is a requirement -- Don't Sweat the Small Things! That includes long waits for parts/service and any semblance of scheduling... You gotta be relaxed, retired and act like it.
Ron says:
I have an RV that the Owen generator quit working which powers most of the convenience features. The voltage regulator was the issue and they wanted $1000 for the parts and $3000 to install it after a long waiting period.
The small things are very critical and every RV has all of the things you find in most homes only they are much harder to repair and harder to find a qualified mechanic t o repair them when you are on the road.
Admin says:
The coronavirus pandemic has created a lot of interest in new people trying the RV lifestyle. And that frequently comes along with a lot of newbie problems. Like pulling into a Drive Thru that can't handle a tall rig and then having to ask everyone behind you to back up so you can back up. Or taking a corner too sharp and bashing your new or rental rig. The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article outlining the problems (pay wall) https://www.wsj.com/articles/rv-rental-buy-how-to-drive-repair-camp-park-coronavirus-11594132322