DOWNSIZING

OK so you've made the decision to become full time RV'er's, Now what? Now you are faced with many more decisions to make. When do I go? What do I drive or tow? Am I going to have to work? (You bet your sweet patootie you have to work). Unless you're independently wealthy. What clubs should I join? And a really big decision will be, What do I do with all of my stuff? Let's talk about DOWNSIZING..

Even if you live in an average sized house, let's say 1700 sq. feet., You are moving into a house that's about 250 sq. feet. See the Problem...

You will have limited space even with the added basement storage space. You have to make some thoughtful decisions on what to keep, what to store, what to toss.

Organize first

If possible empty out one room so you have a place to sort your stuff. Divide this room into sections.

Stuff to sell

Stuff to keep for the RV

Stuff to store

Organize by Groups

1. Clothes and Shoes
2. 2. Kitchen and Household Items
3. 3. Files, Papers and Office Items
4. 4. Tools and Garage Items

1. Downsizing Clothes and Shoes -Be Realistic!

This can seem like an overwhelming task, but unless you will be working a job that requires dressy clothes, you can probably pare down your wardrobe drastically.

Clothes You'll Need While RVing

Basic casual clothes will be the most useful, but in limited amounts. Don't pack 10 pairs of jeans or dozens of t-shirts!

• jeans
• light weight slacks
• shorts
• tee and knit shirts
• a few button up shirts
• one dressy outfit each with appropriate shoes.
• fleece jacket and windbreaker
• raincoat
• sweat shirt or sweater
• bathing suit and cover-up
• knit cap and gloves
• socks
• sweatpants and shirt
• bathrobe
• night clothes
• slippers
• hiking boots
• athletic shoes
• a pair of dress shoes
• sandals
• crocks or shower shoes

This pile includes necessities, but must be limited by storage space. Generally, an RVer's life style is much more casual . Downsizing Clothes and Shoes -Be Realistic!This can seem like an overwhelming task, but unless you will be working a job that requires dressy clothes, you can probably pare down your wardrobe drastically.

What's left donate for a little tax deduction. Toss anything that is torn, stained, or just not wearable.

Kitchen items you will need.

Only you can tell what items you'll need on the road. Nobody knows how you cook so don't let anybody tell you what you will need. The only advise I would give is take more than you think you will need and purge as you go. Mu rule is (if you don't use something in 2 or 3 months, get rid of it) You'll find a Goodwill drop off box just about anywhere you go.

Household items you need

This is another area that only you can decide what to take. If you are handy you might think about taking some tools. This might help you save some money when it comes to repairs. Keep in mind you have a limited amount of space to store stuff. You also need to be aware of the weight of your RV. You only have a limited weight to work with.

Important Papers

Certain papers need to be available to you at a moments notice. Insurance papers on the tow vehicle and the trailer or your motor home and any vehicle you may be towing. Drivers license you probably carry on you but you might want to make a back up copy. If you plan on traveling out of the country don't forget you will need a passport. Tax returns are a must. I'm going to invest in a fireproof safe to keep my papers in.

If at all possible try not to store anything. Copy pictures onto a flash drive and give originals to family members or friends. You can also have photos put onto CD's and take them with you.

Some final advise

You can't take everything with you. Decide what's important to you and get rid of everything else. This won't be easy but it is one of the most important steps to getting on the road. So be realistic and objective. Consider the cost and consequences of storing your stuff.

Is it right for you?

Full-timing. More people are thinking about it every day. Is it right for you? Ask any RV forum on the internet How many people are doing this kind of thing and you'll get somewhere around one million people are living the life of a wandering traveler. Many are already retired, but many more are working at least part of the year. Or just long enough to build up a little nest egg to keep them going for a few more months or longer.

A large number of construction workers travel the country living in RV's making a living every day. For the retired folks they don't have the stress of maintaining a home. Cleaning the house really only takes minutes since they are only cleaning about 250 sq. ft. compared to 1800 sq. ft. Don't forget there's no grass to mow, no shutters to paint, no snow to shovel, no__________ (fill in the blank).

The scenery is as they say, “to die for”. It can be whatever you want it to be. It can change as the mood strikes you. All you need to do is decide what you want to look at and drive there. And best of all it's free.

Retired travelers and people between jobs can save a bunch of money by Boondocking. This is simply camping in undeveloped areas. You can do this by what is known as the 14 day law. The federal law says federally owned public lands outside of national parks and monuments is open to camping unless management has closed it for a specific reason. Campers can camp anywhere they like within limits placed by land management. You must move every 14 days. There are different opinions about how far you must move so check with the ranger so you can continue to camp for free.

Some things you will need to consider before hitting the road.

Can you handle being a little cold some times or hot at other times? Can you survive if you run out of propane and you're nowhere near a town? Heaters in an RV don't really work all that great most of the time, and if you're boondocking you can pretty much forget air conditioning unless you have a generator.

Can you live without them

Are you the type person that can't function without a cell phone stuck in your hand all the time. Well the full time lifestyle might not be the ideal situation for you. Coverage across this great nation can be a little spotty at times. You might need an booster antenna or a personal hotspot. Not to mention out of coverage overcharges, going over your minutes. You get the picture. Right. It can be expensive if you aren't careful. If it works at all.

You can now get television just about anywhere you go. It will probably be from satellite so there's another cost to factor in. Just too many payment plans to cover them here. What about storage space for all of your stuff. Some RV's do have storage underneath but don't think it will be anything like that walk in closet you left at home. So you will need to do some serious sorting before hitting the road. I recommend buying an e-reader of some kind instead of lugging all of your books with you. Just too much weight for the old RV. Bring along some CD's and a laptop and you've got your entertainment covered.

Money

Do you have enough? That's a tough question, what's enough? I have no idea really. The best answer I can give is- Make a budget and stick to it. Nobody can tell you how much is enough, only you can answer that. Do a goggle search on RV budget and you will get all kinds of budgets. Find what works for you and go with it. You can always change it to fit your needs.

Can you fix that

You can always pay somebody to fix whatever breaks in the RV, and trust me it will break. More often than you like, so it can and will get expensive if you can afford for somebody else to fix it. It's been suggested that you get an assortment of tools and a couple of repair manuals and learn as much about your rig as you can. And save yourself a bunch of money.

Where to call home

If you're still going to go full time, one really big thing to do is decide on a legal domicile. This is the state you will register your vehicles, register to vote, get a drivers license, do your taxes. And get your mail forwarded to you.

There are still many things you need to consider but those will have to wait for another time. But if you still decide to go full time, it will be an experience you won't soon forget.

Running the Race

So you've decided to drop out of the rat race.  Maybe you feel there's more to life than getting stuck in traffic twice a day.  Maybe you have retired and found there's not enough to keep you busy.  Or maybe you are a twenty-something and don't want to be a slave to your mortgage for the next 15-30 years.  These are all good reasons to become full time RV'ers.  As a fulltimer you live in an RV.  You might travel from

state to state while enjoying the sights along the way till you get to your next destination whether that be the next national park on your list or just an rv resort you'd like stay at.

You might work during your travels or you might live off a retirement fund. You could really live a million different ways, but know this. If you live in a RV you are a full timer.
If you are already a full timer I appreciate you stopping by to read this but this article really isn't for you. I'm hoping you are one of the growing number of dreamers wanting to become a full timer. In which case I hope you will gather some useful information from this article. If you are already a full timer then you know how easy it is to make the move. You might tell me that everything I'm about to say is nothing more than common sense. Well it might be but if you've never heard it before, it's news. I'm finding out it is easier then we think it is. So here's a few steps to becoming a full timer.

1. Get rid of your debt. Rein in your spending. Easier said than done. But its one of the most important steps you can take to prepare yourself for the full time lifestyle. Start eliminating all unnecessary bills. Cable bill, eating out, anything that isn't essential to your survival.
2. Verify your reason for going. Hiding from the bill collector, having problems at work or home, maybe a bad relationship. If you're running from something, that's not a reason for hitting the road. So my point would be look at your reasons for going. Be sure they are good reasons. Adventure, Seeing the sights of our great nation. If those are some of the reasons for you going on the road, then I say Go for It.
3. Set your Goals. Make a plan. Get your goals or plan on paper. Use a pencil, sometimes your plans will change. Some things you might want to write down.
   -When do you quit your job.
   -what kind of RV do you want to live in.
   -what kind of budget will you have.
   -what cell phone plan is right for you.
   -how will you support yourself.
4. Quit the job. Start living in your RV, get the feel for how it will be.
5. Get comfortable. It will take some time to get used to living this new lifestyle. So just enjoy yourself. As the commercial says JUST DO IT.

Carpe Diem

carpe diem to seize the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. n. Also known as Seize the Day

So what does any of this have to do with full time RV'ing? You ask. You need to seize each and every day. To move from just dreaming about becoming a full time RV'er to actually turning the key and driving off on your new and exciting lifestyle.

We (Barb and I) began exploring and researching this lifestyle back in January of this year. I continue to research as much about RV'ing as possible each day. I follow several different blogs and forums and learn something new almost daily.

We have visited several RV dealers and have pretty much decided on the rig we want, we've at least narrowed the choice down to three. For now anyway, I have no idea what Barb will see at the Good Sam Rally at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in October or The Atlanta RV and Camping show in January. Only time will tell and who knows maybe the list will increase by 1 or 2.

But back to Seizing the Day. I have subscribed to Trailer Life magazine and found it to be a wealth of information. I have bought many books about the lifestyle and how to make a living while living on the road. The best book I have read and would recommend to anybody that should ask is “Work your way across the USA-You can travel and earn a living too” by Nick Russell.

This is one way I'm Seizing the Day. Knowledge is getting me closer to my goal.

But Seizing the Day also means facing your fears about this full time lifestyle. What if the house doesn't sell for what I need it to? Will I really be able to support the both of us by workamping? And what about insurance? I can't even begin to answer any questions about insurance, who knows what it will be like when the new health care act starts.

Go back and read the first sentence again. One of the definitions says to seize the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. Now I'm NOT saying not to think about the future, I'm saying let's get out there and see what we can do to shape our futures. Will everything fall into place. I doubt it, but I'm not going to just lay there an let life run me over. I'm going to get up and fight. And I'm going to SEIZE EVERY DAY that comes along. So to you I say

carpe diem

Why do you want to become a full time RV'er

There can be many reasons for becoming a full timer. More reasons than can be listed here I'm sure. My reason, I've recently had my life put into perspective. My dad passed away this past February. He smoked for most of his life and cancer finally took his life. He also had suffered 2 heart attacks last year. I'm embarrassed to say it took his illness to convince me to quit smoking and try to change my life. I only hope it's not to late for me.

I've tried to work hard all of my life and do what was expected of me. But I've never taken the time to smell the roses as they say. I've had the career and house and cars but for what? The economy goes down the tubes and you are left holding the bag. I was lucky as a child, my family lived in California (dad was in the navy then) all of my aunts, uncles, and grandparents were back east in Kentucky.

So Mom and Dad would drive us cross country each year to visit family. We would take a different route each trip.

One year we would go north and see Mt. Rushmore. Next year we would drive south and see the Grand Canyon. The next time we drove straight across the middle and saw everything they could find for us to stop and see. I didn't realize it then but we were getting a heck of an education. I want to see all of that again and then some. I want to stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon and look down at the hugeness of it all. I want to see the balloon fest in Albuquerque, to go panning for gold out west, the Alamo in Texas, I want to stand at Mt. Rushmore again, see Graceland in Tennessee. I want to visit as many Civil War battlefields as I can.

The bottom line is I don't want life to pass me by anymore. So I'm taking steps to prepare myself for this next stage in my life. I'm ready to sell it all, work for minimum wage and for camp site. I really want to do and see these things again.

To do all of this I need to prepare as much as possible, not only by getting rid of as much debt as I can. Selling everything and quitting my job, but I need to get myself as healthy as possible. Prescription drugs cost a lot of money and getting them filled on the road can be quite a challenge, I'm guessing. So we are beginning to eat better, take care of ourselves so we can cut out the blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Besides feeling better and being healthier our budget takes a little cut so the savings from medicine can go into some other line item which reduces stress and makes you feel better.

So getting to see this great country, getting healthier, and saving money.

I call that a Win Win situation.

Tires - Part Two

Weighing your Motorhome

• The RV must be level on the scale
• Inflation Pressure should be Adjusted to Handle the Maximum Load
• All Tires on the Same Axle Should Carry the Same Inflation Pressure
• REMEMBER: If Possible, Weigh by Individual Wheel Positions. If Not, Weigh by Individual Axle Position.
• REMEMBER: Make sure Weigh is taken with load already added.

Taking the weigh and then adding the load will not accurately show the final

load weigh .

This includes Passengers, Food, Clothing, Water, Fuel, Supplies AND any

Towed Vehicle.

• A Difference in Weigh From Side to Side May Indicate That Redistribution of the Load is Necessary.

Weighing Your Travel Trailer

• Weigh the Trailer Fully Loaded
• First Weigh the Trailer Unhitched from the Tow Vehicle. The Total Weigh must be Less than or Equal to the GVWR for Safe Operation – Otherwise Contents must be Removed
• Then Weigh the Trailer by Wheel Position (Preferred) while Hitched to the Tow Vehicle.
• While hitched, the Tow Vehicle should also be weighed
• Proper Hitch Height is Required for a Level Trailer and even Distribution of weigh between the Front and Rear axles.
• Inflation pressure should be adjusted to Handle the Maximum Load, and all tires on the same axle should carry the same inflation pressure.

Where to Weigh my RV?

The Only way to determine tire loads is to weigh the RV!

• Storage Company Lots
• Grain Elevators, Gravel Pits, Recycling Companies and Commercial Truck Stops
• DOT Roadside Scales
• RVSEF – At many RV Rallies & Events

-Visit RVSEF web-site for Rally

Weighing Schedule: www.rvsafety.org

Where to find Proper Inflation

If you Have Not weighed your RV

Use pressure shown on manufacturer's placard

-Coach – Located near left side of driver's door

-Towables – Located near outside left front of trailer

If you Have weighed your RV

Use tire company load/inflation tables

-Provided by vehicle manufacturer's

-Published by tire Manufacturer's
-Web site – www.goodyear.com/rv

Inflation Pressure Control—Best Practices

• Make regular tire inflation pressure checks once per month in storage, before each trip and each morning during trips
• Inflation should be checked when tires are cold
• Do NOT bleed air from hot tires
• Use proper sealing metal valve caps or quality flow through valve caps
• Check inside duals as well as outside tires
• Use an accurate gauge
• Tires that have lost more than 20% of their Recommended pressure (Cold) should be considered flat
• Flat tires should be professionally inspected and repaired
• If one wheel position on an axle carries a heavier load, inflate both tires to pressure adequate to carry the heavier load
• Equal pressures maximize the drivers ability to control the coach and will accommodate shifting of loads from side to side.

Air pressure carries the load, not the tire!

The Up's and Down's of Inflation

1. A 10 degree Fahrenheit air temperature change will change inflation pressure 2% in the same direction. That's an increase of 2 psi on a 100 psi tire when the temperature increases 10degrees.
2. “Working Inflation” increases 5-15 psi when a tire warms up.
3. Atmospheric pressure changes .48 psi for every 1000 feet change in altitude. If a tire has 100 psi at sea level your gauge will read .5 psi higher for every 1000 foot increase in altitude.

I attended a seminar at Camping World last weekend and this is the information I received from them.

Tires aren't pretty. Part 2 on Friday

Size Definition – Reading a Tire

Motor Home Tires

11R22.5

11= Cross Section (Inches)

R= Radial

22.5= Rim Dia. (Inches)

Towables

ST225/75R15

ST= Special Tires for Trailers

225= Cross Section in (MM)

* 75= Aspect Ratio

R= Radial

15 Rim Dia. (Inches)

Light Truck

LT235/85R16

LT= Light Truck

235= Cross Section (MM)

* 85= Aspect Ratio

R= Radial

16= Rim Dia. (Inches)

• Aspect Ratio = Section Height divided by Section Width. Lower number= Shorter Sidewalll & Wider Tread.
  Understanding Tire D.O.T. Numbers
  MC3TPXAW1204
  MC = Mfgr. Plant Code
  3T = Government Size & Ply Code
  PXAW = Manufacturer Construction Code
  1204 = Tire Build Date (12^th. Week of 2004)

Terms

• GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

The Maximum Weight Rating Established by the Chassis Manufacturer

• GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating

The Maximum Weight Rating That Each Axle Can Support

• Tire Load Limits

The Maximum Load Rating for One Tire at a Specific Pressure As

Shown on the Load & Inflation Table. The Maximum Load and

Inflation Pressure is Shown on the Sidewall.

Tire Load Limits

• It is important to remember that exceeding the GVWR can cause premature wear and tear on the RV's components. The RV may have failures or need repairs due to excessive weight, although the weight factor may not be clearly evident. In the worst case, an overweight situation creates hazards.
• It is possible to be within your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and your Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and still be overloaded on an individual wheel position.
• Unless you know the load being carried by each wheel position, you have no way to know the proper inflation of your tires. Improper inflation leads to improper wear, reduced life of the tire, and greater potential for rapid tire failure.

Negative Effects of Tire Overload/Underinflation

• Loss of Fuel Economy

Higher Expense

More Fuel Stops

• Possible Tire Failures Due

Tire Overheating

Fast or Irregular Wear

• Down Time
• Reduced Braking Performance
• Reduced Handling Capability
• Reduced Casing Durability

Conclusions

• Wear Rate is Optimal When The Tire Operates at the Correct Inflation Pressure
• Underinflation is Worse Than Overinflation, since not only does the Tire Wear Unevenly, But it Also Generates More Heat from Overinflation.
• Correct Inflation Pressure is Key to Satisfactory Tire Performance.
• Underinflation Results in Decreased Fuel Economy.