Observations on Motorhoming & Retirement… Year 3.

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Jim & Alice LaPeer

Hello, Folks. It is March 2015, and Alice and I have been in Arizona for a few weeks now… We’ve reconnected with good friends from previous year’s travels, and enjoyed the sunshine & warm weather…  We drove our ‘toad‘ on a ‘road’ trip to the California coast (San Clemente) with our daughter & granddaughter who flew out for an early surprise visit… and generally eased back into the Motorhome way of living. This is our 3rd year of RV’ing, so we are not newbies… However, we are still learning.  

This post is in response to friends back in Michigan to share our updated lessons from last year’s “Observation’s on Motorhoming“, where we discuss the Nuts & Bolts of living & traveling the American West in a Motorhome.

 

Last year (2014), we drove over 6,000 miles in our Motorhome… towing our Honda CR-V toad, traveling from Texas, to Arizona, to New Mexico, to Kansas, to South Dakota… and then back to Texas. Over the two years that we have been traveling, we have stayed in RV Parks, National Wildlife Areas, City Parks, BLM (Western Govt.) Land… and parking lots located at Truck stops, Senior Centers, Restaurants, Cabela’s, Walmart, Pilot/FlyingJ, Casinos… and some just plain ‘wide spots in the road‘. We’ve had few problems… and slept comfortably in our own bed each night. 🙂 

We hope that you may find these observations interesting & useful. They are based on our own personal experiences… your experiences may vary. Any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us!

General Observations on RV’s:
  • RV’s come in all types, sizes, and shapes.   Motorhome types are:
    1. Class ‘A’Bus types, powered by Diesel or Gas…
    2. Class ‘B’Van types
    3. Class ‘C’U-Haul Truck appearance types, w/cab overhead…
    4. There are also  Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels usually pulled by a Pickup Truck of some size, and may be quite elaborate.
  • Motorhome Power Trains come in two flavors: Diesel, and Gas. Both have pro’s and Con’s.. and discussions can quickly become ‘Religion & Politics’. Diesels generally are more expensive, but generally have more power for mountain grades and can last for 200K – 500K miles before major engine rebuild or replace work, compared to a gas engine’s 150K – 200K miles.   Gas engines can be equipped with a Banks Power Pack add-on to increase mountain grade power and gas mileage.   (Ours is a Ford Triton V-10, gasoline, with a Banks Power pack – Performs very well in towing and climbing Mountain grades.)
  • After 26 months of traveling, we still find our 36′ gas Motorhome to be very livable. Our Bedroom & Queensize bed are very comfortable, the Bathroom & Shower is great, Captain Chairs turned inward to the living room are comfortable, and our kitchen with side-by-side refrigerator/icemaker serves us well (we’ve gained weight…)
  • Heating, air conditioning, water, electric… all work quite well in most RV’s. We have learned that a small efficient 12V ‘Fantastic Fan’ in the ceiling does wonders for cooling in the low humidity Southwest… and can run all night off House batteries when boondocking (no hookups). We have two such fans.
  • Average RV model year of Motorhomes observed is about 2005-2007… with a surprisingly large number of older RVs being in the 1995 – 2000 model year range.
  • On the road, there are rarely two Motorhomes that ever look alike…Variety is the norm.   Well maintained older Motorhomes are cherished and valued.
  • Estimated statistics on RV types as seen in RV Parks:
    • Motorhomes, Class A and/or C,  about 45%.  
    • 5th Wheels, about 40%.
    • Travel Trailers and/or Class B (large Vans), about 15%.
  • While we see just a few Class C Motorhomes parked in RV Parks, for some reason we see far more on the Highways… Interesting.   3rd year running on this.
  • Up through the year 2006 models, Diesel Motorhomes slightly outnumber Gas Motorhomes – but starting in 2007 models or later, Gas outnumbers Diesel.
  • Driving a Motorhome is easy to learn. Driving in high wind or cross winds can be very fatiguing, especially with a lighter weight Gas Unit (ours is 22,000 lbs)…but if fitted with a ‘Steering Stabilizer Bar’, the problem is greatly eased.   Diesel Motorhomes of longer length tend to be heavier (up to 50,000 lbs) and less subject to wind problems. 
  • Pulling a tow vehicle (toad) is surprisingly easy. Just don’t plan on backing up without disconnecting the toad first. (learned that lesson the hard way.)   There are several different approaches to hitching a toad… and to implement braking in such. 
  • Filling a gas tank is laborious – most gas pumps turn off at $99, and you have to start filling all over again.   This was more of a problem when gas was $3.50/ gallon (75 gallon tank), but with gas at $1.89/gallon, (Jan, 2015), much eased.
 
Traveling & Living in a Motorhome:
  • We find Motorhome driving/traveling to be very comfortable, except, perhaps, when driving in high winds, or heavy city traffic.   We can stop when we desire, enjoy a great view from the high vantage seating, prepare meals, take a nap, bathroom breaks… and our home is always with us.
  • We tow a 2008 Honda CR-V ‘toad’.   It takes us about 3 – 5 minutes to hitch, or unhitch, the Toad from the Motorhome.   We utilize a Blue OX tow barblueox.com, and a U.S. Gear proportional breaking system for the Honda.   
  • satellite dish mounted on an RV can provide HD TV anywhere. Many RV parks also offer coax cable TV for free, for RV’s so equipped.   We went with a Dish Satellite system, because we can turn the ‘Dish contract’ on or off as needed, saving money when not in use.
  • Internet access is widely available with an appropriate ‘hotspot’ device… $100/mo will buy 25Gb of monthly up/down loads (a lot), and thruput is excellent in the Verizon 4G coverage areas. We use Verizon.   Additionally, WiFi in RV Parks with very good data rates has increasingly become a common amenity.   In this situation, when using local RV Park WiFi, Verizon will allow a hotspot device to be ‘paused’, incurring no monthly charge.
  • We still find ourselves choosing to move less frequently, and stay in one site longer (month or more). This is due to 1.) We like the site & area, and 2.) Cost of gas.
  • The term Boondock generally refers to staying at a free or very low cost location, outside an RV Park. Many times, this is somewhere ‘off the grid’, typically, government land. We have ‘boondocked’ in several wilderness-like areas… and this has been the absolute best experience. We intend on doing even more of this.
  • The Definitive Guide for Boodocking Locations is the Escapees’s, Days End Directory. We have used this guide extensively in our travels. It is a Great Resource!
  • When traveling on long cross-country journeys… we will average about 250 – 300 miles a day comfortably. As mentioned above, on these longer travel trips, we stay at night in Walmart, Pilot/Flying J, or ‘other’ parking lots, or ‘free Boondock sites’ utilizing the Days End directory… and avoid paying $20-30/per night. We will travel 3-5 days, then find a RV park and stay a couple of nights with Full Hook Ups (rest, refill water, dump Black & Gray tanks, Laundry), and then resume our trip.
  • RV repairs are very available.   Almost all parks have a directory of mobile RV Technicians that can come to your RV as needed.   RV dealerships have expanded drive up service options.   Road service for things like towing, changing flats, etc is readily available from organizations like Good Sam, and Coach-Net.   
  • We plan our trips in advance with the Microsoft Streets & Trips program. This program allows us to view on a map all of the Boondocking sites, RV Parks, State & National Parks and Days End directory locations that we might potentially use. This is a Huge benefit for trip planning.  Unfortunately, this particular computer program has just been discontinued by Microsoft… and we will be looking for a replacement.
  • We use a Garmin Nuvi 1450 GPS for actual navigation while traveling… and Alice is always loaded with paper maps.
  • Financial needs are well covered by a Debit or Credit card, and online banking with plentiful ATM’s. Additionally, Walmart will provide ‘cash back’ (up to $100) on a Debit Card purchase.   Some parks only take cash… so a few hundred in cash on-hand is a good idea.
RV Parks… Basics, Business & Benefits:
  • RV Parks are generally friendly & pleasant places. It is rare to find cranky or unfriendly people. If you want to make new friends quickly, simply park your vehicle, open the hood, and start looking underneath… Boom, instant new friends.  😀 
  • RV Park costs In the South and Southwest are very reasonable. Our goal with RV Parks has been to stay in nice, well ran Parks… while achieving a low average daily cost.   In pursuing this goal a little homework can save a lot of money.
  • We joined the Escapees RV Club ($65/yr, Nationwide). At their park in Benson, Arizona we have paid about $280/mo., plus Electricity (50 AMP, ~ $120/mo.). Other very acceptable parks in Southern Arizona charge about $290 + Electricity. Other ‘Resort’ parks charge much more ($750+/mo). In Arizona, it is not difficult to find a well-equipped, comfortable Park in the $300-$400/monthly + electricity, range.
  • We bought into Thousand Trails, a nationwide Campground Membership Club, with a wide number of RV Parks (over 55) in places where we would like to stay (West Coast, Southwest, South). After a one time buy-in ($2,000), we pay $549 yearly, and have unlimited stays, with Full Hook Ups, and no further charges… However, we do have to move to a new Park every 21 days… but then can return after 7 days ‘out’.
  • We also bought into Hart Ranch, a five-star Membership Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. – After a one-time membership purchase of $1,250, we pay $259 yearly, and can stay there for $205 monthly (Includes Electricity). We opted for this due to the Park’s extreme high-quality (5 stars), the optimal location for Summer and Fall camping, and its central location for traveling to points further West. We do have to move within the Park every 21 days to a different RV site.
  • RV Park Costs can be mitigated or eliminated.   This year, 2015, Alice and I will engage in ‘Workamping’ at our Summer location (Hart Ranch)… Each of us will work 10 Hrs a week, and in return we get a Summer-long RV site, free of charge.
  • Electricity, when charged separately, by RV Parks, averages about $.16 / kWh… totaling about $100 – $150/mo depending on need for air conditioning.
  • LP Gas is very important … and thankfully available in most parks on specified days of the week. In a Motorhome, appliances often can run off LP gas, or electricity.   LP gas can be used for Heating (furnace, or Catalytic room heater), Refrigerator (LP or electricity) and for a Hot Water tank heater (LP or electricity).
  • LP Gas cost varies greatly… we’ve seen from $1.99 to $4.00 per gallon.
  • Experience with our 24 gallon on-board LP tank… tells us that we can stretch a tank of LP Gas to cover our needs (Catalytic room heater, cooking, occasional refrigerator) for about two – three months in Arizona winter weather.   
  • RV’ers wintering in RV Parks often utilize large 100 Gal. LP gas Tanks, locally delivered, serviced, and refilled.   Additionally, any RV with a larger ‘on-board’ LP Tank (24 – 50 Gal) may utilize an “Extend-a-Stay” device, which provides the ability to piggyback additional portable LP tanks as needed. Without either of those two options, one must periodically break camp to go get LP refills.
  • Water is generally provided in all RV Parks… In the Southwest, water tends to have a higher mineral content (salt)… so Alice and I buy bottled drinking water at Sam’s Club for roughly $0.10 a half-liter bottle.   
  • Sewer hook ups are almost universally provided in RV parks.
  • Escapees RV Parks, Thousand Trails RV Parks, and many seasonal ‘Winter Snowbird’ Parks generally have well maintained facilities… Laundromat, Libraries, pool tables, DVD movies, exercise rooms, club houses, Pools/spas, scheduled activities, hiking trails, Woodworking shop, etc.
  • Many lots in Southwest RV Parks are rented/leased by long-term campers… by month, or by season, or semi-permanently. An extra lot building (called ‘Park Models’, or ‘Casitas’) are very common for expanded, or primary, living space, as well as storage sheds for storing ‘extras’.
  • RV parks we’ve experienced to date generally observe established ‘quiet hours’, and are extremely quiet in the evening (except for the coyotes…) – makes for a good night sleeping.
Retirement Life… and Living… in an RV on the road:
  • Note: This perspective is provided from our 42 years of being married
  • Living together in a Motorhome as Husband & Wife is a ‘renewing experience’. It tends to foster & build closer relationships. Life is more simple… allowing more time together. Many couples grow closer… Alice and I have. We have heard of a few cases where just the opposite has happened.
  • Over time, we’ve evolved into having “Alice’s space” and “Jim’s space”….”Blue chores” and “Pink chores” (Thanks, Joe & Libby Burke, for those terms!)… Taking turns at the bathroom sink & shower… Taking turns with the car…
  • Being apart from Family & Friends can be challenging. Frequent phone calls, texting, etc. can help immensely. Also, in lieu of frequent short-duration visits with family, we utilize month(s) long visits… and ‘Fly the daughter & grandaughter out here’ visits.
  • In our third year, we are seeing that our new ‘traveling friends’ can become quite close and dear to us.
  • Video telephones, like computer Skype sessions, are a step up in staying in contact with family & friends. The video does make a difference.   WiFi Bandwidth is required.
  • Retirement in a RV can be fairly inexpensive if planned ahead. A good kitchen (at-home meals), a good location (free activities), and smart choice of RV Parks (as mentioned above) make the difference.
  • Grocery shopping for two is just like at ‘home’.   We have a sizable refrigerator, freezer, 3-burner LP stove, sizable microwave & convection oven, cabinets…   Grocery stores everywhere are about the same… Safeway, Walmart, Fry’s, Giant, local chains.  
  • RVing on a Budget‘ on the Escapees forum is very useful… and the specific thread of ‘Anyone full timing on $25,000 a year” well describes some common practices. 
  • Cost cutting measures & advice abounds… Senior Discounts… and Frugal RV Living… just google the topic, and much help is available.
  • Retirement does take a while to get used to… We have adapted to a more casual routine that is relaxed in the morning… eases into noon… and then gets going.
  • About 60-70% of RV’ers have pets – primarily dogs, all sizes, and sometimes more than one. It’s not uncommon to see a cat curled up in the front window…
  • The ‘Net Worth‘ of a retired RV’er simply can not be judged by their RV… or their car.
  • Not uncommon to see RV rigs in the $200K-400K range parked next to a $20k trailer – and owners be the best of friends and traveling together. There seems to be an underlying thread that builds strong friendships out here among travelers…
  • Medical Insurance coverage – multi-state is available. Alice has a policy with United Healthcare that provides coverage in most states that we travel in.
  • Medicare insurance coverage greatly simplifies treatment options.   I (Jim) selected a Part ‘B’ ‘Supplemental’ policy that provides for nation-wide access.   Cost was $104/mo for Medicare, and $108/mo for the Supplemental ‘G’ policy.
  • In 2012, Medical Insurance that was “high deductible” ($5K) cost around $500/month for two adults, assuming ‘normal age-related medical history. Obamacare changed this.   Now, in 2015, we pay $358/month for Alice (only), for a $5,000 deductible ‘grandfathered‘ policy.   In 2017 we would have to abandon this policy and pay over $623/mo for a $6,300 deductible, but fortunately, Alice will go on Medicare in 2016.
  • Pharmacy needs… We started with Walmart Pharmacy, and subsequently changed to Walgreens. We learned that the Walgreen System handles travelers better… their prices are just as low and their computer system is vastly superior in tracking prescriptions cross country.
  • Crossing the Border into Mexico to obtain medical services is a common practice for retired folks in Arizona. Services available include Prescription Drugs, Dental work, Chiropractic Care, Eye Exams & Glasses, and $3 hair cuts… Well established Mexican Medical Professionals cater to the American & Canadian trade. Many are trained in the United States, and are members of American Professional Associations, like the ADA.   Savings appear to be in the 70-80% range – Sample dental fees click Here.
  • Crossing into Mexico: Drive to a Border Crossing (we use los Algodones across from Yuma, AZ.), park your car, walk thru the gate, locate & use services desired (usually located within a few hundred yards), then cross the Border back into the USA, using a passport or enhanced Drivers License.
  • Consensus & experience on Mexico:   Mainstream pharmaceuticals are safe, and professional services obtained thru well known & reputable providers, especially Dental, are of a high quality & safe.   Alice & I have had two dental exams & cleanings, and have saved several hundred dollars a year on our standard pharmaceuticals. 
Arizona:
  • A Beautiful state… with so much to do. Weather extremes in the Winter time, from Skiing in the north (higher elevation, Mogollon rim) to Sun & Warm in the South. Areas around where we are currently at get about 330+ days a year of sunshine…. The best in the country.
  • Even in South Arizona, it can get cold and below freezing. Warms up very quickly in the morning, with the direct sun.
  • There are excellent RV parks sites that are not crowded… and locations that are located in small towns or rural areas.
  • Arizona is an ‘International Dark Sky” state… meaning that light ‘dispersements’ are controlled – makes for a great night sky full of stars.
  • Wind and Dust Storms happen in Arizona. Then they clear… and the sunsets are beautiful.
  • There are a lot of things to see & do in Arizona…good roads, Many Butterfield Stage locations, old Forts, Indian sites, early Spanish explorer settlements & Catholic Mission sites.   And lots and lots of sunshine…
Jim & Alice.

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9 thoughts on “Observations on Motorhoming & Retirement… Year 3.

  1. Pingback: Observations on Motorhoming & Retirement… Year 4. | Jim & Alice's Travel Blog

  2. Nice summary. Well done. We’ve noticed similar things but never put numbers to it.

    We’ve missed 2 summers now while trying to gegt the house on the market. Delaying the house sale was a huge mistake, but the terrible re-sale market put us in a difficult spot. When we run into you again I’ll bore y’all with tales from the dark side of owning a 150 year adobe house! 🙂 Hope to have it on the market this spring and leave it in the hands of a capable agent so we can go play! Lower fuel prices this fall/winter have made us anxious to be on the road. Besides… we haven’t had a blog entry since late 2012!

    Not sure you made it to SKP Saguaro this season [if you did, I apologize for having missed you!]. The park has been jammed almost every night with 3-12 rigs in dry camp every nite. This years Escapade was in Tucson which brought in a lot of folks to the area, and this is the 25th anniversary of SKP Saguaro and more lease holders are here for that (meaning fewer available sites for visitors), plus I believe the lower fuel prices put a lot more rigs on the road for winter season.

    Btw, if you find an alternate to Millenicom, please let us know! And we’re anxious to hear how Hart Ranch works out for you this summer!

    Safe travels…

    Bruce & Celia

    • Hi Bruce & Celia.

      Good to hear from you folks. Sorry to hear about the house market for your house – If I recall correctly, it is in Santa Fe? And I had no idea that it is a 150 year old Adobe… sounds like some history with the house? I just finished up a biography of Kit Carson, ‘Blood and Thunder’, and it has me fascinated with New Mexico and the early settlement towns of Santa Fe and Taos… it was a good read that I would highly recommend. Good luck with the house.

      Bruce, you & Celia did not miss us this season at SKP Saguaro… with Escapade on, we figured it would be crowded and decided to move on to Yuma and give it a try. We stayed in a nice RV Park in Wellton, AZ, and really enjoyed the area. Never seen that much lettuce in all my life… and for that matter, that RV park was crowded too. With respect to Millenicom, I ended up switching to Verizon. I mentioned being a Millenicom customer… and they did give me a discount on a 15 GB contract. Still expensive, tho.

      We will give you an update this Fall on Hart Ranch. We have been there before…. but never workamped. Actually, Alice and I are really looking forward to workamping… Back home, pre-retirement, we were always very active, volunteering outside of job-work hours. We enjoyed being busy and this should be a little of that again. And they are great folks at Hart Ranch.

      Well, better wrap up. If you get the wonderlust this Summer… think about Hart Ranch. We’d be glad to show you around. Lets stay in contact.

      Take care, and safe travels!
      Jim and Alice

  3. We really enjoy reading your blog. Makes it sooo hard to wait another year to start our “Journey”. All of the great information you have provided and the links will give us tips to make our experience easier by avoiding potential downfalls.
    Looking forward to re-connecting with you guys soon.
    Greg and Suzy

    • Hi Greg & Suzy!

      Sorry to be getting back to you folks a little late… We arrived in Sedona a few days ago, and been working to get things caught up after being on the road. We boondocked out in the desert mountains for a few days and really enjoyed ourselves. Caught up on our Peace and Quiet… and reading.

      Hope this post helped. Doing it, gives us a chance to introspect ourselves on what we are doing, and how well things work… it is fun for Alice and I. We have enjoyed traveling since before we were married… we used to go on ‘day long’ dates and drive up into the Arkansas mountains, finding lakes, rivers, and quartz crystals… now we just drive & stay! And then find lakes, and rivers… and all sorts of other fun stuff.

      Lets stay in contact, and hook up this Summer at Hart Ranch. Take care, and safe travels.
      Jim & Alice.

  4. Finally, a glossary of terms and suggestions for wandering retirees! I worked in Mexico for a few years and health care costs are very reasonable.

    • Hi John! Sorry to be getting back to ya a little slow… We arrived in Sedona a few days ago, and been working to get things spiffy’d up after being on the road. We boondocked out in the desert mountains for a few days and really enjoyed ourselves. Caught up on our Peace and Quiet… and reading.

      Didn’t know you had worked in Mexico. That is quite a place. I know all the negative news that comes out… but our experience (limited as it is) has been nothing but good.. And that medical work & services I wrote about… is really good. I am still amazed at the number of Americans and Canadians that cross the Border for services. Probably in the 10’s of thousands annually.

      I hope the Treasuring works is still going well for you. Lord knows, We need good people in government… and you are just that! Take care, John, and lets stay in touch.
      Jim

  5. Great Job Jim! I expect to see your notes in paperback soon. How about “Big Jim’s RV Travel Guide”. It has a certain ring to it.;-) Love reading your blog. It always gets us inspired. It looks like you guys have really got this traveling thing down. Stay save.
    Bob & Paula

    • Hi Bob. Little delayed in getting back to you… Thanks for your comment! Hehe, actually, I have had a couple of other suggestions to get this published somewhere… but that would take the fun out of it. Hope things are going well for you and Paula. We are enjoying our travels for certain. Every years gets a little better… and we started out great. Hope to see you folks again soon, somewhere down the road.
      Jim & Alice

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