I just deleted a very long list of why not to own an RV. I guess it is better to try than to always regret not trying. It is costly and resale is slow. Wish we had rented and taken it on a cross country trip prior to buying one. If we had rented then I would not have agreed to the purchase. Be prepared to always be buying something for the initial start up especially if you tow a small car. DH quickly traded in his truck for a HHR (?), then had to buy whatever it is to attach to the car so it could be attached to the RV, then wind breakers to attach to the awning (which can't be used if it is windy ). So much to learn about that lifestyle. Good luck.

We love it. Had a 24ft trailer very nice but bed was a short queen! Didn't like the wind in Texas! It was a struggle. Loved having our own "stuff" just pull into a rest area unlock the door and have lunch - sick of restaurant food. Upgraded to a class "A" diesel love it more! Have a basement - we can take anything we want. Have not had any problem with where to camp. We are totally self contained - the generator takes care of any need we might have. No problem with the car following behind, you see the motor home has 3 outside cameras and we can see everything anywhere around us so changing lanes is no concern. If I can do it ---- Full size fridge - king bed - closets storage galore. We both drive - no problem - drove around Miami FL just fine - turning radius is amazing. Now Texas is a breeze we love the "hill country" just beautiful. You know the very best is meeting other RVers along the way, sharing a meal or a cup of coffee, trading Email addys. We take the 3 pets. When we visit relatives we have our own place as none have the space for guests w/pets (LO). Thinking about selling our 4bd 3bath 3 stall and downsize to 2bdrm as the home port. Talk to lots of people and get on some RV sites. Enjoy our country and the people in it.

We would love to have a pop up, but our issue is having a vehicle to tow it with--we really don't want to have to buy a truck and the rv as well and, for the amount of time we'd use it, it is not worth it. Both of our vehicles--a Honda Element and a Honda CRV are great for us, but their tow capacity is limited to 1.5k lbs and there do not seem to be decent pop ups to get for that amount...so I have joined those who are dreaming :)

We bought a 32' Keystone Cougar Xlite. We (by we, I mean DH) tow it with a Ram 2500 which has more than enough power. It has one slide, a bedroom with a door for DH and me, queen size bunks for the two boys (11 and 13), a fold out couch and a dining table that makes into a bed for anyone we decide to take with us. We took a 38 day road trip this past summer and loved it. I wouldn't buy longer than 32' because as has been mentioned, it can be hard to find a spot to park them, even in an RV Park.

For several years, dh and I travelled in a vintage 1967 Scotty Serro - those were some of our most memorable times together!! It wasn't small, it was 'cozy' ! Wish I still had it today!

My husband and I and our sons RVed for over 42 years. We loved it and so many places that many travelers will never see as there are not nearby hotel facilities. Our dog enjoyed it as well. We had a Golden Age passport from the government so we could enter many National Parks free and paid half price for camping. We would still be doing it to this day, but unfortunately our home, its contents and our RV were burned to the ground in the Pacific Gas and Electric explosion of 2010. We are in the process of rebuilding a home which has taken all of our retirement leisure time. But, we loved RVing for many years and hope to return to it.

Just an update- DH and I are going on Saturday to see two RV 's that we really like the looks of. He is over the moon, so I guess we have decided, lol! I sat down last night and read him all of your posts and there were some really good points made. Thanks so much for all the info and advice, soooo appreciated! What did I do before I met you wonderful ladies???

Lots of good information on these posts. We have gone through 3 fold-out campers as our two kids were growing up then went for about 15 yrs not camping and missed it. We are on our 3rd travel trailer-24 ft Aerolite by Dutchmen. If you do shop for an RV sit on the toilet to see how much room you have, get into the shower/tub as some are downright treacherous to get out of esp. the older we get. The walk-around bed is a plus. My husband and I would never get a 5th wheel since they are not made for the older adult--to many steep steps for us. I back my trailer down our long driveway to store it, do most of the driving and can set it up and take it down by myself. My husband has health issues and I said I needed to learn this if ever I get stuck alone somewhere. Make sure the vehicle you have can tow the RV you are looking for, do not rely on the RV salesman since they will tell you a certain vehicle can tow the RV but they are going on the premise you won't be fully loaded. I argue with the sales people all the time and they don't like it, for instance they will have flyers attached to the RV showing a picture of a certain vehicle stating "I can tow this" when in reality it can't. Go by your vehicle's specs. I know my GMC Envoy can tow up to 5900 lbs. Go by the GVWR or the combined weight of the trailer and load capacity weight. We never fill our water tanks as it affects towing and its a lot of excess weight! We went through 3 trailers in four years trying to get the right one! Good Luck!

We had a "Leisure Van" which was an oversized van that was self-contained (sofa folds to bed, stove, micro, sink, fridge, toilet and makeshift shower) The downside was once we were parked we were there unless we wanted to unhook and drive. We sold it and bought a SCAMP 16' trailer to pull. It has everything the other had. Shower is nicer. A little less storage. (but we have the truck for that). Black and Grey water storage not as large. Now we can hook up to electric sewer and water ... take the truck and explore. We have never wanted one of the BIG RV's that you tow the vehicle behind.

When married, we camped in a ten (NEVER AGAIN).

Later have a 23 ft. travel trailer (liked it - but I could not back it into a space).

I (if I could affored it) have considered living in a Motor Home
(but am afraid something (heat, A/C, refrigerator, water heater, etc.)
would give out on me and I would be stuck
(as replacement items for camper are very expensive.).