New Member, pre- retirement

[Sandy Beck]

Step by step, I am trying to get things in place for retirement next year. When I had to get a new vehicle after hitting a deer last fall, a Ford Escape 6cyl sounded like a good choice, although I couldn't find one with a hitch. While researching trailers and tiny living, kept running across recommendations for fiberglass trailers- light weight, no roof leaks, great designs. So that is why I am here. I'll probably be asking some dumb questions. But ya gotta start somewhere!

[BobbyH]

Hi Sandy,
I can't offer advice because my wife and I are newbies ourselves but I do believe you are at a good forum. People here have been very responsive and helpful to us. Our situation is similar to yours as we are preparing to travel extensively after I retire. We have booked into two FGRV rallies this fall to try to narrow our options. The people we have contacted with regard to attending the rallies have been extremely helpful, encouraging & supportive.
Best Regards,
Bob Hale

[kootenaigirl]

Welcome Sandy.
Lots of knowledgeable friendly folks here to answer all of your questions

[Donna D.]

Yo Sandy! There is a gazillion different answers to your question. Are you really looking for a full-time home in retirement that only moves occasionally... or are you looking to be a traveler?

[rdickens]

Sandy,

My wife and I bought our 13 foot Scamp in Oct 2013 ..... about a year
before I retired and about 18 months before my wife retired.

Our best tow vehicle at the time of our purchase was a 2011 Honda CRV
that was only rated to pull 1500 pounds. So, we configured the Scamp
for light weight, good fuel economy, and long distance travel.

We have since upgraded my old work car to a 2014 Ford Escape 2.0L
Ecoboost FWD. We typically get around 23 mpg towing the Scamp at
about 60 mph (sometimes less; sometimes as much as 25 mpg).

Pictures of our Scamp can be found in the later segments of the following
thread:
Scamp Full Size Bed = Smaller Table Size

If there is any way possible, I would very highly recommend attending
a rally. The LBL (Land Between the Lakes) rally will be held Oct 1st - 4th.
They have primitive cabins for rent at LBL and there'll be an "open house"
on Saturday where you could look at bunches of trailers of various brands
and lengths.

Good luck on your search and upcoming retirement!

Ray

[RV Rabbit]

Can anybody tell me more about the Land Between the Lakes Egg Rally...where, when how...and about accommodations...I don't have a FRV yet but it might be fun to check it out...thanks

[lillipets]

I'd like to know more about the Land Between the Lakes rally also. When? Where? etc

[rdickens]

As requested, here is the thread for the LBL rally:

2015, Oct 1-4: LBL Fall Rally - Dover, TN

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...-tn-67720.html

Oct 1-4, 2015 Land Between the Lakes near Dover, TN. Piney campground Short Leaf loop near sites 338 & 319. Please leave these sites for host & co-host. If Short Leaf is full make reservations in the Loblolly loop. Reservations may be made six months in advance at www.lbl.org or telephone 800-525-7077. America the Beautiful cards are honored at this campground. There will be a potluck dinner on Saturday evening. A detailed schedule will be provided by the host when you arrive. Host: Dennis & Susie Archer. Co-host: Hobey Melton. Check out the LBL Fall Rally 2014 on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Ucr6tcWMA

IIRC, Dennis Archer said recently that he will not be responding to PMs
after today.

"After Thursday of next week I will not be able to respond to PM's (private messages). I will be in an area without Wi-Fi or internet service. If you need to contact me please do so by PM no later than Thursday Sep 24, 2015. If there is anything that needs to be posted from me I will contact someone to post it here on this forum. Dennis. "

Regards,

Ray