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Search is over I think. Went with a 2017 Newmar Ventana 4369. The boss was pretty happy and I have to admit I didn't want the test drive to end.....

Is 65' really the max length limit for RVs in most states on designated Class I highways, or all highways? If you do a search online you will not find a correct answer IMHO. Most of the RV "experts" that have put those state-by-state lists on line never mention anything about what class highway they are talking about. If they would divide it out into Class I designated routes and compare that to Class III routes you would see a huge difference in requirements. So in other words, if you have a 45' motorhome and you are towing a 28' trailer (76'-77' total length), and you are willing to stick to all designated Class I routes (Interstates and most National Highways), and never venture more than 5 miles off, then you will never get pulled over and seldom be in actual violation anyway. I am basing this on my experience/training in my career as an Illinois State Trooper. You may or may not agree with my opinion on this RV length subject. Everyone should decide for themselves what length they think is legal and are comfortable with.

Sorry Carl, I was saying my buddy kind of goes by the same theory when it comes to his home. I didn't mean to indicate you didn't insure your home(s).

Welcome danschreiner. We are in the middle of making a deal on the same make/year coach (14 Aspire 42RBQ). I currently have a flow thru TPMS on my gas coach with only six sending sensors. I can't recall the exact brand but it was one of the popular ones when I bought it 4 or 5 years ago for a different RV. It works great but I am guessing it won't work very well with my new coach plus I'll need six additional sensors. I'll be towing a 24' enclosed trailer with of course dual axles so it is very important to me right from the start to monitor those tires as well. I'm looking at a couple different systems and they seem to have gotten a little cheaper. I don't want the flow thru sensors again because they are slow getting air into and slightly larger is size. I don't care about it being integrated into any of my other systems because there is enough stuff already there I need to see and monitor anyway. Just a simple stand alone system with 12 sensors, signal booster for the trailer being towed, and a monitor that is big enough and bright enough to be viewed in sunlight.

The issue/argument/debate of having an extended warranty vs. simply self insuring has probably been on every RV forum I have contributed to over the years. We have went both ways with different RV's. On our current coach we threw it in at the end of the deal and had to start to walk out the door to get it. However the dealer gave in but would only give it to us at his cost, a $5,800 bumper to bumper for $1,800 so we took it. Now we haven't used any of it and half way through the warranty period we are trading the coach. We are getting $800 refunded. Did I just waste $1,000? Probably, but it was nice having the extra "insurance" policy just in case something went bad. Now being in the process of trading we are faced with the same issue. My tactic of going for a free one at the end of the deal didn't work so I will shop it out and make a decision later. I certainly won't allow the selling dealer to make $3,000 or $4,000 profit from selling me one if I decide to go that route again. I have a buddy that lives in SW Florida just north of me. He is just off the coast on a short salt water canal where he docks both of his boats. He paid cash for his home and has never had regular home owners insurance. Like Carl he simply has an extra fund where that money goes. I'm sure he has some type of small liability policy but no protection against hurricanes and such. It works for him, not an option for me.

The hunt may or may not be over. I shared this information with Bill (PM tonight). We finally went up to Lazy Days because they had a 2012 Tiffin 43. The salesman I spoke with said it was cherry. We checked it out and it was pretty nice but was still in their service bay getting stuff fixed. Decided to look at a couple used Entegra Aspire models they had, both 2014's, one a 44 and one a 42. The boss really like the floorplan of the 42 so we took it for a little test drive. Everything was good except it "wandered" a little going down I-4. Went over some initial numbers, got bored because we were so far off, so we made a offer and left. About 30 minutes from home the salesmen called and met my numbers. Of course they still have to figure out what the front end needs plus in a couple days it has to pass my extended PDI. We will see what happens but if the deal goes through I think we got a pretty good coach. Bill made a good suggestion and that was have them to an all wheel alignment and not just the front. When we got home I had an email from my Newmar salesmen. Three days ago we had looked at a 2017 new Ventana 4369. I told him what difference I would give, which was about 30% off MSRP. He said there was no way they would do that deal. The figure in the email lacked about $2,000 from being 30% off. I guess you snooze you looze!

We aren't really ruling out any brands, it is just that Newmar and Tiffin had two of the floorplans that we really liked along with a Tuscany model. As far as buying new we have never been very serious about that. We experienced one new RV purchase and I swore I would never go that route again. Generally our requirements are 1.5 baths, king bed, able to tow 10,000 plus, tag axle, 42'-45' long. In addition, it either has to come with w/d units, satellite, and a couple other options or we would immediately add them. I guess the good part is we still have time to browse. Will be moving into our 37' gasser next month full time but staying stationary in SW Florida until around May, 2018. I'm in no real hurry but want to find the right coach for being full time possibly up to 5 years or more.

We are continuing our slow search for a used DP. Initially we have only looked at looked at about 3 or 4 brands, Newmar and Tiffin being at the top of our list. Recently we looked at a couple 2013 to 2016 Thor Tuscany 45' models online and like the floorplans. I have been pretty happy with our Thor Challenger gasser, but we have only put about 8,000 miles on it also. Who out there has a DP Tuscany? Happy, not happy with quality? Any issues been discussed on here the last few years with them? We took a Thor Motor Coach factory tour a couple years ago but I was paying more attention to the gas line.

Thanks Carl, needed that last bit of information reference it working for a passport. I just renewed mine but the DW's is going to expire soon. One of the biggest draws I guess for going with a local UPS Store is that we return to this area of SW Florida every winter. This is where our doctors and many friends are now located. In addition, we will no doubt buy our next property in this area some day. Herman, if FMCA gave advance notice plus had someone else set up to take over the mail forwarding that was nice of them. The fact remains that it is a huge issue when you have to change your permanent address, it can effect everything from health care, income tax filing, banking issues, etc. Not sure why FMCA dropped the service but they should have never started it in the first place if they were not in for the long haul IMHO.

Thanks Carl, we had our name on waiting lists at two resorts and was getting ready to sign up at a couple more. When your home is on the market it puts you in a "suspended" state because until it closes and you have a closing date you don't know if you will need a CG site starting in November, in December, or not until March. We hated to take an opening and start paying the premium winter rates if the house wasn't sold, but we didn't want to pass anything up and be stuck in a dump all winter either. It worked out perfectly because the day of our buyers home inspection Upriver called and gave us the site. Perfect timing!

If you liked Sanibel you could try Periwinkle Park & Campground. They are not exactly right on the water but pretty close. Not sure if you could get in this winter because they stay full with annual repeat customers, but there could be cancellations this year. If you do ever spend the winter on Sanibel or visit it often be sure to get a Leeway pass. You can cross the bridge for $2 each time plus it works on all the Florida toll roads. The only one in the Ft. Myers area I know of that is right on the beach is Red Coconut RV Resort, Ft. Myers Beach. The sites are very tight.

Was doing some additional research Tom since you mentioned FMCA mail forwarding. I looked in the "benefits" list and couldn't find anything about it through FMCA. I did a search for old posts and discovered they used to offer it but stopped back in 2014 or so? If they began offering it tomorrow I wouldn't trust them and sign up, even if it was free. I can't think of anything worse than to be full timing and have your mail service pull the plug on you. You would have to go through the issue of changing your address with everyone, changing your registrations, licenses, etc.

Tom, I talked to the manager at the closest USP Store to us here in Cape Coral. She gave me an example of what our address would look like. Joe Spidle 1242 SW Pine Island Road STE 42-444 Cape Coral FL 33991 According to her it is a real street address that works for having on your Florida DL and registrations. I'm not sure about using it for renewing a passport, which is a very good question. The draw for using the UPS store is that for 5 or 6 months out of the year we will be in a CG close to Ft. Myers/Cape Coral, so instead of having mail forwarded every week or every couple of weeks we can simply stop in and pick it up. If we go with FMCA, Escapees, or Good Sams it always has to be forwarded no matter where we are. Good Sams forwarding service provides a street address in northern Florida for everyone which looks similar to my example from the UPS Store. Decisions, decisions....

That is the point Carl, we need it to be a legal address change and be permanent. Not sure about FMCA's forwarding service or Escapees, but both Good Sams and of course UPS Stores close to us can offer a Florida street address.

Welcome Jmholb57, I don't know what your coach is, but we were facing some of the same issues. My Thor Challenger has a hitch rated for 5,000 pound towing and a tongue limit of 500 pounds. Our Mini Cooper weighs less than 2,900 pounds and my Harley Trike about 1,200 loaded. The problem for me going with an extended tow dolly would have been tongue weight, or if going with a trailer long enough to accommodate both I would have went over total weight. If you could find an all aluminum trailer weighing less than 1100 or 1200 pounds you might be good to go, but that may be the only way. We will be officially starting our second full timing adventure around November 14th or so. We will be changing coaches and getting a used DP that can tow up to 10,000 pounds and then getting a 24' enclosed for both vehicles. I'm not wild about my new length but we want the car and Trike with us always. I considered a toy hauler MH but you loose some livability and/or storage IMHO. I'm sure some others will chime in with possibilities. Good luck with your decision.

A few years ago while full timing we spent a winter in Siesta Bay RV Resort (Ft. Myers) and then Gulf Waters RV Resort (Ft. Myers Beach) the next winter. Both CG's were very nice with tons of activities to do. Gulf Waters had much bigger sites but was more expensive also. Anticipating the house selling we put our name on the waiting list at Upriver RV Resort (North Ft. Myers). We learned from actually living in SW Florida that it worked for us better if we were located east of I-75 instead of closer to the busy beaches. They called us today and due to a cancellation gave us a super site. Anyone else use Upriver RV Resort for their winter stays down here? We were impressed with how the place looked and what they had to say. Excited to move the MH onto the site November 1st.

We are just under 30 days from closing on the sale of our house so we want to get our address changed in the next couple of weeks. Since we want to keep a Florida legal address we have pretty much narrowed down our decision on what service to use, it will either be Good Sams or a local UPS Store. I have read some old posts on mail forwarding but nothing recent. Any full timers out there have an opinion one way or another about either one of these mail services? It looks like both Good Sams and a local UPS Store will provide a legal street address, hold mail, forward when we want, etc. Any other suggestions?

Congrats! "1/2 of an hour looking?" Heck it takes me 45 minutes to stop sweating and calm down after seeing the sticker prices on most new units, let alone being able to actually make a deal.

Is he talking about a Newmar Kountry Star?

Thanks Blake, got it now. Took me a new minutes and another cup of coffee but I figured it out.

I'm not seeing any information on coaches in folks signatures. I see comments like "I travel part time" or "I travel with pets" in signatures, but not much else except locations. Maybe I don't have something turned on in settings.

Kitchen slide comes in against kitchen island, thus blocking stove/oven/microwave. Can get to frig but that is it. We had the same situation on our fiver. So "Roger" never had an RV but had a bunch of opinions?

I know this is an extremely old post. But I just couldn't resist responding since we did a few years full time traveling in a 39' fiver. 1. You are correct, you have to get out and unhook. 2. You are incorrect, unless your friends had 15 year old fiver. Unhook, chock tires, press auto level button, done. 3. You are correct. 4. You are incorrect. While a fiver needs a place to stop, most can use their own restroom while traveling. 5. You are incorrect. We can't cook without opening one slide on our MH. Except for having air conditioning we use the frig in the fiver for lunch breaks just like our MH. 6. Have towed my fiver through 45mph cross winds using 2 fingers on the steering wheel. With my MH I would be sitting out those conditions. 7. The one you watched roll away must have been on a 10% grade covered in ice. A 20,000 pound fiver sitting on landing legs with the tires chocked ain't moving my friend. Maybe this poster was only making reference/comparison between TT (travel trailers and motorhomes) instead of comparing 5th wheels and motorhomes. I can only speak to fivers from experience since I have never owned or camped in a travel trailer.

Wow, our experiences with USPS (United States Postal Service) sure has been different from some of the above information. The last couple of years we have had our mail forwarded from our Florida home to our son's home up north. We travel for 4 or 5 months but he manages all of our mail that comes to his residence. We simply go online and set everything up with USPS and it costs $1.00. They forward all first class mail, including our magazines. They don't ever "box" mail up together and send it on a certain day, it just gets forwarded as it comes into our Florida post office. When we are a couple of weeks from getting back to our Florida home we go online and put a hold on our mail, that way nothing ends up getting sent up north after we are gone. I think the rules are pretty straight forward with USPS when doing it online. You can only have it forwarded less than 6 months. Now there may be some type of "Premium" plan they offer but we have just used their run of the mill paid-for-with-our-tax-dollars forwarding service and it has worked great!

Studebrucer, any progress? We got a signed contract on the house last night. Suppose to close in 33 days. Probably start selling some furniture and moving a little stuff into small storage facility but can't move ahead with too much until we actually close. Looks like November will be busy.