A new adventure begins

Familyfisher

Lora is retiring fully at the end of May and we bit the bullet and bought a travel trailer.  We've been toying with the idea for a few years.  After shopping new, we quickly decided to go used!  A man that I taught in high school messaged me about this one and said he'd sell it.  After a couple of visits, we took the plunge. 

It's  a 2012 Coachmen Freedom Express 270flds.   Just right for a couple with room for 2 guests if we choose 😎

I have had my first cataract surgery and will have the second one on Feb 22.  First trip is in March about 120 miles from home.  Starting with short jaunts and working our way up to a few hundred miles by the end of August. 

ferris1248

Nice setup and one I'm sure y'all will get a lot of use out of. What are you pulling it with?

Familyfisher

2016 F150.  Making some tire and suspension changes as recommended my Scott Manley.  Also, the weight distribution and anti-sway hitch makes it pull pretty well with very little squat.

TheMelMan

Make sure the tires don't have any dry rot.  I would hate to work on the tires on the road.....take some pictures for us, have lots of fun!

LiveLine

Congrats, miss my camper.  Just sucked when I wanted to camp and have my boat, so two vehicles had to be taken anywhere we went.  

billybob11

Awesome.  Have fun in y’alls retirement.   Second the tire thing.  Look at manufacturers date. Anything near 5 yrs old replace

Slough

Congrats. As said before, tires and it wouldn't hurt to have bearings and brakes checked. 

gogittum

You'll quickly come to appreciate that bedroom slideout.  I retired into a 33 ft Sprinter in April 2008 and lived in it, moving with the seasons, till March 2010.  Mine didn't have the bedroom slideout and I cursed that cramped, narrow bedroom (queen bed) every night and again in the morning when time to make the bed.

I enjoyed - loved - traveling in my pickup/camper and towing my boat for years up till then, but found that it was a different scenario with longer term camping in the Sprinter.  Didn't much like the campground scene after a year or so of that.

I'm not a social person, tho', so it may work better for you.  In any case, it'll be a highly enjoyable, interesting way of life for you.  Check out the Grizzly Bears in Hyder, AK, Fort Jefferson in FL and the Whales in Guerrero N.e.g.ro, Mexico.....and lots and lots of neat places in between - there's lots of in-between.  

swampdog

Awesome-happy for you guys! Here’s what I learned about buying RVs by observation. Buy used because the owners probably fixed all the issues. Buy new and it seems your constantly arguing with the dealerships to fix something that was wrong or didn’t work when it left the lot. True that on tires and bearings. Also Florida State Parks can get pretty crowded during winter, but very nice during rest of year. Enjoy!

Familyfisher

I bought this unit from a person I have known for many years.  I taught him in high school.  He had it gone through about 11 months ago (Camping World in Lake Park, GA) and about 2k worth of upgrades/repairs done.  New awning, tanks cleaned, etc.  Tires are in great shape less than 2 years old and bearings were replaced/packed less than 500 miles ago.

I plan to have a few things done in the near future such as new seals for slides and awnings over slides to avoid debris destroying the seals. Another reason we went used is to determine if we really LIKE to pull a travel trailer and camp that way.  

Cranfield

That looks like a lot of fun, I am envious, you have a lot of country to explore.
I have always thought that having a separate camper unit and vehicle was more convenient than a camper van.
Makes you much more flexible.
I assume the boat goes on the roof ?

amada8

Sounds like a trip through Colorado should be in your future!  Congrats to your Better Half.

micci_man

COngrats Brad

gogittum

LiveLine said:

Congrats, miss my camper.  Just sucked when I wanted to camp and have my boat, so two vehicles had to be taken anywhere we went.  

That is exactly why I chose to go the pickup/camper route for traveling.  The boat towed just fine behind it and the camper was surprisingly comfy.

Pineywoods01

Before your first trip even just 120 miles I would suggest packing up and going local like within a 1/2 hour of home if possible for 2-3 days. You may be very surprised at what all you forgot to pack or decide you need and even more so when it's relatively new to you. Seems no matter how well planned and how many lists are made things are forgotten some easy to pick up along the way and other things that aren't so easy to do that. On top of what has already been mentioned I would add a decent assortment of tools in a tool box and a foldable ladder. Father used to go RV'ing all summer and even when they "left everything but clothes and food in the RV" there were things they forgot every time they left.

Familyfisher

Liveline and Gogittum...

That was a decision that had to be made for sure.  We finally decided that, if we want a boating vacation,  we'll go the VRBO route, or invite one of the boys and daughters-in-law to join us so they can drag the boat!  Thus the "room for a couple of guests if we choose " statement.   😁

Tool kit is in the works most definitely. 

trout069

What gogittum suggested Brad. Former co worker , who finally retired, started going to ga state parks. Ones close to his former location, then further away. Now goes and sees grand child in Nc and over to ga and Sc coast. He and wife have been to about 60% of Ga state parks now. 

Klinger

If you don't already have one,  I would suggest getting at least an annual Natipnal park's pass,  but lifetime pass is well worth the money if you do much camping.  This gets you into any National Park,  National Monument etc. Especially useful for travel in the western states 

TheMelMan

Klinger said:

If you don't already have one,  I would suggest getting at least an annual Natipnal park's pass,  but lifetime pass is well worth the money if you do much camping.  This gets you into any National Park,  National Monument etc. Especially useful for travel in the western states 

Yep

Familyfisher

We both turn 62 this year so the Lifetime National Park pass will be purchased for sure 

GANDER

Congrats on the retirement! Travel well and safely. 

Spanky Dunlap

I'm going to give you some free advice that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO to your camper. Look at your tire size, then go find the highest load rating quality tire you can find in that size and buy 5 of them. Load range E or higher. 

Every single fricking guy on the side of the road with his **** sticking into traffic said the "tires looked like new". 

Signed the guy who has had an RV for 20 years. 

ferris1248

Look who the cat drug in!!!

Klinger

Spanky Dunlap said:

I'm going to give you some free advice that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO to your camper. Look at your tire size, then go find the highest load rating quality tire you can find in that size and buy 5 of them. Load range E or higher. 

Every single fricking guy on the side of the road with his **** sticking into traffic said the "tires looked like new". 

Signed the guy who has had an RV for 20 years. 

I agree, and the same advise on boat trailer tires 

TheMelMan

Anybody named Dunlap knows a thing or two about tires............

Familyfisher

Thanks

Soda Popinski

There are a LOT worse ways to spend retirement than seeing this beautiful country.    Enjoy every minute of it!

fishinbug

A telescoping ladder came in handy several times during an 11,000 mile retirement adventure.

https://www.amazon.com/WolfWise-Aluminum-Telescopic-Extension-Ladder/dp/B07LFB6X5D/ref=zg_bs_553480_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S37A9TSDYG7KBQEXMV0D 

A tube of caulk in the box o' stuff is another handy item.

https://dicorproducts.com/product/self-leveling-lap-sealants/ 

The Badlands are worth the trip.

Familyfisher

I've got 5 Goodyear Endurance (load range E) ordered and will have them on before we take our next trip!

Geneakers

Klinger said:

If you don't already have one,  I would suggest getting at least an annual Natipnal park's pass,  but lifetime pass is well worth the money if you do much camping.  This gets you into any National Park,  National Monument etc. Especially useful for travel in the western states 

Seniors also usually get a pretty decent discount.

Familyfisher

We are waiting til September (when I turn 62) to get the lifetime national park pass.  Looking forward to it!