Starting to full-time

tkdmike

Member
Okay, we're selling the house and moving to the RV. The kids are grown and mostly gone and we're wanting to reduce living expenses so we can put more money away and hopefully retire. We've got a K-Z Durango 34' 5er now but want to trade up to a Heartland Big Horn. We've viewed and priced out a bunch of them in this area.

From the website and info it looks like this is a good rig for full-timers? Any pros or cons out there from you guys who are full-timing? Suggestions on options that are particularly helpful or things those of us making the transition might need to think about?

Looks like my 01 F250 Diesel is going to be on the edge as far as truck GCVWR and GVWR on a Big Horn so that may be another issue as well. The truck is heavily modified for towing but the weight/suspension capacities are still a 3/4 ton truck.
 

Oldlthrnecksgirl

Hisyoungercuterwife
We are fulltiming in our BigHorn and the two options I wish it had come with (we bought off a lot) are double paned windows and a second a/c. Other than that, we find it more than suitable for our needs and comfort,,, best of luck, Lizzy
 

cjbearden

Visitor
tkdmike

Welcome to the full-timing lifestyle. We also sold our house in April and hit the road. We started out in a 2006 Bighorn 3400RL but soon found we wanted more kitchen and other features (closet for stackable w/d; dual pane windows; dual A/C; hydraulic front landing gear; retractable power cord; larger refrigerator, etc.) so in June we upgraded to the Landmark Augusta. That change made it necessary to also upgrade our 2004 GMC 2500HD to the Dodge 3500HD.

Being in Texas with the high humidity - buy at least a 25 pint dehumidifier! We dump the water almost daily!

Best wishes on your choice of RV, swift sale of the house,and enjoy your new lifestyle.

CJ
 

kakampers

Past Heartland Ambassador
We've been fulltiming in a 3600RL for over a year...it's working out beautifully. As Lizzy said, be sure to order dual pane windows and a second A/C...wouldn't be without them. We also have a stack washer/dryer (that's why we got the 3600RL for the W/D closet)...you can absolutely get by without it, but now that I have them you couldn't pry them away from me!!

Everything in the unit is holding up well, except the Olevia TV which we replaced, however, the 09's and later have either a Jensen or a Samsung...much better. It helps to be handy so you can take care of little things, etc., don't want to have to take it to a dealer constantly. If it needs major repairs, Heartland can't be beat...they are the best company we've ever dealt with.

Expect we will eventually upgrade to a Landmark...if they ever come up with a floorplan we really, REALLY like...till then...we really LOVE the Bighorn!!
 

SmokeyBare

Well-known member
We've been in our BigHorn 3400-RL for over 2 years now.... Full Timing for over 4 years.

Chose well the location of your Home State. Get everything changed over - Driver's License - Vehicle Plates - Vehicle Insurance. It's risky to have a mix of addresses with those three items.

Be sure when you select your insurance policy for the RV... that it has Full Timer's coverage. Protection for liabilities is the one thing you lose when you no longer have a Home Owners Policy that would cover any accidents to visitors.

When we ordered our BigHorn... we selected - High Gloss Finish - Wired for a second A/C - electric rear jacks - Dual Pane windows - Counter Extension - Aluminum Wheels.

When wired for a second A/C, the power cord will be 50 Amps. as well as the circuit panel. The Dual Pane windows are very nice... they offer a good sound barrier from outside noise.

Good Luck with your Plans.
 
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