Taking the plunge

[djdumont]

This maybe a silly thing to ask about but how did you all feel before you purchased your first rig? My husband has been living out in North Dakota for 5 months and the most affordable way to live out there is in an rv park. I've done my research and talked to people who actually live there full time in the winter so I am not really looking for advice on that even though I'll take any advice I can get. I've been researching online and I've looked at a few different models but I am leaning toward the 2015 Montana with the raised den (and the four season package for whatever thats worth) . We actually did the financing part for it already and I just have to sign the paperwork and send it over night for my husband to sign. He's all for it and is so ready for us to be living together again but I'm nervous! Just wondering if this is how everyone feels before they take the plunge!? It's basically like us buying our first house and its perfect for our situation but I can't get over the cost. Someone just tell me I'm not the only one! Lol

[rbev2308]

Of course I felt that way as well. My fifth wheel cost 50% of the house I am living in now that I bought in 96. The fact that my house is now worth 4 times that much and the 5th wheel will never be worth what I paid for it is not reassuring but you only live once. Just like buying an automobile. It depreciates. big time. Key is getting a quality unit, getting a good PDI, doing the proper maintenance and remember, things are going to break period...I do not know anyone who has had their campers, especially ones who are basically living in them, that have not had issues over a five year period. The ones who are the most successful, took care of them by doing the maintenance and doing some of the things themselves. yes it is nerve wracking coughing up in excess of $50K period!!!! It took me 3 years to make my decision!

[gearhead]

First thing I would comment on....if he is in North Dakota in the oil industry, is he sure he will have a job there in the future?

[notanlines]

Before I did this I would try to talk to some RV'ers who have "camped" in 30 degrees below zero in a unit like this. Our Raptor would be frozen solid at zero degrees. There are many, many members here who can probably help.

[gtsum2]

I would talk with some folks doing it there and see how the winters are with their rigs. It gets cooooold there. Also second the question regarding employment (if in the oil industry).

[GaryWT]

Is there a work for combining nervous and excited. That is how we felt. We have never lived full time but I wish you luck.

[djdumont]

I've talked to a few people who are living full time in their campers out there and so has my husband. A couple of his coworkers are living in their campers full time also. They have given us lots of pointers and the more I think about it the more excited I am getting and the nervousness is kinda slipping further into the back of my mind. In regards to his job stability, we aren't too worried about him loosing his job. He's a truck driver and since he's been out there he's done 3-5 loads a day with no sign of slowing down. And I guess if things do slow down at least our house is mobile and we can follow the work. There will always be oil/gas/water to haul out there and if not there then somewhere else.