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10-19-2021, 03:30 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Newbie with a dream
Hi everyone!
I don't have my RV yet, but I'm dreaming of a Coachmen Mirada 35ES. My love of motorhomes came from a trip with a friend for a few days in his minivan. Hopefully I will buy my dream and move there with my family for a full time living.
I wish you all smooth roads!
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10-19-2021, 03:55 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Saginaw Mn
Posts: 1,716
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Welcome from northern MN.
__________________
2012 Keystone Retreat 39 FDEN
99 Dodge One Ton Diesel Dually
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10-19-2021, 04:44 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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Welcome to the forum
New or used?
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-19-2021, 08:27 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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I'd suggest you & your family rent a motorhome of the same approximate length for a long weekend or a weeks vacation before dropping $200k buying one. This would give you 1st hand experience as to whether that size or model would be workable without spending a lot of $$$.
You didn't indicate how many or how old the kiddos are, but from experience a 36' motorhome, minus the cockpit there's actually about 30' of living space, can/will get very crowded with a couple youngun's above about 10 years old.
Looking at the floorplan of the model you mentioned it appears there's no separation between the master bedroom & the bunk area which doesn't leave much privacy for anyone.
Not trying to spoil your dream, just trying to keep your dream from becoming a nightmare!
The saying goes "you should buy your 2nd RV 1st!", meaning that after the 1st one you actually know better of what you want &/or need.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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10-19-2021, 09:07 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Oregon High Desert
Posts: 1,550
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Greetings and welcome!
We hope you realize your dream in the near future! Keep faith and it will happen!
Take care.
__________________
Gary & Deb (44 years)
RV: Keystone 2013 Alpine 3495FL
TV: 2014 RAM 3500HD Laramie Long Box, 6.4 HEMI, 4x4, 4.10's, with Mopar Puck system, and a B&W Companion hitch.
Retired Firefighter/EMT.
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10-19-2021, 10:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,666
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Welcome to the forums and hope your dream becomes reality! If you are not experienced with the RV life style, I also strongly suggest renting one and seeing how it goes.
If you can't do that, then pick up a tent, sleeping bags, a few pots and pans and head out for a few week-ends with the family. All those items will eventually be put in the new camper anyway, so you are not loosing anything. But you are gaining a lot of knowledge on camping doing so. Plus, you'll learn real fast how much your family REALLY loves you in cramped quarters!
Good luck! Enjoy, and maybe someday we'll meet on the road.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
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10-19-2021, 01:45 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Welcome to the forum. You've been given good advice on renting and see how it fits. Another option is to rent a cabin in a campground to get the feel for sharing a space. Good luck!
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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10-21-2021, 12:07 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spicercars
Welcome from northern MN.
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Thank you!
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10-21-2021, 12:08 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Welcome to the forum
New or used?
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Thank you! I would be very happy even with a used one
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10-21-2021, 12:14 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
I'd suggest you & your family rent a motorhome of the same approximate length for a long weekend or a weeks vacation before dropping $200k buying one. This would give you 1st hand experience as to whether that size or model would be workable without spending a lot of $$$.
You didn't indicate how many or how old the kiddos are, but from experience a 36' motorhome, minus the cockpit there's actually about 30' of living space, can/will get very crowded with a couple youngun's above about 10 years old.
Looking at the floorplan of the model you mentioned it appears there's no separation between the master bedroom & the bunk area which doesn't leave much privacy for anyone.
Not trying to spoil your dream, just trying to keep your dream from becoming a nightmare!
The saying goes "you should buy your 2nd RV 1st!", meaning that after the 1st one you actually know better of what you want &/or need.
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Wow, thank you so much for such advice! Yes, now I'm more conscious and responsible about my dream. After all, before it was a dream, as if wearing rose-colored glasses. Living on wheels with my family all the time, what could be better?
But now I understand that not everything is so simple and it is worth really getting experience in this, all weighed up and only then decide to buy.
We have one son, 8 years old. And about not having enough privacy - I totally agree, will need to reconsider that point.
"you should buy your 2nd RV 1st!" - is one of the best things I've ever heard in my life!
Thank you so much for clarifying everything!
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10-21-2021, 12:15 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary R.
Greetings and welcome!
We hope you realize your dream in the near future! Keep faith and it will happen!
Take care.
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Thank you so much Gary!
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10-21-2021, 12:17 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchmensport
Welcome to the forums and hope your dream becomes reality! If you are not experienced with the RV life style, I also strongly suggest renting one and seeing how it goes.
If you can't do that, then pick up a tent, sleeping bags, a few pots and pans and head out for a few week-ends with the family. All those items will eventually be put in the new camper anyway, so you are not loosing anything. But you are gaining a lot of knowledge on camping doing so. Plus, you'll learn real fast how much your family REALLY loves you in cramped quarters!
Good luck! Enjoy, and maybe someday we'll meet on the road.
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Thank you so much! You give very good advice! Indeed, camping with my family is also a great way to find out what the future holds and if our child is even ready for this life.
Thank you!
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10-21-2021, 12:19 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
Welcome to the forum. You've been given good advice on renting and see how it fits. Another option is to rent a cabin in a campground to get the feel for sharing a space. Good luck!
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I am insanely glad I ended up on this forum, as I already received so much great and really helpful advice on the first day! Thank you so much for helping, it's priceless!
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