Here we GO! Sticking our toes into Full Time

[allanma]

Hello Group!

We are stepping into the world of full-timers, living 3 miles from the house we are selling in Green Valley.

I'm a 53 year old technology consultant to the legal community and typically spend 6-9 months in Hotels, usually in a city for about a month at a time. My partner is a retired MRI technician. Our traveling companion is a 15 year old black cat named Niles. Until this point, care of my parents has kept at least one of us grounded at all times.

Our original dreams were of a Class A with a dingy behind. But when my father passed he left me a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins Turbo, 6 speed manual, oversize rear trans-axel (manufacturing mistake) with only 70k miles on it. It's not a Dually, but it's a BEAST. So we looked at the price differential and said "we could have a fifth wheel NOW!"

Enter our 2003 3295 RK, which had been used for about 2 years and then parked as a guest house for the rest of the time. We got it for a song - typical Arizona faded exterior, dated but MINT interior. We learned the hard way about un-used holding tanks and paid a premium price for that, but so far so good.

While not TRULY arctic built (Windows still have weep holes), we've survived 26 degrees successfully and overcome silly things like the pump and water heater switches being in the kitchen slide and inaccessible when retracted - moved them to end of kitchen counter.

So far the only thing we DESPISE is the thumb-screwed electric panel - it needs to be on hinges.

Original ducted and still running strong (after a good coil cleaning). No W/D yet. No generator - and we LOVE boondocking in Quartzsite AZ - so considering a high amperage charge cable off the Dodge to top off house batteries quickly. Also considering a TurboCool evap system for desert camping. Nice 4k TV in the living room.

It needs polishing and roof treatment, and we are looking for advice on Mor-Ride vs. Trailer Saver (the latter sounds wonderful but at almost $3,000.00 we are cautious). Also extremely envious of self leveling systems.

One trip from Arizona to Oregon and back went well, except for the chucking on I-5 cement highways.

Very excited about trying this and hearing from those who have gone before!

Allan & Richard

[onekla]

From central Arkansas, welcome to the forum. Brian really likes the Mor-Ride. We love the auto leveling system - it is FANTASTIC!

[GLS3950]

Welcome to the group. I can't help much yet as I am new to the Montana. I am sure you will get a lot of great advice here.

[bigskyjimmy]

Welcome the Forum and to the Fulltime lifestyle we have been doing it for 5 years now and love it and as far as the pin box I had a 2004 Monty with no Mor-ryde and hated the chucking but my last 2 Monty's have had the Mor-Ryde and Believe me you can Kiss the Chucking and Bucking Goodbye with the Mor-Ryde save about 2400.00 bucks over the Air-ride and go with the Mor-ryde especialy when you have a older lighter Monty,If I had a Mobile Suites, New Horizons or similar heavier 5er i would consider the trailer saver Air -ride but for a Montana no need IMO

[Razrbk]

Welcome from NW Arkansas. Best of luck with your fulltime adventure.

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum and the full time lifestyle. We've been full time for five years now and love it. Ours also came with the Mor/ryde and it works well.

[pkbridges77]

Welcome from Western Arkansas to the forum and to full-timing. We will join that group (FT) in July. We also have an older Monty and have the factory pin, but one trip down I-5 (this fall) might be enough to convince me otherwise. This forum will be a great help.

[PackerFan]

Welcome to the MOC. You are going to love the full time life. Wishing you many happy miles and adventures.

[The Erwins]

Welcome to full timing! We do it a little differently then most my wife and I started 7 years ago and even after adding two kids haven't been able to find a good enough reason to stop, its truly a lifestyle and a great one!

I cannot help with the Mor-Ryde but will be watching the reviews as we are strongly considering it ourselves.

[1retired06]

Double welcome to the forum and the fulltiming life

[DarMar]

Welcome to the family and good luck on your new adventure. I can honestly say the level up system puts a huge smile on my face every time I use it, wouldn't be without it now.

[hickory]

Welcome to the forum. We have the Mor-Ryde and like it lots! I recently had an opportunity to back a big toyhauler down a road and into a winding narrow driveway for a park neighbor who bought some nearby property and was'nt familiar with backing a trailer of any kind. I was using his truck with a SOB slider hitch. What a jerky show that was. I actually checked to be sure the thing was properly latched. Don't fault the guy for not being familiar with backing. He's retired AF C-5 Galaxy pilot, now private pilot flying a gulfstream. I never learned to do that!

[Bill.vannuys]

Welcome to the Forum. We have the Trailer Saver BD3 5th Wheel Hitch; it gives us a very smooth ride. The auto leveling system was a requirement for us when we upgraded from our previous RV to eliminate the setup walking. Works great; no issues. We also smile when we simply "push the button" and it all happens.

[jameswbarton]

Welcome. I also just purchased a new Montana but I was Full Time in a 40 foot Motorhome pulling a car hauler trailer for the last few years. One thing those Motor Home folks do not discuss in public is how expensive maintenance on their MH's are and how far they have to travel to find good mechanics and reasonable service. Be glad you are starting your adventure in a 5ver with a good tow vehicle. Your annual cost will be far less. I parked next to many Montana's in the last few years and never met any unhappy owners. I hope that continues now that I bought one. It was rather odd as many of those Montana owners thought I had it made with the MH while I was thinking they had it made.

[Clays390]

Welcome to the forum and to full timing. We made the jump last Oct. I looked at all the options and went with the Mor-Ryde, haven't regretted it for a second.