ClayH: I already have the 5er, and did not tend to full time til I got my last "tax bill", which as a tried/retired person, it has now put us in negitive income. Six years of increases to fulfill the wants of our local govrenment. You would have to know TX. laws to understand.

 

wb6epp,
I have a few thoughts and tales. Being in the same age group as you I went smaller rather than larger. Started pulling a 39'6" Hitchhiker in 1978 with a Ford F-350, 460cuin gasser, and a 3 speed auto. Averaged 6-7mpg and spent as much time in 2nd gear as I did 3rd. Over the next 10 years put a little over 40K miles on that rig pulling. There were a lot of RV parks that couldn't take us because of our length. Sold everything and settled down for the duration of raising a family. In 2003 bought the rig in my signature.
It has made us a lot happier when on the road. We can get into any RV park that is open(We spend a lot of time in state parks), don't have any troubles in any town or byway that we happen to want to wander thru. We do most of our travels off the main highways so that we can see the country and sights. We average between 11-13.5mpg depending on wind and grades.
Have had no complaints with the whimpy 250HP SO Cummins, with the (God forbide!!) 47RE tranny, and 3.73 rear end. 92k miles and going strong. We have spent considerable time cruising around CO, NM, and AZ and feel very comfortable with the pulling and braking performance.

Just my experience and $.02

 

Actually I don't think its much different up here...

A lot of older guys(my dad being one) have opted to take early retirement and then contract out on a part time basis. Many of them aren't paying close enough attention to their income and are making a lot more than they think. Then are getting wacked hard come tax time. Being contractors they have to save over the year their income tax payments and GST payments and submit them at tax time. Its easy to loase track when you have a 2nd income(early retirement) and then start piling on overtime which is pretty standerd up here. Things are so busy up north that anything less than 50hrs a week is considered part time.

Anyway I still think you should think about a motorhome. Can easily sell the 5ver ot trade it in. Heck bring it up here! We're so short on housing that someone would buy it to live in! There are tons of "long term" RV parks popping up all oer the place!

 

You have other options. I considered the Medium Duty, but they cost a lot more to buy, even used.
You might consider a newer 3500. They have combined rating of 23000, I think?
Our approach to full time is to own a small peice of land in West texas, next to no taxes to speak of. Get a few containers, keep what you want. Park your big 5er as your home base. Build a cover & porch. Still no taxes.
Get a smaller 5er to travel in. I have read that 32" is an ideal lengnth and our Mobil scout is that. It also weighs 8000lbs empty, with 2 slides. We do not like it as much as our big Alfa, but it is comfotable and gets the job done. Do this and keep your truck. I bought the Mobil Scout 3 years old, consignment, for $14k. It is also 30 amp. You can not always find 50, needed for (2) AC units.
We get 12-13mpg at 55-60.
If you can keep it under 16k or so, (1) 3500 is the answer. A little lighter & smaller and you can go almost anywhere. Some of the older stae parks in Texas built in the 30's would have issues even with this, but most can handle 32'.
Just change your parameters a bit and you will be OK!

 

cLAYH: I used to truck into Calagary & Edmondton in 73 &74. I really loved the people up there. Made a lot of nice friends. Met a family when the snow closed the roads. I was sitting, blocked on the hiway by those vehicles in front of me. Wind blowing snow like crazy & I was prepaaring to go to bed as it was almost midnight. A farm tractor appeared out of nowhere, tapped on my window & motioned for me to come. This family had 38 people in their farm house when I woke in the morning. They fed all of us, would not except any payment from anyone. But I got my way of payback, good or bad. I was in that country once a week. I would bring boxes of produce, and the kids loved me cuz I brought boxes of comic books & books for the family. Quality clothes also. When I had time, I would always stop by just to say Hi! Lovely people.
Still not into motor home, because what i can afford would be used, and they didn't start putting sliders in them until late in the 90"s, & some of the other stuff the owners think they have "GOLD", except the gassers which now know they don't.
Yep, miles & miles of wheat up there. Don't quite know where Cochrane is though?
Happy truck'n

 

supr: Yes smaller is nicer if you are a weekender, but I am not going to be a weekender. I'm outta here! I already have a used 1997 signature with 3 slides, and will plan on full timing it for maybe a year. Then if we decide to build on property in Elko Nevada, then I can live in it until the house is built.
Since I pay cash for everything, I only buy what I can afford. No payments, no interest, no making the fatman loan officier fatter & I like it that way.
Happy Truck'n

 

spur: I forgot to respond to your low taxes. I have 25 aceres. Older but nice 2100 sq ft home. As you know, being from Houston, TX. this state is run by counties, not so much state controled (as I have found out the hard way).
Because I am over 65 & homesteaded, my taxes lock in on 3 aceres only. 22 acres of wooded, and not ag. approved, the isd (schools) hits me hard. Example: My neighbor has 40 acres, 3 kids in school, property been in family long time has Ag. exemption. He pays 1/3 the taxes that I do. In other words I am paying more for his kids to go to school than he pays. His bill less than $1K, my bill over $3K. Oops, I don't see thats fair!
Happy truck'n

 

I pay $9/year for 10 acres near Terlingua. Seems reasonable.
So, are you going to consider a newer 3500? I think they would have the tow rating & HP/Torque that you need. I think 2004 might be a good year to look at, if you go that way.
Yes, taxes in Houston are bad. They have gone up like almost everywhere in Texas. I hope to sell & get out in 3-6 months. We will move into the Alfa, work out of it for a few years. Kiss the Tax man, the insurance man, Home depot & house repair people goodbye. Owning a home in Texas is not the good thing it once was. Perhaps it is that way in most states. I think feeling violated sums it up.
Good luck on full timimg, we hope to be there soon!

 

spur: I have met alot of nice people, and made friends here, and that part will be hard to leave. Can I trade you tax bills for on year? sure like the sound of that. I am still getting a education on trucks. I have found a couple of sites on HDT & MDT [ Heavy & meduim duty trucks] on several sights, so I am reading thier commits. Sounds like the HDT's are out, though good looking rigs, but have learned they have limitations as to where they can go. Only some of the newer parks are making spaces to handle these rigs. Some state & federal reservers are not allowing them in. Just may wait to see what this new larger Dodge is that I here is coming. If it is like the price of the M2 freightliner, thay can keep it.
I also will look into buying 1 acre of land to call it a base home. Do all that you suggested.
Good luck in your accomplishments, & happy Truck'n

 

That being the case, what is wrong with using the truck that you already have. I ran 30k plus for 389 thousand on my '99. If you don't have the camper special springs, it might need the helper leafs installed. Other than that you are good to go. Only what is on the door sticker is legal and binding.