Wednesday, July 27, 2011

AND THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS

Don’t ask the question if you aren’t willing to make big changes.

Awhile ago, we were out to dinner with friends and somehow the conversation got around to the “what if” scenarios. Somebody asked Jim what he would do if I were to die next week or next month. His answer was – sell the motorhome and buy a fifth wheel. When asked why he would do that, he said he wanted to be able to take his boat with him which he can’t do with the motorhome unless he gives up his vehicle.

When we got home we continued to carry on this conversation and it has led to big changes in our lives, once again. Guess that’s what we get for sitting in one place for so long. A need for change.

For the last couple of months we have been on the hunt for a truck and a fifth wheel. Both are hard to find up here (at least the one’s in our price range) because the oil field workers are snapping them up as soon as they become available.

We did find a fifth wheel (after looking at every one in town and many hundreds on line). We had already put a deposit on one at Pierce RV but we needed to make a trip to the post office. Coming out of the post office drive way there’s a small RV dealer right across the street. Jim said, “Let’s just stop in here and look.” We found one we liked better and that was actually in much better shape inside. Pierce was great about our deposit.

So we are now the owners of a 2004 Keystone Montana 29.5’ fifth wheel. But no truck. The RV dealer was wonderful about holding our rig for us on his lot until we could come up with a truck.

Trying to find a Chevy Silverado Crew Cab 2500HD diesel is next to impossible. Once again, that’s the truck that they want out in the oil fields. Since Jim retired from Denny Menholt Chevy here in Billings, all of the salesmen out there were trying to find him a truck and not having any luck at all. We test drove a couple of trucks but weren’t happy with them. Found one at Lithia Dodge and test drove it. Made some really strange noises that I wasn’t comfortable with.

Finally found a truck on line at Chevrolet of Helena. Helena is about 240 miles west and north of Billings. Jim called the dealership and they still had the truck. He told the guy he would be there that afternoon to look at it. He threw a couple of things in a plastic bag suitcase and took off. Spent many hours negotiating on the truck (I really don’t like the way they sell cars but Jim knows how to play their game.) They finally gave us what we wanted as a trade-in on the Avalanche and came down in price to what we said we’d pay on the truck. About 6:30 he left Helena. Got as far as White Sulphur Springs and said that’s enough. Spent the night and came home the next day.

We have a truck – need to have the hitch installed. We hadn’t  gotten rid of our super glide hitch from our Hitchhiker but we needed new brackets. Takes a week to get the brackets. Need a tool box, a hitch put on the RV (for the boat), a spray in bed liner, and I can’t remember what all. It’s been an endless round of taking the truck in somewhere for something.

Last night we took possession of our fifth wheel and moved it to a storage lot. Today new tires and then the horrendous job of moving which I hate, hate, hate!!!

As you can tell, we really haven’t been sitting around waiting for parts to come in on the motorhome. By the way, we still haven’t heard from Hansers about the parts on the recall. Guess we’ll wait until we get moved out before we start pushing them on it.

Anyone want to buy a beautiful low mileage motorhome?

IMG_2525

27 comments:

  1. And, we finally get to see the pictures!! Congratulations on your new home! Moving is hard no matter what we move out of or into.

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  2. Congratulations! I know Jim will like pulling into a fuel station with the diesel. You'll feel like going down the road when you're getting good MPG

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  3. This is so cool. I am very happy for you guys. I think a 5ver is the best choice.

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  4. Hoohah! Yay! Celebrations all around. Christen the new vehicle with a bottle of champagne, but don't break it over the bow -- drink it!

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  5. my oh my!..you say you have been sitting doing not much..sounds like a whole lotta something!..congrats on the purchase of your new 'home on wheels'...I guess the moral of the story is never sit too long in one place or you never know what kind of decisions you are going to make!..happy moving!!!

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  6. WOW! It sounds like you've had a 5th wheel in the past (you still have the hitch), so you know what you are getting into. Can you do the hitching/unhitching if you have to? Anyway, congratulations and I hope I get a chance to see it when I ramble through MT.

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  7. Nice rig. you will love the duramax. truck it looks like the same color as ours. We had thought about motor homes. but we always went back to the fiver, because of having to drag a toad around and getting 5-8 miles to a gallon no matter what with the MH. Our duramax gives us 19-20 when not towing and 11-13 with our 30 foot Chaperral behind it, the combined weight is just under 18.000lbs.Plus in about 10 minutes I'm out from under it and the bed cover is folded down and we now have a truck to run around in wherever we are.Good Luck with your new home. be safe out there. Sam & Donna....

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  8. Hi Sandie......Although we aren't full timers....I certainly know about "the hunt" and all that moving stuff. Actually 5th wheels have so much more space than motor homes. Eventually, we may do the same....never know what life brings....my friend.

    Stay happy and don't work too hard.

    Jo

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  9. Wow! What a surprise. You sure keep a secret well. :) Enjoy everything but the moving part!

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  10. I see you so often on Simply Living I thought I'd stop by. Sounds like you guys are having a blast. Blessings, Liz

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  11. Congratulations! It's the same truck we have to pull our 32' Heartland Big Country 5'er. You'll love that diesel and your new fifth wheel looks great too!

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  12. Wow! Just wow! You sure caught me off guard. Although I'm not surprised at all that Jim wants to take his boat more often. Double towing is so far out of my experience that it would not even have occured to me. :)

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  13. Well, I see you have left the "motorhome" club and joined the other side, the "fifth wheel" club. Things do change in our lives, and it's nice to be able to be flexible. Have fun!

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  14. Looks great - can't wait to see pictures of the inside!

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  15. Well, you sure did pull the wool over our eyes. You said you had a big surprise. I would never have guessed this. We both wish you the best of luck with your new home. This has got to be a huge change for you. Can't wait to hear how you like it. I want to see pictures tooooo!

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  16. What a surprise! You really do keep a secret well. Hope you will enjoy your new home....after you get moved...gee, that sounds like a lot of work though.

    Do all states allow a 5th wheel to tow a boat? We don't see that very often.

    Congratulations!

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  17. Change is always exciting & no doubt it's the best & only option you had for towing the boat. Can't have things come between a man & his fishing. Happy motoring:))

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  18. Congratulations on your new "home on wheels." She is a beauty! You guys sure keep a secret well. :-)
    Now we want to see pics of the inside whenever you all are ready!!

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  19. I had the same question as Margie about double towing in all states. Sounds like you got what you wanted and that's always a good thing. Have fun with it.

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  20. Congrats on your new purchase. I know we wouldn't be happy driving around with that much length, sometimes we find 28' to be too much. As long as you and Jim are happy that's what counts. I am sure you will enjoy it and all the fishing that will go along with it.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  21. WOW... I have really been behind on my blog reading. A lot has happened with you guys! Your new home looks very nice. I'm sure you'll be happy once the flooring is replaced.

    Now I know what you meant in your comment on my blog! I was a bit behind :)

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  22. Fantastic news! Congratulations!!!!!

    Have you calculated how far it is to San Jose? I think Merikay ought to come up and take a look at your motorhome!!

    Take it easy with the moving. Nobody says you have to do it in one day, or two, or even three!

    We look forward to seeing your new rolling home! We hope you enjoy many happy, safe, trouble-free and fun-filled miles.

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  23. WOW ! I'm also a bit behind on my Blog reading and this sure took me by surprise. Didn't you guys just get the Class A ??

    You should have put it into a saga like I did. Keep everyone on the edge of their seats !! haha

    I couldn't believe how much work was to moving my stuff from my Class C to the A. And I don't think I have a lot of stuff.

    Can't wait to see it !

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  24. Just catching up on my blogs. Congratulations! A new home is always exciting. You are preaching to the choir here about hating to move. Moving our kids just about did me in.

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  25. I am so behind. Wow, love it. Welcome to the club. Not sure about towing the boat behind but I am so happy you will be able to travel with your sweetie now!

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  26. Hi Jim and Sandie. I just came over from "Aint for City Girls". I one of those single women wanna- be RVers. Reading about all the steps you took made me feel more confident that I can do it when the time comes. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to hearing the rest of your tales.

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  27. WHOO-HOO!! Congrats on the new setup. Sounds like it was just what you needed. Hope to see you guys at the fall or winter/spring GJR. We'll be at both.

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