Fulltiming Doesn't Mean Major Eating Change

Despite the fact that a lot of "high end" motorhome builders have eliminated the 'old fashioned' oven, it seems many fulltimers still eat much as they did before they went on the road.

In a recent question posted on a fulltimer's forum, a huge majority of respondents said they pretty well stuck with the way they cooked "back home." How's that? Here's a sampling of some of the "menu items" fulltimers take to eating:

"I cook pretty much everything from scratch, so nobody can convince me that can't be done in RV living. Lots of homemade soups, stews, chicken casseroles. Breakfast possibly cereal, or just toast & yogurt, and often eggs in many different ways. I bake jalapeno corn bread which is always a winner..hmm, biscuits, bread. Don't do desserts much either.....so, even rving equals good cookin."

"Breakfast is fruit OR muffins OR cold cereal w/bannana. Lunch is sandwich or leftovers. Supper is normally done in the microwave or convection. We do grill out often, with the favorite being pork steak. Veggies are either canned or frozen "steam fresh" type. In cooler weather we do lots of soups or crock pot meals. We eat out maybe 2 to 3 times a month unless visiting friends or family in their stick houses, then eating out happens more."

"We seldom eat out. [Hubby] would be willing to go out a lot more often, but most times we enjoy having dinner on trays in front of the TV. RV living has never seemed to impact our way of cooking. In fact I enjoy it more now than I did when I was raising a family, maybe because back then I had to do it; now I choose to."

Fulltimers also commented that in some ways, traveling has made their eating habits better than when living in a "stickbuilt" home. " was going to say "we eat the same as we did before we went on the road" but that's not true. When our house was anchored we didn't have access to fresh vegetables in the winter or good seafood on a regular basis. I'm gonna say we eat considerably better and for less money than we used to. Sometimes we have to change the menu a bit based on what is available but so far that has all been for the better."

Our own fulltime lifestyle has revealed that in the small confines of a trailer without slideouts creative cooking tends to suffer. We generally eat simple meals, nothing elaborate, except when time and inclination hit and we do something really special. But then cleaning up afterwards without a dishwasher generally puts an end to special meals for a few weeks.

Six Rules for Traveling In Tight Quarters

"The Johnstons just completed another three-month motor home journey. Three months is a long time to be on the road with someone else in a vehicle not much larger than a Wal-Mart dressing room."

Thereafter follows the six rules, which look like so much extinguishing for the fire that rises between the sexes. If the 'fur has been flying' between you and your road partner, check out some suggestions here.

Photo: picmel1983 on flickr.com

The Return of the Blue Bird

It's not spring, and our feathered friends are still fluffing out in southern climes. But the return of the BlueBird is certain--that is, the Blue Bird Motorcoach.

Considered by many to be the pinacle of fulltiming RV luxury, Blue Bird Wanderlodge was the first $100,000 motorhome to hit the market. If you rode 'the big yellows' to school as a kid, you may have rode in one Wanderlodge's parent company school buses--Blue Bird was (and still is) a major bus manufacturer.

But last year the bus folks sold out the venerable motorcoach side of the business to CoachWorks Holdings in Riverside, California. Would it mark the end of the luxurious line of Wanderlodges? The answer rolls out in Florida this week: CoachWorks' first Wanderlodge will debut at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. At present all that's available for viewing on the web are teaser photos of color swatches and glimpses of high grade stuff like golden bathtub fixtures. Seems only appropriate--since the new Wanderlodge Premier XL will price at just under a cool million dollars.

What we know is the rig is all stainless steel, has plenty of marble and granite, and plenty of expensive stuff built in. To move all that weight, it's probably only appropriate that there's a 600 horsepower Cummins "under the hood," as standard equipment. What we don't know--at least today--is what the thing really looks like, inside and out.

The Wanderlodge website has a digital clock ticking off the days, hours, and minutes leading up to the rollout. When the clock hits zero across the board, will they let us see real pictures, or will we have to hold our breath and head to Tampa?

Financial Columnists Suggest RVing Alternative

The financial column, Motley Fool, recently ran a piece entitled "The Cost of Working." In it, authors Billy and Akaisha Kaderli questioned the wisdom of working longer to build up the 401K retirement plan. After examining just how much more it costs to work, rather than to retire, the Kaderlis provided some suggestions on how to cut back on costs. One of them? Consider leaving the conventional stix and brix house behind.

"And why not try someplace new? There are many ways to downsize your housing expenses. You could rent or purchase a condo, with amenities that management takes care of," write the minding-your-money folks, "You could move to a sailing vessel or houseboat, or maybe an RV. We know many RV and boat "full-timers" who long ago gave up the conventional house. It's not because they cannot afford one -- they simply prefer the unhampered lifestyle."

The article also provides other insights on how to reduce the cost of working--and helps you get closer to retirement (and that fulltime RV lifestyle). Check it out here.

Photo: AndWat on flickr.com

Guide helps fulltimers decide on an RV homebase

For anyone considering the fulltime RV lifestyle, a state to establish a home base can be vitally important. For these RVers, the new 2008 guide "Selecting An RV Home Base" from the editors of Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines is a "must-have" planning tool for selecting a state to call "home." Among the most important issues for RVers are taxes and RV fees. Which states have the best income tax advantages? Which states offer the best rates on RV registration? The fact is, picking the wrong state to establish an official residence could result in spending thousands of dollars a year that could be saved by establishing a home base elsewhere. And just how does a full-time RVer establish an official residency? Is it enough to simply rent a post office box? Probably not. In this annual guide you will learn: financial liability by state, Federal taxes for fulltime RVers, state retirement exemptions, tax advantages of each state, vehicle licensing registration specifics, voting rules and requirements. This is a little book but the information is valuable and almost impossible to find elsewhere without countless hours of research. The book can be ordered at RVbookstore.com.

Camp Hosting Doesn't Always Mean "No Money"

A couple who camp host in a small town in Texas prove that a camping hosting position doesn't always mean an RVer who puts in time only for an RV site.

Rosie and Walt Bullock camp host in Grapevine, Texas. In addition to having a free hookup website, the couple also receives a stipend for their work. Do they work 7 days a week in a slave labor position? Not at all, in fact, the couple works 3 days, then has 7 days off. Not bad at all, and it's a contract job with the city, which owns the local campground.

Check out the full story in the Star Telegram. But take one thing with a grain of salt: The paper indicates the city pays stipends of $70 to $100 per day for working. If it's true, better hurry--that's a pretty rich allowance in addition to the hookups!

Photo: Star Telegram

RV Voter Rights Challenged in Tennessee

While fulltime RV folks who call Oregon their registration "home" may not have trouble with upcoming elections, that apparently isn't the case with those from the Volunteer State. According to news from the Good Sam Club, 286 fulltimers who used a mail forwarding service in Cleveland got tossed off the Bradley County voter's rolls. Why so? Because they'd dared to use the mail forwarding facility's address as their permanent address.

The American Civil Liberties Union has stepped into the fray, filing a lawsuit on the part of the disenfranchised RVers, with the claim that these folks have had their constitutional rights abridged by the action of the local county government. The afore mentioned RV club says they'll file an amicus brief in support of the RVers. This "friend of the court" brief, coming from an outside party, is aimed at assisting the court in making a fair decision. It will be up to the court to determine whether it wishes to admit the brief or deny it.

Whether or not the court will hear--and decide--on the case in time for next fall's elections remains to be seen.

To listen to the story, check out this audio post on NPR radio.

Photo: CAVE CANEM on flickr.com