YAN (yet another Newbie!)

[Manning G]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
My wife and I are middle aged (60 and 70). We have enough assets to go full-timing if we sell the house. We have school age children however, and need to wait until our 7th grader graduates from high school. (Or longer if we can't get them out of the house.
If we were to do it today we'd look for a 7 year old Flying Cloud 30 and a 10 year old Silverado 2500HD.
Anyway, it'll be a while before we can positively contribute to the forums. I foresee lots of questions (most probably already answered somewhere) and not so many answers.
So, here's to living long enough to enjoy your world.
Cheers,
Manning

[Protagonist]

Welcome to the AirForums!

You don't have to wait until you're ready to go full-timing to buy an Airstream. I have some friends who are now ages 66 and 62, who have a 15-year-old (adopted) daughter. The father only retired a year ago, but they've been Airstreaming for as long as I've known them (close to 5 years now). In fact, for the past 2 years, I've been the daughter's math tutor.

It's true that having children in school will limit the amount of time you can spend in your Airstream, whether you're retired or not. But if your employer is willing to allow you time off when your children have time off from school, you can easily get in several short trips during the school year for long weekends, and one longer trip in the summer.

They say travel broadens the mind, and that's especially true for children. Taking them on trips in an Airstream is a great way to get them to see historic and/or cultural landmarks, see stunning natural vistas that they'd otherwise only see on TV, and give both them and you a welcome break from the routine of day-to-day life.

Plus from my own experience, getting your Airstream before you retire is a great way to get in "retirement practice." That way, you can see if Airstreaming full-time is right for you— by Airstreaming part-time— before you commit to selling everything after you retire. Better to get your feet wet before you dive in headfirst.

[Isuzusweet]

Thank God i don't live in Texas as I wouldn't want to A) live until I'm 120-140+ years old and B) start having children in my 50's.......what were you thinking?

My kids think I'm old and I'm 52 with my youngest adopted child being 15 years old.

I have owned my Airstream for 5 years now and have had a lot of fun with the family in it. Nothing to stop you from buying one now and using it occasionally to find out if it's for you BEFORE you decide to sell the crown jewels and go full timing.

Cheers
Tony

PS If I were you I'd get an older Airstream and a newer truck......and for gosh sakes, you don't NEED a 3/4 ton to tow an Airstream. Also if looking at buying a diesel truck......you seriously need to buy the newest one you can afford.

[Manning G]

Good thoughts all.
The kids are all adopted and we think that they need stability. As to camping now.... if I only could! The AS and TV are only possible when we have the cash out of our house (good news, it's paid for!!!)
Cheers,
Manning

[AtomicNo13]

We full-time with 4 kids ranging from 13 months to 11 years.
Just get out there, start taking pictures and making memories.
Every day you wait is another day closer to death.
I'm almost 50, and have been full-time for 6 years.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

We full-time with 4 kids ranging from 13 months to 11 years.

Home schooled?

On edit— my 10,000th post! Yay, me!

[Manning G]

On edit— my 10,000th post! Yay, me!

See, I'm already contributing.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Manning G

On edit— my 10,000th post! Yay, me!

See, I'm already contributing.

And I thank you for it. Having so many posts in less than 6 years means three things:
1 - I really like helping fellow Airstreamers, when I can.
2 - I really like learning new things from fellow Airstreamers.
3 - I have way too much time on my hands!

[Manning G]

Protagonist

Looks like strike three!!

Isuzusweet- I'm hoping to explore the continental divide. Unless I don't understand towing standards, I don't see any 1/2 tons good for it both uphill and down. What am I missing?

Manning

[rmkrum]

Hm, perhaps a sufficiently large set of brakes and a big enough engine???

Seriously, it’s always possible to trade slow speed and patience for bunches of power uphill, and careful control of downhill speed to avoid issues.

Any tow vehicle choice is a compromise.

[AtomicNo13]

Yes, homeschooling, rather roadschooled...

[VaTravelers]

Manning, I appreciate that you and your wife decided to adopt at an older age. As for waiting. I may get thrown off the forum, but while you're waiting for the right time to buy an AS, you may consider other alternatives that will get your kids out camping. We started with pop-ups with our kids. It's camping but not on the ground. You can pull them almost anything. They can be ready to go in minutes. And they are a very affordable option.

[Manning G]

Good thoughts all.

We are pretty happy right now with tent camping with 6 out of a Honda Odyssey. My original post was really just an introduction, rather than a plea for help.

We are lurking around in anticipation of the day we can join you guys.
Cheers,
Manning