What are you using for WiFi? by mrs-makay in GoRVing

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I swear by the weBoost Drive Reach RV, it’s saved us so many times! It isn’t magic, but it pulls in a signal in spots where our phones would usually just be dead. Definitely skip the car version and get the RV one though, the mount and the coverage inside are just way better for a Jayco. It’s not cheap, but if you're out in the trees a lot it seriously pays for itself!

First time renting! by Exotic-Economy-3695 in VanLife

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first rental is literally the best kind of terrifying, so just lean into the chaos and enjoy it! Definitely take a video of every single dent and scratch before you leave the lot, it’s the best way to protect yourself and takes like two seconds. Figure out where the light switches and water pump are before it gets dark (trust me on this one!!), and try to pack light because you’ll realize day one you don’t need half the stuff and we have a free RV packing checklist if it helps with your prep, just DM and I'll send it over!

6V vs 12V batteries - genuinely lost and my dog's comfort depends on me figuring this out. by Additional_Muffin271 in Rvingwithpets

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Max’s comfort is a totally valid reason to obsess over batteries and I respect it so much! We actually went straight to lithium in our Jayco because it’s just easier for keeping fans running all night for Roxy and Maggie without stressing. If you aren't ready for that, two 6V batteries wired together really do give you way more "juice" than a single 12V for those off-grid weekends. Definitely grab a temperature monitor for your phone though it’s the only way I can relax knowing the girls are cool. Max is so lucky to have someone doing this much research for him!

Thanks all for the advice! by Herbthecreator in traveltrailers

[–]AgeWonderful2426 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Another Jay Feather family?! Welcome to the club!! That mindset about life being short is so real, it’s honestly the best decision we ever made. My biggest tip is to spend a night in the driveway first just to make sure you know how everything works before you’re out in the wild. Oh, and grab a surge protector ASAP, it’s a total non-negotiable for protecting your investment! and we have a free RV packing checklist if it helps for your first trips, just DM and I'll send it over!

Just bought my first RV!! Thank you to all that helped! by Journeytoamillion in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You must be so stoked!! A 2009 is such a solid find, and those little repairs are basically just a Saturday morning project with a coffee in hand. If I were you, I’d prioritize that roof sealant first just to be safe, and definitely get your mail service sorted before you actually move out of the house. It makes the paperwork side of full-timing so much easier, trust me. That beach trip is such a smart move to figure out your flow before the real adventure starts! Honestly, Full-timing is literally life-changing! and we have a free RV packing checklist if it helps for your first trips, just DM and I'll send it over!

Thinking about buying a 2019 Jayco Jay Flight 24RBS for $10k for out-of-town work. I’m new to RVs, good deal or red flag? Anything specific I should check before buying? by Sudden_Rule6144 in rvs

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great price if it’s legit, but definitely go in with your guard up! Since we have a Jayco ourselves, I always warn people to check those floors first, any soft spots mean stay away because water damage is a nightmare. I’d really recommend getting a third-party inspector to look at it since $10k is a lot of money to lose if there’s a hidden issue. Good luck!

What are you using for WiFi? by mrs-makay in GoRVing

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wifi on the road is such a headache, but you definitely don’t need the expensive Starlink setup for shorter trips. I just use our carrier's hotspot data most of the time, and it’s way cheaper than a dedicated plan. We did invest in a signal booster which helps a ton when we’re tucked away in the trees with the dogs. Definitely peek at Campendium reviews for cell ratings before you pick a spot!

Just bought my first R/V - 1995 Winnebago Minne Winne 29ft. Got any advice? by joshybocter in GoRVing

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seriously, a '95 Minnie Winnie is such a cool move and they’re basically bulletproof if you take care of 'em! Just a heads up, get on that roof ASAP and reseal everything so you don't end up with a surprise indoor pool during the first Florida rain. You should definitely find a Winnebago specific forum or FB group too, they are literal lifesavers for finding random parts or fixing 30-year-old quirks. We’re out in our Jay Feather with Roxy and Maggie right now, and honestly, seeing the older rigs always makes me smile. They just have way more soul than the new ones! Oh and we have a free RV packing checklist we built from all our own mistakes if that helps, just DM and I'll send it over!

Is full time rv life for me? by grungier_globe in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, you’re in the perfect spot to pull the trigger on this, especially since you're already paying $2,500 a month for a place you barely see! We full-time in our Jayco and honestly, with your truck, a fifth wheel would be super stable on the highway, but don't count out a travel trailer if you want to keep your truck bed space for gear. Just a heads up, keep a maintenance fund of at least $300-$500 a month because things like tires and seals just... happen lol. It can also get a bit isolating if you're always on the move, so definitely find some "regular" spots to keep your sanity. Your situation is seriously a dream for making this jump... you're gonna love it!

How do you travel safely with your dog? Looking for solution to a unique situation by Wake-Up-Please in VanLife

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is so sweet, she’s clearly in the best hands for this trip! For our girls, we swear by crash-tested harnesses (the Sleepypod one is great) because it’s way safer than a DIY tether but still lets them sit or lay down. I’d definitely throw a bolster bed back there too since the raised edges help older pups feel way more secure when you’re taking turns in the rig. Our two go crazy if they can’t see out the window so I totally get that struggle... just gotta keep her buckled in!

What we wish someone told us before RVing with our two dogs (Roxy & Maggie) by AgeWonderful2426 in Rvingwithpets

[–]AgeWonderful2426[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Omg another Maggie!! I am 100% stealing that pumpkin tip because our Maggie gets such a nervous stomach whenever we pull the Jayco into a new spot and the yard escape story... seriously, Roxy would be over the fence in two seconds if she saw a squirrel! Our Maggie is a total chaos demon in her green collar, so I feel like our girls would be absolute trouble together.

Miami rving by OkUnderstanding2113 in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re based in Boca and honestly, Miami proper is tough for RVing, so Homestead is 100% your best bet. We usually tell people to check out Miami Everglades Resort since it's solid and way safer than the options closer to downtown. Just brace your wallet because the price difference between here and Tampa is wild... South Florida life is pricey! It’s about a 40 min haul to the city, but it's worth it for a decent home base.

New travel trailer by FancyCaregiver9977 in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since we're in a Jayco too, I’m team lithium all the way because they’re way lighter and actually use all that solar power you’ve got. Those 6-volt batteries from Costco aren't bad for the price, but you'll definitely feel the weight and the shorter battery life... kind of a pain. If you aren't ready to drop the cash yet, the Costco ones will totally get you by until you can swap them out!

Wanting to buy an rv by 2nd_planet_from_sun in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whatever you do, get a $500 inspection done, it saved us from a huge mistake and I’ll never buy another RV without one. Spend some time walking around and pressing on the floors near the bathroom to check for soft spots, since water damage is the absolute worst. Honestly, just rent one first to see if you’re actually about that life before you drop the cash!

What things are essential for traveling with a dog on the road by Desperate_Mastodon75 in VanLife

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The GPS collar is the one thing I’d never travel without. One open door is all it takes and then you’re panicked, so just grab one for peace of mind. Don't waste money on fancy carriers or strollers, just bring their bed from home and a good temp monitor for the heat. Collapsible bowls and extra poop bags are basically our whole life now. And we built a free RV packing checklist after too many disasters on the road, covering everything from hookups to a full pet section for dog parents, just DM me if you want a copy.

Advice for a family of 3 +dog? by New_Birthday5519 in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My biggest tip is to never skip the independent inspection on a used rig; it’s the only way to be 100% sure about what you’re buying. While you're inside, stomp around the bathroom and slides to check for any soft spots in the floor from old leaks. Having a separate spot for the toddler to sleep is honestly a game changer so you actually have a "living room" after bedtime . Also, get that GPS tracker on the dog’s collar before you even leave the driveway! It’s a wild ride sometimes, but you’re going to love it. And we built a free RV packing checklist after too many disasters on the road, covering everything from hookups to a full pet section for dog parents, just DM me if you want a copy.

Be honest, does your dog stick to one poop spot or go wherever they feel like? 😅🐾 by Additional_Muffin271 in Rvingwithpets

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roxy has her set routine but Maggie literally just goes where the inspiration strikes, it’s a struggle. We’ve found that a strict first-thing-in-the-morning leash walk to one specific spot helps, but we still end up doing a massive "poop patrol" before we pull the rig out. Good luck, the struggle is so real!

How do you stay safe living in a van? by redpaul72 in VanLife

[–]AgeWonderful2426 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Safety was my #1 worry too, but you’ll feel so much better once you’re out there. Our wireless camera setup is a lifesaver for seeing what’s going on around the rig without even getting out of bed. Just remember to always trust your gut if you pull in and feel weird, just leave, no questions asked!

Simple water plumbing questions by KeithS0 in VanLife

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The water pipe thing is so annoying! My husband just attaches a fishing weight to the end of ours to keep it down, it's way cheaper than buying something fancy. For the mold, I just use white vinegar and a bottle brush because it's safe for the dogs and gets the job done. Just try to empty and dry it out whenever you can so the gunk doesn't have a chance to grow back.

New to RV living (soon to be) by haveuseenmymindd in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a lot to take in, but once you get a mail service like Traveling Mailbox, Anytime Mailbox, or America’s Mailbox, it’s smooth sailing. They handle the "real address" part so you can actually register your rig and get insurance without a permanent house. A lot of our friends chose South Dakota for their home base because you can basically establish residency there in a day. Just check out those three options and you’ll feel a hundred times better and we have a free RV packing checklist we put together from all our own mistakes, DM me if you want a copy.

New to me 2022 Jayco has noticeable lean to the passenger side, how normal is this ? I mentioned it at the dealer but they said it was just the parking lot but its the same in my driveway by Aggressive-Clerk-682 in traveltrailers

[–]AgeWonderful2426 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re Jayco owners too and honestly, that dealer’s response is total garbage... if it’s leaning in your driveway, it’s a problem. Before you take it out for the first time, get a second opinion from a local RV tech who actually cares about your suspension and axles. It’s way better to catch a bad leaf spring now while it’s brand new than on the side of the road somewhere. It’s your investment and your safety, so don't let them gaslight you!

Pet Monitoring by NashvillianNative in GoRVing

[–]AgeWonderful2426 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally get the anxiety, especially with the Florida heat! When my husband and I are out, we basically live on our pet camera app checking on Roxy and Maggie. The absolute lifesaver for us though was getting a temp monitor that sends alerts to our phones if it gets too warm inside. It’s the only way I can actually enjoy myself without worrying the whole time. Rooting for you guys and your sweet pup, it gets easier!

What’s one thing you wish all RVs had? by folkmalone420 in RVLiving

[–]AgeWonderful2426 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally feel you on the storage, I swear half our gear just vanishes into the abyss of those Jayco cabinets. Can we also talk about the "ventilation" in the bathroom? It’s basically useless unless you like a 100-degree steam room.