Very good advice. ^^^^^^ Wife and I called Terry and his wife before buying our first to get some advice as we didn't know squat about owning/living in one. We got some good advice and logged on to some forums that deal with RV living to get more advice.
We are constantly learning after a couple years of living in ours 4-5 months out of the year.
We are so ate up with it, there is a new F-250 and a new 5th wheel RV on order as we speak. With the Covid, it will be months getting here, but they are on order.
I can say without any excuses we have had the best times in our lives while in our RV. Our first long range trip to Colorado three years ago had us meet a couple that are like social mega friends. They have been on the road for 12 years full time, 12 month of the year and a lot of their RV friends are full timers as well.
So now we have this group of about 15 couples in their RV's we camp with in different parts of the country. Some in their late 50's that made it big and retired early, some older into their 70's that are retirees.
Everyone in the group stays in Mercedes Tx at a gated RV resort with 18 hole golf course with tons of amentities in the winter, and Colorado during the heat of the summer in one campground. The rest of the time everyone goes their own way around the country to do their own thing.
Huge group email system to keep everybody in the loop and where we can meet during the times when everybody is traveling around.
5 Couples in the group met up in Eureka springs two weeks ago for a few days. We were there.
We have Construction Workers, Electricians, Ex FBI agent, Ex postal Investigator, Business executives and so on in the group. You have to drag by force their history out of them.
Everyone washes that history out of their minds after a few years out of those jobs except for those of us that are electrically inclined.
Our fellow campers keep us pretty busy only if we WANT to.
So my advice to ithrowicecubes is to learn to do away with being shy. Say hello to every person you walk by.(they will do the same to you) If someone is sitting outside of their RV, acknowledge them and complement them on their rig, and move along.
If your sitting around the campfire or it's happy hour at the RV and someone walks by, invite them in. My wife used to be the most introverted person you've ever seen with one or two friends her entire life. This experience has made her into a social butterfly and opened up her life.
RV live is amazing if you want it to be.
Some just can't adjust to living outdoors, cooking outdoors, afraid of bugs, and whatever.
Okchunter gave you a pretty good list of things you need. After your first trip you will discover more items so on and so on until finally getting stocked up.
Charcoal grills work great the closer you get to sea level. Propane works better when you get in the mountains.
As I read the OP, its a motor coach right?
So, I"m watching this thread closely also. Your situation sounds interesting. We've considered doing the same thing. I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind:
1. So, how did you decide on 5th wheel vs. motorhome ? Mobility? Able to get around once you're parked, etc ?
2. How do you get your mail, being gone an extended time? Put on vacation hold? Forward? I know most everything these days can be automatically paid monthly, etc.
3. Did you do any kind of cost/benefit analysis ? IE: RV'ing vs. staying in motels? Or, is it even applicable. ? IE: can't put a value on those social interactions that you mention . ?
4. What about medical services while being gone an extended time? Do you not have a need for those, or concern about those?
5. How do find the campgrounds that you like ? Websites?
Sorry, if this is coming off as nosey...... I'm just trying to answer some of these for my wife and I also.. Thanks much.