Help Us Choose the Right RV

Today Rory and I took a trip to Camping World of Nashville to look at their recreational vehicles. We have been researching and figured it was time to match a physical product to our guesses. Unfortunately, looking created more questions than it answered and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

When we originally started our dream, we saw ourselves traveling the nation in a discreet campervan. A friend of a friend has an old VW Westfalia that I adore. I wanted a red one and thought 'Wouldn't it be great to travel in such a cute van?' Well, I predict the cuteness will wear off in about two weeks of full-time travel or at the first truckstop shower experience so moving on...

We decided that a motorhome is the best choice for us. I want to be able to work comfortably as Rory drives and not from a passenger's seat. Also, we will be traveling with our two cats and dog and motorhomes seem to the be best fit for that. (We would love your opinion on this. Please comment below.)

Next, we did the math and determined with a very VERY strict budget we could save up $15,000 to purchase an RV. Surely, that will get us a reliable spacious motorhome, right? However, the more we look the more it seems like that money will become a downpayment. Having a monthly payment is scary. We want to keep our monthly costs to a minimum since our income will fluctuate and will be unpredictable to a certain degree.

Wrapping up, here's what we learned today:

• We will be traveling with our two cats and dog, so everyone will need their own space.
• I would like to be able to work while Rory drives.
• We prefer not to sleep, eat, work and relax all on the same couch.
• It must have a slideout in the living room.
• My tall husband looks really funny in those small showers. (Wish him luck!)

Out of everything we looked at today, the Thor Vegas caught our eye the most. It seems to fit our criteria the best. We like the floorplan and how it feels spacious, but is only 25' feet. But I am sure we are missing something thus our asking for your input.

Based on the information I've shared with you, please give us any advice you may have. We would especially like to hear from those of you with similar experiences. Did you purchase through an individual or a dealership? Did having a monthly payment and living out of your RV put added stress on you? What class and size did you purchase? Gas or Diesel? What are the pros and cons of traveling with your pets? We'd love to hear about anything you are willing to share.