We have lived one full year and a month in the 5th Wheel. For the first six months I worked and then my husband had to have radiation for his prostate cancer reoccurrence.
It was so nice to just be able to pull the 5th Wheel to San Antonio for his cancer treatments. It was so nice to be "home" every day after the stress of the radiation.
After 2 months we went back to Monahans for him to go back to work in the oil field. I, however, did not go back to work. I am back to studying Hebrew and Writing.
The washer and dryer my husband installed has been wonderful. It has been just a relief to have normal laundry days.
A few things that I have learned over this year that surprised me:
The forward slide outs won't slide all the way in. We called a service tech but I don't think he knew what he was doing because all he did was push on the slide outs to try to get them closer to being totally closed.
I can see light at the floor at the edge of the carpet on one of the slide outs. I had to caulk it on the inside because you cannot see that from the out side.
There are several places on the floor that seem to have gotten soft. In a sixty thousand dollar 5th wheel, I expected it to hold up better than that after just one year.
The front air conditioner drips on to the bed, sometimes even if the 5th Wheel is tilted to the back.
These are things that could be taken to the shop and fixed on warranty but when you live in it full time that is not a reasonable option. Extended warranty's are not worth much when you live in one full time. Especially the one we bought because we have to take it back to the dealership where we bought it.
On a personal note the things that I did not expect:
It is not that hard to live in such a small space. Cleaning house is a breeze!
Having a small closet bothers me more that I expected.
I wish that I was more organized. That becomes a real issue in the RV.
Having a two burner stove seriously limits meal choices. The oven bakes at 350 but it does not
bake like a regular oven.
I am learning to bake in the Micro/Conv oven. Still, it is very difficult.
We never eat at the table but it is a great place to collect junk.
Sewing in an RV is not that hard to do. Cutting out the pattern is the hardest part. I need to put a large cutting board under the bed. I just want a very stiff one because the bed gives a lot.
Washing dishes EVERY night is more important that brushing my teeth everyday.
The preinstalled vacuum cleaner is sucky! But the sweeping port is wonderful.
Color in the form of accent is absolutely necessary to let the eye rest from all of the brown neutral decorating color.
There is no where to hang pictures. I miss them a lot.
4 glasses are not enough but 6 cereal bowls are too many.
Having a pantry is a necessity and I do have one.
You can always find where space was wasted!
It becomes too easy to stop oil treating the wood. I have to set a reminder for myself.
Living in a 5th Wheel is so much easier that I though it would be!
