First Timer Full Timer Help! (1 Viewer)

[RollingRog]

Hi all you very brave people, we have decided to give it a go full time for a year and see what happens after that, the idea of getting on the 'bus' and being free and easy sounds great in theory but when we start thinking about the practicalities our minds boggle! we are going to rent our house out for the year, furnished so no prop about furniture and all that stuff, but then we think ah! what about the post, what about all our important certificates/paperwork/bank statements, doctors, blah blah blah thats when heads start to spin!
Where to go? stay in blighty for summer/autumn then go abroad? what about seeing family, grandchildren, how do you manage it all? And we expect theres many more things we have,nt even thought of yet!
we need all the help and advice we can get please!!!!!!



Den

 

[John & Joan]

You will find a lot of answers to your questions on Motorhome365 the sister site to this one, dedicated to Full timing issues.

 

[scotjimland]

You will find a lot of answers to your questions on Motorhome365 the sister site to this one, dedicated to Full timing issues.

That is a good start ...

Also check the forum you have just posted in... there are plenty of long threads discussing all the issues .. everything from insurance, house renting, having a c/o address, health, choice of van etc etc .. so do a bit of reading and if your question is not covered there are plenty of fulltimers who will be happy to answer any specific one you have..

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[CazPaul]

Hi Den
We left our jobs and rented our house out in April this year and have now done 3 months of touring England/Europe; currently we are in Germany. We rented our house out unfurnished and so had a lot of things to dispose of one way or another before we left. Some of the important things we needed to keep are distributed amongst our family/friends for safe keeping. As you say you need somewhere for your post to be delivered to and so we put a mail redirection on for our mail to be delivered to a family member who is holding/managing it for us until we return.
Of course your choice of travel destinations will depend on you, but we keep in touch with family and friends by internet [skype] within the motorhome, but you can also use tourist infos or internet cafes.
If you are planning just a year away then that seems a good enough time to see how you like it and whether you would want to keep on with it or not.
Good luck and if we can help any further, let us know.
Caroline & Paul

 

[ninjayorkies]

I sold everything except a few sentimental and treasured possessions and hit the road in Sept last year. Spent 4 months in Europe - not the warm sunny bits, but now I'm back in the UK purely because I find it cheaper and there's so much of it I haven't seen. My ex-neighbours store some of my belongings and my postal address is a friends house. I've found the Poste Restante service really useful and a lot of campsites will let you have stuff sent to them. Doctors - I try to go back to mine every 3 months for a further 3 months worth of drugs

 

[Keith-R]

Hi all

Hi im keith, been living in a motor home for 7 years now, but decided to go to spain for winter, so is there any body who can give me some tips, and places to stay, and what about wild parking, hope some one can halp,
thanks keith.

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[Gromett]

I use mail boxes etc. www.mbe.co.uk/

A better solution would be a family member though as it's cheaper and more flexible. This option wasn't available to me due to circumstances.

 

[Rayb182]

We sold the house and bought a better m/h and a static caravan as a base but we lived in the van for 3 years go to the static every 4 to 5 weeks to do the washing etc, was lucky enough to be able to park in Royal Mail car park and weekends travel anywhere we wanted.

 

[MicknPat]

One item mentioned that being seeing the grand children is only a problem if you decide to full time out of the UK.

When we went and toured the USA & Canada for two years we saw more of our two boys thanks to Skype that if we had been at home :thumb:

Mick

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[billkce]

Hi

Check our blog. It might help a bit. Goes back 18 months or so but the early posts relect our planning.

Good luck

Billkce

 

[motorhomelover]

just go for it take it one day at a time and enjoy it you only live once so have a great time

yours ian & Carole

 

[haganap]

Hi im keith, been living in a motor home for 7 years now, but decided to go to spain for winter, so is there any body who can give me some tips, and places to stay, and what about wild parking, hope some one can halp,
thanks keith.

Hi keith, try sending a PM to Penelope pitstop or Bryan (admin) they both stay in a place in Spain that is really cheap if you search back through the threads, there is quite a few places/sites in spain offering good winter deals. There is also a rally to one in March on the calender, he too offers good winter deals.
good luck:thumb:

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[John & Joan]

Hi im keith, been living in a motor home for 7 years now, but decided to go to spain for winter, so is there any body who can give me some tips, and places to stay, and what about wild parking, hope some one can halp,
thanks keith.

With regard to Wildcamping see the bold section below.


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]INSTRUCTION 08/V-74 FROM THE SPANISH DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TRAFFIC RELATIVE TO MOTORHOMES [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]MINISTRY OF INTERIOR[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Subject: Motorhomes [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Instruction 08/V-74[/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3. - STOPPING AND PARKING [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Under the heading "Stopping and parking," the General Traffic Regulations regulate in Chapter VIII (Articles 90 to 94), the rules applicable to these manoeuvres, regarding places where these manoeuvres can be made, method and form of execution, position of vehicle, Municipal Ordinance and prohibited places, which must be observed by all vehicles in general. [/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3.1 urban roadways [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Regarding places where stopping and parking in urban streets should be carried out, Article 90.2 of the General Traffic Regulations indicate in the second paragraph what should be observed in effect of the provisions of the ordinances decreed by the Municipal Authorities, in connection with which Article 93 states: [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]1. The regime of stopping and parking in urban streets will be regulated by municipal ordinance, and the necessary measures may be taken to prevent the obstruction of traffic, including time limits for the duration of parking or stopping, as well as the precise corrective measures, including the clamping or towing of the vehicle when a valid parking ticket is not displayed which authorises parking in zones limited by time or exceed the time limit granted and until the identity of the driver can be ascertained. [/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]2. In no event may the municipal ordinance oppose, alter, distort, or cause confusion with the precepts of this regulation.[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]One of the most frequent complaints made before the Traffic Department by users of motorhomes is the prohibition to park which is applied to these vehicles, in part or in entirety, on the urban streets and which some municipalities incorporate into their ordinances. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]These regulations are made under Article 7 of the articles of the Law on Traffic, Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety, approved by Royal Decree 339/1990 of March 2, which give municipalities a series of competencies, within that law, including: [/FONT]




[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]b) The regulation by Municipal Traffic Ordinance on the use of urban roads, making compatible the fair distribution of parking among all users, with the necessary flow of traffic, as well as the establishment of limited parking, to ensure the rotation of parking, ..” [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Therefore, in the opinion of the General Director of Traffic it is indisputable that the exclusion of certain users must be necessarily motivated and based on reasonable objections such as the external dimensions of the vehicle or the maximum permissible weight (MMA) of the vehicle but not by use of subjective reasons such as: possible uncivilised behaviour by some users such as noise at night, dumping of garbage or waste water onto the public road, monopolization of public space by erecting structures and furnishings or other situations of abuse against which local authorities have effective legal tools to be used in a non-discriminatory manner against all violators, whether users of motorhomes or any other type of vehicle. [/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Motorhome users are permitted to carry out manoeuvres of stopping and parking in the same conditions and with the same limitations as any other vehicle. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]With regard to the mode and manner of implementation of stopping and parking, Article 91 of the General Traffic Regulations states that these exercises "should be made so that the vehicle does not hamper the circulation of traffic nor is a risk to other users the road, especially observing the positioning of the vehicle and avoiding that the vehicle is able to move in the absence of the driver. [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]As to the positioning of the vehicle, the cited Article 92 of the General Traffic Regulations state: [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]"1.Stopping and parking will be conducted by placing the vehicle in parallel to the kerb of the street or roadway. As an exception, an alternative positioning will be permitted when the characteristics of the street or roadway or other circumstances so warrant.[/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]2. Any driver who stops or parks the vehicle must do so in a way that allows a maximum use of the remaining space available. [/FONT][/FONT]




[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3. In the case of a motor vehicle or motorcycle, when the driver has to abandon the vehicle, the following rules should be observed, where applicable:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]a) Stop the engine and disconnect the ignition and, if leaving the vehicle, take the necessary precautions to prevent its unauthorized use. [/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]b) Engage the hand-brake.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]c) In a vehicle equipped with gearbox, leave the first gear engaged if parked on an upward slope, and the reverse gear engaged if parked on downward slope, or, in the parking position if automatic[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]d) When the vehicle is superior to 3,500 kilograms of maximum permissible weight (MMA), a bus or coach or a combination of vehicles, and when stopping or parking is conducted in a place with a marked slope, the driver must also use proper wheel blocks; stones, bricks or other items not specifically intended for this use cannot be used, nor by resting one of the wheels on the kerb of the pavement, nor by inclining the wheels towards the centre of the road on upward slopes nor outwards on downward slopes. The wheel blocks must be removed from the road after use and prior to driving away. [/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The General Traffic Regulations do not establish any other conditions for stopping or parking a vehicle, so, therefore, this General Directorate of Traffic believes that while any vehicle is parked properly, without exceeding markings on the delimitation of the parking space, nor exceeds the time permitted, if any, it is irrelevant whether the occupants are inside the vehicle, and the motorhome is no exception, being sufficient that the activity in the interior does not transcend to the exterior by the setting up of elements which surpass the perimeter of the vehicle such as stalls, awnings, levelling devices, stabilizing devices, etc. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3.2 intercity routes (Highways) [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Article 90.1 of the General Traffic Regulations defines the places where stopping and parking should be carried out on intercity routes noting that this should be done as far away from the roadway, on the right hand side, leaving part of the hard shoulder free for transit.[/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]In general, on motorways and highways it is forbidden to carry out manoeuvres of stopping and parking for all vehicles, except in areas specially assigned for these manoeuvres. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The General Traffic Regulations, Article 91, on stopping and parking on intercity routes concerning the method and manner of implementation already covered in the previous point, as well as the considerations in relation to parking in urban streets and the presence of people inside a vehicle correctly parked, without prejudice to the possibility of parking in areas of service stations or on private land where other conditions can be agreed with the owners. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Other concepts in some way associated with the parking of motorhomes, such as camping and overnight stays are not included in the rule on circulation of motor vehicles and road safety, therefore, this agency cannot pronounce on the definition or on the implications.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]
[FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Courier New, monospace][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]To be made public for general knowledge. [/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Madrid, Jan. 28, 2008 [/FONT]


[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Wildman]

Keeping a place to come back to is excellent planning. Enjoy your new lifestyle and keep us up to date with developments and travels.

 

[maroom2]

spain

hi keithandcarol,we lived in spain and a place we can recomend is moraira(on the costa blanca)there is a big car park where we av seen people park for a good few nites(market on fridays)if you park down at the far end next to the fair,it is out of the way.also you can park behind the beach and get no hassle.
many regards-eddie&debbie
ps-wife just mentioned javea(about 4 miles north of moraira)there is a place where all the motorhomers park.look for the main car park next to masymas supermarket,then turn away from the sea at mini roundabout.the area is 100yds on your left.good hunting

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