We Did It !

It has been a busy last week since I last posted I know, but we HAVE been, and still are for that matter, really been quite busy. YES, we did it!  We traded in our 2001 Kountry Star diesel pusher Class A motorhome and bought a 2010 Keystone Alpine fifth wheel. YES, Boldts RV Castle has changed its look. We had been giving this a lot of thought since we both retired going back to last summer. We finally decided that was the direction we wanted to go. A fifth wheel offers RVers a number of lifestyle alternatives. From touring, to long-term stays and spot-camping, fifth wheels, AKA 5ers, offer a great deal of versatility. In addition, because they are available in such a wide variety of sizes, fifth wheels are great for the weekend camper, or full time RVers looking for all of the comforts of home. The later of course is the stage of life we are at now. More on the new 5er and our thinking later.

We had visited the RV Supershow in Tampa  a couple of weeks ago looking, and we visited a small show in Bushnell a few days later. Then we both spent hours on the computer researching companies, models, floorplans, owners forums and the like. We have learned so much about fifth wheels, the various floorplans , amenities, options  etc. The major manufacturers of 5ers all seem to have online forums where owners and those interested discuss every and all issues pertaining to 5ers. I spent many hours reading those forums. They seem to bring out both extremes from owners –those that are happy with their purchases and those that are not. Technical questions are shared regularly and a wealth of knowledge is shared. I have been familiar with the various rvers forums that are online as I read them regularly but only from the motorhome owners perspective---‘til recently.

We finally narrowed our search and research down to a couple of companies and specific models. We looked at them both online and in person and after much thought and discussion settled on the Keystone Alpine 3500RE model. We found the model and ultimately deal we were seeking at Suncoast RV in Ocala, FL. There was the traditional, how should I say it, “negotiating” , that took place both in person and on the telephone over the course of a few days to lock the deal down. Long story short, we took delivery this past Friday morning, January 28, of the new Alpine “home”. Part of the deal was that they had to “deliver” it to our site here in Rock Crusher Canyon. And the reason for this was my Chevrolet 1500 (half ton) pick up truck that I’ve had for a couple of years is not nearly stout enough to tow this 40 foot “castle”. So now we’ll need to begin researching to find the appropriate new truck to tow the new “Castle” to our future stops in the weeks, months and years ahead. And now, introducing to you below, the new, and improved, “Boldts RV Castle”.

   

As you can see, there are 4 slide out rooms that really open the living space up. That is one reason, but probably THE major plus, for the move to the 5er. The “RE” in the 3500RE model stands for rear entertainment. If you look at the floor plan above the entire rear end is an entertainment area, complete with a 40 inch flat screen tv that “rises” from the cabinetry. This area also holds the radio tuner and dvd player in the cabinets that surround the tv area.

   

The kitchen area is Barbie’s favorite of all the models we looked at.

The bedroom has a king size bed, dresser at the foot of the bed and a cedar closet across the back, er front of the unit as you can see.

    

There is so much more to talk about and show in upcoming posts.

With all the excitement of the new “castle” comes with some mixed feelings. We won’t see nearly as much of our motorhome friends we’ve made over the years attending “Roamin’ Rigs” monthly rallies. We joined the FMCA club shortly after purchasing our first motorhome in 1997.  FMCA is a club for motorhome owners only, so our membership is now void. We made so many friends through the Roamin’ Rigs-and lost some along the way. We so looked forward to the monthly rallies and the Southeast Area rallies and other rallies we attended. Even though the motorhome is history the friends we made during that time are friends forever and we hope to see them regularly down the road.

‘Til next time…..