Written by: Chuck Hayden
About 10 years ago I started randomly watching YouTube videos about full-time RV life. I had never been a camper or RVer before, but I dreamt about it but never really thought I would be able to pull it off.
For fun, I started looking at and researching all types of rigs from vans to Class C RVs and even considered a Class A or travel trailer for a brief moment, very brief.
I really didn’t have a budget in mind at first, since I wasn’t really that serious at the time, but I soon started making a list of what I wanted and what I didn’t want in a home on wheels.
I didn’t want a slide in my rig, too many issues in my option and since I would be traveling solo, I wouldn’t need to extra space. I did want a dry bath for convenience and personal preference. I wanted solar and lithium batteries and thought a generator would be a good idea as well. I wanted a reliable engine that would get me into and out of some off the beaten path places and would last me a good long time.
I watched more and more YouTube videos, watching boondocking channels, RV review channels, and just about every video YT recommended. I got into some deep rabbit trails.
As I started getting more serious, I began to search online for my ‘perfect’ first RV. I was looking in a 500-mile radius around my home in Northern Virginia, but nothing was hitting all my wants and needs. But Pleasure Way rigs kept popping up again and again.
I still didn’t have a budget in mind and was looking at everything online. Changing search parameters, changing my search radius, looking at new vs used, I was getting a little frustrated and then set the whole idea of becoming an RVer aside. I kept telling myself, maybe someday.
Well 4 years ago after a serious neck injury, multiple surgeries, a lot of painful rehab and then reconstructive shoulder surgery to top it off, I started thinking what’s next for me.
I was in my late 50’s and was feeling a bit discouraged about things and then I remembered the RV dream. Maybe now was the right time to dust off my notes and take another look at everything.
I looked at my finances and retirement plan and started putting together a budget and seriously thought about retirement. I made a bunch of spreadsheets and financial statements and thought, I can do this!
The next morning, I went online, put in all my parameters and my planned budget and BAM…a used 2020 Pleasure Way XLTS was the first rig in the search results, and it was 10 miles from my house! I called the owner and asked about the RV and if he has had any interest in it yet, he said had just put it online about 30 minutes before I called. I rushed over and took a look and a test drive. IT WAS PERFECT!
With only about 17,000 miles on it, in perfect condition, and it came with all the gear needed to get on the road. It was over my budget, but I knew from my research that Pleasure Way made the very best and it would last. We made a deal and I was an RV owner, and not just an RV owner but the owner of a beautiful 2020 Pleasure Way XLTS!
Over the next couple of months, I sold or donated just about everything I owned and finally set out on the road on October 10th, 2022, as a full-time nomad!
A little over three years later and I have over 86,000 miles on it and its still runs and looks like new! It is a rock-solid rig and I have taken it in some places no RV should ever go, but it takes it again. I’ve had a few minor issues with it but the couple of times I called PW for help, they were right there and talked me through my minor issues.
I’ve visited 48 states, 6 Canadian Provinces, and met so many wonderful people and have had so many people compliment me on my rig! It’s a real beauty and I love when I pass another PW owner and get a wave and a knowing smile about how fortunate that we are driving the best all-around RVs on the market.
Thanks Pleasure Way! Keep up the amazing work and innovations
Dreams do come true!