HaleyAlone and armed with three kids while driving in a torrential downpour, I slowly made my way down the interstate yesterday morning to meet the private seller of a fifth wheel at the seller’s credit union. As soon as I parked, the rain let up and I walked in the doors with one child strapped on my back, another child strapped in a stroller clutching snacks and one child holding my hand while clutching a tablet for entertainment. My three bodyguards were the perfect cover for transporting the unmarked envelope filled with cash that was tucked under my arm.
Despite the weather and the correlating traffic, the buying process went off without a hitch (even the kids were well behaved). It’s official—we are now the proud owners of a 2012 Forest River Sandpiper 365SAQ fifth wheel.
After scouring RVtrader.com multiple times a day and visiting a couple RV dealerships, we came across this single-owner used fifth wheel that was just a few miles away. This RV happened to be the only one nearby with a bunk house in our price range and year range, and the first time we saw it I knew it was a great deal. It was in impeccable shape and the seller was motivated—two things that are often hard to find together. So after a couple visits and inspections, we jumped on it.
We’ll do a complete walk through (maybe even a video!) soon, but for now we have to get the fifth wheel hitch installed on our dually truck so we can transport the RV. We’ll store it in a nearby storage unit parking lot until we are ready to hit the road. More details on that once we know more ourselves. But the countdown is on, even if we don’t have an exact date yet.
It’s hard to believe that this will be our new home in a matter of few weeks!
It looks amazing!!! I want a tour!!
congratulations!! it looks great–does it have the optional washer and dryer?
It does! Still trying to figure out if it’s worth it to add or use campground facilities. Any insight?
Our friends have been RVing for 2 years now in their 5th wheel and she just told me (while doing laundry at my house) she wishes they would have put in the washer and dryer. She said it gets real old having to do laundry in the dirty facilities or at a laundry mat. I know as much laundry as I do a week with 3 kids it would definently be worth it!
Yes that totally makes sense. The only thing that worries me is the size of the washer/dryer. I do large loads now, so wondering how many small loads I’d have to do in the RV. SO many options to weigh! Thank you for chiming in. Every little bit of info helps!
Looks awesome! Yay for a good deal too!
Thank you! We are so excited. Just have to hold out a few more weeks before we hit the road.
I used to own a large 5 wheel, not as big as yours, but 33′. I loved it. I can tell you that an RV washer and dryer is fine for washing small items, but with your family it will be easier to use a laundry room at the campground. The ones in the rv will only handle small loads and takes forever to dry the clothes.
There are some wonderful books out there for full time rv’rs, I don’t remember the names right now, but if I can recall them later I will contact you. I wanted to full time rv after retirement, but I am now single so that did not happen. You will love the experience, even with small children.
Yes–that’s what I was wondering about. I do large loads right now and I’m wondering how many small loads it would take to do laundry each week. I was thinking I may be able to utilize a couple washers/dryers at the same time if the campground facility is fairly empty 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
My wife and I are about to be full-time RVers ourself. We are looking at the Sandpipper 377FLIK. My job keeps me out of town and apartment life is not for us. So we are going to load up ourselves and two dogs and hit the road.
Awesome Jay! Full timing would be perfect for an on-the-go job.