Big Rig RVing | Full Time RV: Grand Design Momentum, Semi Truck, Smart Car

What is it like to travel and live full-time in a big RV? Does it really limit where you can camp? This week, we wing it with our friends Dave and Susan, full-time RVers from Colorado, who travel in a 2018 Grand Design Momentum 376 Toy Hauler, carry an Indian motorcycle, a Smart car, and pull it all with a semi-truck!
We first met Dave and Susan last year when Dave was in the first week's class with us at the National RV Training Academy. He went on to take every technical course that the school offers, and is a Certified RV Technician. In this video, Dave and Susan talk about his training and how that has impacted their lives on the road. They also share tips for downsizing, bike rally events they enjoy, and how they like to travel.
For more information on the training courses available at the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), check out nrvta.com/ . And please tell them that RV Texas Y'all sent you if you decide to take the at-home or in-person course!
Check out Dave's Facebook Page:
Wanderin' Dave RV Tech: / wanderin-dave-rv-tech-...
Does Dave look familiar? You might have noticed him in our Finding Community video: • Discovering Community ... .
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Visit our website: rvtexasyall.com
Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please give us a "Like"! Subscribe to our channel for more videos about RVing and the great state of Texas!.
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We (Tom & Stacie) are Native Texans and full-time RVers who are all about exploring the Lone Star State and sometimes Beyond the state line in our home on wheels. We're always looking for fun and interesting places to visit. We'd love to hear your suggestions. Please leave a comment below!
See you next time! Until then... Safe Travels and Happy Camping!
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Music Credits:
www.storyblock...

[@rvamericayall]

Hey y'all! Thanks for Wingin' It! with us today. We are so glad that we met Dave and Susan last year at the National RV Training Academy. They are great folks! If you'd like to know more about the RV technical classes that we took, check out our video on the experience: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHabm52AjqiUg68 . See you Sunday!

[@johnlynch78]

Just watched this last evening. I’ve been looking into RV Tech training for personal use, gaining the ability to diagnose and fix my own rig ... one I get one. It was a bit confusing at first, trying to find the right course path and distinguishing between an inspector or technician training; not easy. And which programs are actually certifiable. Your linked video is next on my list to review. I’m retiring in two years time and my bride and I are getting serious in our RV search.

[@christinemorgan410]

I miss my friends! So awesome to see you guys having a blast. Dave and Susan are such awesome people.

[@rvamericayall]

We agree Christine! Dave and Susan are awesome. :)

[@christyd2896]

Enjoyed hearing Dave and Susan's story and seeing their very unique set-up. Another example of the endless ways there are to RV! Thanks for introducing us to such nice folks.

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Christy! They are great folks.

[@aprilfensom6412]

Cool set up.

[@rvamericayall]

We agree April!

[@rickvance9460]

What an amazing setup. Beautiful Rig!!! Great Wingin It

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Rick!

[@portnuefflyer]

I get a kick out of the radical differences in driving my 55,000 lb. crane truck around town, and then at the end of the day jumping into my Prius for the ride home. You have the same thing going on, only more so, between the Smart car and the big rig!

[@rvamericayall]

😂LOL! That would be a difference.

[@theloves2104]

Really cute Vlog, we love being on the road full time too, what great adventures hey?! ✨

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks! Safe travels!

[@CCaudits]

Tom, I love watching you guys. That was a cool set up that guy has. I just wished we could have seen the in side of his rig.

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Ty! Maybe next time. :)

[@johnsolberg7301]

Wingin it great video. You're getting me fired up to come back to TX to camp... Lived in Tyler back in 80s to 95. I enjoyed your Tyler ST Park video and many others. Keep it up!

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks so much John! We hope you can make it back to Texas soon.

[@dennymoore4325]

Great video, love to here stories of other RV'ers.

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks so much Denny, so do we!

[@baddecisionsrv8506]

So cool!!

[@rvamericayall]

Dave made some upgrades since he was in our class, Mike! :)

[@timmaddock4199]

It was great meeting you guys at the Houston RV Show this past weekend! Keep up the great videos and safe travels!

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Tim! It was great meeting y'all too. Hope your week is off to a great start.

[@soniacruz9607]

Hi guys, they have a great set up. 👍🏻 The truck is from Spring Hill, were my daughter live

[@rvamericayall]

Small world, Sonia!

[@JTSOUTDOORLIFE]

Our first camper was a popup as well! We love this toy hauler layout. We love the living space. Thanks for sharing a great information filled video!

[@rvamericayall]

We love this layout too JT! Very well thought out and a great use of space.

[@normangebhardt2092]

Most interesting Wingin It, great couple and those Grand Designs are really nice. Super Rig Setup. Thanks for this informative video.

[@rvamericayall]

Glad you enjoyed it, Norman! We love their setup.

[@andreascott5815]

So very interesting! That is a truly impressive rig. I enjoyed the video.

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Andrea! We had a great time visiting with them.

[@AngelTorres-se9zf]

We will be in Daytona bike week as well and I hope to cross your path. Awesome truck, awesome rig and awesome video. Stay safe and happy camping😎

[@rvamericayall]

Hope y'all cross paths, Angel. Have fun in Daytona.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Wow, didn't see anything that amazing at the Austin RV expo.

[@rvamericayall]

It is pretty awesome and so are Dave & Susan!

[@ronniebatiesr4491]

Thanks Guys great job safe travels enjoy all your videos 👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼🐶

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Ronnie!

[@davidbrickey5925]

Life of Luxury. 👍☕️🍩

[@rvamericayall]

Definitely David!

[@paulhoff9447]

Dose Dave have drawings for the frame he built for his Volvo? Also is there a way I could contact him?

[@rvamericayall]

Hi Paul! You can reach Dave through his Facebook Page: Wanderin' Dave RV Tech: facebook.com/Wanderin-Dave-RV-Tech-2365785226991990

[@BenNstyle]

Good Morning Y'all ☕️! One word comes to mind ..... What-A-Rig.... and what a set-up!

[@rvamericayall]

We thought so too, Ben!

[@sooskie1]

Thank you

[@oprwiz7813]

This video is a grand slam. Love the content. Very educational!!! Thank you

[@rvamericayall]

Thank you William! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@doncanaday6406]

Holy Smokes! That’s a big rig! Thanks for the interview. Very interesting.

[@rvamericayall]

Yes it is! Thanks Don.

[@spellmadam2947]

Well we've been doing it all wrong

[@rvamericayall]

😂

[@daviddion3731]

Great stuff! Good job, very interesting. Dave and Sue, Tampa Bay. GD Imagine 2250RK. Maybe we’ll see you guys at the National Rally in Sep 2020. Drive Safe!

[@rvamericayall]

Glad y'all enjoyed it Dave and Sue! Hope y'all can connect at the rally.

[@daviddion3731]

RV Texas Y'all 🚌👍🏻

[@kylenegley1882]

Hey guys can you tell me the name of those steps Dave and Susan used for there dogs to get in semi truck?

[@rvamericayall]

We’ll ask them Kyle. They look really handy!

[@sooskie1]

The steps come from a company called "Pet Loader".

[@allanwarmflash5165]

very cool

[@jameslowmanjr6141]

That’s not so surprising. As a truck driver I see that quite often. When he talked about the Weight problem. There is no problem now because actually if he could pick the camper up on the end and slide it up next to the smart car other than height issues it would be legal to haul it because those tandems on the back of the tractor can haul 34,000 pounds. The front steer axle will haul 12,000 pounds. As long as he has his class A he can tow up to 80,000 pounds.

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks for the info James.

[@cooltrkin]

I'm from Tx. Aswell, just bought the volvo to pull our 290 EL Heritage Glen. Well hope to meet up with you some time. See ya Bill and Diane.

[@rvamericayall]

Hey Bill and Diane! Congrats on your Volvo. Hope to see y'all out there somewhere.

[@robertweber3140]

Just found you guys, Great informative video and the links you provided. We are wannabe/newbies doing our research. Thanks!

[@rvamericayall]

Awesome Robert.... Welcome!! We’re glad you found us. Best of luck with your research. Keep us posted on your journey!

[@IJUSTWANNAFLYDJIDRONES71]

INCREDIBLE

[@rvamericayall]

We think so too

[@MrKalon52]

Best RV park in America!!!! Can’t wait to get there this summer

[@rvamericayall]

We love it too! Have fun!

[@hoss1003]

Hey ya'll, my wife and I have retired and preparing to go 9/10s fulltime. We'll probably keep our home and travel most of the time. My wife's retired from retail management and I'm retired OTR Owner Operator semi-truck, company owner. I usually drove 120k miles a year, so it's not a problem for me to be gone for long periods. My wife is another story. What can I say to her to get her to travel more or further away from home? She's very much a home body, hence the 9/10s fulltime.. We've watched many fulltimers videos and she seems to like the idea, but won't let go of the anchor.. Love ya'll, mean it. 🚐 🤣

[@debbiblakeslee2373]

Hoss Maybe something like a thousand trails membership.....she can pick the places you will go and visit. Some people feel more secure when they have a stocks and bricks

[@rvamericayall]

Hey Hoss! You might start out with short trips. Maybe somewhere close to home for a weekend or a few days so she can get a feel for the lifestyle. If y'all like it, then maybe she'll be open to traveling a little further away for a bit longer. Baby steps might help her get comfortable with being away from home, and make your RV feel more like a second home. Congrats on your retirement!

[@roberttangen2942]

My dad was from North Dakota and he always said you could see farther and see less than any state in the union

[@rvamericayall]

😂

[@larrymctoes2044]

I’d like to know what type of fuel mileage these rigs are getting.

[@rvamericayall]

Hi Larry. That's a good question. Maybe Dave will come back through and answer your question.

[@atozrecovery518]

Awesome video thanks for sharing

[@rvamericayall]

Glad you enjoyed it, John. Thanks for watching.

[@allanwarmflash5165]

we like grand designs alot and are looking at the35 foot unit

[@rvamericayall]

Nice rigs!

[@LivingTheGoodLifeRving]

They are a angel sent. Blessed couple!

[@rvamericayall]

Great folks!

[@mikeandre9903]

👍👍

[@rvamericayall]

😁😁

[@marrdrocertifiedprofession3715]

What a great video. I've actually seen pictures of them. We love our GD 337 RLS. TV is a Ford F350 SD.

[@marrdrocertifiedprofession3715]

A home inspector that works for me in the home inspection business went to the same courses in TX for RV Inspector and Technician. I hope to go sometime next year.

[@rvamericayall]

Small world!

[@rvamericayall]

We really enjoyed the NRVTA course. Here's the video about our experience there if you haven't seen it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHabm52AjqiUg68 .

[@bertkelly7650]

I've seen that rig before, now I know who is driving it. Looks like a huge pain where I sit. : )

[@rvamericayall]

Hi Bert! Wave at them when you pass them next time. 😁

[@sooskie1]

It is actually just as easy to get around in as my Ram was.

[@golfnut2599]

great video, do you happen to know what year the volvo is and how many miles it came with, i'll keep an eye out for them on the road

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks! Dave told us the year and miles, but let us reconfirm with him and we'll get back with you.

[@sooskie1]

It is a 2015 Volvo with 687,000 miles on it. Plus I purchased a 2 year/200,000 mile extended warranty.

[@mayraharper5483]

You guys rock!! OMGEE, what a rig!!

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Mayra!

[@tgmidnightrider2831]

Good Stuffff thanks 😎🇺🇸

[@rvamericayall]

You're welcome!

[@pammiller9995]

We loved this video! One of the best 'Wingin' it' videos yet!

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Pam! They are great folks.

[@w900lnation2]

I love Jamaica Beach RV!!!!!!

[@rvamericayall]

We do too Harry!

[@SHARINGJOURNEY]

Another great video!

[@rvamericayall]

Thanks Alec and Cindy. Hope y'all are having a great week!

[@SHARINGJOURNEY]

@@rvamericayall Greenville TX is no Galveston

[@chrisludwig9783]

So you definitely need a CDL ?

[@rvamericayall]

Maybe Dave will come through and share his experience, but as far as we know requirements vary by state.

[@chrisludwig9783]

@@rvamericayall cool thanks

[@1956jbird]

Awesome

[@rvamericayall]

We agree Jay!

[@ThisAdventureFamily]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rvamericayall]

😁

[@suzannebeech7147]

Cool rig!!!

[@rvamericayall]

We think so too Suzanne!

[@suzannebeech7147]

Glad to see a fellow Texan on you tube!

[@davidmcconnell8690]

:-))) :-)))

[@rvamericayall]

:))) :))) Thanks David!

[@n1spirit]

SWEET SWEET RIG!!!!!

[@rvamericayall]

We thought so too, Michael!

[@sooskie1]

Thank you

[@PapaDrewsRV]

Very very cool. I am starting to looking into HDT RV Haulers this was great info. Thank you for sharing.

[@rvamericayall]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your search.

[@phillipstephenson455]

I haven't looked at the all the comments I would like to know do you still have to have a CDL and do you have to go through the scales

[@rvamericayall]

Hi Phillip. We’ll ask Dave to come through and answer your questions when he gets a minute.

[@sooskie1]

In South Dakota I do not have to have a CDL. Plus because it is a private non-commercial truck I do not stop at the scales.

[@skipstreet]

It depends on your state.

[@TJbaseliner]

Please be aware, hauling a Smart car in this manner is technically an illegal oversize load. If any cargo has a dimension less than 102" in width, it must be hauled to not be oversize. The Smart is 108" long. While I don't see much enforcement, an officer could give you some grief about it.

[@rvamericayall]

Interesting point Tyler. Thanks.