Sometimes, drastic changes are needed to boost our lives. A few years ago, after my husband retired, I was working from home and realized how sedentary our lives had become. Our inactivity was affecting our overall health, and we needed not only a gym membership but a life.

By 2017, we had traveled on tour buses, planes, trains, and automobiles and then slowed down. Life got real. Buying a recreational vehicle (RV) had been something we had discussed, but now we were ready to look at this closely.

In 2018 we embraced the RV life and have owned a travel trailer and a Class C motorhome since. Dorsey is the name we gave our first RV. After traveling extensively to western states in the travel trailer, we realized we would enjoy a motorhome best. So, we started looking here in the RGV. The search led us to Ron Hoover RV and Marine of Donna, Texas.

This is where we met Rudy Leos, one of many sales representatives working there. Rudy is consistently recognized as one of the top sales performers at Ron Hoover.

We had wondered outside avoiding salesmen to look at their inventory when Rudy spotted us. We made sure he knew we were just looking around. We did not wish to waste his time, but he treated us as if we were ready to buy.

He asked about our RV travel experiences and why the decision to trade in our trailer and buy a motorhome. He shared some pros and cons and took us around to see both trailers and motorhomes. He was attentive, and even knowing we were not ready to buy, he understood the importance of our process. Motorhomes are not cheap!

Rudy has been working for Ron Hoover in Donna for nine years. Prior to this position he spent a decade selling furniture at a popular store in McAllen. There is something interesting about furniture sales representatives who now work in the RV industry, they focus on the experiences you expect to enjoy in an RV to guide you through the selection process. Like choosing a living room set; not all of them will fit your needs. Considering that there are about 400 RVs (on average) at Ron Hoover’s lot, choosing what is best is not an easy task. It is overwhelming and tiring, and the reasons why a good sales rep is essential. Rudy was not pushy. He gave us our space and time to think things through.

When speaking of RVs most people think of senior citizens and empty nesters, but according to Rudy, many RGV families buy RVs every year to enjoy the great outdoors. According to a study conducted by the RV Industry Association, RV ownership has increased over 62% in the last twenty years with a record of 11.2 million RV owning households split almost equally between those over and under the age of 55, with significant growth among 18 to 34-year-olds, who make 22% of the market.

If you are looking into RV travel, I suggest you do thorough research and watch plenty of YouTube videos about RV travels. I list some recommendations below. Think about the things you would like to do outdoors, for example, hiking, biking, fishing, barbecue, or simply reading or painting. Do flies and mosquitoes bother you? are you afraid of insects? How often are you able to travel?

We travel about three months out of the year in the motorhome. It is important to note the amount of time that is spent on the road unless you only plan to travel in Texas. But even then, Texas is a huge place!

We bought a gently used 2019 Coachman Prism 25 ft Class C motorhome in January 2021 and named it Dorsey II. Rudy guided us through the many components of owning a motorhome. It is like buying a van plus a travel trailer.

Rudy introduced us to Marco Castillo from the parts and service department at Ron Hoover. Marco has made the experience of owning a motorhome well worth it. We appreciate his patience and professionalism.

If you are looking into the RV life, don’t hesitate to head out to Ron Hoover and ask for Rudy Leos. You can also call him at 956-212- 5082 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

From the moment we planned our first RV trip, we enjoyed it much more than we imagined. We have seen impressive sights and rekindled our love of life, for each other, and for everything out there. It is not easy, but with practice setting up and connecting, the RV becomes easier. Our cholesterol and blood pressure lowered, and inspiration flowed with every sunset and prairie.

Dorsey
Dorsey II
Happy Campers and Dorsey II
Rudy Leos

Reasons we decided to upgrade to a Class C motorhome:

1. A truck is needed to tow a travel trailer. We had an older model pickup to tow the trailer that, after taking us all the way South Dakota, was ready to retire. It was not our everyday vehicle. My husband does not like driving around town or road trips on a pickup, so buying a new truck was not a good option for us. They can also be expensive!

2. In 2020 during the pandemic, the travel trailer was a life saver! We traveled a lot. It has a full private bathroom, so we did not use public ones. It has a kitchen equipped and ready for a picnic anytime. But with a travel trailer, you have to get off the pick up, unlock the trailer, and hope it’s not too hot to be comfortable inside and there is no generator to help cool it off fast.

With a motorhome, you just turn off the engine, and you’re there! You can also check up on things falling and or rattling. With a trailer, we never know what chaos happens inside while on the road until we park and open the door. I dreaded those moments.

3. Having two vehicles is a great thing, especially when driving through remote and isolated areas. We tow a Jeep. I enjoy our trips even more because I don’t worry about the pickup truck breaking down or having a flat tire because we have a backup vehicle. With the older model truck, I’d worry a lot on the road, now it is all fun!

4. Most motorhomes come with a generator, so one can park anywhere it is allowed and have a comfortable overnight stay. Some new travel trailers come with lithium batteries, and generators are available for sale and can travel in the bed of the truck. For us, the conveniences of a motorhome work best.

5. Backing into a space is harder with a pickup and a trailer. Some people are very skilled at this while others are not. With our 25 ft motorhome, that is never an issue. It drives like a van.

Thankfully there is an RV to fit everybody’s needs and circumstances. My advice is to avoid buying huge ones. You’re not buying a house, just a comfy place to call your own under the stars.

Happy Trails!

Check out YouTubers Traveling Robert, Travel America Ya’ll, Today is Someday, Long, long honeymoon, and for a European adventure in Spanish, check out La Gaviota Viajera (the traveling Gull)

I am still in awe thinking of the incredible places we visited this year in Arizona and Utah with Dorsey II.

Note: This post is not a paid promotion. I did not receive any discounts or gifts for writing this story. It’s our personal experience with a good salesman.