While we originally thought we would not need a “toad” or “dinghy” (Tow behind vehicle), my brothers Barry, Keith, and Ray – all active RV’ers, assured us we would want one. So we set about acquiring an RV and toad. Initially, it did not go well…

Tom – our designated planner and researcher, found a dealer in Souderton with several models to look at. We went there fairly soon and discovered that all the RV’s that fit our requirements had already been ordered by other customers – though not yet delivered. We looked at a few candidates, but none were sufficient for our requirements.

Next we went on a trip to Maryland – a 3 hour drive from home – to see one more promising unit. It was by a brand that was long on features but, as we found out and confirmed by reviews, short on quality. It immediately had an electrical failure on a powered recliner seat (which they fixed, but that didn’t inspire confidence). Then we asked to see how the awning worked, and we were told it arrived broken and the replacement had not arrived yet. While we could see more units there, we were still not too impressed.

Steve assured us that Florida was the place to buy an RV, as the supply of new units was much better there. There was an “RV Show” at the Daytona Beach Speedway parking lot in 3 days. I made airline reservations for Tom and I, and off we went. We flew into Orlando, spent the night in an airport hotel north of MCO, and Steve picked us up Saturday morning and drove us to the “show.”

Turns out the “show” was just every RV from several La Mesa dealerships which were all driven to the parking lot – but that was a pretty large selection in one place. Steve had put one on “hold” for our perusal, and we started by looking at that one.

In addition to wanting an RV that was new, we wanted one that was small (25 feet or so,) but with three completely separate sleeping areas, as we are, in fact, grumpy old men who have to relieve ourselves at night- maybe several times. As we looked at 4 different flavors/floorplans of Winnebago Navions, we got closer and closer to the optimal floorplan – the 24J with dinette with fold out bench extensions / footrests.