Travel trailer save money? or lose? - Sustainable living, ecology, conservation, local agriculture - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

SL1966 · 10-09-2009, 12:48 AM

Hi guys,

I'm about to do this and need all the help I can get. In short I've been out of work and am surviving on unemployment which isn't enough for rent. I'm staying with a friend but really don't feel comfortable doing this for much longer. It's just me and my beagle. I have a truck that can tow and other odds and ends for living outdoors. What advice can you offer me?

Thanks
Steve

aus10 · 10-09-2009, 01:46 PM

Steve,
I guess the question is.. how are you going to be living in your RV? Are you going to be traveling or are you going to be staying in one place? What kind of weather situations will you be in? Have you already bought an RV or are you still in the looking phase?

SL1966 · 10-10-2009, 12:40 AM

I"ll be doing my best to stay in one place but will have to move at least once every week to 2 weeks at most. It will be in the southwest if you need a general geographic area.

Grannysroost · 10-10-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL1966

I"ll be doing my best to stay in one place but will have to move at least once every week to 2 weeks at most. It will be in the southwest if you need a general geographic area.

Why are you going to be moving so often? What were you thinking of ...Truck camper, travel trailer small, medium or large, 5th wheel? If you are looking for work how will you communicate with prospective employers, are you looking at staying in a park, boondocking?

aus10 · 10-10-2009, 06:20 PM

If you are moving a lot, I'd either go with a small motorhome or an easy to move fifth-wheel. We find that moving our motorhome is much easier than the fiver. The bad part for you will be that you would probably need a tow vehicle for normal everyday driving with a motorhome.

I know what moving a lot is like. Sometimes we are on a jobsite for a couple of weeks... sometimes, months. You will want to make your RV moving friendly no matter what. With that said, use a lot of non breakable items, velcro will become your friend, and keep as much of the weight out of the RV as possible. The less weight, the better gas/diesel mileage. But.. you will want space to "live." When shopping for an RV, sit down, picture where you would put things. Picture "how" you live on a daily basis. Do you like to cook.. you'll need more counter space than the normal RV. Do you need a large computing system... if so... you will want desk or table space. Any special sleep needs.. Queen, King (remembering of course that an RV King is not a true King). And most of all.. check your towing weight on your vehicle. Include not only the dry weight of the trailer, but the pin weight, the weight of the hitch, and estimate your total cargo. Do NOT exceed the gross weight. This is a dangerous situation just waiting to happen. In the case of a fiver, it's not so much the weight your pulling... as much as it is the weight pushing you when you need to STOP. (The stories I could tell here!!)

In the southwest, you will get a host of different temperature ranges. I'm assuming here of course, that you will have some cold weather. Make sure you buy a four-season RV. You will want a heated underbelly if you are going to camp/live in your RV during the winter months. Frozen water lines and tanks are no fun! Heat tape and insulation around your water intake hose are a must. For bitter cold, do yourself a favor.. if your underbelly is heated, fill your fresh water tank and disconnect your intake.
RV skirting can be a huge help as well. This can be accomplished several ways, including insulated board from home improvement stores (doesn't look especially neat or tidy however), up to specialty made skirting which really make a unit look good.

Best of luck!

SL1966 · 10-10-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

Why are you going to be moving so often? What were you thinking of ...Truck camper, travel trailer small, medium or large, 5th wheel? If you are looking for work how will you communicate with prospective employers, are you looking at staying in a park, boondocking?

current economic conditions have made it an impossibility to find any reliable long term employment. if i take any work now it's always going to be a pay grade lower than what i normally earn which means my unemployment goes lower and lower than the max amount i can collect. i'm collecting as little as i can afford to get by as is. i've worked my ass off to lower my monthly as is and barely have enough to feed myself as is. housing myself has been a luxury as of 4 months ago. i'm tired of being chased out of various tent cities and having the most trivial but needed items stolen from me. I would like to have some sort of roof over my head that isn't made of nylon or canvas for a change, and something i can lock/take with me should i need to leave for said interviews.

I own a truck that can haul 5k easy, but i'm looking for a 2k pd travel trailer to move from place to place on a 2 week average. i'll leave sooner if and when there is a job interview, but until then am staying put.

Grannysroost · 10-10-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL1966

current economic conditions have made it an impossibility to find any reliable long term employment. if i take any work now it's always going to be a pay grade lower than what i normally earn which means my unemployment goes lower and lower than the max amount i can collect. i'm collecting as little as i can afford to get by as is. i've worked my ass off to lower my monthly as is and barely have enough to feed myself as is. housing myself has been a luxury as of 4 months ago. i'm tired of being chased out of various tent cities and having the most trivial but needed items stolen from me. I would like to have some sort of roof over my head that isn't made of nylon or canvas for a change, and something i can lock/take with me should i need to leave for said interviews.

I own a truck that can haul 5k easy, but i'm looking for a 2k pd travel trailer to move from place to place on a 2 week average. i'll leave sooner if and when there is a job interview, but until then am staying put.

I agree, in that case paid is good, that is how we did ours and it is nice to know you have a 'solid' roof and it is paid for and no one can mess with you, too much anyway. You want the best you can afford that will hold together because you don't want to throw money away for a bunch of repairs. Look at the tires, wiring, plumbing, propane system, battery system, etc. If you into a state park or whatever without hookups, you will need to haul water if not in the tanks, heat it, etc., but most have bathrooms, showers maybe...get a big stainless steel bowl...it works for a lot

including dishes, washing up, etc.

srhfricke · 10-20-2009, 07:47 AM

Well we would be buying our own land to put it on. Also we found some cheap ones under $5000 but over 30 ft in Michigan. Remodeled. I'm not sure if they're winterized though. But thank you guys for all your input.

ferretkona · 10-20-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srhfricke

Well we would be buying our own land to put it on. Also we found some cheap ones under $5000 but over 30 ft in Michigan. Remodeled. I'm not sure if they're winterized though. But thank you guys for all your input.

Since it's on your own land you may find a free mobile home. After 30 yrs they can not be sold and often people are looking to unload them. Better than a trailer. This is how many build log cabins.

My parents lived in their motor home as they built their ranch house. They never want to see a motor home again now.