FULL TIMING IN A FIFTH WHEEL
I am planning on full timing it for a couple years starting next year. I have been looking at RV's vs. 5th wheels and am leaning towards a 5th wheel for the main reason I am still working at Freelance...
Forum Discussion
We're finishing up our 17th year fulltiming in our 1996 Carriage Conestoga 5th wheel. We did do a "redo" in 2010 having the exterior repainted and the graphics painted on and new carpeting and counter tops on the inside just to freshen things up. We personally wouldn't have anything else. We have plenty of room.
"My slide" houses my recliner and Dutch made a cabinet for me that houses my computer, printer, etc. the shelf slides forward for easy use and when done, I push it back and relax in my recliner.
There is an area in some of them for a desk but for me they were too close to the TV.
We bought new but it really depends on the 5th wheel itself. One owner, well kept and maintained, does it look like it was taken care of and things like that.
We had our Carriage ordered with Generator Prep then Dutch bought a used Onan then had Onan install it. It has held up very well for 17 years with proper maintenance.
We also have a Heart/Xantrax inverter. Our 1st on just bit the dust so 17 years was great performance. This time we went with a True Sinewave inverter over the Modified Sinewave one we had. There is a marked difference and in hindsight I wish we had started with the true sine-wave. Especially for electronics. We don't do it daily but we have turned on our genny and run the a/c. Some of how long you can do that is how much room there is where it is housed. Our area has both the inverter and generator so we have to watch that it doesn't get too hot.
We have a verizon Samsung Galaxy phone and a data plan. It is extremely rare that I don't have phone/internet. My unlimited phone/text and a 4 gig data plan with 2 phones and 2 lines is around $160.00 a month. You can add 2 gig of data at a time for $10.00 a month or go for an unlimited data plan. There may be better plans with them but this one works for me. I haven't checked other phone companies so I don't know about pricing for them.
Hope this helps. It sure makes our life much easier. Di
ps. we only stay in an area for about 2 weeks at a time preferring to explore when I'm not working
"My slide" houses my recliner and Dutch made a cabinet for me that houses my computer, printer, etc. the shelf slides forward for easy use and when done, I push it back and relax in my recliner.
There is an area in some of them for a desk but for me they were too close to the TV.
We bought new but it really depends on the 5th wheel itself. One owner, well kept and maintained, does it look like it was taken care of and things like that.
We had our Carriage ordered with Generator Prep then Dutch bought a used Onan then had Onan install it. It has held up very well for 17 years with proper maintenance.
We also have a Heart/Xantrax inverter. Our 1st on just bit the dust so 17 years was great performance. This time we went with a True Sinewave inverter over the Modified Sinewave one we had. There is a marked difference and in hindsight I wish we had started with the true sine-wave. Especially for electronics. We don't do it daily but we have turned on our genny and run the a/c. Some of how long you can do that is how much room there is where it is housed. Our area has both the inverter and generator so we have to watch that it doesn't get too hot.
We have a verizon Samsung Galaxy phone and a data plan. It is extremely rare that I don't have phone/internet. My unlimited phone/text and a 4 gig data plan with 2 phones and 2 lines is around $160.00 a month. You can add 2 gig of data at a time for $10.00 a month or go for an unlimited data plan. There may be better plans with them but this one works for me. I haven't checked other phone companies so I don't know about pricing for them.
Hope this helps. It sure makes our life much easier. Di
ps. we only stay in an area for about 2 weeks at a time preferring to explore when I'm not working
trobertson wrote:
I am planning on full timing it for a couple years starting next year. I have been looking at RV's vs. 5th wheels and am leaning towards a 5th wheel for the main reason I am still working at Freelance Work and need a space for my computer and monitors. I like the 5th wheels with a desk area. I have a lot of questions both about 5th wheels and full timing, so I appreciate any feedback.
1. Would you recommend a 5th wheel for full timing?
2. Buy new vs.used (how old is too old, newer than 2005?)
3. Since I will be on the computer part of each day power is important to me. Is it recommended finding a 5th wheel with generator pre-installed, install an after market model, or use a series of 2 2000w inverters (big enough for AC?)
4. Internet access is also a must as i handle the tech support and orders for a client. What gives the best access and best data usage for a good price.
Please add anything I have missed.
Thanks,
Tom
