Hello all. I own a few acres of raw land that I plan to turn into a homestead. I don't want/can't afford a traditional house, so I'm looking at buying an RV or tiny house to live out of full-time on my land.No CCR restrictions, good to go as far as local code, etc. Two questions:1) The best tiny house loan I can find pales in comparison to the 20 year, 4.75% zero down RV loans offered by Good Sam. Am I mistaken? I always thought RV's were considered a luxury item. How can their rates be better than a tiny house?2) Since I don't plan on actually travelling with the RV, would you be leaning towards a travel trailer vs a 5th wheel? My 101 research tells me a travel trailer gets you "more for less," with the 5th wheel being pricier because it's easier to tow. Is that basically correct?Thank you very much.

have you tried looking at Park Models?

Since the rv won't be moved I'd look for a five year old unit rather than a new one.I'd avoid slides.I'd look for leaks. I'd look for any sign of a leak.Plan to skirt the unit. You may even wish to use plywood and closed cell foam insulation to create a "basement" for storage.Build an "air lock" porch. This will add storage and act as a "boot room".

2chiefsRus wrote:have you tried looking at Park Models?I have. From the lenders I have researched, they class park models the same as tiny houses from a lending perspective.Bizarre egh?Thanks for reading.

pianotuna wrote:Since the rv won't be moved I'd look for a five year old unit rather than a new one.I'd avoid slides.I'd look for leaks. I'd look for any sign of a leak.Plan to skirt the unit. You may even wish to use plywood and closed cell foam insulation to create a "basement" for storage.Build an "air lock" porch. This will add storage and act as a "boot room".Thank you very much for those tips. May I ask why you would get a slightly used model in this case?

1, contact actual loan companies to make sure you can get the loan you're describing.2, fifth wheels giving you taller ceilings and a more spacious feel. Also usually gives you more storage.My in-laws have a park model at a campground and love their "Florida Room" (i.e. hard screen porch). It doubles their living area.I disagree on the no slides. They give you so much more living area. I do agree on the I'd also second the recommendation to look at park models/mobile homes. They're usually bigger/taller than RVs and provide a bit more living area.And lastly, doubly/triply make sure you're allowed to live on your land in an RV. It's illegal in a surprising number of places; people do it, but it's not necessarily allowed. The worst part is that once someone complains and the zoning officer comes to visit, there is no appeal and no getting an exemption. You must move.

full time 101 questions | Good Sam Community

agesilaus
Explorer III
Sep 28, 2019
Septic tank and well will be expensive. Just how expensive depends of where you are. Power also can be pricy depending on who serves the area. And this will immerse you into the permits and inspections swamp. That is one disadvantage to putting a mobile home in you will have to deal with the code enforcement people and down south in hurricane country installing a mobile home is not straight forward involving major steel tie downs embedded in 6 feet of concrete from what I've heard.

Not so with an RV but you still need water, power and sewer.
lbrjet
Explorer
Sep 28, 2019
Before you do anything you need a perc test done on your property to be sure you can install a septic system. Your well, septic and power are going to cost a lot of money. This should be your primary concern. Once those are in place then think about your shelter.
HadEnough
Explorer
Sep 28, 2019
beemerphile1 wrote:
Mobile homes are built for full time use, RVs are not.

Prepare the site, buy a used mobile home and get it delivered. Put a foundation under it and you have a house.

This is the right advice. RVs are meant to travel... And we pay a premium for that portability. If you are just staying in that one spot, you really don’t need to spend all the money on a vehicle. And by vehicle, I’m including trailers. Anything that is truly portable.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Sep 28, 2019
You will save A LOT more money buy paying a higher interest rate for a lower priced RV (used 5th wheel) or Tiny Home than buying a new RV at a low interest rate.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 28, 2019
Bemerphile has it right.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Sep 28, 2019
Mobile homes are built for full time use, RVs are not.

Prepare the site, buy a used mobile home and get it delivered. Put a foundation under it and you have a house.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Sep 27, 2019
I would look for a small trailer with a Kitchen and bathroom you can live with long term.
With the idea being to cover the trailer and then build out new living and bedrooms in the future to suit your desires.
If you are doing this as a single person, a TT or fifth wheel kitchen and bath may be fine for you as a permanent solution, so concentrate on getting the plumbed areas set, and then build the easy parts to suit you later.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Sep 27, 2019
My choice would be a used travel trailer (TT) as large as you can afford without having to take out a loan. You can find good used TTs for under $10,000.

Upgrade to a newer model as needed and use the first one as a guest trailer.
dansacct22
Explorer
Sep 27, 2019
Immensely helpful information in this thread. Rather than responding individually to each post I'd just like to say thank you all again.

I have a lot to think about.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Sep 27, 2019
If you are thinking of buying new so you will have a warranty, the warranty won't be worth much if you can't take it in for warranty repairs. They don't come to you.

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