Future Full-Timer!
So, for the past couple years, I've always wanted to live in a trailer. I've never been one for houses or large open spaces. For an example, I watched my grandparents house for a few months while they did some huge trip. Other than the bathroom, I only used one room in the entire house. While I have my own room there, I slept on the floor in the living room. Simple because I didn't care to use more than I needed.
My parents owned a 27' Jayco trailer that ended up being totaled out because of their lack of experience with it and not properly resealing it like you are apparently supposed to. This coupled with a leaking AC caused massive roof damage that would have cost around $6K to replace. Given they rarely used it, we had the insurance total it and take it away for $1K less than paid for. Lesson learned? It was bought second hand and we DID NOT know what we were supposed to look for.
Yes, I'm telling my life story! Don't know if it's to justify my wants, or to justify this massive change to myself. Currently, I do live with my parents. It is incredibly expensive to live in California in our specific location. I'd be lucky to find a place around $1K/month that doesn't have frequent crime committed in the area. As well as the fact that I work 40+ hours a week and go to school. I rarely am home. I live out of one drawer, and my life lives on a laptop and a smart phone. (This is important because internet is a 100% requirement)
So, now that I've gotten my swiss cheese story out of the way. Hello! I'm Ricky/Rick. First post on these forums, I am hoping that I am posting in the proper place, and that it isn't something that already exists. I did some quick skimming but didn't see a "Hey moron, don't post a new thread, just read this indepth guide already put together for you."
I don't want something super small, while I know I have said that I don't need much, I don't want to skimp and go so small that I don't like it or something like that. I have set my eyes on a Jayco 29' trailer. I have checked every RV in the list of googling "Top 10 travel trailers" and Jayco was the ONLY place that seemed to provide better information and images on their site. Compared to the others that half-A'd it and would rather you go to a dealer. I'd prefer to get everything done online first where I have control, and then start going into dealers. That and the fact that the general layout was basically the same.
Okay!! Now, I will respond to anything else asked of me if it is asked of me.
Here are the questions!
1. Is Jayco a good brand for long term living?
Ex; are the repairs/upkeep generally reasonable.
2. I have the following listed for expenses, am I missing anything?; Monthly Finance for RV, Insurance, Phone, Internet, RV Park, Laundry.
3. I want a cat, I'm more of a dog person, but I do want company not in the form of a human because people annoy me. I'm not home enough to provide proper attention to a dog, but since cats are self sufficient, it's preferred. (Park I will stay at is dog friendly, dependent on the breed. Good or bad idea?
4. Is it a good idea to become a Good Sam member? The park I'm staying at offers a discount if using it, but not for long term stays. Just their weekly/daily visits with 10% off. If they had it for their monthly payments, Good Sam would be an obvious yes as it would take 10% off $700, so it'd pay for itself in one month.
5. My insurance would be through Progressive. Yay or Nay? Is there a better provider? I want it as cheap as possible without saying no to the stuff that I really need.
6. I do not want a fifth wheel or anything where I lose my bed. I also have dirt bikes and would like to go to trails and such. Which is why I don't want a Class A/C either. I have looked at Toy Haulers but did not like ANY of the setups offered. Does this require specialized towing packages? Or can I just slap it on a ball with sway bars and go?
7. As I typed this, I came across another trailer I would be okay with. However, it's 34'.
Here are the specs of the 34' trailer...
Unloaded Vehicle Weight - 8600
Dry Hitch Weight - 1275
GVWR - 10950
CCC - 2350
Here are the specs of the 29' trailer...
UVW - 6700
DHW - 770
GVWR - 9500
CCC - 2800
Would a Dodge RAM 1500 be able to tow either of these trailers without breaking much of a sweat? I know there are many types of engines that come in these, but let's assume it's the cheap base models. I do not want diesel. (I know this is normally in the 2500+ series) As I do intend to drive it often and I do have a mechanic background. Unless I was towing it all the time and not in a constant turn off/turn on state, I would cause more harm than good if I owned a diesel. (Cause you know, diesels love heat and would be happy running 24/7, but get sad when you turn them on, drive away almost immediately and then shut them off a few minutes later.)
Let's keep it in the somewhat newer range. It needs to be reliable, it wouldn't be used to tow often. Just for going to places for service. Which would happen every year or something of that tune. Unless someone says it needs to go less than that, or more than that. Once it gets parked, it's not moving much.
Yes, my questions keep going into side comments. Hopefully I'm providing a good read for you. There will be no TL;DR at the bottom of this.
8. Do I want to get this with all the insulation options? Or would I be okay frequently operating my heater & A/C while on a full hookup setup. (30AMP, they do have 50AMP options but I don't see either of my choices being 50 AMPs, unless I added a second A/C which I find stupid.) The option is for an insulated underbelly and roof.
9. What proper cleaning tips should I be taking with my new trailer? Every few weeks go out with a dry cloth on a pole and wipe it down? I don't see my park being okay with me hosing it down and washing it all the time.
10. Would it be more feasible to use my stove in my kitchen? Or to get a small tabletop stove and cook outside? Don't know what the usage for propane would be inside as compared to a camping grill.
11. Should I upgrade the water heater? It's a 6-gallon gas/electric DSI water heater. People say it's better to upgrade to a 10Gal, which is more of a DIY task. I'm not much for long showers, but let's say, would 6Gal be good to handle a 15 minute shower? (I normally take 5-10 minute showers, so doubling to be sure.)
12. Is all the electric lift junk really needed? I don't mind manual stabilizers/tongue. I feel electric would be nice to have if I moved constantly, is it something I could live without and not really care?
I might be asking really opinionated questions, and I apologize about that. I'm trying to get every little tiny detail in my head before I commit to something so expensive and find out down the road that something won't work and I get screwed. So I will focus on the tiniest of details with a fine tooth comb if need be.
Also, while typing this I have found things that I might not have that I thought I had, but it's already typed out, maybe my mistakes aren't really mistakes!
This might pertain more to Jayco:
1. What is the: Sani-Con® Turbo Waste Management System
2. What is the: 5-Way and 8-Way Power Remote?
3. Is this important to change: Fiberglass Sidewalls w/Frameless Windows
4. What is the: Cargo Accessory Receiver
These are the links to the two trailers:
http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight/34rsbs/
http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight/29rks/
Again, I apologize if most of this seems stupid or if a simple google search would answer most my posts. I always feel it better to post my (in my head) unique situations and have tailored responses to them.
My parents owned a 27' Jayco trailer that ended up being totaled out because of their lack of experience with it and not properly resealing it like you are apparently supposed to. This coupled with a leaking AC caused massive roof damage that would have cost around $6K to replace. Given they rarely used it, we had the insurance total it and take it away for $1K less than paid for. Lesson learned? It was bought second hand and we DID NOT know what we were supposed to look for.
Yes, I'm telling my life story! Don't know if it's to justify my wants, or to justify this massive change to myself. Currently, I do live with my parents. It is incredibly expensive to live in California in our specific location. I'd be lucky to find a place around $1K/month that doesn't have frequent crime committed in the area. As well as the fact that I work 40+ hours a week and go to school. I rarely am home. I live out of one drawer, and my life lives on a laptop and a smart phone. (This is important because internet is a 100% requirement)
So, now that I've gotten my swiss cheese story out of the way. Hello! I'm Ricky/Rick. First post on these forums, I am hoping that I am posting in the proper place, and that it isn't something that already exists. I did some quick skimming but didn't see a "Hey moron, don't post a new thread, just read this indepth guide already put together for you."
I don't want something super small, while I know I have said that I don't need much, I don't want to skimp and go so small that I don't like it or something like that. I have set my eyes on a Jayco 29' trailer. I have checked every RV in the list of googling "Top 10 travel trailers" and Jayco was the ONLY place that seemed to provide better information and images on their site. Compared to the others that half-A'd it and would rather you go to a dealer. I'd prefer to get everything done online first where I have control, and then start going into dealers. That and the fact that the general layout was basically the same.
Okay!! Now, I will respond to anything else asked of me if it is asked of me.
Here are the questions!
1. Is Jayco a good brand for long term living?
Ex; are the repairs/upkeep generally reasonable.
2. I have the following listed for expenses, am I missing anything?; Monthly Finance for RV, Insurance, Phone, Internet, RV Park, Laundry.
3. I want a cat, I'm more of a dog person, but I do want company not in the form of a human because people annoy me. I'm not home enough to provide proper attention to a dog, but since cats are self sufficient, it's preferred. (Park I will stay at is dog friendly, dependent on the breed. Good or bad idea?
4. Is it a good idea to become a Good Sam member? The park I'm staying at offers a discount if using it, but not for long term stays. Just their weekly/daily visits with 10% off. If they had it for their monthly payments, Good Sam would be an obvious yes as it would take 10% off $700, so it'd pay for itself in one month.
5. My insurance would be through Progressive. Yay or Nay? Is there a better provider? I want it as cheap as possible without saying no to the stuff that I really need.
6. I do not want a fifth wheel or anything where I lose my bed. I also have dirt bikes and would like to go to trails and such. Which is why I don't want a Class A/C either. I have looked at Toy Haulers but did not like ANY of the setups offered. Does this require specialized towing packages? Or can I just slap it on a ball with sway bars and go?
7. As I typed this, I came across another trailer I would be okay with. However, it's 34'.
Here are the specs of the 34' trailer...
Unloaded Vehicle Weight - 8600
Dry Hitch Weight - 1275
GVWR - 10950
CCC - 2350
Here are the specs of the 29' trailer...
UVW - 6700
DHW - 770
GVWR - 9500
CCC - 2800
Would a Dodge RAM 1500 be able to tow either of these trailers without breaking much of a sweat? I know there are many types of engines that come in these, but let's assume it's the cheap base models. I do not want diesel. (I know this is normally in the 2500+ series) As I do intend to drive it often and I do have a mechanic background. Unless I was towing it all the time and not in a constant turn off/turn on state, I would cause more harm than good if I owned a diesel. (Cause you know, diesels love heat and would be happy running 24/7, but get sad when you turn them on, drive away almost immediately and then shut them off a few minutes later.)
Let's keep it in the somewhat newer range. It needs to be reliable, it wouldn't be used to tow often. Just for going to places for service. Which would happen every year or something of that tune. Unless someone says it needs to go less than that, or more than that. Once it gets parked, it's not moving much.
Yes, my questions keep going into side comments. Hopefully I'm providing a good read for you. There will be no TL;DR at the bottom of this.
8. Do I want to get this with all the insulation options? Or would I be okay frequently operating my heater & A/C while on a full hookup setup. (30AMP, they do have 50AMP options but I don't see either of my choices being 50 AMPs, unless I added a second A/C which I find stupid.) The option is for an insulated underbelly and roof.
9. What proper cleaning tips should I be taking with my new trailer? Every few weeks go out with a dry cloth on a pole and wipe it down? I don't see my park being okay with me hosing it down and washing it all the time.
10. Would it be more feasible to use my stove in my kitchen? Or to get a small tabletop stove and cook outside? Don't know what the usage for propane would be inside as compared to a camping grill.
11. Should I upgrade the water heater? It's a 6-gallon gas/electric DSI water heater. People say it's better to upgrade to a 10Gal, which is more of a DIY task. I'm not much for long showers, but let's say, would 6Gal be good to handle a 15 minute shower? (I normally take 5-10 minute showers, so doubling to be sure.)
12. Is all the electric lift junk really needed? I don't mind manual stabilizers/tongue. I feel electric would be nice to have if I moved constantly, is it something I could live without and not really care?
I might be asking really opinionated questions, and I apologize about that. I'm trying to get every little tiny detail in my head before I commit to something so expensive and find out down the road that something won't work and I get screwed. So I will focus on the tiniest of details with a fine tooth comb if need be.
Also, while typing this I have found things that I might not have that I thought I had, but it's already typed out, maybe my mistakes aren't really mistakes!
This might pertain more to Jayco:
1. What is the: Sani-Con® Turbo Waste Management System
2. What is the: 5-Way and 8-Way Power Remote?
3. Is this important to change: Fiberglass Sidewalls w/Frameless Windows
4. What is the: Cargo Accessory Receiver
These are the links to the two trailers:
http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight/34rsbs/
http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight/29rks/
Again, I apologize if most of this seems stupid or if a simple google search would answer most my posts. I always feel it better to post my (in my head) unique situations and have tailored responses to them.
