Hey everybody!So me and my lady are planning on hitting the open road in around a year, and could really use some advice on an ideal setup. We have neither the tow vehicle or trailer.A little about our plans:Basically the idea is to do a US tour, and hopefully find enough freelance/remote work (web/other) to keep us going for as long as we choose. Digital nomad I believe they call it.Anyway, we are thinking about a travel trailer instead of a truck camper, as we would like to be able to disconnect and drive around with better mileage when possible, and it seems like that would be easier with a travel trailer. Open to suggestion!As far as a truck, I was looking at 4 runners, due to their good gas mileage, but am certainly open to suggestions, as I'm not 100% sure of what I should be getting/if a 4 runner would be sufficient. I've also looked at Silverados etc. which seem like they are used for this sort of thing more often. My budget for the vehicle is around $3000-$3500, so it is going to have to be a used vehicle.What do you guys think an ideal used vehicle for around that price would be? I should say it will be the 2 of us, and we don't have much we would need to bring, so we're hoping we can stay on the lighter end of the spectrum. The trailer will need to be used of course (budget is up to $2000 probably)so I'm not sure how age affects build materials etc.Any suggestions on trailer brands etc? Any info would be much much appreciated, and I thank you in advance!-TT

Never happen. Sad to say but a 3000 dollar used vehicle is going to be used up! Budget for a used vehicle for full timing should start around 20K and plan on more thn that. As for trailers? 4Runners are nice for running around town but no where near compentent enough for full time pulling a trailer large enough to live comfortable in. For a full time budget think in terms of 50K for starters. I will get some flack on that number, but IMHO it is an honest number as a starting point.

I applaud your sense of adventure and desire to leave familiar surroundings and explore other places. So many folks are afraid to take that step. However, my suggestion for you is to increase your budget! Look at around $15,000 for a decent used tow vehicle (not a 4 runner) and another $15,000 for a nice well maintained pre-owned travel trailer. And then more money for tires, hitch, and any modifications for full time living that the trailer will need. If you hit the road under funded it will be a battle every day to keep your financial head above water.Depending on how frugal you will be the cost to live fulltime can vary depending on eating out, maintenance costs, campgrounds, boon docking or RV parks, etc. I would allow for at least $3500 a month as that budget. Check out budgets from folks on the internet that are full timing. Escapees is an excellent web page to get you started.

I'm sure you can find a setup within your budget but it may not be too reliable. Make sure your trailer is light enough to be easily pulled by the vehicle you get. Enjoy the journey.

$5000 for truck and trailer?:E I'm afraid you're looking at a rude awakening. That's just not going to happen, at least with something you want to full time in. I'm sorry to say that you will have to up your budget considerably...maybe even ten fold.The problem here is that anything you get for that price will probably be junk and you will have to dump a whole bunch of money into them every time you turn around. Reliability is not an aspect of either a very old truck or trailer.Wish I could be more positive for you, but I'm afraid you're living in a dream world if you expect $5000 to get you what you want.Good luck, and I truly mean that.Ron

I like your idea. I think you could find what your looking for close to your budget, maybe a tad more. You might find a fixer upper and slowly fix it up before you plan to hit the road....It is your dream, live it and love it the way you want to. The only one stopping you would be you. :-)

Need help with ideal setup (within budget) | Good Sam Community

rfryer
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
If you are patient and look hard for the few really well cared for TV’s and TT’s I think you can do better than the 15k mentioned for them. But the chances of pulling it off with the budget you propose are slim to none. It’s likely you will be throwing a LOT more money at repairs than you’d be prepared to spend and they won’t be reliable. I have a 16’ 1989 TT that I could very easily get 2k for and it’s not suitable for the type of traveling you want to do, you’ll need bigger. And a full ½ ton TV would be best to tow it.

You’ll be looking at older TT’s and that’s not necessarily bad, I think they’re better made than the current models. But the downside is being old there’s a high risk they may have water damage from leaks, something you absolutely do not want. So again it’s a search for the uncommonly well cared for unit. The only realistic option I see is to save up funds to get a decent TV and TT even if it delays your one year plan. In any event, good luck.
emaav
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
I like your idea. I think you could find what your looking for close to your budget, maybe a tad more. You might find a fixer upper and slowly fix it up before you plan to hit the road....It is your dream, live it and love it the way you want to. The only one stopping you would be you. :-)
lanerd
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
$5000 for truck and trailer?:E I'm afraid you're looking at a rude awakening. That's just not going to happen, at least with something you want to full time in. I'm sorry to say that you will have to up your budget considerably...maybe even ten fold.

The problem here is that anything you get for that price will probably be junk and you will have to dump a whole bunch of money into them every time you turn around. Reliability is not an aspect of either a very old truck or trailer.

Wish I could be more positive for you, but I'm afraid you're living in a dream world if you expect $5000 to get you what you want.

Good luck, and I truly mean that.

Ron
korbe
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
I'm sure you can find a setup within your budget but it may not be too reliable. Make sure your trailer is light enough to be easily pulled by the vehicle you get. Enjoy the journey.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
I applaud your sense of adventure and desire to leave familiar surroundings and explore other places. So many folks are afraid to take that step. However, my suggestion for you is to increase your budget! Look at around $15,000 for a decent used tow vehicle (not a 4 runner) and another $15,000 for a nice well maintained pre-owned travel trailer. And then more money for tires, hitch, and any modifications for full time living that the trailer will need. If you hit the road under funded it will be a battle every day to keep your financial head above water.

Depending on how frugal you will be the cost to live fulltime can vary depending on eating out, maintenance costs, campgrounds, boon docking or RV parks, etc. I would allow for at least $3500 a month as that budget. Check out budgets from folks on the internet that are full timing. Escapees is an excellent web page to get you started.
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
Never happen. Sad to say but a 3000 dollar used vehicle is going to be used up! Budget for a used vehicle for full timing should start around 20K and plan on more thn that. As for trailers? 4Runners are nice for running around town but no where near compentent enough for full time pulling a trailer large enough to live comfortable in. For a full time budget think in terms of 50K for starters. I will get some flack on that number, but IMHO it is an honest number as a starting point.

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