Hey folks!I've been reading through the forum and decided to join and ask a few questions, I hope you folks can help me out.I am a 31 year old male who after having some recent derailments in life has decided to look into full time rving. Now I am not planning on traveling the whole time, at least starting out. What I want to do is buy a small rv and find a place locally to hook it up and live in it full time. I am hoping that my family who has a old mobile home hook up spot will let me convert it to a RV spot. With this in mind my two questions are: What are some good suggestions on a RV? I am thinking a hook up and haul type but am open to ideas. I have a vehicle I can use to haul it on a limited bases till I decide later to start traveling full time. Also, what would make the perfect full time parking spot for such an RV?Now a few other tidbits of info that I hope helps out. I do plan on some traveling but mainly will have it parked and living at that spot for now. I do not have a extravagant budget, but am in the processing of saving all extra cash for this project so please keep that in mind.If you have any questions, help, suggestions, ect please reply!(On a side note please overlook typos and errors because I work midnights and just got home from work.)ThanksBrandon

Specifics on tow vehicle and rough budget would help.

x2 on needing to know the tow vehicle before anyone can recommend an RV.Make sure that the place you park has power, at least 30 amps and maybe 50 amps, water and a septic system you can hook into. Maker sure the place you park is level and had a solid base.

If you don't have any luck with securing the space from your family you will find that the cost of renting a space & utility expenses will come close to that of renting a small apartment. On another note, & in consideration of where you live, a "PARK MODEL"TT would be best. When you're actually ready to travel, then decide what RV will suit the purpose. JMO

You also don't mention job from the perspective are you moving to different work spots or just looking at RV lifestyle. I had a couple friends who worked construction and moved with the job 6 months at a time or similar. RV worked well for them over renting.

If you plan to winter in Illinois specially northern Illinois you will not do well in the winter in the average RV.

Questions from a newbie! | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

westend
Explorer
May 07, 2015
I'd suggest to get a small used travel trailer and try out the lifestyle. If you don't dig it after a month or so, you can sell the trailer and not be out a large sum.

You'll probably not get too many positive responses here since most are into RV'ing with travel or vacation in mind. Also, there is a huge demographic of retired folks on the Forum and us old farts get fussy. Heck, we earned the right to be fussy, lol. The "Full-timing" section of the Forum may give you some ideas about the lifestyle.

A few years back I restored an older TT, outfitting it to endure Winter climes and make it as self-sufficient as possible. The restoration thread is in my signature line, "The Cowboy/Hilton". If you have some building or repair skills, remodeling an old trailer can be fairly rewarding. You can get the floor plan how you need it and make provisions for any kind of weather. It's not expensive but it does take a bit of time.
Again, start small and try the lifestyle before spending those dear dollars.
frankdamp
Explorer
May 06, 2015
RVing is not for the faint of heart or the short of money. Unless you absolutely have to travel to support your work, I wouldn't recommend it. You maybe could survive better if you could leave the northern mid-West for less hostile climes.

The west coast (particularly Washington and Oregon) have fairly liveable winters (provided 3 months of "800 broken, 1500 overcast, rain and fog" wouldn't give you a problem - it can get dreary). Daytime highs in winter rarely stay below freezing, more often in the high 30's to low 40's, Lowland places west of the Cascades don't get too much snow - we haven't seen any in Anacortes for 3 years. Summers are beautiful - clear blue skies and highs in places close to salt-water rarely above 75 degrees with humidity around 20%.

We're originally from the UK and have lived in western WA since mid 1968, except for a couple of very uncomfortable years in Tidewater Virginia, and have retired here. Oregon is slightly warmer than Washington, but you'd be hard pressed to notice.
Gjac
Explorer III
May 06, 2015
If you have to buy a truck and that is part of the $5000 budget that will not work for you. You could pick up a early 90's Class A or C for $5000 and use your car to get back and forth to school. Once you save some money you could pick up a small tow car for your work travels. As a contract nurse you can choose your destination and time frame of work. I know a couple that do this and it is up north in the summer and down south for the winter. I would not winter in an older RV in IL. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
mowermech
Explorer
May 06, 2015
YES, one CAN "winter over" in an RV!
We have done it. Twice. In Billings, MT!
Once in a 32 foot Suncrest Class A motorhome.
Once in a 32 foot Monaco fifth wheel trailer.
All it takes is a little common sense, proper preparation, and thought.
and money...
darsben
Explorer II
May 05, 2015
I lived near Effingham and it got to cold there in the winter to live in a travel trailer. I cannot emphasize enough that the are usually not made for cold weather where it does not go above freezing for a few days.you will burn through propane quick your pipes may freeze and your sewer line may not drain
cnaguy009
Explorer
May 03, 2015
Hey again!

Sorry it took so long to reply. As far as tow vehicle I am looking into what my vehicle can handle, but it is a larger SUR ( I might be looking into a bigger truck soon tho).

Budget: I'm looking around $5000, a bit of fixing up is acceptable but nothing too major.

Job: I am currently a cna going to school for nursing. Once I get my nursing license I plan on doing traveling nurse. I have looked into this part and know mostly what direction to go into with that.

RV: I don't need anything huge, I'm not sure the exact size really but considering I've lived in tents before I can work with not a lot of room. The important thing to me is having an area with a bed/ sleeping area. I also want to go with something used for now.

With regards to where I live in Illinois it is the southern part so doesn't get as bad as some think. The property my family has is out in a rural area but I will check into if there are restrictions. I know the property has electric hook up for a trailer, not sure specifics on it, also has a water cistern and sewer system.

I hope that helps and covers the questions.

Thanks for the help!
Allworth
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
Don't bother. OP went away.
MarkTwain
Explorer
May 03, 2015
cnaguy009 wrote:
Hey folks!

I've been reading through the forum and decided to join and ask a few questions, I hope you folks can help me out.

I am a 31 year old male who after having some recent derailments in life has decided to look into full time rving. Now I am not planning on traveling the whole time, at least starting out. What I want to do is buy a small rv and find a place locally to hook it up and live in it full time. I am hoping that my family who has a old mobile home hook up spot will let me convert it to a RV spot. With this in mind my two questions are: What are some good suggestions on a RV? I am thinking a hook up and haul type but am open to ideas. I have a vehicle I can use to haul it on a limited bases till I decide later to start traveling full time. Also, what would make the perfect full time parking spot for such an RV?

Now a few other tidbits of info that I hope helps out. I do plan on some traveling but mainly will have it parked and living at that spot for now. I do not have a extravagant budget, but am in the processing of saving all extra cash for this project so please keep that in mind.

You have to help us out a little:
1. How much do you have to spend?
2. Are you interested in a TT, 5th wheel, Class A, Class C or at least which ones you know you are not interested in.
3. What size/length would meet all your living needs?
4. Are you interested in a new or used RV?
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 03, 2015
Full Time RVng is rarely less expensive than renting.......

Insurance, registration, electric/water/propane, maintenance PLUS regular living costs usually works out close to S&B housing.

IF you can set up on families property then cost of fuel and campsite could be 'saving' provided you had monies to cover that anyway.

Folks have full timed in every type/size of RV made...........really up to the individual.

Just because a mobile home WAS on family property does NOT mean you can park an RV and live in it. Check city/county/state zoning laws/restrictions FIRST!!!
darsben
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
If you plan to winter in Illinois specially northern Illinois you will not do well in the winter in the average RV.

Forum Discussion

Questions from a newbie!

14 Replies

About RV Newbies

Related Content

Newbie power question

Newbie Tow Capacity Question

Newby questions

Newbie questions

newbie question