Need suggestions for new living in wake of Harvey

dmzno98 wrote:
My wife and I 62, lost everything in Katrina and now Harvey took the rest. We can't go through this anymore. Life is too short and it keeps kicking our butts. We have access to a F150 and would like to cash out (may need to live in it for awhile) and get a truck camper or a 18ft appox travel trailer. What truck camper is best for f150? is there any negatives about a truck camper we should know? were in good shape, what about dogs? price is a major consideration and negatives about traveling, parks etc. Any help would be appreciated

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I can certainly appreciate your feelings at this time.

I think that pconroy238 gave some good advice. I would recommend you defer any decision until you are able to give a good amount of thought to your position and where you want to go.

That said however, I have been RVing for many years with both trailers, fifth wheels, Truck campers and now a Class A, so I can offer the following advice:

A Truck Camper is probably not what you want to use.

• A F150 just does not have the capability of carrying a camper that has enough room to live in comfortably long term
• Many campgrounds will not allow you to take it off the truck so you are forced to move your home every time you need to use the truck
• The weight of a camper will put a lot of stress on your F150 resulting in more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan

If you want to understand how adding a camper will affect your truck weights, try this calculator: http://www.visualsc.com/tc_calc.htm

If I was you, I would look for a good used trailer. Although the towing capacity of the F150 is a concern, there is more "wriggle" room.

• If you are not planning on doing a lot of travelling, you can push the combined weight rating (GCWVR) a little. Just don't exceed the rear axle and tire ratings
• Using a good weight distribution hitch will help a lot to improve the safety and capability of the truck
• Make sure the trailer tires and axles are in good condition. Keep the bearings well greased and service regularly
• There are lots of floor pans out there that will be adaptable for full timing
• Make sure you get at least a 25 foot trailer as some parks have a minimum size limit (some also have a age/condition limit)
• Look for a trailer with an "Arctic" pack so that you have the option of using it in cold weather.

Good luck getting back on your feet. Hopefully, things will look a little brighter when everything settles down in a few months.

IF you get any kind of insurance or other disaster assistance payment why not go with like a 30-40 foot class A and TOW the F-150.. (Though the F-150 is not a ride I like to drive less it's loaded many do tow it (too light in the rear if not loaded) of course you put a "Cap" on it and a few hundred pounds of assorted "Storage" in the bed, it's a darn good ride.. Really like the cockpit, just not the handling

An 18' will be too small to live in for any amount of time except maybe a weekend. Unless the F150 is a newer turbo V6, it is not going to be heavy enough for real towing. If you are in Florida, their may be some used trailers that are scuffed up, but more than serviceable for your needs, cheap.

Good luck.

I'm also sorry for your loss. But right now, you're probably emotionally drained. Probably not the best time to make major lifestyle decisions.

Plenty of folks do what you just outlined - and make it work.
Some don't. Some try it and later decide it's not for them.

My suggestion - read, read, read this forum.
Watch all of the "fulltime RV" videos on youtube you can muster up.

18' would be pretty tight for us, but again, others seem to make it fine in even smaller RVs.

Best wishes on your future!!!

You can get a lot of good ideas at
Www.cheaprvliving.com

Every thing depends on which F150 you have. some can't tow or carry anything. Some can tow, or carry a lot. Some have a GVWR of 6500lb, Some have a GVWR of 7700lb. So the first thing you need to know is what truck you have.

Then focus on the weight of the trailer. You will run out of weight long before you run out of length. In fact, Neither Ford, or any other manufacturer mention length in their tow specs. Well Jeep use to. No longer I don't believe.

So find a trailer that is within your tow capacities when loaded. Remember. the higher the trucks GVWR the better, and the lower the truck rear gear the better.

At 62 you should be getting SS if nothing else. That F150 can pull, but a half ton can't carry. Go look at campers and see what's out there.

For $200 a month or less you can own a new one. Make sure you allocate $800 or so for a good hitch system to pull it with.

Get a senior park pass and you can stay at many nice COE's for 10-15 dollars a night. Casino's are another good place if you can stay out of them when you are losing.

A Walmart or Cracker Barrel when you're on the move. North when hot, south when cold. Not a lifestyle of the rich and famous, but a good life for the right couple.

The dogs if large or numerous will limit the places you can stay and or workkamp.

If your circumstances permit wokKamping may fit the bill. You work a little for lot rent electric etc
You can also volunteer at many state federal public lands and receive a site/ water, elec, sewer.

The limits on dogs in private camp grounds vary but it is usually 2 dogs and sometimes certain breeds are excluded completely.
Some place limit the number of consecutive nights you may stay

Move north

a 17 ft tt would be a much better idea than a tc IMHO. more room, more comfort, actually livable.
bumpy