Becoming a Full Year-round Camper in Upstate NY-need advice?

Spoon059,
You got it backwards it's $1000 for the cheap trailer and $5000 for the remodel. Then it's $1000 for the solar. This assumes one has six months and can do everything involved with labor, themselves.
Your other figures are spot on.

Oh, BTW, one will never recover the expenses of the remodeling by resale, if that is an intent.

I attended university in Upstate NY. Trust me, please, you do not want to spend the majority of your days trying to survive brutal winters at the expense of comfort, health, and studies. Since you are so close to obtaining your degree, it would not be feasible to just up and relocate should you find your living situation too difficult / time consuming.

Rent a room. Obtain your degree. Then pursue your full-timing goals.

Best to you.

I sure hope its not a serious post. I'll pretend it is...
How much is your initial investment in the trailer? How much to fabricate new windows, insulation and an enclosure around it? After doing all that, you will probably find that you have damaged your camper with a high price tag to fix it if you plan to haul it and use it after this experiment. So, any money already spent is wasted. Lets say you spend $5000 on a cheapo trailer and an additional $1000 to modify this. We are at $6000 for this endeavor to start.

Figure $300/month for campground for 18 months, we are now at $5400 in rent plus $6000 in trailer... $11,400. You don't have water, can't use your holding tanks in the winter and might not have electricity. But... you want to add solar. I have no clue how much solar panels and batteries cost. Lets low ball it here and say $4000 for enough panels and batteries to give you power.

We are up to $14,400 and ZERO return on your investment. We haven't even discussed propane for cooking and heating in the winter. There is no way that you will make a cheap travel trailer comfortable in upstate New York winters. It will be a terrible existence for a year and a half.

You are looking at $800 month for 18 months of misery. I can't believe that $800 a month in upstate New York couldn't get you a much better living arrangement.

If your like me, having someone tell me I can't do something, is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I'll show you what I can and can't do.

I think you should do some research on the construction and mechanical systems (heat, water system ventilation, etc).

Campers are a totally different kind of beast when it comes to full timing, can it be done, yes, can it be done successfully, yes, is it a lot of work, YES.

A wood burning stove would be nice, but in a 20-23' TT your not going to have much room to allow for clearances to the combustibles. You also have to consider that you will need to install a combustion air vent, so the stove doesn't use up all the oxygen. You may find that you will have to have the installation inspected and approved. You certainly don't want a building inspector knocking on your door and condemning your home.

If you do go ahead with the project I wish you luck and please keep us informed on your progress.

I don't think this was a serious post.

I can't imagine anyplace that would let you build a shack like this..get an apartment!

B.O.

I live in upstate New York -- not far from the Canadian border and SUNY Potsdam. ALL private campgrounds here close by Columbus Day weekend. They do NOT remain open in the winter because of freezing water and snow issues. There is one state park that remains open until the end of October, but that's it.

Last year we wintered in our RV in Branson, MO. There were occasional days when temps were 18 degrees (above) and our water and sewer lines froze. On those days, we called home to talk to our sons (who remained in our home all winter). It was frequently 28 degrees or more below zero in upstate NY with wind chill factors of negative 40. There is NO WAY you would be able to stay warm in a trailer, regardless of how much insulation you tried to add.

I have seen apartments advertised in our area for anywhere from $600-800 a month, often including utilities. By the time you spend enough money to make your RV somewhat livable, you will have spent well over the total it would cost you to rent.

Also, this year is predicted to be especially cold, snowy, and long; starting earlier than usual and ending later than usual. In fact, our first snowfall has been predicted for late September!

If you actually decide to do this, make sure you keep your vents clear of snow so you don't die from your propane gas.

Gdetrailer wrote:

Your post sounds like another poster this spring who was planning to have a custom built cargo trailer by a hitech security company with minimalist features for $50K-$100K..

I was thinking the same thing.

apple61275 wrote:
So I am planning on selling my home and living in a 20-23' camper which I have not yet purchased but looking. I live in Upstate NY where it snows alot and can get below zero in winter. I am currently working on a degree so I have to stay here for another 1-1 1/2 years after which I plan to travel with my camper and hopefully settle in a warmer climate. I am planning on insulating the exterior of the trailer, that is go right over the exterior with foam insulation then cover with metal roofing and install small energy efficient windows and door in place of the typical trailer ones. I also plan to build an angled metal roof. I am considering getting a wood stove installed and using a combination of wood and propane for heat-if thats possible. I am considering a compost or incinerator toilet and getting solar panels on roof, also a tankless water heater. I basically want the trailer to be capable of off grid if needed but also be on grid if electric and water are possible-one big issue is where I will park it. Warmer months-April-Oct. I can use campgrounds but Nov.-March my only options may be to rent an outside lot without any water or electric hook-up or rent a space inside a heated barn or other storage. I am trying to set up the trailer to work for both situations. I also need to buy a tow vehicle that I will also use for basic transportation, wondering if a Jeep Grand Cherokee would work? prefer an SUV over a truck but will consider a small size truck if needed especially since I plan to eventually tow quite frequently. Any advice for this novice would be appreciated

Honestly, I am not sure if you are for real or just busting our chops..

Your post sounds like another poster this spring who was planning to have a custom built cargo trailer by a hitech security company with minimalist features for $50K-$100K..

If you really are for real here is a few things to think about as to why your plan is unrealistic..

You mention buying a travel trailer which could be towed by a small SUV then you are going to add insulation to the outside and then add a tin (corrugated?) roof and siding? The weight alone of steel siding and roofing is going to take your trailer into a heavier towing category. Tin is not light nor is it cheap and could easy add 500 lbs or more and cost you $800-$1000!

Not to mention adding furing strips (2x2s or 2x4s) to be able to add insulation will also add considerable weight and expense.. not to mention make your trailer WIDER than legal limits (102" or 8ft 6" is the max allowable width allowed on most public roads without the need for SPECIAL moving permits).

Extra insulation does not come cheap and high R value insulation will easily bust your budget..

You forgot about insulating the floor, typical RVs have R2 or so in the floor you would need to really increase the floor insulation or really be cold..

Have you checked to see if any of your local campgrounds are OPEN during winter? I live in Western PA and ALL the campgrounds CLOSE for the winter. When they close they DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE to live in the closed grounds..

Even IF you found a place that stayed open, most likely they will shut off the water to prevent damaging freezing to the pipes..

Cost, well $300+ per month isn't exactly cheap rent if you have no power, water, sewage in the winter and you have to rely on a generator and perhaps some very expensive solar (you are not exactly in the best place to get a lot of solar power in the winter so you are going to dump tons of money into panels).

Granted, there are folks who do boondock in places like Canada in the winter so it is "possible" that you could make it work but I do not think you are going to find it to be comfortable nor good for your school studies.

I also would highly recommend that you find an apartment or even a MOBILE HOME to rent..

Sorry to burst you bubble.