Does my full-time TC plan seem reasonable?
This is very much a lifestyle question, possibly too broad for this forum. My apologies if so. I am a single guy in my 30's. I work from home. My dream is to have an off-grid homestead in the Pacif...
Forum Discussion
Curious, why have you selected a truck camper?
Many here use a TC so they can either tow a trailer (boat or cargo) and still have a camper, or they want some off-road ability, or for some reason need a motorhome style rig if a trailer is too long for their locations (and maybe don't want to pay insurance on a motor home plus a personal vehicle).
We just have to assume you have reasons for wanting a TC.
For living in full time there is nothing better than a towed camper (trailer or 5th wheel). Trailers are very easy to unhook and hook up compared to a TC, so you can get to a location, drop trailer and have unfettered truck to drive around in. When you do get land, just park trailer and live as long as you want in it.
Trailers will have more than double the storage, more water capacity usually also, and easier to get in and out of.
Trailers will not put any stress on your truck tires, springs or axles since it carries its own weight. For multi-year full timing this is a consideration.
When you break down, and likely you will if on the road full-time, then easier to drop a trailer in the mechanic's lot than a TC so truck can fit into their bay- anyone can figure out how to unhook a trailer, a TC could end in disaster if you are not there…
What you are planning sounds like you will use it as a motorhome, so why not just get a motorhome? Reason #1 is that vans suck to work on under the hood unless you can find a truck chassis motorhome… But motorhomes will have a lot more storage. Downfall of motorhome is if motor breaks down then your home goes into the shop too.
Many here use a TC so they can either tow a trailer (boat or cargo) and still have a camper, or they want some off-road ability, or for some reason need a motorhome style rig if a trailer is too long for their locations (and maybe don't want to pay insurance on a motor home plus a personal vehicle).
We just have to assume you have reasons for wanting a TC.
For living in full time there is nothing better than a towed camper (trailer or 5th wheel). Trailers are very easy to unhook and hook up compared to a TC, so you can get to a location, drop trailer and have unfettered truck to drive around in. When you do get land, just park trailer and live as long as you want in it.
Trailers will have more than double the storage, more water capacity usually also, and easier to get in and out of.
Trailers will not put any stress on your truck tires, springs or axles since it carries its own weight. For multi-year full timing this is a consideration.
When you break down, and likely you will if on the road full-time, then easier to drop a trailer in the mechanic's lot than a TC so truck can fit into their bay- anyone can figure out how to unhook a trailer, a TC could end in disaster if you are not there…
What you are planning sounds like you will use it as a motorhome, so why not just get a motorhome? Reason #1 is that vans suck to work on under the hood unless you can find a truck chassis motorhome… But motorhomes will have a lot more storage. Downfall of motorhome is if motor breaks down then your home goes into the shop too.
