Does my full-time TC plan seem reasonable?

I use a truck camper for the ground clearance off road and so I can tow my boat or small enclosed bike garage trailer. Or use the truck as a flatbed 1 ton with the camper unloaded.

Another option is building out an enclosed trailer using some equipment that can be used in your cabin in the future. Give you some practice configuring your living spaces, solar electric etc. Maybe you already own a vehicle that can tow one.

Sounds like a nice project.

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.

Howdy.

I don't post here as much as I use to. But your post seemed genuine.

I am currently in my 12th year of fulltiming. Meaning I do not own any other property as I sold everything/gave things away and took off in a Truck Camper.

Yes, you can full time in a truck camper, for all the reasons that have been shared before. But you could live much cheaper in getting a different RV that would also provide you more room and comfort than a Truck Camper. You didn't really spend a lot of time sharing you wish to travel while establishing your future place of residence. For that reason, I would share in considering a travel trailer, which would be cheaper and easy to dispose of at a later time.

Having power, heat and food storage will be a challenge as all these areas have small capacities.

I wish you good luck in what you are contemplating.

b

Not to me. There better options..size, cost...than a TC and a dually.

Hi,

It may be wise to consider a used RV. First, all the "kinks" may have been dealt with. Second, the price may be 50% or less than for a new unit.

While full time can be done in any unit, a TC may have a lot less room than most other RV's. They probably have less storage as well.

I lived full time for 5 years in a 28'5" class C. I mostly boondocked. Cost of the unit was 33,000.00 Cdn. I had just 238 square feet of living area.

If you really want to save money. Buy a high roof van and build it out to your liking. You will not take the hit as bad when you sell it as you would with an RV. Not near the maintenance with massive seams and rubber roofs that RV's require. High roof van is easier to drive and park. You can always pitch a 45 second setup tent for more room or for
another 12x12 room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beVtDKuXf38


I took a pretty good lost on my 2010 Montana fifth wheel. But I'm glad I had a building to store it in so I didn't have to deal with all the seams.

Take a look at Northern Lite or Bigfoot TC's if you want to get away from massive seams to maintain.

A truck camper is the most expensive RV based on dollars per square foot. I would get a used travel trailer and a used 3/4 ton truck, or whatever truck is appropriate. A 5th wheel will always require a heavier duty truck and specialized hitch. Park the travel trailer and explore the back country, move the TT and repeat. Find your dream spot and live in the trailer while you build the cabin, or just live in the trailer.

I think it all depends on how much you plan on moving around site seeing and traveling. Are you going to be moving around every day or every three days to someplace new? The truck camper is your friend for moving around being able to park without walking a mile. Easier to drive and park. Fits in a parking space better than pull campers or large motor homes.

Now if you plan on sitting somewhere for longs periods of time like in a camp ground then a motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel is your friend.

I will be full time by the end of the year. Just sold my 35 foot Montana fifth wheel because it will not fit my full time lifestyle. I plan on moving around a lot and I need something that I can drive easy. Go into town to get supplies and I don't plan on staying in a campground ever. If I wanted neighbors super close by than I would keep my house that I'm also selling.

If you think you have to buy a new Arctic Fox to get a good one, then I’d mark it off the list.

I think it depends on where you will live/work if a TC makes any sense or not. Apartments are very expensive in larger cities, so is property and there are lots of rules to follow near metro areas.. A fifth wheel is dramatically cheaper per space, but you don’t have a truck. I’d probably consider a used Class A and tow your car assuming your current car is towable. Check for cost of RV spaces per month. The more money you put in up front the more you will lose when you sell/trade. I’d also consider Class Cs/TTs, but again, depends on where you will live/work what makes more sense.

Personally, I’d stay out of Conconully during the Winter. Do some research on climate averages including snowfall. Also, Washington just put into place new gun laws that might/might not be advantage for you, similarly with Oregon. You’ll find climate varies a lot depending on whether you are in convergence zone or not or what side of the Cascades/Rockies you live on.

IMO a truck camper is ideal for travel. That is not really your goal. It seems your travel will be limited and the ultimate goal is to have a place to live temporarily while you acquire land and build a cabin.

I recommend looking at a simple trailer. You won't need to spend a lot for a dually. A used travel can be quite inexpensive and you will have much more space at a fraction of the cost.