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ASPHALTVICTORY's avatar
Jul 23, 2015

Newbie/ temporary living need advise

Hi my name is mike recently my apartment building is being remodeled and all the tennents (good blue collar people) are being forced out (30 day notice) my girlfriend myself and our cat dixie need a place to live it is our off season here in rhode island i haul boats she is a school bus driver so we are strapped for cash apartments are looking slim. We are actually looking at buying houses instead! I am looking 30 foot bumper hitch style campers in the $1000 range (i will be towing it with an 87 k5 blazer with the 6.2 diesel)

What do i walk away from? Im handy a little work dont scare me

I will be putting this on a friends property and hooking it up like an temp out building How do i do this? 100 feet of 30/50 amp cord? Heavy 10 wire? Heavy extention cord?

How do i get all 110 and no 12v stuff?

Im not planning on being in it past december but should it turn out that way how bad will it be to heat in a new england winter?

Thank you
  • I'm by no means an expert but I know when I was shopping for a starter camper anything at 1000 was on its last legs. Also not sure anything shy of a 4 season camper (not gunna get once functioning at 1000) is going to keep you warm enough/water not frozen in the northeast autumn. how long are we talking about being out of your place?
  • First before spending any monies:

    Check local zoning laws/restrictions etc.

    Your friend may have the property but that does NOT mean you can just set up an RV on it and LIVE in it.
    FEW places allow living in an RV parked on property.

    You will need at minimum 30A service for RV for living in it. That requires electrical knowledge OR electrician (that understand it is for RV...not dryers/welder----120V not 220V)
    You will a need means of fresh water
    You will need a means of getting rid of waste water......Black & Grey (not dumping on ground)

    Propane for heating........that requires 12V DC (good converter/battery)
    Fridge.....needs 12V DC for electric and/or propane


    Check them zoning laws!!
  • Well a few things to consider;
    A 30 footer for $1000.00 probably would not be habitable.
    You are buying a house so you need electric, gas, water and sewer.
    The trailer plugs into a minimum of 30 amps at 120 volts.
    It will have two electric systems, a few standard outlets at 120 volts and a 12 volt converter for lights, refrigerator, furnace.

    An RV is less like an apartment an more like a rustic cabin, unless you are willing to do a lot of setup.