Hi, all. I'm new to even *thinking* about getting an RV. But due to unusual family circumstances, I am considering purchasing an RV to live in, on my own property. I live in a fairly unregulated area, with zoning laws that do allow it, based on the acreage and the circumstances that I have. However, I know nothing about RVs (except that I enjoyed staying in one with family members, as a child) including whether there are ways to "hook up" your RV in a residential area. I know the electricity hookup is totally different. And the water situation needs to be addressed. But I have absolutely no problem hiring a plumber and an electrician to come install the correct stuff. I just don't even know if it's physically possible--particularly the plumbing. Is there a way to empty black and gray water tanks at home without an RV-style sewer hook-up? I live in an area that does get freezing temps in the winter, but not most of the time. Please don't flame me. I know I sound uneducated--and that's because I am. But I'd love to change that! Thanks for your help in advance.

I know a gal who got a 30 ft or so fiver and lives in it. I guess she has a sewer person come out every week or two and pump out her tanks. It get cold in Central Oregon in the winter (down to below zero at times) and guess it OK. So it is doable.Flagman

Its not uncommon for RVs to be used as homes for oil field workers round these parts. The folks who come and flush the tanks are called 'Honey Dippers' as a polite term for a septic cleaning company.

Need a 30A Power Pedestal at minimum so you can plug into for electricalNeed a 'clean out' line installed that connects to septic tank on site or sewer connection if property has sewer.Need water supply........best is underground piping below frost line with an anti-siphon riser for connecting toShould have an RV Pad to park on...next to the above utilities (can be gravel, concrete, asphalt, hard compacted dirt)

When we built our home in central Idaho, we installed water, 30 amp electricity and a sewer hookup to the end of the garage. That way when we had guests, they could park their trailers there and hook up. We also used the sewer hookup to dump after trips when we had been boondocking and didn't have access to a dump station.Of necessity we didn't use the water or sewer in the winter, but there was rarely a time when someone felt like staying in a trailer at those low temps anyway. It worked well for us.

I think it depends a little bit on the kind of RV you want to get. But for electrical, you'll need something. When my RV is parked outside the house, a heavy duty 50' extension cord supplies the electricity.If you're able to hire an electrician and have them wire up something where you'll park the RV, then you'll ask for a "30 Amp (or 50 Amp) Pedestal".Water and sewer have been mentioned.The other thing to think about is heat. My RV's furnace uses propane. You'll want to figure out how to stay warm. There are ways to use standard 20# BBQ Grill propane tanks with your system. If you're going to just park the RV then you'll want to figure out how to keep the propane tanks a flowing.

Probably dumbest question ever | Good Sam Community

Chrisatthebeach
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
It can be done with planning. I lived in two of mine for close to 6 years while relocating for jobs. As far as on your own property it depends on the area you live in. There are many rural counties in GA and SC where things are not zoned or even checked. Most that do this around here have the power company put up a construction pole, then have a local put in a well and septic system, if your land already has that then your biggest expense is done. Some in this area even purchase small tracts of land where an old house once stood and it has a well and septic system in place.

I did 3 1/2 years in northern Kentucky through some brutal winters, I did it out of necessity but would not do it again, the other part of the time was here on the SC coast where we rarely see freezing, that was easy.

Chris
naturist
Nomad
Oct 13, 2015
westernrvparkowner wrote:
If you are going to be living in something full time and not moving it, get a used mobile home. It will be roomier, better insulated, designed for what you are wanting to do and probably cheaper.

There are also what are called "park models," which are designed to be placed once and left.

The drawback to RVs is not only that they are not designed heavy duty enough to live in but the sewer system is designed to be filled up and then dumped manually a couple times per week. This gets old fast in a live-in situation where you have a sewer hookup. A used mobile home or park model does not have a holding tank, but is designed to dump/flush directly to a sewer system, saving a bit of hassle as well as "one more unnecessary design feature."
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
If you are going to be living in something full time and not moving it, get a used mobile home. It will be roomier, better insulated, designed for what you are wanting to do and probably cheaper.
rbpru
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
RVs are often used for long term stays but generally they are fair weather shelters.

If you have the hook ups it is doable but humidity and single pane Windows plus the lack of side shirts to the ground make it tough in the winter.

I guess what we are saying is, RVs are designed for short term recreational occupancy. They must be adapted to full time use.

Good luck
phillyg
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
Most RVs are not built to live in full time, and some warranties don't cover FT living. But, many folks do so. Just using FWs as an example, the better units like Teton and Hitchhiker are going to cost more. They can be bought used for good prices. I wouldn't hesitate to FT, even in very cold weather, if my circumstances required it, but not in my signature FW. If you have the land, are zoned accordingly, and have electric, water and sewer available, then it would probably work for you.
RoyB
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
You will probably have to pay dearly getting an electric line run to your property...

Once the electric pole gets installed then install your RV PEDESTAL on the same pole...

Quite certain you will have to have a sewer spetic system installed or have it trucked away. You will also have to have a fresh water supply installed as well...

All of this will add up quick...

This will be a COUNTY issue... They don't allow any of that here in our county but have seen that done in counties near the BLUE RIDGE/SKYLINE DRIVE high country here...

The trailer also probably have to past the county inspection to be approved to be lived in... You may not get this approval without an Electric pole, septic tank and fresh water well installed. Your trailer may also have to fitted with a real foundation and not just sitting on tires to be legal...

Trailers on tires would not be the best situation to be in for the summer storms... A trailer sitting in an open field will be hit by lightning for sure could be blown over is just a 50-60mph wind storm...

Check with the local county laws on this... A legal residence also has to be identified in the county books for tax purposes...

Just some of my thoughts here
Roy Ken
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
If you plan on getting full hookups, do not leave the tank valves open. Stuff needs to float in the black tank. If there is a lack of water, it will settle on the bottom and solidify. Plan on using lots of propane in the winter and plan on dealing with lots of condensation inside. Get dual pane windows to help. Good luck.
pira114
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
What you're planning to do is done frequently where I live. If it's long term, you'll be better off to have someone come out and set up water, sewer, and electric for it. It's not any more expensive to do 50 amp vs 30. So go 50 to give you options.

It kinda depends on how close you'll be parked to the existing utilities. The closer the better in terms of cost.

If there are no utilities already on the property, then research the heck out of boondocking. That's what we call using an RV off grid. Being fully self contained. Then get used to the idea that it'll be a lot more work.
sail2liv
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
We live in our small 5 er.....but temps only get in teens for a couple of days a couple times a year.....mostly is above 32......we pull trailer to dump station once a month.....course you should always move your RV regular to keep things working.....get the polar package with heated underbelly and tanks....
valhalla360
Navigator
Oct 13, 2015
Does the property already have sewer, water & electric? If no, those can be pretty pricey to install in remote areas.

Did you really check that you are allowed to live in an RV? Just because someone is doing it doesn't mean it is legal.

If you are in the north, how will you handle freezing temperatures. It can be done but it's a hassle.