Question on purchase of travel trailer.

Thank you for your service. Like others have asked, what do you plan on towing it with. That is a big rig so you need at least a 3/4 ton so you have enough payload. Don't buy the dealer rhetoric when they say, 'you can tow anything on the lot, trust me'! Not many salesman really know anything about towing. The dealers really need to educate their employees, but probably never will!

Full time RVing is a mindset. It is definitely not for everyone. I suspect that for the cost of a TT, the park rent, maintenance and depreciation, you can rent an appartment or small home.

IF this is your first RV, sure do recomend buying a used unit, as that experience will also help you get one that fits your lifestyle much better when you get your second rig! Many of us get a couple rigs before we find the match that works well, not to mention the significant savings of buying used. JMO!

A quick search at RvTrader.com came up with roughly 80 hits showing new 2016 units as low as $31.8K and new 2017 models as low as $36.8K, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than your current local dealer's price. When I am interested in a particular rig I peruse RvTrader.com to check prices across the country.

Being a nurse she can find assignments anywhere, choose locations where you are not exposed to extreme heat or severe cold for long periods of time. Open Range units are well insulated and tested for comfortable living at 0 and 100 degrees, although those temps should be avoided just to make RV life simpler.

1)For cold weather use prolonged it will be hard to find any trailer that is good. You will have trouble finding RV parks open in the winter in the north and if they are you most certainly will not have water service which means finding a way to keep your water tank full (hauling it in or moving the trailer to a spigot both of which can be a pia. Moisture inside the trailer will be a real problem when the heat is on for prolonged periods. It has the four seasons package which means some (NOT LIKE A HOUSE) insulation as well as heaters to keep the water from freezing. When your tanks get full when it is very cold out where will you dump for a prolonged stay. Some RV parks do not bury their sewer pipes below the freeze level so with prolonged dumping the sewer may become frozen. Today's code prohibits this in a lot of places BUT most RV places are older and do not have to comply with the newer codes. SO northern living in the winter will most likely be out

2)General theory is about 30% off list means you are getting a good price.

3) I recommend an apartment, with 1 large dog, 2 medium dogs 2 adults and a toddler . Even the Open range with multiple slides will get small quickly. The dogs will not be allowed to roam in any quality RV park and When traveling all of you will have to fit into the tow vehicle as the dogs can be seriously hurt riding in the trailer even in a crate. I am sorry if I offend you but you are jumping in deeply and for some serious cash.
What you have for a tow vehicle has not been mentioned and will your wife be taking that to work? Most RV parks are some distance from city center where hospitals are usually located. This leaves you stranded and if she does 12 hour shifts which seems to be the norm lately darn inconvenient. Load 3 y/o in vehicle drive MOM to work and 12 hours later put 3 y/o in vehicle and pick MOM up. NOt bad if she is on a day shift but a bummer if she is on an overnight.