Totally confused trying to buy travel trailer
I am totally confused and overwhelmed. I am looking to buy a 16' or 19' travel trailer but the more I look at all the information on here and online the more confused I get so I thought I'd take a ch...
Forum Discussion
The most limiting need in your agenda is having livability in Montana in the Winter. In truth, nearly all trailers are not designed for this use and only a few approach having the insulation value to make it somewhat feasible.
FWIW, I had the same conundrum and figured out early that I would have to buy something and strip it to the bones and insulate to have any chance of getting close to Winter full-timing in the North. My second thought was that if I bought something nearly new, I wouldn't have the heart to start ripping it all apart.
What I ended up doing is chronicled in the thread in my signature--The Cowboy/Hilton. For the insulative value, I chose to continue with the same wall, floor, and ceiling dimensions, installing as much insulation as possible. I removed the typical jalousie windows, lowered the window count, and replaced with residential Low-E windows. I also replaced the inefficient mechanical systems, furnace, fridge, and plumbing were replaced.
After 6 months of work and $5K, I have a rig that can be heated in Winter with a single electric space heater or the simple propane heater. I still have to insulate and heat the waste tank, that is something I'm saving until Spring. I've also installed a solar charging system to be able to live off-grid. That is in addition to the rest of the cost.
I guess what I'm trying to drive home is that anything bought off a lot, even the best Arctic Fox or Bigfoot trailer will be marginal for what you envision. You can do it but have a large budget for propane and get some warm socks. Forum members Pianotuna and Bobs your Uncle have been living in their trailers this winter in Canada. Their posts will indicate what's necessary to make it through Winter.
Good luck with your plans.
FWIW, I had the same conundrum and figured out early that I would have to buy something and strip it to the bones and insulate to have any chance of getting close to Winter full-timing in the North. My second thought was that if I bought something nearly new, I wouldn't have the heart to start ripping it all apart.
What I ended up doing is chronicled in the thread in my signature--The Cowboy/Hilton. For the insulative value, I chose to continue with the same wall, floor, and ceiling dimensions, installing as much insulation as possible. I removed the typical jalousie windows, lowered the window count, and replaced with residential Low-E windows. I also replaced the inefficient mechanical systems, furnace, fridge, and plumbing were replaced.
After 6 months of work and $5K, I have a rig that can be heated in Winter with a single electric space heater or the simple propane heater. I still have to insulate and heat the waste tank, that is something I'm saving until Spring. I've also installed a solar charging system to be able to live off-grid. That is in addition to the rest of the cost.
I guess what I'm trying to drive home is that anything bought off a lot, even the best Arctic Fox or Bigfoot trailer will be marginal for what you envision. You can do it but have a large budget for propane and get some warm socks. Forum members Pianotuna and Bobs your Uncle have been living in their trailers this winter in Canada. Their posts will indicate what's necessary to make it through Winter.
Good luck with your plans.
