First, the backstory: As I enter my 75th year, I am still traveling between Connecticut and Texas in my little Sportsmobile, and can see that I won't be able to do this forever. I've had health issues and am not able to handle those icy winters anymore.My son lives in south Texas and thinks I should live down here permanently. He talks about buying a home with a mother-in-law apartment. I think he should buy a property with a house and enough land that I can have a permanent concrete pad with a good-sized trailer and live in that. This is the main reason I chose this forum for this post: my main questions are: has anyone here done this? and, what trailers are best insulated and able to handle the San Antonio summer sun? I'd like something with adequate counter space, and a place for my daughters or grandchildren to sleep comfortably. Any opinions would be welcome!

I am considering the same options but I have never spent a whole summer in South Texas to base my decision on. I am thinking that one would have to have a carport type of structure over the trailer to reduce heat load and protect it from the elements at the minimum. My friend's mobile home is actually cheaper to heat and cool even though it is much larger than my travel trailer since it has much better insulation.

Thanks, gr8life. Yes, I thought the same thing; put up a portable carport. IT would have to be very sturdy and well-anchored to stand up to the winds they often have down here.

Many areas have an entire community of modular houses for the retirees that no longer want the maintenance on their homes.As for a private residence I suspect you would be looking at a “Park Model”, large and intended for semi-permanent set up. I saw a lot of these at the campgrounds that featured golf or fishing nearby in Florida.Wish I could help you more. Good Luck

Rather than a trailer, get a small mobile home or modular home. Since you won't be moving it, it makes sense to have something designed as a house with all the additional insulation and features.Of course, we are assuming your reference to trailer means travel trailer not mobile home.

Completely agree on the Park Model. Many more options and you may or may not need to put up something like the carport for keeping cool. We are not quite to that 75th year, but are in the midst of sorting/tossing/packing/selling here in TN and moving to a manufactured housing community in FL. Manufactured housing is not the same as a travel trailer or mobile home and withstands severe storms better than many stick-built homes. Unless you feel that living quite close to your son and family is perfect for you, I would strongly suggest you investigate several of these communities. Security, amenities, activities and you're still quite close to family. Not all homes in these communities are brand new, which = more costly. We found several pre-owned homes in excellent condition and most had recently had complete updates and the prices were much lower than we expected. Many current owners that just snowbird sell the homes completely furnished. That might be a benefit for you. Some of the homes we considered in FL have what they call a "roof over", which is essentially what you're thinking on the travel trailer. Personally, we could not manage living a stone's throw from our younger DS. I hope you will investigate the 55+ communities in that area and also a Park Model if you want to be on the same property. Good luck and strongly suggest you start sorting and tossing NOW. It's not the job it was 30 years ago....this is a killer! We can sort of see the end in sight, but still plenty to do between now and then. Take care, enjoy!

Trailer instead of a small house? | Good Sam Community

RoadLife
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
Rather than a trailer, get a small mobile home or modular home. Since you won't be moving it, it makes sense to have something designed as a house with all the additional insulation and features.

Of course, we are assuming your reference to trailer means travel trailer not mobile home.
rbpru
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2015
Many areas have an entire community of modular houses for the retirees that no longer want the maintenance on their homes.

As for a private residence I suspect you would be looking at a “Park Model”, large and intended for semi-permanent set up. I saw a lot of these at the campgrounds that featured golf or fishing nearby in Florida.

Wish I could help you more.

Good Luck
Heathertee2002
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
Thanks, gr8life. Yes, I thought the same thing; put up a portable carport. IT would have to be very sturdy and well-anchored to stand up to the winds they often have down here.
Gr8life
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2015
I am considering the same options but I have never spent a whole summer in South Texas to base my decision on. I am thinking that one would have to have a carport type of structure over the trailer to reduce heat load and protect it from the elements at the minimum. My friend's mobile home is actually cheaper to heat and cool even though it is much larger than my travel trailer since it has much better insulation.

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Trailer instead of a small house?

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