Considering the purchase of a modest TT or 5th wheel for annual 3 month+/- southern journey to get out of Michigan winter. We are 2 senior adults an no pets. First years' trips may be more as movers than sitters as we really have friends all over the south and want to taste as much as possible before deciding if we wish to stay in one area for the full time.I realize either RV may well necessitate purchase of a larger truck (mine is only a half ton). What is the minimum size you would consider for this length of full-time living? Also, are any of these able to towed by a half ton truck. I like the additional space the 5w can provide, but also see other additional expenses. I think I would opt to remove any dinette in a smaller unit and utilize that space for more comfortable seating options. As a bed they are usually poor, we'all not have guests and two TV tables will work.Appreciative for any advice offered!Jeff

What is the minimum size? How well do you get along with your spouse? What do you do for fun? Does your spouse do anything for fun? More space is good if you don't really do anything together.

coolbreeze01 wrote:What is the minimum size? How well do you get along with your spouse? What do you do for fun? Does your spouse do anything for fun? More space is good if you don't really do anything together.I can't wait, this should be a fun thread. :B

Wife and I have done 57 days so far in the camper listed in our signature. Perfect for us. Since mid May we've only been back to the house about a week.

Get along great. 50 years of best friendship. Lived together over 5 years on a 40' sailboat. We do much together and much alone. But, we would not be sitting in the unit watching TV all day. We both have our own hobbies. But we hike, kayak, read, sightsee, etc together (oh, and still sleep together). Living aboard the sailboat pretty well taught us how to live together in modest space with neither of us scared and wounded.

AngryBert-63 wrote:Wife and I have done 57 days so far in the camper listed in our signature. Perfect for us. Since mid May we've only been back to the house about a week.Very nice and looks quite livable. Thanks.

Travel Trailer Size? | Good Sam Community

frjeff
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
Got out and looked at many units today. Not impressed with most, but some struck our fancey.
Sort of fell in love (wife too) with a used (2004) Rockwood Ultra Lite 2605. Did not weigh (4100#) much more than the 18 and 20 Footers we viewed.

Any thoughts on the brand, model???
frjeff
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
Great advice thus far and highly helpful.

So, thoughts on Fun Finder and Shadow Cruiser TT. Both from Cruiser RV.

Like the 19 and 21 foot floor plans but have read some not so good reviews on both.

Thoughts?

Jeff
GrumpyGator
Explorer
Jul 12, 2015
That Lance 1985 is awesome. My wants were the same as the OP's but I was willing to accept the dinette in the Lance instead of the sofa I really wanted, just to have a Lance. However I could not justify the extra cost of the Lance in the long run.

Instead I purchased a new Keystone Passport Elite 23RB. It is 26' and, and far as I am concerned, the perfect layout for a couple. It has a huge kitchen area with lots of counter space and a bar area. Lots of hanging closet space as well as pantry.

To the OP: check out the Keystone Passport 23RB. You won't be disappointed.

Oh yeah, it's an ultra-lite. I pull mine with a Ford F150 half-ton. No issues whatsoever. I use a Husky Centerline TS hitch.
WayneAt63044
Explorer
Jul 12, 2015
We're on our fourth 26' travel trailer in 20 years all pulled with a 1/2 ton truck. You could get a trailer that matches your current tow vehicle's tow ratings and try it. We have been going through the Rockies for years and typically get up the hills quicker with our gassers than travel mates with a diesel do. You can upgrade to a 3/4 ton later if you don't like the performance of a lesser rated truck. Hit the RV shows and dealers to find the floor plan that meets your preferences.
ADK_Camper
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
We have a FunFinder 210WBS. It's 21 feet long with a slide. We have never camped for longer than 2 weeks, but it seems to me it is roomy enough for a longer stay. Reading over what others have posted, I think it is fair to conclude that almost any size trailer will work for long term if you have the right temperment for it.

Many have said that a walk around bed is necessary - I agree. You also said that you might forgo a dinette and use tray tables. I think that is also a good idea. We have done that since our trailer was new. Our floorplan never had a dinette; it came with a folding table and a sofa. I recently made a gateleg table to use instead of the tray tables. It is much more versatile than the tray tables. For some pictures follow this

LINK
HappyTrails2U2
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
frjeff wrote:
Considering the purchase of a modest TT or 5th wheel for annual 3 month+/- southern journey to get out of Michigan winter.
Jeff

I wouldn't purchase a new tow vehicle for that little bit of traveling. We towed our 34ft. Rockwood 8315BSS Signature Ultra Lite with our 1/2 ton Silverado all over the south for 5 years while I worked out of town. We went over the mountains in Tennessee and Kentucky a couple of times and had no problems.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
frjeff wrote:
....snip.....

First years' trips may be more as movers than sitters as we really have friends all over the south and want to taste as much as possible before deciding if we wish to stay in one area for the full time.

...snip....

Jeff

This sentence is what jumped out at me when I first read this thread. To me, this suggests a fairly small camper to start out, as it will allow you to tuck into places like friends and relatives driveways, and other tight spots, that you might have to otherwise pass up if you have a longer trailer.
I have a 19' with a large slideout ( funfinder 189FDS ) and it could easily accommodate two folks if "they really like each other".
Tequila
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
I would say 23 to 25 ft, about the shortest you can get with a walk around bed.

1/2 tons are not the best for towing anything over 5000 lbs despite what others may say.

Ours is 23.5 and we live 6 months a year in Mexico in it, no problem.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2015
Two important things for us were a bed you can exit on both sides and a slide that did not block the interior use when retracted.

We can have a lunch or potty breaks at any convenient stop with the slide retracted.
LynnandCarol
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
We travel Full Time in a 31' Trail Bay Lite TT (Pic in Profile). We have only had a very few times where the length was an issue in a campground, normally going in or leaving.

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