Trying to full time a TT

It can be done, try and learn from others' experiences so you don't have to pay the consequences...

If you end up with a trailer that has an outside shower, I have read that it is easiest to unhook it inside and cap the lines, then insulate the opening really well.

We had not camped in low temps but had the need to this last weekend. They were not brutal temps, but rather in mid 20s at night. It warmed in the daytime to 50+ so was nice. I worried about our Arctic Fox but we had no issues. We had 15amp service available so were able to use furnace without running batteries down. The furnace did run more than I expected, but the north wind probably did not help.. we had to have the vents opened alittle to keep condensation down.

Start your list of must have items and the limits you have (money, weight, etc) and keep looking and researching, you can do it.. keep us informed as you progress.

What a lot of you guys don't understand is the rent schedule of housing (if you can find any) in Western ND or Eastern MT or WYO. The oil boom has pushed rental pricing to the sky and people are on waiting lists.

Forum member RonR was in Watford City in the Winter. His electric was included with lot rent so he rigged up heat lamps under the trailer and had some skirting built for the purpose. One of his mid-Winter problems was the weed growth under the trailer, lol. Locals know how to insulate and make things work. RonR has an Arctic Fox with the Winter package.

If you had more time. you could do what I did and build out a trailer for the purpose. The rebuild is in the thread in my signature line, "The Cowboy/Hilton". For your immediate situation, I'd buy a trailer that has a 4 season package and take it from there. If you're lucky enough to get located to Watford City or close, there is a heated indoor park there. $1000 for a heated garage and not having to worry about the cold is worth the price. I believe the owners were going to build more of these units in different locations but I don't keep up with Bakken gossip too much since oil went down in price.

Good luck with your future trailer. The Forum is a great resource and there are a lot of discussions about cold weather living and full time trailering. Hope to see you around.

Similar to Arctic Fox but a little lighter, giving you more choice:

Outdoors RV, Jayco Eagle, and don't forget about the other Northwood products: Nash and Snow River.

Additionally there are companies that will manufacture portable skirting too.

Our neighbors' son has worked on the pipeline up north and fully understand that nothing is easy and nothing is cheap. He finally hooked up with a fellow welder that already had a TT and made it work until he could get back to "sunny, warm TN", lol. And this surely is not the "RV Lifestyle", it's a place to crash until the next day and then do it all over again. Suggestion is to look for a decent used model....maybe someone who's leaving the area?.... and call it home for now. Understand the per diem is pretty decent unless you're giving the biggest chunk to the motel and restaurant. A TT and fixing your own meals is a huge advantage. I would put the word out and maybe put an ad in a newspaper or a flyer in local businesses that would allow it and see if maybe you get lucky. Let your employer know you're interested in a TT on the chance someone is leaving and has one available. Buying a new one to crash in and not worry about frills would be second choice...maybe third. Agree that you shouldn't go over 25' and eliminate as many "luxuries" as possible. Any chance your truck is set up for a WDH and has a 7 pin already? Probably should check with your employer to be sure you can add whatever you need. Good luck, just working in that area is challenge enough without having to pay out every dime for motel and restaurant. Forum members?.....know anyone up that way interested in selling?

APT wrote:
Do not buy an RV to save money. It is a lifestyle choice, whether full timing or recreational/weekender.

I'm sure this is a region thing but I disagree.You can save tons of money living in an RV compared to say renting.Put a RV in a mobile home site and your rent can be as low as $100 a month,depending on the area.Roughly $400 a month in Boise Idaho with "all utilities" included.

Rent here starts at about $400 a month for a studio apartment plus utilities.

Where work is involved,it doesn't get better than an RV.Move from job to job with your home away from home and sometimes even living on the job site is available without cost,again depending on occupation and region.

I lived in my RV working and just full timing and saved a bundle of cash not to mention home was where I parked.

I believe there is a huge difference in the modern day RVer and those that live that way to save money or the mobility of it!

Do not buy an RV to save money. It is a lifestyle choice, whether full timing or recreational/weekender.

I have been doing the same thing since about your age.Talk to your co-workers who do it and the ones that have done it for years.They know from experience what works and doesn't.Unless you have done it you don't have a clue as each trailer is unique as to how it handles the cold.They will all freeze at some point.

As to traveling in the snow and ice,have chains and or studded tires when applicable for the trailer and truck.Ignore the 1/2 ton jokes on power..An engine is an engine and power has nothing to do with the GVWR of any tow vehicle.

Staying in a RV is much much better than a motel and it's yours,a home away from home!If the cost was the same,I would never stay in a motel while off working.It's just not the same.

New or used I don't care let's say $20,000 or under. I've been looking at some wildwood and Coleman TT they arent too expensive and I like the floor plan on the $10,000 Coleman than I do on the $40,000+ artic fox.

Does anybody have experience with Coleman or wildwood campers? Are they flimsy how do they stand up to cold weather? I'm not looking for luxury I just need something to live in. It will probably always be dirty anyway.

With whatever camper I get i will upgrade myself and get heated hoses tanks and insulate tanks.

Jamesconn,

You haven't said what your budget is, if you are wanting new or used.

Your age will not effect your insurance on a trailer. It may be an issue getting financing on a trailer purchase.

I assume you are getting per diem to cover your travel costs. Key to making this work would be your ability to deduct as business expense all your travel costs. You can do that either way - your hotel, etc, or if you RV. You'll have to run the numbers both ways to see which way you would be ahead. Normally, you'd need to also have a permanent residence to deduct your travel expense, but there are exceptions - you should speak with an accountant before you do anything.

Artic Fox has a good reputation. You might also look at Oliver for cold weather performance. You'll want to get a heated water hose and use some techniques to manage in winter weather. Your trailer should have an enclosed and heated underbelly, you'll want dual pane windows and you'll want tank heaters.

Like others have mentioned, rooming with a coworker may not be a great idea in such a small space.

Keep your trailer selection under 5000 lbs (and tongue weight under 500 lbs) and you should be OK with an F150.

I say go for it. You already know the weather and you work in it everyday anyway, you did the math and you know what you can save after expenses. I agree with the above poster about not buying a NEW rig, get one a couple of years old, that will save you a lot of money right there. Be prepared though to work on it when need be.
Have fun and do what you do.
Good Luck
SK