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Anyone decided to leave RV year round in FL?

Kate_and_Ed
Explorer
Explorer
We are not snow birds yet but thinking of leaving motorhome at campground and driving car to FL in future during winter and even in-between. Anyone that has done this and knows if it can be done without registering RV vehicle in FL? Thinking about tag. I know FL has no inspection issues.

Any advice appreciated.
Kathy and Ed
25 REPLIES 25

Snowman9000
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, park models and even double wides are "vehicles", at least in Florida. A double wide has two vehicle titles, one for each half. Usually there is a small sticker to be placed in a street facing window, not a plate/tag for the back end.
Currently RV-less but not done yet.

jplante4
Explorer II
Explorer II
This was our first winter snowbirding and I did notice that even the park model trailers had FL tags,so I assume the rule is trailers must be registered to be considered "mobile". Some parks (county parks for example) limit the amount of time you can spend in the park.

Another option is to just buy one already in a spot. I saw several in Southern Oaks in Summerfield (by The Villages).
Jerry & Jeanne
1996 Safari Sahara 3530 - 'White Tiger'
CAT 3126/Allison 6 speed/Magnum Chassis
2014 Equinox AWD / Blue Ox

John_Joey
Explorer
Explorer
FWIW,

when you leave a rig in the summer heat all closed up the oils in the plastics will come to the surface. There will be a yellow/orange look on everything made of light color plastic. This will make a trailer look older then it really is and may effect it's resale value. Spray painting with Fusion will fix the problem, but it takes time and effort.

Also leaving the stove fan vent open will help release any pressure buildup inside. RV's leak so bad I doubt if there ever could be a real pressure buildup problem.

I had one neighbor in Florida who left her gas class A there all summer only to have her tranny seal dry out. It leaked without her knowing it and she blew the tranny. She picked up a park model after that.

All three big snowbird states will be different. You need to ask the locals what you need to do to protect your investment. Here in Texas I put a 5'ver under a roof, two pails of damp rid, non clumping cat litter, charcoal, and all vents closed but the stove one. When we come back we still have two days of cleaning to get it back to where we left it in the spring. I also scrub the carpet with a machine using bleach water incase something is growing in there when we pull it out.

I've also seen some storage lots that have cockroaches in some of the rigs. Guess what happens if you park next to them :0. I use Borax in places that can't be seen to make sure there isn't an issue.
Thereโ€™s no fool, like an old fool.

scbwr
Explorer II
Explorer II
wtmtnhiker wrote:
Would there be any issues with leaving the trailer in Fl all summer in the heat and humidity unattended?


IMHO, yes!

1. You need to keep the trailer ventilated to avoid extreme heat buildup in the trailer.

2. High humiditiy can lead to mold.

3. UV exposure will take its toll on the trailer.

But, I know a lot of people do leave a trailer unattended for long periods of time. You can keep vents open and use commercially available products for reducing humidity. And, UV damage is something you can live with but it will require more maintenance of roof seams, etc.

If I were going to leave a trailer for months, I'd investigate finding covered or indoor storage to help alleviate some of the potential problems.
2012 Newmar Bay Star 3302
Blue Ox Avail
BrakeBuddy Advantage
2015 Malibu

"Get busy living, or get busy dying."
Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption

wtmtnhiker
Explorer
Explorer
Would there be any issues with leaving the trailer in Fl all summer in the heat and humidity unattended?
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)

John_Joey
Explorer
Explorer
We were in a park just north of Orlando where a couple did exactly that with their MH. He did not enjoy driving it back and forth, so they left it. After a few years down there, he did not trust it to make the trip home.

Another couple left their TT down there with no issues. They were from Maine and tagged it as such. The issue they had was with their insurance company. To be insured they had to tie it to the ground (land anchors and steel straps.) That year they were towing it back home and all he was doing was tires and greasing the bearings.
Thereโ€™s no fool, like an old fool.

johnhicks
Explorer
Explorer
You won't have any legal issues as long as registration/tag is up to date but your MH will be a melted mildew cave unless you have it in covered storage.
-jbh-

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Many RV parks throughout the country require that your RV be registered and tagged. You'd better check with the Florida authorities on the ruling there.

Personally, I would not leave a motorhome sit in the humid, hot Florida sun for months on end. You might want to sell it and get a Park Model trailer and place it on a lot in Florida. I'm sure there are many for sale in the parks and you wouldn't even have to have it moved.
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
Works better with trailers than with motorhomes which like more exercise. Probably legal, if that is your only question.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
I don't snow bird (unfortunately). If I did and I had a TT or 5th wheel, that would be an option.
I would not leave a motorhome sit unattended for several months. I'm sure some do with no problems. I like to start, drive (if not snowed in) and exercise the generator at least once a month.
But, that's me. ๐Ÿ™‚

agwill
Explorer
Explorer
I leave my trailer in Florida but keep it tagged in my home state. No problem in four years.
al