Getting into a 5th wheel

[Dustin_Tx]

My dad thinks if I get a 5th wheel is will be a big waste of money and I should just live in apartment until I'm done with grad school.

My reasoning for a 5th wheel is
to get OUT of apartments because the rent is high in this area and they are trashy. I have had a broken AC for 6 months.. they just blow me off in getting it fixed. I have major mold on my bathroom walls.. uuumm well get to it.
The last apartment told me the DAY I brought all my stuff that the unit was not ready and they had no alternatives.

The other complex was is being run into a section 8 ghetto palace.
at the end of the lease I own ZERO

I've had VERY iffy roomates in the past. this one is decent

With a FW I would pull it to the town that I will be attending grad school and not hassle with finding an apartment.

After grad school I can pull it onto the property and live in it while I'm building my house.

Yes, truck and trailer will be $80k but I see it working out better for me in the long run.
after 7 years it have paid for itself with the truck and then it is just money in my pocket my not waisting on rent.

FW negatives:
Upkeep, I'm budgeting a $1,500 a year for maintence like roof repair and calking, new valves and registration/ Insurance. Is this fair?

Again I'm about to turn 27 and have no kids, I'm not married. I'm still in college
Am I jumping off the wrong cliff?

[B_O__Plenty]

I think you would have to be nuts..A fifth wheel and a Class 8 tractor to pull it. Can't think of a better way to waste money. You think you're smarter than your parents? At 27 you should be all done with school already. Put your money toward an education and find a better neighborhood to live in while you're in school. If you have to buy something, buy a house and rent rooms in it to other students...

B.O.

[the_bear_II]

Most people contemplating fulltime living in an RV are looking for a way to save money. Go to www.rv-dreams.com and look at their financials pages. They have been fulltiming for over 6 years and show their monthly expenses. This will give you something to work from to come up with a fairly accurate budget to use for your decision.

You really don't need to spend $80K on the truck and 5th wheel. You can get a nice 5th wheel and a truck for $40 to $60K. The truck will have plenty of power to get you out of Florida if needed. A nice F350 or 3500 Dodge/GM is what you will see on the highway towing the larger 5th wheels (35 ft Plus).

Just keep in mind after 7 years a $30K 5th wheel will be worth about $10 to $15K. They depreciate a lot when they get older than 5 years.

[Peg_Leg]

I like the ideal. Or buy a house rent rooms out then sell the house when you graduate. Do your homework on lot rent. We just spent the winter in FL. $450 mo lot rent and 13 cent a kw hr for elec. We didn't run A/C and had $40 mo in elec and used 7 gal of propane at $18 for each mo average. Look for a 5er with an enclosed underside and a 4 season package for the better insulation, cheaper to heat and cool.

Sounds like you can handle your own money so do what you want. Good Luck.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Dustin_Tx wrote:
Given my situation, What would you do?

1. Check (ask on) the "Full Timing RVing" forum here.

2. A better resource -especially since you're considering an HDT-
would be to go over to the Escapees forums, if you haven't done so already.
LOTS of HDT info (see the HDT forum) and LOTS of folks doing lengthy stays in various campgrounds to ask about costs, etc.
See the lists of the various Escapees forums for lots of subjects.

Although these folks are usually "older" than you - there have been many HDT & 5th owners of all ages - as well as some in unusual occupations (at one time even an ER doc) who wish to be mobile in comfort.
Excellent source/s for info!

Also - a for sale (marketplace) section for all sorts of RVs.
Sometimes the "combo" you are looking for (HDT & 5th) comes up for sale. Usually very well cared for - often at considerably better prices than you indicated for your budget.

~

[Artum_Snowbird]

I am going to suggest you check out motorhomes instead of a fifth wheel. If it's just you, for $50K you can have an awfully nice motorhome, you already have a servicable car, and instead of a big truck and a big fifth wheel, just one rig.

A trailer, dolly rig, or even a flat towable vehicle will make an excellent car.

[wkswenson]

Well it sort of sounds like you already made up your mind - I do like your choice of TV...

You said FL - check closely in the area that you need to stay in for Campground and Trailer Park prices - keeping in mind there will be one rate during the summer and significantly higher in the Winter when the snow birds head south.

The CGs will charge for electric separate in most cases (~90%) from your monthly rental charge.

$1500 yr for maintenance and such... probably pretty close where you will not be moving around much.

It will give you the freedom you seem to seek and the ability to live in it when building your house.

[fred42]

Not sure what Fl city you're in, when I went to grad school in Gainesville FL, I bought a single wide mobile home that was already setup in a nice suburb type park where they park them long ways to the street and have nice yards. When I graduated, I sold it without moving it.

A FW and truck seems wrong here. That would be good if you where moving about a lot. Also, a good FW truck makes a lousy commuter vehicle. These need to be insured as well. Even when new, they can be like a second job.

Owning an RV and truck would seem like an unwise distraction from the demands of grad school. Forgive me for assuming this, but it sounds like you have a pile of cash and it is burning a hole in your pocket. Regardless of whether that is the case or you are talking debt, when you graduate and find a job in a new city, that is when you are going to need the money or access to debt. Grad school may just seem like a chore to you now, but it is a magic time full opportunities you will never have again.

I wish I had spent more time refining my studies and making more connections with potential employers while in school. For example, it was 1982, I had perfect grades with a Master of Computer Science degree, it was career day and all the employers were there. I grew up so poor that I was hungry for stability, I never even stopped at the Microsoft table, I went with IBM who spit me out three years ago so they could hire 4 Asians to take my place. Times are different now, but there is something like that Microsoft table in your situation, don't walk past it.

[Dustin_Tx]

Sh410,
Are you my financial advisor? lol I know he wants my money but I have been in lame apartments in crummy areas= unhappy
He's got a lot more than $80k of mine. I'm just HIDING the 80 from him. lol I've worked my arse off my whole life and have Hydrocephalus and some other health problems. I'm just wanting to enjoy life more than the apartment and super lame area.
My degree is in Physical Therapy.
I have just worked and worked and would like to enjoy life a little more. I see descrimination in the city that I NEVER faced in the country. I'm looked at as a "crippled" in the city. I HATE it here.
For the love of god, it's not about money burning a hole in my pocket. I just want to relax and enjoy life a little.

[Dustin_Tx]

John, I'm not rich. I was just VERY good at saving my coin early in life. I would run combines starting at age 12 and bale, and drive trucks with GN trailers hauling hay. I would get up at 4:00am During the Summer when my buddy's were out having fun. I lived with my mom and stepdad and starting at age 12 I would pull in $2,000-$2500 a month and I wasn't charged rent at my own house and drove ol' trucks just saving and saving..RICH.... NO SIR.. I just have a couple pennies.
Heck, my daily driver car is an 01' Ford Zx2 Escort with 225k and faded paint. This helps keep other people from trying to dig into my pockets if you get my drift. When I get a 5th wheel I will be living alone and wont have people living with me short on cash looking to borrow.

[sh410]

Invest that 80 Large and finish school!

You wil OWN the depreciated value in 7.5 yrs

[John_Bridge]

Hi Dustin,

You can probably find a long term spot for $250 or close to it, but it won't include electric. That will be extra. I think with your trailer payment you'll be putting out around $800 to $900 a month. Maybe more, and that doesn't include a truck payment.

But maybe you're a rich college boy, and if that's the case, buy a new trailer and a new truck. 😄

[Dustin_Tx]

Yes, I was looking at the MS 5th wheels that were 2009-2012 that were $40k. I WILL buy used but still in the price I stated in another thread. FW $40k, truck + setup $35K
$250 a month for space and hookups, I'm guessing that's not even CLOSE, from your reactions.. That is still 2/5 of my apt rent
I've crunched the numbers if it is less than $7200 a year, I'm gonna come out ahead because I will OWN IT. The FW will have paid for itself in 7.5 years including upkeep and site fees.

Again, If I'm missing something big please tell me.
I will pay cash for it= no payments

[laknox]

sh410 wrote:
Checking campground fees and electricity costs so that you can include in your monthly costs.

Yep; and you've got your weekly/monthly space rent, too. Unless you find a buddy that will let you park on his property for a fee... 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

Dustin_Tx wrote:
Sorry,
Edit: I will be living in it full time.
Suggestions? I'm new at this game and all ears
I want a bigger truck to pull it to outrun the nasty weather that Florida can have. I'm looking at a 2008 Volvo 670 10 Spd 14L DD and 670k miles
The truck will be used on the ranch when I build the house.

Still, find a =used= FW. It'll have the bugs worked out of it and you won't have to be towing back and forth to a dealer for work. Be a right PITA when you're trying to study and have nowhere to go for days (or weeks). There are plenty of nice, used ones out there.

Lyle

[Dustin_Tx]

Given my situation, What would you do?