Hi guys, we are new to RVing but are very enthusiastic. We are looking to buy our first RV and live in it full time. We heard people refer to it as “Full timing.” We’re hoping to get some tips from all the experienced folks out here and recommendations on selecting our first RV. At the moment, we don’t have a vehicle for the towing. To not be limited by the vehicle, we’re looking to decide on an RV and then buy the truck that best suit for towing it.After doing a research about the different options available, we came up with a list of features we need in an RV. RV requirements list:Budget $13,000Travel trailer / Toy haulerUp to 30ft length Sleeps 2 minimumQueen bedSitting area with a tablePrivate sleeping area (area that can be close off)Ramp back door - preferable Kitchen i.e. refrigerator, range oven, microwave, sink etcShower & toiletNo expandable tent (hybrid)Awning2 axlesAny suggestions regarding make and models of RV based on those features and budget would be greatly appreciated!

For full timing I think your hudget is a little short. Remember, your going to be living in this RV full time. But for your 13K an older Arctic Fox TT might be a good option. Depending on how often and where your planning to spend winters toy haulers with that huge back door might be a big mistake. Almost everything else on your list is pretty standard fare on all RVs. So, how about laundry facilities? Do you want a bath tub or is a shower only OK? Do you plan to live in one place or move around? Do you plan to boon dock or established RV parks? What do you intend to tow it with? Budget for living? Remember full timing is generally not cheaper than apartment living. Factor in 35 to 50 dollars a night for RV spaces can add up in a hurry.

For FT look at storage. A number of RV are manufactured for the "weekender" and give up storage for a large "living" space.Having said the above. I could do without about 1/2 of the stuff I have in the TT. . . . . :B

Of course it all boils down to "how much can you afford"? An interesting sidebar for full-timers is the "work-camper" role. Free sites, minimum wage and just a few hours per week. Lot of folks do this.....meet all kinds of people (interesting, of course). g'luck!

X2 on what Donn pointed out about the back door. I have a friend who will not take his TH unit out in the winter as the heater just won't keep up with really cold nights. You don't mention where you will live so if you are in the South, that might not concern you. For a tow vehicle, bigger is always better. a 3/4 ton truck will have more towing capacity and bigger brakes. Also, for full time living, be sure the unit has the 'arctic package' or whatever the particular mfg calls it. Many travel trailers sold in the South have water lines exposed to the outside temperatures. If you will be living where it freezes, this is a BIG issue. Units intended for colder climates have the plumbing up inside the heated space. Something important to consider is if the wiring (especially on an older unit) is up to powering an electric heater. Many RVs burn each winter from an overloaded circuit. This can be remedied by adding a dedicated heater socket with heavier wiring. Not too expensive to do and provides much peace of mind. Also, as Donn said, don't expect 'full timing' to be living on the cheap. Apartment living is a good comparison. You do have to pay for a place to park it and you will find maintaining it a continuing expense. RVs are considerably less durable than a regular house and keeping up with water leaks is only one of the necessary and ongoing tasks. Also as Ten pointed out, there are RVs for weekenders and RVs intended for more permanent use. Shopping for our last motorhome we had a salesman who was familiar with this and pointed out the differences in storage between the units we looked at and how some were more suited than others for extended occupancy.

I would look at either an older "Nash" or "Arctic Fox" manufactured by the same company. You'll be looking at older units so how they were cared for may make a bigger difference than the manufacturer though. Don't get caught up in "full-timer" unit as once out there, you will see people full-timing in everything imaginable.You didn't mention a towing weight limit which is VERY important. Do you have the vehicle that you will be towing with or will you be purchasing one?

Choosing an RV for full timers | Good Sam Community

BarbaraOK
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
Avi Gili wrote:
Thank you all for your replies.

Just to clarify, we do have a few makers & models in mind. However since we have no experience in rving we wanted to hear what some of you experts have to say.

After reading all your comments we have decided that the wise thing for us to do would be to rent an RV for a week or so and see how we feel with regards to size, living space and comfort etc...
We are looking to purchase the Ford F-150 as our towing vehicle - anyone has any light to shed on this vehicle?

As I said on another forum, and will say again, that isn't ENOUGH TRUCK, for a 30' trailer, whether toy hauler or not. Not so sure why you think you need a toy hauler, but with an F-150 truck it isn't going to happen. You need a cargo carrying capacity (that's how much stuff you can take with you) of between 1000#-1500# PER PERSON for fulltiming. Fulltiming isn't a weekend it is 24/7, 365/year so everything you need goes with you. Yes, we've seen people who fulltime with very little - they exist on the road, they aren't enjoying it.

$13K will get you something, but you had better have another $10K or so in your repair fund, because old/cheap units almost always need 'upgrades'. For every one that finds the perfect rig for almost nothings there are thousands upon thousands who find their worst nightmares. It can be done, but it takes knowing what you are looking for, asking the right questions, being realistic in your own abilities, having the repair funds to take care of problems, and the ability to replace those funds as needed.
jerseyjim
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
Currently have a motorhome, but when I DID tow a TT,(2 of them) I had two towing vehicles:
1- a 1986 full size Ford Bronco with a 302 and a towing package. It did OK...just OK.
2- a 1996 Ford F-150 XLT with a 351 (5.8)with a 7000 pound towing package and a 3:55 rear. SO much better than the Bronco. Load the 750 pound Harley in the bed, hooked up the TT...the truck did it all with seemingly little strain.

Both TT were 22 feet long and 4000 pounds. Keep in mind tho, what I had was a weekender, 2 weeks at the most setup. Full timers...different needs.
Avi_Gili
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
We are not looking for a fifth wheeler, a TT or TH is more like what we are thinking to purchase
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2017
For most trailers and fifth wheels, a F150 is not powerful enough. You will need to get a truck that can pull more weight. Also, do not get a truck that can just barely pull the weight. You want a margin so that pulling is comfortable. Also remember that you need to take into account the weight of trailer or fifth wheel and then add in the weight of what you carry in it. First decide on the trailer or fifth wheel and then decide what truck you need.
MNGeeks61
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Avi Gili wrote:
Thank you all for your replies.

Just to clarify, we do have a few makers & models in mind. However since we have no experience in rving we wanted to hear what some of you experts have to say.

After reading all your comments we have decided that the wise thing for us to do would be to rent an RV for a week or so and see how we feel with regards to size, living space and comfort etc...
We are looking to purchase the Ford F-150 as our towing vehicle - anyone has any light to shed on this vehicle?

I would hold off on purchasing the tow vehicle until you can determine what size and type of RV works for you. An F150 even with "max tow" is not likely able to handle the majority of fifth wheels.

We had a Dodge Ram 2500 before we settled down and towed a 29FKSS Wildwood front kitchen with one large slideout. It had a walkthrough bathroom with plenty of space in the "living room". But the bedroom didn't have a slide so it was a little small.

That model had enough storage for us, and I think we would have managed if we full-timed. Your needs will probably be different than my wife's :)
Avi_Gili
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Thank you all for your replies.

Just to clarify, we do have a few makers & models in mind. However since we have no experience in rving we wanted to hear what some of you experts have to say.

After reading all your comments we have decided that the wise thing for us to do would be to rent an RV for a week or so and see how we feel with regards to size, living space and comfort etc...
We are looking to purchase the Ford F-150 as our towing vehicle - anyone has any light to shed on this vehicle?
deprived
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
Aridon wrote:
If you can't find any, you aren't looking hard enough.

Boy, ain't that the truth?
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2017
Given your budget, you really should rent different types of RVs to see what you can live in. Some can live in a smaller trailer and some need a 40 foot 5th wheel. Your budget will not get you a large 5th wheel or class A unless you really go back in years. You need to set aside money for repairs for an older RV.
jerseyjim
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
GREAT IDEA to rent an RV for a couple hundred bucks than to spend many many thousands to find out you don't like it.

Sometimes the reality (fantasy) is not the reality. Let us know what happens!
tinner12002
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
In my opinion you probably won't find much if anything in your price range that's suitable for full time living for 2 people unless its a 10yr or so older unit.

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