Full-Time Model Suggestions
Hello all!
My boyfriend and I plan to make the plunge to full-timing within the next year and I am hoping to get some suggestions for brands/models that may suit our needs well. He currently has a Chevy Trailblazer but we aren't opposed to upgrading the tow vehicle to meet the needs of the model we pick. We also have access to a Dodge RAM 2500. For some background information, we have not RV'd before but are in the early stages of planning and will definitely rent a few to try out ahead of taking the plunge. We are both interested in having just enough space to live in (like a tiny home), but travel is our priority so we see a camper as a more road-worthy option. We will likely both work virtual jobs either full or part time as well as do some local/seasonal work and to visit many state and national parks, hopefully working for them in order to get a free/reduced lot. Finance wise, I hope to find something for 10-12k that we can pay out of pocket and renovate or up to around 25k ready to go, no changes necessary.
Originally we were leaning towards a TT but it seems fifth-wheels are more popular with FTers for storage and drive-ability. We plan to stay several months at each location, so while I want to feel comfortable with towing, I think its more important to us to keep the gas mileage of the vehicle down, so we don't want to go too big. As for storage, we are very interested in living minimally and can pare most belongings down to the extreme, but do want a good sized wardrobe since we will likely work locally and need some variety in clothing, plus space for winter wear. I really like the residential queen on a slide, but want some type of night stand, enough room to get out of bed on both sides and some under-bed storage. I would also like a good amount of storage in the kitchen and would like either a kitchen on a slide with a small island, a rear kitchen or one with the angled sink (but not the "L" shape) with some sort of pantry space. We will not require copious amount of outside storage- just 2 bikes, a few fold up chairs and a fold up table and are not very interested in having a large exterior kitchen set-up.
We may plan to "follow the sun" in general- probably going between Texas, California, Colorado and the northwest, but my family is in Ohio so we may do some longer stints here and would therefore need something that can handle colder weather.
While its just the 2 of us right now, we do have a 90lb dog and its important to me that we have a lot of open floor space for her as well as a place for her to lay that isn't directly under foot, such as a rear entertainment area or bunkhouse space. We also hope to keep the camper once we have kids, so a secondary room that could accommodate small children and their stuff down the road would be great and we can use it as a movie/game room for now. I definitely want a booth (not a table and chairs) and space for a long (74") sofa in the main living room area, those are pretty non-negotiable for me. I also don't really like having a second door, but if there is one typically I prefer it in the bathroom rather than bedroom.
One final issue I can think of right now is the bathroom- my boyfriend is fairly private and will want privacy while in the bathroom. It would be nice if it were away from the bedroom a bit and/or if there is a separate water closet with a full door (not with a 3" gap above and below the door), and we would prefer some sort of linen closet of shelves for towels/bathroom items. Also, the shower and sink can be "open" to the bedroom but would need some type of pocket door or curtain to close it off when needed.
I have a list of floor plans we like but none of them have everything we are looking for. We are planning to buy used and at a good price in order to make some changes/customizations, it just has to have a good footprint to allow for these changes. Yesterday we looked at a 34' Carriage Cameo LXT and loved it except for there wasn't a second living space and no booth. On the other end of the scale we also liked a Venture RV Sport Trek but there isn't enough space for the dog to lay around. Both of these models had great in-cabin storage and a nice kitchen set-up.
Do you all have any suggestions of brands to look at for that can handle the effects of full-timing? (I've gotten opinions from salesmen but obviously they are biased.) Also, anyone out there with a TT happily FTing long-term? (I prefer a TT but really don't want to have to upgrade in a few years if we start out with one then find a 5er would have been a better choice. We will probably FT for about 5 years, then may pick a local to settle down or move abroad, and use the camper for shorter trips as the kids grow.) Based on the features I've described, anyone have recommendations of models we should be looking for? Looking at floor plan and actually living in them is quite different and any advice you guys can provide will greatly help us narrow down our search. Thanks!!!
My boyfriend and I plan to make the plunge to full-timing within the next year and I am hoping to get some suggestions for brands/models that may suit our needs well. He currently has a Chevy Trailblazer but we aren't opposed to upgrading the tow vehicle to meet the needs of the model we pick. We also have access to a Dodge RAM 2500. For some background information, we have not RV'd before but are in the early stages of planning and will definitely rent a few to try out ahead of taking the plunge. We are both interested in having just enough space to live in (like a tiny home), but travel is our priority so we see a camper as a more road-worthy option. We will likely both work virtual jobs either full or part time as well as do some local/seasonal work and to visit many state and national parks, hopefully working for them in order to get a free/reduced lot. Finance wise, I hope to find something for 10-12k that we can pay out of pocket and renovate or up to around 25k ready to go, no changes necessary.
Originally we were leaning towards a TT but it seems fifth-wheels are more popular with FTers for storage and drive-ability. We plan to stay several months at each location, so while I want to feel comfortable with towing, I think its more important to us to keep the gas mileage of the vehicle down, so we don't want to go too big. As for storage, we are very interested in living minimally and can pare most belongings down to the extreme, but do want a good sized wardrobe since we will likely work locally and need some variety in clothing, plus space for winter wear. I really like the residential queen on a slide, but want some type of night stand, enough room to get out of bed on both sides and some under-bed storage. I would also like a good amount of storage in the kitchen and would like either a kitchen on a slide with a small island, a rear kitchen or one with the angled sink (but not the "L" shape) with some sort of pantry space. We will not require copious amount of outside storage- just 2 bikes, a few fold up chairs and a fold up table and are not very interested in having a large exterior kitchen set-up.
We may plan to "follow the sun" in general- probably going between Texas, California, Colorado and the northwest, but my family is in Ohio so we may do some longer stints here and would therefore need something that can handle colder weather.
While its just the 2 of us right now, we do have a 90lb dog and its important to me that we have a lot of open floor space for her as well as a place for her to lay that isn't directly under foot, such as a rear entertainment area or bunkhouse space. We also hope to keep the camper once we have kids, so a secondary room that could accommodate small children and their stuff down the road would be great and we can use it as a movie/game room for now. I definitely want a booth (not a table and chairs) and space for a long (74") sofa in the main living room area, those are pretty non-negotiable for me. I also don't really like having a second door, but if there is one typically I prefer it in the bathroom rather than bedroom.
One final issue I can think of right now is the bathroom- my boyfriend is fairly private and will want privacy while in the bathroom. It would be nice if it were away from the bedroom a bit and/or if there is a separate water closet with a full door (not with a 3" gap above and below the door), and we would prefer some sort of linen closet of shelves for towels/bathroom items. Also, the shower and sink can be "open" to the bedroom but would need some type of pocket door or curtain to close it off when needed.
I have a list of floor plans we like but none of them have everything we are looking for. We are planning to buy used and at a good price in order to make some changes/customizations, it just has to have a good footprint to allow for these changes. Yesterday we looked at a 34' Carriage Cameo LXT and loved it except for there wasn't a second living space and no booth. On the other end of the scale we also liked a Venture RV Sport Trek but there isn't enough space for the dog to lay around. Both of these models had great in-cabin storage and a nice kitchen set-up.
Do you all have any suggestions of brands to look at for that can handle the effects of full-timing? (I've gotten opinions from salesmen but obviously they are biased.) Also, anyone out there with a TT happily FTing long-term? (I prefer a TT but really don't want to have to upgrade in a few years if we start out with one then find a 5er would have been a better choice. We will probably FT for about 5 years, then may pick a local to settle down or move abroad, and use the camper for shorter trips as the kids grow.) Based on the features I've described, anyone have recommendations of models we should be looking for? Looking at floor plan and actually living in them is quite different and any advice you guys can provide will greatly help us narrow down our search. Thanks!!!
