Living full time in TT (not RVing) - Maintenance

[marytaz]

I'm going to be buying a TT to live in for my retirement. I grew up in a TT and loved it. Size is not an issue. Just me and my dog. I would need an extra (pull-out? bunk?) for visitors though.

I'll be on my brother's land, so no rent. I'll have fresh, gray & black water tanks & will be hooked up to my brother for utilities, so no real expense there (working for him to make up for the cost). Great idea for retirement with no bills! Also, my brother's background is in auto mechanics and he knows a lot about trailers, so I'll have help there too.

Anyway, I'm wondering about a couple of things people here might be able to help me with:

1) If the trailer is not going to be moved (I wouldn't be towing it), what kind of annual maintenance am I looking at? Would I be better off looking at new trailers or a good used one? My brother is planning on building a lean-to to go over it so it would be somewhat protected from the weather too. And he's planning on jacking it up so the wheels aren't on the ground, saving on tires.

2) Are there certain brands/models that are better for full-time living that I should be focusing on? It does snow there in the winter. My budget max to purchase the trailer is probably going to be $20K (maybe up to $30K).

Any ideas are very much appreciated.
Thanks, Mary

[marytaz]

Yes, Regina. My brother uses AGM batteries for his racing car. I don't need solar power, but we'll probably put one up to save energy.

I also saw some fifth wheelers. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to those?

Thanks!

[pianotuna]

You need to do a serious energy audit. You need to have a rather massive battery bank that is in heated space--probably under the trailer using AGM batteries.

Why do you require solar power????

[marytaz]

A park home or mobile home won't work. I already checked with planning & zoning on that.

We plan on putting up a solar system for power. His neighbor lives in a trailer and has gone fully solar; even has a windmill. Gray water tanks will go into the ground. We have huge drums for the black water and every so often will take to the dumping station in town.

Well, I won't freeze to death since I'll be right next to my brother's house; although I do have an electric fireplace I'll be using. Will insulate the heck out of the hoses and pipes and such. Have temp gauges inside, outside and underneath. Still researching what type of skirting will work best. And whatever TT I get will need to have good ventilation.

I actually went and looked at some trailers today just to get a feel for size, makes, models, floorplans. I'm in a 500 sf space now, so going into a trailer isn't going to be much of a difference for me. It was good to go look and see though. Made me think of some things I hadn't thought of before, so now I can plan better. One with a slide out would be nice, but I could do without if I can't find one I like.

I found this site while doing some research on insulating. Pretty cool info on it. Looks like they took the wheels off, doesn't it?

Also, Marine by Choice, I was told not to use hay bales or straw. Someone told me it's a fire hazard. He had a friend that did that and lost their trailer and truck in the fire.

2gypsies, I hear you on the mice/rat thing. My dog is a ratter by breed genetics. She would love it! Me....not so much! 🙂

[stew47]

Travel trailers are really only meant for 3 seasons. Of course people do get by with ordering winter packages, skirting, and several heating sources. The people that do live full time in cold climates are also spending 40g on big fifth wheel trailers. Really only you know what'll work. Single wide trailers, mini barns delivered and finished inside, small cabins, and tiny houses are all options for you. I will say good for you on researching how to live well in retirement. Big utilities and property taxes alone can kill a pension.

[pianotuna]

How will you dump the waste tanks?

Do install a 50 amp service for power needs.

Try living for a time in your existing home using only the bathroom and kitchen. Sleep on a cot. Living in 400 square feet is NOT for everyone.

Look carefully at the 'tiny house' http://tinyhouse.coolhouseplans.com/index.html?ordercode=C132

[2gypsies1]

I would first check on any zoning laws where you'll be parked and inquire about having a Park Model on the property. A Park Model would be built a little better than a cheapie trailer. You can get used Park Models if you drive through an RV park with Park Models.

I would definitely want double pane windows. Keeping your water connections/piping will be an issue so you'll have to protect them. Propane will be a big expense for heating. If you're in an area that gets heavy wet snowfall, you will have to keep your roof cleared as the extra weight wouldn't be good...same if you have slideouts...melting and freezing could allow water to seep in. You'll definitely want to put some insulated skirting around the bottom along with mice/pack rat protection. They'll love it! 🙂 Best of luck to you.

[Old-Biscuit]

Does the county allow living in an RV on your brother property??

I would be checking zoning laws/restrictions FIRST

Then I would be checking into a 'park model' trailer vs an rv trailer.
No waste tanks.....direct connections
Better suited for cold weather

Living in a 5th wheel and getting caught in winter storms I would not want to LIVE in an RV in winter.
OH.we stayed warm......7 gallons of propane every other day to do so and keep plumbing/waste---fresh water tanks from freezing.

Winter AND RV can be done but much easier when the trailer is sited for that........park model

Provided that zoning is OK

[Irover]

If I were in Idaho I would want to build a complete enclosed garage with upper cross ventilation so the RV's sewer; propane aplliances; etc. vents properly. This would keep the cold winds and the moisture from the rains and snow from damaging the RV.
Either that or a small Park model built for the cold weather!

[marytaz]

Thanks for all the suggestions here!

Wouldn't a mobile home/park home require me having a permit, etc. or would I still be able to hook fresh water up to my brother's house?

[Marine_By_Choic]

Hi Mary,
No bills for retirement!!! Fantastic!
Condensation is one thing you might be cognizant of. Travel trailers are made fairly air tight. I realize Idaho is a dry climate, but cooking moisture can accumulate. Cracking a window might be advisable.
Instead of jacking up the unit to save tires you might consider taking the wheels off. Wouldn't be as high. You also might consider some kind of skirting (or straw bales) to keep the cold from underneath.
Having a lean to over the top is the best tjing! Sure saves you from a lot of maintenance.
Best of luck in your retirement!

[WyoTraveler]

For what you have in mind. Basically almost permanent I would be looking at park models or even a small single wide used mobile home. They may be less expensive and better suited for the colder weather. You wouldn't have the black and grey tanks to worry about. All those things would be be basically underneath and protected by skirting.

[marytaz]

What kind of problems do people have?

[DownTheAvenue]

If you are going to live in it full time in Idaho, you would be much better off buying a small manufactured home (mobile home) that is designed for the harsh winters you will experience. A RV is not designed for extreme temperatures and even experienced RVers often have surprising problems in a RV in extreme winters. Rv's are designed for ongoing travel on the highways and occassional recreational living, while a mobile home is designed for one time travel on a highway and full time living.