Opinions Sought from Experienced Full-Timers

[RUSSELL5000]

I have been thinking and studying up on what is required to go full-time.

One obvious requirement is truck and trailer. Truck is simple (Ram dually with Cummins/Aisin fits the bill just fine); trailer is more complicated. I know that I want a trailer large enough to carry stuff along for some comfort, but not so large that it will be limited on public lands (state parks, national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) – I know I want to spend significant time on public lands.

Seems to me there are three general approaches:

(1) Purchase a new trailer from a high-end manufacturer; an example is Airstream or Mobile Suites by DRV. Included in this category would be the custom manufacturers like Spacecraft. The only drawback I have identified with buying from a high-end manufacturer is the cost – lots of money for a new trailer.

(2) Purchase a used trailer from a high-end manufacturer and do any required repairs and replace items that wear. “Wear items” would be tires, brakes, interior floor coverings, perhaps the roof membrane, etc. I see two drawbacks to this approach: (1) it will take significant time to find a unit that meets my particular wants and needs that has been well taken care of, and (2) it will require an investment of money to repair/replace items as well as an investment of time to repair/replace (as I expect to do some proportion of the work myself). The advantage of this approach seems to me to be significant cost savings.

Question: Do you think it possible to find good quality used units from high-end manufacturers? I see many ads on rvtrader.com – just don’t know whether they are of any substance.

Question: Do you think there will be any problem in finding quality shops to do the required repair work?

Question: Do you think there is enough years of useful life in trailers from high-end manufacturers to make such an approach realistic?

(3) Purchase, either a new or one/two year old used, trailer from a mid-range manufacturer (e.g., Arctic Fox). Do any required enhancements (e.g., upgraded tires) and keep the trailer for four or five years. It looks to me like you may be able to buy two mid-range trailers for the cost of a high-end trailer. I just don’t know how long one may expect either type of trailer to last, so I am not sure whether this approach costs more or less.

I expect that I will properly maintain any trailer. I am starting to think that what I want to do is search diligently until I can find a three year-old to five year-old high-end trailer that has been maintained well and is reasonably close to what I want.

What do you think?

Thanks.

[littlemo]

Don't compromise on your need to find a rig that will fit in State Parks, BLM, COE and NF campgrounds. We also like to volunteer and stay in these places.
The only time I stay in Private campgrounds is when I am betwixt and between and cannot find a Walmart. :B
There are a lot of quality used 5'ers out there as you will find out by reading this forum. Of course, everyone thinks their rig is "the best" but "not so". Just read and you will get a sense of the "good ones" and it won't be just the two you are limiting yourself to. Look at the posts and their signature rigs and how long they've been fulltiming and it will fall into place.

Good luck!

[RVcrazy]

First of all, good for you thinking this through before purchase! Most people seem to trade rigs like they do cars. We don't. However, it is likely that your needs and opinions will change after a few years... I would suggest two alternatives: Look at Kansas RV Center online. This is the site of the former Nuwa factory. Nuwa manufactured Hitchhiker fifth wheels for 40 years. Now, they refurbish used Hitchhikers and resell them. We have been FT for just over a year in ours They will make changes and add new stuff if you want. We.purchased a unit for a fair price and made some changes that we wanted and are happy with our decision. They made good quality, attractive units with well thought out storage and amenities. My other suggestion is to start with a used Arctic Fox. IMO, they are better than mid-range. It was our second choice of manufacturers. They are also good after the sale, as is Kansas RV Center. For what you indicate you want to do, I would suggest aiming for 30' in real length. A 275 Arctic Fox would fit that suggestion. I would look at the likelihood that your wants will quickly change and would instead go with the 295 model with rear recliners and a large fiberglass shower. It is a little longer, but would serve you more years. Get a newer used one, or close out, if you can (with colored front cap). If you go with Nuwa, look for a Young's frame. Arctic Fox makes their own (not Lippert). Good luck with your decision!

[pianotuna]

Plan an exit strategy.

Buy quality used, not more than five years old.

If you plan to boondock then populate the entire unshaded roof area with solar panels.

Replace the battery bank and expand capacity using AGM chemistry jars.

Do not buy a unit with a propane generator.

If an absorption fridge is going to be used invest in the ARP overheating prevention device.

If cold weather is to be part of the lifestyle look at units without slides.

[SCVJeff]

The fact that it appears you've thought this through pretty logically with money an issue but not the driving factor, as well as several other comments about maint., etc. shows you will likely be anal in the care of whatever you end up with (in a good way, remember the 20yo Fleetwood?).

There are deals to be had on quality gear, often in and around retirement areas like Palm Springs. Hubby dies and the partner left decides to cash out. Sad but that's life.. Keep an eye on the papers..

[n7bsn]

RUSSELL5000 wrote:
I have been thinking and studying up on what is required to go full-time.
...

(1) Purchase a new trailer from a high-end manufacturer; an example is Airstream or Mobile Suites by DRV. Included in this category would be the custom manufacturers like Spacecraft. The only drawback I have identified with buying from a high-end manufacturer is the cost – lots of money for a new trailer.

I would include New Horizons on that list

(2) Purchase a used trailer from a high-end manufacturer and do any required repairs and replace items that wear. “Wear items” would be tires, brakes, interior floor coverings, perhaps the roof membrane, etc. I see two drawbacks to this approach: (1) it will take significant time to find a unit that meets my particular wants and needs that has been well taken care of, and (2) it will require an investment of money to repair/replace items as well as an investment of time to repair/replace (as I expect to do some proportion of the work myself). The advantage of this approach seems to me to be significant cost savings.

I've seen a three year old top rig that was trashed (New Horizon) because it was not taken care of by the owner.
I've also seen a 20 year old Fleetwood (ya I know) that looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor, because the owners did.

Question: Do you think it possible to find good quality used units from high-end manufacturers? I see many ads on rvtrader.com – just don’t know whether they are of any substance.

Yes, but it can be time consuming to find one. The reason is there are actually a small percent of the market

Question: Do you think there will be any problem in finding quality shops to do the required repair work?

Nope, just avoid Camping World and you are half way there.

Question: Do you think there is enough years of useful life in trailers from high-end manufacturers to make such an approach realistic?

Yes, look at the percentage of Airstreams, ever made, are still around and compare that to say Fleetwood or any other "main stream" brand.

(3) Purchase, either a new or one/two year old used, trailer from a mid-range manufacturer (e.g., Arctic Fox). Do any required enhancements (e.g., upgraded tires) and keep the trailer for four or five years. It looks to me like you may be able to buy two mid-range trailers for the cost of a high-end trailer. I just don’t know how long one may expect either type of trailer to last, so I am not sure whether this approach costs more or less.

Maybe, I had to add an inverter, large solar array (factory) and should have a couple others (auto-leveling, etc)
Our last Fox lasted over 10 years, with sometimes heavy use.
It's all in how well you take care of the rig.

I expect that I will properly maintain any trailer. I am starting to think that what I want to do is search diligently until I can find a three year-old to five year-old high-end trailer that has been maintained well and is reasonably close to what I want.
.

That's probably what I would do

[n7bsn]

darsben wrote:
Whats wrong with the 2015 Jayflight 28BHBE

https://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28384381.cfm

It isn't half the quality of the rigs he is talking about.

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks to all.

Yes, I have given quite a bit of thought to use: want to do as much outside as possible: hike, bike, kayak, fish, etc.; as well as volunteer in the public wild lands. I would like to do that as long as age and health allow. I think at some point I would transition to more of the resort RV park lifestyle. Hard to say.

Yes, I agree that it is key to understand the RV -actively researching now!

[arhayes]

While we bought a new rig, I'd agree that finding a good used rig is very doable. Just make sure to get someone knowledgeable to check out the systems.

I would recommend that before you jump into ful-timing, you assess your goals. Are you staying in one area, moving every 2-3 weeks, etc? Are you sightseeing the country, or just "camping"? We full-time, but seeing the country is our thing, so we wanted a big rig that would feel like ho e. If we go to a state of national park, we ride the motorcycle there as few can accommodate us. Anyway, an analysis of what you plan to do will help you shape the rig you need.

Good luck.

[amandasgramma]

Fulltiming 1 year...certainly not as much experience as others. I won't answer most of your questions, because I feel they're more than my knowledge can handle. However, you say you don't know if you can find good quality units on a 2nd hand market. Well, YES, you can! GOOD units ARE for sale....the question is, can YOU determine what's been done to a unit, had it been maintained properly, are you willing to spend TIME to research? We researched for over a year....actually, ever since we first got married 10 yrs ago. We found an Open Range that had been used once for 2 weeks and the old guy couldn't do it any more (he was 88). He died 4 yrs later and family put the rig up for sale. it's been the BEST as far as RVs go. Yes, we do maintenance, yes, we've added "our touch" to the rig. But that's part of the fun. Do NOT depend on a salesman, whether for a business or a private seller, to tell you the truth...........do YOUR research.

and good luck

[darsben]

Whats wrong with the 2015 Jayflight 28BHBE

https://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28384381.cfm

[Mandalay_Parr]

I have been full timing for 9 years. No trouble finding service. I would get a large trailer for full time and not worry about staying on public lands. Many Rv parks have social get togethers and club houses.

I say at places for 1,2, 3 months at a time and enjoy the area and other campers.