What kind of RV for FT???

[annmariec]

Our family is looking at going full time and we've started our list of needs vs wants for a trailer. But beyond what we want for amenities and a floor plan, what else do we need to think about?

We're planning to travel around the US, following nice weather (our big motivation is just getting out of MN winters), and seeing parts of the states that we haven't seen before. Despite trying to stay where the weather is mild, I expect we will still see fluctuation in temps outside of 50-80 degrees. Do we need a 4 season trailer? We've been researching lots of blogs of full timers and renovators and people don't seem to talk about this that much...

It appears that people are renovating and living out of any and all kinds!

[ppine]

I like scbwr's post. The majority of full timers seem to like 5ers and Class A MH best. Any decent TT will work if it suits your needs. Larger trailers are best pulled with a 3/4 or one ton PU with a diesel.

I really like 4 season trailers. In the West it can be cold at any time of year in the mountains. There can be snow in any month. Sometimes in order to get to the warm places you have to travel through a cold place.

Storage is really important for full timers. It is best not to have to make beds and fold out stuff every night. Give some thought to a solar system and/or generator so you can enjoy the more remote spots. I would also look closely at counter space, size of the refer, nice pantry, and having an oven. Consider residential mattresses. If you have comfortable furniture, can sleep and eat, and have a place for your stuff it will feel like home.

[Jayco-noslide]

Tough question. We've RVed for over 40 years with about every kind of rig except a Class A MH. Personally I would go for a well kept used Motor home of medium size; 28-32 ft. and tow a small, lite vehicle. You would have a built-in generator, large tanks and a MH is easier to back. How many kids? That's a big factor. 4-season would be a plus but not essential. regardless of what you have, you'll need clothing for 4 seasons anywhere.

[wanderingaimles]

annmariec wrote:


Most likely a combination of full hookups and boondocking. Probably not completely in the middle of nowhere but definitely yes to dry camping here and there. How large of tanks are we talking?

Its a matter of your personal habits and usage. FW you can carry extra for drinking and use the tanks for washing and toilet usage. Then figure each shower will use 1.5 gallons per minute water is running, navy shower you can get by on very little, shampooing and long hair will stretch that time out some. Dishes will use some more.
After being used all that Fresh water hits your grey tank, and thats the limiting one for most people. If you are somewhere you can use an outside shower, or can wash dishes outside, that stretches it greatly.
Black tank will fill based also on usage. I've heard estimates of 1.5 gallons per day per person, cant say how that will work for you.

When looking at the trailers, you'll see that the TT's tend to have smaller tanks. 25-28 gallon black tanks are common. Units with larger tanks are out there but you do have to search a little. Grey tanks can run in similar sizes, but are more easily found in the 50 gallon range.

Manufacturers are always looking at ways to lighten the trailers and smaller tanks are one way they do it. And every pound of water you are carrying also eats into your available cargo weight, so for the TT's that becomes even more noticeable.

A fifth wheel generally will have a larger cargo capacity, and larger tanks giving you a little more breathing room on your water usage.

Either way, if the unit you are looking at was a budget model when built, expect the tanks will be on the low end of the size range.

[valhalla360]

annmariec wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
How much is the budget?

If we can walk away having spent $15,000 that’d be ideal. We’re open to buying older and renovating/restoring a few things.

$15k isn't a lot but it's workable if you shop around. It won't be a monster RV and it will likely be somewhere around 10yr old.

With just the 3 of you, I would shoot for something in the 25-30' range under 10k (5th or bumper pull) with a 3/4 or single rear wheel 1 ton.

[valhalla360]

annmariec wrote:

gbopp wrote:
Question 2: What do you plan to use for towing your trailer?

We are currently a car free family so we’ll be buying a truck that is suitable for towing a trailer. Most likely looking at something that can tow 10,000 lbs if not a little more.

Figure out what you are going to tow before buying a truck (ideally line up both trailer & truck before buying either).

A key point: rated to tow 10k doesn't mean it can handle a 10k trailer. Particularly for 5th wheels but even bumper pulls, payload of the truck often runs out before the tow rating...a 10k bumper pull may have a 1500lb hitch weight, add in the family plus stuff stored in the truck and a lot of 1/2 ton pickups will be over payload...it's even worse with 5th wheels as the pin weight is typically 20-25% of the trailer weight...this is where moving up to a 3/4 or 1 ton makes a lot of sense.

5th wheels are tow significantly better, they have more headroom than a bumper pull. They are typically cheaper than a motorhome.

[annmariec]

pianotuna wrote:
How much is the budget?

If we can walk away having spent $15,000 that’d be ideal. We’re open to buying older and renovating/restoring a few things.

[annmariec]

scbwr wrote:

1. Heavy duty 3/4 or 1 ton truck and a suitable fifth wheel trailer. Fifth wheel has a lot of advantages over travel trailer.

What sorts of advantages are we talking about here? I’ve heard varying opinions about which is easier to tow. Also you’d lose valuable storage space in the bed of your truck?

[annmariec]

SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing for certain, an old Jayco isn't a good start except for a restoration project maybe.

Can you explain why that is?

[annmariec]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
.
How do you envision full timing?
Commercial campgrounds all the time with full hookups?
Boondocking in the middle of nowhere?
...
Boondocking requires larger tanks since you will not have water readily available , nor the means to get rid of it. But with large grey and black tanks many can live comfortably for two weeks or more just off what they carry.

With a baby along, laundry becomes a question, larger quanities of water for both it and bathing can be more difficult. Plan.

Most likely a combination of full hookups and boondocking. Probably not completely in the middle of nowhere but definitely yes to dry camping here and there. How large of tanks are we talking?

I think our life is already a decent fit for fulltiming as our daughter doesn’t have or need much, we do laundry maybe twice a month - not because we have a ton of clothes but because we wear them until they actually NEED to be washed, etc.

[annmariec]

gbopp wrote:
Question 2: What do you plan to use for towing your trailer?

We are currently a car free family so we’ll be buying a truck that is suitable for towing a trailer. Most likely looking at something that can tow 10,000 lbs if not a little more.

[annmariec]

2oldman wrote:
Question 1: How big is your family?

2 adults and one 15 month old.

[pianotuna]

How much is the budget?

[scbwr]

Without knowing more about the size of your family, for most folks, IMHO, there are two popular rigs:
1. Heavy duty 3/4 or 1 ton truck and a suitable fifth wheel trailer. Fifth wheel has a lot of advantages over travel trailer.
2. Motorhome with towable vehicle. Diesel works better for most due to larger size, higher cargo capacity, ride quality, etc.

But...as already stated, there are folks out there on the road full time that are happy with travel trailers of all sizes, class C or even B motorhomes, and even a few with smaller rigs such as a conversion van, pop-up or other.

[SidecarFlip]

One thing for certain, an old Jayco isn't a good start except for a restoration project maybe.