What to FT in? And why?

[Tom_Diane]

I see on other threads and in particularly a recent one in General RV'ing.
The question was asked about 2 different 5er's for first time FTer's.
Their request was of a Montego Bay or a Sundance!
One reply expressed their preference but suggested that neither unit was suitable for full timing!
I Have a Sundance, 32RE. We hosted in it for 3 years and not a complaint!
What am I missing in a Full time RV?
I get that dual pane glass, maybe 50 amp service would be a plus. I don't have the dual glass but I do have the 50 amp service.
Our unit has 3 slides and when the living area is opened, we have nearly a 14 x14 living area including the kitchen with a dinette. We take on of the recliners and swing it out to the middle of the floor and its like home! We can also have access to the fridge, table, bed and bath room while enroute without extending the slides. We have a 3 season package which is just a vent to the basement.
I take no offense to others opinions on what to Full time in but in the end there are only so many ways that these units can be put together and I was told that if you visit the manufacture, there really wouldn't be a lot of difference when building them and your trim comes from just a group of contractors depending on the brand.
If a person is full timing, Wouldn't a person be inclined to follow the weather? The only thing I see that could give some credence is that bigger is better or having an ice maker or a washer dryer combo is the standard!
Because of health issues, I will never get to FT but we do use it every day starting in mid to late March and we don't take it home until sometime around the end of October. Lots of local and week end trips for grandkid fixes! We have a season pass locally and then do 3 or 4, 1000 or so mile trips through out the year! So what defines an RV that is suited for full timing? I have had the Sundance for going on 7 years now and have never had a complaint or a problem as a result of using it! A flush valve because of my neglect coming out of winterization, a tail light blub and a side marker lens, simple issues!

[prstlk]

We are work camping near Big Bend NP. Talked with a couple who have been FT for 5 years they have been to 49 states all the provinces and territories in Canada, and Mexico. Their rig .... A 12ft scamp tt.
Answer whatever works for you.

[DianneOK]

Our final FT rug was a 39' Teton and FL60. We volunteered and workcamped all over the country most of the time. It was our home. We did not follow the weather. It worked well for us. If life had not interfered, we would still be out there.....

[toedtoes]

I've always believed that when people ask, you should give them pros and cons and logic behind your opinion rather than just stating "you can't do that" or "it won't work" or "do this instead". That allows them to figure out if it makes sense for them or not.

For me, if someone tells me not to do something but can't provide any logical reason behind it, i disregard them.

[Tom_Diane]

This was what I suspected with all the replies.
I was curious about how in some threads, the replies that certain units are not suitable for a particular function.
I think when a newbie request info and gets replies that could dash their dreams or cause them to rethink their ideas of what they need in the way of living quarters.

[2gypsies1]

....and another thing :).....50 amp is not necessary unless you're in a big RV with two or more air conditioners and are unfortunate enough to stay in extremely hot temps.

If you have a smaller RV with only one air conditioner you'll be just fine.

Even though we had a 40' motorhome with two airs, we got by very well on 30A at times and boondocking lots of times. 🙂

When we full-timed in our 33' 5th wheel with one air and 30A we had no problems with staying cool.

Again, there is absolutely no 'correct' way of having the right RV for full-timing. It can be done in anything.

[RVcrazy]

We prefer a fiver. Hubby does not want to see the steering wheel after we stop. For FT, I would suggest 50 amp service. We bought used, and are happy we did. No huge depreciation hit. We were able to add and change things to the unit because we bought our Hitchhiker at the former factory in Chanute, KS. If you decide to go with a fiver, you might take a look at their used units. They fix whatever is needed before selling them which makes buying used more comfortable. Good luck with your decision.

[Tom_Diane]

Thanks all for the replies! I have been RV'ing for quite awhile now, stayed in an old dinosaur when I worked on the road!
Its just that when I see someone ask about which unit to buy and then continue that they are going to FT in it. The responses that a particular RV is not suited for full timing! I have wondered for years why someone's choices would a separate class of RV's, one for weekenders and one for the fulltimers.
I'm in the mindset of Old Biscut, it comes down to what you like or have and that you are happy with it.

[2gypsies1]

Over our 16 years of full-timing we've met folks in every size and type of RV. There definitely is no right or wrong.

It also makes no difference if you sit for the winter in one spot in a motorhome or 5th wheel. There's no problem.

We even met a couple in a well outfitted cargo van. Her only requirement was that she have a bidet!! Really.

Some people say you have to get one as long as you can - or with the maximum amount of slides. That's nonsense.

If you don't do any extreme temperatures, hot or cold, you don't even need double pane windows.

Many folks are extremely happy with the basics. That makes life easier.

[Old-Biscuit]

Sprink-Fitter wrote:
I think what some people mean is a lot of travel trailers and 5th wheels are not made to be used every day.

My 5vr is warrantied for full time use by mfg.

Do MH Mfg.s warranty their rigs for FT use?

Set up and tear down........20 mins.
It ain't rocket science.
Pull in, level side to side, unhitch, level front to rear, hook up utilities, set up chairs/side table and awning. Pretty much the same stuff with a MH

Find the floorplan that works for you and GO!

[Sprink-Fitter]

I think what some people mean is a lot of travel trailers and 5th wheels are not made to be used every day.

[Dutch_12078]

We have a friend that fulltimed for over 20 years in a tear drop TT pulled by a mini-van, and was very happy with her setup until health issues forced her off the road at age 84. Another couple we know, fulltimed for 2 years in a 42 foot DP with pretty much every bell and whistle available, and gave it up because they were too cramped. My wife and I are doing just fine in our 34 foot gas Class A, and haven't made any significant changes in 8 years other than moving up several years newer with a slide. What works for you may be completely different from what works for me, so I wouldn't dare try to tell you what's right for you.

[toedtoes]

From what I've read, I think most people recommend a 5er (TT) for long term stays and a MH for traveling is because there's an assumption that you'll be on the road more. With the MH, you can use the amenities while you are traveling - with the 5er (or TT) you have to pull over to get lunch out of the fridge, etc.

I do agree with the opinion that there is no "right rig" to full-time (or snowbird, or RV, or camp). There is only the "right rig" for YOU. Everybody has different needs, wants and desires.

[avan]

gbopp wrote:
I don't fulltime but, I'm guessing they recommend a 5th wheel for long term parking because there's more involved in setting up/taking down than a MH?
JMO

Since you ended this with a ?, assume you are asking if that's correct. Since the early 70's, I've owned 3 MHs including the one I now have. While FTing for 14+ yrs, I averaged 50 moves per year and during that time had 2 fifth wheels, one a 36' pulled by a 1 ton PU and one a 40' pulled by a MDT. Assuming that a MH is going to tow a toad, I see zero difference in setting up camp or breaking down camp between a MH and 5vr, assuming similarly equipped.

Hitching or unhitching a 5ver is as easy or maybe easier than hitching/unhitching a 4 down toad/MH combo and is much easier than doing the same with a toad on a trailer or caddy. Setting up utilities should be zero differences. That leaves leveling. If one compares leveling a MH with auto leveling jacks to a 5ver with auto leveling jacks, again there is no measurable difference. Leveling without auto levelers on either RV is pretty much a draw as well.

When we decided to go FT, the first thing we did was to put our 36' MH up for sale in favor of a fiver. The drivers for that decision were 1) it seemed more 'homey' not to driver and passenger seats/steering wheel etc in our living room 2) we wanted to maintain a single drive train 3) for the dollars involved (i.e., not a diesel pusher) the 5vre provided more and bigger storage bays and 4) back in those days (early 90's) MH slides, if available, were shallow as in 10" +/- while the 5ver slides were 2 to 3 times as deep. The fiver with slides extended seemed less of a tunnel than did the MH's and the entire length was living space rather than partially occupied by a cockpit.

[WyoTraveler]

It is all personal taste. We RV'd for 30 years. TCs & MH. When we selected an RV for FTing I didn't want a steering wheel in my living room so got a 5ver. Bored with FTing in 4 years. Had nothing to do with the RV. After not RVing for 15 years went to a TT for RVing 6 months a year. Now a MH again for 6 months a year with that steering wheel in our living room. :B I've liked all the RVs. There is no perfect RV. It is just what you have now because of your life style at the time. From all my RVing over the years there is only one thing I could not be without if I FT'd again. A hobby room. Like a toy hauler or MH with an extra room. Need a hobby room. Not all hobbies can be done outside. Before we quit FTing we were sitting at the dining room table working on jigsaw puzzle on a cold rainy day. I told my wife I'm not going to die couped up in an RV the rest of my life working on jigsaw puzzles. I love RVing but I need elbow room at least 6 months of a year.