looking for a motorhome for primary residence

[bootdoc]

I just started looking at class A motorhomes for use as primary residence. My plan is to park it in Taos Ski Valley Nm as this is where i have lived and worked for 22 years. I've been scouring craigs list looking at used MH's in the 4k to 8k range. Mostly late 90's models. Everyone boasts great a/c but no one talks about the furnaces or warmth/insulation. Any suggestions for what brands/models I should be looking at? I figure for my purposes, something around 30 to 36 feet should do well. I know this is vague but any help to point me in the right direction is appreciated. im first time buyer. I read the sticky for first time buyers. Its great info but its a bit beyond what i can afford, i.e. beggars cant be choosers.

thanks a bunch 🙂

[2gypsies1]

For winter we heat using our catalytic propane heater. It is much more efficient than the RV furnace and puts out a nice constant heat rather than the furnace's on and off. You'd save propane this way even if you have an electric connection.

Good luck!

[bootdoc]

Cool, thanks!

[JimM68]

If you have a place where you have full hookups and won't have to move, progress is being made.

Next you need an adequate supply of propane. Tap into your friends? Or call the supplier and rent a 100 lb or bigger tank, they will be able to come out to fill it when needed.

Next is to buy enough 4x8 sheets of 2" foam board to skirt the entire motorhome. We lose a lot of heat through the floor. Those kits to film your windows may help the window loss. A couple ceiling vent pillows... thick curtains.

[2bzy2c]

If you can live for $500 a month, you won't be saving anything by buying a motorhome. They simply are not made for winter living. The cost of propane
will easily exceed $500/ month, then there is your space rent and the cost of the RV.

The only coach I know of built for winter camping is a Bigfoot, class C. They folded in 2009, but you can still find them here and there, though they command a high price. 30-80K used.

[bootdoc]

I just worked outa spot to park a motor home with electric and plumbing hook up at a friend's house. With that in mind any others suggestions for wintering in a motorhome? I'm going to look at a 88 itasca 32rq class a motor home.

[mci7]

Agree, the cold can be an experience, I went with the Foretravel 36' with Aqua Hot, diesel fired boiler, it also has a 1500 watt electric heater element, but more, the coach has 4 adjustable thermostats, front, bath, bedroom, basement. Freezing temps down to -2 have not been an issue what so ever, I did add some insulation on the water compartment where the tank drains are located, no issues as there are vents with heater with fan to move heated air around the basement. The bottom of the coach is enclosed/covered with fiberglass, seems very tight, an certain that also helps the insulation. Oh yes, double pane windows too.

Just keep hooked up to dependable power post, if the AC fails, the generator will auto start when the batteries drop to 12.2 Volts, so an idiot proof for me, I need it.

With an earlier SOB, I also had to chase the issues, but no more.
Dave M

[ncrowley]

Based on what propane cost me for a very well insulated coach in a winter much milder than what you have, I guess you will be paying around $400 a month in propane in the heart of the winter. You can do things like put hay bales around the bottom, etc, but then it will be very hard to move and since you do not have septic, you will need to move it quite often. You would be better off in the RV park in town but it will cost you more for the site.

[bootdoc]

I'm definitely looking into the solar aspect. We get a lot of sun in Taos. I would definitely prefer to buy one with panels but I expect I'll be installing them myself. I'm glad you mentioned heart element in water tank. I wasn't sure that was possible.

[tropical36]

bootdoc wrote:
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. There is a possibility that there will be electric on site. I hope! There was electric in the original rv parking. The new owner it's rebuilding the whole base area so I'm hopeful that there will at least be power. I can always go to the rv park in town if it gets too cold. Also if propane cost becomes an issue it can't be as bad as 500/month rent can it? anyway keep the coming, I really appreciate it.

Having electric is a must for keeping the batteries up, as the 12vdc furnace motor will deplete them in short order. You'll also need some light bulbs or low wattage heat in some of the basement areas and especially in the vicinity of the water tanks. Having an electric heating element in the hot water tank will help with some propane usage, too. Naturally, you'll be able to run the fridge on 120vac as well. Probably won't have a lot of use for an inverter, unless you are without electric and then some big solar panels could be useful.

[msmith1199]

Also don't forget if you do end up having an electrical hookup, you'll probably be on a meter. Using electric heat to keep a motorhome warm in the winter in the place you are talking will probably cost as much as heating a 2500 sf house, or maybe even more.

[bootdoc]

Lol!!

[Bumpyroad]

I don't think whatshisname from the A team will be saying, "I love it when a plan comes together" in this thread.
bumpy

[msmith1199]

Yes, it can be as bad as $500 a month rent. If you don't have power it could be more depending on how cold you can survive. Remember those propane heaters need electric power to run too. That will have to come from the batteries which means you'll need to run your generator for at least a couple of hours a day to keep the batteries charged. That could cost you $150 a month just in gas alone for the generator not to mention you'll need to service that generator more often using it that much.

[bootdoc]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. There is a possibility that there will be electric on site. I hope! There was electric in the original rv parking. The new owner it's rebuilding the whole base area so I'm hopeful that there will at least be power. I can always go to the rv park in town if it gets too cold. Also if propane cost becomes an issue it can't be as bad as 500/month rent can it? anyway keep the coming, I really appreciate it.