buying older TT...as tiny home

[mattbatson]

Ok,
So my plan is to buy a TT (5th wheel or bumper pull) that I will basically park full time on my mothers property and live in as my residence.
I will T off her well water, run electric from her service panel, and dig my own little homemade septic system. And will essentially live for free.
We are both in the house flipping business together and her and her husband are in 70's and not getting any younger.
I have a 8x20 shed to store much of my stuff in...along with her basement if needed.

Anyways, I had thought about building a tiny home, but decided the advantage of a TT were that it is ready to go (essentially), probably cheaper (I'm looking at 6-9K dollar TT's), and if in a few years I decided to do something else I could probably sell the TT for near what I paid for it.

I plan to have it delivered to the property, and do not plan on having a tow vehicle any time soon...if ever. I do have experience towing, and may pick up a truck someday...but right now it isn't in the plans.

We live in western NC, so winters are short-ish and mild-ish and summers the same.
Plan to put up a metal RV port to keep sun and rain off the TT

It will sit on a very large concrete pad that is already there.

I'm looking at 5th wheels in the 1998 to 2001 model year range and bumper pulls in the 2002 to 2007 model year range...all in my price range of about 7-9K.

slide outs are definitely a requirement...and 28 ft or longer for sure.

I've done a bit of reading on here as I research my options
But my question is...what do you guys think about my plan and what would your concerns be with regards to looking at older models and maybe any specifics on what models/options/years you guys would look out for and what kinds of issues/problems you would be concerned about....that sort of thing

thanks for reading and any feedback will be appreciated

[mattbatson]

Naio wrote:
I have a friend who is doing the same thing at her parents' :).

She recently discovered toy haulers. She does not plan to haul any toys, but fell in love with the spacious interiors, and possibly sturdier construction.

**** that is an interesting idea !

My towing experience comes from road racing cars and towing them all over the southeast
and someday I have wanted to get back into it if I had the money...

so this is an interesting idea.

however the toy/car haulers with living quarters are a bit more expensive.

[rekoj71]

I've watched a few episodes of Tiny House Hunters on HGTV, and often wondered why not just buy a trailer for way less that that homebuilt tiny house on wheels. Most people on the show do exactly like you are referring to (yes in some places it's allowed and others it's not). I've even seen some towed into some campgrounds and then again wonder how much more that thing must weigh than a comparable size trailer.
I like your idea, but would probably try to tie into the city sewer or figure out a septic that meets code as others have stated.

On to your question... Seeing as you aren't planning on dragging it all over that makes it so you don't have to worry about frame and suspension structure as much. I would look more at insulation and dual pane windows and that the cabinets are still in good shape, and for water damage and that the layout works for you. Most mechanicals are the same in most RV's like Dometic and Norcold and Atwood appliances so other than checking that those are working I don't think looking for specific brand RV is a worry in your situation.

[DownTheAvenue]

1. Zoning laws. Is this even allowed?
2. Environmental health laws. Is your "homemade septic system" allowed ever?
3. A park model is a better choice than a travel trailer. It will have a residential refrigerator and toilet. It will be designed for fulltime living.
4. A used mobile home is even a better choice. For about the same money (considering you're building a cover), you will have a real house with better insulation, real house furniture, room for your "stuff", room for a washer and dryer, and room to move around.

[KD4UPL]

I agree, tap the existing home's septic as well. Home made septic system sounds gross and/or expensive.
Is your mother prepared for a much larger electric bill? Heating and cooling an RV all year will use a lot of electricity. Possibly more than the house currently uses depending on it's size and construction. RVs are poorly insulated. Most people using them stationary use little electric heaters which are an extremely expensive way to heat. You'll also need to keep your water hose from freezing in the winter which is often done with electric heat tape, yet another electricity hog. If you use the RV's propane furnace be prepared to get your tanks filled regularly or get some large 100 pound cylinders to connect too.
You do realize that the $9,000 you spend on an RV plus the plumbing and electric connections would pay rent on a small apartment for well over a year if not two?

[SoundGuy]

mattbatson wrote:
So my plan is to buy a TT (5th wheel or bumper pull) that I will basically park full time on my mothers property and live in as my residence.
I will T off her well water, run electric from her service panel, and dig my own little homemade septic system. And will essentially live for free.
We are both in the house flipping business together and her and her husband are in 70's and not getting any younger.
I have a 8x20 shed to store much of my stuff in...along with her basement if needed.

thanks for reading and any feedback will be appreciated

Seems obvious to me your first concern should be whether this plan to park a trailer on your mother's property and live in it full time as you would a house is even legal. Should we presume you've already done this considering you're in the house flipping business? Not much point in proceeding any further with the idea if you're in contravention of any local regulations or bylaws. 😉

[Bumpyroad]

I would "assume" that you would get more bang for the buck if you go TT rather than 5er. and from your post it looks like you don't need that large storage area under the front of a 5er which helps. I "assume" this all meets codes?
bumpy

[azrving]

x2 on the sewage. That opens the door to county health issues. If she has a septic system tap into it but dont dump a full tank. Maybe dump when it's half full. Keep the black valve closed until dumping. The main issue with buying an RV is water damage. If you get past that then your next big risk items are Frig $1,500 or more or replace with residential. AC $500 to $700 if diy replacement. Furnace $500. Water heater $400.

You are on the right track with the roof cover because of summer heat and rain. If there is a way to have side shade along with the roof over it may help a lot in the summer. Because you are on a cement pad you will be able to use inexpensive blocks under the rig for less movement while walking around in it. A FW will usually sit a little higher than a TT so more steps and a FW will have steps inside too. If you keep up on the exterior cleaning and dont let it get trashed it should do ok at resale time. I'm guessing I might lean toward a TT with a big slide if you are never pulling. You dont need what some may consider to be advantages of a FW if you wont pull it.

[NanciL]

I live in western NC.
I think you will have trouble getting an electrical service with "a home dug septic system"

The regulations are with a trailer; prior to getting an electric service you must have a properly approved septic system.
This requires obtaining a permit. Then the board of health inspector comes out and does perk tests and tells you where the septic system has to be located. After that you must have a licensed septic tank installer do the work and that has to be inspected.
Once all that is done, you can apply for the electric permit.

jack L

[Sport45]

Be careful with that "little homemade septic system" you're digging. If not designed just right it can become a real headache if not a liability. I'd let the gray water flow freely in order to keep the bugs alive. The difficulty will be in sizing things to work with a very small amount of regular inflow but still be able to handle 60 gallon flushes without surging scum into your field lines.

[2gypsies1]

Look at this site for 5th wheels and trailers to get an idea of price:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/5thwheel/5th-wheel-trailers.php

[Naio]

I have a friend who is doing the same thing at her parents' :).

She recently discovered toy haulers. She does not plan to haul any toys, but fell in love with the spacious interiors, and possibly sturdier construction.

[mattbatson]

http://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/5696985850.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/5695300982.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/5694758554.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/5694614407.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/5691743290.html

the above are representative of what I've been looking at in the area...