New to RVs -- Planning for First One

[Triton318]

Hello,

I just joined this forum. I'm a former sailor who has made a major change in his future plans -- instead of seeing the world from the deck of a sailboat, I'm going to see the United States from an RV. I'm going to be working full time in the beginning, but I work remotely for my employer, only requiring a high-speed Internet connection. Later (I'm 51 now), I might look into doing the work camper thing.

I would appreciate any advice and suggestions for choosing an RV based on the following criteria:

1. I will have $18,000 to spend. I want to pay cash and not finance anything. I'm very handy, so I don't mind doing some work to fix something up. I have the skills to repair and add mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fixtures/gear. I'm definitely going to be buying used, both the trailer and the tow vehicle.

2. I will be spending about three to four months in each location, moving as the seasons change to experience the weather I enjoy: 50 to 75 degrees daytime highs, low humidity, clear, sunny skies.

3. For living space: a bed that can remain permanently set up (don't want to be converting a dinette or pull-out sofa into the bed each night); a bathroom with a toilet, sink, shower, and holding tank; a kitchen with fridge, oven/range, double sink, and microwave; a comfortable seat/chair; a permanently arranged dinette for eating meals. I don't need a lot of space. I lived aboard a 28 foot sailboat for a year and a half; it was tiny.

4. I've pretty much ruled out a motor home, because I will occasionally need to drive a considerable distance to visit family. I would like to be able to leave the "home" where it is, and drive a more fuel efficient vehicle. So I'm considering either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.

I think what would be most helpful to me right now is to first decide which would be preferable based on my criteria: a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Jay

[Triton318]

In August I purchased a 2003 Ford F-150 with 130,000 miles, in really good shape. It has the 4.6L V-8. Then, last month, I bought a 1981 Sunline 16' TT. I was going to wait until the spring and spend more, but I was bored, so I bought something that needed a little work so I'd have something to do.

And yesterday I made reservations at Trout Creek Motel and RV Park in Trout Creek, MT, for June 15 through September 15.

So I'm pretty excited!

[Allworth]

Keep in mind the basic trailer buying rules.

1. All trailer salesmen lie about loaded weight.

2. All truck salesmen lie about towing capacity.

They can't help it. Their mouths are moving and it just comes out.

[Bumpyroad]

Triton318 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. As of right now, I have no strong preference regarding a 5th wheel or a travel trailer. I do not have a tow vehicle yet. Is it not possible to find the trailer first, then get a tow vehicle that is appropriate for that trailer? Would someone selling a trailer allow the buyer to leave it at the seller's property for, say a maximum of 30 days, while the buyer finds and purchases a tow vehicle?

include in the price the seller towing it to your location, or find somebody who will do it. as was said, don't be under pressure when needing the TV.
bumpy

[HappyKayakers]

Triton318 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. As of right now, I have no strong preference regarding a 5th wheel or a travel trailer. I do not have a tow vehicle yet. Is it not possible to find the trailer first, then get a tow vehicle that is appropriate for that trailer? Would someone selling a trailer allow the buyer to leave it at the seller's property for, say a maximum of 30 days, while the buyer finds and purchases a tow vehicle?

They might let you leave it there, but then you might not find the best deal on your TV if you have a deadline. If you buy from a dealer, they might deliver and set up the RV at your site so you would have more time to find a suitable TV.

If you make some decisions about size and weight of your RV first, you can buy the right TV while you're still looking for the RV.

[Triton318]

Thanks for the replies. As of right now, I have no strong preference regarding a 5th wheel or a travel trailer. I do not have a tow vehicle yet. Is it not possible to find the trailer first, then get a tow vehicle that is appropriate for that trailer? Would someone selling a trailer allow the buyer to leave it at the seller's property for, say a maximum of 30 days, while the buyer finds and purchases a tow vehicle?

[ken56]

Will you be alone or with someone? There are many choices out there that will fit a lone person for under your budget. Go to any and all dealers near you and go thru all of them they have. OK, only the ones you think will fit your needs, but look anyway at a bunch of them to see the differences. Stop at any on the side of the road for sale from a private seller, you may get a deal. Theres always craigs list too, I don't care for craigs list but you never know. Tow vehicle will determine alot. Don't get suckered by a salesman with the" oh yeah, you can tow that just fine" bs. Come here with your Questions. We will be honest with you, sometimes brutally.

[Brett_K]

If your budget of 18k is for the rv only, you have some options. Otherwise, good luck. You best bet may be to find a package deal of a 10 year old truck and rv together.

[DutchmenSport]

I think the biggest obstacle you have right now is your desire to purchase everything for your set amount. Unless you already have your tow vehicle, you'll easily spend your entire budget on that alone.

It would be worth it if you started visiting auto dealerships and RV sales lots to begin to really get a handle on the cost. You may come across a good used camper and truck (tow vehicle), but if you don't start looking now (and be willing to purchase it now), the opportunity for a sweet deal may never come again. You need to focus on your tow vehicle first, keeping in mind what you want to tow. It doesn't make any sense to buy the trailer first and then have no way to move it, even to a storage facility.

My suggestion, visit the dealerships to learn and compare several brands at the same time, then watch the classified ads for similar brands and models. Then go visit the locations and look at those campers for sale.

Any way you do it though, your financial plans are really tight.

[2012Coleman]

It really depends on what you are planning on towing it with. Do you understand how to match a tow vechile with a travel trailer? Do you know the difference between towing capacity and payload? Do you realize that payload will often be exceeded before reaching towing capacity - depending on the TV chosen? Is 18K you total budget for TT and TV? If you are worried about driving a fuel efficient vechile, it most likely won't be your tow vechile - espically if you purchase a fiver.

[Bumpyroad]

I'd suggest considering a TT and put a cap on your pickup to carry/store stuff.
bumpy

[HappyKayakers]

Search the Internet for RV shows and attend the biggest one you can find. Or, if you have large RV dealers in your city, visit several of them. Look in, around, under, over as many RVs as you can.

You may find a used unit that fits your requirements exactly. At the very least, you'll get an idea of what's available, what you like and what you don't like.