Newbie, RV full time, Equipment choises, repost

[Caseyjones955]

Hello all. I have been lurking, reading and talking to people and coming up with a great deal of conflicting information. I apologize in advance for a somewhat long post as I throw myself at your mercy. This forum seems the best of what I have seen so here we go.

Kids grown and gone. Wife and I are looking to leave this negative community behind (Rapid City)in search of the right place to be until retirement.

I have sold the vast majority of my belongings (very liberating) We are both in health care so plan to live in the future RV for a few months while we work and replenish $, then back on the road. Essentially calling this RV home for 2-10 years. Our use of the RV will be full time living with minimal personal possessions and a dog.

What we need: 28-33' will do. late 90s/early 2000s but probably with a slide or two. 4 seasons a huge plus, I have seen many in the 8-12k price range that I can buy outright and look like they would work. NOT willing to finance anything so that is the most I can spend on a trailer/A. If I need a tow vehicle I will, with great reluctance and a heavy heart put my treasured SAAB up for trade in. So were at a crossroads with how to proceed and looking for input from experienced folks. Use will be rural Midwest, will avoid cities and congestion at all costs. MPG is a moderate factor (460 vs 454 vs diesel tow vehicle)

A: Class A gas, SAAB tow behind, Samurai in long term storage. Leaning towards this option.

B: Bumper pull, Trade in SAAB for tow vehicle Samurai still in long term storage. Tow vehicle must be semi-practical daily driver w/o RV in tow.

C: Something we have not thought of yet. Is triple towing safe with a 5th wheel? I know people do it, but is it safe?

Thinking E250/350 Diesel for tow vehicle, Dont want SUV or GM product so Van/Ford/Cummins powered Dodge, other?

Thanks for reading, I have searched and read extensively and more baffled than ever on what brands or styles of A or trailer are ones to look for or stay away from. Any information is greatly welcome, if you flame me and tell me to search some more that's ok to, I have thick skin and a sense of humor

THANKS!

Tony

Reposted on this forum on advice from another poster, any/all input welcome.

I might also ad that we'll be doing this on the very cheap. We hope to move around, work, move around again, work some more and save all that we can to retire overseas (RN and CNA).

[Caseyjones955]

Thanks folks for fielding all my questions. Have considered many factors like price, quality and livability. I've spent a lot of time reading here and talking to a few others and it would appear you are right about a MH being a poor choice on a budget.

We have settled on a 5er of around 28-30' leaning towards a NuWa 4 seasons or Arctic Fox but havnt decided on a particular 5er yet.
I'll be looking for the 99-03 F350 CC 4x4 Tow vehicle and trade-in the Saab, I really want the 7.3L again, hopefully with the forged rods. My last truck was a 7.3 IDI and it rocked! I know the early PSDs are worlds better (Thanks Eycom).

Keeping the Samurai and probably bringing it with, it should fall well under the max length, a few Jeepers have told me that they have had no trouble with the same config behind a 5er.

In summation, I want to thank you all for offering up your wisdom, I think you saved me from making a big mistake and throwing $$ in the wrong direction for my needs. I decided to up my price range a bit and sell off my hand tools.

Sooo, THANK YOU all for your help!

Tony

[Grit_dog]

IMO get a TT or 5ver and tow rig. You'll still have a DD with the tow rig and less drivetrains to worry about. On a budget I'd really stay away from a MH. Less places and more $ to repair.
You mention selling your tools. If your mech inclined this will help on all fronts.
If you're looking for function over luxury maybe explore toy haulers. Load up the Samurai and be able to take tools in the truck.
Skip the older gas options if you can afford to. Otherwise go with a 90s GM dually 454.
On a budget best bet would be to search for a low mile 12v cummins truck. Assuming under $15k tow rig budget.

[Caseyjones955]

Thanks for the links and taking the time to formulate great replies. I spent some time with the links and they look great, will be bumping price range to 12-15k, if I sell off all my tools I could probably afford a pusher of the same vintage. Excellent point on winters, I will be plugged in anywhere I sit for more than a couple days. Many facilities are more than happy to arrange for hookups. Following the sun sounds like a better idea but I am adamant about avoiding cities and heavily populated areas. Between you and the class A forum I have plenty to think about and I cant thank you enough for it. I have plenty of rethinking to do based on new information. Thank you!

[Eycom]

My response is based upon 6 years of extended business travel (30k-35k mi/yr) and finally, 3 yrs. of full timing (7k-8k mi/yr) east of the Mississippi and... still employed. While I have spent limited time out west, I've been a fair weather visitor without much concept as to the weather conditions beyond summertime.

What you're asking is difficult to quantify. Your budget of 8k-12k for a reasonably reliable 4 season RV, be it a Class A or 5th Wheel is the stumbling block. To my knowledge, there aren't many Travel Trailers that would be classified as 4 season.

Having traveled up north during the winter on business, I can tell you that most campgrounds are closed and for good cause. While I can make those winter excursions for a week to ten days in a self contained RV with 4 season capability, I'm so glad for the opportunnity to head back south. Without the ability to park on site at a business with at least an electrical hookup, I'm reliant on batteries and generator use. I have to take on potable water from an inside water source and many dump stations are also closed. Plus, my propane bill approaches the national debt.

I see people full timing in a variety of campers, from tag-along Casita's to Diesel pushers and everything in between. But, for the most part, they are highly mobile, capable of following the sun. I wouldn't want to spend the winter months between Erie, Pa and Buffalo, NY even IF there was an open campground.

If your professions are conducive to travel, e.g. traveling nurses or independent contractors in traveling sales you shouldn't find it difficult to generate an income. However, your commitment to an area could vary in length of time. While traveling, I've found that Passport America (note restrictions) offers good savings, as does Fed/State/City&County parks for short term camping. I don't hesitate to use the Federal "geezer" pass for 1/2 price camping. Once settled on a geographical area for work, a monthly rate at a commercial park, with more amenities, seems to be my choice relative to expenses. I can usually find a RV park with a monthly rate falling between $350 and $550/mo. The most popular areas are best visited during their shoulder season.

All this to say, if a 4 season RV is still part of your criteria, you might consider replacing one of the two cars with a '99-'02 Ford 7.3 diesel. Aside from the transmission, they enjoy a pretty darn good reputation... unrefined, but reliable. Next, I'd look for a 30'-32' 5th wheel with 2 or three slides. Excel and NuWa's HitchHiker LS series come to mind as reputable 4 season manufacturers. You're probably looking at model years of '99-'03 in the price range of $15k-20k (See PPL and NuWa's Retail Outlet) . Just have enough truck (dually?) to handle the house. Also, you might want to take your second car out of storage to use as a chase car. Many State don't allow triple towing. You both will have transportation for the duration of your stay at each location. Sorry for the long post. But, it may give you food for thought. Good Luck and travel safe.

[donn0128]

Motor homes do not do well sitting for long periods of time. Plus they have a drive train that needs service from time to time, even when sitting. Trailers whether a tow behind (TT) or a fifth wheel (fiver) require much more of a tow vehicle to move them down the road. But with only one drive train to deal with cost can be substantially less than a MH. Add the plane fact that foot for foot a TT or fiver offers more living space. Remember that with a MH there is a certain amount of space taken up by drivers compartment. Then there is dollar value. You get more SQ FT of living space for a given dollars with a TT or fiver. Down side, a TT has the least amount of storage, with a MH generally having the most. Fivers are in between somewhere.
So, to sum up. Go shopping look at each style comparing the pluses and minuses of each for your self. Once you have decided on a type, then start shopping for a particular RV that,fits within your budget.
BTW buying used and then going full timing may not be the most prudent approach. As an RV ages maintenance costs go up. Rubber roofs generally are done by 12-15 years old. So your hypothetical 2000 model RV will be at the end of its roof life. Replacement costs can run 100-150 dollars a foot. Appliances wear put, and if previous owners have not kept up with maintenance leaks could have already killed your choice. There is nothing wrong going used, but you would be wise to start your search in the 3-7 year old RV's or plan to upgrade within a couple pf years.