Newbies searching for travel trailer?

[Lovetoloveya]

My husband and I decided that we will be moving out of our apartment and onto the open road! I don't know what will be best for us. Here's what I do know: there will be three of us, my husband, me and our 1 year old baby girl. We have a Chevy Duramax so I think we can pull most things, he doesn't want one that attaches in the bed (5th wheel?), and we're in Colorado. Any help is appreciated as I'm not even sure what the different options are called! Ha, thanks for reading 🙂

[N7SJN]

It would be interesting to find out how many posters on this subject are year round full timers in cold climates. As I stated before DW and I spent the first 3 years in single digits so it can be done. Just choose a rig that has a proven record of 4 season liveability. Best of luck in your search.

[DSDP_Don]

"Lantley" is giving you some great advice. I'm guessing there are few people who RV in Colorado in the winter, especial places where you get snow. Those that do RV, pack up and head to warmer weather. You may not find any campgrounds open in your area during the winter....people just aren't camping.

Many of your inexpensive RV's aren't really designed for cold weather, so you'll either run up a huge electric or propane bill. Will you have a second car if he's working. Even dumping the toilets every few days in the snow can be a nightmare.

[Lantley]

Lovetoloveya wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Lovetoloveya wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
I am not sure why a young couple would want to full time, on the road in a RV, with a 1 year old. Which got me to start kind of reading between the lines. And I may be way off base here, but if you are thinking that a RV is cheaper than renting, you are in for a rude awakening.

Wow! Ok well his job requires travel (lineman) so we figured this would be our best option, not only that but we already love to camp, but honestly, yes we hoped to save some money in doing so... Why do you say it's not cheaper than renting? Do you know how much rent is in Colorado?

Do you know how much it costs to rent a site for the night; even at a monthly rate (I presume your not planning on sitting in some parking lot for 6 months with a kid). Then pay for electric, propane, the maintenance and repairs, plus your RV monthly payment. You'll soon be looking for an apartment to rent and an RV to get out from under.

No. That's why I came on here to find out. So why don't you tell me? And stop giving me a hard time.

To the OP. Don't take the advice the wrong way. But Take it as an effort to point you in the right direction.Now it is up to you to do more research.
How long is each assignment? How much RV do you plan to buy? Will you need a loan or are you paying cash? How large of an RV can your Duramax tow? Are there RV parks open in your area? What are the rates?
How much will your propane/heating cost be? You may want to visit potential RV parks to ensure they meet your needs. These are questions only you can answer.
Keep in mind RV life can be very rewarding, but it is not necessarily cheaper than living in a stix and brix place.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

How often are you going to relocate for the job? I had friends who used a TT for traveling construction but in the south and no kids. Those are big factors. Room to run around for a 2 year old?

We can point you to info on TT's but you need to call around and find out about campground monthly rates in your local area. You need to ask if they are open year round and utility arrangements. Electric is usually not included on long-term rentals. You then need to ask around about what utility rates are. Heating TT's is neither easy, nor cheap, particularly with a todler.

[campingliz]

Lovetoloveya,

I think that what some folks may be trying to say is that the monthly payment on the RV, insurance, price of a place to park each night, and maintenance may wind up being more expensive than rent.

However, since you already own the truck, if it can tow what you want, a travel trailer may be a more affordable option, particularly if you purchase slightly used.

As others have stated, make sure the trailer is appropriate for the climate of wherever you may go. Most TTs (travel trailers) are not made to be completely operable below freezing - i.e. your water systems may freeze.

Best of luck to you and yours following your dreams.

[Lovetoloveya]

DutchmenSport wrote:

Lovetoloveya wrote:
...Any help is appreciated as I'm not even sure what the different options are called! Ha, thanks for reading 🙂

For someone in your position, I strongly recommend you go to this web site and begin reading and watching the videos. This is a very good web site, chocked full of information, and the videos are interesting and fun to watch. After being around RV's all my life (and I'm 60 years old), I still enjoy the simplicity of this web site and the information it provides. You won't go wrong checking it out. Click here.

Thank you very much for your help!!

[Lovetoloveya]

bid_time wrote:

Lovetoloveya wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
I am not sure why a young couple would want to full time, on the road in a RV, with a 1 year old. Which got me to start kind of reading between the lines. And I may be way off base here, but if you are thinking that a RV is cheaper than renting, you are in for a rude awakening.

Wow! Ok well his job requires travel (lineman) so we figured this would be our best option, not only that but we already love to camp, but honestly, yes we hoped to save some money in doing so... Why do you say it's not cheaper than renting? Do you know how much rent is in Colorado?

Do you know how much it costs to rent a site for the night; even at a monthly rate (I presume your not planning on sitting in some parking lot for 6 months with a kid). Then pay for electric, propane, the maintenance and repairs, plus your RV monthly payment. You'll soon be looking for an apartment to rent and an RV to get out from under.

No. That's why I came on here to find out. So why don't you tell me? And stop giving me a hard time.

[bid_time]

Lovetoloveya wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
I am not sure why a young couple would want to full time, on the road in a RV, with a 1 year old. Which got me to start kind of reading between the lines. And I may be way off base here, but if you are thinking that a RV is cheaper than renting, you are in for a rude awakening.

Wow! Ok well his job requires travel (lineman) so we figured this would be our best option, not only that but we already love to camp, but honestly, yes we hoped to save some money in doing so... Why do you say it's not cheaper than renting? Do you know how much rent is in Colorado?

Do you know how much it costs to rent a site for the night; even at a monthly rate (I presume your not planning on sitting in some parking lot for 6 months with a kid). Then pay for electric, propane, the maintenance and repairs, plus your RV monthly payment. You'll soon be looking for an apartment to rent and an RV to get out from under.

[willi4nd]

Huge concern is keeping everything from freezing in cold climates

[Lovetoloveya]

N7SJN wrote:
I've met several who have jobs that require travel in all sorts of weather. There are 4 season TT's out there as we have one. 2004 28RL Alpenlite. The company is no longer in business but I can not believe there are not 4 season rigs still being built. Just see if the dump valves are exposed, that generally means it is not all season as the valves will surely freeze unless protected. BTW the wife and I have been living in the above unit since driving it off the lot in 2004. Our first three winters were in temps of less than 10 for days at a time (yes, the propane bills were a little much) but we stayed warm.

Thank you.

[N7SJN]

I've met several who have jobs that require travel in all sorts of weather. There are 4 season TT's out there as we have one. 2004 28RL Alpenlite. The company is no longer in business but I can not believe there are not 4 season rigs still being built. Just see if the dump valves are exposed, that generally means it is not all season as the valves will surely freeze unless protected. BTW the wife and I have been living in the above unit since driving it off the lot in 2004. Our first three winters were in temps of less than 10 for days at a time (yes, the propane bills were a little much) but we stayed warm.

[Lovetoloveya]

ncrowley wrote:
I see that you are living in Colorado. It is not easy or cheap to keep an RV heated in the winter. You will not save money over renting an apartment. Are you planning to follow the sun and go south in the winter?

We will go where his job needs him. Right now that's in CO. Where rent is insanely expensive.

[Lovetoloveya]

nickthehunter wrote:
I am not sure why a young couple would want to full time, on the road in a RV, with a 1 year old. Which got me to start kind of reading between the lines. And I may be way off base here, but if you are thinking that a RV is cheaper than renting, you are in for a rude awakening.

Wow! Ok well his job requires travel (lineman) so we figured this would be our best option, not only that but we already love to camp, but honestly, yes we hoped to save some money in doing so... Why do you say it's not cheaper than renting? Do you know how much rent is in Colorado?

[ncrowley]

I see that you are living in Colorado. It is not easy or cheap to keep an RV heated in the winter. You will not save money over renting an apartment. Are you planning to follow the sun and go south in the winter?