Hello all,First, "Hello!", this is my first post. I'm greener than green when it comes to RVs, so please take it easy on me. :)My wife & I bought a lake lot last spring and had planned on building a cabin, but after we added everything up it made much more financial sense to us to get a fifth wheel and use that instead.Fast forward to last weekend and we finally found a model we both loved. A 40' 2004 Pilgrim Open Road with a separate media room in the back, we both love it. So, we signed the papers and in the spring it's ours.We don't own a truck, so we arranged the dealer to deliver it to our lake lot once the snow melts.Essentially the rig will be used as a stationary cabin. We'll get power hooked up and likely install a septic system. I know we'll need water so maybe an external tank? Any tips or ideas on that?I've been searching a bit to try and find tips for setting up in a permanent location but I come up with mostly tips on living in an RV - which are helpful but not exactly what I'm looking for. Should I use concrete slabs for parking it on? Do I need to get the weight off the tires? Things like thatCan anyone share experiences or tips for setting up the unit where it might stay for an extended period of time? I'm sure there is lots I need to take into consideration, but of course I'm only thinking of things like building a deck off the front.

A concrete pad would be a good idea but not needed. You do want to support it so consider using the type of leveling jacks used on mobile homes. Most folks find skirting around the bottom of the RV helps to keep the critters and cold out.Since you are green (eco) you might consider solar and or wind power along with some sort of rain water catch system. Many of the websites that cater to "off the grid or survivalists" will have great tips for you.

the bear II wrote:A concrete pad would be a good idea but not needed. You do want to support it so consider using the type of leveling jacks used on mobile homes. Most folks find skirting around the bottom of the RV helps to keep the critters and cold out.Since you are green (eco) you might consider solar and or wind power along with some sort of rain water catch system. Many of the websites that cater to "off the grid or survivalists" will have great tips for you.Had to laugh a little, OP said they were "green" to RV ownership, not ECO GREEN.

Are you sure your lot is zoned for a camper? You will want a fresh water supply, sewer, and electrical service. I suggest installing the 30A or 50A service you will need for your camper plus another setup for a friend or two to bring their campers plus a few outdoor power posts for other uses. We have a "cooking table" set up on a 20A circuit and it doesn't run through our camper. You may also want to build a covered patio or something (depends on zoning) and you would want it powered as well. Enjoy!

Quite frankly, I would have built the cabin, in stages if needed. You have better options for heating, insulation, and less likely to have to deal with all the issues with RV's such as leaks. In regards to water, I don't understand the external tank question. Can you dig a well to get water? Can you get water from the lake? Do you plan to use the "Cabin" in the winter or close it down?

Hi and welcome!If you haven't already, please check local ordinances. Our neighbors did as you are planning to for a few months. One day a police car pulled up and informed them that they were breaking the law and had three days to move. On our lake we can't have utilities without a fixed structure that includes living quarters. We lake dwellers were unaware of the ordinance, as more than ten lots were used this way, but it was enforced for everyone after one cranky person complained.

RV for use as a cabin | Good Sam Community

v10superduty
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014
robbiedoo wrote:
Hmm, that's not a bad idea. I'll look into that, it sounds like a reasonable precaution.

(Again, I'm new, but is it common for wind to blow over RVs?)

We have had seasonal sites for over 20 years now. N W Ont area by Lake Of The Woods.
Lots of trees blown down but never a trailer blowing over.
Unless you are on the open prairies I wouldn't worry bout tying it down.
Since you say you are on lake lot, you probably have trees like us..
silverfz
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014
I would have gone with a Park Model . Rented a excavation service to grade a path and flatten the ground a bit. Then dig up 10 inch or so. Build a parking pad with gravel and crushed stone on top to park.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 03, 2014
Rv makes a great cabin. As said above, a slab and roof will preserve your cabin the best and then you're halfway to a big shop on your property if the opportunity arises.
If you can do the work yourself, you could do,it for a few thousand.
Our "summer cabin" growing up was an old mobile home that left a lot more to be desired than most 5th wheels.
Sounds like fun! Put up some pictures.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014
Someone previously mentioned skirting around the bottom to help with weather and critters. To help prevent mice and insects from getting in I would crawl all around underneath to find and plug any entry points. Anything the size of a dime will allow mice. To keep red squirrels out of my 5th wheel I used some of the spray insulation foam. But in addition to that I bought some steel wool pads, cut them down to a smaller size and while the foam is fresh I stuffed the steel wool pads into the foam. This keeps the little critters from chewing through the foam, which they will do. Their little teeth don't like the steel wool.
robsouth
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2014
If there are already many others on this lake property, just go ask them about what to do. They have been there, done that so to speak and can advise you about things we would have no way of knowing (rules, zoning, etc). I would think they would be your best source of information.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Nov 28, 2014
I would consider building a roof over the trailer so you don't have to worry so much about the standard RV leak points.

I don't think stationary trailers blow over very often, I think the tie down idea is more for stability in the wind.

If there are a bunch of other trailers around the lake you might just wander over and strike up a conversation or two. You will probably learn quite a bit from the people who have been there for a while.

Don't put the trailer where you think you might want to build a cabin. That way you won't have to move the trailer later to start construction.

I know nothing about septic, but you will probably want to find out if it is even allowed on your lot. I'm imagining there must be some sort of regulation about the distance from the lake shore.

If you build septic, permit and build it for the future cabin. Then just run a sewer cleanout or two to the areas where you might park a trailer or trailers.

If you run into an ordinance that the trailer must be mobile, find out if it's good enough to block it up but leave the wheels on it. then just skirt around the trailer to hide the wheels.
pitch
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2014
Using thousands of pound of concrete really is overkill. If you are going on a slab have anchors placed in during the pour. I would take the weight off the suspension. Of course you are not going to use the stock leveling jack,I would place a pier every four feet along the frame.
If there is any possibility that you will EVERbuild a permanent roof over this plan now where your support posts will be.
robbiedoo
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Hmm, that's not a bad idea. I'll look into that, it sounds like a reasonable precaution.

(Again, I'm new, but is it common for wind to blow over RVs?)
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Not sure how you would do this, but if the camper is going to be stationary, it might be well to figure out a way to anchor it down (like they do mobile homes), so in high wind, it will withstand better. If this is YOUR property, you may want to dig some big holes on the 4 corners of the camper and pour a few thousand pounds of concrete with a hook attached to a rod going all the way down. Once dried, attach a strap to each corner, so if high wind comes, it will be much harder to blow it over. Of course, a high wind might blow the body away and simply leave the frame too if you're anchored down real good. Still something to think about.

Good luck!
robbiedoo
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Also, no we won't be using it over the winter it will be strictly a summer cabin.

I had found a park model we liked too, but this was way better for the price - we got a lot more for the money and this was much newer.

Also, I still plan to build a cabin, but we can take some time over a couple years this way and then use the trailer as a guest house.

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