So...question for you all.

[Houndguy]

My wife and I are originally from the Pittsburgh area and she would like to visit family there on a regular basis.

We are thinking about getting a Class A or Class B mobile home and letting it sit on some property we own in the area. We are thinking a Class A or B would suite our needs and if we decided to go somewhere else we could.

Here's the thing. We are looking at spending no more than 10 to 20K on this vehicle and have no idea what to look for in a RV.

I'm a monkey with a gun when it comes to anything mechanical so we have to take that into consideration. The vehicle would be sitting for 9 to 10 months out of year at least, and I have no issue with a trailer because of this but the wife wants a A or B class.

So...what do I look for? Ask about? Since were buying used is there anything I really need to know about that I'm missing?

Am I unicorn hunting?

[toedtoes]

Houndguy wrote:
My wife and I thank you for all your help.

After some thought and conversation I think we are going to put off getting a RV for now.

There were just to many unknowns and to many questions at this time. We did however look at, and fell in love with, a used 2004 Gulf Stream Independence.

My wife and I had a long conversation over it and what we wanted to do with the RV. Long story short we walked away from the deal because it did not make sense for us financially at the time. Although the pricing and the sales people were wonderful.

We may yet buy an RV...but we have time on our side.

🙂

Good plan. You have a good idea of the issues you'll face, so now you can take your time and work out ways to eliminate/minimize those things.

And remember, compromise is not a dirty word. Sometimes, making compromises between your wants and needs can present a great solution. And sometimes, there just isn't a single solution - you may need to look at multiple solutions to meet all your wants/needs.

[AJR]

Houndguy, thank you for telling us your decision

[bsinmich]

Clasa Bs are in demand. More than once I have been asked if I want to sell mine when I walk out of a store. They don't know it is 21 years old because it looks newer.

[Houndguy]

My wife and I thank you for all your help.

After some thought and conversation I think we are going to put off getting a RV for now.

There were just to many unknowns and to many questions at this time. We did however look at, and fell in love with, a used 2004 Gulf Stream Independence.

My wife and I had a long conversation over it and what we wanted to do with the RV. Long story short we walked away from the deal because it did not make sense for us financially at the time. Although the pricing and the sales people were wonderful.

We may yet buy an RV...but we have time on our side.

🙂

[Roy_Lynne]

I've seen some really great tiny homes for as much as an RV will cost, AND it will continue to increase in value unlike and RV that will lose value. I saw a wonderful tiny home made with conex boxes and while it sounds horrid, it was sleek and modern. In our area we can build anything 8x8 and we don't need a permit. Check this out $15,000

[wbwood]

Bumpyroad wrote:
if you are just letting it sit, a small TT makes a lot more sense to me.
bumpy

Me too....or even a 5th wheel...

[GaryWT]

Glad you are thinking about a TT, best bang for you buck by not paying for an engine. My biggest concern would be the sewer. Based on my wife and my usage we get 1 day out of the grey tank. Figure if it was one of us and we were careful, maybe we could get 3 days. So if every 3 or so days you had to unhook, drive to the KOA and pay to dump, it would get tired quickly.

[rockhillmanor]

Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just easier to insulate a big shed, put power and water in it and call it "tiny home" for her for the 2 or 3 months she'll be up there.

Ya, Like THAT will make your DW a happy camper! :E

You are a brave man Charlie Brown! :B

[rockhillmanor]

Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just easier to insulate a big shed, put power and water in it and call it "tiny home" for her for the 2 or 3 months she'll be up there.

Ya, Like THAT will make your DW a happy camper! :E

[Redterpos3]

Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

x2 on the travel trailer. If you get one that is 4 season it has the necessary help to get through winter if/when needed. You can do that for $20,000 pretty nicely. You can get a service to tow it where you need it.

I've vote travel trailer over a shed! Much better to live in :B

[Houndguy]

The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just easier to insulate a big shed, put power and water in it and call it "tiny home" for her for the 2 or 3 months she'll be up there.

[fitznj]

I would NOT let a MH sit for extended periods of time (6 months) - especially through a Pittsburgh winter. You will find that the mechanicals will deteriorate FAST. Brakes will rust and seize, exhaust will rust. lots of condensation on the inside of the engine, seals will dry up etc etc.

I have a classic car that I did not drive for 6 months - it took me several weeks to get it road worthy (brakes/seals/carbs.....); I now drive it once a month an hour or two.

I once neglected to properly winterize my boat - again problems in the spring - mainly with rust/condensation.

My vote foes to a TT - you get more floor-space for the $$$. You don't need to purchase a Pick-up - think of a full size van.

gerry

[Hideout17]

Just a thought, look into renting one for the time you need it.

[lgarcia]

I agree with others that a travel trailer fits your budget. You can get it towed to your Pittsburgh residence, and then look at getting a truck for it when you retire and are ready to travel, or use it as a trade in towards that motorhome.

I have an 18 ft Shasta travel trailer. It has plenty of room for one, and is a good size for two people. It was 10k and purchased new.

I use it year-round in the side yard - it is plugged into a 30 amp setup at the house.

I winterize in November, and don't even think about running water through it until April. (That is something else to consider about any RV you might get - in winter Pittsburgh weather means freezing weather.)

I use gallon jugs of water to wash hands using a basin - I just toss the water into the garden. I keep a sickroom style bedside commode in the bathroom with a plastic liner and kitty litter in the commode part. Not perfect, but it works without water if someone is spending the night in the trailer and does not want to come in the house in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

I have an electric heater in the TT, but the cold still comes in through the windows. I need to cover the windows here in WV to keep the warmth in, and she likely will need to do the same in Pittsburgh. (I use silver windshield screens.)

Good luck to you.