camper to park model

[alabamahere]

Hello all ! I have some questions that may seem strange,but I really need answers. First I was trying to buy a used park model camper,but no luck in my area; since I am a senior with bad back,can't travel far so no luck. Now, I am wondering if I bought a regular bumper pull camper, if there is any way to by pass using propane and holding tanks and be able to use reg home appliances ? what about the electrical issues and hot water tank ? I hate propane and don't want to deal with it .. really want to make a reg camper into a park model if at all possible. I am in a bad situation, as I have to move ASAP and can't afford much; really need some expert advice .. anyone ?? Thanks 🙂

[DrewE]

Realistically, I think a mobile home would be a better option if you can possibly swing getting one by any means. It will almost certainly have more space than a travel trailer, be better insulated (and so potentially less costly to heat and/or cool--but the larger size does work against this), come with a residential refrigerator (which uses a good bit less electricity than an RV absorption fridge running on electricity), and just generally be more satisfactory. The kitchen appliances etc. will be more standard sized for residential use, the electric system designed for all the typical household loads, the wall framing somewhat heavier, the plumbing fixtures normal-sized and probably not all plastic, the kitchen may well have some actual counter space, and so forth.

I understand that this might not be possible to do financially, and in that case one needs to do what one needs to do. In such a situation, I would probably see about getting the lowest cost travel trailer I could find that would suit the purpose (which of course means it's in reasonable overall condition and not leaking), and plan to do as little as practical to it to keep it workable while saving up for a "real' mobile home. If that means toting propane cylinders to be refilled, so be it.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing. I hope everything works out well.

[kerrlakeRoo]

You can choose not to use propane. The stove can be covered and you use a hotplate in its place, microwave will still work as normal.
Water heaters can be propane or gas/elec. If you can run it on elec alone will depend on the unit, but it will not heat water quickly in electric only mode. There are small electric tankless water heaters for about $150 that may be able to replace the one in whatever trailer you get.

You can make the changes, it may not be as convenient as originally designed, but it is possible.
With the limited budget you may want to find the trailer and use gas the first few months until you can gradually change out the water heater or buy electric griddle or hotplates.

Trying to go "all electric" may tax your trailers electric system, if you get a 30 amp service model, an AC unit will be using about 14, a hot plate can easily use 10 more, you may find yourself constantly turning things off to get other things to work without tripping breakers.
Good luck.

[alabamahere]

Thanks for all advice .. it isn't a cg .. it's a mobile home park; lot has the same set-up as any of the mobile homes in it. I pay power .. if I have propane, I also have to take tanks and fill them. From what all say, I just have to deal with propane,holding tanks and so on with a reg camper and no way to convert it 😞

[kerrlakeRoo]

Buying an older used unit, you should be able to find one locally that the owner would move it for you in order to sell it. If its not a long distance and they wont, it's likely because its in too bad a shape to tow, and they dont want the risk. In which case, you dont want it either.

Check your local papers, you can also look on craigslist as well as RV Trader.

Good luck.

[FunnyCamper]

ok so you are trying to find the cheapest way to get into this campground you already selected.

You can easily not deal with propane in a way on heating cause you can 'go electric' and buy a heater to plug in. But your campground electric charges could be very high etc. depending on how that cg handles that charge in its rates.

you might hate propane but your cg might have the propane truck come around like once a month or more and ya get on the list for fill ups so you do not have to haul your tanks anywhere for fill up.

So I guess it is all about your selected cg and how it works. What perks are available, being offered by them.

a park model can be as basic as a regular old rv but the park model will be more unmoveable for good towing etc....so ANY camper will suit you in a way. Park models can be hooked up into septic etc easily and if ya throw money at one you can do the skies the limit kinda set up.

You are doing a cg site with hookups.
ANY camper that suits your needs is fine.

then find out if propane truck comes to the cg and fill ya up easily.
get elec. heaters as needed and double check how elec. is charged in this cg.

Any life living isn't cheap in a way 🙂 but I am sure you can make this fit your budget somehow.

Water heater if just you on proane is kinda like nothing. A regular old quicker shower isn't going to use up a tank fast. Regular old cooking won't use up a tank fast really.


So hope some of that helps you in a way 🙂 I wish you the best in finding what will suit you cause when rushed, it is never easy to find the best solution when under the gun to get'er done!

[PghBob]

You may realize this, but consider calling some campgrounds around where you want/need to live. Ask if there are any park models already in place at the campground that might be for sale. Then you do not need to worry about having the unit moved, because it is already there. If there is a park model available and you are quoted a price that is out of your reach, don't be reluctant to make a counter-offer that fit your budget. Good Luck.

[alabamahere]

Ok, I am on a low fixed income and can't afford a reg trailer; all the used trailers have to be moved and I can't afford to buy a cheap one and pay to have it moved too ... the camper would be in a trailer park with all hook ups provided .. (just like a reg trailer) this trailer park provides 3 spaces for campers and it would be permanent set up for me. Just trying to find the cheapest way to have some kind of home for myself. Thank you

[FunnyCamper]

I take it you are putting this purchased home on your land?

if so why even go with a park model?

Maybe buy a used small singlewide trailer as your home. Those should be around on any manufacturer place selling singlewide trailer homes I would think?


just throwing that out as wondering on it. Those singlewide honmes are all electric and you don't have holding tanks, I mean do you have a septic to hook this thing to?

just kinda not sure if you have land, septic already or what you are thinking about your move etc....sorry I am still in the dark a bit LOL 🙂

[MrWizard]

even park models use propane, unless its an 'all electric' model

holding tanks are not that big a deal, if hooked up to city septic, just open the valves and dump once a week

but i guess if you find the right plumber, the plumbing could be modified

i don;t know the availability of park models in your area
but they are NOT called campers, if you search campers on the web, you are not going to find 'park models'

search for 'mobile home' or park model trailer, etc..