Full time question

[TheLostOne]

I am looking for an opinion. I am wonderign is it possible to live full time in a camper. As in everyday. this would be used as my primary residence. I have seen some very very nice units and said wow I could live there. i would buy one of these instead of renting an apartment. rents are about 700 a month plus utility in my area. How do the campers hold up to being on a truck being driven everyday. i would worry about it faliing apart or not holding up. What do you think. Any recommendation on a brand to look for?

[Possilian]

I work in the agricultural business. Most guys have a rv of some sorts. We normally stay right at the farms. Got a bunch of great memories having coffee at dawn with the guys I work for. And they love it when I cook lunch or dinner for everyone. I stay in a rv park very little when I am working.

[Reddog1]

Worked for me for five years. I have read posts stating many construction sites allow you to park there to provide after hours security.

[mkirsch]

I'm betting the OP thinks he can stealth camp out in the parking lot, which is why he wants to keep the rig mobile.

If you can finagle that, more power to ya.

[valhalla360]

Possilian wrote:
If it was not for the need to move all the time I would be back into a quality travel trailer if I were full timing it. Granted I have stayed in a rv of some type for nearly six months a year since the mid 90's for work. Again I am back into a tc solely for the reason of mobility. As far as brands they all need to looked at as far as what, where, and what time of year you want to do it.

If the OP is going to stay in RV parks anyway, I would suggest the TT/5thW as a better option even if he will move occasionally. About the same price for much more living space.

[Possilian]

If it was not for the need to move all the time I would be back into a quality travel trailer if I were full timing it. Granted I have stayed in a rv of some type for nearly six months a year since the mid 90's for work. Again I am back into a tc solely for the reason of mobility. As far as brands they all need to looked at as far as what, where, and what time of year you want to do it.

[Trail_Walker]

I'm currently living in my camper right now, 5 days a week. I've been doing this for a little over a year and it has been much better than I ever imagined. I've never owned an RV of any kind before and was concerned that my initial planning wouldn't work out.
I decided to do this as a result of a very unexpected new job. But I didn't want to sell our existing home and buy something new so I decided to look into an RV. I decided on a truck camper because I could get the features I wanted even if it was a little smaller than other options. It's only me in the camper during the week, my wife stays home.
That's the context to my situation, now the details.

Camper - I purchased a brand new Northstar 8.5 Adventurer. I chose Northstar because of their excellent reputation and the fact that I could work with and learn from Rex Willett. My camper has simply been perfect for my needs. It is fully optioned, cassette toilet, a/c w/strip heat, elec/gas hot water, solar, thermo pane windows, and dc refrigeration. Rex really knows his product and the many ways in which they're used. My camper has experienced a temperature range of 15-107F, heavy rain, small hail, and wind with no problems and all systems operational.

Truck - I already owned a 1996 3/4 ton Dodge long bed Cummins which was suitable for this camper. I installed Happijac tie downs and air bags on the rear end. Trucks like mine can be found on eBay for $10-12k. I get over 17 mpg with the camper but I don't leave the camper on the truck.

Parking - Here's where I'm a little different than some others. I stay in an RV storage facility where I'm plugged into a 30 amp service and have available water and sewer. I pay $150 per month for everything. The camper simply stands on it's 4 jacks. I'm inside a gated yard with security cameras. It's not a green grassy yard with trees but an asphalt parking lot. Not fancy but very functional and close to work. Apartment or house rents in my area are in the $750 per month range plus utilities. My calculations indicate that I'll recover the cost of my camper in about 2.5 years. This doesn't include any residual value which it should have and I'm hoping that it will last longer than 5 years! I don't have any other utility costs because I don't use much propane because I can heat and cook with electricity but I do keep both bottles full. I don't try to conserve water very carefully because I have a hose bib right behind the camper that I use to fill my fresh tank a couple of times per week. My cassette toilet lets me pull it out and roll it to the dump station so no sewer hookup needed. I actually was offered a free parking situation with all utilities but I decided against it because I didn't want to have any security responsibilities.

Downsides - Hmmmm......tough one. For me none but I find it amusing the reactions I get from people who learn about my living choice. Some are amused when I tell them I live in the back of my truck and some take a step back! Maybe not living in an active social area could be for someone but I'm an old guy and like a quiet surrounding. Probably the biggest issue for me is the minimal amount of hobby space. Just takes creative planning with road bicycles.

I'm not sure if my arrangements can be duplicated but I think it's possible. There is no doubt in my mind that I'm much more comfortable than the other living options. I also find it very economical for me. Good luck in your evaluation, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Dave

[Reddog1]

I lived in my TC for a little over 5 years, four nights and three days per week. I lived in the parking lot where I worked, with no hookups. This was in the San Francisco bay area.

My commute was about 260 miles round trip. I could have rented a room for $1200 per month. My truck (when I began the job) was eight years old, I paid $14000 for it. I purchased a 11.5 foot 1988 Bigfoot TC for $1000. By todays standards it was stripped. I spent another $9000 on upgrades, including a 2000 Honda, A/C, solar and a $2500 jack system. That put me at about $23000 total. Keep in mind, I had to have a commute vehicle, truck or car. Either required insurance, license, maintenance, etc. With a TC, I could commute from RV Park to work.

With the apartment, I would have to commute to work from the apartment. The monthly rate at an RV Park was $400 per month. Keep in mind this is in the San Francisco bay area.

I had three options.

1. 5 years x $1200 per month (appt.)= $72000. Still must have a commute vehicle, and $72000 with no value at end of five years.

2. 5 years x $400 per month (RV Park)= $24000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $47000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $25000 and still have the truck and TC.

3. 5 years x $0 per month (parking lot)= $000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $23000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $47000 and still have the truck and TC.

I went with number 3. I am now retired (about 5 years), and I still have the Truck and TC. That gives me about 10 years, with the truck and TC paid for.

Hopefully, my experience will be of value to the OP. It was simple math for me. It is important to remember I eventually owned the truck and TC, and would never have any value in the apartment.

Wayne

[valhalla360]

silversand wrote:

Used 3/4 - 1 ton trucks are easy to come by. Just picked up a nice 2001 for $5k. The last one was $2500 and still runs fine but the rust looks pretty bad (I don't care too much about looks but it was getting bad).

.... was assuming that the OP already had a truck (the $200+ a month was for insurance, maintenance), and could dump it for something more economical for a fraction of the price (it probably is fully depreciated/run its course by now: he may/probably have/has bought it used).

We have visited used campers many times over the past 9 years (in the US and locally here in Quebec) and I've never seen a used hard-side camper that wasn't severely compromised (structurally) under $9000. Not once. Not that it isn't possible to find; however, how much time/gas$ will it cost one to find such an statistical outlier? And even worse: the OP probably can only afford to look locally for camper, limiting his cohort of choice(s) substantially.

I suppose there are campgrounds available to $200 +/- per month out there, but would you really want to chance spending months in such a place (noise, domestic issues, stray bullets, stress, etc...) ? Something in the $400/$500 / month arena could offer him (possibly) reliable neighbors that could watch his 6 (and, his equipment) when he's at work/home.

Lets say his current truck is (used) worth $6000 or so; and spending ~$11,000 on a reliable truck camper big enough to live in = $17,000 (not $20,000; I concede here) 🙂 However, IF he has to spend in the vicinity of $17,000+ to "get into the game", then....

....if the OP has to drive "....every day..." for his daily bread, then sitting a truck camper on the back won't add much to his existing fuel bill. If the OP is forced to drive every day with the hard side camper on board (because of municipal parking regulations, to avoid tickets), then all bets are off. It will be a cost that would be very prohibitive...to say the least.

I've came across several that show no signs of problems, so apparently we shop in different places.

The cheap campgrounds were not in ghetto's as you imply. They just weren't in prime locations near tourist spots and they didn't have all the ammenitites you would find at higher end places. Oddly, the only time we have left early due to a domestic disturbance was at a high end place that charged $1000/month. Luckily we were only planning to be there for a couple of days anyway.

I think it's pretty much assumed, if he is trying to keep costs down, he won't be doing a lot of driving.

Again, I don't disagree with your point that it may not be as cheap as the OP thinks but it likely will be cheaper by a good margin over the numbers you posted.

[Eycom]

I used a TC for extended business travel for 6 years and have been full time in it for the past three while still working. Now approaching retirement, my needs for a highly mobile and versatile TC is coming to a close. I've come to appreciate the f/t lifestyle and desire to continue, albeit with a little more space and comfort commiserate with my age and health. If I can add to your perspective, feel free to PM me.

[silversand]

Used 3/4 - 1 ton trucks are easy to come by. Just picked up a nice 2001 for $5k. The last one was $2500 and still runs fine but the rust looks pretty bad (I don't care too much about looks but it was getting bad).

.... was assuming that the OP already had a truck (the $200+ a month was for insurance, maintenance), and could dump it for something more economical for a fraction of the price (it probably is fully depreciated/run its course by now: he may/probably have/has bought it used).

We have visited used campers many times over the past 9 years (in the US and locally here in Quebec) and I've never seen a used hard-side camper that wasn't severely compromised (structurally) under $9000. Not once. Not that it isn't possible to find; however, how much time/gas$ will it cost one to find such an statistical outlier? And even worse: the OP probably can only afford to look locally for camper, limiting his cohort of choice(s) substantially.

I suppose there are campgrounds available to $200 +/- per month out there, but would you really want to chance spending months in such a place (noise, domestic issues, stray bullets, stress, etc...) ? Something in the $400/$500 / month arena could offer him (possibly) reliable neighbors that could watch his 6 (and, his equipment) when he's at work/home.

Lets say his current truck is (used) worth $6000 or so; and spending ~$11,000 on a reliable truck camper big enough to live in = $17,000 (not $20,000; I concede here) 🙂 However, IF he has to spend in the vicinity of $17,000+ to "get into the game", then....

....if the OP has to drive "....every day..." for his daily bread, then sitting a truck camper on the back won't add much to his existing fuel bill. If the OP is forced to drive every day with the hard side camper on board (because of municipal parking regulations, to avoid tickets), then all bets are off. It will be a cost that would be very prohibitive...to say the least.

[valhalla360]

silversand wrote:
I just can't see where living in an RV could be less expensive than renting at appx $700 / month?

eg:

-buy a used hard-side TC that isn't completely rotted out = $9~$11,000+
-a large full-sized truck will cost at least $230 a month to operate
-the cheapest monthly campground will cost minimum $400 / month
-you'll go through at least $30 a month worth of propane

Camper lifespan = 5 yrs = $184 per month + $230 + $400 + $30 = $844/month

*and, you really should be banking at least $50 a month for camper maintenance (eventual equipment failure/replacements; caulking; etc)

IF you have BLM land in your area of interest, then subtract about $400 from the above, but that will still cost close to $450 / month! And, where will you bath? Get fresh water for tanks? Get propane? You still need to fire up the big truck (a minimum of ~ $10 a day in gas/diesel just to turn the key and drive 2 miles! That alone could cost you a minimum of $150 in fuel per month, so you're now at $600 a month). Think very, very carefully about doing this just because you want to live below $700 a month. Any capital you invest in camper & truck will be money out the window forever. The RV lifestyle is for people that have some fairly serious disposable income, and can afford to put $20,000 to $80,000 into a truck and camper in 2013 that will be worth nearly zero $ in 6~10 years (imagine investing $20,000 to $80,000 into your retirement instrument, and in 10 years that $20,000 to $80,000 is now worth $4000 to $12,000 ??? So, at $700 a month into an apartment and $00,000 of capital into equipment that will be worth nothing in 10 years, put that $20,000+ you would have spent into a sinking asset into some secure investment at 2/3% and you'll have $27,000 in 10 years, not $00,000

I agree the OP needs to run the numbers as he may not save as much as he's thinking but some of your numbers are skewed on the high side.

I've come across some units in the $4-6k range that are in good shape and they last a lot longer than 5 yrs with halfway decent maintenance.

Used 3/4 - 1 ton trucks are easy to come by. Just picked up a nice 2001 for $5k. The last one was $2500 and still runs fine but the rust looks pretty bad (I don't care too much about looks but it was getting bad).

Depending on the area, I've came across nice campgrounds as low as $150-200/month and if you have electric hookup, you shouldn't be going thru $30/month in propane.

What kind of milage do you get that 2 miles burns $10 in gas?

Again I agree, you need some money to live in an RV but crazy high numbers undermine your point.

[silversand]

I just can't see where living in an RV could be less expensive than renting at appx $700 / month?

eg:

-buy a used hard-side TC that isn't completely rotted out = $9~$11,000+
-a large full-sized truck will cost at least $230 a month to operate
-the cheapest monthly campground will cost minimum $400 / month
-you'll go through at least $30 bi-monthly worth of propane

Camper lifespan = 5 yrs = $184 per month + $230 + $400 + $60 = $874/month

*and, you really should be banking at least $50 a month for camper maintenance (eventual equipment failure/replacements; caulking; etc)

IF you have BLM land in your area of interest, then subtract about $400 from the above, but that will still cost close to ~$480 / month! And, where will you bath? Get fresh water for tanks? Get propane? You still need to fire up the big truck (a minimum of ~ $10 a day in gas/diesel just to turn the key and drive 2 miles! That alone could cost you a minimum of $150 in fuel per month, so you're now at ~~$630 a month). Think very, very carefully about doing this just because you want to live below $700 a month. Any capital you invest in camper & truck will be money out the window forever. The RV lifestyle is for people that have some fairly serious disposable income, and can afford to put $20,000 to $80,000 into a truck and camper in 2013 that will be worth nearly zero $ in 6~10 years (imagine investing $20,000 to $80,000 into your retirement instrument, and in 10 years that $20,000 to $80,000 is now worth $4000 to $12,000 ??? So, at $700 a month into an apartment and $00,000 of capital into equipment that will be worth nothing in 10 years, put that $20,000+ you would have spent into a sinking asset into some secure investment at 2/3% and you'll have $27,000 in 10 years, not $00,000

[bobndot]

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/full-time-with-the-funks