Fulltiming in a TC?

[slborba]

My wife and I are fulltimers and have a 40' Heartland Landmark with a Chev 3500HD DRW 4x4 LTZ...and we want to downsize to a TC. I really like the Host Mammoth.....and yes, I'm doing my research on GVWR issues, etc (that will be a different post).

I'm wondering who is currently full timing with their life partner in a TC. I'm all ears for the great, good, and bad....

Thanks in advance for your comments,
Steve

[Golden_HVAC]

You probably would be a LOT more comfortable in a small class C. Or even a slightly larger classC or small class A.

They have much larger fuel, water and grey tanks. All of this is a requirement when you try dry camping for a long time.

I had always wanted to travel in a fifth wheel while full timing in retirement, but the more that I think about it, and the large trailer to try to park it, I am glad that I have a 30' long Bounder and a gas engine. Something about $45 oil changes are nice every 6 months. Fuel filter every 8 - 10 years. So much less expensive maintenance than the diesel engines take.

I am really happy that I do not need to back in a large trailer. I can park my motorhome in really small campsites, where they might be to skinny to back a fifth wheel into it.

And while traveling from one place to another, I can park at night near a city park, or church, and put down the jacks. Go to bed. I do not disturb anyone, and can leave quietly in the morning.

Good luck with your decision!

Fred.

[Photomike]

One issue to consider is that if you want to use the truck by itself you will need to unload the camper, otherwise you will be driving with that huge camper on your back all the time. If you are not comfortable unloading then this could be an issue.

[slborba]

Thank you all, great advice. I'm reading the albinorhino journal now.....outstanding, and thank you.

We downsized from a 2700 sqft home in 2010 to a 1300 sqft town home to a 400 sqft fifth wheel last year. Our sons moved out in 2010, and downsizing has been the norm since. We are ready to keep it going until we have what we use.....what a concept, right?

The Mammoth is an amazing rig; even though I've only viewed it online. We are driving in a fe weeks to a dealer in NC to see it and check out all the nooks and crannies.....so excited to do that.

Again, thank you to all of you for the great replies.

Steve

[tonyandkaren]

This might be the site that Kerry mentioned - http://www.mytripjournal.com/albinorhino

The Mammoth is huge! I think that you'd be fine. We fulltime in a little class C. We have about 2 more feet of floor length but no slides so you'll have move room than we do. You'll also have larger fresh water and holding tanks. The only concern that I'd have is stability because it seems like it might be top heavy.

[kerry4951]

slborba wrote:
Kerry, can you ask your wife for the blog web address she is followin; we would like to read it.
Thanks,
Steve

She got the blog off of : www.mytripjournal.com
Shes reading about Dave and Cindy full timing in a truck camper.
Hopefully you can find it

[bilmarde]

We did it for a while. Storage was not a problem. the biggest problem was during the winter months when it gets dark early and you head indoors. Comfortable seating is the problem that we encountered. We made some adjustments but it was still uncomfortable. We put in a couple of lazyboys but there was no where to go except in the chair. During the summer there is always outside.

[slborba]

Kerry, can you ask your wife for the blog web address she is followin; we would like to read it.
Thanks,
Steve

[downtheroad]

Why not.
We met a couple (and dog) that were full timing in a pop up/tent trailer. When we met them they were hosting at a state park. They had been full timing for the past 10 months.

They said something about, "compromises."

[kerry4951]

My wife is currently reading a detailed trip report on a couple and a cat that have been full timing in a TC for several years, and loving every minute of it. The Mammoth is very spacious for a TC. I would think if you are considering this, getting something like the Mammoth might be smart. Three years ago we ran into a couple out west that had been full timing in a Lance 1191 for the past year and they also were loving it. You could always tow a small enclosed trailer to help with the storage issues, just make sure your truck can handle the load.

[slborba]

Jim, Outstanding reply and exactly the feedback I'm looking for -Thank you. My wife and I are avid outdoors lovers and our hobbies (other than each other) are all outdoors sports;kayaking, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, etc. We have inflateable SeaEagle kayaks and we have all our gear on a Thule bikerack/cargo carrier combo that I'll hitch to the front.

Again, very much appreciate your comments.

Steve

[RoyB]

We are all for the smaller footprint. Takes too much money to keep ahead of the super large RV units...

If I was setup out West it would make a big difference going smaller. Calling full timing here on the East Side would definitely require more living space...

I just don't think you can get away from it all here on the East side...

Roy Ken

[JimK-NY]

That Host Mammoth is a real beast and more than I would want to deal with. My wife and I and the 2 cats fulltimed in a 9.5' Northstar Igloo. We went about a year and then my wife returned to NY to help the older daughter with a one year old and a newborn. I fulltimed for another year and my wife visited when she could get away. Looking back, we had way more clothing and gear than we needed. We are no longer fulltiming but still travel for several months a year.

The "bad" aspects of fulltiming in a TC are the limited amount of space for storage. We did just fine on clothing, cooking, food. We took a lot of camera gear and I brought archery equipment. Otherwise there was little room for additional toys and hobby stuff. Next we did not have big, comfortable indoor seating. Just a dinette and zero gravity chairs for outside.

The good part is mobility and ease of travel. We could camp in regular forest service and BLM campgrounds without needing a big parking site. Our house was always with us not back at the campground. When driving through a national park we could pull over have coffee, a regular meal, and a nap. Even more important, our restroom was with us. No more outhouses that you can smell from 50 yards.

If you want the comforts of home, 110 electric appliances, and endless water, you probably want something bigger than a TC. If you want to visit remote areas, then consider a TC. Be sure to add solar panels and some good batteries.

[romore]

You aren't serious are you? I'd go stir crazy.