Trying to full time a TT

[Jamesconn]

I'm trying to cut costs and full time in a TT. I have a rent house in Montana and pay a ridiculous amount for hotels in ND.

I have to use the company work truck f150 xlt.
They all have tow packages but some have the standard v8 and others an eco boost.

Since Ill be living in it 12 months a year up here I think I've decided on a arctic fox TT.

I'm wondering what size I should get if there's going to me and coworker living with me, but I also have to pull it in just about every weather condition. Since I will be living in it full time and a coworker 4 weeks on 1 off I want the biggest one possible.

I am however limited by the truck and I am forced to relocate without notice in almost any weather. So I don't want a trailer that will drag me down a mountin in WY.

What model would you get with these conditions?

Also some rough guesstimations on insurance cost would be appreciated. I'm 19 but I have no tickets or wrecks. My auto alone is $204/mo with geico.

[path1]

As an Arctic Fox owner (better put, as a husband of an Arctic owner) I don't see where an Arctic Fox would be that much better than a normal RV. Yes, better insulation and water tanks protected more etc. But the temps you are talking about it's not going to make that big of difference. Sort of like having 2 sweat shirts instead of one.

Many posts here about what people have done to get more protection in cold weather.

I've seen more than once a U-Haul pulling a TT down the road. Don't know what hitch they have or the details but might be worth checking out.

And in all RV's no matter the brand... I would never buy new again. To much money for what you get IMO.

[Earl_E]

Insurance for my trailer is only something like $40 more when covered on the same policy as the truck. It is covered 24/7 just like the car. But you have to have a rider and ask to cover comp and collision.

[Sprink-Fitter]

I hope you make some decent money for all those expenses you have.

[Jamesconn]

Many people in my company stay in a trailer and they have told me artic fox is the way to go. The company doesn't have a problem with us towing trailers. I'm aware of all winter problems I work outside sun up to sun down I already deal with them every day.

Finding a campground up here is easy they are expensive by still 75% cheaper than hotels. I already found one in a great location for me. Electric is paid so I'll run an electric heater to save propane.

I know this won't be easy, nothing up here is.

[handye9]

If you're talking about towing a travel trailer, year round, in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming area, that's not a good plan. Any travel trailer is like pulling a big sail. Mix that with ice, snow, wind, and possibly mountains, is a recipe for disaster.

Other problems you would encounter:

1. Keeping things from freezing - holding tanks, plumbing lines, water pump, dump valve and sewer lines.

2. Camp grounds - Most, if not all in that part of the country, close up during the winter. They also drain their fresh water lines to prevent freezing. If you find one that will let you park, they will have no water available, and quite likely will not allow sewer dumping (they don't want that freezing either).

3. Setting up in a permenant place, with skirting and heat applied to your water and sewer, is completely different from hitting the road on a regular basis. You could have a some freeze - thaw - freeze scenarios, and have your tongue and sabilizer jacks stuck in the ice.

4. You'll need to fill propane bottles, almost daily.


I grew up in Fargo, and have been going back there for deer hunting, since 1996. We got by for a week to ten days at a time, but, there were times, such as a power outage or valve freezing up on the propane tanks, when we had to dump our fresh water and winterize the trailer at a moments notice. Because of those situations, we leave the water heater in bi-pass (out of use) mode. No showers and dish water was heated on the stove. There was a time or two when, due to snow storms, I had to leave the trailer behind, and go back for it, when snowplows got things cleared out. I have electric heat pads on my holding tanks and sewer lines, up to within six inches from the dump valve. Coming back from a couple deer camps, I've had to thaw my dump valve in order to get rid of stuff in my holding tanks. I've had freezing rain turn to snow, my power cord was frozen to the ground, and the television antenna was stuck in the up position, until I climbed up there and thawed it out.

I don't think you're aware of the problems you could run into. The sales people will probably tell you "Artic Fox is a four season camper". I doubt those folks have actually tried any cold weather camping. If Arctic Fox has an outside shower (almost all RV's do), the only thing protecting that from freezing, is a plastic door with R value 0.

Insurance wise, a travel trailer is normally a rider on the tow vehicle's policy. Is your boss ready to insure your property?

[Gdetrailer]

My comments in RED..

Jamesconn wrote:
I'm trying to cut costs and full time in a TT. I have a rent house in Montana and pay a ridiculous amount for hotels in ND.

I have to use the company work truck f150 xlt.
They all have tow packages but some have the standard v8 and others an eco boost.

Not ALL F150s have high payloads, many are pretty short on payload so you better do some homework and know the payload numbers on the vehicle before committing to a trailer.

Since Ill be living in it 12 months a year up here I think I've decided on a arctic fox TT.

Even with a "Artic Fox" you are going to be spending a LOT of money for propane for heating purposes.. You will be exchanging tanks every few days and at $25 per 30lb tank you could be spending close to $100 PER WEEK for heat..


I'm wondering what size I should get if there's going to me and coworker living with me, but I also have to pull it in just about every weather condition. Since I will be living in it full time and a coworker 4 weeks on 1 off I want the biggest one possible.

I personally do not like "sharing" anything I own with anyone other than my DW and DD.. Sharing with friends or coworkers is a recipe for disaster.. Share at your own risk..


I am however limited by the truck and I am forced to relocate without notice in almost any weather. So I don't want a trailer that will drag me down a mountin in WY.

Relocating on the fly in a heavy snow or ice storm with a travel trailer due to your job has a good potential to turn into a real headache for you.. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to tow a trailer in several inches to feet of snow.. I wouldn't want to do it..

What model would you get with these conditions?

I personally don't think it is going to work but that is your choice..

Also some rough guesstimations on insurance cost would be appreciated. I'm 19 but I have no tickets or wrecks. My auto alone is $204/mo with geico.

Insurance costs will vary widely and is based off the age and cost of the trailer.. If you buy an old used trailer with no loan then there is no "need" for insurance.. Your vehicle insurance will cover your used RV but only while it is HOOKED UP to the trailer..

New trailer, the BANK will require you to carry insurance and that may cost you several hundred $ per year and up.. No way to know until YOU TALK TO YOUR INSURANCE AGENT..

Personally, you WILL NOT SAVE ANY MONEY by attempting to live in a RV..

You WILL have to find and PAY a campground to park your trailer.. Even at $10 per day that is $300 per month just for the campground, however your most likely going to find campgrounds MUCH more expensive.. Many are $30 upwards of $80 PER NIGHT.. Some campgrounds have limits on how long you can stay or minimum of one week at a time..

Many campgrounds CLOSE in the winter time.. This means you may find yourself traveling an hr or more one way to your job..

[Jamesconn]

No I can't borrow a larger truck. When they buy the next batch of trucks I'm going to push for a f250 but that probably won't happen. My work stuff isn't that heavy. Most likely 200lbs.

Even if they do get f250s im kinda low on the totem pole so I'll get one of the older trucks.

I thought about getting a 1 ton and a fifth wheel but there's instances where I won't have a helper to follow in the work truck.

Do any artic fox TT have basements?

I don't have much stuff I fit it all in my little Asian pickup last time I moved. I haven't aquired anything since cause I have to live out of a bag.

Does anybody know of artic fox dealers in MT?

[Golden_HVAC]

Does your work have any other trucks that might be used to relocate the trailer? Many times you can ask the supervisor and borrow a 3500 or even a F-650 to move a trailer, then bring it back the next day, and get back into your normal work truck. Or you could consider renting a F-650 from U-Haul to move the trailer, then bring the u-haul back and get your truck and go to the trailer next location.

You would be really limited by the F-150 as a primary mover, especially in the middle of a snow storm. I would not want to move it on a day with ice on the roads, no matter what tow vehicle.

I lived by myself in a 30' Bounder Motorhome. It had 'enough' room. My buddy had a 31' Terry Travel trailer (not suitable for 0F weather camping) and it had a front queen bed, and convertible couch, and dinette table that made into a bed as well. I guess that one will get the bedroom, and the other is stuck on the couch, so making breakfast might wake them up, unless you both have the similar work schedule?

Personally I would not try a roommate in less than a 30' travel trailer. It will get awfully crowded on a long winter night in such a small space, and you are not able to get out and take a walk to get some 'space'.

You will need a few propane tanks. Skirting will help, but it sounds like you will be moving the RV a lot?

Artic Fox sounds like a good brand, suitable for your needs, and not freezing at night. You might also consider a Olympic Catalytic heater. It provides a constant 6,000 Btu's of heat, so you do not need to listen to the furnace as much. It also does not have a fan, so it is silent, and can run if you lose power.

Good luck!

Fred.

[donn0128]

With a F150 no matter what motor anything larger than a 25 foot Fox is going to be a choir to pull. Forst off they are heavy as heck. Second weight is going to burdin any F150 especially if you have tools to carry around.