Don't want to hijack the Class C thread so here goes.

As previously mentioned I am leaning toward living in a travel trailer full time while in Maryland (3-5 years). I will purchase there and sell before leaving, when I leave I'll likely be headed overseas for several more years so no reason to store it that long without any maintenance available.

I will live in the trailer 8 months solo and my 2 kids will be with me for 4 months a year, they are low maintenance but I will still have a sleeping area for each by themselves, the bunk models look ideal but still undecided as that space is wasted during the year. Unless I get a Murphy bed model and I utilize the bunks when they are not there. Averages seem to hover just above freezing but of course those are averages so days below freezing are inevitable.

My questions surround where I need to start my search given I will be living in it full time.

1. Is a 4 season model 100% necessary? Maryland isn't the coldest place and I will have hook-ups so I'll never be without electrical. Will exposed tanks freeze in Maryland weather?

2. I'll have to move every 60 days, otherwise the unit will stay stationary, does this have any impact on whether or not a slide is advantageous, are they more prone to leak with heavy rains or snow? Should I go without a slide to eliminate that weak point all together?

3. I'm trying to compromise between small/affordable units and something that wont feel like a jail cell after 3-5 years. Any advice in this area? It looks like unless I can find a really decent floorplan I'll be moving to a Tundra at 10K'ish towing capacity.

4. Any must have upgrades or design features for full time living? Extra propane tank seems necessary, would prefer a conventional bath to the wet bath (toilet-in-shower) design.

5. Are murphy beds a PITA? Would a designated bed be the wiser decision?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OttoSig,

I've not owned or even rented one so limited input. However a guy who worked for me did do this full time with a 5th wheel.

While he was shopping he did learn that the warranty on most all brands is very much limited if you are living in it full time rather than just occasional camping, etc. That was a surprise to me, but he did find a couple manufacturers who did cover items while in full time use. If that's important to you just be sure you understand warranty terms. If you want the names of the brand they bought shoot me an email and I'll ask him (It was 4 years ago, I've slept since then).

He and his wife lived in it for about 18 months traveling around pretty much everywhere west of MS River looking for a place to settle. Ended up in Fort Collins, and even got featured in an episode on Going RV on Travel Channel.

True four season trailers are few and can be expensive. We have a Forrest River Cherokee Arctic Wolf 5th wheel that has extra insulation all around, but isn't considered 4 season. Exposed tanks will freeze, you will need one with an enclosed underbelly that either has heated tanks, heat ducts to the underbelly, or both. Even then they can still freeze in really cold weather if the temp stays down for a length of time. Some places shut the water off during the winter months so take that into condideration, if it is on then a heated fresh water hose is a must. Mya olso need to somehow heat the sewer dump hose.

You will need at least 2 - 30# propane tanks, bigger and you may have some issues with moving around every 60 days. The heater can use a good amount of propane depending on the size of the trailer and the temp.

Slide outs are really nice and aren't that prone to problems. Definitely get at least one or it will feel like living in a submarine after a while, especially with more than one person. Slide toppers are nice as they keep the tops relatively clean and help shed water. You probably will have to knock the snow off, but that's easy to do, just retract the slide and it should roll off.

People with bunks will sometimes use that area as extra storage, so that would be a good option for the 8 months with no kids. Setting up and taking down murphy beds etc. on a daily basis gets old fast. A bunk house trailer would be my suggestion.

I was a class A owner but I had a bunkhouse model and found it to be ideal for my children. You could use the bunks for storage when the kids aren't with you.

Be wary of "4 Season" trailers! Just because they say they are "4 Season" doesn't mean they are. What B92F said is true. You will also need to make sure your water pipes are wrapped and insulated. You mentioned you will be moving every 60 days....to where? Trailer parks facilities are not as common as you might think and available space these days is at a premium.

There are a myriad of floor designs available if you do your research. Living in an RV ain't cheap! Prices have increased a lot over the past 2-3 years and finding a good used RV with the amenities you are looking for is slim.

There is a ton of information on the internet.

Are you going to have to pay for electric and gas? Most travel trailers I saw had walls an inch to maybe two inches thick. We had a 35’ travel trailer with a bunkhouse in the back and one AC unit couldn’t keep up in spring or fall in Florida. Had a separate shower stall, but it wasn’t full size. I don’t know what brands you should look at for full time living for 3-5 years, but I can say for certain in looking at travel trailers and 5th wheels, I didn’t see anything under $70,000 that I would have considered it. Just for perspective, I lived in a tent for a month in a state park in Illinois and then in my 28’ sailboat on the hard in a boatyard for two more months.

I’m not sure how Maryland is but here in Northern Ohio, there is virtually no places that offer year around hook ups for trailers as all the places are winterized by Nov 1. Again I’m not sure how the area you are looking is. Something to check if you haven’t already

So to clarify, I will have to move at least the one day every 60 during peak season, however, during off-peak, if no one has a reservation then I would be allowed to stay longer.

Calling to confirm the policy and prices but looks like monthly rate is about 900$ or less.

Currently dont have to pay for water or electric, which is a huge sale point for me.

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Give Dune Sport RV a phone call.

They custom make Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels and can do pretty much anything you want, including insulations levels, better windows, etc.

They really don't keep any inventory, if they can help it, as they custom build.

A Toy Hauler with beds seems good for you, but they can actually build it whatever you need for you and your family.

Give them a call to discuss. Don't go by just their website, call them!!!

When I retire in a couple of years I plan to buy one of theirs so I can spend the summers further up north where things are cooler.
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Best wishes to you.

I will start by saying that this (Last Year) is the worst time to buy an RV.
We have had bunkhouse 28' trailer 15+ years ago, Two boys and it was awesome. Since then two motor homes and now a new trailer. Inventory is low and there are no "deals to be had. We were ready to purchase a 29' Cougar- At the sale price on the giant sticker on the dining room table. We ended up walking out over $900.00. Tip outs give an incredible amount of room. There are several manufacturers of the mechanism, from what I have seen schwinntek is lightweight and are problematic. The "new " trailer has been back to the shop 3 times prior to any trips. This is considered a "premium" trailer. The industry cant keep up with demand. The dealers are now the quality control. Most are not designed to "live" in. Air circulation and venting are key. We live in Washington and added the slide topper to add a level of rain protection. Depending on where you live a 30' unit will be in the 45K range. Also with all the new RV's there are less places to "land" - Good luck.

IMHO unless you get a ~35' 5th wheel, or a ~35' class A motor home, you are going to feel like you live in a tin can in a short amount of time.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
IMHO unless you get a ~35' 5th wheel, or a ~35' class A motor home, you are going to feel like you live in a tin can in a short amount of time.

This! It also depends on age and size of your kids. If teens, those bunks in smaller travel trailers will get very cramped.

For year round living for several years I would look at fiberglass shell, insulated and sealed undercarriage and as many slide outs as possible to make it live bigger. If you have no plans to drag it around, look for a “park model” which will have more homelike amenities.

Currently my wife and I are living in a 25’ rock wood mini lite. It will be our home until spring of next year. What we are planning for the winter (located in north central Idaho at 2600’):

1. Our trailer is rated 4 season. Going to add skirting and insulated cover for black/grey water drain area.
2. Heated water hose
3. Small trailer porch.
4. Two extra tanks
5. Snow rake
6. Clear bubble wrap to place between windows and screens
7. Passive and electric dehumidifiers
8. Temporary hooks in the shower area for wet coats
9. A plastic portable storage cabinet to sit outside behind the trailer.
10. Lots of books!

Silent

You aren't eligible for military housing, or there isn't any in the area?

A shipmate of mine lived in a travel trailer on the base in Elizabeth City NC. She didn’t have to move to different spots. She lived there during the week and went back to her home in Hatteras on weekends. She did it for three years until she made Chief and retired.

Is there a place on the base you are going to or are you going to have to use a civilian RV park?

I had a subordinate who lived in a 15’ travel trailer he towed behind his former bread truck (or snap on tool truck), he lived in the sticks away from Chesapeake. He had totally customizable the bread truck and had a rack inside the truck also, just tied it up when he was t in it. He said he lived like that because he was actually saving part of his BAH and banking it for a home when he retired. He also was really weird but it had nothing to do with living in a camper, don’t be weird Otto.

I had an old Jayco fiver with a sofa slide at a permanent site for quite a few years. I ran the slide in when they closed the camp for winter. Never had any issues and that extra space seemed enormous. I would prefer some kind of full bed so you can put a "real" mattress on it instead of the foam ones that are typical in campers. (BTW when I sold the rig a few years ago the rent was $1000 for the season, April through October, and included water and electricity)

OTTOSIG. I hate to fart in your dream box, but with all you are suggesting, you will not be a happy camper. Moving it every 60 days will become your second biggest issue. First will be the cold weather issues.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
You aren't eligible for military housing, or there isn't any in the area?

I am, but assuming I am single 8 months out of the year, that 2500$ price tag is too steep. I am trying to talk to them to see if a reduced price 2 bedroom is available. I see no reason to pay for 3 bedrooms when they wont be used that often.

Look into security, both for contents and the trailer itself.

Friend's trailer had a flat on the superhighway in South Carolina, I-95, I believe. His spare was not good so he parked on the side of the highway, uncoupled his truck and went to town to get the regular and the spare fixed. When he came back the trailer was gone.

Appears to be a mini-industry of stealing them for cheap living quarters off the grid. SC cops told him the only thing he might see surfacing was his pistol, assuming they eventually broke into the safe and tried selling it through official channels where the serial number would pop up. Advise was not to hold his breath on even that.

Insurance company was not stunned at this, and processed his claim in full right away.

Well that thought ended quickly. Finally got hold of the camp site on base.

They got rid of weekly and monthly rates and everything is just a flat $49 or $59 a night.

No savings there...that's 1500$ a month for a travel trailer. I'll look at lower end base housing and private housing in town.

Thanks guys.