It is almost that time again and in a few months we will find out where my husband's next duty station is - the strange twist is this will be our last move (cross our fingers) before he retires with more than 24 years of service.
Here is the dilemma, we sort of like where we are now and instead of losing our shirts selling our house, we thought about buying a 5th wheel to live in for a little more than a year wherever we have to go while he finishes service and then move back to our home. After that we could use the RV for camping in the great North West!
We started kicking this idea around, but my goodness, we had no idea there were so many manufactures to choose from. How do you ever pick one? Here is where you come in - what kind of travel trailer do you have and would you recommend it to someone else? Also, any other RV info/wisdom would be much appreciated.

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Deek

Please check your PM box. I am very experienced in this. As you have learned, a RV is like a car in that you can buy them in any financial bracket. They go from pricey to basement models. I have owned nine of the travel trailers and four motorhomes. During the 34 years this took place, I learned a lot of lessons and some of those were costly.

Are you planning on buying new or used? This is important to decide what you need to look for.

Read your PM and I think you will be better off.

The best recommendation I can offer is to buy it used, even if it just a couple years, the market seemed to be saturated with used campers, with prices considerably lower than what dealers are selling new ones for. Could be wrong as the market may be different in the Northwest, than it is in the Northeast. Found many sellers in the Northeast are unloading around September, as the summer season is over, the kids are back to school, and they don't want to store the thing for the winter.

Whatever you get you'll soon find things that you overlooked.

Tour some big RV shows and check out all the models in which you have interest. Then scour the RV trader or used ads for similar. There's ALWAYS a great deal available out there somewhere.

Determine which configuration appeals to your needs the most.

Do you really need a 1-2-3 section slide out or not? Do you really need a fold-down bed you sit on during the day? Etc.

We got our needs finally identified, after years of tent/Alaskan camper experience.

1) queen walk around bed
2) eating table separate from bed space
3) serviceable bath and minimal galley
4) shortest package that fits into

Had that basic set up in a 4500# dry rig that was easily a foot too high as buffeting from passing rigs affected it.

After 11 years of misery towing, got a bigger truck AND traded that for similar floor plan but 3500# dry and a foot less high, still plenty tall.

All in a 23' package.

You won't have need for the memorial anvil collection or those large boxes of unused trinkets on the road either.

RV can be as luxurious or as frugal basic as you choose.

It's fun redefining and learning what you really want/need.

RV.net has tons of experienced folks talking about their gear.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

We just bought our second trailer and are headed out for a serious trip shortly. Buy used, they are practically giving them away - about 50 cents on the dollar vs new. CraigsList was a great resource for us both buying and selling. Get more truck than you think you will need. Anything over 4K lbs dry requires a 3/4 ton truck. I have a Leer shell on the back of my pickup and it works very well for securely storing gear, especially the heavy stuff (beer, ammunition, golf clubs, firewood etc.), which can be placed forward of the rear wheels. We went for the nicest smaller trailer (Fleetwood), that met our needs. At 18' it has everything we need and nothing we don't and 3600 lbs dry makes it doable with the big V-8 F-150. We opted for a smaller bed, bigger than a double - smaller than a queen, without a walk around as this gives us more usable space. A good kitchen with a dinette that seats four is a plus and will keep you out of restaurants. Make sure your frig/freezer runs on propane (you want dual tanks and dual batteries), as well as AC We spend most of our time outside so the built in awning is another plus. Central heat and air were high on our list as well. Happy hunting and good luck.

Obvious stuff, make sure you get a good reliable rental agent to handle your property.

Make sure you understand the costs of living in a trailer park at your destination, and make sure you know the reputation of that location, check police reports, et al.
Check the finances of the trailer park. You do not want to find out when the water stops and the electric goes off, that the owner has abandoned the property and left the renters holding the bag.

Geoff
Who has VERY limited experience in this area.

I my business, we are somewhat transient. Most of the crew that work for me live out of 5th wheels. Basically they are in the trailer for years at a time and drive home on break maybe every couple three months.

The key things I see from trailers that get used every day, for years straight is don't buy cheap. Cheap trailers and parts break. Quality costs money and it is easy to think you can get by cheaply and regret it.

Are you going north? then you need a winterized one or an arctic rated ones. One of my guys lived through two winters in Rawlins, WY and was happy that he had an arctic unit.

I could go on for pages, but the key is quality. Brands that my guys seem to like are Aero, Cari-lite (misspelled I am sure) and Yukon.

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SWCA 1646

Look at 4-season units. Ask the dealer if it has insulated windows and doors, extra insulation in the walls, some call it an "artic package" which should include insulated and heated holding tanks. I could also go for pages.

Go to as many dealers and rv shows as are remotely possible, and look at every rv in the place.

Don't go the cheap route, it is too expensive.

Fivers can be built as full-time models, or temporary camping units. You will be happier with a full-time unit, although it will be heavier. It will be the one with 4-season usefulness.

When I have time, I will try to pm you with some things we have found helpful. It is a great way of life.

The Highlander

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I hope I copied that right

The best advice I can think of is to first rent a travel trailer before you buy one. Google trailer rentals for prices and related info. Live in it for a week and see how comfortable you are with things. You may not like full-time trailer life and if that's the case you won't have spent the big bucks buying something you don't like.

Also, if you are planning to use your purchase in retirement for camping, you may find that dragging around a 5th wheel trailer is not ideal and a smaller RV is much more suitable, depending on your particular style of camping and destinations.

A good site for all things RV is RV.net

I just sold my parents class A motorhome a while back. Buying or selling a used one can be quite an experience.

Buy used but have it inspected if possible.

And try to buy in the off season.

I agree with CJ. Rent one first.

Several years ago the wife and I had plans to get a Class A Motorhome and live in it a few years after we retired.

So we took a month off and rented a 36 foot Diesel Pusher, and we pulled my SUV behind us.

We drove from Texas to New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington [state], Montana [did a black bear hunt while we were there], the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and then back to Texas.

We LOVED IT. We had a great time. In fact our first night back at the house we slept in the Motor Home...

However, right when we retired fuel prices went through the window.

Luckly a buddy bought a Cabin in Idaho we can use so we bought a place in the country...

If you will be doing a lot of traveling a Motor Home is really nice.

However if you are going to stay in one place for a long time, then a 5th Wheel has a lot to recommend it.

IMO, a 5th wheel pulls much easier and is easier for new towers to learn with than a bumper pull.

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Front sight and squeeze

You are correct.

I'd also point out that trying a travel trailer isn't a bad idea, just be aware that they and fifth-wheels really don't have a lot in common other than the functions of a kitchen, bath, water heater, etc. The fiver will typically be much roomier, have a higher ceiling, more storage, larger holding tanks, maybe a generator, most now have washer/dryer hookups, etc. Very few travel trailers compare, and the ones that do are nearly as big as a fiver, and are actually harder to tow.

Also, I'm unaware of any travel trailers that are built for 4-season occupancy. You will get very cold in any camper not so rated if you use it in the middle of the winter. Yes, you can do it, but you will not like it.

Fivers and motorhomes, including bus conversions, are really your only options for full-timing. Although I'm sure someone will pop-up and say they have lived for three years in a 22' travel trailer, I assure you, they are greatly in the minority!

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I hope I copied that right

think 5er used for your situation

I appreciate all the responses so far. I would like to add a little more information/questions.
•We plan to buy used or last season blow-outs because it makes super sense to save lots of money
•We have an F-350 truck, so I don’t think we will have towing problems
•We hope that the military post we move to has a RV campground. Most of the time you can get an exception to policy to stay long term.
•We will definitely have to have an “Arctic” version. We live in central Washington and who knows what the weather will be at the military post we end up short-term. Later we plan to use the RV for lots of spring and fall camping in the NW state parks and Canada etc, so we have to stay warm.
•We have gone to our local RV dealer and looked around. They sell a lot of Jayco there. Looks like there is a show in Seattle in February 2011, so we will have to hit that.
•Does anyone have or know about Evergreen Everlite’s? Evergreen Recreational Vehicles - Manufacturer of Green Eco-Friendly Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels I saw this brand on a TV show and they seem fairly nice and are eco-friendly, but they are a very new company.
•We do plan to rent to try one out. It recently crossed my mind after The Highlanders response (and after looking at what seems like a thousand RVs online) that I may want a w/d hook-up. Never thought of it. Then the idea of a toy hauler came to mind. We could use it as a porch-utility area.
•The hubby has loads of truck pulling stuff experience, so I am not worried about his abilities to do so. He is set on a 5er and easy towing may be the idea, but I think it is more room he is after.
•So far I see few names. Fleetwood, Aero, Cari-lite and Yukon are listed and the only one I’ve seen of that group is Fleetwood. It amazes me that so many manufactures can stay afloat. Like everything else, are there maybe three big manufactures that make under lots of different names?
•We are spending a lot of time on RV.net and several others but it seems to be making more questions than answers. After we rent, I am sure a lot of our questions will be answered. It may be wise to stick with a brand our local dealer carries for service etc… If that is the case, then Jayco may be our choice.
Thanks again for all the help. You guys are my invaluable forum info buddies!

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Deek

hey fleetwood only makes motorhomes now . washer dryer would be a plus for your use

Try to rent one first. Plan yours out after renting. You will find likes and dislikes; list them. Would you like front or rear bedroom. I personally like rear bedroom with front living room. Less road noise in bedroom. Who wants a rear living room to look out at another trailers bedroom in most parks...

If you buy new give TL Industry a call 574-264-3127
You can save a lot of money buying dirrect through them.
They are located in Elkhart In. where most trailers are made.

I bought my 39' Park Modle new in 2003 for $12,000 when comparable units were in the mid $20's. A lot of people own them at my RV park.

Good Luck... They also deliver on site.

We bought a new big bumper pull 2 years ago, sales due to the economt were rock bottom and we bought it at about 60% of the asking price. I use the truck to haul 4 wheelers etc. We plan on living in it for a year or 2 when we are close to retiring. Sell our current home and build a new home one the farm. I have one fear, big gun safe and lots of contents...... We do not have a washer dryer set up. It was an over sight. It is a 4 season, we been very comfortable in some very cold hunts in Nov and Dec.

I think you are on the right path doing some research and asking questions. There are many people who do full time rv because of employment and/or pleasure.

Try some of the many dedicated web sites such as:

Full Time RVer


look at used models and have them checked out for problems

popular sizes start at 32' and up to 40'; be aware of total tow length

see an example below

2003 Montana 32' 5th Wheel Trailer - 3 slideouts