Opinions Sought from Full-Timers

[RUSSELL5000]

I have been thinking and studying up on what is required to go full-time.

One obvious requirement is truck and trailer. Truck is simple (Ram dually with Cummins/Aisin fits the bill just fine); trailer is more complicated. I know that I want a trailer large enough to carry stuff along for some comfort, but not so large that it will be limited on public lands (state parks, national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) – I know I want to spend significant time on public lands.

Seems to me there are three general approaches:

(1) Purchase a new trailer from a high-end manufacturer; an example is Airstream or Mobile Suites by DRV. Included in this category would be the custom manufacturers like Spacecraft. The only drawback I have identified with buying from a high-end manufacturer is the cost – lots of money for a new trailer.

(2) Purchase a used trailer from a high-end manufacturer and do any required repairs and replace items that wear. “Wear items” would be tires, brakes, interior floor coverings, perhaps the roof membrane, etc. I see two drawbacks to this approach: (1) it will take significant time to find a unit that meets my particular wants and needs that has been well taken care of, and (2) it will require an investment of money to repair/replace items as well as an investment of time to repair/replace (as I expect to do some proportion of the work myself). The advantage of this approach seems to me to be significant cost savings.

Do you think it possible to find good quality used units from high-end manufacturers? I see many ads on rvtrader.com – just don’t know whether they are of any substance.

Do you think there will be any problem in finding quality shops to do the required repair work?

Do you think there is enough years of useful life in trailers from high-end manufacturers to make such an approach realistic?

(3) Purchase, either a new or one/two year old used, trailer from a mid-range manufacturer (e.g., Arctic Fox). Do any required enhancements (e.g., upgraded tires) and keep the trailer for four or five years. It looks to me like you may be able to buy two mid-range trailers for the cost of a high-end trailer. I just don’t know how long one may expect either type of trailer to last, so I am not sure whether this approach costs more or less.

I expect that I will properly maintain any trailer. I am starting to think that what I want to do is search diligently until I can find a three year-old to five year-old high-end trailer that has been maintained well and is reasonably close to what I want.

What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I'm not a full timer but I do spend about 7 months a year living in a RV. A good place to find or buy a new or used high end RV is this link.
http://www.kansasrvcenter.com/
This is the original HitchHiker factory and is a very reputable place. I have dealt with them numerous times to answer questions and get parts for my HitchHiker.

 

[DAN V]

I would prefer to go with an AF (artic fox). They are very well built and made for 4 seasons.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Dieselnerd,

Thanks for pointing me to the Kansas RV Center website. Pretty much what I wanted to find.

 

[Wayne M.]

I've given plenty of thought on this, and wonder why full timers keep with a trailer/rig setup and not go with a coach or single unit? I see these big ticket toterhomes built on medium or cl8 trucks and just drool. We have one KW T300 as a heavy parts hauler. I LOVE the cab and PX6 (6.7 cums) power train. I often think about making a RV out of it, using a T300 as a start point.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I've given plenty of thought on this, and wonder why full timers keep with a trailer/rig setup and not go with a coach or single unit? I see these big ticket toterhomes built on medium or cl8 trucks and just drool. We have one KW T300 as a heavy parts hauler. I LOVE the cab and PX6 (6.7 cums) power train. I often think about making a RV out of it, using a T300 as a start point.

Wayne, mostly because you still need to tow a car behind you which means maintenance on 2 motor vehicles. I know several full timers that have switched from motorhome to trailer. The full timers often stay 2 or 3 months in one spot. If you move every week or two it's probably fine to have a MH. They end up making friends in RV Parks and forget about moving on and instead, move with the seasons. For that, hard to beat a trailer.

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks Dieselnerd.

 

[RustyJC]

Our daughter and son-in-law (he is a disabled Iraq war vet) full-time. When they started, they went the used full-time rig route. They found a 2011 DRV Mobile Suites at PPL Motorhomes in Houston, TX (probably the largest consignment RV dealer in the U.S.) in 2013 that had only been out on 3 trips. A couple bought it for traveling after retirement, but soon after he retired he had a heart attack and then a stroke and couldn't drive, so they were having to sell it through PPL. Of course, I have to admit that old Dad probably had some influence on their decision (see signature - we've had DRV Mobile Suites 5th wheels since 2004), but my daughter does have an independent streak - they tow it with a 2013 F-450.

Rusty

 

[RUSSELL5000]

The reason I have decided against a motorhome is cost and need to tow another vehicle. I envision staying a month or a season at a place.

Rusty, I just looked at the PPL site - definitely looks like a lot of possibilities. Thanks.

I think I need to make a list of what attributes a trailer should have.

 

[Cummins12V98]

W bought a good condition 07.5 MobileSuites in late 2011 fixed a few things to make it road ready and lived full time in it for 3.5 years until we moved into our 16 MS we factory ordered. Great way to get started and see what you like or dislike then down the road sell without taking a big hit and get the rig you really want. Worked for us!

 

[JDean]

Finding a full time rig that's short enough for older sate parks but long enough for all the stuff you would like is a trick. We started full timing in 2010 in a new 30 foot Excel (30RSO Limited). Five years later we had a better idea of what we wanted and new truck to pull it with but ultimately decided to remodel the Excel we were in. The trade off for us came down to a bigger kitchen with a residential refrigerator vs total trailer length. We decided to stay with the shorter length (and smaller kitchen) because there were just too many times we just squeaked the 30 foot rig (about 34 feet tip to tip with the bike rack) into a spot we wanted.
I decided to do the remodel myself and I think other than the bigger refrigerator we got most of what we wanted: all wood floors (new carpet on the slides because I couldn't figure out how else to transition from the slide to the main floor); MCD shades on all the windows; two new recliners (we went with Stressless); harmon/kardon receiver amp with JBL speakers/subwoofer; Sony blueray player. Otherwise it was new tires (cooper road master) and we're back on the road for (hopefully) another five years. Original equipment included hydraulic jacks and electic over hyadraulic disc brakes, which you'll want. We use Verizon for our Internet and Dish with a Wineguard auto seeking portable antenna for TV. The Dish contract is for RVers but you can probably get something similar from DirectTV. Our mailbox is Madison SD and both the truck and trailer are registered and insured in SD. We added a 50 amp whole house power monitor (Sure Guard) tha was installed by the Excel dealer when we took delivery. I would recommend it. Good luck on your adventure.
J Dean

 

[Wertles]

Russel

I'm not a full timer but have had multiple different setups from tent/pop up/trailer/fifth wheel/motor home. Don't count out the motor home option yet. There are many high quality used units out there for a good price. As for the towing aspect, you are already towing where ever you go with a fifth wheel and when you get to your destination for a month, you are driving a 2500/3500 diesel as a daily driver. We recently traded our fifth wheel in for the motor home. I held off a long time because I hated the idea of having to tow another vehicle. I can say, for me and my family, it was the best decision we have ever made. We tow a VW Jetta TDI (yes, one of those dirty diesels!) the ride to and from our destination is more comfortable in the motor home (lunch and bathroom breaks while driving, nap in the bed etc) and the driving around once I get to the destination is better in the Jetta than the truck, especially if we are touring cities. it takes me less time to hook up the car to the motor home than to hook up a fifth wheel.
I know this is a Ram truck site and we all love pulling stuff around with our trucks. I truly miss that part but when looking at the comfort of everyone else in my family, the benefits of the motor home far outweigh the fifth wheel.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

JDean,

Thanks. One aspect of this is that I think I would probably replace furniture, definitely mattress, etc., even if purchasing new. So may as well save some expense. It does seem that the approach of buying a used unit in good condition is a viable approach.

Wertles,

You make some points. I'll have to think on. I note that Cummins is quite popular from a review of ads for the Class A and Class C.

Thanks!

 

[Kirwin]

If you are only moving infrequently, you could always get another vehicle and use it instead of your truck for running around. That way you have two vehicles in necessary and you can keep the non-towing miles off your Ram. Of course you would have to have your wife drive it when your moving the camper, but that has advantages too. My $0.02. Ken Irwin

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Ken Irwin,

I am studying this issue of motorhome versus truck/trailer. I mentioned the idea of having a second vehicle - something like my Jeep Patriot - that would follow the truck/trailer. We have actually done this already when we have gone on shorter trips in the area.

My wife was lukewarm to the idea - not sure why.

She did say it had a positive side - it would allows allow her the option to take the next off-ramp and wave bye! :-laf

I did NOT point out that it would also allow me to ride in the truck with the dog by myself - a nice, quiet ride.

Thanks!

 

[Kirwin]

Ken Irwin,

I am studying this issue of motorhome versus truck/trailer. I mentioned the idea of having a second vehicle - something like my Jeep Patriot - that would follow the truck/trailer. We have actually done this already when we have gone on shorter trips in the area.

My wife was lukewarm to the idea - not sure why.

She did say it had a positive side - it would allows allow her the option to take the next off-ramp and wave bye! :-laf

I did NOT point out that it would also allow me to ride in the truck with the dog by myself - a nice, quiet ride.


Thanks!

Exactly! She can listen to her music at her volume level, and you can listen to your music at your volume level!! And of course you can set the A/C on deep freeze with out her complaining every 15 seconds!!! Lots of positives for me!!!!

Seriously though, I think that the extra vehicle will pay for itself in the long run just in saved miles on the tow vehicle.

 

[slowmover]

Went with a 1989-built Silver Streak (upmarket cousin to Airstream). The usual appliance and new floor changes will ensue. I see no reason to buy one of the plastic fantastics that are lucky to make it past ten years. Once water gets in past that separate roof -- and it will -- lifetime is too short to take the $$ loss. Buy it once, or, do it once by doing it right.

When I was a child my grandparents had a Streamline, and then my parents had their Silver Streak from the time I was in high school till my own son was in college. More than fifty years as a family with this trailer type. A ten year old one is still basically new, where the plastic boxes are on their last legs. I've too many years and photos that refute any idea that other than this type lasts long enough to be called anything but short term.

Get what you want, but if longevity and road performance is paramount, then the other types are a bad joke.

Fully independent suspension and antilock disc brakes should be at the top of the list for a full timer.