Advice needed on cheap RV for out of state work.

[moparguy]

I'm currently employed by a consulting firm and may take a out of state job for the summer. I'll receive per diem of $95 per day, so I could stay at a low end motel and eat at burger joints and survive.



I'm considering the economics of buying a used, bottom of the food chain fifth wheel camper and forgoing the motel option.



Just wondering if anyone has any input on what to buy, how much I can expect to pay for something that's a few years old, dependable and resale-able in case I decide not to do this beyond this summer.



Thanks, RJR

 

[Neeldsnuthouse]

Moparguy,



I do mainline pipeline work, and have stayed in motels eating at McD's for 6 years. Last June I found a 1993 30' Cobra TT (Travel Trailer). I love it. I would never think of staying in another motel. I had a 95 2500 with the V-10 gas guzzler all last year but it was still worth it to get 6 MPG just to have a little place to call home on the road. I would suggest lookin at ebay or your local classified pages. You'll never look back at motels again. The best part is that I paid what I would've spent in motels all last season, and ended up havin it paid for in a year. This year the majority of per dium goes into my pocket. Or maybe BOMBS ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... If I can hide it from the warden,



I mean wife, whoops!! lol

 

[rkelso98]

Too bad you live so far away, I need to sell my 26'TT (2001) so I can have a place to put my new 5ver. I kept it in better shape than when I got it. Debated getting rid of it (I used it for family or personal trips - 10 days in Oskosh for EAA airshow for example). Just don't have room to keep it plus it will help pay down the 5ver. ;-) 25-30' is great for a small family and fantastic for 1 or 2 IMHO. Remember over 30' can't get in to some state campgounds though that is changing.

 

[y-knot]

We have several large RV dealers in the area and they always have one or two new 24' travel trailers advertised for 8999. 00, they are new and look very nice for the price.

 

[Tony T.]

Moparguy: swing on down here to Texas an I'll fix you up on a clean TT, see sig for details. An Neeldsnuthouse I know you stole that phrase "warden" from me I've been referring that phrase to my wife for years. :-laf

 

[Partyat33]

A little searching will reveal there are TONS of used RV's out there. Many in good shape and at a decent cost. Many people buy them and use them 3 or 4 time and they want to DUMP them.







Dennis

 

[BV]

Do a quick search on www.rvtraderonline.com or www.rvtrader.com as see what you come up with.



Have you considered all the costs like fuel to pull it and space rent?

 

[wmorden]

Moparguy,



Check out the IRV2.com site, forum section, subtopic:workkamping. That forum specifically addresses people working remote from home living in RVs. You may be able to pick up some good tips there. Good luck!

 

[moparguy]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm currently driving 75 miles one way, most everyday, so I'm aware of the fuel cost. Diesel is 1. 659 locally.



However as Neeldsnuthouse pointed out, having a little place to call home is nice. I've done the move in on Monday, move out on Friday (many years ago) routine and it gets old fast.



RJR

 

[Jlobaugh]

You have a good idea, I have been doing it for the past five years. I live in East Texas and work in Louisiana and the trailer goes with me. It was the easiest way for me to justify the trailer . Benifits are that most of the time you don't have to put up with noisy neighbors,the bathroom is yours and the bed is your . Most of them you and fix your meals in and the have refers in them so you don't always eat out.



Like someone else alreday said it is nice to have a little piece of home . Also before you commit to doing this check with your tax man and find out the tax benifits of doing this.



Good luck and go for !



I thinks me sinus medicine has got to my fingers

 

[Forrest]

The 5'er is a great idea. I know someone that did the RV thing in Las Vegas. He did all the numbers & it came out to take the RV. However, he already had it.



Campin out is just plain fun. It's just not fun taking your lawn chair & sittin outside a motel. Ye ol' gas barbecue ... cold ones ... can we leave now?

 

[clem]

Have you tried RV NET.com? Other than that Thor builds the Duchman that has to be the cheapest RV made for low cost RVS

 

[Peter Campbell]

On e-bay there is an old gooseneck or fifith wheel RV for sale. Search under "gooseneck" it is pretty cheap now. Do some more research about old RV's before you bid. It could be buying a nightmare that ends up costing you more than a trip to a high markup dealer for a new one. On edit here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2476920747&category=50063 It looks like a deal? Depends on what a 30 yr old RV can hide!