RV Living in IOWA

[MAshley]

I think I may be crazy, but I have a job offer to work in IOWA for basically as long as I like. I’m figuring I may be out there for about 2 years, Renting is an option but I really hate throwing $$ away to never see it again… So I was thinking maybe getting a 5th wheel, I have the truck for it 06 Dully not to mention it would be parked so that’s not really the issue.



So my question other than if I’m crazy . . Does anyone know of a 5th wheel trailer that can withstand the COLD and Heat of Iowa, and the snow that will ultimately fall? Anybody living in the midwest with some insight they could share?

 

[DAN V]

Excel by peterson industries

EXCEL are made for the cold. I believe they are made to withstand -20*. There are some used ones out there. You just have to look online.

 

[GAmes]

There are several 4 season trailer brands that will withstand the winters. Holiday Rambler and McKenzie come to mind. None of them will be insulated like a house so the heater or A/C will get a workout. There are tricks to wintering in an RV but it can be done. RV. Net has some good forums. 5ers depreciate worse than boats, so find one two or three years old will save you a lot of cash. A year ago they could be picked up for a song, but now not so much but there are still some out there.

 

[HBarlow]

Your idea would not be crazy at all. I think the same way. I always prefer to buy and use a quality product then resell it later over renting. And, I happen to love the RV lifestyle.

I spent almost three years living away from home as an RV transporter operating out of Indiana or Oregon. I owned a Travel Supreme fifth wheel purchased used that I used as my home away from home. I lived in it the entire time I was transporting. It was very comfortable in the 0* overnight temperatures common in northeastern IN winters.

I winterized the exterior plumbing. had a local propane dealer set up a large home style LPG tank at my site, and in extreme weather I used an inexpensive ($20) electric utility space heater from Wal-Mart in each end of the trailer to assist the LPG furnace and closed the heavy drapes to keep the heat in and cold out. I never had a single problem with it and thorougly enjoyed it. When I "retired" from transporting I sold the Travel Supreme for what I had paid for it five or six years earlier.

A large, heavy older used Travel Supreme, Teton, or Newmar fifth wheel is too large and too heavy for routine weekending and vacationing unless the owner has a MDT to tow it so they are harder to sell. You can tow one with your truck to locate it as a home away from home. The big fifth wheels can be purchased at very attractive prices and are designed for full-time living in all weather conditions. Be careful selecting the brand. Few trailers are truly of the build quality of the brands I mentioned.

 

[Barry]

Listen to Uncle Harvey, he speaks words of truth!!

When buying NEW, in 3 years, someone will buy the unit from the dealer that it was traded into or the bank that repoed it for 50 cents on the dollar of what it sold for new... ... ... ... ... . I see it everyday.

I have always advocated buying a high quality, first line, premium unit that is several years old rather than a brand new rat box. I would rather have a 3 year old Lexus than have a brand new Kia.

Coaches that are built for "Full Timing" will have upgraded furniture, appliances and fabrics. They will stand the test of time. Lower end models designed to be used 30 to 45 days of camping per year... ... ... ... when lived in full time will come apart like a dollar and a half suit case.

When buying for my dealers, some of the many things we look for is; No kids, pets or smoke. Cat urine is the worst. When I walk in the unit, I can tell you immediately what or who has been in there.

On the other hand, I looked at an '06 Alfa Gold for one of my dealers last month that was trashed... ... ... ... ... but he bought it for $12K... ..... ran it thru his shop spending $5k and will get $25K.

Snowbirds by Nuwa are getting a little long in the tooth by now, but they were an excellent unit designed for full time living.

Uncle Harvey is correct, as usual, if you can find a BIG 38' to 40' unit, you can buy it cheaper than a 34' or 36' unit. With a one ton, you can move it empty without much problem. But once Momma has loaded it up and nested, it will take an MTD to safely haul it.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask. We are here to help each other.

Opinions are like belly buttons, most folks have one!!

 

[Barry]

One more thing, if you rent and someone moves into the apartment next to you that is a pain in the neck... ... ... ..... it is a little hard to move.

But in an RV, hook up and go!!... ... ... ... . it's YOUR house. You are just renting the dirt!!

I think you are on the right track!

mi dos centavos!

 

[Grizzly]

If you can find a used New Horizon, grab it. They are the best quality 5th wheel made and the only 5 star rated. They have one of the best Comfort Zone in the industry (range in temperature). I looked for one all over the country before I purchased my Arctic Fox. Only draw back is that they are a little spendy, however a used one will hold there value better.



george

 

[MAshley]

WOW you Guys ROCK, Thanks for the positive feedback. One item Im wondering about . . SNOW is it an issue? Do I need to get on top of the unit and clear it off? Or will the wind, and heat from inside take care of it?

 

[GAmes]

RVs on dealers lots get the same amount of snow on their roofs as one in an RV park, I wouldn't worry about it. Since yours will be heated it will melt off faster than an empty unit. I may get some heat for this, but I recommend you get slide out covers. Snow melting on the roof of a slide out could possibly leak around the seals. I also found with mine that I could retract the slides and all the snow would fall to the ground as they retracted. They also keep leaves and other debris off the slide.

 

[Grizzly]

RVs on dealers lots get the same amount of snow on their roofs as one in an RV park, I wouldn't worry about it. Since yours will be heated it will melt off faster than an empty unit. I may get some heat for this, but I recommend you get slide out covers. Snow melting on the roof of a slide out could possibly leak around the seals. I also found with mine that I could retract the slides and all the snow would fall to the ground as they retracted. They also keep leaves and other debris off the slide.

I agree with you on the slideout awnings. I paid for that option when I ordered my Arctic Fox. Well worth the extra money.

 

[HBarlow]

I don't disagree with you guys about installing slide out covers but MAshley won't have any need for them. He is talking about pulling a trailer twice. Once to Iowa to set it up and one more time in two or more years when he finishes the job he is going for. Climbing up on the trailer with a broom would be a cheaper and more practical solution.

 

[HBarlow]

MAshley,

I didn't know Barry (TDR member above) in 2003 when I was looking for a large used fifth wheel (bought a Travel Supreme) or I would have contacted him then.

Assuming you are serious about looking for a full time fifth wheel for use as you described I would pm Barry and tell him how much money you want to spend and ask him to find what you want. He is in the business of buying and selling used trailers and probably knows them as well as anyone in the industry.

 

[BrianJ]

I don't disagree with you guys about installing slide out covers but MAshley won't have any need for them. He is talking about pulling a trailer twice. Once to Iowa to set it up and one more time in two or more years when he finishes the job he is going for. Climbing up on the trailer with a broom would be a cheaper and more practical solution.

I can't say that I agree with this one. Seems to me it would be more practicle to have the slide out awnings/covers on a rig that is going to be parked long term with the slides outs in continual use, rather than a weekend warrior rig where they are just out on the occassional camping trip. I don't know how much snow IA gets, but living in Colorado, the last thing I would want to do every time it snows is pull out the ladder and clear off the slide outs. Also, it doesn't sound like a very good or safe idea to climb up a potentially icy RV ladder and walk around a potentially icy RV rooftop to clear them off.



No offense meant here, it just seems that a full time type rig is where the awnings/covers would be more practicle.

 

[Grizzly]

I don't disagree with you guys about installing slide out covers but MAshley won't have any need for them. He is talking about pulling a trailer twice. Once to Iowa to set it up and one more time in two or more years when he finishes the job he is going for. Climbing up on the trailer with a broom would be a cheaper and more practical solution.

I don't agree with you on MAshley not having a need for the awning toppers. The awning toppers acts a barrier with cold and hot temperatures in addition to keeping the leaves and twigs out of the seals. When ordering a new 5th wheel the awnings are relatively inexpensive. I paid $405 for two toppers when I ordered my AF. I see some 5th wheels and motorhomes with an 8' step ladder strapped to the RV ladder, which I think is ridicules. To each his own, but I'm happy with my awning toppers whether I use the 5er for three months or a weekend.

 

[Barry]

More times than not, the larger high end units are going to have rollers over the slide outs. They are as handy as pockets on a shirt.



Uncle Harvey, lets rethink this. It is 22 degrees. Wind blowing. there is 6 to 8 inches of snow on top the camper, anyone that wants to volunteer to climb on top with a broom... ... ... ... ... ... raise your hand.



But then again, us Florida folks live a sheltered life. Oo.

 

[Grizzly]

In addition, The tops of slideouts are never as well insulated as the roof of the RV. Even the fulltime more expensive 4 star rated units. The awning topper does keep the sun rays off the slideout top in the summer. It supposedly helps in the winter by keeping the cold out, but I'm not as convinced of that. On the other hand if you have 6" of snow on top of the slideout, it will make the inside colder.



Barry, my grandmother always use to say that there was nothing handier than a pocket.



george

 

[Barry]

The first hints I am getting old... ... ... .

1) The little high school cashier at the Golden Trough gave me the senior discount without asking... ... ... .....

2) The sweet little cashier at Home Depot asked if I needed any help loading that 4x8 sheet of plywood... ... ... ... .....

3) Someone's grandmother and I are using the same phrase... ... ... ...

Hope to get the 200K badge for my truck this year(189K)... ... ... ... ... ... God only knows how many miles are on my body.

But it has been a wonderful ride. Oo.

 

[HBarlow]

I can't say that I agree with this one. Seems to me it would be more practicle to have the slide out awnings/covers on a rig that is going to be parked long term with the slides outs in continual use, rather than a weekend warrior rig where they are just out on the occassional camping trip. I don't know how much snow IA gets, but living in Colorado, the last thing I would want to do every time it snows is pull out the ladder and clear off the slide outs. Also, it doesn't sound like a very good or safe idea to climb up a potentially icy RV ladder and walk around a potentially icy RV rooftop to clear them off.

No offense meant here, it just seems that a full time type rig is where the awnings/covers would be more practicle.

Your position makes sense but the OP is not very likely to be moving his trailer when the job is completed if the trailer and ground are covered with snow and ice.

When you guys have had those slide awnings rolled out and flapping violently during high winds or exposed in the sun and wind for a few years and they fall apart as many I have seen have done you may not be as proud of them.

Snow is actually an insulator when it builds up on top of the slide. Why remove it after every snow?

NuWa, HitchHiker manufacturer, strongly recommends against owners using them and does not offer them as an option.

 

[NIsaacs]

A canopy, like a carport only taller, might be another option.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

The first hints I am getting old... ... ... .

1) The little high school cashier at the Golden Trough gave me the senior discount without asking... ... ... .....

2) The sweet little cashier at Home Depot asked if I needed any help loading that 4x8 sheet of plywood... ... ... ... .....

3) Someone's grandmother and I are using the same phrase... ... ... ...

Hope to get the 200K badge for my truck this year(189K)... ... ... ... ... ... God only knows how many miles are on my body.

But it has been a wonderful ride. Oo.

I can relate to your story.

Last weekend a friend and I took a long motorcycle ride up through the backroads including Texas Farm Road 207 which runs through the dramatic scenery of Tule Canyon and a section of the east end of Palo Duro Canyon and eventually ended up in a restaurant in Amarillo for dinner. It was a pay on entry buffet. My riding partner is a retired police patrol sergeant who is about 62. It was my turn and I paid. The next morning I emptied my denim pockets and noticed the meal receipt. The cashier charged the meal as one adult buffet (him) and one senior buffet (could have only been me). She had a good eye.

I wish now I had bothered to show proof and request the 200k and 300k mileage plates for my '01 Ram and the 100k and 200k for my '06 Ram when I was driving them. I thoroughly enjoyed the frantic pace of 600+ miles per day, every day, when I was transporting but eventually got tired.

Like Barry said, it's been a wonderful ride. I'm still enjoying life and doing most of the things I want to do but I can tell I'm getting old.

Oh well, you can't get out of this life alive. Some old country singer/songwriter (Hank Williams?) said so in a song long ago.