djgarcia
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Joined: 07/26/2002
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Hello Subnate,
Because you want to "full time" with your RV, I would suggest you get the longest RV your truck will handle without stressing your Tundra. i.e. going up mountains . When you are full timing, a small trailer can get real cramped with 2 adults and a dog especially when the weather is bad and you can't really sit outside. I am partial to 5th. wheels primary because of the living space arrangements, configurations, extra storage space available and the ease of loading, unloading and setting up.
Take a look at some of the Lance trailers. They offer a variety of smaller sized trailers. They offer a 16' trailer with a slide out!!
Enjoy what ever rig you end up with
Dick
djgarcia@earthlink.net
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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Airstream 25 ft. if you want something that will be nearly trouble free and have some resale value. Not prone to leak and no slide problems.
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outdoor duo
oak harbor, wa
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Joined: 06/20/2012
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I am retiring here in 4 months and have a travel trailer. We have used it for the past 3 years and have added modifications to suit us when we start full timing. Like you it will only be the DW, dog and myself. I have a '99 Prowler 29' and it took a while to find it. I concentrated on layout and storage, furniture can be moved/replaced. The walk around bed is what sold my wife on it. On another note, have you towed rv trailers, experience camping in rv trailers, are you mechanically/electrically inclined? You will definitely want some time with your trailer before you hit the road. This is to work out any bugs it may have, get experience with how it tows and if you both are even going to enjoy it. I hope you find one and we can swap sea stories on the road.
2011 DODGE 2500 CREW CAB
1999 27' FLTWOOD PROWLER
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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westend wrote:spadoctor wrote:check out the KZ Spree line....avail r38 insulation package and quality units with a 2 year warranty. I've got no reason to believe the Spree isn't a darn fine TT but the R38 insulation value is a little misleading.
KZ lists that value as:"•Radiant Technology, calculated reflective value of R38". I'm pretty sure this is about the reflective films used and not conductive R value. In order to insulate a space with extruded polystyrene or isocyanate foam to R38, the cavity would need to be filled to a dimension of 7"+. Using the typical RV expanded polystyrene foam, the cavities would need to be around 8"+. I don't know the dimensions of the Spree walls, floors, and roofs but I'm guessing they aren't that thick.
The Spree web site doesn't even mention using any foam insulation.
Also looking at their web site they show the standard insulation as R-7 batt insulation.
Then they list a option of reflective insulation to R-38. This is typical of the high R-values claimed for reflective insulation. But to get anywhere near those values you have to install reflective insulation in a manner not usually found in RVs.
Leaving a air space is necessary for reflective insulation to get the higher R-values. In RVs it is usually installed tight without a air space then you don't get a higher R-Value even if claimed.
The Reflectix brand is one of the more popular. Look at their web site and their installation instructions. You need a minimum of a 3/4" air space. Also the R-values change with which direction you are measuring, etc.
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BeckyIO
On the Road
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Joined: 07/21/2011
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I'm living and will later be truely on the road full-timing solo in a 17' molded fiberglass trailer, a Casita. It's not a four-season TT but I'll still be Kansas this fall until the end of Dec. for a workamping gig and temps will drop below freezing overnight. To keep warm I'll be using a catalytic or propane heater, and to keep the pipes from freezing I'll be wrapping them with heat tape and/or insulation materials. Like you were saying, in many people's minds it's not an ideal situation but it works just fine for me and I'm super excited about it.
I'm bringing this up only to show that it's possible to full-time in about anything. The big question you need to ask is what is going to be comfortable for you and your wife and dog as what is fine for me probably isn't the same for you.
My recommendation is to go out and look at as many TT's in the range your tow vehicle can pull as possible. Imagine yourself living in them and think about where your belongings will fit, etc. I'd personally go with a used one, because once you're on the road for a while you'll truely learn what you do and don't like in an RV and it's quite possible you'll want to trade it out for something different.
Either way you decide, best of luck and happy trails. Keep us posted on your progress.
Becky
If even 'the road less traveled' doesn't work for you, start creating your own
Lessons on the journey to full-time RVing (my blog): Interstellar Orchard
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pasusan
PA
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Joined: 05/13/2009
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After seeing this trailer at the RV show we think we could fulltime in it...
Kodiak Model 242RESL:
It feels like a cabin when you're inside it instead of the usual trailer feel.
27' 7" and 6600 lbs. GVWR
Trip Pics
"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." JB & GF
Susan & Ben ~
84 Bronco & 90 Award Classic 23 joined with a Hensley Cub
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GeoBoy
Northeast
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Joined: 04/15/2006
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Arctic Fox/ Nash have very nice floor plans in the 19" to 23" range. They are well built and are true 4 season TT's.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Suggest you go to the RV Consumer Group and read what their specifications are for a full time rig. More than you would expect and probably more than you want to pay for.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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subnate
Norfolk
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Joined: 03/31/2011
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pasusan wrote:After seeing this trailer at the RV show we think we could fulltime in it...
Kodiak Model 242RESL:
It feels like a cabin when you're inside it instead of the usual trailer feel.
27' 7" and 6600 lbs. GVWR
I've been trying to find this model to look at I did find a Koala 26ss that has a great couple lay out but the shorter length of that kodiak really appeals to me.
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rgolding
Southern Illinois
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Joined: 05/09/2010
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Subnate,
First of all, let me thank you for your service and also thank your wife. Secondly, you deserve to enjoy yourself. Let me point you toward a website -
www.everymileamemory.com
Cindy and Pat have done what you want to do, read their blog and all the other parts of their website.
Hang out here, read, read, read.
If you buy a Kodiak or any of the other Dutchmen/Thor Line join the Dutchmen Group. If you don't have a dealer check out the guys at Bourbon RV. I have no connection except to be a very satisfied customer.
Enjoy what your doing, you've earned it. 17 years in submarines, Wow!
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