I started out looking for a TT and learned a lot about the need for a safe trailer/tow vehicle combination. What you can safely tow with your van is going to be determined by its towing capacity and hitch setup, and the length of the trailer is limited by its wheelbase and the wheelbase of your van. A bad combination is more likely to flip over, not just the trailer, but the van as well.
Probably the best investment I made was reading "How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV" by JD Gallant. He doesn't recommend particular RV's in this book, but he gives excellent advice on how to evaluate what you can safely tow with the vehicle you have, and what defects to look for when inspecting an RV.
Reading this book will get you on the right track and help you find what you are looking for. I bought miy copy on Amazon and am so glad I did. The gorgeous 5th wheel I initially fell in love with had some serious defects I didn't even know to look for until I read this book.
There are a lot of people that live in ( either full-time or part-time) many types of RV's. You should do just as you stated in the oriinal post, get what you can afford, what fits YOU and have fun.
Our '94 carri-lite fifth wheel is a little large, but it was used, at a great price and we love it! Yes, there is maintenance work - even on the new ones - but if you're anywhere close to "handy" with a couple minor tools, this sites membership will be able to help you out there, too.
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Call Marci Neece at Lakeshore-RV.com She assisted us with finding an ultra lite Keystone Cougar makes a nice ultra lite and are affordable at Lakeshore-RV the are located in Michigan. It is worth looking at their website.
Good luck Cherokee Ultra lites are also cheap and nice made by Forest River.
1997 GMC Yukon, Firestone Airbags,K&N Intake,Flowmaster,Tekonsha P3, Hensley Arrow,Mckesh Mirrors,VR3 Rearview Camera.
2009 Cougar 29BHS X-Lite,Kippor 3000W Generator(quiet as a Honda but cheaper).
Twin Girls who hate hotels....
There are a lot of nice TT out there - At a dealer next to my office there is a 30 foot Montana Mountaeer 2006 for $21,000 - it looks brand new - barely used -- imagine you could get the price donw - they also have a 27 foot Montana trailer - it is in Carthage MO www.midamericarv.com - there are pictures on the website
In 2002 we bought a used 20 ft little travel trailer for $6000, bought an ac for it, went on a few trips, but found that after 4 days in the rain that we needed a slightly larger unit to full-time in. It was just us two plus a german shepherd, and now have a 28 ft alpenlite aspen which works for us. Our dog is no longer with us, and so have more room for us two, when shopping we do wish we had shut the bathroom door on this unit, it is a little snug, so I hung a window panel in the hallway for more room when showering, etc. in the bathroom.
Paid $23,000 for it new, and have used TLC in upkeeping it. Put a lot of miles on it from the west coast to the east coast, plus the nw and now are heading south, then east, then north to VA again. We still like the size. For us it was a floorplan which worked, plus it is not an off-road unit which means it has 2 less steps to allow me better flexibility on my bad leg days.
Would not hesitate now to buy used, but need to look at floorplan as others have said, also I am short therefore the cupboard heights was important to me. We looked around for about 8 months before finding something which both of us liked. Check out batteries, how easy it is to hook up to utilities, etc., and does it have enough closets for you, do you want a walk around bed, where do you want the tv. If I were to do this again, I would take a video camera around while shopping, just to remember which unit had what.
We are traveling down the Road "Side by Side"
2004 Alpenlite TT 28RL
2008 Suburban 2500 Lt
Home Base: Tri-Cities WA - USA
Please realize that no matter how "saintly" your wife is, two people living in 300 SQ FT is at best trying, and at worst could be downright war. I totally understand your desire to travel and not have to worry about the cost of an expensive RV or large tow vehicle. But remember how much space it takes to be comfortable. As an example, try stuffing all the clothes you need for a month into one bedroom. Now, take the TV (15 inch of course) two chairs and the bed all stuffed in there. Now add a small apartment refer and a porta pot and a camp stove. Try living like that for a month with out killing each other. The reasons people buy large RV's is for the space and comfort they afford. Believe me, I am not trying to discourage you, I am really trying to get you to understand that weekend camping in a trailer is not the same as living in the same trailer for months at a time. My suggestion is to buy a bit larger and therefore more roomy trailer, whether it is a TT or a fiver makes no difference, get a larger tow vehicle and then make your escape plans. Personally nothing less than 30 feet. Even with slides that is still going to be less than 300 SQ FT of space for the two of you.
Quote: As an example, try stuffing all the clothes you need for a month
Not so...you do wash clothes, don't you? How about clothes for 10 days?
We survived (each) with 10 tees, ten sets of underwear, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 shorts, 2 long sleeve shirts,1 sweatshirt, one jacket, 2 caps, one stocking cap, one set of gloves and a rain suit for over 2 months. Did laundry once a week.
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
HAM WB6N (Terry)
2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
2003 Freightliner FL60
Life Member Good Sam
Escapees
Geocache..."RVcachers" RV net Blog
For us the trailer is a place to cook and sleep. Most of the cooking we do outside, so mostly sleeping. Open the door and think of the great outdoors as your living room. We spend very little time inside the rv.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
Quote: As an example, try stuffing all the clothes you need for a month
Not so...you do wash clothes, don't you? How about clothes for 10 days?
We survived (each) with 10 tees, ten sets of underwear, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 shorts, 2 long sleeve shirts,1 sweatshirt, one jacket, 2 caps, one stocking cap, one set of gloves and a rain suit for over 2 months. Did laundry once a week.
Remember these folks are looking for an ultralite. There is no room for a washer/dryer, so a laundrymat will have to suffice. And depending on where they are one of those could be hard to find in good working order. Maybe I exaggerated a bit on the months worth of clothes, but no matter how few clothes you can "get by with" dirty clothes still pile up.
For the other posters that suggested that "the great outdoors is their living room". Again, please remember that there can and will be times when you wake up in the morning and ther is either 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground, or it is 36 degrees and raining hard outside. Times like that you will be stuck inside that 300 SQ FT box sometimes for days until you decide to move on. That was my point! IF you cannot live comfortably inside for a week, then it is too small for full timing.JMHO!
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