donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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I just re-read you original post. You are traveling alone, correct? Have you considered how you will back up a fifth wheel trailer into a camp site with no help? Most of the State and National Forest camp grounds are back sites, in and many you will find it very tight to maneuver around obstacles. For your budget you might consider instead a used Motor Home and pull a small car for the daily driving around. Please don't get me wrong, I would love for you to come to the USA and spend your retirement money, however being single it just might make more sense to have something like a motor home.
Donn
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bearsnob
Oregon
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Joined: 03/04/2004
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Its not impossible to back into a site without a traveling partner. I've done it and I'm not especially skilled at it. Truckers and ex-truckers do it all the time and with ease. For me, I have to get out of the rig a few extra times, but eventually I get 'er done. On tricky spots, you can just recruit someone to help from the onlookers. I've done that too and have had good luck finding someone who is more skilled than I at backing. If anything, it has been a great way to pick up some on-the-job training.
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Chase_Fair
Anchorage, Alaska
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Joined: 04/22/2002
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I would like to suggest the Artic fox since you will be staying in cold climates at times. they are wel insulated and built for colder climates with heated tanks. this doesn't make them freeze proof but In my opinion it would be easier to keep freezing from happening
Chase Fair
2002 Ford F-150 7700 Payload Package B w/ Husky 16K hitch
2002 Prowler Lynx 29.5ft UltraLight w/ super slide 5th wheel
Anchorage, Alaska
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swisscamper
Switzerland
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Joined: 03/10/2008
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Thank you for all your quotes so far. I learned that a 1 ton truck will be a better decision, to give me more options on the trailer. Arctic Fox 5th seems to be popular when using in cold areas. Around 28 feet should do for me. More inputs about a brand of 5th are very much appreciated. Regards
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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look here
http://www.northwoodmfg.com/
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richfaa
Ohio
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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A word about cold weather camping.These are "Recreational Vehicles" They are not intended to be lived in full time or to be lived in in extremely cold weather. now many folks do both but not without many self modifications. The terms. Artic Package" and "all season units" are marketing terms and mean little. Artic Fox is a fine Rv and better than others for cold weather living. Take one of these things any brand in extremely cold weather and you will freeze and will not be able to buy enough propane to stay warm.
06 Montana 3400. 08 Ford F-350 6.4L
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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richfaa wrote:A word about cold weather camping.These are "Recreational Vehicles" They are not intended to be lived in full time or to be lived in in extremely cold weather. now many folks do both but not without many self modifications. The terms. Artic Package" and "all season units" are marketing terms and mean little. Artic Fox is a fine Rv and better than others for cold weather living. Take one of these things any brand in extremely cold weather and you will freeze and will not be able to buy enough propane to stay warm.
AMEN Brother!
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bearsnob
Oregon
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richfaa wrote:Take one of these things any brand in extremely cold weather and you will freeze and will not be able to buy enough propane to stay warm.
This is, at the very least, a huge exaggeration. I wonder how cold is "extremely cold?" I've been down to -22 F and stayed toasty warm. Was able to buy enough propane--no problem. The OP states that he doesn't mind the cold. Lots of people live in their rigs year round and in very cold temps. There are some tricks to keeping from freezing, but its not all that complicated. I agree that you need a little more than the name "Artic Fox" on the side of your rig, but its not a whole lot more. If it gets down close to zero where I am now, the plumbers are working 24/7 because of frozen pipes in stick houses. Yet the people I know who are full-time RVers don't freeze up. The reason is because they know their rigs a lot better than those people know their stick houses. All that said, some rigs are more challenging in cold temps and the OP would do well to educate himself as to what to look for. Some brands like Artic Fox are a little ahead of the curve, so you're off to a good start with those brands. But most mid-level brands can be adapted to work well in extremely cold temps. At least that's my experience.
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jferrell
Granbury,Tx
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Joined: 09/04/2006
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George,
The GVW on a 1 ton is not worth the difference for the money,(But I like the Duramax,with the Allison tranny Cummins can't touch that )
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Snow Dog
Regina, SK Canada
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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swisscamper wrote:Dear RVers. I will appreciate all your inputs to my questions very much. Thank you in advance. I will start my fulltime RVing experience this fall. I decided to establish my residency in SD. Then I will travel to TX, or AZ to buy a Dodge Ram 2500 with a Cummins Diesel. After that, I will be looking for the right 5th to go with the truck and my needs. I am a single travelling with my dog. The 5th should have big bed, a spacious galley, maybe a slide out dinette, a comfortable place to read (captains chair?), Shower, Toilet. I intend to stay in cold areas some time, but I am comfortable even with low temperatures (I am a Swiss!). I will be boon docking most of the time, I think. I have looked at hundreds of 5th by now, but I did not figure out witch manufacturer, model or make will be the best. Luxury is not what I am looking for, but something I will feel comfortable to live a couple of years in. My budget for a 5th is around $15'000-20'000. A used one is absolutely OK. Thanks very much for your experience and ideas. George
Are you Swiss or an American abroad. If you are Swiss there are going to be some hoops to jump through to do as you are saying. First you may and will be limited to how long you will be allowed in the U.S. Also they will question the money you are going to use to buy your things. There is a thread of a person from the U.K. in which this topic was discussed in length. Good luck.
1998 Dodge 3500 dually turbo.
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1998 12' Porta-Bote with 5HP Nissan and Electric motors
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Years and years of experience to gain!!!
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