LookN4Ward
Iowa
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Joined: 04/15/2008
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I've just started researching "becoming a snowbird". I've used google to gather a lot of information. This forum is the best source of past and recent experience. I've made no purchases or reservations, for that matter no conclusions. Texas and Arizona seem most appealing.
Right now the most concrete thoughts are to acquire a travel trailer in the 30 to 35 feet length range with 1 or 2 slide outs, put it in a 55+ rv resort, and leave it there unless we tire of the park or find it it not to our liking. Each fall we would drive to it. I don't want to invest money in a tow vehicle unnecessarily.
Is this idea realistic?
What should I budget annually for expenses for 4 months in the south? Annual dues are OK.
This November 08 I plan to visit the RGV, Hill Country, and Apache Junction areas to survey the terrain.
I have found prices for TT's to be more reasonable here in Des Moines than with Texas RV dealers web sites. An opinion on where to buy a travel trailer would be appreciated.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Instead of getting a travel trailer, I would take a look at some park model trailers. They have more room, residential style refrigerators and more residential type features. I think that they would fit your planned lifestyle well. If you plan on moving around then they would not be a good idea however. Many of the parks in the areas you are going to be going to will probably have new ones on site to look at/purchase.
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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Suggest you target a Park Model RV in the end (399 Sq Foot is the one standard size in AZ). Use your wheels OR rent a Park Model in first year to explore and shop for an existing park model all set up and ready for occupancy. Park models are appreciating in value in the Yuma area (right now, may be temporary), with the price of fuel and all.... Do not invest a lot of money in any wheeled vehicle or you may regret it, UNLESS the speculators who are driving up crude prices get nervous OR you have lots of money. IMHO
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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BarneyS wrote:Instead of getting a travel trailer, I would take a look at some park model trailers. They have more room, residential style refrigerators and more residential type features. I think that they would fit your planned lifestyle well. If you plan on moving around then they would not be a good idea however. Many of the parks in the areas you are going to be going to will probably have new ones on site to look at/purchase.
Barney
We must have been peckin the key board at the same time. When are we going to see a "Park Model" forum on RV.NET, after all they are considered to be an RV in Arizona.
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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We had a park model in Yuma for a number of years and it was more comfortable for long-term stays than was our MH. Ours had a laundry shed/shop and a nice screened deck. Besides, a lot of resorts won't allow you to leave your RV over summer. If it's in AZ, the summer heat will really take its toll on your RV.
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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mockturtle wrote:We had a park model in Yuma for a number of years and it was more comfortable for long-term stays than was our MH. Ours had a laundry shed/shop and a nice screened deck. Besides, a lot of resorts won't allow you to leave your RV over summer. If it's in AZ, the summer heat will really take its toll on your RV.
We are newbies to the Park Model thing. Are you saying the Summer heat will also take its toll on a Park Model which is built like a house but not being occupied (ie, no summer AC). We know from experience that a wheeled RV with slide outs will have their rubber seals sun rot. Also, we know about steps to take to prevent evaporation of plumbing traps and plenty of water jugs for maintaining some amount of humidity.
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samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
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We have had three Park Models in Yuma over the last 9 Years. Still have one.
They are very easy to rent out. The one I still have is a 1990 and still looks nearly new. I seal up the windows before leaving the last of March. Sit out 5 or 6 gallon jugs of water and put anti freeze in the sink traps etc. I had the roof sealed once in the last 9 years. I have it professionally cleaned yearly.
I would say rent your first year then decide what you would like to do
samsontdog 
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MichDoc
Michigan
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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I don't know if I would buy a park model and put it in an area that I've never been to before. You may be better off doing a little traveling first to check out areas you may be interested in. For example, we spent the first two years in Florida and didn't like it because it was too congested, and the RV parks are getting pretty expensive. Then we went to Texas, and liked a couple of areas, but hated the RGV (you're gonna see all kinds of argument here now!  ). A couple of alternatives might be to rent a park model for a year or two in a park you think you might enjoy, or to buy a travel trailer with slides, and a tow vehicle, with the intention of selling the tow vehicle when you find a place you want to leave the trailer. A third option is to buy a park trailer (the same approximate size as a park model) with tip-outs, and leave that on a site. The difference is that a park trailer (which is 8' wide) can be towed by a heavy duty pick up truck, whereas a park model (which is 12' wide) has to be towed by a semi tractor. We've been snowbirdin' for three years now, and STILL don't know where we want to set 'er down, but we're getting closer to making that decision.
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bjbear
Cold Lake, AB, Can
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Joined: 02/14/2004
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A park model for sure is the way to go if you do not intend to travel to different places during the winter. If you intend to stay in one place, the total all-in cost of a park model is substantially less than a motorhome or trailer.
We had originally intended to travel more, but last year we found that we really enjoyed staying in one place. We found a great park in Gold Canyon just outside of Apache Junction called Canyon Vista. It has large sites and up to this year catered more to RVs than park models. They are now promoting park models and have some good deals. We got a site that backs on the desert and are pretty happy with it.
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Harvard wrote:mockturtle wrote:We had a park model in Yuma for a number of years and it was more comfortable for long-term stays than was our MH. Ours had a laundry shed/shop and a nice screened deck. Besides, a lot of resorts won't allow you to leave your RV over summer. If it's in AZ, the summer heat will really take its toll on your RV.
We are newbies to the Park Model thing. Are you saying the Summer heat will also take its toll on a Park Model which is built like a house but not being occupied (ie, no summer AC). We know from experience that a wheeled RV with slide outs will have their rubber seals sun rot. Also, we know about steps to take to prevent evaporation of plumbing traps and plenty of water jugs for maintaining some amount of humidity. No, park models do fine in summer if they are properly 'summerized'. No tires, etc.
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