Topic: Fifth wheel vs travel trailer
in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion
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Option Z,
I see these "park homes" at campgrounds more and more for year round renters. They might be better insulated and cheaper to heat/cool and wiggle less in windy weather while you are watching TV.
http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Dennis-Trailers-Inc-756241/listing/1989-Trophy-Homes-Park-Model-112951595
Only 34 years together
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Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Gary, I just bought an 03 GMC Sierra so I won't upgrade. I thought long and hard about what truck to buy, gas or diesel, make, engine size. Really came down to two things: 1. this will be the only serious thing I haul and it will only make it to the property. Once it's there I won't move it again, I'm just using it as a temporary living arrangement until the cabin is built so getting a bigger truck for that seems a little drastic especially if I end up buying a bigger unit out there and having it delivered. 2. I got a good deal on this truck. Kind of fell in my lap.
If I were to do the full time RVing thing I would have definitely gotten a bigger truck.
John, all excellent points. If I go used it will be inspected by a third party I hire. I'm too much of a newb and it's well worth the $50 or so. As far as buying here to get the experience, I like your thought process makes a bunch of sense but for me personally, I never wanted the RV road trip. Like I mentioned to my reply to Gary once it gets there it's sitting. My big plan was to buy the property and use it as a base to travel the west and mid-west with the vette and tent camp. That's the scenario I have planned in my head anyway. recently I just became enamored with tent camping, I really enjoy it. When I bring the vette out I plan on heading to Central FL to visit friends then maybe down to the keys for a bit and then to Louisiana to visit family the to AZ. Not the most direct route from Hamburg, NY!
John(2), option z might work well. Lots of folks move to Phoenix/Mesa during the winter and pick up a Park Home to try it out before they decide they like the weather and area. They end up dumping relatively new models, 2 or 3 yrs old, when they decide. The ones I remember seeing being advertised were cheap but you had to leave them in that park. The ones that you could move would be better moved to a dump and burned. But I wasn't really looking at those so now I'll take a closer look. The trailer, whatever kind it happens to be will end up being temporary or at least it had better. I have plans for a small 12x28 cabin with a wrap around deck(8' to 12' wide I haven't decided yet). Very efficiently insulated, water catchment, solar and wind turbine with a generator for backup. Lots of passive solar heat. I have to work on some sort of cooling. A swamp cooler might work but I'm not a fan of a/c and where my property is located the temps top out in the mid-eighties low nineties.
Thanks for all the great input and for listening or reading my blathering.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
F4Gary said: Well, then max out the towing capacity of the truck. It's only one trip and you can take it slow.
I visualize a picture of Dave driving so slow that the gray hairs in their Buicks are flipping him the "bird" for driving too slow.
Only 34 years together
Lots of good advice. A couple things to add, having owned both types. My last 3 have been 5th wheels. Just bought one a couple of weeks ago to use while working out of town. I will probably never go back to a TT. 5th wheels tow and maneuver so much better when backing up. 5th wheels generally cost more for an equal sized unit and if you need a hitch they can be rather expensive for a 5th wheel. Also your trucks towing capacity may be higher for a 5th wheel. Happy trailering.
Dave
in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion
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