Quote:
Originally Posted by Wonder wing
i am contemplating living in a 16 foot trailer to move around the country and work/live . I am wondering what peoples thought are on this and any suggestion on the trailer. So far I'm looking at a scamp trailer used or something like it in the same class.
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Dear Michael,
Have you ever backed-up a trailer? Maybe you should try that, before getting any deeper into this. It's hard until you get it. Then it's merely annoying.
My 13' Patriot is just for fun, so, I can't help you with the full-timing question. That's more about you than the rig.
But I just put my whole system together in the last 3 months as a total newbie. It's working great.
My best advice to you is to read this entire site, going back a few years.
Then, make sure you also read
Casita Travel Trailer Forum going back a few years. That forum is really well organized by category.
Start with plumbing. In my newbie experience, it's the biggest change from land lubbing. I knew I wanted a full bath. That, and protection from rain and thunder and lightning were the things I wanted, when changing from tents.
So, you have to figure out if you want to deal with the plumbing issues: Fresh water, grey water, black water and dump stations.
Go to your closest park and visit the dump station morning-noon-ish . Basically, check-out time. Sundays are good. But any day will work. Watch what happens at a dump station before you decide this is the life for you. I think it's fine, but that's only my opinion.
Honestly, everything else is "down hill" from there.
She made a funny.
No, really, unless you're an electrician, you'll be paying an rv expert for that help.
Also, make double double sure you have the right tow vehicle. Go bigger and stronger than you have to. Many, many numbers to learn about there: towing capacity, tongue
weight, gross vehicle
weight. Very technical.
Think about whether or not you'll need room for any guests. You'll definitely need an installed LP
furnace, a 3-way
fridge and a 3-way hot water heater. Lots to learn, there.
Full-timers probably will require generators, too.
Solar might work if you stay near full sun like in the south-west.
The brand name is the last and least of your questions. Go to a
rally and see them all for yourself before you spend any money.
Which rig you buy is like what you eat for dinner, or what professional training you choose: It depends on your personal temperament and your goals. One brand vs the other isn't your starting place. Everyone will tell you theirs is the best.
In a large group of people, who do you think is the best person to rely on? If you didn't instantly say yourself, take this very, very slowly. You'll have to rely on yourself every step of the way.
But these forums are full of wonderful, informed advice. Just remember that it's your money and time that are being spent.
I think what we camper people like about it is that we have the total responsibility but we also get the last word and do things our own way.