We are a bit abnormal when it comes to our adventure full timing in an RV.  We are avid rock climbers and mountain bikers and as a result will have about 300 lbs (I'm guessing on the high side) of climbing gear, bike parts, bike tools and sport specific extra clothing for 4 season play.  Right now we are leaning towards a 5th wheel due to its living space and lower cost. 

From your experience where could we look to be 'lean' in other areas of our belongings?  What has worked for you to cut the weight of your cargo?

Thanks!
Peggy

To start with I would say regular clothing and dishes and cookware. You wouldn't believe how much that stuff weighs and how little you really need most of it.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Tuesday 19th of January 2010 11:42:50 AM

My suggestion would be competly empty all H20 tanks when traveling including the hot water tank. At most a couple of gallons in the fresh water tank for any on the road emergancies if you know what I mean.  To help accomplish this I took out the hot water tank plug and replaced it with a 3/4" to 3/8" bushing then put a short faucet hose (the same kind under your sink in your S-B) with a 1/2" female outlet and added a drain valve. When I get ready to leave I open the valve to drain the tank and it also aids in draining the piping system acting as an air vent.  Very easy to do and will save a ton of time and busted knuckles trying to get that plug in and out.  Try and make sure the pump is turned off and pressure is relived before opening the drain valve, a face full of hot water can really surprise you, it is after all HOT water. 
 
Flyone (Bob)

We do the water thing, though not as large a scale, with the Eurovan if we are headed west over the mountains.  I think that is an excellent idea and can imagine the fuel savings are pretty good, thank you for the pointer and guide. 

In regards to cookware, I guess giving up the heavy bottom stainless steal pans I love so much is probably in order.  That is the struggle everyone goes through huh?  Compromising on what can realistically be accommodated in an RV.

I think the main thing you should be aware of is the carrying capacity of any trailer you look at. There's a great deal of difference between brands and models. Some are as low as 1000# and others are over 3000#. Rather than worry about skimping on clothes or cooking pots, look for a rig truly made for full timing. Good luck, Fred

Good suggestions above. We are also involved in cycling. We carry two mountain bikes on a hitch custom built to attach to our fifth wheel kingpin. We also carry a road tandem inside the Cameo when traveling and associated wheels and equipment in the basements. We currently travel with a second vehicle. That gives us additional storage capacity. However, we haven't really needed the extra storage as we were frugal in our initial loading of the rig.

300 lbs shouldn't be an issue in a newer fifth wheel you should be able to find plenty of units with at least 2000 pounds of Carrying Capacity even with a full tank of water.  I don't agree with the idea of only travel with empty tanks in winter we often have some water in the tank in case the water lines are froze up where we're headed.

I know Nu Wa and Carriage both make units that would take your gear your clothes your dishes and let you travel with full or partially full tanks and still be under weight.

Mallo

I really liked the idea of placing the drain valve of the hot water heater on the extended hose and was all primed to do this, then I realized my drain plug also included the anode rod, so I don't think this would work for me.  But I still like the idea...
Marty


-- Edited by mailman01 on Wednesday 20th of January 2010 10:20:57 AM

Unfortunately, weight is one thing I can't control. No matter how hard I try, the pounds just keep adding on. I've come to the realization that I will never reach my goal weight. I'm always going to be overweight. So I've given up trying to convince my DW to get rid of all the extra stuff. I just find a nook or cranny to stuff each new item into. In my dreams I see our 5th wheel just collapse one day from all of the weight. It'll be like an old slap stick film.... we will back into a camp site and the 5th wheel will just sag to the ground. To compensate I bought a bigger truck so I feel like I can control this rolling small appliance closet a lot better.

My husband is just starting to read some articles about RV's. He just doesn't believe that weight is a big issue. I figure we will have to deal with this when we do get to the point of actually buying an RV. I find the best way to get him to think something is important is to have him think he discovered it rather than having me "tell" him. One of these days he will read something to make him "Get it." I just wish I knew what book or article to print out for him.

Being a wannabe FT RV'er I can tell you that I would not have thought much about weights myself but it doesn't take too much time reading this forum to understand that it is a BIG issue! My suggestion is to have him read the entries in this forum pertaining to weights (TV, trailer, axles, tires, distribution, slides, etc) and I am sure he will see the light.

Luvglass wrote:

---

I think the main thing you should be aware of is the carrying capacity of any trailer you look at. There's a great deal of difference between brands and models. Some are as low as 1000# and others are over 3000#.

Rather than worry about skimping on clothes or cooking pots, look for a rig truly made for full timing.

Good luck,

Fred

---

Like Fred says make sure that you get a 5th wheel that is truly made for fulltiming and one that has at least 3000# of Cargo Carrying Capacity.

Also get a dually pickup to pull it. Like Howard and Linda you can use the extra carrying capacity of the truck to carry your gear. You could take some weight off of the 5th wheel by carrying the bikes on a roof rack on the truck and you climbing gear in the bed of the truck.