Hello from Ma./wannabe-gonnabe

First time on a forum.  We are in the research process and deciding on a travel trailer, It is all that fits in our budget.  We plan on F/T travel. Which product line is suitable for F/T?   We were looking at the Jayco line of TT.  We will be towing it. Any opinions  will be very helpful.

Thank You

Hello Fritz

Take a look at www.goevergreenrv.com  well built trailer no voc or wood to rot. They make a great 5th wheel for a new FT couple.

Good Luck
Brian

Welcome Fritz, 

I'm not sure that there are many travel trailers that are suitable for full-timing, mostly because of lack of storage space.

Now, that's not to say you can't full-time in a TT, but I think you'll have a hard time finding one that is built sturdy enough and has enough cargo carrying capacity even for just the basic necessities. 

Almost all full-timers either choose a 5th wheel or a MH because of this.

Jim

We currently have a 3 year old travel trailer. I could not fulltime in it. My advice, look for a used 5th wheel, they are much more suited to fulltime living.

There are many who choose to live in rigs that other's consider unsuitable for FT use. I know 2 people who full-time in a fiberglass egg camper, one hearty soul who lives in pop-up. I met a couple full-timing in a Hi-Lo, a single man full-timing in a home made truck camper, and I know of a widow full-timing in an Aliner. (I own an Aliner and that might be doable for one but pretty tough for two.) A few days ago I even saw a full-timer living in a class-B pulling a tiny toad! While on vacation last summer, I met a couple who were down on their luck who were living in a tent out of the back of a mini-van. They were staying in a free campground off the Natchez Trace and would stay the legal 14 day limit and move on to the next free campground, returning when legally allowed for another free stay. I guess it all depends on how you want to live. I am planning on just what you suggest. I think carrying capacity is more important to my plans than physical storage space. I've spoken to quite a few Escapee's who suggest 3,000lbs of carrying capacity for a retired couple. However there are those on this board who full-time in a TT with about 1/2 of that. With gas approaching $4/gallon I think it is smart to consider a lightweight, minimalistic lifestyle if you like to move around a lot. There are experts who predict gas prices will go much higher. While this may not be as important to someone with a big portfolio, there are those among us trying to live off of social security or a meager pension who can't afford the care and feeding of a bigger rig. These days, light weight doesn't neccessarily mean poorly built due to modern manufacturing techniques and high-tech materials. Evergreen has already been mentioned, and while they are an excellent quality TT, they suffer from a CCC on the low side - though this can be worked around. If you want a 1/2 ton towable rig, I suggest you look at the Slingshot by Crossroads. They have a 28 ft model with a slide that weighs in at less than 3,800 lbs. More importantly, in my book, it has a CCC of over 3,400 lbs. http://www.crossroadsrv.com/slingshot/floorplan_detail.asp?fp=GT27RB&type=tt True it doesn't have as much space as a big fiver, only you can decide if its storage space is adequate. Of course I come from the perspective of a Louisiana resident, where you can count on one hand the days we have a hard freeze here. Choosing such a TT pre-supposes you will winter over in warmer climes. There is a huge selection of trailers in the 3/4 ton towable range. I'm partial to the inexpensive (Heck, they're not much more than my Aliner was new.) Forest River Cherokee 30F and their Salem 30 FKBS (though I know those who wouldn't buy a Forest River product.) Both fit my budget, carrying capacity needs and floorplan (I love the king bed - lots of storage space under it too.) while being 3/4 ton towable. The better quality ones with superior insulation are heavier and much more costly. Consider your budget carefully and decide what you can afford, both initially and the fuel and maintenance costs it takes to live your intended lifestyle. Some will say you can't fulltime on less than X dollars/month (you fill in the blank.) Living their exact lifestyle, I'm sure they're right. However there are those living a FT lifestyle on every imaginable income. I'm sure you can do it on whatever your budget dictates, you just have to be a little more creative and flexible than those with greater resources. Remember it could be far worse - you could be living in a van down by the river! ;) Chip

I know multiple people who are fulltiming in Airstreams. They live with the storage limitations and are happy. I also know someone who travels about 8 months of the year in a Hi-Lo and is happy. If it works for you, it works for you.

In reality all RVs are suitible for full timing. It just depends on your needs, wants and how you want to live your life on the road. The main difference might be an RV with cold weather capability if you plan on staying in cold weather for any length of time. We had a Nomad 23 foot travel trailer for 16 years and travelled across country with it several times. We were involved in off road racing for a few years and the trailer handled the dirt roads we needed to travel to get to the race area. The only problem that can be attributed to road travel/vibration was one of the dinette benches came apart. I just reglued and stapled it. No suspension problems, no frame problems...everything held up great. There are some things I need for fulltiming so I would definitely look for a travel trailer with certain amenities or the space to add them. Here's my list: Washer/Dryer Solar Panels and Batteries and/or generator 3000 watt inverter A/C Sat TV System Large Bathroom area with good sized shower Nice Recliners At least a 35" TV Always made up bed Large Refrig & Freezer (Near apartment size) Automatic Leveling System and electric tongue jack Plus the usual amenities. So I figure a 35 foot TT would fit the bill. If I'm going that big, I might as well go for a 5th wheel and get a 38 footer...hey, wait, that's what I have.

We have full timed for 3 yrs.in a 35 ft. TT. We have been in temps down to 5 degrees. We have 2 slides. WE have all the storage we need. We pull it with 2001 ford 350 with the 7.3 Diesel. There are 2 manufactures that are now making TT with basement storage. They are Peterson witch makes the Winslo and Openrange.

Wow a lot of interesting opinions! We are not full trimming it yet but plan on taking longer and longer trips. We have a 26' Sunline SLR with 1 slide. This will be "our home" on the road at least to start.
We also recognize that we may out grow the space if we move to life on the road full time. If that does happen we will most likely move into a mid size (34') fifth wheel.
See you all in Tennessee!


-- Edited by Team Murc on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 10:59:09 AM

Hi I full time in a travel trailer beacuse of my work I am in Heavy Hwy. & Site Work and travel to stay close to the project. The areas worked are Pa., De, & NJ.  I am presently staying in a Jayco Flight G2 31 BHDS and have not had any problems with it. It gets down in the low teens in the winter but with the proper precautions I have been trouble free.  My daughter is now in collage and no long intrestered in camping so I am looking to change.  The model that I really like is the Eagle 330 RLT but if your budget dose not allow that much $$ right they have almost the same floor plan in Flight G2 33 RLDS.

Here is a web site that I purchased my Jayco from www.yourrvconnection.com this is for Indiana RV. they treated me ok.

If I can be any additional help please feel free to email me.

Dathan

Hi all,

I have a feeling we may be the only ones in a tiny little teardrop on this forum! Ours will be 10' long and 5' wide with just a queen mattress inside (along with storage cubbies) and an outdoor galley! While we could have opted for AC, Heater, and a TV, we did not. We want to simplify and therefore we didn't want a 'house on wheels', but something requiring much less maintenance. I know we'll be dwarfed by all of the "big guys" out there! Should be fun to compare notes with folks we meet!

Diane

Many have said and will say ;"Get a 5th wheel they tow better, and have more storage space."

I have to disagree. Trailer to trailer, a 5th wheel has more storage space. When including the truck bed with a high topper, I think the travel trailer combo wins.

In addition, the truck bed storage space is more flexible to use.

Towing superiority: If a travel trailer is using a good hitch, such a Reese Dual cam or Hensley, a travel trailer will tow just as well as a 5th wheel. It just more sensitive to having the hitch set up properly.

But still, the bottom line is you have to do research and choose the type that will fit your unique needs the best.

birder526: As long as you can live that close together fulltime, I see no problem. The outdoor galley, that bothers me since one thing you have no control of is weather.