My son and I are committed to fulltime rving but financially at this time I'm not in a position to purchase the RV that we would need for fulltime.
I am able to run my business from anywhere that I have internet access (RV Park or my broadband account) so this is what I was considering...
Purchasing a small tent trailer (used) that my son and I could use this summer. My current vehicle could tow it with the proper hitch. This would give us the opportunity to experience fulltime RVing before committing huge $.
Your thoughts?
Thanks!
manycats said
11:56 AM Apr 29, 2014
A tent trailer with a camp stove and a port-a-potty will provide very basic needs but it may be hard to live in it for a time. Weather will be a big consideration. I would suggest looking for a small, used, trailer instead. Some cost about the same as a tent trailer and would be much more comfortable.
Lucky Mike said
12:43 PM Apr 29, 2014
I'm with Manycats.....It will give you the basics but it would not be in my opinion good for long term with a child...but would make a great experience for the summer
That being said , I prefer to sit on the fence than go either way
The Bear II said
01:05 PM Apr 29, 2014
I agree the tent trailer might be a good option for weekends or a week but for long term a hard sided RV is a better choice. I would want at least an 18 to 25 foot travel trailer or MH for fulltime. Anything else would get very small very quickly if weather turned bad and you had to stay inside for a couple of days.
TRAILERKING said
01:08 PM Apr 29, 2014
I've had a "soft-top" tent trailer in my teenage days. It was fine for that, as it was a weekender party unit just to crash and have a sleep. As I grew older I lost the desire to have one as you always have to set up and take down(real crappy if it's raining). I bought a little 17-1/2' Frontier cabin trailer and that was handy and fun. Pull over and no set up......Just open the door. Mind you, you need a larger tow vehicle to pull the cabin trailer than the little old soft-top tent trailer that I could tow with a small car. In my opinion a tent trailer for "Full Timing" lifestyle would be very close to "Roughing It".......Not very secure for bear country or other wildlife.
southernvagabond said
03:08 PM Apr 29, 2014
Tent trailers are just that; a tent on a trailer. The only real difference is that you are not sleeping on the ground. They are great for short term use in good weather. But, if it rains you & your stuff will probably get wet. If it is hot weather - you will be hot - even if you have a/c the fabric walls will not hold in the a/c, nor, will they keep out the cold. We had a pop up for many years & it was great for weekends or a week vacation but I don't think I would enjoy it much longer. There is virtually no storage for your stuff or food. If you can find a hard sided trailer, even a small one, you & your son will be much happier & safer.
bjoyce said
05:17 PM Apr 29, 2014
You can also get some great deals on truck campers. Add some jacks to drop the camper to drive the truck separately and you are set. Don't look at new, you are trying to save money.
dannick said
09:02 AM Apr 30, 2014
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and words of encouragement. I was talking with my sister yesterday and she told me that a friend has a 70s (not sure of the year) Dodge Camper Van with only about 45,000 original miles. She thought she may be interested in selling it and was going to check with her.
May be another alternative for the summer.
dannick said
03:51 PM Apr 30, 2014
Well, unfortunately the camper van didn't work out...they didn't want to sell at this time so it looks like I'm back to the tent trailer as this seems to be the most affordable option at this time. Any additional feedback and suggestions regarding tent trailers is appreciated.
A little additional info. We will be in Idaho most of the summer where it gets hot...100 degrees not uncommon in July and August. With those temps come thunderstorms and high winds.
Thanks again!
Lucky Mike said
04:21 PM Apr 30, 2014
Dan ....do me a favor and P.M me your budget to purchase and I will help search or at least give you options.....I have found coaches in the Boise area starting at 1500 and go up from there....please note 1500 isnt pretty!
also give me an Idea where in Idaho you are...
Lucky Mike said
05:45 PM Apr 30, 2014
Sent you a list (PM) of a few coaches in the area your in and up near Boise.....tried to keep them in the middle of what you wanted your budget......a tow bar would allow you to tow your tracker
Terry and Jo said
08:08 PM Apr 30, 2014
Mike,
Check with Dan to be sure, but I'm thinking I read one of his posts saying that he is in the New Mexico area, but his son is staying with someone in Idaho. So, you might also look at NM. Maybe he'll chime back in and let you know for sure where he is located and when he would be going back to Idaho.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
08:14 PM Apr 30, 2014
thanks Terry.....found a couple there and a couple on the route back to Boise....hopefully they fit the bill for him
manycats said
10:06 PM Apr 30, 2014
Thunderstorms and high winds are not good news for a tent trailer. You would have to find adequate shelter. Unrelenting heat can also make you and your son miserable. I've lived in Idaho and seen some pretty severe weather in both higher and lower elevations. Please take your time and look for something safer.
NWescapee said
11:34 PM Apr 30, 2014
Dannick - have you considered a used "A Frame" type trailer? No heavier or harder to tow than a tent trailer, but hard sided all around which means that yes, you can camp in areas like Glacier Park that require hard sided trailers in some campgrounds, but some also come with A/C / heater options. That was our first TT and we used one for 8 years for weekends and summer trips from TX to WA and many, many places in between. Aliner and Chalet are a couple of brands to look at used, our Aliner held up well for many, many years and we sold it for more than blue book value when we finally upgraded. Not a lot of luxury, but for a summer and a step way up from tent camping, it worked wonderfully for us. We had several 1-3 week trips in our Aliner and if vacation time had allowed, could have easily spent an entire summer in it. I will say, it was very chilly at Mt. Rainier in Feb. for a snow shoeing trip, probably wouldn't do that again, but now we're older and only slightly wiser, maybe. We had also considered "HiLo" or "Trail Manor" brands for long term summer trips, might be towable with what you have and a little more room. Not ideal for long term, but for a summer? Probably "doable".
dannick said
10:04 AM May 1, 2014
Thanks for the great feedback...Mike, got your PM thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out.
Cindy T said
03:53 PM May 1, 2014
I don't think that camping in a pop up will give you an experience of fulltiming, it will give you an experience of a long camping trip. Some years ago, we decided to rent a pop up & spend a week in the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, the weather that week was horrible. We had rain, freezing temps, howling wind & snow. After 3 days, we ended this "vacation", packed up & went home. Experiencing bad weather in a pop up convinced me to never camp in a pop up again! (My apologies to pop up fans!) So if that's what I thought fulltiming was like, we never would have made the leap to fulltiming.
I think camping with your son for the summer could be tons of fun & you'll make memories for a lifetime. But it won't be the same as if you were living fulltime in a mortorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer. A pop up just doesn't give you the living space or the protection from the weather that a large hard-sided RV does.
But whatever you decide to camp in, I hope you & your son have a fantastic summer!
dannick said
10:16 AM May 2, 2014
Thanks for the tips and suggestions...I've been to several RV dealers and shows and have been researching used units on Craigslist as well (thanks Mike for the tips!).
The ones I've looked at (tent trailers) seem to offer a lot of space for the dollar but some of the comments regarding these sort of units in severe weather have me thinking about other alternatives if I'm able to afford them.
kb0zke said
08:12 PM May 2, 2014
Dan, please take those comments to heart. A pop-up tent trailer is fine for a weekend close to home. It may be fine for a week or two if the weather is good. It definitely isn't fine for long-term use.
If you are going to be in bear country there is no difference between being in a pop-up and being outside. We spent a few nights in a tent between Yellowstone and the Tetons, and I was rather nervous. When we had the mpg I felt a little better about being in bear country, although we didn't have the opportunity to go back. Now that we have our MH I'm much more comfortable with the idea. I suspect that a determined bear could get into any thin-skinned coach, but a solid-sided coach would probably make the bear decide to go elsewhere.
Terry and Jo said
09:44 PM May 2, 2014
Since the topic of bears has come up, I'll mention that one really needs to follow "bear rules" to avoid attracting them. They have been known to be able to pull some of the windows on SUV's out in order to get inside to food. It is unlikely that they could reach the windows of most larger RV's, but a hard side is far better than a canvas-type side. Bears have been know to pull campers out of their tents. One guy was so drunk that he didn't even know that he was being pulled out. Only quick action by some of his buddies in other tents saved his life.
Believe me, they aren't Smokey the Bear; they are predators.
Terry
dannick said
05:25 PM May 5, 2014
Thanks so much for all the feedback...especially regarding weather and bear issues. I own a small SUV (Suzuki XL-7) that can't tow a great deal of weight which is part of the reason aside from costs that I began looking at tent trailers. With the information you've all shared I am looking at a different possible option. The living space would be tight but I am looking at used Class Bs on CL. I could sell my current vehicle and apply the proceeds though likely not much to the Class B.
Getting around and finding spots in the Class B I suspect would be easier and would better protect us from the elements than the tent trailer option.
Your thoughts?
tigercx1 said
05:44 PM May 5, 2014
I really feel anything less than a class C RV is going to be too small to fulltime in for 2 people. Class B's are more for long trips for maybe a month or two. That being said, I do know a couple that have lived in a Roadtrek fulltime for a few years now. It can work but you have to be very organized. I had camper van which was great for weekend trips and week long trips but there certainly were limitations.
Mark
Terry and Jo said
08:20 PM May 5, 2014
Dan,
Not that you need to look at this specific model, but someone brought up the idea of an A-Liner. I did a quick search and found a new one, but I looked at it mainly because the ad has one picture showing the weight of the trailer. I have no idea of what your current vehicle would tow in weight, but it might be a place to start looking.
I also wouldn't rule out a Class B either. You have options; you just have to do the research.
Terry
suse1023 said
07:54 PM May 17, 2014
I hope you can find a class c which suits you. best of luck, I am cheering for your success!
Bobbi said
06:04 AM May 18, 2014
I was going to suggest the TrailManor. They are light and open up to quite a bit more space than their towing size. I have no idea what your budget is, but I know there are some used ones that pop up on eBay and Craigslist on occasion. Here you can see the various floor plans: trailmanor.com/wordpress/
kb0zke said
10:19 AM May 20, 2014
Dan, have you looked at Casita or Egg Camper units?
Hi Everyone,
My son and I are committed to fulltime rving but financially at this time I'm not in a position to purchase the RV that we would need for fulltime.
I am able to run my business from anywhere that I have internet access (RV Park or my broadband account) so this is what I was considering...
Purchasing a small tent trailer (used) that my son and I could use this summer. My current vehicle could tow it with the proper hitch. This would give us the opportunity to experience fulltime RVing before committing huge $.
Your thoughts?
Thanks!
I'm with Manycats.....It will give you the basics but it would not be in my opinion good for long term with a child...but would make a great experience for the summer
That being said , I prefer to sit on the fence than go either way
Tent trailers are just that; a tent on a trailer. The only real difference is that you are not sleeping on the ground. They are great for short term use in good weather. But, if it rains you & your stuff will probably get wet. If it is hot weather - you will be hot - even if you have a/c the fabric walls will not hold in the a/c, nor, will they keep out the cold. We had a pop up for many years & it was great for weekends or a week vacation but I don't think I would enjoy it much longer. There is virtually no storage for your stuff or food. If you can find a hard sided trailer, even a small one, you & your son will be much happier & safer.
May be another alternative for the summer.
A little additional info. We will be in Idaho most of the summer where it gets hot...100 degrees not uncommon in July and August. With those temps come thunderstorms and high winds.
Thanks again!
also give me an Idea where in Idaho you are...
Mike,
Check with Dan to be sure, but I'm thinking I read one of his posts saying that he is in the New Mexico area, but his son is staying with someone in Idaho. So, you might also look at NM. Maybe he'll chime back in and let you know for sure where he is located and when he would be going back to Idaho.
Terry
Dannick - have you considered a used "A Frame" type trailer? No heavier or harder to tow than a tent trailer, but hard sided all around which means that yes, you can camp in areas like Glacier Park that require hard sided trailers in some campgrounds, but some also come with A/C / heater options. That was our first TT and we used one for 8 years for weekends and summer trips from TX to WA and many, many places in between. Aliner and Chalet are a couple of brands to look at used, our Aliner held up well for many, many years and we sold it for more than blue book value when we finally upgraded. Not a lot of luxury, but for a summer and a step way up from tent camping, it worked wonderfully for us. We had several 1-3 week trips in our Aliner and if vacation time had allowed, could have easily spent an entire summer in it. I will say, it was very chilly at Mt. Rainier in Feb. for a snow shoeing trip, probably wouldn't do that again, but now we're older and only slightly wiser, maybe.
We had also considered "HiLo" or "Trail Manor" brands for long term summer trips, might be towable with what you have and a little more room. Not ideal for long term, but for a summer? Probably "doable".
I don't think that camping in a pop up will give you an experience of fulltiming, it will give you an experience of a long camping trip. Some years ago, we decided to rent a pop up & spend a week in the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, the weather that week was horrible. We had rain, freezing temps, howling wind & snow. After 3 days, we ended this "vacation", packed up & went home. Experiencing bad weather in a pop up convinced me to never camp in a pop up again! (My apologies to pop up fans!) So if that's what I thought fulltiming was like, we never would have made the leap to fulltiming.
I think camping with your son for the summer could be tons of fun & you'll make memories for a lifetime. But it won't be the same as if you were living fulltime in a mortorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer. A pop up just doesn't give you the living space or the protection from the weather that a large hard-sided RV does.
But whatever you decide to camp in, I hope you & your son have a fantastic summer!
The ones I've looked at (tent trailers) seem to offer a lot of space for the dollar but some of the comments regarding these sort of units in severe weather have me thinking about other alternatives if I'm able to afford them.
If you are going to be in bear country there is no difference between being in a pop-up and being outside. We spent a few nights in a tent between Yellowstone and the Tetons, and I was rather nervous. When we had the mpg I felt a little better about being in bear country, although we didn't have the opportunity to go back. Now that we have our MH I'm much more comfortable with the idea. I suspect that a determined bear could get into any thin-skinned coach, but a solid-sided coach would probably make the bear decide to go elsewhere.
Since the topic of bears has come up, I'll mention that one really needs to follow "bear rules" to avoid attracting them. They have been known to be able to pull some of the windows on SUV's out in order to get inside to food. It is unlikely that they could reach the windows of most larger RV's, but a hard side is far better than a canvas-type side. Bears have been know to pull campers out of their tents. One guy was so drunk that he didn't even know that he was being pulled out. Only quick action by some of his buddies in other tents saved his life.
Believe me, they aren't Smokey the Bear; they are predators.
Terry
Getting around and finding spots in the Class B I suspect would be easier and would better protect us from the elements than the tent trailer option.
Your thoughts?
Mark
Dan,
Not that you need to look at this specific model, but someone brought up the idea of an A-Liner. I did a quick search and found a new one, but I looked at it mainly because the ad has one picture showing the weight of the trailer. I have no idea of what your current vehicle would tow in weight, but it might be a place to start looking.
2014 Aliner Scout
I also wouldn't rule out a Class B either. You have options; you just have to do the research.
Terry
trailmanor.com/wordpress/