Here we are. A Crossroads. I would never have thought it would come to this....but. I'm seriously thinking of selling my house of 10 years and going full-time in a RV, roaming from campground to campground. Why? I had a job location change to another town. My previous employer got bought out by a bigger and better business. Hence, me having to move, or commute. Well, I'm commuting. Ask me if I'm loving it. (not). I'm 43 and have no wife, no kids (that I know of) and cozy house that I sleep occasionally at. Over weeks of debate I've come to the conclusion that I need a change. I love the house I'm in but can live without it. I think. I've been looking a bumper pulls online just browsing. I really don't know what I'm getting into. I know I don't want a 5th wheel. Too big. I need help in finding a RV that would fit my lifestyle, dependable and able to stand cold weather. I don't know much about RV's and I'm assuming they are well insulated for most cold weather. I'm not going to be moving the RV around a lot from state to state, maybe from town to town. I really don't know what questions to ask and I thought here would be a good time for you nice people to chime in on any advice on where to start. Thanks for giving me a second of your valuable time. Geaux Tigers!
bjoyce said
08:51 PM Sep 2, 2014
Actually most are not that well insulated. Those who sit in colder weather areas end up enclosing the bottom and use a large external propane tank to handle winter. Most RVs struggle below 30 degrees. That is the reality. We are in an all year campground in Post Falls ID and can recognize the permanents, since they have enclosed the bottom of their RVs, be it a motorhome, trailer or fifth wheel.
mylittledogs said
03:11 AM Sep 3, 2014
We have a class A & have been in weather in the 20° not fun. Wraped water line, rv antifreeze in holding tanks , drop light in hook-up bay. We run from cold weather now.
Kenny & frances
bjoyce said
09:31 AM Sep 3, 2014
A photo might help - this motorhome is not moving. It has an insulated and heated water hose.
Terry and Jo said
10:07 AM Sep 3, 2014
Jason,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable as well as helpful. They will generally "tell it like it is," thus informing you of things that might not have been considered otherwise.
As a general observation, most RV's only have something like 2-inch walls and one can't put a lot of insulation in that thin of a wall. Also, the majority of RV'ers are either part-time where they aren't in a situation of having to live in them, or they are "snowbirds" and head south for the winter. Even then, Arizona has areas where the snowbirds go and still see temps in the 20's on occasion.
If you are going to stay in cold country, look for RV's that are designed and built for cold. I'm not an expert, but I think Arctic Fox is a brand that is better than most for cold weather. I'm sure that there are others, but I'm not familiar with all of them. I'm sure others can come on here and give you other brands to consider.
Good luck with your planning and research.
Terry
Lani05 said
02:05 PM Sep 25, 2014
Thanks for the tips, Terry! I'm sick of this heat and humidity (Texas), so I'll be heading north with a new rig!
-- Edited by Lani05 on Thursday 25th of September 2014 02:05:44 PM
SnowGypsy said
04:01 PM Sep 25, 2014
We also have stayed in the cold and it is a struggle. AtACrossroads: Have you considered just getting a small mobile or park model and having it moved if you won't be moving that often? You could get something much more agreeable to winter weather. Campgrounds can be expensive so mobile home parks might be a better bet and some do allow RVs. Also, in colder climates, many campgrounds close down or at least shut off the water lines to keep them from freezing. So much to be considered. Last year my husband was offered a job in MI, my home state, and we decided not to go but if we would have, the only TT we were considering was the Bigfoot so you might want to check that out. It is made in Canada and reviews are generally good.
PIEERE said
08:21 AM Sep 26, 2014
Jason: I don't know what state Lafayette is in; but I would not live in an RV where the temperatures drop much below the 20 degree range for a long period of time. It had dropped to just a shade below zero here Jan. 2014; but was told by locals that it was unusually cold.
I am retired now and found a location in TN. I like for medical care and most people are friendly here. Live in a fiver now; last winter was a 28' foot Class C built in California and the 2 inch walls made it hard to keep warm. This unit is built a bit stouter so I will see come Jan./Feb. 2015.
Welcome to the Forum and there are many RVers here filled with great information! PIEERE
Well,
Here we are. A Crossroads. I would never have thought it would come to this....but. I'm seriously thinking of selling my house of 10 years and going full-time in a RV, roaming from campground to campground. Why? I had a job location change to another town. My previous employer got bought out by a bigger and better business. Hence, me having to move, or commute. Well, I'm commuting. Ask me if I'm loving it. (not). I'm 43 and have no wife, no kids (that I know of) and cozy house that I sleep occasionally at. Over weeks of debate I've come to the conclusion that I need a change. I love the house I'm in but can live without it. I think. I've been looking a bumper pulls online just browsing. I really don't know what I'm getting into. I know I don't want a 5th wheel. Too big. I need help in finding a RV that would fit my lifestyle, dependable and able to stand cold weather. I don't know much about RV's and I'm assuming they are well insulated for most cold weather. I'm not going to be moving the RV around a lot from state to state, maybe from town to town. I really don't know what questions to ask and I thought here would be a good time for you nice people to chime in on any advice on where to start. Thanks for giving me a second of your valuable time. Geaux Tigers!
Kenny & frances
A photo might help - this motorhome is not moving. It has an insulated and heated water hose.
Jason,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable as well as helpful. They will generally "tell it like it is," thus informing you of things that might not have been considered otherwise.
As a general observation, most RV's only have something like 2-inch walls and one can't put a lot of insulation in that thin of a wall. Also, the majority of RV'ers are either part-time where they aren't in a situation of having to live in them, or they are "snowbirds" and head south for the winter. Even then, Arizona has areas where the snowbirds go and still see temps in the 20's on occasion.
If you are going to stay in cold country, look for RV's that are designed and built for cold. I'm not an expert, but I think Arctic Fox is a brand that is better than most for cold weather. I'm sure that there are others, but I'm not familiar with all of them. I'm sure others can come on here and give you other brands to consider.
Good luck with your planning and research.
Terry
Thanks for the tips, Terry! I'm sick of this heat and humidity (Texas), so I'll be heading north with a new rig!
-- Edited by Lani05 on Thursday 25th of September 2014 02:05:44 PM
I am retired now and found a location in TN. I like for medical care and most people are friendly here. Live in a fiver now; last winter was a 28' foot Class C built in California and the 2 inch walls made it hard to keep warm. This unit is built a bit stouter so I will see come Jan./Feb. 2015.
Welcome to the Forum and there are many RVers here filled with great information! PIEERE