Western Explorer
Santa Fe, NM
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Joined: 03/30/2011
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Hello, my name is Patrick and this is my first post to any of the RV.Net Open Roads Forums. I temporarily relocated to Santa Fe, NM last June from the Washington, DC area and I am now considering moving here -- or somewhere else in the Southwestern states -- permanently. My question is as above in the subject line of my post: Is living in a Motorhome F/T for 1 - 2 yrs realistic for a single person and a medium-sized dog while I decide exactly where I want to live and build a house? I have researched the prices of older Class A Motorhomes, between the 1990 - 2000 model years, and found some that I thought were very reasonably priced. However, I am a COMPLETE novice about Motorhomes and know very little about them.
I also have the following questions: If I did buy one, would I be limited to parking it in an established RV Park and living there? Do such parks have restrictions on how long they will rent you a space like hotels do? Is it possible to find a private landowner, for example a rancher, who would lease space on his/her land to an owner of a Motorhome?
I had a chance meeting with an owner of an older Motorhome last summer and she told me that she and her husband were parking their home on BLM property somewhere here in North Central New Mexico. How would I find more information about BLM policies re Motorhomes? (My first guess is that BLM has a website, but I don't know whether it would include the information I need.)
I welcome all replies and suggestions.
Patrick
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
I lived in my motorhome about 6 years and counting.
I have a 400 watt solar system, and it is oversized, yet helps meet my needs to live off the grid, and away from RV parks. Most get by with a 200 watt system, or even with just running a generator every few days, yet I do not want to need to conserve power or run my noisy generator.
CHeck out this website. FreeCampgrounds.com
You can camp in BLM lands, and that is my favorite place to camp. Like the areas around Moab UT, or the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
You might want to start out by getting a small 100 - 300 watt inverter. It will recharge a laptop, cell phone,ect from 12 volt power it makes 120 VAC.
I have a 97 Bounder without slide outs, and bought it new. You can pick up one for $15,000 that is in fair condition. I would recommend something in the 28' to 31' range, because that is a decent sized RV that will get fairly good mileage, and is still decent size inside while living in the RV. It should also be light weight enough to put in your clothes and camping gear, and not exceed the GVWR.
Going older than 1993 and you might not get the fuel mileage advanage of fuel injection, and good overdrive transmissions.
I have a Bounder 30E with a 100 gallon fresh water tank. I can live 2 weeks and shower daily, without staying in a RV park. They also made a higher level Pace Arrow and Southwind, and a lower entry level RV called Southwind Storm. IT is a great layout, with a huge bathroom and plenty of room for a visitor if you want to bring one along for a few days.
Fred.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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Why a MH if you are staying in one area? Sounds like a trailer would be a better option having somone move it for you if necessary. You can probably fine one already set up in a RV park.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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You have a lot of factors to consider. Will you be working or are you retired? Getting to a job from a wilderness boondocking site might be difficult so staying in a private campground would probably work out better. If you stay around Santa Fe you'll want a RV with some type of all season package -heated,enclosed holding tanks,good insulation in the walls,dual pane windows.
Staying on private land- I've noticed that in some areas of the country people advertise RV spaces on Craig's list. It seems like they are single spaces on private land. They're usually listed in the parking and storage section. Santa Fe has a few listed if you want to check out what is being offered. http://santafe.craigslist.org/prk/
BLM - they do have a website but it's confusing. Your best bet is to order some maps from them. The rules are that you can camp almost anywhere on BLM land for free. You'll most likely have to move every two weeks ,although there are exceptions. Getting water and dumping will involve traveling out to civilization because there are rarely any amenities.
National Forest - about the same as BLM. Gila National Forest in southern NM is a wide opened beautiful forest with many places to boondock. http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinte........e=Gila%20National%20Forest-%20Recreation
Good website for free and inexpensive camping - There are some free places close to Santa Fe so you can check them out too. http://freecampsites.net/attribute/states/nm/
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sowego
northwest panhandle of Nebraska
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It most certainly is realist to live fulltime no matter your marital status and if you own a pet. There are a few things to consider...
If you'll be gone alot with your dog inside to keep cool - an active dog can become restless. An older more settled dog will just chill out and sleep. Some dogs that are sensitive to noises can be disturbed by the comings and goings at an RV park, more so maybe than in a house or apartment and start barking which will give the other RVers in your vacinity some grief and could get you evicted from the RV park. RV parks will require the pet not be left tethered outside alone without the owner with them.
Boondocking is also doable but, as others suggested you'll need to prep for dry camping long term.
Some RV parks will allow long term stays as many do have longterm, if not almost permanent residents.
If you desire to purchase a motorhome to live in for the amount of time you mentioned without moving it...just be aware that a motorhome is not exactly the same as a trailer. Most folks who wish to park for 1 to 2 years choose a trailer. A motorhome should be driven monthly to insure all the mechanicals/engine/drivetrain/etc. stay in good shape. A motorhome that sits for too long can develop serious issues.
Also the older the unit you buy the more possibility there will be issues already onboard...bad tires, past water leaks, heating/cooling system not working well, applicance worn out.
On the other hand -- if you can manage to take the rig out on the road often to do some exploring it is a marvelous opportunity for a very enjoyable residence in the SW.
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ua40j
Fredericksburg VA
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Joined: 02/16/2005
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Interesting....we fulltimed in the DC area a few years ago. And DC is not RV friendly so we learned alot about full timing with limited resources.
You can park anywhere that's 1) legal to park 2) has the facilities you need eg. water, sewer, electric and 3) won't cost you an arm and a leg to park there. We've never stayed on public land, but the same thoughts apply. You'll need water, sewer, electric (which you can make on your own) and permission. All of which you can get on BLM lands I'm told. Most of the people going to Quarzite stay on BLM lands with the same requirements.
We stayed at a regular campground south of DC that had a monthly 'resident' rate. Then we found a mobile home park that allowed RVs for half of the campgrounds' rate. Both places had WIFI, elec, water, sewer.
We chose our RV because we knew we wanted to full time. It was a diesel pusher with plenty of basement storage (you can't have too much), 2 interior full sized closets (hard to find those) and was 40' long with 2 slides.
A single person could get by with smaller parameters, but we wanted to be comfortable. And since you're building a home anyway, living small would work for you.
You're about to start an exciting adventure. I'm a bit envious. Good luck.
Jim
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deandec
Northern CA
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Yes, many folks do live in a MH.
If you are not tied to a specific location with a daily job, it would be a great way to survey the area for a potential homesite.
If you need to be in one place for work purposes, it would seem much easier to rent a sticks and bricks and get a small camper to explore in.
Dean
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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If you are serious about the Santa Fe area, I'd suggest that you consider a mobile home rather than an RV. RV's aren't really completely setup for permanent placement in a park. They have holding tanks and require you to manually dump the black tank every couple weeks and you really need to winter proof the plumbing in the Santa Fe area...it gets very cold in the winter.
A mobile home can be found already setup for about the same money your going to sink into a MH or travel trailer. When the elderly pass on, the kids are just interested in getting rid of a mobile home quickly to settle estates and put things behind them.
Before I get a lot of flames about being anti RV, let me say, we have been fulltiming for seven years and have spent time in both very hot and very cold areas from time to time. Of course it can be done, but if mobility isn't an issue, than I think a mobile home makes more sense.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
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crasster
Dallas
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Yes going fulltime in an RV is possible. There are many national forests and stuff that will let you camp for free if you are looking to save money. Also many Walmart stores will let you park over night for free just for a night if you are going in between free camping areas. There are a lot of people who full time for years on end so absolutely it is possible. Just think about it clearly for your situation and I'm sure you'll make a good decision.
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mockturtle
WA
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If you leave your dog in the RV you will have to run your AC which will require either electrical hookup or your generator running constantly, which some places won't allow. Something to think about. It gets mighty hot in an RV anywhere but the southwest--even northern NM--can get very hot. BLM camping is without hookups, of course.
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