Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 09/30/2002
View Profile
 Offline
|
My philosophy has been and remains, "too much power is better than not enough power".
|
Cptnvideo
Arizona - most of the time
Senior Member
Joined: 11/05/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum!
First time RVer, and living in full time, normally do not go together! A FW would be a much better option for full time living. It would require a HD truck to carry the pin weight, and tow it.
Any trailer big enough to live in, will be a learning experience for someone not used to towing. As you add more information, as to travels, or mainly park and live in, we will be better able to advise. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Jerry
I understand what you are saying, Jerry. But there are exceptions, and you did say "normally".
Our first RV was a 41' diesel pusher for full time use. But there was a ton of research done before that purchase. And it looks like that is what the OP is doing. He's asking questions.
BTW, our 2nd RV was a 43' DP full time, followed by a 27' Class C for part time use. Now our 4th RV is a 42' fiver full time.
Bill & Linda
Arizona
2019 Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 dually 4x4 diesel
Hensley Trailer Saver BD5 hitch
2022 Grand Design Solitude 378MBS
1600 watts solar, Victron 150/100 MPPT controller, GoPower 3kw inverter/charger, 5 SOK 206AH LiFePo4 batteries for 1030 ah
|
toedtoes
California
Senior Member
Joined: 05/17/2014
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
There is also a huge gap between people who choose fulltiming for the experience and those who choose fulltiming for economic reasons.
This board does not see a lot of the latter. So the perspective here is not the same as you might see elsewhere.
If the OP is choosing this lifestyle for economic reasons, then they might get more tailored responses elsewhere.
Let's face it, few here live(d) fulltime in a cheap used RV because they couldn't afford housing. So our responses are not going to reflect decisions and choices based on that.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
|
La.hurley1122
Florida
New Member
Joined: 05/29/2023
View Profile
Offline
|
Alright, thank you for all of your responses! I'm getting a much better understanding of this RV world and I see there is much more to consider than I thought. I appreciate you all!
|
StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/16/2003
View Profile
|
your probably looking at a truck unless you are planning on a tent trailer or something under 2500 lbs.
If I was doing it again, I would decide what I want for a rv, then buy the truck or what not required to pull it. I started out with a bigger tent trailer behind a 91 ford ranger, then got a 98 F150 and found it towed so much better. Then I traded that in on a 28 foot trailer and again had to upgrade to a 99 F250 Deisel so I could get up big hills decently. then we bought the 5th wheel and I was over the weight capacity of my rear end of the F250 so I had to buy a 2014 F350 diesel and that is fine. the problem I run into now is we also bought a older truck camper to see how we liked it, and we love it but because I didn't buy a dually truck we have to be careful one what camper we get as I really don't want to buy another truck right now.. maybe in 9 years when I retire but not now haha
so I always tell people now if they are planing on buying both.. get the rv first, then find a truck to tow it. unless you are going to go out and buy a 1 tone dually diesel.. then you arn't limited to much.
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100
|
|
|
way2roll
Wilmington NC
Senior Member
Joined: 10/05/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
A few clarifying questions; Are you wanting to RV by choice? Is this something you want to do because you think it will save you money, or are you looking to satisfy some wanderlust? I ask because full time RV'ing isn't necessarily cheaper. Are you handy at all? Because owning a used, cheaper RV and truck can be a bargain but in that price reduction you find yourself also doing a lot of work and repairs. Even newer Rv's require a bit more hands on fixing and problem solving that you might think.
You never hear of anyone who has bought their last RV first. Meaning, you never know what you want until you know what you want. If a trailer or FW is your target then I would buy the biggest truck I could get my hands on in my budget. If you stick with RV'ing then the odds are you will buy another RV in a matter of a time. A larger truck doesn't confine you and offers freedom to expand to a different or bigger RV. Not to mention that a vehicle that only marginally can tow your RV is a horrible experience and can be downright dangerous.
2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
|
Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Stir Crazy Wrote:
so I always tell people now if they are planning on buying both.. get the rv first, then find a truck to tow it. unless you are going to go out and buy a 1 tone dually diesel.. then you aren't limited to much.
I will add to this. Once you decide you like RV'ing. Get that one ton dually diesel and be done with it. Otherwise you will be playing the upgrade game the entire time.
Most don't realize the cost of the trucks is relatively equal.
A 1/2 ton gasser cost the same as a 3/4 gasser.
Once you decide to go diesel a 3/4 diesel cost the same as a 1 ton dually.
You must just decide what truck you want. If you are in it for the long haul get the 1 ton diesel dually and be done with it.
19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637
Correct Trax,Splendide
|
Valpo Camper
Valpo, Indiana
Senior Member
Joined: 10/01/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We started with a tent then progressed to a popup trailer to pull behind our Grand Cherokee. Decided to upgrade from the popup but the Grand was limited in what we could tow comfortably and safely. Moving up to a bigger trailer meant moving up to a truck as well. We went to look at a used class A and felt a bit overwhelmed in its size. Went over to the Class C section and took 1 for a test drive, felt like driving a big van. Drove home with it then proceeded to set up the Grand for flat tow.
2005 Gulfstream Conquest LE 28 foot
2018 Wrangler JLU - pulling duty as a daily and toad
2012 Audi A7 - daily fun car
|
nickthehunter
Midwest
Senior Member
Joined: 07/18/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Lantley wrote:…Once you decide you like RV'ing. Get that one ton dually diesel and be done with it. Otherwise you will be playing the upgrade game the entire time... In my opinion, I would say that is bad advice for a newbie. I have been RV’ing for 30 years and I own an F150 (gas) which is plenty for my needs. A diesel dually would have been a pretty stupid waste of money for me when I was a newbie. Everyone needs to evaluate their own situation and needs. One size fits all solutions don’t exist.
* This post was
edited 06/01/23 07:50am by nickthehunter *
|
Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/06/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
^Yup. What he’s saying in theory makes sense for those who don’t really know what they don’t really know what they want or not….lol.
For the rest of us with not only budgets but also the ability to make reasonably sound decisions about what kinda camper we will reasonably have for however long, it sounds just silly.
But I know plenty of people who cycle through campers then trucks then camper then truck…. that Lantleys advice makes sense for. Those that can’t make up their minds and those that generally end up spending a lot of money to “upgrade” repeatedly.
So if the shoe fits I suppose
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
|
|
|
