heathenhomestead
Cumbria (County)
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Joined: 10/17/2023
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Good morning all! So pleased to have found this forum. We are currently in east Tennessee, full-timing in a Jayco Jayflight. We moved into it a couple of years ago while building a cabin for some friends, and I want to continue full-timing as I am from Alaska and terribly homesick. I do not want to buy real estate here as I plan to go home once my father passes. However, this RV will not cut it.
For reference, we are from the Kenai Peninsula, but only used the RV in summer there. We plan to return to the panhandle, which MOSTLY stays between 20 and 65 year round, although like everywhere else, it experiences cold snaps and heat waves.
We are doing a lot of research to choose a new RV. Considering current events, we may choose to use the RV as a permanent home and purchase land in/around Ketchikan to put it on. I will list below the features we are looking for. If you have a suggestion for a make/model, or just generally what to look for, we would so appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
-36 feet or more
-4+ slides
-solar panels but would settle for solar prep
-washer/dryer but would settle for washer/dryer prep
-human-size shower, not the tiny corner coffin-sized showers
-full-length closet space as I mostly wear dresses
-king size bed
-fireplace
-dishwasher prep
-rear living
-residential refrigerator
-well insulated
-enclosed, heated underbelly
-ducted heating
-heated tanks
-mid-coach bunkhouse
-loft
-lots of storage
We also have a Great Pyrenees and three cats, so would love to hear tips about full-timing with pets!
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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The Kenai Peninsula is fantastic beautiful area so congratulations on that choice. My first and only choice would be a New Horizons FW which are custom made in Junction City, KS. They are custom build quality units that are second to none IMHO. You might find a used one that meets your requirements. Yes they will be higher priced.
Hopefully pianotuna who has spent winters in Canada with his RV will chime in and offer ideas. Or locate a post and PM him. And some other posters have spent winters in a RV...
* This post was
edited 10/17/23 10:10am by CA Traveler *
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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wanderingaimlessly
Kerr Reservoir
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Joined: 08/23/2017
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Mornin, Fulltiming in that Jayco that long has no doubt already taught you some about full timing in an RV. I was in Maryville last year during the sub zero period in my Winnie. Everyone in the campground froze it seemed.
First point, on the 36' 5er, do you have a truck that can handle a 16,000 pound rig? Your talking one ton diesel territory.
You mention mid bunk, bunkhouse? second bed area? or did you mean something else? Loft? How many people do you need sleeping arrangements for? Mid bunk unit example Grand Design
As to brands, The upper tier Keystones, (Alpine, Avalanche Montana), are popular and generally well regarded, other brands offering comparable units are Jayco, KZ, Forest River, Heartland, Northwood, and Grand Design.
For starters, most mid tier units, and all upper end should have the enclosed underbelly, ducted heating, and heated tanks in some form. And in that size range, washer/drier prep is pretty standard.
Solar? how much? Panels can be installed on most any unit, solar prep is often so small in the wiring that it becomes useless for installation of anything more than a battery tender.
Res fridge, is an option on most rigs the size you are looking at.
Well insulated? there is only so much insulation in a 2 inch thick wall, four slides tend to make a unit even harder to heat and cool. What you may want to consider is if the units you are looking at have the ability to be used with at least a couple of the slides in. That flexibility could help once in a while.
Insulated double pane windows are available, at a cost. Cushions in the vent openings help too.
Hope some of this helps, happy hunting.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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BTW We kept a 6' red leash with harness on our cat when traveling or moving the slides so that we would know where he was. Our cat easily adapted and it was a non issue. Litter box in the closet with the door propped open 6". He rarely got the leash caught on something.
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