Hello fritz
  Weclome to the group. We used a Jayco for 6 years, not for FT. It was a well made unit , but not for FT. Jayco does build TTs that could be use for that purpose.
 Look at some of the Deluxe models with fiberglass sides and roof.

  Wayne

Welcome Fritz, 

I'm not sure that there are many travel trailers that are suitable for full-timing, mostly because of lack of storage space.

Now, that's not to say you can't full-time in a TT, but I think you'll have a hard time finding one that is built sturdy enough and has enough cargo carrying capacity even for just the basic necessities. 

Almost all full-timers either choose a 5th wheel or a MH because of this.

Jim

There are many who choose to live in rigs that other's consider unsuitable for FT use. I know 2 people who full-time in a fiberglass egg camper, one hearty soul who lives in pop-up. I met a couple full-timing in a Hi-Lo, a single man full-timing in a home made truck camper, and I know of a widow full-timing in an Aliner. (I own an Aliner and that might be doable for one but pretty tough for two.) A few days ago I even saw a full-timer living in a class-B pulling a tiny toad! While on vacation last summer, I met a couple who were down on their luck who were living in a tent out of the back of a mini-van. They were staying in a free campground off the Natchez Trace and would stay the legal 14 day limit and move on to the next free campground, returning when legally allowed for another free stay.

I guess it all depends on how you want to live. I am planning on just what you suggest. I think carrying capacity is more important to my plans than physical storage space. I've spoken to quite a few Escapee's who suggest 3,000lbs of carrying capacity for a retired couple. However there are those on this board who full-time in a TT with about 1/2 of that. With gas approaching $4/gallon I think it is smart to consider a lightweight, minimalistic lifestyle if you like to move around a lot. There are experts who predict gas prices will go much higher. While this may not be as important to someone with a big portfolio, there are those among us trying to live off of social security or a meager pension who can't afford the care and feeding of a bigger rig.

These days, light weight doesn't neccessarily mean poorly built due to modern manufacturing techniques and high-tech materials. Evergreen has already been mentioned, and while they are an excellent quality TT, they suffer from a CCC on the low side - though this can be worked around. If you want a 1/2 ton towable rig, I suggest you look at the Slingshot by Crossroads. They have a 28 ft model with a slide that weighs in at less than 3,800 lbs. More importantly, in my book, it has a CCC of over 3,400 lbs. http://www.crossroadsrv.com/slingshot/floorplan_detail.asp?fp=GT27RB&type=tt True it doesn't have as much space as a big fiver, only you can decide if its storage space is adequate. Of course I come from the perspective of a Louisiana resident, where you can count on one hand the days we have a hard freeze here. Choosing such a TT pre-supposes you will winter over in warmer climes. There is a huge selection of trailers in the 3/4 ton towable range. I'm partial to the inexpensive (Heck, they're not much more than my Aliner was new.) Forest River Cherokee 30F and their Salem 30 FKBS (though I know those who wouldn't buy a Forest River product.) Both fit my budget, carrying capacity needs and floorplan (I love the king bed - lots of storage space under it too.) while being 3/4 ton towable. The better quality ones with superior insulation are heavier and much more costly. Consider your budget carefully and decide what you can afford, both initially and the fuel and maintenance costs it takes to live your intended lifestyle. Some will say you can't fulltime on less than X dollars/month (you fill in the blank.) Living their exact lifestyle, I'm sure they're right. However there are those living a FT lifestyle on every imaginable income. I'm sure you can do it on whatever your budget dictates, you just have to be a little more creative and flexible than those with greater resources. Remember it could be far worse - you could be living in a van down by the river! ;)

Chip

In reality all RVs are suitible for full timing. It just depends on your needs, wants and how you want to live your life on the road.

The main difference might be an RV with cold weather capability if you plan on staying in cold weather for any length of time.

We had a Nomad 23 foot travel trailer for 16 years and travelled across country with it several times. We were involved in off road racing for a few years and the trailer handled the dirt roads we needed to travel to get to the race area. The only problem that can be attributed to road travel/vibration was one of the dinette benches came apart. I just reglued and stapled it. No suspension problems, no frame problems...everything held up great.

There are some things I need for fulltiming so I would definitely look for a travel trailer with certain amenities or the space to add them. Here's my list:
Washer/Dryer
Solar Panels and Batteries and/or generator
3000 watt inverter
A/C
Sat TV System
Large Bathroom area with good sized shower
Nice Recliners
At least a 35" TV
Always made up bed
Large Refrig & Freezer (Near apartment size)
Automatic Leveling System and electric tongue jack
Plus the usual amenities.

So I figure a 35 foot TT would fit the bill. If I'm going that big, I might as well go for a 5th wheel and get a 38 footer...hey, wait, that's what I have.

Wow a lot of interesting opinions! We are not full trimming it yet but plan on taking longer and longer trips. We have a 26' Sunline SLR with 1 slide. This will be "our home" on the road at least to start.
We also recognize that we may out grow the space if we move to life on the road full time. If that does happen we will most likely move into a mid size (34') fifth wheel.
See you all in Tennessee!


-- Edited by Team Murc on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 10:59:09 AM

My reply does not address the issue of full-timing in a travel trailer, but it does apply to those.

For many years, we camped with 15' to 21' travel trailers with never a problem.  Then we purchased a 26-footer and took it to our favorite Colorado National Forest campground.  One entrance road to that campground involved exiting the highway and immediately dipping down before turning.

Without thinking, I took that entrance and as the wheels on the travel trailer went into the "dip" part, the rear steps caught on the pavement of the highway we had just left.  Another issue with the travel trailers is the rear stabilizer jacks.  They could also drag on dips.

While I'm not trying to talk you away from a travel trailer, a lot of the fifth wheels have a higher ground clearance and most have their steps closer to the wheels than what were on our travel trailer, thus there was a lot slimmer chance of dragging a step.  Also, check to see if any trailer you get has "skid plates" or some such thing on the very back designed to prevent damage to the majority of the rest of the trailer.

Also, the longer a trailer of any kind is, the more chance there is of dragging on a sudden dip.

Hopefully, my mistakes can help others avoid the same ones.

Terry

birder526 wrote:

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Hi all,

I have a feeling we may be the only ones in a tiny little teardrop on this forum! Ours will be 10' long and 5' wide with just a queen mattress inside (along with storage cubbies) and an outdoor galley! While we could have opted for AC, Heater, and a TV, we did not. We want to simplify and therefore we didn't want a 'house on wheels', but something requiring much less maintenance. I know we'll be dwarfed by all of the "big guys" out there! Should be fun to compare notes with folks we meet!

Diane

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 Technomadia I believe started out in a TearDrop before moving to something a little bigger.

Many have said and will say ;"Get a 5th wheel they tow better, and have more storage space."

I have to disagree. Trailer to trailer, a 5th wheel has more storage space. When including the truck bed with a high topper, I think the travel trailer combo wins.

In addition, the truck bed storage space is more flexible to use.

Towing superiority: If a travel trailer is using a good hitch, such a Reese Dual cam or Hensley, a travel trailer will tow just as well as a 5th wheel. It just more sensitive to having the hitch set up properly.

But still, the bottom line is you have to do research and choose the type that will fit your unique needs the best.

Hi Bill!

Luckily we have found a company called Napier Sportz tents that make tents that attach to the rear of SUV's and trucks -- really interesting products.  We are going with one that will attach over our teardrop's galley & open hatch that will make cooking doable in rainy (or buggy) weather. 

As far as being so close to each other so much of the time, we are good with that.  If we need space, the great outdoors will give us room to do that!

Thanks!