I'm considering downsizing and moving into a RV - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Newbierver · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm considering downsizing and moving into a RV

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Where in New Mexico? Winters can be a challenge in the higher elevations like Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Carlsbad or Las Cruces are more doable. RVs often need more heating and cooling than a house since they have so much exposed wall and roof space. Once you go to monthly rates it being a Good Sam park doesn't really matter.

Propane can be used for heating, cooking, running an RV refrigerator and for hot water. Alternately you can do all of these with electricity, but without extra work electricity will not heat all of your plumbing and compartments and also might cost more than propane. Depending on local rules and companies you might be able to get a large tank by your RV that a truck will fill. But in many cases you need to use 30 or 40lb bottles and have to haul them somewhere to fill them. It is better to have your own bottles instead of doing exchanges.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Annie....Welcome to the Forum!!!!
Your daily chores dont really change... life is what it is....As far as parks go check what there monthly and seasonal rates are, doing this will save alot of money over trying daily and weekly rates.

propane is pretty simple to learn other than the bottles get kinda heavy in a hurry......try to find out if the park you are staying in allows commercial 50 or 100 gallon tanks , if so then it makes it easier to have the truck come fill it

Im not real familiar with the New mexico climates but I have spent the last 3 years in the winter in an RV in New hampshire and survived comfortably so ,hopefully it shouldnt be to bad down there

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Annie,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find this to be a good place for information both in regards to the choices for RV's and for the full-time lifestyle. Glad to have you as part of the "family."

As for LPG, it isn't really that hard to work with because there aren't a lot of things to work on. If your part time job is NOT in an RV park, you might also look into mobile home parks to see if their are any in the area where you will be that can accomodate RV's as well as mobile homes. We are in Oklahoma City in a small mobile home park, and it is cheaper than staying in an RV park. You just need to do the research on lot rents, utilities furnished, and cost of the non-furnished utilities to see what best works for you.

With many places, you can go with nearly all electric but some RV parks will make you go metered instead of including the electric in the rate when one is on a long term monthly status. As mentioned, if you have an underbelly to heat to keep holding tanks from freezing, you may find that the LP gas furnace in the coach is better than trying to heat the underbelly with electric heaters. Many manufacturers will run a duct from the furnace to the area where most of the plumbing is located.

Good luck with your research and planning.

Terry

FastEagle · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you’re not going to travel with an RV you may want to consider a Park Model. Some set-up like a single wide mobile home and others are much like a large bumper pull RV. Many RV parks have what is referred to as seasonal sections where folks can set-up for long periods of time.

The first reference is mostly about the mobile home type Park Models. The second reference is a randomly selected three slide bumper pull type Park Model.

http://www.parkmodelsdirect.com/AT/index.asp

http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2013-KEYSTONE-Retreat-39BHTS-107466836

FastEagle

-- Edited by FastEagle on Monday 25th of February 2013 08:08:54 AM

Newbierver · RV-Dreams Community Member

Bill,

Thanks for the advice. I will check into the propane bottles vs a large tank. The RV park I am considering charges a monthly rate which includes electricity etc. and works out to $18 dollars a day so I think that is a good deal. Annie

Newbierver · RV-Dreams Community Member

Mike,

I'm near Albuquerque, and in the last 4 years the Winter's haven't been too bad about 2 days of heavy snow. I stay home when that happens biggrin I figure that heat is important but we do have some hot weather so A/C for me is a priority. I am looking into finding a used Cougar about 30 feet...for me and my kitties.

Newbierver · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry,

Thanks to all of you for the welcome. I'm glad I found you all. I understand you advice about the mixed use places. I checked out a place in Albuquerque and it was horrible...bad vibes for me. The research I did the best choice for me is with a Good Sam RV park which is close to where I live now. The monthly rate works out to $18 a day and includes the utilities. I feel better about the Propane now too.

How is the noise level with the wind? My unfavorite thing about this area is the wind...it never stops from January till about July. Annie