Also, does anyone own/live in one of those "Tiny Houses"?

Steve,

With regards to living in a Casita, you might check out this blog.  I haven't followed it in a long time, but they started out in a Casita and as of a picture posted on their blog in late February, they are still on the move.  Their latest posting was in April, but you can go back in their blog's archives to check out how they set up and arranged things to get by in a smaller RV.

Casita Escapes

This link takes you to that post where they showed their last photo of their truck and Casita in Arizona.

Lake Pleasant

Last, but not least is a link to the blog of RV Sue as mentioned by manycats.

RV Sue and Her Canine Crew

With a little luck, you can comment on their posts and ask them questions.

Terry

We full timed for a year in a 16' T@B teardrop... it was ok. Wouldn't say it held up all that well.

We then upgraded to a 17' Oliver Travel Trailer - a high end fiberglass trailer that takes the Casita/Scamp model a step up. We did 3 years in that, and it still looked brand new the day we sold it. (www.technomadia.com/oliver - for more info). Oliver is back in production, but they're making the 23.5' model now.

If you're interested in fiberglass trailers, make sure you join www.fiberglassrv.com - great forums there for all brands.

- Cherie

I had and traveled alot in a Casita 17' Spirit Deluxe for many years, just got rid of it a couple of days ago...They are still made in Texas I believe, and ours was purchased new in the 90's.....it looked good as new all these years later....the resale on the Casita is excellent....I can't say enough about the design, construction, and ease of towing....I have heard of people living full time in a Casita but I did not....we took many 3-4 week trips over 15 years....

Well it stands to reason that a $40,000 Oliver will hold up better than a $15,000 T@B. It just goes to show that you get what you pay for. The real question is what's the best, most durable light weight TT within my budget that best serves my needs? That way you're not comparing apples to oranges. I sometimes read the new car reviews in the enthusiast magazines. Without exception they aways rate the more expensive model as superior to the budget minded offerings. What a surprise! If a TT costs thrice as much will it really last 3 times as long? Is that what you want? What about when the time value of money is taken into consideration? In other words, if you have poor credit and must pay 19% interest for the better quality unit vs paying cash for the cheaper model, will it be worth all that interest (maybe doubling the price you end up paying)? Or, if choosing between 2 used models, would a 10 yr old top end TT be a better value than a 1 yr old lower end model? Maybe it will, maybe not, but most certainly it will hold its value better if you are dissatisfied with your choice.

Chip

Thanks Bill & Linda! Of course I only left it out because I thought they might be out of my price range but after doing more research I see that they are just as (in)expensive as any others out there. I didn't dare to even dream of owning one but now I have left that option open!

RVNoob wrote:

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Thanks Bill & Linda! Of course I only left it out because I thought they might be out of my price range but after doing more research I see that they are just as (in)expensive as any others out there. I didn't dare to even dream of owning one but now I have left that option open!

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Steve:

Let me offer the following suggestion pertaining to finding a used Airstream – assuming you don’t want a Bambi size.  Check out Airstream “Land Yacht Harbors.” These are, as you may know, Airstream specific parks.  Many have older trailers for sale.  They will have been “used, but not abused.” However, some will most likely require some work to make them road ready again.  Axle, tires, bearings, brakes checked and perhaps serviced.  Same for the self contained water system.  Usually nothing seriously major.  But many times “Airstreamers” who have traveled a long time and get to the place where they “can’t pull’em anymore” will have used these rigs as a winter base for a few years.  The “time comes” and they have to put them up for sale.  Usually at fair prices.  And, usually, someone knows someone in the park with a rig and many are “road ready” due to an unexpected health event if you follow me.

This link for a park in Florida is a place to start including some links:

http://www.landyachtharbormelbourne.com/links.html

Also – just for reference:

http://vintageairstreamrestorations.com/index.html

If you are not afraid of a bit of work don’t be afraid of the older trailers.  Some of us long time Airstreamers believe the older rigs are better than the new ones.

Hope this helps and good luck

Bill