Making The Move to Living Our Dream - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sherev · RV-Dreams Community Member

Making The Move to Living Our Dream

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

How exciting! Welcome and keep us posted

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nice start! Looking forward to you hitting the road!

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome aboard....sherev

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome aboard.

We've got our TV but not our trailer yet. We're looking at TTs as DW has problems with too many stairs.

So is that the model fiver you're planning on getting or is it just a stock photo? If not, have you decided on your rig of choice yet?

Chip

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

In a few days, it will be 1 year since we left our s&b house and 3 years before that when we started the dreaming & planning. I also kept a journal from the start and, I'll tell you, I'm so glad I did! It's really interesting to look back at how far we've come and how many obstacles we've overcome on the journey. If nothing else, it makes good reading material to put me to sleep!

sherev · RV-Dreams Community Member

Sushidog wrote:
Welcome aboard.

We've got our TV but not our trailer yet. We're looking at TTs as DW has problems with too many stairs.

So is that the model fiver you're planning on getting or is it just a stock photo? If not, have you decided on your rig of choice yet?

Chip

Yes, the photo on the website blog is, indeed, what we're planning to purchase. 2015 Jayco Pinnacle 38FLSA - front living, 42.2 feet to be towed by a 2015 RAM 3500 diesel dually. The paperwork has been written and the orders will be placed as soon as the sale of the house closes (which, hopefully, should be in another couple of weeks).

We'll try to keep everyone updated with things as they happen.

Thanks, everyone, for the words of encouragement and support!

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

I love the floorplan of that Jayco with the front living room and that 18cf fridge, however the only thing that concerns me is that for a FT rig the CCC is pretty low. Does Jayco offer an upgraded suspension/wheel package to boost it's carrying capacity? It seems that on this model, if traveling with a full tank of water there is only 1,154 lbs of capacity left to carry all your worldly possessions. Most full-timers I've talked with recommend at least 3,000 lbs CCC for a couple. Remember, even after pruning your possessions to a tiny fraction of what you own now, they will still be quite heavy.

Let's look at some of the things that typically eat up an RVs CCC. In addition to the 732 lbs of water that Jayco can carry (necessary if you ever plan on boondocking or dry camping) there's another 60 lbs of propane (plus the weight of the tanks, if not included), and 50-75 lbs of batteries - more if you like to boondock. Next, add the contents of your fridge, a full ice chest, pantry, clothes (4 seasons worth), shoes, linens, foam topper for bed, window coverings/wall decorations, kitchen appliances (toaster ovens, blender, mixer, rice pot, coffee pot, slow cooker, ice maker, dishwasher, etc.) kitchen utensils, plates, glasses, pots and pans, misc. household items like lamps, chairs, washer/drier, etc., toiletries, medical supplies, cleaning tools, supplies and chemicals, folding chairs, recliners, floor/door mats, tarps, rope and chains, screen rooms/tentage, kids toys, adult toys (bikes, hobby and sporting equipt., fishing gear, guns and ammo), TV/DVD/satellite equipt., stereo/music gear, game systems/computers, printers, family heirlooms/treasures, a safe for valuables, guns and important papers, portable heaters, generator/spare fuel, solar panels (controller, inverter, cabling and extra heavy batteries), sewage and fresh water hoses and fittings, electrical cords, surge protector, leveling gear, water filters, macerator pump, portable dump tanks, water bladder, patio/camping lights, lanterns, tables, BBQ grill/fuel, tools (very heavy), spare parts for 5er and truck, pet supplies, cages, etc. Whew! Now you probably will only be carrying about half of the items on the list, but it's something to think about as things tend to add-up quickly and could easily sneak up on your meager weight limit - even if you travel with dry tanks and live a relatively minimalist lifestyle.

Chip

HighwayRanger · RV-Dreams Family Member

You're spot on, Chip. We were leaning toward a nice higher-end fifth wheel, but with the optional equipment packages they include (and we wanted) we were left with 1700 lbs of carrying capacity. Not nearly enough for us to comfortably full time. So, we're going to order a new diesel pusher with about 8000 lbs of cargo carrying capacity. It will cost a bunch more money, but we need to be happy with the stuff we can take along.

Roy

sherev · RV-Dreams Community Member

Sushidog wrote:
I love the floorplan of that Jayco with the front living room and that 18cf fridge, however the only thing that concerns me is that for a FT rig the CCC is pretty low. Does Jayco offer an upgraded suspension/wheel package to boost it's carrying capacity? It seems that on this model, if traveling with a full tank of water there is only 1,154 lbs of capacity left to carry all your worldly possessions. Most full-timers I've talked with recommend at least 3,000 lbs CCC for a couple. Remember, even after pruning your possessions to a tiny fraction of what you own now, they will still be quite heavy.

Chip

Are you saying that the CCC that Jayco has listed for this model (3,255) is really NOT sufficient?

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

3255 is the total weight you can carry. Like most people you'll have to do some juggling to get everything onboard depending on your wants and needs, so you'll be subtracting 730 odd pounds for water if you will be carrying it (think boondocking), and propane, and optional equipment (like awnings, slide covers, etc) that you may add to the base trailer. In addition you may want to add some improvements to your rig like additional batteries, solar, perhaps a water softener, all of which will cut into your available weight for your food and personal gear. In most situations you won't be hauling full tanks of water around, but you'll need to account for it on occasion. You typically won't offload gear just so you can add water to carry. So, realistically, you have something under 2500lbs and maybe even nearer to 2000lbs or less remaining for your "stuff". Is that enough for your situation? Only you can decide that. Many on here are doing it, and I'm sure they'll chime in. Our planned situation appears to indicate that we'll need nearly every bit of 4000lbs for our personal gear and food, water, plus extra batteries, solar and such... so we are looking at rigs that can handle that. For example, the LifestyleLuxury line (on our short list) with upgraded 8K suspension allows over 4000lbs for CCC. To each his or her own.

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sorry I must have got the specs wrong. I thought the CCC for this Jayco was much lower. I must have looked up the specs on another model by mistake (or saw the actual weight sticker on one.)

I would look for a little more than 3255lbs CCC though, because many so called "options" like a spare tire, awning, propane, double pane windows, a second ac unit, etc. may not be included in the advertised weight. Be sure and look at the actual weight sticker on your unit before pulling the trigger.

Chip

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

That's a nice fifth wheel. We like the front living room floor plan as well because it make the trailer seem like it has three separate living areas. The living room layout in the Pinnacle is one of the better we toured. Like the fact it is a wide body also. Good selection!

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here's another nice 4-season fiver with a front living room/home theater. It has an amazing amount of storage space front and rear almost like a class A basement with 4067lbs of CCC. It's pretty light weight too - within the limits of my 3/4 ton.

www.highlandridgerv.com/Unit-Spec-Sheets/Roamer/RF346FLR.pdf

It's got too many steps for us, but it might be of interest to someone here.

Chip