Do These Things Float?

[DDK319]

Hi All,<br><br>My name is Dan, and I am reasonably sure I'm going to move into a camper in the near future.&nbsp; I've lived with friends in shared homes, with a girlfriend in a house we bought (and then sold), on a boat in Boston Harbor year round, in apartments, and with my folks.&nbsp; The only one that really stands out for me is the boat, and I'm thinking with an RV I could have a very similar experience.&nbsp; <br><br>I have a camper stored at NHMS that I stay in when I'm up racing, but the farthest it gets towed is 1 mile from storage to the infield of the track, 8 times a year.&nbsp; I considered fixing it up, but decided it was too far gone to try to live out of.<br><br>So, I'll tell you all the way it works in my head.&nbsp; You can hopefully tell me how far off I am.<br><br><ul><li>I plan to live in this with my girlfriend, Jess, and her 3yo daughter Kiera.&nbsp; We need a separate bedroom for the daughter.&nbsp; </li><li>I do not want a motorized RV.&nbsp; I need a camper can be pulled with a normal pickup that does not have a 5th wheel.&nbsp; I'd love to be able to pull it with a 150 but expect I will need a 250 or 350 to move the size camper I'd like.</li><li>I expect I will bounce around from site to site, and away from sites on our own.&nbsp; I don't know if this will or will not become a long term plan, but I expect to spend at least a couple years doing it and want to try a bunch of different places.&nbsp; There are quite a few options close to where I work.</li></ul>I'm just now starting to shop for campers, but it seems I can get into a reasonable model at a very decent price if I don't mind it being a bit older.&nbsp; I'm a pretty good mechanic and don't mind keeping up on something, I'd rather buy something less expensive initially.<br><br>I'm also a bit concerned about New England winters, but after living on a boat in Boston Harbor for a record breaking cold winter, I know the stuff that can be done to stay comfortable.&nbsp; The electricity/propane bill isn't cheap, but I know I don't have to freeze.<br><br>So, I apologize for the super ramble, but this is why I'm here.&nbsp; I'm on a couple motorcycle forums and find them to be fun and informative, so since I'm getting ready to do this move I figured I should hit up this forum.&nbsp; Thanks for having me.<br><br>Dan<br><br>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Hi Dan! Welcome!</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>I think, with the New England winters you need to be looking at a camper with an insulated basement, so your pipes and tanks don't freeze.&nbsp; </FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>Also, there are a lot of light trailers that can be pulled with a 150.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>And, YAY!&nbsp; Another Mass-hole!</FONT>&nbsp; <br>

 

[DDK319]

Hi Cindy,<br><br>Thanks for the reply!&nbsp; Awesome that you're a masshole as well.&nbsp; So, what's this about insulated basements?&nbsp; They make such a thing on campers?&nbsp; <br><br>I know there are plenty of light campers that a 150 can pull, but my concern there is size.&nbsp; There will be 3 of us, and one is 3 years old, so I figure we should go fairly big so we have the space.&nbsp; I've decided bump-outs, at least one, are a must.&nbsp; <br><br>Seems like I have a LOT to learn!&nbsp; Any suggestions for resources on where to find and learn about campers, besides browsing this forum?<br><br>Thanks again for the reply!<br><br>

 

[Guest]

<P>Welcome to the forums Dan! There's plenty of resources to look into, and all I can stress is to do the research. Even if you can't locate a trailer with an insulated basement, I would presume you would be able to insulate it yourself, but I have only just started to look into that myself.<BR><BR>Check out on my blog, I have some information on heaters, insulation, etc as I live in Canada (WAY colder winters!) There's a couple people here that are from Canada, and one that has lived in a camper throughout the winter. Lots of good advice that route. <BR><BR>If you're going for size, I would also suggest a 250 or 350, but do the research, find the trailer you like, and figure out what can pull it before looking for the truck.<BR></P>Here's a couple links of note:<br><br><A href="http://thevandweller.blogspot.com/2010/08/insulating-van-for-coming-winter.html" target=_blank>http://thevandweller.blogspot.com/2010/08/insulating-van-for-coming-winter.html</A><br><br><br>

 

[Wild_E]

Hi there,<div>from Canada here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div>off the wall thinking, look for a used Horse Trailer, some already have conversions in the front, with lots of space in the rear (just powerwash clean then convert). You could run plumbing inside or just use porta potty and empty using bags. I would look to insulate the bottom as well, then add in some thick basement underpad over the steel floor, or ontop of at least 1/4 inch plywood. The walls can be insulated with the Durolex/Shiny&nbsp;Styrofoam&nbsp;one side, then add over it plywood or other material. Inside walls could be made with the new lightweight steel studs, and use bolts so they sway instead of being rigid like nails. With the back area, left open for a large playroom for the 3yr old or for your race stuff!</div><div>Some are quite roomy and can be pulled by a 150, I looked at one myself to be pulled with my Astro Van, but it is having&nbsp;trany&nbsp;issues.</div><div>There is a fellow here 4x4 and the list owner who live in trailers, if you start from scratch, yes it is more work but more rewarding as well. My conversion already feels more like home than my so called home did with my soon to be Ex Wife!</div><div>There are other lightweight contractor series Trailers, that are large, roomy, have 2 doors, front and back and can be converted easily. Some also have a platform on top for racing spectators or tools or etc.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Heating is simple, put the 100 pounder propane in the very back, run the hose to the heater and kitchen area, to use with the stove/heater/fridge combo, you can use&nbsp;splitters&nbsp;etc there. In a vehicle it is about some insulation and more about reflected heat in the winter that will make it or not.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Wild_E]

got confused.. 4x4 has some great photos of his conversion, step by step<div>another fellow lives in his trailer, also look at what some have done to pickups as well.&nbsp;</div>

 

[DDK319]

Thanks for the welcome all!&nbsp; This cold specific stuff is very, very helpful.&nbsp; Looks like I have some work cut out for me.<br>

 

[stude53]

Welcome, Dan<BR><BR>Be sure to review all the posts on buttons to the left (note go to the home page first, all the links work there, not here) as well as forum threads ... there are ideas in all that can be helpful as you plan your living space, regardles of what trailer or vehicle you select.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Bob (aka stude53)<BR>

 

[DDK319]

Hi again,

We have spent the better part of today at rv dealers. We found a few we liked, but one we feel in love with. It is a 2002 polomino 29'. Bunks, bump out, fiberglass shell, all options. It is very clean and has the water tank and plumbing inside, which should be good for winters. We really like the layout, and it is super clean. We looked at many newer ones for a lot more $ that were not this clean. Anyone have any input on this make or model?

Thanks,

Dan