It's the perfect time...

[sanensatisfied]

My name is Sara and I've just started the research and planning to transition to a mobile lifestyle. I'm going through a divorce and have a 15 month old daughter who will be about 2.5 years old when we start out. I've been wanting to do this for years and it just seems like the perfect time.

I plan to work while on the road. I design websites, write and make soap and other spa products.

I can't wait to ask more questions and get to know you all.

 

[Patrick46]

Hi Sara!

I answered your question on the other thread about you guys staying safe on the road, so I'll just ad that this is a great forum about the mobile lifestyle.

We have a great crew on here, with many years of experience to draw upon for answers to your questions.

You said thet you're getting (or maybe already have) an RV?? We'd love to know more about it.

We had RV's for many of the years our kids were growing up. We traveled all over the western US & Canada in 'em, and had some wonderful family experiences too. Good times for sure! Many great memories. I'm sure you and your daughter will grow very close living together in one.

Hello from Oregon!

 

[sanensatisfied]

I just started researching what mobile home will be right for us. I really like tiny houses on trailers but I think building one might be too much for me right now. I've looked at a few RVs but if I can get help from friends and family on building a tiny house I would really like that instead. But that would be a luxury For an RV I would like one with two "rooms" so my daughter can have her own space.

Other than that I'm pretty open to layout and amenities.

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Sanensatisfied! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

There are a few internet groups of families on the road, too

Here are some blogs
http://fulltimefamilies.com/family-members-2/blogs/

If you facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FulltimeFamilies/

 

[Patrick46]

here's acouple quick questions which will help us to help guide you to what rig will best fit your needs...

YES, the tiny house movement is very cool, but how much do you think you'll be traveling and moving around??

Tiny houses are pretty much like tiny mobile homes. They're cool, and cozy to live in, but not the rig you want if you're gonna be traveling quite a bit. You move these and park 'em for spells. (sure, some 'have' traveled with 'em, just because you can...but those were to promote the rigs.)
You're also gonna need a big vehicle to tow one with.

Also...what kind of budget do you have to work with??? This is onna the best starting points, because this will determine ALOT about what you can and cannot afford.

so, let's start with these 2 questions

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you are really interested in building your own tiny house, there is an alternative that you might not have thought of. There are lots of people who buy a new or used CARGO TRAILER and convert it into an RV.

You start out with a strong frame and weatherproof exterior, and the inside is a perfectly blank slate, ready for you to build and finish to perfectly suit yourself.

There is an extremely active sub-forum devoted to this over on the Teardrops and Tiny Travel Trailers forum.

Lots of examples and ideas there, as well as a very helpful group to answer your questions.

Regards
John

 

[sanensatisfied]

Patrick, my love for tiny homes is a dream right now. Yes, I would love it but I know an RV is more practice. Tiny homes are just a fancy of mine. We will most likely be going with an RV. But like I said before I would prefer one that has a second room for my daughter if possible.

 

[LucyImHome]

Depends on what your definition is of "room". My adult son and I share my 24' TT. His "room" is the sofa, pulled out. The bunk above is dropped down for storage and he's put a curtain up from there. So that is his room. Mine.... the TT is the bunk bed model, so I have that. I pull the little curtain and that's my "room", My English Mastiff gets the dinette, dropped down to a bed. He gets no curtain, and hasn't complained yet about lack of privacy. LOL When I still had my 28' MH, my son had the bedroom and I had the sofa, so that was as close as it got to separate rooms.

 

[akrvbob]

I think one of your best choices is a good used Toy Hauler. They have a large rear area that is wide open because it is intended to hold motorcycles or ATVs. It would be very simple to build in a wall and give your daughter her own room.

Here is a post I did on some friends of mine who lived in a Toy Hauler.

http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/living-running-business-toy-hauler-trailer/

The bed in back drops down to sleep or raises to fit the Bikes/ATVs in.

Looking at the living area:

It has a very nice bathroom:

One option would be for you to sleep on the bed and build a room underneath it for your daughter. Or you could just sleep up front in one of the drop-down couches/beds.

My friend bought the trailer and a nice Ford diesel truck to pull it for $7500
Bob

 

[sanensatisfied]

I'm using the term "room" loosely. The mobile home I've liked the best so far had a queen size bed in the front area and had a slide out with a bunk bed toward the back.

The Toy Hauler idea is interesting. And while I love that idea or the tiny house idea I don't think I will have enough money for the truck to pull them. I'm thinking an RV is going to be the way I go.