Living in a small travel trailer in the desert and forrests

[compassrose]

To put my $0.01 opinion in, I think you need to look at popups. A couple has lived in our park for the past 4 years in their canvas sided popup. And yes, Roswell is in a desert with high winds, dust storms, rain, snow and ice... sometimes all of those in one day and/or at the same time.

We (2 adults, 2 kids, large dog & antique cat) lived in a vintage hardsided Apache popup (porti-potti) for 1-1/2 years in Chattanooga. That was thru a very cold and snowy winter. I did wish we had a Trail Manor or Hi-Lo. In fact, at the end of the 1-1/2 years we had the option of either buying a larger RV (and that probably would have been a Trail Manor w/2 beds current MSRP is $38,032 or a bus conversion) or a house. We should have gotten the Trail Manor that we found USED at a very good price (hard to find them back then used and the price was low enough we would have paid cash). Very nice and one person can "pop" it up. We were very impressed with how well they were built, how much the people who own them love them yet the price was reasonable. If you an find one near you, go look at one. One of the things I really liked was that while it was a Popup it had hard sides and actual walls for the bathroom/shower area. They are a suitable fulltiming popup for cold weather.

http://trailmanor.com/wordpress/ (you want to look at the "retractable" models) I suggest using www.searchtempest.com to find used Trail Manors.

 

[SoulRaven]

A brand new 5x10 cargo trailer is your best bet. Have one made to order with swing rear doors, a real RV side door with full screen, a slider window opposite the side door, roof vents, six foot inside height, electric brakes, and insulation. Approx empty weight around 900 pounds.

http://www.georgiamadetrailers.com/index.php?id_product=12&controller=product

 

[akrvbob]

A 5x7 trailer and a pop-up are both very, very good ideas. But I'd look hard at one of these:

http://www.runawaycampers.com/
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

Those are cute. Lind of like a modern tear drop.

 

[SoulRaven]

Yes Bob, those are really nice looking. And I was very impressed. But.....the one thing that stopped me from really getting into one was the inside height measurement of 46". I am only 5'6", but that would be pretty short for me. I put an imaginary line on the wall with a tape measure and stooped down to kinda simulate what it would be like being in one of these. Anytime I would have to move around inside would have to be a a pretty good stooped over position. I don't think I couldn't handle it. Thanks for the suggestion and link.
And yes, they are somewhat like a teardrop. I had thought of one of those too, but those also are pretty short on the inside height. I know......I'm hard to please. I just have to hit on that Goldilocks solution.
Thanks again for all the input.

 

[akrvbob]

My thinking for one of those trailers is that it will be tent that you sleep in or spend time in during bad weather. Otherwise all your time will be spent outside in an EZ-Up or screen room. It wouldn't be hard to put in a few windows and I'd put a small kitchen in the front wall so I could cook and sleep in it if I had to wait out a storm.

Essentially it is a rolling steel tent and you are a tent dweller.

But that wouldn't be for everybody, but it is an option.
Bob

 

[Magicwolf]

If I may suggest (as I think someone else also did), you could try looking at a 13' fiberglass. I have a 13' Scamp. No bells or whistles so it's very lightweight - around 1,000 lbs. No A/C, no furnace, etc. It's essentially a shell. The benefit to no bells or whistles is that you can add only the things that are important to you or switch them out according to your needs. It can be easily stood in.

I purchased it because I, too, have a small vehicle that wasn't capable of towing much at all - even less than yours.

 

[SoulRaven]

Yes Magicwolf, the Scamp type of unit seems just about right for what I am capable of towing. I am starting my search on them now to gather information. Thanks for the information and suggestion.

 

[SoulRaven]

One more question. I am pretty sure that the Escape with its 3500 lb tow rating with the tow package will have no problem towing the 13' Scamp, with its dry weight 1300-1600 lbs. Now would I be pushing it if I would try to tow the 16' Scamp that weighs dry 1750-2000 lbs?
It would be nice to have that extra 3 feet. Just trying to get things zeroed in.

 

[VJG1977]

Here is a link to a rather long discussion about towing with a 2013 Ford Escape, 23 pages.  I skipped around and read several pages,  it looks doable with the right trailer and driving techniques.  Best of luck.

2013 Ford Escape 

 

[SoulRaven]

Without any practical towing experience you should install a hitch and wiring harness and go rent a single axle enclosed U-haul trailer for the weekend.

My truck is a 1992 Full size long wheelbase Chevy pickup with a 4.10 limited slip rear axle and there is no way I would try to tow 3000 pounds.

Before I it became a camper it was used in my landscaping business and to haul a drag race motorcycle in a 5x10 enclosed trailer.

I had no problems hauling the 5x10 enclosed trailer with the bike that was about 1500 pounds nor the 5.5 x 12 open landscapers trailer (1000 lbs empty) with mesh ramp gate with one 600 pound commercial lawnmower, but when I added a 2nd 600 pound lawnmower and the gross weight moved up to 2200 pounds it was a strain on the truck and without trailer brakes was not fun to operate.

Now also take into consideration my truck has a full frame, a step bumper rated to tow 400/4000, a rear end ratio suited for towing, 131 inch wheelbase, and truck sized brakes.

 

[SoulRaven]

Mr.LooRead, that is a very good idea about renting the Uhaul and, and maybe even loading it with enough weight to simulate what I am thinking about getting. I don't know why I didn't think of that myself. Thanks

VJG1977, thanks for the link. I have read that also. And the person you are speaking of, Rick, seems to have no problem at all with the 13' scamp with the same setup that I am talking about putting with my Escape. But, I have somewhat come to the conclusion that I may be pushing it by upping things from the 1500 lb 13' to the 2000 lb 16'. Kind of like Mr.LooRead said, when you start adding a few items to that, it can upset the balance point from a pretty comfortable to a very stressful experience.
All these suggestions and tips are very helpful in keeping me in line on what to do. Thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

I know I have asked twice but no answer. will you be taking this off pavement? this makes a big difference. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

But I am still going to have to use the Escape because it is what I have, can't change that part.

None of my business, of course, but WHY can't you change that part?  If it was me, I'd be selling or trading the Escape towards a small pickup truck, which would have NO trouble pulling any of the small trailers you are interested in.

I'd put a cap on the pickup and install a comfortable, full size mattress back there to serve as the bedroom.  The trailer would provide bathing, cooking, and daytime lounging space.

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

I'd assume if you are serious about camping in the NF or BLM land there is no choice but go "off-road" to some degree. I'm almost always at least 2-3 miles back on dirt roads--although that really isn't off-road.
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

On one of our trips there was a couple pulling a Scamp with a Equinox. A considerable smaller set up compared to our Expedition and 25 ft brick that we tow. All the way home they would pass us on the downhill and then struggle on the climbs to the point that I had to pass him or lose my momentum. It's easy to pass us on the down hill because I know the speed I need for the next hairpin and use the tranny to keep us there, so that's how they made up time. Fly downhill and pucker up around the hairpins.

It took some doing but I found the PDF on Fords towing specs. http://www.ford.ca/resources/ford/g...s/33991_Ford_Port2012_RVTrailerTowing_Ev6.pdf

In it they say the Escape has a tongue weight limit of 350 pounds. That automatically limits you to 2330 pounds and that 350 pounds comes out of your payload too. It also mentions that the max frontal area is 20 sq feet for most Escapes, 30 sq ft for 2L with eco-boost. I also couldn't find any cargo specs but those are on the door for each vehicle. Just food for thought.

 

[SoulRaven]

I don't want to get off the beaten path too much. I want to stay on the roads that are safe and no real chance of getting stuck or doing damage to my vehicle. I am going to the Ford dealer that the Escape was purchased from and ask them some direct questions on what is the realistic towing ability for this Escape. And what type of trailers it will safely tow and handle well. Then I am going to visit someone close to me that is towing and living in a 16' Scamp that has a dry weight of 2000lbs with a 2014 Honda Odyssey. Which has the same towing capacity as my Escape. I am gathering all the information I cam on this before I get into something that I may be a problem.
I don't want to trade the Escape in for a truck because I wouldn't want to be driving around a vehicle that would not get to great of mpg when I am not towing something. And besides, trading it in would probably cost some money to do that.

Who knows, I may have to scrap this towing a trailer or camper idea and just get a used van and set it up for living. But the only problem I see with that is I am concerned about keeping myself clean as far as a shower or way to stay clean and such. I don't know if the portable shower setup could work for that. But that is all another subject, classification, and different posting area. If this indecision keeps up too much longer I may be posting with everyone over in the Van category. I have never seen a situation that couldn't be changed for, or into something different.

 

[VJG1977]

Here is a link to some ultralight trailers.

A Guide To Ultra-Lightweight Travel Trailers

If you could live with the space, some of these would work with your [font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Escape.[/font]

 

[highdesertranger]

wow good dig on that link vjg. steve I kinda doubt the dealer is going to tell you anything different then the factory specs. but you can try. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

Putting a shower in a camper van is both cheap and easy, you could even have one in a mini van. The only unusual part is that in a low top van you shower while seated.

I find great comfort in having a camper van and knowing that my belongings are not at risk while I'm not there. Plus I may decide I want to be somewhere different if I see it, and since I already have everything with me, no back tracking is needed.

I think too many people spend too much time worrying about gas mileage and not enough time thinking about long term comfort. I do quite a bit of traveling, and yet NEVER spend as much on gas as I would for an apartment+utilities. I tend to meander. I'm in no hurry, and want to enjoy my travels, so it's not like you're driving thousands of miles every month.

When I was working, I went through a tank of gas a week. I do basically the same thing now, but my travels aren't just around town, but instead they're around the country. If you only got 10 mpg (I get 18 with my 15 passenger Dodge van), and traveled 1000 miles per month which is quite a lot if you're taking the time to enjoy your travels, that's only 100 gallons of gas, far cheaper than rent would be, yet I still have all the comforts of being at home at all times.

I set aside a $500 gas budget per month, and rarely use it all. Any excess gets added to my emergency/repair fund, which grows every month. I just consider that as my rent each month.