Newbe

[Nicki]

Hello everyone!!! I'm new to the group. My husband and I are looking to purchase our first RV very soon. We are "virgins" so if you could give us some advice we would certainly appreciate it. We have a Yukon and are unsure on what type of RV to purchase. We do have 2 dogs and we want to live in it for a few years. Any suggestions???

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Nicki to the CRVL forums! 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. highdesertranger

 

[QinReno]

Bob Wells, godfather of this forum, has dozens of videos on different types of RVs.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAj7O3LCDbkIR54hAn6Zz7A/videos

If you're planning to "live" in the RV full time, then you'll likely want something larger than any type of van, eg a Class-C at the very least. I just got back from a month in Oregon, and there were a bazillion people pulling trailers, roughly 22'-24' long, with their trucks and SUVs, which should probably work ok if planning to use the Yukon as a tow vehicle. I'm a vanner, and not into trailers myself, but people I talked to were quite happy to have enough room in the trailers to live a life with the "normal" conveniences. Otherwise, there are also Truck campers (not much room), plus Class-As and 5th Wheels (the latter 2 being more like whales on the highway).

The biggest disadvantages of the bigger rigs is low mileage, negotiating those things in towns, backing up, and finding places large enough to park and camp in. When backing up, you really need one person to drive and a spotter at the back to keep from running into trees, &etc.

 

[Nicki]

Sorry for the delay, I have been trying to maneuver my way around on here, lol. Thank you guys so much for all the advice, I’m sure I will be back on here asking more questions.

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Welcome, Nicki! My RV is considered a great "couples" model, however adding two dogs may require something a bit bigger, especially if you'll be full-timers.

 

[Nicki]

Bob Wells, godfather of this forum, has dozens of videos on different types of RVs.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAj7O3LCDbkIR54hAn6Zz7A/videos

If you're planning to "live" in the RV full time, then you'll likely want something larger than any type of van, eg a Class-C at the very least. I just got back from a month in Oregon, and there were a bazillion people pulling trailers, roughly 22'-24' long, with their trucks and SUVs, which should probably work ok if planning to use the Yukon as a tow vehicle. I'm a vanner, and not into trailers myself, but people I talked to were quite happy to have enough room in the trailers to live a life with the "normal" conveniences. Otherwise, there are also Truck campers (not much room), plus Class-As and 5th Wheels (the latter 2 being more like whales on the highway).

The biggest disadvantages of the bigger rigs is low mileage, negotiating those things in towns, backing up, and finding places large enough to park and camp in. When backing up, you really need one person to drive and a spotter at the back to keep from running into trees, &etc.

 

[Nicki]

We are planning on living in it full time but stationary. We are looking for land to house it on now. I think my biggest fear is not knowing how to work it, lol. I have been doing a lot of research and youtube watching on things that are really helpful. We have been looking at 5th wheels and travel trailer ( I don't know if that's the same thing) because of space. When we do find land, do I have to have a sewer hookup and all that other stuff available?

 

[QinReno]

Nicki, not having had either, for semi-permanent parking I think I would go with a travel trailer rather than a 5th Wheel. For the latter, now you need a big pickup truck to pull it. Also the 5th Wheels are really monsters on the highway, weighing up to 20,000-pounds and sticking up 20-feet or more. If you buy land, then you would probably want to put a septic tank into the ground, so black water issues would basically disappear. I think you could get by with a lot of solar on the roof, and still live with all the usual conveniences, so not needing access to the power grid. Also, for trips, you could easily hookup the trailer for travel. Just some thoughts.

 

[QinReno]

- 5th wheels: https://www.google.com/search?q=5th+wheel&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X
- travel trailers: https://www.google.com/search?q=travel+trailer&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X

Units under 30-feet long (ie 24-foot or so) should be adequate for "most" people, so not needing to go to the really big ones. The smaller ones in the 16-foot or so range would be cramped for permanent living, I think. You can shop them all at your local RV shop. My local one has dozens of all types.

 

[Nicki]

Thank you for fir the advice. We purchased a travel trailer and having it delivere. We found land that has everything on it, septic, electric and water. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. Still a little nervous but mostly excited. Have patience with me guy sure I will have a lot of questions.

 

[QinReno]

Congrats on all the decisions. Sounds very good. As a point of information, which trailer did you buy, and how long is it? - not that I really know enough to compare models.

As others have mentioned in other threads, you do need to check on the local zoning laws, regarding living full-time in a travel trailer. Can you indicate the "general" area of where you bought land? (no specifics, please, unless you're bragging!)

 

[Nicki]

It’s in the country. There was a trailer on their prior to use. We are renting land.

 

[QinReno]

All good, .

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Nicki, not asking for details or an address, but where (if you don't mind me asking) did you find land like that? Just the state and rough area if you don't mind.

Edit: I see QinReno asked already.