Splurge or Save?

[jimindenver]

One thing to consider. Others have mentioned the rounded corners on a Airstream. I'll tell you that even with square corners, most trailers do not have the storage you would want for full timing. Huge motor homes and some fifth wheels have basements but they are large.

Just the baby stuff alone will take up quite a bit of room and the adults would need multiple sets of clothes/ shoes that are not going to fit in a tiny closet. Like to cook, you will learn to do it without all of the fancy gadgets because there is barely room for a few pots and pans.

In our 25 ft trailer there is room under the bed, under the dinette seats, under the couch and two small storage bays outside. I mention "under" because every time you want something, you have to open up the bed, dinette seat or couch to get to it. You have to put it back as soon as you are done or the trailer will look cluttered.

The only thing that makes our trailer usable for longer than a week is the fact that we have two unused bunks. On one hand the space could be used for more comfortable seating, on the other the additional storage is priceless.

I will say that anytime I want something that the other half doesn't, well it had better be the best of the best and well, we just can't afford that right now. It's a way of saying no without having to argue it.

 

[compassrose]

You will probably end up in an RV park and not a back yard. In the case of fulltiming in an RV, I truly believe that "bigger is better". Stuff expands. Kids stuff REALLY expands. I suggest a bunk house/ toy hauler trailer if you can pull such a beast.

 

[Patrick46]

Kids stuff REALLY expands.

Maybe true...

but with discipline and good organization, anything is doable.

Keep in mind, that Lots of folks have raised kids on sailboats...and those have NO STORAGE!

 

[jonthebru]

I may be the only one here who feels Airstreams are overrated. They do have great resale value though.

 

[highdesertranger]

I feel the newer ones are over rated. the older ones are great but over priced. if you could find an older one for cheap, I feel it would be a good buy. highdesertranger

 

[darude]

id'e check into rv park rates out here in so cal last time I looked they started at 800.00 a month and went up and that didn't include the power bill either!! plus you'll have to fill out an application to get in and they will want to know if you filed a BK and or ever been evicted blah blah not saying that you have but just saying. and you'll prob will need to book the monthly spot ahead of time since there full most of the time!! where would you park the trailer if worst came to worst and you couldn't camp out in your friends yard?? since commieforina is run by elitist control freaks that have no common sense at all my plan is to get out

 

[buckwilk]

kristin, a lot to digest, sort through and try to make sense of. Good luck with that. All the questions you have may be answered here

https://wandrlymagazine.com/article/make-a-living-on-the-road/ check it out.

 

[gcal]

Bought a new trailer the first time around. They are not made for full-time and they all need adjustment. Paid more than we should have considering that we had to change things, and lived uncomfortably for too long because we were worried about warranty and resale.Second time around, we got smart and bought used.. Changed what we needed to make it suit us without the angst.

 

[BC Guy]

Krystin, I noticed that you have not responded since the first day. Have you and your husband made a decision?

 

[darude]

I am wondering what choice they made also

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for my lack of response we have been quite busy. Thank you for everyone who responded and gave their 2 cents. It was all much appreciated.

To touch on a few things:

- The land we will be staying on will be fine. No need for us to look into trailer parks or California laws etc. We're good. Trust me!
- The space issue in a trailer and van life. Appreciate everyones concern about space and kids etc, but we understand that it is a small space and feel extremely comfortable living/cooking/sleeping/playing/bathing/relaxing/enjoy life in a very small space. We wouldn't be doing something like this if we weren't comfortable with the space. And to go into this further...HELLO PEOPLE....welcome to 2015. People are living smaller and smaller. It's cutting edge, its the future and we are REAL EXCITED to embark on it!
- The airstream space/over rated issues....kinda agree on some of these points. So, thanks for pointing that out.
- Lastly...WHAT DID WE DECIIIIIIIDE?

Well, we decided to meet in the middle. We found a RAD trailer that we both loved for $25k. BUT, we found out that financing a trailer is more difficult than we expected. Even with amazing credit, and higher than average salaries we could not qualify for the value of the trailer we decided we wanted to purchase. (even though this year/style is selling at up to $35k it is only "valued" at $14k and therefore that is all you can qualify for) so weird. Has anyone else experienced this with used trailers?

So, since we cant finance something we want, nor can we afford to pay for it cash we have decided to go with my plan...to buy a trailer cheap ($4-8k) and put our own updates on it as we live in it over the next couple years. We may or may not take it on the road for road life. Havent decided yet.

The trailers we are looking at are older airstreams, aristocrat lo-liners, shastas....(you know, super trendy trailers because like mentioned throughout the thread, we are young california hipsters so what do you expect?!) hehe

If anyone knows of anything feel free to let me know.

Again, thank you for all the great feedback!

 

[[email protected]]

kristin, a lot to digest, sort through and try to make sense of. Good luck with that. All the questions you have may be answered here

https://wandrlymagazine.com/article/make-a-living-on-the-road/ check it out.

such a great link. thank you

 

[highdesertranger]

we have a couple of good searchers on here hopefully they will chime in with some deals. highdesertranger