Most of the items I was going to suggest have been said already. Definitely want 10 ply or better tires, good A/C, check for water damage, the larger water heater the better (I have a 10 gallon in mine and it means about a 10 minute shower), Definitely find an all season camper (floors enclosed and stuff), and most importantly you have to like it. I bought my first trailer used and my second was brand new ordered from the factory. Once you get one trailer then you will notice little things that you would want different for the next one. My new trailer has 2 slides the first did not have any. Oh I almost forgot, before purchasing while you are looking sit on the toilet and stand in the shower. Make sure your comfortable in those two areas.

 

I bought a FEMA trailer that was less than a year old at the time. Felt like a great deal at the time, expecially after the seller showed me the paperwork he got when he bought it. He paid 8900 for it off of a dealer lot. I got it from him for 5 so...

It's a 32' deal. Bunks, bathroom, kitchen and couch, walled off bedroom in the front for me and the Mrs. I had an RV outfit put tanks in it, as it looked like a pretty big task. That cost me 2100, and I drove three hours to get it done that cheap. This was all in 06, on an 05 model.

The only complaints I have about it, is the paint has been oxidizing lately, and the tires they come with are pretty cheap tires. Oh, and it tips the scales at about 9500 with the tanks on it now. So it's pretty heavy. And not all that pretty.

But it tows good, for all that. Brakes on it are surprisingly good brakes. I can turn the controller up and stop the truck with the trailer no problem.

Other than bein heavy and ugly though, turned out to be a nice camper, and has served my limited use needs well enough.

If it wasn't paid for, I'd probably get something a little nicer and lighter. It's just really hard to justify that to myself when this thing costs me less than 20 bucks a year to own, and I probably can't get jack for it.

Pay attention to weight though, I know we all like to beat our chests and rip big trailers down the road with our trucks. But 10k is freakin heavy. I don't care what you drive, you know it when you're pullin that much. Especially when it's 32' long.

 

$75 bucks a day x 26 days paid= $1950

$55 bucks a night x 26 days paid out= $1430 (plus tax right now so...)

So right now I have $520 bucks a month for food and what ever...

If I get a trailer for say $12,000 my payment will be in the $250 range a month, plus a MAX of $750 a month for space rental and maybe $30 a month for insurance...

Now I have $920 bucks a month for food and what ever... Seems like a good deal to me?

maintance and such I would have on the truck no matter what, they pay me $125 bucks a week for the truck anyway, trailer maintance will be the unknown, but other then a big ticket every now and then I cant see it as more then fittings and such???

Not doubting you, just looking at both sides. I do love the fact that every night when I get back to the hotel the beds made, sheets and towels changed and everything, but hell, I can do that myself.

 

Nah, just playing devil's advocate mostly. Don't mean to try to talk you in or out of your plan. If it's worth it to you then it's worth it! As long as you're willing to clean it, repack wheel bearings and replace brakes and tires every so often, and luxury taxes aren't too much then you might be on to something. I guess I just never gave a thought to using a camper as a place to live in during work, it's always been something for pleasure use so it's an interesting idea to me.

 

I don't know what you have to haul for tools, but if you fill your bed with equipment, that has to go somewhere else now.
Would a toyhauler be a good choice for you? They are designed to be tail heavy, most of them are triple axle vs the regular live in style 5th wheel is only double axle.

 

And when you are at home you still have the payment to make. Then when diesel hits $5/gal the cost of ownership goes up substantially. The space rental sort of goes by where you are and what time of year. I have stayed in FL for 1000 per month and the place was a dump. Stayed in CA on the ocean for 300 per month. I am not trying to steer you clear of it but it is an investment to make and think about before leaping. By the way I stay in a trailer year round while I am on the road.

 

As a super, about the dirtiest my hands get is using the porta johns...

I have a 20' connex with my name on it that they truck from job to job with all the tools you could ever need on a jobsite.

 

nope, I apreceate the feed back, thats why I posted!


True, but in 12 years as a super I have NEVER had a job at home! Company pays for fuel so that is not an issue...

Space rental is the biggest unknown for me right now, just no way to budget it...

That being said, even with some of the drawbacks, at the end of the day I would own something with the trailer, and get nothing with the hotel...

 

Well I've always subscribed to this theory: You don't know until you try. It drives my wife nuts (one day her brain is just going to explode on me) and a lot of my neighbors think I'm a retard. But if I want to try something but am not sure I calculate whether I think I'll lose my *** or not if I don't like it, and if I don't think I will I take the leap and pull the trigger. Sometimes I make out, sometimes I break even, and sometimes I lose out. I've been through quite a few different vehicles in my day, wheels, tires, parts, 2 pop-up campers and have graduated to a TT, landscaping, etc; you name it. But I would have never known and always wondered if I didn't try it out.

 

Just while sitting here I found a KOA down the road from you in Black Canyon City, (looks to be about 30miles from prescott valley) and a full hook up for 28 days (water, sewer, elec (30 or 50amp), free wifi, and cable) is $949, or if you get their super saver card $853. You may be able to make a better deal by talking with the campground operator directly. the web said to call about rates for stays that would be over 28 days.

 

There are a few right here in town I am going to check out as well. Thanks for that!

 

your over budgeting on the insurance end

mine is only like $84 a year.

 

As a fulltimer for 4 years now, I can tell you:

go big: at least 2 slides, 3 if you can afford it. It makes a huge difference inside.

Bathroom: Anything less than 30 ft in lenthg will likely have a small bathroom. depending on your body size, it may not be practical for showering in. Make sure you bathroom is roomy enough.

Double fridge: some units have a double wide fridge. It really helps as the standard size one fills up fast.

 

Hey Joe, this one is super nice, I was looking at it myself... looking to upgrade the 28' trailer...
04 Sprinter 5th Wheel

 

my advice is if your in AZ your probably gonna get a decent trailer. I lived in one for a bout 2 years and loved it. most parks charge around 300 a month if your gonna be there that long. just be careful when you get into areas with high humidity. mold can start to grow in the walls if there is the slightest leak. keep on top of the preventive maint. and you shouldnt have anything but smooth sailing.