New rv Purchase


M

M203Gunner

New Member
Hi all.........NewKid here.

I'm planning on purchasing a rv for me and the wife to life in on some property I bought while we build our new house/sell the old house. Any recommendations on a roomy model....only needs to sleep two ?

Questions on the aplliances: 1)Is the only heat source from the furnace IE...the air conditioner doesn't have a heat setting.
2) With winter coming, how long do the tanks usually last...and since it will likely be an extended stay...would it be worth getting a larger more pemanant tank?
3) any options on the hot water heaters......and how long of a shower is the wife looking at?

Thanks in advance
 
DL Rupper

DL Rupper

Senior Member
RE: New rv Purchase

Hey M203Gunner, welcome to the forum. No recommendations on a particular make/model, but would suggest since you are going to stay in one place, to get a Travel Trailer opposed to a 5th Wheel Trailer. They are a little less expensive and will work fine for what you want it for. A 30 foot model would probably provide enough room to be comfortable.

1. Generally speaking the furnace is the only heat source, however you can buy a small 1500 watt heater at your local hardware store to supplement the heat. Also, some of the more expensive air conditioners have heat pumps or heat strips.

2. The propane tanks usally last about 4 days each when it gets really cold. It just depends on how insulated the trailer is and how cold it gets. You can put insulation in the windows and in the roof vents to keep it warmer. The best way to go is get your local propane dealer to rent you a 100 gallon tank and make arrangements to have them come to your property to fill it when required.

3. Most hot water tanks are 6 to 10 gallons and hot water will last about 3 to 4 minutes depending how the flow is adjusted. You can take a quick shower and get clean, but you won't have time for a nice leisurely shower.

Hope this helps.
 
C Nash

C Nash

Senior Member
Re: New rv Purchase

Hi M203Gunner, you might want to check into a park model. Might cost a little more but would probably serve your needs better unless you are planning on keeping it after building to go camping. Do get the rented tank or you will spend a lot of time filling tanks. You did not say where your property is so the local might determin how much heat/air you will need
 
C

cherylls

New Member
RE: New rv Purchase

A park model might be a bit pricy. We did the same thing, live in our 5er while we built a house. We already had the camper. Being in Michigan, there was no way we were going to spend the winter in it. We rented a small house for the winter (November) and moved back into the camper in April.
 
H

hertig

Senior Member
Re: New rv Purchase

That 6 to 10 gallon hot water heater doesn't support a 'regular' shower. Works fine for a 'military' shower though. If the shower head does not have a shut off valve you can screw one between the head and the hose. Then wet yourself down and shut it off, lather up, rinse yourself off and shut it off, repeat as needed. It is better to have the shut off valve at the showerhead then try to use the main controls to start/stop the flow. Its a challange to keep the temperature right using the latter method.
 
DL Rupper

DL Rupper

Senior Member
RE: New rv Purchase

I forgot to mention that if you have hard freezes in Virgina you will need to empty all of your holding tanks before the freeze or buy a RV that has insulated and heated holding tanks. :)
 
S

s.harrington

Senior Member
Re: New rv Purchase

You may want to look for a used park model trailer if you are only going to keep it until the house is built. You can get a 39 foot with 2-3 slides usually for less than a used 5th wheel. They usually aren't built as well as travel trailers because they aren't made to travel as often. The slides are manual lift and cranks but the furnaces are 110volt and the motors last longer. And when your done you can set it up as a guest cottage or mother in-law apartment.
 
W

Wingnut90

New Member
RE: New rv Purchase

The only thing with a park model is that it needs to be run to permanent plumbing and water supply. The park models are build without tanks, like the TT or FW. You can pick up a very nice 30+ TT or FW that would work just fine, then after you are done, sell it for what you spent, because the depreciation of the unit has already taken place. Or keep it and take it to the lake on the weekends......
 
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