Can You Live Comfortably In A Travel Trailer Full-Time?
I know a blogger who lives in a travel trailer and the idea intrigues me but I really can’t imagine doing it full time. I’m happy to bring in a guest writer with a perspective on it and personal experience to speak from!
Is there really such a thing as easier living? Some people seem to think so and they are leaving their luxury homes behind in favor of living on the open road. The open road doesn’t come with a huge mortgage with variable interest rates and it doesn’t come with home owner’s association dues and rules. If for any reason you decide that you no longer like your neighbor, then you can move and you don’t have to wait months or years for your house to sell either. These are just a few of the freedoms that living in a travel trailer full time can bring anyone, but not everyone can handle the stress of the road. Living out of a travel trailer is not quite the same as living in a brick and mortar house. Here are a few things to consider before you pull up your roots and attempt to live in a travel trailer full-time.
Can You Afford It?
Living in a travel trailer may seem like a great way to cut your expenses by over 50 percent or more, but there are some hidden costs involved. The largest expense that you are going to be dealing with is fuel. The travel trailer may not need fuel, but the vehicle that you choose to pull the trailer with will. Make sure that your bank account can handle the high price of constant refueling. You may even need to make a traveling budget and limit the amount you travel per day or week. There are other expenses as well. A travel trailer may not have an engine to maintain, but there are still tires, axles and other parts that will need routine maintenance or repair.
The only other choice is a full-sized RV and most RVs are not always the most affordable option. A travel trailer will be cheaper than living in a larger RV. There are plenty of great websites where you can research pricing and availability; one such website is www.arbogastrvs.com.
Can You Handle It?
Most ideas always sound good, but once they actually start to unfold in real life, some of them quickly change into poor ideas. Towing a travel trailer may be one of those times. It may sound simple enough, but pulling your average-sized travel trailer can be a challenge and this can happen every time you are towing. Towing a full-sized loaded travel trailer at highway speeds can be dangerous. Something as simple as a large truck passing you, can make the travel trailer start to sway. To an inexperienced driver, this can quickly snowball out of control and become dangerous to everyone on the road. Having the right-sized travel trailer with the right-sized tow vehicle can help reduce this common problem, but never truly eliminate the possibility.
Tight Spaces…With Little Privacy
One thing that most people never even consider is being cooped up in a small space with other people. It is easy to get blinded by the idea of being able to travel and see the country, but a travel trailer will keep everyone in a small metal box for extended periods of time. Some people may not be able to handle the close quarters. If children are involved, it can get even worse. There will be no chance for anyone to have any sort of privacy. Don’t sentence yourself to this type of confinement if you don’t think you can handle it.
See the Great Outdoors
The single greatest advantage of living full-time in a travel trailer is being able to see some of the best countryside possible in the world. For many people, this one single benefit outweighs every bad possibility. If you like looking out the window of your home, just imagine what it would be like looking out the window of your travel trailer and seeing snowcapped mountains, beautiful blue oceans, giant Redwood trees and a valley shrouded in mist.
All of these are possibilities when you are living in a travel trailer, and if you are enjoying the view of a snow capped mountain range today, you might be able to enjoy the view of the beautiful blue ocean tomorrow. This and the added bonus of a cheaper way of life are why many people choose to live in a travel trailer, be it one of the Winnebago Era models or another model. The benefits are bountiful.
About the Author: James Frank is a contributing author who retired 5 years ago and decided to sell his home and become a full-time nomad. He recommends travel trailer-living to all retirees as an exciting way to spend their hard-earned freedom.
Very good information here. I’ve always wanted to be a nomad and see the country, but didn’t realize how much you really have to take into consideration.
I am not sure I could live with my spouse full time in a small trailer, but back in the day when I was single this was a very appealing idea.
To James-or whomever knows-My tale…
Laid off-single female-not old ‘nough 2 retire-too old 2b employed apparently, (lol)-wish 2b able 2 look 4 jobs n different areas, maybe visit the grands more often-also wish 2 never finance anything or sign another bloody lease again as long as I live-but wish 2b able 2 relocate as needed without bein sued.
So I’ve all but decided on full timin by end of 2013 when I can get my retirment $ refunded 2 me (less 30% taxes & penalties o’ course). I’m willin 2 bite the bullet, spend all available $ now on gettin my truck trailer haulin’ ready, walkin away from most everything I own, (won’t b able 2 lift or store it anyway) & sofa surf (@ 52-OMG-yrs old) 4, 6\7 mons till I can get my 2\3’s & pay cash 4 ’bout a 24\26 ft TT 4 my little brown dog & myself.
Now. I know what kinds o’ floor plans work best 4 me. I know I’ll have about $15-20k 2 spend Dec\Jan so I shouldn’t have a huge problem gettin a rig.
Research dictates 2 door fridge-electric & propane, stove, oven, (get table top ice maker later), bath TUB maybe even w\seat, @ least 25-30 gal black\grey water tanks, nitrogen tires, heated enclosed underbelly, 24-26 ft, BH w\separate Q 4 me, 30 & 50 amp service?, 1 piece roof (fiberglass? rubber?), reflective paint, min 13.5 btu a\c w\15k btu option, GCWR under 8600 Lbs, no floor ducts, foam insulated or best I can afford 4 full time\all season, TEXAS (10°-110°F) TT rv’ing. (Hopefully w\ladder, spare tire, tv antenna, 2-30 Lb propane tanks, & a generator-or I’ll have to get a Honda.) With a bicycle rack.
All n a TT that a regular woman can set up, break down, hookup & disconnect w\min assist.
What I don’t know is what brand TT did I just describe?! Besides “dreamyland” brand I mean. Closest fit?
I really like the Grey Wolf 26 DBH 4, 4m & function but I’m told it’s not 4 full timin yr round. What’s close?
Some salesmen cleverly omit while others r inventively creative. & they ALL c me comin!
My wife and i are now in out 50’s. I am retiring with a small pension, and my wife retired a few years ago with the same. I’ve sold my home, am dept free, and by the time i retire (21 months), i will own a new truck and travel trailer (clear). My wife and I are both retired military and being used to living hard, the thaught of a small space for the two of us is perfect. We have no problems with being confined together in a small box 🙂
I know we have to watch how much we spend on gas and entertainment (attractions – museums, pioneer villages, zoos – thats what we are in too). This we will learn as we go – must budget. Food (we enjoy cooking, thats are most favorite passtime) no problem saving money there. As for places to stay, we plan on staying the vast majority of time in remote, mostly free or cheap sites (we hate comercial camp grounds – they are just not what we are looking for).
The trailer and vehicle are new (under warrantee) so i can only hope that the surprises involved in breakdowns and maintanence will not send us into the red.
Another thing we are looking into is volunteeing at farms for room and board (helpx.net). We figure we can bank our pensions during those times and use the cash we save as extra backup money – just in case.
J&N Monico, Canada
What a fun adventure you have planned! I love your ideas as well. Volunteering for room and board is a great way to save money!
Good information here. It has a lot of facts to learn.
It also has its live comfortable place indeed. But the fact that it has to be comfortably travelling is less tired and it makes us create some experiences.
Living comfortably in a travel trailer full-time is possible with careful planning and adjustment. Factors like size, amenities, and lifestyle preferences play crucial roles. Proper organization, efficient use of space, and embracing minimalism can enhance the experience, fostering a fulfilling mobile lifestyle. luxor balloon ride