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jimbo, be VERY careful re: the weight of any trailer you’ll consider. Salesman will lie about the capabilities of any tow vehicle if they think it will help them sell you their trailer. It’s easy to find yourself overweight in one or more parameters. This is an important aspect that gets very little attention until something goes wrong which, because of the way trailer weights have been increasing, is happening more often. There is something called a Towing Guide. It’s a manual of specifications that Federal law requires manufacturers to publish for vehicles typically used for towing. The trick is, that manufacturers are ONLY required to make said guide available during the model year AND only when a customer knows to ask for one. I understand that these guides are NOT made available after the statutory period so, finding the Towing Guide for an old vehicle is pretty much impossible. Minor changes in accessories can have big changes on a vehicle’s tow rating too so, you have to know EXACTLY how a vehicle is configured to be able to determine its’ TRUE RATED tow capacity. Since most full size pickup trucks will tow a trailer under ideal conditions, it’s easy to NOT see problems that can be very serious when conditions are less than ideal. There are Escapees RV Club forums that go into this topic in depth (complete with horror stories). As trailers become larger and heavier, HDTs (Heavy Duty Trucks) are becoming more popular. Bottom line; do your homework!
Hi RVWiz. The Bakken oil field area of ND has a similar housing shortage. Rvs are VERY popular there; almost to the point of not being able to get into a campground.LOTS of folks head to AK every summer in RVs. I had expected to get to AK for the last two summers but, plans got changed each time. I WILL make it to AK in the next two years! Adventure Caravans offer guided RV treks to AK (and many other destinations). Check their website. Obviously you have roads into your area so, I expect it should not be a big deal to get whatever kind of rig you want. While I was in Minot, ND last year, I saw a LARGE 5th wheel toy hauler trailer being delivered in a Walmart parking lot! If you don’t want to come down to the “lower 48” arranging for a delivery should be an option (although I have no idea as to the cost). Keep in mind, if you plan to spend the winter in AK, you’ll need to plan for serious winter camping but, it IS do-able. I expect the most cost effective way would be for you to do your research, buy the rig you want in the lower 48 and, drive it back yourself. RVTrader.com is a great free resource for finding an RV. I did a LOT of research there before deciding on my Dynamax DX3-37RB. If you can’t find your dream rig on RVTrader.com, then is doesn’t exist! Be patient (if possible) there are SOOOOOOOO many Rvs to choose from.
Hi Jim! As Pippi has mentioned, cost vary widely. You’re right, a houseboat is basically a floating RV (TerraWind actually makes an amphibious Class A 40′ motorhome starting at about $600,000.00). A used pop up camper would probably be the least expensive way to start Rving. Do your homework. Particularly learn what the DOWNSIDES will be of the units you’re considering. ALL Rvs have some downsides and, the downsides are what will give you ulcers. For pop up trailers, set up ~ take down when it’s raining would be a definite downside. Just knowing what the downside will be can make it easier to deal with ~ accept. http://www.RVTrader.com is a great resource. Tickle that keyboard! Renting an RV can be expensive but, once you’ve narrowed down your choices, renting for a week may help you discover downsides you hadn’t considered. It took me over three years of searching just to get my field narrowed to three choices (one Class A, one Super C and, a Class 8 Heavy Duty Truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer). Once I got to that point, things got a lot easier. Don’t be surprised if, after using your rig, you realize that you really want something else. It happens to many (most) Rvers. Find and attend an RV Boot Camp. You’ll be with about 200 other “newbies” most of whom have rigs that they’re usually proud to show off. You really want the education you’ll get as it will make you a safer Rver. Lots of online resources to answer your questions. Don’t be shy about posting; Rvers are a GREAT group of people!
I’ve been an extended time RVer since 2010. I expect to get my “brick & stick” home sold in 2015 at which time I’ll become a full timer! Back in May, 2014, I “graduated” from a 2010 Casita 17′ Spirit Deluxe fiberglass travel trailer (a WONDERFUL way to get started Rving), to a 2015 Super C Class Dynamax DX3-37RB which, can easily be used full time. My DX3 didn’t come with solar but once I’m out in the southwest, I’ll do my research and remedy that. I became a Life Member of the Good Sam Club over a decade ago (GSC was running some kind of special) but, the most useful RV membership for me so far, has been the Escapees RV Club. Until the end of December, Escapees is running a 50% OFF membership deal ($30 instead of $60). I’ve been to quite a few Escapees events since 2011 and, have always had a good time. Rvers in general are a great group. For those new to the RV lifestyle (or considering it) I would STRONGLY recommend attending an RV Boot Camp. Boot Camp is a weekend event where “newbies” receive education on all aspects of Rving. Mistakes made with Rvs are often expensive and, sometimes dangerous. The education you’ll receive at a boot camp WILL help you avoid mistakes and, make you a safer Rver. I attended the Escapees RV Boot Camp in Gillette, WY back in 2011 with 200+ other newbies. I was a great experience! VERY educational and, time and money well spent (if you don’t yet have an RV, you can stay at a local motel). I believe other groups offer RV Boot Camps too and, I expect you might be able to find an online version. Getting your rig PROPERLY weighed is a seldom mentioned but, very important step. A Boot Camp will explain this in detail and, can often provide a professional weighing service. http://www.RVTrader.com is a great resource for RV shopping. Other good sources of information is Chuck Woodbury’s eNewsletter http://www.RVTravel.com. Mark Polk’s RVEducation101 is also a site I can recommend. I was lucky in that my local public library had some of the RV101 DVDs Mark offers available to check out. They were so good, I bought other titles Mark offers that the library didn’t have. A nice thing about DVDs is, that you can pause, rewind and review a topic easily. Also, no internet connection is needed; just a DVD player! http://www.iRV2.com has many good forums (as does Escapees). Solos, women, specific coaches, hobbies etc, etc are all available online. A little Googling goes a long way. Pippi’s video are excellent too! I wish Pippi and her online community a safe and Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to all! Regards, John
