Chris in VA Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Somewhat cryptic for privacy Considering purchasing a used, trailer-type RV (max budget ~40K) and parking long term in order to provide housing temporarily (maybe a summer, maybe a year, unknown)for family member. We would either buy a plot or rent and have fm listed as resident. Looking in NC for parking areas, weighing pros/cons, looking at styles of RV (length, what interior ammenities we should have, etc), etc. Just starting research, but learning quickly. Hit me with any and all suggestions, comments, experiences. Information helps me handle anxiety! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 (edited) You'll want to pay attention to insulation. RVs are notoriously drafty. Depending on where in the state you park it you'll either need a lot of AC in the summer or a lot of heat in the winter, and possibly both. So you want the best insulation package you can find. Some RVs have an arctic package (extra insulation, heated underbelly, etc.) meant for cold weather camping. I'm not sure you'd need that unless you're planning on parking somewhere in the mountains, but it would be nice to have. Most mattresses that come in RVs are thin and awful. I'd want to upgrade that if it hasn't already been done, or at least add a good memory foam topper. Unless I was parked somewhere close to a grocery store I'd want the biggest fridge I could get. My still sleepy brain might think of more later. Edited May 6 by Pawz4me 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 It would be very close to Asheville Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTVKath Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Maybe look on YouTube for "living in an RV" videos? I like to watch tiny home videos and see how people do it. I've been amazed at how they make it work and all the tips and tricks. There's got to be similar videos for living full time in an RV. Good luck finding the info you need! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 A single person can live in an RV pretty easy. My mom lived in a Class A (bus-like one) for 4 or 5 years after retiring, and we lived in one for a year or so growing up. Will it ever move or are you thinking just plopping it long term? Lot rent is actually fairly expensive for what you get usually. Groceries are definitely more expensive since you can't stock up. Gas for heating is usually not too pricey and utilities are super cheap (usually included in lot rent). Gas for a car can be a lot if you need a towing truck. RV fridges are notorious for breaking down although usually that has to do with moving the RV and switching from gas to electric. As Pawz said, weather & insulation is something you'll want to think about. Bugs can infiltrate rather easily. So pest control is a common problem; my mom had a flea infestation - she thinks they jumped on her cats through the screen door at one campground. It took a long time to get rid of them. Laundry would be nice, but most campgrounds have facilities (paid). Full time living is hard on RVs as they are usually built for vacation time, so don't expect to make much money back depending on the time lived in it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Will you pull a trailer, and then unhook your pick up to do all of your errands, drive a regular rv and pull a car for that purpose, or drive the rv everywhere? I ask because it makes a big difference. I have recently been to Asheville, and driven around the city twice in the past year, and can say that parking an RV in most places just isn't going to work. Wal-Mart in the burbs, fine. But most medical buildings and what not? Nope. You will need other transportation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Also, you can boondock at National Forests in their designated drive up sites if you can fit your RV on the flattened, turn out provided. This is free, but you have to move on the 14th day. No amenities. Large RVs will not fit. Many national forests will have actual campgrounds, but more than half do not have showers, electric hook up, or flush toilets just potable water and vault toilets. The campgrounds run the range of $14 a night to $35 depending on the amenities provided. State parks for out of state residents are often higher than that, but also provide more amenities in exchange for the higher fee. Some distilleries and wineries allow boon docking in their parking lots so long as you agree to buy something in their gift shops, and do not use their bathrooms. Casinos can be very generous about free overnight parking in the hopes people will come inside and spend money. KOA, Jellystone, and other private campgrounds have been running in the $55-75 a night range. Several years ago when we still had our 3 boys at home, we had the opportunity to pick up an RV that was mechanically great but needed some remodeling/fixing for VERY low dollars. We thought about buying it since we were capable of doing all the work ourselves, and then towing our minivan for driving, and hitting the road for a couple months with the kids, and keeping it for future vacations. We added up the cost of the RV, the cost of supplies, the cost of campsites, fuel, and the total was so huge, we could take many, many road trips with just the mini vans, stay in hotels, and use our camp stove and supplies to cook at rest stops and city parks, then grab deli food for the hotels at night. We couldn't believe how much RV life costs! We did eventually convert the minivan for van camping. He and I do that regularly at the National Forest Campgrounds here in Michigan just to get away from it all, and that is great. The minivan gets 24 mpg which is a far cry better than rv or pick up truck pulling a trailer. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 @Faith-manorit would be in lieu of an apartment. Not the driveable kind. Not moving from place to place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Just now, Chris in VA said: @Faith-manorit would be in lieu of an apartment. Not the driveable kind. Not moving from place to place. Oh. That is different. Okay, then definitely look for something that can have easy upgrades to insulation, a lot of insulation, and you also want to consider ventilation and dehumidifier options because while Asheville is not humid like the coastal plain, it can still get rather sultry in the summer. You will want to check out options for where to dump tanks, and refill water, and what you will do for electric. It takes a special electric hook up if you are going to be parked at someone's home and using their house electrical system. Carefully consider the lay out. If you are alone, how much will you use fold up tables and such? Would you rather for go table and counter top space for storage? There are a lot of layout options. Also if staying alone, you might be ale to convert a bedroom area to a single bed instead of a queen and get more storage that way as well. Something else to consider might be building a set of stairs for the door instead of just the metal fold out ones that come with it, and those could also be part of a more permanent little porch/sitting area which would make being outdoors easy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 I would look at used 5th wheels. They seem to be better suited for long term living than regular travel trailers--more comfortable "furniture", larger refrigerator, etc. Some even have washer and dryer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 If you're thinking about a long term rental of a site in a campground there should be plenty of campgrounds/RV parks around Asheville to choose from. If you're thinking of buying/renting/leasing a piece of land I'd check the local zoning laws very carefully first. I think a lot of counties in NC have zoning laws that don't allow RVs to be used as permanent residences outside of a campground/RV park. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 7 hours ago, Chris in VA said: Somewhat cryptic for privacy Considering purchasing a used, trailer-type RV (max budget ~40K) and parking long term in order to provide housing temporarily (maybe a summer, maybe a year, unknown)for family member. We would either buy a plot or rent and have fm listed as resident. Looking in NC for parking areas, weighing pros/cons, looking at styles of RV (length, what interior ammenities we should have, etc), etc. Just starting research, but learning quickly. Hit me with any and all suggestions, comments, experiences. Information helps me handle anxiety! My son lives in a travel trailer right now until we can build something else. We checked for insulation. It goes by different names.....winter package, four season package, etc.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 (edited) Another option for your situation seems to be a Mobile Home, in a Mobile Home Park nearby. It may be more affordable, as you aren't wanting to move it. Often they can be rented, and are already parked somewhere. Edited May 7 by Beth S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Are you talking about renting/ buying in a park that is designed for trailers or just a general piece of land? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 We have stayed in an RV for extended periods of time. If you are doing it because you think it will save you money it probably won't. They are very high maintenance even new ones have been put together sloppily and have lots of issues. We have talked to lots of different people over the years and it doesn't matter how expensive the RV is they are not well built. We have spent winters in gulf coasts states and you burn through propane like crazy, there is no way I would winter in the NC mountains in an RV. Do people do it, yes, there is just no way I would. Campgrounds are not cheap if you had to end up going that route and the safer ones are going to be looking at the age of the camper. Most get pretty picky about the age of the camper and how they look at about 10 years old. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 12 hours ago, Tap said: Are you talking about renting/ buying in a park that is designed for trailers or just a general piece of land? Renting long-term in a year-round park Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Echoing what others have said—check insulation/winter package/4 seasons, especially for the NC mountain areas. I think it’s totally doable for one person! If it’s just for one person, you can look at one of the ones that has more of a “living room”, instead of the long galley-style. Fridge will be small, but you can get bigger ones in some. Also, laundry will need to be done somewhere, so that’s a consideration/expense as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 4 hours ago, Chris in VA said: Renting long-term in a year-round park Also ask about related fees within the park. Some charge for water/sewer, electricity, mail, etc. They may require a certain year of trailer and ask about company parking for private vehicles. Also don't forget to ask about any discounts like Veteran, AARP, various travel programs etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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