Posts
2079
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX
US
So the GF and I recently went our separate ways. Currently I don't plan on staying in Texas or at least this part of Texas as its not my thing. I got to thinking because across the street from my work is a motorhome dealer and I have to look at all the cool trailers they have all the time on test drives.
So my thought process is I live in an apartment and its $1400/mo plus electric. I went yesterday and looked at a few 5th wheels new and used and payments are anywhere from low $400's to mid $600's depending on what you get. I liked the new one that has the master bed in the back and a garage thats sealed off under it so I could put my bike and gear and I could just pull the whole thing to the track and spend the weekend. There is a few long term RV's parks close to here that range from $300-$500/mo for full hookup, wifi, and cable. That puts me in the $1100 range (same as a 1 bedroom apartment in the area). Has anyone ever done it or known someone that has? With the sides popped out its not much smaller than an apartment and its just me living in it. I have a 24' car hauler that has my car in so if/when I decided to move I could just hook up and go and either make two trips or fly back and pull the trailer with a uhaul or something. Thoughts?
So my thought process is I live in an apartment and its $1400/mo plus electric. I went yesterday and looked at a few 5th wheels new and used and payments are anywhere from low $400's to mid $600's depending on what you get. I liked the new one that has the master bed in the back and a garage thats sealed off under it so I could put my bike and gear and I could just pull the whole thing to the track and spend the weekend. There is a few long term RV's parks close to here that range from $300-$500/mo for full hookup, wifi, and cable. That puts me in the $1100 range (same as a 1 bedroom apartment in the area). Has anyone ever done it or known someone that has? With the sides popped out its not much smaller than an apartment and its just me living in it. I have a 24' car hauler that has my car in so if/when I decided to move I could just hook up and go and either make two trips or fly back and pull the trailer with a uhaul or something. Thoughts?
There was 4 of us but it was a big unit so it wasn't that bad. I think it was 43', 3 slide outs plus the garage in the back. We had converted the garage into a gaming area so we could shut the door, stay up late and not bother our parents.
By late November it was starting to get cold but I'm in Canada. You being in Texas it shouldn't be too bad. I know at that time of the year my dad was filling up propane tanks like crazy since those things aren't really well insulated for cold temperatures.
If it's just you and no kids I'd go for it.
You mentioned you live in an apartment. Where do you currently keep your bike? A friend's place or storage unit? If it's in storage then having the garage in the back of the fifth wheel will save you some money.
Downside is that it's a depreciating asset and you won't be building any equity. The money you save could go towards a savings/retirement account.
Don't forget to include the price of insurance to your overall monthly cost.
AJ, how old are you? It might be a really cool way to live and be very mobile. You could work and live in one place for a year or two and then pick up stakes and move on. The tough part will be if you decide you don't like it before you pay the 5th wheel off, or at least down enough that you can sell it. You might be stuck in that situation.
The only thing is you're not getting equity and your investment in it is never coming back but unless you're buying a house, the same is for that.
The Shop
Me and the wife have talked about when we retire or maybe even sooner then that, buying a double wide mobile home and just live on a few acres. Almost pulled the trigger on a home up by lake Texoma a few years ago. That's what got me interested in the mobile homes. They are frickin nice!! Was completely shocked. Open layouts. same materials as in a house for goodness sake. Granite. Fireplaces, etc. Can't beat the price of them for what you get. That doesn't have anything to do with your trailer idea really. Just talking out loud to myself.
If you are staying single for a while, it sounds fun.
Another buddy lived in a trailer park for years until he got married. One thing he mentioned about some of those trailer parks is that they can attract some pretty low life characters - so choose your parks carefully.
Currently I know a guy that's on the verge of retirement, he's been living in his trailer since he got divorced like 15 years ago. He knows a lot of people and always seems to find someone who will let him park on their property for free or for a small fee. He can afford to rent a house, but he prefers living like that - cheap and no maintaining a house, etc.
If that's what you want to do and it'll save you some dough and add some convenience - Go for it !
My friends are renting right now while they build. They have 4 kids as well and it's working for them pretty well.
About a week or so ago before got gravel in:
Now with ole 30' beside it and gravel done.
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