Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsysoul63
Hi there, had a long response and got logged out
1) full timing will be traveling quite a bit. I have a spot in California near Santa Cruz I may stop for a month or 2 in the winter.
2) Olive the Newf inherited 2 bad knees so being in smaller quarters will be much better for her. I currently live on a mountain and have lots of stairs which make it worse, and she cannot have a wheelchair here.
3) I am very handy but have not worked on trailers. I am game to try but also know when to pay for someone who knows what they are doing to fix it as well.
4) I hope to spend winters where it is warm on the West coast.I plan on making Colorado my domicile as it will always be home and my kids live here.
5) Funding is not a problem right now. Since I am not purchasing another home here until the market cools down. I was hoping 100,000$ or so would be a healthy budget to get everything I need. I am thinking maybe a newer one 2008 and up and then I can just finish the inside?
You are awesome for helping me with this thank you so much.
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Great! Here are a few thoughts based on your answers...
Since you're traveling a lot, your decision on trailer should drive (no pun intended) your decision on tow vehicle. Odds are good if you go vintage, you're looking at lighter trailers and less demand on your tow vehicle, though with Olive and any stuff you're carrying, especially full time, you want to be sure not only to have good towing capacity but also cargo/payload capacity. If you were thinking park model, tow vehicle isn't part of the equation. So consider that in your budget as well. You also mention Colorado so mountains are something to factor in to your tow vehicle decision.
Endless opinions here - personally, I have a 3/4T diesel with exhaust brake knowing that when I retire, our plan is to see the entire country, from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam! 😀
With Olive's knees, you'll need to think about her getting in and out of the vehicle. A 3/4T truck is very high. We have a couple in our unit who use a van as a tow vehicle - lower to the ground, plenty of capacity...probably good for a horse-sized pooch!
Your travel plans and time in CA suggest an Airstream/Argosy could fit the bill in terms of climate. If you were thinking colder climates, the AS is really only a 3-season trailer for the most part - there are hearty souls who stretch that but it's not recommended.
Being handy is great. I'm getting handier over time and I suspect everyone who owns a trailer has to grow in that area. Knowing when to call on others is equally important so you've got that box checked.
Your budget seems healthy enough (again, you'd have to include a tow vehicle in your calculations unless your trailer choice works with your current vehicle or doesn't require a tow vehicle, i.e. a motor home).
The sad fact on good deals for you show up in a few places.
First - some buy new and almost never use before deciding they don't want to or can't use it. Those kinds of trailers can be had at a great discount.
Another sad fact is that the blood, sweat and tears (to say nothing of the cash) that people invest in restorations almost NEVER comes back to them. A few years ago, Smokeless Joe sold a rig for under $100K that was probably worth twice that. A gorgeous Argosy with beautiful custom touches with a color-matched Mini on the back of a Sprinter tow vehicle. Just incredibly beautiful, and intelligent, and sold for a song (if I only had that song in my wallet!!!).
Last recommendation - search the forums for some of the wisdom of Paula aka "Foiled Again". She has frequently posted on questions like this and I always find myself agreeing with or being amazed by her wisdom.
I'm sure others will chime in with better and more specific advice as you process through. Good luck!!