Full timing a camper in the frozen north

[Jamesconn]

I work in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, though mostly ND. I typically work 1 month on 1 week off. I am single and tired of paying rent for a place I never see and tired of fitting my whole life in a 50 gallon trunk.

Im thinking about getting a big camper and living in it full time not just while working. Ive been doing some reading and I need a basement with pipes on the upper part of the basement.

I have to relocate anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 months. We usually work in a two man crew but it could be up to 4 people. Id prefer just the master bed and bunk beds, a larger kitchen, and extra storage probably one of those toy hauler ones. Since I will live in it full time and work 80% of the time ill be in it with 1+ other person I want it to be large and not a lightweight trailer with the goose neck type hitch.

I have to fit all of my worldly possessions and a decent bit of food and 4 peoples baggage for a month. I dont have much I fit all my posessions in my nissan frontier when I moved. (nissans answer to the s10 and ranger) 2-3 of those boxes were just food. If I have too much stuff ill throw it away or sell it I am not going to pay for a storage unit for stuff I dont need.

Are there racks for mounting a jon boat or a canoe to one?

I am not sure what truck ill have to get though (probably a 3500 but I dont know how much they can tow) and I cant decide between SRW and DRW.
I have to take it through mountains and such any time of the year.

Is it possible to mount two 100lb propane tanks instead of the skimpy 20lb tanks?

[frogmammy]

Have you BEEN in a travel trailer?

I'd suggest renting one for a month, see how you feel about it after that.

Mon

[Jamesconn]

Originally Posted by frogmammy

Have you BEEN in a travel trailer?

I'd suggest renting one for a month, see how you feel about it after that.

Mon

Ive lived in one for 2 weeks it felt more like home than a hotel and thats what im lookin for.

I usually stay in a small hotel room and when I moved away from home we were in a double wide small spaces are fine.

If I have to pay $900 a month for rent and propane ill be saving $1,700 a month.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Jamesconn

I work in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, though mostly ND. I typically work 1 month on 1 week off. I am single and tired of paying rent for a place I never see and tired of fitting my whole life in a 50 gallon trunk.

Im thinking about getting a big camper and living in it full time not just while working. Ive been doing some reading and I need a basement with pipes on the upper part of the basement.

I have to relocate anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 months. We usually work in a two man crew but it could be up to 4 people. Id prefer just the master bed and bunk beds, a larger kitchen, and extra storage probably one of those toy hauler ones. Since I will live in it full time and work 80% of the time ill be in it with 1+ other person I want it to be large and not a lightweight trailer with the goose neck type hitch.

I have to fit all of my worldly possessions and a decent bit of food and 4 peoples baggage for a month. I dont have much I fit all my posessions in my nissan frontier when I moved. (nissans answer to the s10 and ranger) 2-3 of those boxes were just food. If I have too much stuff ill throw it away or sell it I am not going to pay for a storage unit for stuff I dont need.

Are there racks for mounting a jon boat or a canoe to one?

I am not sure what truck ill have to get though (probably a 3500 but I dont know how much they can tow) and I cant decide between SRW and DRW.
I have to take it through mountains and such any time of the year.

Is it possible to mount two 100lb propane tanks instead of the skimpy 20lb tanks?

..............You want a 40 foot toy hauler with a 10 to 12 foot garage on the rear ! You'll need a dually , diesel as the toy hauler will weigh between 16,000 and 18,000 lbs. when fully loaded . Given the subzero temps where you are working you want the BEST insulated trailer you can afford with thermopane windows . You'll want heated holding tanks as well . Your truck should have some form of an exhaust brake on the engine , AND you'll want Disc brakes on ALL axles on the trailer . The stopping ability is THE most important factor of all the factors to be considered when purchasing a trailer .
...............Here are some names of high quality trailers you should consider , even though they are out of business their used units are still the best units available ........Travel Supreme , Teton , Hitchhiker , Mobile Suites , and several more I can't think of at the moment .
................DONOT use a Gooseneck type of hitch on a 5'ver , it puts too much stress on the neck of the trailer , although there are folks who think it's OK , IT's NOT very smart and it may void any warranty left on the trailer . Do your research , before you spend your $$$$$$ . Any other questions , just ask and I'll answer If I can help ! , fordy

..........http://www.rvonline.com/
..........Here is a good place to get started . Most trailers are listed by their owner . , fordy

[Jamesconn]

Originally Posted by fordy

..............You want a 40 foot toy hauler with a 10 to 12 foot garage on the rear ! You'll need a dually , diesel as the toy hauler will weigh between 16,000 and 18,000 lbs. when fully loaded . Given the subzero temps where you are working you want the BEST insulated trailer you can afford with thermopane windows . You'll want heated holding tanks as well . Your truck should have some form of an exhaust brake on the engine , AND you'll want Disc brakes on ALL axles on the trailer . The stopping ability is THE most important factor of all the factors to be considered when purchasing a trailer .
...............Here are some names of high quality trailers you should consider , even though they are out of business their used units are still the best units available ........Travel Supreme , Teton , Hitchhiker , Mobile Suites , and several more I can't think of at the moment .
................DONOT use a Gooseneck type of hitch on a 5'ver , it puts too much stress on the neck of the trailer , although there are folks who think it's OK , IT's NOT very smart and it may void any warranty left on the trailer . Do your research , before you spend your $$$$$$ . Any other questions , just ask and I'll answer If I can help ! , fordy

..........http://www.rvonline.com/
..........Here is a good place to get started . Most trailers are listed by their owner . , fordy

What hitch is it then? I will end up buying an older used truck but I am going to add all the trailer brake and related stuff. So a dodge 3500 DRW is big enough to pull a fifth wheel that size with fully loaded tanks and cargo safely?

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Jamesconn

What hitch is it then? I will end up buying an older used truck but I am going to add all the trailer brake and related stuff. So a dodge 3500 DRW is big enough to pull a fifth wheel that size with fully loaded tanks and cargo safely?

..............Purchase a Reese 20k pivoting hitch.........it pivots from front to back AND side to side ! I would focus on a 2003 to 2007 Dodge dually . Their auto's are stronger than the 2002's and back .
..............If you purchase a tandem axle TH , install 17.5" tires on 8 hole wheels with 6.5"x8 spacing for the studs rated at 6,000 lbs per wheel . There are several mfger's of 17.5 tires............17.5 tires carry the highest load carrying rating per tire for axles with single wheels .
..............I would try and find a used truck that had not had a performance tuner installed by the precious owner(s) ! Invariably , they have had the Crap run out of them and you'll end up with a truck that runs great when you purchase it and then things start breaking .
..............One more thought........the Cummins 6.7 is a more desirable puller than the 5.9 , See IF you can find a used 6.7 model that came out before all the EPA emissions was required . I'm not sure which year models specifically that would be.....may be.....2007 to 2009 or so !? The Aisin automatics just seem to get stronger year by year or it seems that way . Visit that website I posted even IF you can't find a model that suits you , it will provide you with lots of pics and valuable info as to the models of used trailers you can choose from . , fordy

[alleyyooper]

Biggest problem is the water tank and lines freezing in the winter. But if you just use bottled water for cooking, cleaning you will be fine. Will need to allow the drain to run off some place rather than go in the holding tank to freeze up. NO showers just a bath with water heated on the stove.

It is do able but a hassle.

Yup you can have a roof rack installed.

Al