Travel Trailers

[wanderer03]

Does anyone use a travel trailer as their primary residence? If so, how do you winterize it? What are the potential issues to be cognizant of. I'm considering going in this direction because I'm burning a lot of money in rent and trailers in excellent condition can be had for 5 to 8 grand in my area. I owned a home once before and really don't want to do that again. Home ownership was a giant boat anchor. Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[wanderer03]

I've been entertaining the travel trailer idea myself. In fact, after I recover from my surgery, I'm going to build a "bug-out trailer" from a 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer for weekend jaunts and church work. There are some really neat ideas on YouTube; but I digress.

I knew some folks that lived for several years full-time in a decent fifth-wheel travel trailer in Mantua, OH. Since they lived in it, they didn't have to "winterize" as they would if they were going to store it. In a cold climate I'd venture to say that the precautions would be the same as a mobile home. You'd want to put heat tape on the water lines and possibly the drains. I think they had some sort of heaters in the storage tanks, but since they were static they kept the tanks open so they'd drain directly to the sewer connection.

Also, if memory serves right, but I think he added a little extra insulation under it since they live in a cold climate area; it's probably similar to where you live.

These might stimulate some thinking:

Thank you for sharing those videos. They certainly did provide some food for thinking. A big part of me just wants to be more mobile so I can easily go where work is. For some time now, I've been interested in nomadic and off the grid lifestyles.

I digress ... this is a few years in the future. First step getting back out over the road in that straight truck.

 

[wanderer03]

That's what I've been thinking about, especially since I'll be eligible to retire from where I work in 46 months and 20 days . . . not that I'm counting. My pension won't be big, but it will supplement whatever type of job I can do until I can draw Social Security. Having the mobility then will be great.

I walk through my house now and ask, "Why do I have all this stuff?" I woke up one day and found that I had settled down. When one settles down, the accumulating starts. George Carlin was right, "People buy bigger houses so they can get more stuff."

I generally do not save things and very little holds any sentimental value. Not even my college diploma holds any value in my eyes. My brother offered to frame it and could not understand why I said that wasn't necessary. If I ever get a travel trailer, I'll probably call the Salvation Army and tell them to have at my things.

I'm not attached to material things with the sole exception of my HAM radio gear, computers, and electronics. I'm the opposite of my brother. My brother thinks I'm crazy for willingly getting rid of material things. They just really hold no value. Even clothing is purely utilitarian to me. I could care less about fashion.

I must look like a crazy, suburban hermit to a neurorypical. And I'm totally fine with that!

 

[wanderer03]

Trying out a gypsy life is on my bucket list. For now though, becoming self-employed is most important. I'm over the rat race .... ROFL.

 

[wanderer03]

I know what you mean about the rat race. The rats are winning.

In my case the rats have won!