Probably permanently parking.

[Russellvh]

Due to family and medical issues we have decided to look for a place to park the 5th wheel and live in it until assuming room temperature. We have made a list of questions we have for Parks we are considering and a list of a couple dozen Parks we want to visit and consider for that “permanent destination”.

A couple of questions please. If we live in an RV but never move locations are we still considered full time RV’ers?

We know we will need to use skirting, conduit for the tank drains, cover our tires from the sun, add a tri-pod to the king pin and will wash and wax the trailer, at least, twice a year and possible 3 times.

I’m sure we will be getting a lot of good site specific advise from others that are permanent at the same Park but are there any suggestions or things I need to plan on prior to moving onto the lot. Should I put jack stands under the axels, should I make some type of support under the slide outs, etc.

Any pre-planning advice to share? We are looking, mainly, at the Texas hill country. Yes, we know it gets hot in Texas but we are native Texans and can cope with it. I’ll take the possibility of below freezing 3 or 4 days in a stretch 3 -4 times a year in exchange for 110 degrees in the summer.

 

[Rich W.]

Times they are a changing….

All the best - sounds like you have the basics covered. If your power will be metered, solar would probably be of benefit. That and a shed at least 8x10 but bigger is better. Also window awnings on the non-awning side. A lot of folks also skirt under the hitch area to get a little more secure outside storage. And yes I’d jack it up, unload the suspension, and use some extra mobile home jacks to make the whole thing more stable.

Also of course park amenities are a consideration. Sufficient laundry if you don’t have it on board, community center, gym, pool(s), do they have events, gatherings etc. Is there a useful park-run store, propane, and maybe cafe? How is mail handled? Do they have activities/clubs that are of interest? If you’re putting down some roots, you want a community that mirrors your lifestyle.

Thinking about all the folks in my winter park that have 5’s and TT’s about the only other thing I can think of is some permanent steps and a small porch at floor level. Or maybe a full length porch - whatever makes sense, but you’ll get tired of trailer steps real quick. And think about convenient parking - the wider the space the better. Also consider how you will accommodate guests.

Also (I thought this would be quick but more thoughts keep coming) choose your neighbors well. Camp at a perspective park to see how it behaves as a community and try to get a site between a couple long term, established, quiet but friendly residents. Also try for the outer ring/edge of a part so you have a little more privacy, peace and quiet, possible views, access to hiking etc. And when choosing a site take a close look at how the neighbors live. If they have a lot of projects going on they might be noisy when you want quiet enjoyment, and complaining to the management often does little or nothing.

And yes, to me this sounds very full time, although perhaps less recreational. Depends on the park and community I guess.