Where to start?

[jdlong49]

I've decided to go on the road full-time for a year in early 2023. When my lease is up at the end of February, I'm gone. Solo traveler with a dog. Planning to spend 2weeks-1month in different areas, maybe longer maybe shorter depending on how I like the area. Definite areas will be Jacksonville, Fl, Nashville, Chattanooga, St Louis, Austin, Denver(not going any higher, won't tow over the mountains) Albuquerque, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and maybe some California and Pacific Northwest if I like how things are going. I'm completely new to RVing but not camping. I tent camp ALOT and have spent alot of time in state parks and campgrounds. I've towed a 4500lb all over the southeast for years so I have a very healthy respect for towing safety and doing this CORRECT. I have 7 months to build a plan, prepare, and execute. My concerns are not "what can I get away with", I want to put together the best setup to create the best and safest experience.

My initial research has started with trying to figure out the floorplan and square footage that I'll be comfortable living in for a year without getting too big. Once i get a feel for that, I will start to focus on construction. I plan to make my moves to avoid extreme weather, but I'd like to have the option to stay in a cold weather climate if I choose later. I want quality and durability to handle the beating of a year on the road vs just the cheapest option. But I'm also low maintenance and dont need super high end stuff. I like that "best quality for the price" range. Retained value is more important than the initial investment. I plan to do some rentals over the next few months for local weekend trips to get more comfortable towing and gradually work up to the size I'll need. That will allow me to learn how to tow, set up, break down, and get a feel for how the lifestyle really works.

I've already made my first mistake. My initial research involved going to the local Camping World and telling them my plan and thinking they would help me figure out the best unit for me when the time comes. They just badgered me endlessly trying to talk me into buying something that day and they call and email every day trying to sell me some random unit that doesn't even come close to what I told them I may need. They don't seem to understand "guys, I'm at least 5 months away from making any purchase!"

So, since this is a total build from the ground up. Where do I start?

Truck: I currently have an F150 but I can't see any way where I DON'T at least go up to a 3/4 ton, but I'm listening on full ton and dually advice.
Fifth wheel vs Travel Trailer: I'd like to keep my bed open for a small boat or fishing kayaks so I'm leaning heavy toward travel trailer, but not closed to fifth wheel.
Ultralights vs heavier models for holding up full-time use for a year?
Best manufacturers for durability as well as holding up to multiple climates?
Brand new or gently used(1-2 years old)?
Small dealers vs chain dealers? I like the idea of nationwide service if something goes wrong, but my gut feeling after my Camping World visit is that I wouldn't like that experience

What else should I be considering? What are some things I should be on the lookout for? Thanks in advance for any advice you can spare.

 

[Rosy]

Assuming you want a fairly big trailer for living comfort, especially in winter months/rain/etc., I suspect you'll want to move up to a heavy duty truck. If you're looking at 250s anyway, may as well check out the 350s. I think you'll be surprised at how little the difference in cost and ride quality is for a decent bump in capacity.

If you do stick with your F150, I would recommend staying in the ~24-27 ft range and bumper pull only. Unless you have a truck with the max payload package, that's what's going to limit the size of trailer you can tow, more so than the towing capacity.

I'm sure others on here can speak to what to look for in a 4 season camper or brands to look at better than I can. My Coachmen has an enclosed bottom and the furnace lines run in there. I believe that's to help keep the water lines from freezing. I have no idea how well it works as we only camp in summer.

I can't remember which brand but I saw a fifth wheel at an RV show a couple years ago with kayak storage inside of it. A fifth wheel will be more stable and nicer to tow so I would lean that way as long as you can make it work with the gear you want to bring. Another option would be to just toss the kayak inside the trailer when you're traveling then move it to the truck when you arrive at a stop.

Also, if you're looking at a small boat, most places would let you tow that on a second trailer behind the fifth wheel. There are some states that would allow another trailer behind a bumper pull but not nearly as many.

We bought our trailer gently used (~4 years old). That's the way to go, in my opinion. As long as you can find one that's been well maintained, let someone else deal with all the construction issues and take the depreciation hit. I would expect to see a lot of 2 year old trailers on the market this year as travel restrictions are being lifted and airlines add more flights.

I'm really happy with my Coachmen Freedom Express and my parents in law are mostly happy with their Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite (most of their complaints are around size and storage/layout, rather than quality).

Things may be different in the US but we have very few chain RV dealers in Canada. I would look to buy private party first but, if you decide on new or can only find what you want from a smaller dealer, I would have no hesitation to buy from an independent shop. The only reason to bring it back to a certain dealer would be warranty work. For anything else, I would find a reputable independent repair shop.

 

[jdlong49]

Thanks for the input! I did look into towing a boat behind a fifth wheel and that may be an option down the road, but I just don't have the experience with fifth wheels that I need to feel comfortable with that for this trip. But I do like the layouts of the fifth wheels much better on paper. I haven't been in one yet to see how it really feels. If I go the fifth wheel route, there's no doubt I'll go 1-ton on the truck.

 

[JRS]

Not sure where you're located but mid September there's a great RV show in Hershey, PA. It's a huge show for what you're considering, go early and don't go on the weekend/too crowded. Go a couple days. Take pictures and notes because it's overwhelming. If/when you find one you like go back a few times, sit in it for awhile and imagine living in it. Agree with going to a larger truck. Maybe a winter rated trailer/5th wheel is better build? I have no idea which are the better brand/s.
I know a mid 50s couple who have a very nice 4x4 F350 with a big truck bed camper with solar and they go everywhere. A very active couple.
I've seen a Class C RV towing a 4x4 Ranger Pickup

 

[jdlong49]

I actually saw that show advertised on another site so I mapped Hersey out from where I am and sadly it was 18 hours. Being from the South you know where New York is and Chicago is and then all the places between we just kind of assume they are somewhere in the middle about where Indianapolis is. I was shocked to see Hersey PA was all the way up by New York!

The last few days have really shifted my plan and focus. I ran across some front living fifth wheels and I just don't see how I'm going to talk myself out of one. From the standpoint of having something on the road for a year full time that feels like a home, that looked pretty unbeatable. I won't know for sure until I can get in one and check it out.

 

[marc2912]

Not sure where you're located but mid September there's a great RV show in Hershey, PA. It's a huge show for what you're considering, go early and don't go on the weekend/too crowded. Go a couple days. Take pictures and notes because it's overwhelming. If/when you find one you like go back a few times, sit in it for awhile and imagine living in it. Agree with going to a larger truck. Maybe a winter rated trailer/5th wheel is better build? I have no idea which are the better brand/s.
I know a mid 50s couple who have a very nice 4x4 F350 with a big truck bed camper with solar and they go everywhere. A very active couple.
I've seen a Class C RV towing a 4x4 Ranger Pickup

I second taking a trip to Hershey. I did that and if anything it was very helpful for ruling a lot of things out. it's be biggest RV show for a reason. It took me another 7 month to find what I wanted but Hershey help me set the bar.

 

[jdlong49]

So I went by a local RV dealer today to look at a front living fifth wheel just to get a feel for the space. It wasn't a brand that I was interested in but the floorplan is almost identical to the ones I have been researching. The sales guy kept trying to talk me into it. I told him I didn't even have a truck that could tow it yet. He tried talking me into not upgrading my truck before buying the camper because "it might hurt my credit". This was a 13,000lb fifth wheel with a 2500lb pin weight. He said my truck "could probably handle it" even after I explained my truck has a towing capacity of 9500lbs and 1500lbs of payload capacity. I won't be going back there.

 

[Rosy]

So I went by a local RV dealer today to look at a front living fifth wheel just to get a feel for the space. It wasn't a brand that I was interested in but the floorplan is almost identical to the ones I have been researching. The sales guy kept trying to talk me into it. I told him I didn't even have a truck that could tow it yet. He tried talking me into not upgrading my truck before buying the camper because "it might hurt my credit". This was a 13,000lb fifth wheel with a 2500lb pin weight. He said my truck "could probably handle it" even after I explained my truck has a towing capacity of 9500lbs and 1500lbs of payload capacity. I won't be going back there.

 

[marc2912]

So I went by a local RV dealer today to look at a front living fifth wheel just to get a feel for the space. It wasn't a brand that I was interested in but the floorplan is almost identical to the ones I have been researching. The sales guy kept trying to talk me into it. I told him I didn't even have a truck that could tow it yet. He tried talking me into not upgrading my truck before buying the camper because "it might hurt my credit". This was a 13,000lb fifth wheel with a 2500lb pin weight. He said my truck "could probably handle it" even after I explained my truck has a towing capacity of 9500lbs and 1500lbs of payload capacity. I won't be going back there.

Call and ask for a manager, report the salesman who flat out insisted and explain that he was pushing for making you buy something that would have left you in an unsafe situation. Explain that this is why you won't consider them now when you're ready to purchase. Post reviews online saying the same everywhere you find the dealer listed on the web. I think it's important to call this BS out and it's the only way things like this will change. Public shaming is the way at this point.

 

[BGMAC]

Having both travel trailers and 5th wheels for me the 5th wheel is easier to maneuver and get into places. For caring a boat or canoe you could go with a boat rack for your truck.
just wanted to add something to the mix.