Need newbie advice! Buying/ Living in a travel trailer full time!

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ecuteacher97

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Feb 20, 2013
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2
My husband is looking to buy a travel trailer to live in full time.  It will just be him 99% of the time.  He will be living in an RV park in Florida.  I need advice on the purchase...new vs. used and living full-time... what he needs to REALLY know about keeping up an RV.  He's not the best with housework, so I want to know all of the in's and out's to make sure we don't ruin this huge investment.  Also, he will be towing with a Jeep Wrangler.  What are some things to know about towing long distance (up to 12 hours away).  Do we need to invest in any type of stabilizers and if so, about how much do they run?  What kinds of other accessories or additional items are necessary to function day to day living.  Any and All advice would be greatly appreciated!!
 
Towing with a Wrangler means it'll have to be a small, light trailer (check the Jeep's towing capacity). And you'll likely need a weight distributing hitch (WDH). And you'll definitely need a brake controller for the trailer brakes.

If he's going to be in an RV park, then he'll want full hookups so he can dump the waste tanks without having to hookup the trailer and travel. If not in an RV park, then he'll need to figure the logistics of dumping every so often (depends on tank size and frequency of use). Kitchen tools, plates and utensils, bed clothes, broom/mop/vacuum, towels, kleenex, etc.

Check out the library (link just above the ads) for lots of checklists, maintenance items, things for newcomers to know, driving tips and more.
 
A Wrangler has a towing capacity of only about 2000 lbs, so we are talking about a pop-up tent trailer and a small one at that. Most people would not consider that living quarters, especially in Florida in the summer.

Maybe something like the A-liner Classic model. At least it has hard sides and a roof (but no a/c).  http://www.aliner.com/campers/Classic
 
You'll spend a couple of hundred dollars on gas just towing the trailer back and forth.  That, along with the Jeep's limited towing capacity, might make it more practical to buy a larger trailer in Florida and leave it there - either permanently set up in a park, or hiring someone to transport the trailer between the park and a local storage yard.
 

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