vintage trailers

[helenmarie]

Hi everyone, I''m another wannabe, I guess. I've spent so much time on the computer sifting through information, "chatting" with people, that my neck is creaking and it's not a pretty sound. I basically am trying to decide what type of trailer I want. Unfortunately I don't have the funds to do anything other than look for awhile though. So a couple of questions: does anyone have a vintage trailer? If so, what's good and bad about them? Another topic is finances: how do you manage expenses? I'm not trying to be nosy, but if I take the plunge I'll be quitting a job and really living only on my social security and whatever jobs I can find along the way, next year a small retirement fund will add a few hundred but that's about it. I'm wondering if it's just wishful thinking on my part to actually be able to do this. Thanks for any input you can give me. Helenmarie

[Forestgal]

Good morning, Helenmarie, and welcome!

It's great to have you join us, and good for you for dreaming. I don't have a vintage trailer so I'm not any help in that department. Nor am I retired yet. But there are many gals here who are and I'm sure they'll chime in soon.

Thanks for joining us, and keep asking those questions. We're sure to have lots and lots of answers.

Laura -- and Jed

[Irmi]

Welcome Helenmarie! I also don't have a vintage trailer and am still in the work force, but hope to give that up the end of this year. There are some people that workamp or host at campgrounds and I'm sure they'll tell you about that. In the mean time, keep looking!

[retiredhappy]

Welcome HelenMarie. No vintage trailer here. As for living on small income, there are a lot of us who do. Look into workamping to get your site free and sometimes more money. I fulltime and the KOA where I'm currently located is $290 plus electric a month and includes free cable, a pool and wifi. I couldn't live in my house that cheap. Do a search on here for fulltiming, there have been a lot of discussions on finances.

[VickieP]

Welcome Helenmarie! Glad you joined us, like others have said, there are quite a few ladies and couples here that enjoy a frugal lifestyle and will offer all kinds of advice.

[avalen]

welcome
many of us do the frugal living thing, I've got 3 more years until my retirement and
I'll be full time. I don't have a vintage trailer but a fifth wheel and when I retire I'll
either purchase a class c or trade my fifth wheel for one. Don't know yet, but I'm
shopping even if its just for the education so I will know for sure what I want in a
floor plan etc.
Glad to have you join us.

[BirdbyBird]

How much it might cost? That is as difficult for someone to guess for you as is the question "What rig is best for you?" You will need to research and think about how you plan to live/travel. The workcamping and not traveling (gas) around much saves a lot of $$$. There are needs and wants. Everyone has to sort out those two piles for themselves. Truthfully, many decisions regarding how you want to travel and live get made after you try out the road for a while and realize what works for you.

Much also depends on what you sell and/or leave behind. So as you put together potential cost, be sure to remove those that you are leaving behind.

There are some good deals on used rigs that should not cost you an arm and a leg....but then that depends on what type/size of rig you want. One thing to think about. If with your pencil and paper you think it is at all possible....and you want it, try it.... Otherwise in X years when you are X years older, you will always wonder....could it have worked. There are no promises in life there is only the now.

So, start looking and thinking about what is important to you. You may be surprised at what you can afford.

[Travelinana]

Welcome...I just spent some time looking at the www.sistersonthefly.com site. That does look like alot of fun. If you're interested in vintage that could be a place to learn all about it... What works for me is small motorhome, but we are a diverse group and you'll get lots of help with your decision and after it's made

[Rufflesgurl]

Hi - welcome to the forum.

Travelinana - I have heard that sistersonthefly gorup are a fun group but do not allow dogs at their rallies??

Linda

[Yakn1]

Welcome!
As Linda said Sisters on the Fly do not allow dogs on their trecks, BUT check out the web site, they have some incredible vintage TT's.

[WickedLady]

I think I have heard that some parks do not allow older rigs. I would wonder about age as far as things wearing out and needing repair or replacement.

[helenmarie]

Thanks to everyone for the great welcome! I'm not really stuck on a vintage but I do like them, especially after seeing the Sisters' trailers, fantastic, aren't they? I figure I'll start out small since I've never towed anything except a trailer of dirt. Right now I'm downsizing, checking the ads for sales, and listening to all the advice I can. I guess I'm kinda' nervous about towing so I may not leave the state of Texas for awhile, ha! I guess I'm just overall nervous about beginning a whole different kind of life, but I've given myself a year to get stuff done so I'm just going to plod along until I get to where I want to be. Helen

[Bethers]

Hi Helen! I'm one who does this on a shoe string budget. Workamp sometimes. But my shoestring budget allows for me to do the things that are important - I don't scrimp on my sightseeing tours, if they are ones I really want to do. I workamp sometimes - like will much of this year. Other years, I travel most of the year (my Alaska trip was followed by Baja, MX). What this lifestyle costs can vary by thousands of dollars a month.

I've never been turned away by the age of my rig - now 12 - even tho there are parks that have 10 year rules. Most of those rules are to keep out the "trash". I can't imagine anyone keeping out a really nice vintage rig of any kind. And vintage doesn't have to mean all the inside parts are old. Most of those have replaced most everything inside!

Welcome and come on in and sit awhile - and are lots of others in TX you can meet if you want

[dayspring39]

Welcome Helen Marie... hope you enjoy picking the brains of many many wonderful women...
Kathleen

[Colliemom]

Hi HelenMarie,

Yes, getting a crinky neck on the computer when one is researching the RVing thing is something that a lot of people thing is "crazy". "You want to do what!" But those of us on this site know it's just a part of the lifestyle. we also get crinky necks from backing up our rigs too

I like you am on a tight budge and am thnking of selling my house this year. Well, at least putting it on the mrket anyway. Whether or not I RV full time or part time remains to be seen, but I want to try it for a bit and see. Right now I have a small Rockwood Mini Lite TT and pull that with my Chevy Pickup. It's a comfortable little trailer, but I have yet to haul it on a long trip to see if I like towing or driving a MH instead. There are pros and cons to both. If I am comfortable with the TT, then I may go up a bit bigger in size. All in good time.

I work at a State Park near me here and every year a couple come in with a Vintage trailer. I think it's a 150's model. But it's in great shape and they have kept it up so well. They have looked at newer ones they said, but ue to restrictions in their subdivision, they can't fit anything else in their back yard, so have kept this one and it will outlast them I am sure. They have said that being in their 80's, they don't know how much longer they are going to be able to do this. I believe the trailer is a Scotty.

Good luck in finding "your dream". Ask questions all you want, come sit around the "campfire". This is a great place to be.