A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

I know I tumbled in with nary a clue what/how I wanted to proceed (or with what kind of rig because of that) but since then I've gravitated toward a TT and truck, with design on FTing a la snowbird (half the year near grandchildren, half the year southerly). As for traveling beyond that, as it comes. But now things are getting serious. I've looked at a TT I like twice, taking measurements, doping out modifications I'd need to make to it to accommodate my work and hobby. We're nearing the point of establishing a purchase price so before pulling that trigger, I really feel the push to get a better grasp on living expenses when FTing. I'm hoping someone can help me with that, because I will be on a budget.

So! A bunch of questions and I hope it's not too many.

- What does "metered electricity" in CGs tend to run if "some use" of A/C"?
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Do most CGs have cable (CNN, Fox, whatever, etc.?) If it doesn't go with the package, what does cable cost extra in a typical CG? Does it tend to be available or is that unusual to find in CGs?

Is there a separate, independent way to get cable TV?

How much do you spend on propane, assuming you cook or bake or both, per month? How much does a furnace add to that if you run it on cold days? Same with a Buddy type space heater if you close off part of the TT? Ballpark?

How much is the RV version of AAA road service per year?

What does it cost to dump tanks if you need to do it en route?

Don't laugh, but I haven't done laundry in a coin-op since I can remember. What does a load of wash/dry cost nowadays? (Again, it all adds up).

Last but in no way least, wifi. I know at the CG I went to 2 years ago - email no problem. Amazon no big problem. Except in primetime evening. Generally it wasn't great wifi. I'm assuming that's not unusual. So I know there's mifi but I haven't yet had a chance to piece together what that actually costs, both to buy whatever unit it uses, get it set up, and then what it costs to use it. Does that give you reliable internet? And could someone give me a ballpark for both initial setup and monthly? Or if it's "pay by use" then for instance what 2 hours of solid web surfing would cost (or another way of expressing its use cost if that's not an appropriate increment.)

RV insurance? Obviously depends on the rig's value and coverage, but just basic vintage 2003-2005 TT type insurance?

Other than CG space rent fees, are there any other things I'm just totally missing that's standard expenses in FT RVing?

ANY help answering any of these questions would be hugely appreciated. I'm really moving toward this decision (selling EVERYTHING and going FT into RV life) so since part of my motivation is lowering my living overhead and I'm going to have to move on this TT soon, I just really need to get a handle on costs to make sure I'm not just flat out wrong on it. Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light.

Have you said what the price, year, make and history is of the tt you are looking at? Have you looked at the NADA estimate as to how much it is worth?

Will you have any type of a cash reserve after you sell your home? Have you thought of renting your home until you decide if you like living in 26' of space or if in fact you like full timing.

Have you tried hooking and unhooking a set up like you will be dealing with?

I think Beth and others posted fairly detailed budgets, does the amount you figure to have available to live on come near those estimates.

Many of the things you mentioned are optional and if you are on a tight budget you could consider boondocking more, work camping and things like taking advantage of free wi fi.

There are a lot of trailers out there for sale and more will come available as the weather warms. Is there a particular reason you need to do this right away?

Good luck with your decisions!

The costs of many of the services and things you are asking about can be found in a large sliding scale. There are inexpensive laundries and then those that charge 2.50 a load. Some folks purchase satellite packages, either portable or attached to the roof. Dish or Diredt TV? You can Google and find out just how many options there are especially when you get to decide what packages you want. Then again if the camp ground you decide to stay in for months at s time offers cable? That could be cheaper. There are several bloggers in the past that have posted their budgets. And PS.....AAA may not be you first pick for a Road service.
Look at prices of Good Sam and/or Coach Net, too.

I have a TT and my insurance is $304.00, I just paid my RV AAA and it was $89.00
I have not used a TV in my previous TT my new TT has one, but have not been on any trips yet. First trip scheduled for April, so will see if I use it. We used a laundry last yr in MO and it was $2.25 a load and I think the dryer was $1.75. This was in a tiny little town as none in the campground. We had to go to McDonalds to use our phones.

Thanks all. Will check Direct and Dish just to know what they have and its cost, and detachable satellite would be ideal because my preference for parking is not in full sun so that means trees - will check that out. And also the three mentioned road services.

BJ, yes, TT is within NADA but will need to be negotiated according to what it doesn't have. But this TT is purrrrfect for the mods I'd want to make in any TT to accommodate how I live. And that's also the reason for right now. As for all else, that's covered. But you do ask really great questions!!

Where would I find the budgets you said were published (Beth and others?)

What about reliable wifi since I understand CGs are more likely than not to have sucky connections, and I need reliable and hopefully fast for my work.

Hello again.

As others have stated, most of your latest questions have already been answered, in one way or another.

Many of these most recent questions that you have asked have too many variables to give an accurate answer.

For example:

OTW wrote:- What does "metered electricity" in CGs tend to run if "some use" of A/C"?

In order to come close to an accurate answer (and even then it would be difficult), further, much more specific questions would need to be addressed first:

1. What does the specific, individual campground, charge per kilowatt hour?
2. Are there surcharges of any kind for this electrical use?
3. What is the size of the unit - your trailer - you are trying to cool?
4. What is the size of the A/C unit you are trying to cool it with?
5. How much electricity does this A/C unit use?
6. What is the target temperature inside the unit that you would wish to cool down to?
7. What is the ambient outside temperature that you are trying to cool down from?
8. How do you define "some use of A/C"? An hour a day? A couple of hours per day? 24/7?

Beth gave very good information regarding full-timer costs, as have others.

Also, RVSue's blog http://rvsueandcrew.net/ has some general camping cost figures - but Sue mostly does boondocking. Even so, her outlay towards general expenses are somewhat eye-opening.

So many of your most recent questions could be answered in so many different ways - the answers would depend on your own personal preferences and your own personal abilities.

There really are no hard-and-fast answers.

Perhaps the best way to find out these answers is to. . . just go camping.

Motorhomes can be rented by the day/week/month. As can trucks and travel trailers. Pricey to rent, for sure - but infinitely less than a purchase. Once you have gone out on the road with a rental, many of your questions will likely be answered all by themselves.

On the other hand. . . and I mean no disrespect on this. . . in reading over your posts of the last week. . . it almost seems like you are a writer putting together a story.

Are you?

Anne

As said, there are so many variables.. You can find sites, even monthly, that include electric. If paying separately, rates will vary greatly. Texas electric, where I stayed a month this fall, had higher rates than a park I stayed at in Arizona. I didn't separate out those electric costs, but included them in my camping costs in the following post:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15945

And you can look at previous posts and even search for things you're interested in by using the search feature on the forum. The link I posted was done while you've been posting, so take advantage of reading other people's posts.

You can also call some sample campgrounds to find out what they charge.

Since I stay in warm climates, I tend to spend only about $200 for propane for an entire year, but as with all those other things, costs vary.

I boondock so my propane usage will be more than someone who plugs in. and propane varies depending upon the company and the
area...here in Q it is 2.10 a gal...the tank for the frig and stove will last well over a month...but the tank feeding the fireplace will go through
in a week (it's been cold) and been heating the trailer all day..although I turn it way down at night and when I am gone..I also have gas to run the
generator it really is so much what you do...
also I use direct tv it just went up and I get the net work off the east and west coast so that is an additional cost...
at some campgrounds you may have really good wifi others not so much and some campgrounds cable others not or not really good
some when you stay for an extended time don't offer cable ...
my mifi is through verizon....it used to be around 68 or so a month but I recently changed so it is lower (will even out with the rate increase from
Direct tv ) when I got the card it was I think 200 with insurance on it...but I also share with daughter and her son and his wife now...
you will find out that you will have different expenses than others cause some do things more than others...it is totally hard to base your
expectations of cost on others...you can get a good idea but no two people do things the same...
one thing when you look at the trailer imagine yourself in it get in the shower take a shower fully clothed no water but shower look around where are
you going to put clothing...dh wanted a tt I said no way no how no place for what I normally used ....so do what you would do in it if you lived in it...prepare a meal
light the oven empty the tanks can you reach them do you have other storage than the closet and over cabinets...
as much as we can tell you what we do we are not you and you are the one living in it...
sheila

Time out. My sincerest apologies. Yes, I realize my questions have been very broad with highly variable answers, and maybe even annoyingly so. (Ouch, more apologies). I haven't been on the forum long enough to have uncovered existing threads where my questions may have been answered already and never thought (dumbly) of using the search function to try to find such pinpointed discussions. But if the search function is that refined, thanks MUCH for that hint!

Honestly my head has been swimming with so much new information crammed into a very short time. That undoubtedly adds to dumb questions syndrome. In the past "almost month" I've literally spent just about ALL waking hours at computer or in deep, revelation-ish thought because I'm considering the biggest lifestyle change I've ever contemplated. I'm coming from a 13-room house and a gigantic barn, both filled with a very full lifetime of accumulation, and thinking of selling it all, from antiques to appliances. (Very tiny storage locker worth of exceptions.) And in that same time I've gone from knowing nothing about trucks to a fair bit now. And also from initially contemplating maybe a converted van for travel with a stick/brick smaller home base... to the full shebang of fulltiming with a TT. Being away from family 6 mos. out of the year. And then how I can modify said TT to accommodate my business, etc. And in that same research time, have looked at probably close to 500 RVs, layouts, advantages/disadvantages of RV types. Research non-stop. All new info. Learning RV/TV abbreviations, RV rigging... and also the prospect of life as I know it, drastically changing. Then additionally how I can keep my business operating (from elsewhere) and who/what I'd have to hire locally in order to do it. (And if not, could I still pull it off with just SS?) In short, this is huge for me. You can't see the surface of my table for all the notes, drawings and print-outs. Yet this isn't the first time I've thought about doing it, so all that isn't as half-cocked as it might sound.

So that's mah story and hopefully not TMI. If my questions seem scattered, that's because they most definitely are. I just didn't realize they were annoying, and I actually DO understand that. (I saw this forum and thought, "Ooo! A buncha women already doing it, great!" Oooops.

Anne, yes I'm a writer. I'm in my 27th year of publishing a well-distributed niche magazine having nothing to do with fiction, and 35 years ago sold a novel. But no, I am most definitely NOT using this forum to put together a story, lol. And no offense taken.

So I shall lighten up. Just wanted to put a real person behind all the bouncy questions. AND will also try out that search function.

Shiela/Snowball--
Thanks for sharing those numbers and realities of your own usages, and even though one's usage may not be another's, that does give me some rough clues. I've looked at CG websites (many!) in both locations to get rates and also what monthly rates would cost vs. seasonal rates based on whether I'd want to be restricted to seasonal sites (sometimes the better ones, sometimes not) for the difference in costs.

Re what else you mentioned, the rig I'm looking at so seriously has nary a foot of space that isn't furniture or walkway (as it currently sits) but what I'd need to rip out and redesign works structurally and preserves outside storage to good extent and boxes where plumbing, etc. reside. After seeing it the 2nd time my original plan got scrapped for that reason but back to the drawing board, I like the 2nd plan way better. I can do all mods without wrecking the pieces so it can be easily restored to original config, but for resale I think the mods could suit any solo RVer who needs work space or has space-taking hobbies plus added kitchen counter space. And the mods will lighten the trailer's UVW by a bit but not enough to throw off the established weight balance.

LOL, yes I did get into the shower on the 2nd visit, and we're talking what borders on elbows-tucked hair washing (Gaaa!) But I can easily live with that. I'm actually glad it has a small space devoted to shower. (I lurve this rig.)

The one thing I'm hoping to find at the CGs I'll be staying at LT is someone who'll do the outside maintenance (e.g., roof maintenance) because this is where age comes in. I do not want to climb tall ladders anymore. But I figure there'll be people around who might want "specific task" workamping supplement.

I see no reason for apologies. You have a million things going through your head, you are alone, you need to bounce things off people to help in your decisions. That's what we are here for. I think you are really doing your homework. Seems like you really like that TT. If it's calling "home" to you, then go for it. As to the hitching and unhitching part, sounds like you will be staying put most of the time, so it's not like you will be traveling from one end of the country to the other where you might be unhitching, see some sights and continue on again in a few days type thing. Once you drop anchor, you will be pretty much staying put.

As to house and barn full of stuff, look at it this way. Unless you really plan to use it, it will sit and gather dust. What will happen to it when you are gone? Do family members want it or will they just pick through and toss the rest. May as well have them take what they want now and then donate or sell the rest. Then you can live your remaining years, doing what your heart is telling you. We have remarkable memories and don't need a lot of "physical" things to remind us. How many of us from the time we were kids, had to have this or that souvenir, only to have them lay around and gather dust as we got older and eventually tossed. You go girl, follow your dream and don't stop the questions, crazy or not.

With all your research.....in the end be prepared to take a leap of faith. If you want certainty this is not the journey for you. This is part about being on this adventure. You plan but on the journey you discover so much you never imagined.

You or any of us will not be able to answer all your questions. You may take your best guess with the information you have and when you get out there living, it discover your own personal questions that you didn't even think of. Be prepared to change your mind about things you thought might be important or unimportant. Over time your needs and wants may shift and change.

It would be wonderful if you could always get the best rig on your first purchase but no matter how folks research this is often not the result. There is so much personal preference involved, individual style of travel, and imagination smacking up to actual reality involved.

Accept that this is an adventure into the unknown for you. Many discoveries will only be found along the way.

Don't apologize, were here to help and although some posts might sound
a tad snippy, the intention is to help. I myself have done my research
for well over 5 years and now recently retired I'm getting ready to put
it all into play. I've lived in my fifth wheel for a total of 7 years parked
in a 55+ community and I can give you a general idea of the electric use.
Arizona is really hot in the summer and for a good 4 months the a/c
runs 24/7. During that time my electric $$ fall around $350, give or
take. Then we get those couple months of spring or fall where my
electric averages a meet $30 (no heat or ac needed) Basically I'm
just using the lights, tv, hot water and fridge. In the winter I have
an electric room heater I leave on most of the time supplementing
the need for heat with the propane furnace only when needed. Winter
puts my electric budget around $80 a month. That's a good ballpark
considering the weather we have here. Hope that helps.
Now, with retirement in play I look forward to finding cooler places
to hang out in the summer.

The questions are not annoying. Just songs are hard to answer And giving you ways to search and maybe find and comment on previous threads is another means to your end. Do not stop asking and do not think your questions are dumb!