travel trailers

[Duchesse]

I just recently purchased 10 acres in North Cackalacky. ;D

I plan to visit this spring and get to *know my land a little more. *I don't have plans to build until 2010. *I want to stay on my land in a travel trailer.

I've been keeping my *:o *open for a nice used one. *I've been on craig's list. * ::) Anybody have any other suggestions. *

A few questions regarding the travel trailers. *I've read some things on line but I need some up close and personal information.

How and where do you get rid of waste water?

*Where and how do you fill up on water?

Where do you suggest I dispose of garbage since I'll only be around for a few weeks?

Maybe a neighbor will take a small donation for allowing us to use their bin. ::)

Would it be a good idea to buy an inexpensive travel trailer and leave it on the premises so that I have some where to stay until I build?

I've seen many travel trailers on property in the area but, then again they do have a house already.

What do you think ???

Any and all suggestions welcomed.

[rivahmom]

I stayed a month in a travel trailer after hubby got out of the military. If the travel trailer is to remain on the property I would recomend puting a septic system and a well on the property. If you are going to be carrying the travel trailer to and from then you can dump it and fill it at most truck stops and trailer parks will allow you to dump for a small fee. I have also seen a small portable septic tank that you can drag to the dump site if you do not want to put in a septic system on a more permanent set up.

[Duchesse]

I plan to have a well drilled and septic tank installed but, for this spring I want to visit and get to know my land, cut the grass, plan my homestead and meet my neighbors. *I also hope to get some referrals and estimates *for well drilling and septic installations. *Hopefully time will also permit me to look at some modular and triplewides offered in and around the area.

Any suggestions for the best, most durable and yet reasonable brands of manufactured homes?

This travel trailer *would serve many purposes.

*First and foremost it would be temporary housing for this coming spring. *I want to visit for about two weeks. *If I can find the time and money maybe I'll visit again for the summer or early fall. Two or three weeks at a time.

I want to be able to leave it so I don't have to tow it back and forth.

After my home is built the trailer will continue to serve *as a guest house for visitors who I want to have more privacy. *

It can also serve as a dog house for my son when he gets too big for his britches >:( or my partner when he's not big enough for his. ;D

[jen_in_southtexas]

Congratulations on your new property!

I had a travel trailer sitting on my ten acres months ago. I bought it used from a lady at work. It wasnt the newest and best but it was a decent one and it put a roof over my head and it kept me dry and warm. I ran my lights on a solar charged battery. I never had the need to run appliances so I never did. Just low wattage lights and a desk fan was all i needed. I wanted to eventually run power but i never did and good thing i didnt because I got scr*wed out of that deal. Unless you have building restrictions like so much time allowed they give you to build a house, I wouldnt worry about how long the trailer sits there. I wouldn't want to tow it back and forth. Its your property. Take your time to put a home there. Your mind will change several times with different ideas.

Talk to your neighbors about security issues and ask if there have ever been problems with theives.

For your waste water, you can use it to water your lawn, flowers, trees whatever..if its just grey water. You can burn your trash and whatever cant be burned like cans n stuff rinse them out and put them in garbage bags. Maybe that town has a place where you can dispose of your garbage for a small fee. Thats the way they do here when there is a burn ban in effect. I think it costs like $1.00.

Make your time there fun and get to know your property. One day you will think that your future house will look good here and the next day you will change your mind. But thats part of the fun and planning process.

Some time ago I read an article on this website written by Claire Wolfe. It is a great article. Here is the link:http://www.backwoodshome.com/columns/wolfe050101.html . Maybe you will get some ideas from it.

Good luck to you and have fun with your new property.

-jen

[Shain]

I just recently purchased 10 acres in North Cackalacky. ;D

I plan to visit this spring and get to know my land a little more. I don't have plans to build until 2010. I want to stay on my land in a travel trailer.

I've been keeping my :o open for a nice used one. I've been on craig's list. ::) Anybody have any other suggestions.


I was thinking of getting a trailer for my new land. For the price of a decent trailer I was able to buy a used 2/2 manufactured home and have it moved. I can live in it much longer than I would be able to live in a trailer. When I'm done with it I'll just sell it or rent it out.

[rantinraven]

Hello Duchess,
First I want to say congrats on your land! That is a big huge step and one we are trying to make atm so I envy you. I know people that have went both routes, one couple bought a travel trailer which is great for them because now when they want a vacation they can have one nearly anywhere. Another couple bought a trailer and put it in at the front of their property, and built their home at the back. This was great for them because when in laws/outlaws :) came to visit they could send them to their own private quarters well away from the main house. I have only one caution about a travel trailer. Even with the best maintenance you can really have issues in your fresh water tanks. The first couple I talked about bought their travel trailer from a dealer it was used but very lightly. Inside the fresh water tanks there was a very thick sludge like mold. The tanks had been emptied but I do not think the trailer was level when it was done leaving a small amount of water to grow bacteria. I think this problem was increased by the fact that it was "put away" during the summer months and the heat could have contributed to the problem. I wrote an article about how to clean the tanks and also to keep build up from forming in your grey and black water tanks. http://www.ehow.com/how_4686452_rv-fresh-water-holding-tanks.html I don't want this to deter you from buying a travel trailer as I think it is a wonderful idea. I just want to make sure that you and your family are safe if you choose that option. With 35.00 in chemicals you can be well on your way to new clean tanks. It doesn't matter if you get the generic water softener or the generic pool chemicals they will all do the same job. I wish you the best and again a sincere congratulations from our family to yours. Raven

[SPIKE]

As a construction worker that use to travel, I have spent a lot of time living out of a 36' travel trailer. It was very acceptable living quaters even when sharing with one other person.
When I bought my property in west TN., I went to a mobile home auction and was able to purchase a 16 x 80 for $6500. I think it is a 1986 Clayton. It is in good shape.
IMO It is much better than being in the travel trailer. You will appreciate having the extra room (trust me on this).

Just my thoughts on the subject and something you may have not considered.

SPIKE

[High_Desert]

Any suggestions for the best, most durable and yet reasonable brands of manufactured homes?


Fuqua, Palm Harbor and Clayton all make good homes.
Location dictates a lot as they can only travel so far, so it depends which manufactures are within 1200 miles or so.

Now is a great time to buy as the manufactures are dealing to close out surplus units.

Best Regards,
HD

[randallhilton]

I just recently purchased 10 acres in North Cackalacky. ;D

How and where do you get rid of waste water?

Start by using as little water as possible. Build a Loveable Loo (http://josephjenkins.com/store/product.php?productid=16161&cat=283&page=1) and a compost heap. Perhaps you can temporarily dump the gray water on a bed of 1" crushed rock or some other gravel material.


*Where and how do you fill up on water?
You might consider a rain harvest system. Which is basically gutters and a storage tank. Haul in your drinking water, or set up a way to purify rain water on site. There are many folks using rain harvesting instead of drilling a well. Lots of info in the google world.


Where do you suggest I dispose of garbage since I'll only be around for a few weeks?

Compost the food scraps, compress and haul out the rest. It's kind of like back packing -- if you can bring it in, it shouldn't be too difficult to haul it out.

[vikx]

Good advice above. Look into vintage travel trailers-the little ones. They are cheap and will give you an idea of travel trailer living plus have resale value. Most are around 16 feet without a bathroom but depending where you are, solar showers and outside potties will work well. They are cramped and one person is recommended. VK

[Bandit]

Hi Duchesse
Great Idea , You can also try looking at Oodle.com ( a mega search site ) andRV Trader . http://www.oodle.com/

http://www.rvtraderonline.com/
Bob

[Rick9Plus]

Hi Duchesse:

You should track down the book, "Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000" by Brian D. Kelling. I don't think it's in print, but you can find it used on Amazon.com.

This easy-to-understand book answers many of your questions such as managing a water system, installing a low-tech septic system, dealing with garbage, installing solar electricity, heating with wood, and much more. I strongly recommend the book for anyone looking to live in a travel trailer while building a more permanent home. Or, you may decide that the trailer meets all of your needs for a permanent home.

Good luck!

[Rick9Plus]

While cruising some of the other BHM forum postings, I just came across one that you might have missed:

Topic: Living in a travel trailer off-grid

This guy (and his repliers) has a bunch of information on living in a trailer on a piece of land. Search the above topic in the Homesteading forum and take a look!

[silvergramma]

well my cousins lived in one of the smallest travel trailers like the one ricky and lucy had but only a lot smaller,, while they had their house built and this was inside city limits..
outside city limits i wouldnt leave it while not being there.. vandals and such youwouldnt have anything left when you went back i'd get a nice pop up trailer camper and a small porta potty,, the commode types you can still get them
water can be brought in with 5 gallon collapsable containers..
before you do anything about a well being dug... are you gonna do it your self with the equipment you buy yourself or pay someone else to do it..and you'll have to have someone come in and walk the land to find the water spot for you those folks are few and far between..

[Anon001]

outside city limits i wouldnt leave it while not being there.. vandals and such youwouldnt have anything left when you went back.....
water can be brought in with 5 gallon collapsable containers..
before you do anything about a well being dug... are you gonna do it *your self with the equipment you buy yourself or pay someone else to do it..and you'll have to have someone come in and walk the land to find the water spot for you those folks are few and far between..

I think that would depend largely on where you are located... *In this part of the country, we seldom have any trouble with vandalism. *As long as I stayed in mine, nothing ever happened, but I am sure that in some areas it would.

I hauled water in 5 gallon buckets for a long time.... *Then I got 3 - 15 gallon plastic barrels from a dairy that they buy their teat disinfectant in. *They had a shed full of them and no where to go with them... Then I came up with a 300 gallon tank and strapped to a small trailer and pulled it to town to get water as I needed. *I went ahead and had my bulk propane tank set and ran the line to the travel trailer.... bulk propane is much much cheaper than refilling the 20lb bottles.

As to well drilling...in many parts of the country you cannot drill the well yourself unless you are certified... *So you need to check on your state laws and county ordinances before you start hunting water. *From what I understand, most anyone can dowse for water, but I don't know how true that is....there are books available on the art of dowsing.

It was also while in the travel trailer that I learned about solar. I started off with kerosene lamps and when I went out to milk, I took my Dietz lantern. After about a month, I ordered my first solar panel, small charge controller, and bought my first deep cycle golf cart batteries... I had lights...... and have been on solar since then....May 1998. A travel trailer can also be moved around on the property allowing you to actually "live" on different spots experiencing where you may want a house.

PaulNKS

[Suzy]

If you do decide to get a mobile home instead of just a small travel trailer, if you buy one that was built before 1978, the wiring may not be safe so make sure you have that redone before you hook up to regular electricity or even a generator...

I lived in a pop up camper all one summer while I was building a house on a previous homestead and did just fine...and I used the little porta potty that came with the borrowed pop up camper....That was about 18 years ago and we could have bought a good little travel trailer with a shower and everything for less than $1000 then....I imagine things have gone waaay up by now...

best wishes and congratulations on getting your land!

[cookiecache]

Check with companies that rent porta-potties. They should be able to pump out the holding tank on a travel trailer fairly cheap. Just have them come by every week or so and make a "withdraw."

[LeatherneckPA]

Check with companies that rent porta-potties.
Now THAT is a cool idea. I hadn't thought of it. But you guys have me eyeing this fifth wheel that I pass on my way to school which I know hasn't moved in probably 10 years as temp quarters.

[snake]

One benefit of a travel trailer is you can use it for a "Get out of Dodge" vehicle. I have a 30 footer here in NW Fla., and it's here to get me and my family outta here in case of a hurricane and/or tornado. We do use it for trips from time to time, but I consider it a "pain" to pull.