Hello!
I am considering living for at least a few years in an RV.
I live in an area that has plenty of campgrounds with 6-12 month stay options and rental lots on private land as well (I live near a mountain-ish area) and have considered an RV over a tiny house or travel trailer because I should only have to title, register, tag, and pay personal property tax on ONE additional item that way, rather than to have a truck + dwelling + my car. When my budget extends in the future, I do really like Tiny Houses on Wheels and may look into that with a truck, but I want to be realistic about the next 3-ish years for myself.
Maybe about seven years ago I lived in a small camper on a friends property for about a year, but shared the main house for plumbing/laundry etc. and the experience was good. I did not feel cramped, I was able to modulate with the seasons and keep moisture in the camper low(ish) and I learned a bit about remodeling the interiors (I ended up flipping that camper for about 2x what I paid).
I've been looking for a new rental, as my rent prices are increasing 20% next year, and I am tired of sharing a studio with another person and my 60lb dog (
quite crowded, not in the physical sense, I like small spaces... but more in the personal sense, if that is understandable?).
No matter how small the efficiency/studio/mother-in-law/room for rent that I seem to find (
and I have looked at some REAL sh!t holes in this "find a new place to live" adventure), when I add up the lot rental, initial cost, pet deposit, estimated maintenance (this is where I need help...), and registration, etc.... it REALLY seems like an RV would save me money and give me some independence (
my quality of life is definitely affected by having roommates).
I have about 6k saved specifically for a home in the future, a THOW, or an RV... and recently I have come across a few RV's in my area that are around that price- an older Toyota and an older Winnebago, most recently.
- What do I need to consider when looking at an RV from an independent seller?
- What maintenance or regular service should I be considering?
- I certainly know to look for regular engine wear & tear and the normal stuff like oil leaks, timing belt, brakes, etc... just from buying so many used cars, but what do I need to look for in an RV?
Any input or help would be SO VERY appreciated, thanks!