Family of four full-timing...RV recommendations?

[gmcspadden]

Hi RVers! First time posting. My family and I live down in San Antonio, and are seriously considering full-timing. I've been doing some research on RVs, and think I have a pretty good idea what I'm looking for:

-bunkhouse for the kids.

-queen bed for parents.

-slideout for extra space

-probably 28' max. We want to be able to visit our friends and family, so we don't want it to be too big. We are pretty minimalist, so we don't feel like we need too much space. A big bathroom and kitchen would be better than extra living space.

-outdoor kitchen seems great to have when the weather is nice.

-pulling with a 1/2 ton, so needs to be under 7K lbs.

-fiberglass siding seems like the way to go.

I've been looking at the Palomino Puma and Solaire, but am hoping to get some more suggestions from you experienced folk! We are looking to buy used, and would like to stay under 15k. Thanks in advance for any recommendations you have.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

You need to look at the door sticker and get the code for your axle. I know Ford codes are online and can be matched to the Ford tow guide. I expect you can find the same for Toyota.

but as several stated, cargo capacity is your problem. You won't have much room for tongue weight.

[allen8106]

gmcspadden wrote:
what I'm looking for:

-bunkhouse for the kids.
[COLOR=]Good idea and doable.

-queen bed for parents.
[COLOR=]Good idea and doable.

-slideout for extra space
[COLOR=]Good idea and doable.

-probably 28' max., -pulling with a 1/2 ton, so needs to be under 7K lbs.
[COLOR=]Not likely

A big bathroom and kitchen would be better than extra living space.
[COLOR=]Not likely

-outdoor kitchen seems great to have when the weather is nice.
[COLOR=]Good idea and likely with a bunk house.

-fiberglass siding seems like the way to go.
[COLOR=]Good idea.

[KKWilliams]

Gmcspadden, our TT is 32 feet and I think we could full time in it, and I have a much larger family than yours. I'm sure you've put a lot of thought into it. The only time we really hang out in the trailer is in bad weather, rain or really hot. Our bunkhouse has a tv and a door so the kids can watch something different than us on those days.

I didn't want an outside kitchen because I have a three burner Camp Chef with a cast iron griddle and grill. I cook under the awning unless the weather is really bad. I rarely cook anything in the camper except for baking.

If it's in your budget look at upgrading the tundra to a bigger truck. 2012Coleman is doing what most of us do in using additional payload to carry bikes, coolers, and grills.

[2012Coleman]

gmcspadden wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I am driving a 2007 Tundra with 4.7L V8, with tow package. I think my tow rating is ~8000 lbs, but not sure. Bought the truck used and it doesn't show the tow rating on the door sticker. Still in exploration phase of planning, but we are very motivated to make it happen! We have done everything from 2-man tent camping to our current pop-up tent camper. Looking forward to making it a permanent situation.

Your tow rating? Tow rating is meaningless. You need to look at payload - what your Tundra can carry. Search for payload on this forum. My current setup pictured below weighs 5500 when loaded for camping. My 2003 Tundra with the 4.7 tows it just OK IMO. I load the bed with our stuff - bikes, grill, waste tote, etc. and it doesn't sag in the rear. It gets pushed around on the road - A LOT. I could not fathom going full time using this truck. My TT is much smaller than you will need with a family of 4. Your Tundra will not make your towing life easy - it will be wholly inadequate for your needs - my opinion which has evolved over the time actually towing something smaller that you envision with a vehicle which is basically the same.

I'm betting that you have the larger rear doors which lowers your payload even more. Check your door jamb sticker and your manual.

Good luck.

[Old-Biscuit]

By the time you and your family get that Toyota loaded up for trailer you will NOT have room left over to tow a pop up trailer.


Before you get to far into this
Load that truck up, fuel, you, wife, kids and all the stuff you would have with you in cab of truck for travel.
Then go to a CAT Scales and get weighed

Front axle, rear axle and total truck weight
With those REAL WORLD ACTUAL weights you can then see/figure how much capacity is left for hitch weight and trailer tongue weight
2007 Tundra
GVWR 6600# (MAX truck weight loaded)
Payload 1750# (you, all passengers, stuff etc then hitch and tongue weight) Gonna run out of payload REAL quick with 4 people and stuff

FT living in an RV is NOT cheaper than living renting/leasing. It comes with it's own set of costs/expenditures.
Many families DO full time. Just need to be realistic about having proper equipment...truck and trailer

We (2 adults) FT for 7 yrs in a 34' 5th wheel
We really really like each other and enjoy being around each other 24/7 but with less than 250sq ft of living space (8 X 32) in got very close

[gmcspadden]

Thanks for the replies. I am driving a 2007 Tundra with 4.7L V8, with tow package. I think my tow rating is ~8000 lbs, but not sure. Bought the truck used and it doesn't show the tow rating on the door sticker. Still in exploration phase of planning, but we are very motivated to make it happen! We have done everything from 2-man tent camping to our current pop-up tent camper. Looking forward to making it a permanent situation.

[missourijan]

Go to Facebook and search for Fulltime Families group. They are living it and would have much better suggestions than us, who are mostly retired folks.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I would think full timing with a 40 footer as you describe would be very challenging.

[GordonThree]

Check out uTube family "Keep your daydream"... they're a photogenic family of five living full time in a bumper pull trailer. It's not a big trailer either, as they tow with a f150.

In a few of their videos they talk about the trailer arrangements.

[path1]

Good luck full timing with 4 people in 28 foot trailer.

As a test, where your living now, put everything you'll need in small 28 foot space and try it for a week.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Had a 28' bunkhouse, no slide, dry weight near 5,500 lbs, max weight a little over 7,000 lbs. Ford F-150 crew cab with V-8 was too little truck to tow it comfortably in Texas with gusty winds over 10 mph.

Sail area on the trailer would push the truck around if the wind was from anywhere back of the trailer.

It had a single AC right over the top of the kitchen - made conversation almost impossible in the trailer in the summer.

It was also cramped and uncomfortable for two people.

[darsben1]

Which Pumas (5er or travel trailer)do you think are half ton towable and can you give us the information off the door placard on your tow vehicle.
Need
Curb weight
GVWR
Which engine do you have
etc

[beemerphile1]

28' is going to be crowded but people have done it with less.

Full time RV living for a family requires a lot of gear, food, and clothing. Make sure you understand that everything in the truck (including the family) other than the driver is subtracted from the tow rating. It is going to be mighty hard to find something that can be used with a 1/2 ton truck. Half tons usually run out of payload very quickly.