I've been researching "mobile living" (for lack of a better term) for close to a year now. In my opinion, your best option is to go 5th wheel + truck. I think a toy hauler is a good idea and build bunk beds into above a "bike garage" for your kids.
For a truck, I would look at either Ford or Ram. I've test driven the F-250 and the Ram 2500. The Ram 2500 rides much nicer in my opinion. The question for you then becomes gas vs diesel. Big upcharge for diesel on either of those vehicles and you'd have to pencil out whether or not that makes sense for how much you plan on driving. Just keep in mind that it's both easier and cheaper to maintain/repair a gas engine.
Again, with all of the foregoing said, I doubt a 3/4 ton truck will be sufficient for what you want to tow.
The trucks hold their value well but the 5th wheels do not. Records were set this spring/summer in the RV industry and I suspect there will be a glut of used inventory hit the market in January/February. The world will be your Oyster.
One other poster suggested potentially just moving to a less expensive location. Along those lines, consider a city like Jacksonville Florida:
Whether or not something like that would work for what you want to do with your family you would have to figure out on your own. As others have mentioned, the cost of towing and camp ground fees add up. Maybe moving to a city with a lower cost of living would allow you to travel and see the country "conventionally".
For a truck, I would look at either Ford or Ram. I've test driven the F-250 and the Ram 2500. The Ram 2500 rides much nicer in my opinion. The question for you then becomes gas vs diesel. Big upcharge for diesel on either of those vehicles and you'd have to pencil out whether or not that makes sense for how much you plan on driving. Just keep in mind that it's both easier and cheaper to maintain/repair a gas engine.
Again, with all of the foregoing said, I doubt a 3/4 ton truck will be sufficient for what you want to tow.
The trucks hold their value well but the 5th wheels do not. Records were set this spring/summer in the RV industry and I suspect there will be a glut of used inventory hit the market in January/February. The world will be your Oyster.
One other poster suggested potentially just moving to a less expensive location. Along those lines, consider a city like Jacksonville Florida:
- You can buy a new, single family home in a community like Nocatee for $350,000 (check out the amenities: bike paths, bike lanes, a budding mountain bike trail system, a six lane half olympic pool, an olympic pool next year, etc. etc.), taxes, insurance, and assessments are very low.
- 15 minutes away from the beach
- Great schools in St. Johns County
- You're 20 minutes away from world-class medical (Mayo Clinic)
- You can drive 2:30 and be in either Orlando or Savanah
- You can drive 3:30 and be in either Tampa or Charleston
- You can drive 5:00 and be in either Atlanta or Miami
- International airport with cheap flights and parking ($10/day indoors next to the terminal last time I flew out of here).
Whether or not something like that would work for what you want to do with your family you would have to figure out on your own. As others have mentioned, the cost of towing and camp ground fees add up. Maybe moving to a city with a lower cost of living would allow you to travel and see the country "conventionally".
Last edited by:
GreenPlease: Sep 22, 20 14:18