The_Kat Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Ok, so I am having a bit of a scenario I'm dealing with here and I want you alls opinions. My hotel room costs me 1080 per month and thats cheap around here. Now all the guys I work with have travel trailers the pull with them to all their jobs and just setup at an RV park. I make 700$ a week per diem and the idea of financing a travel trailer versus paying for a hotel has popped into my head. The way I'm seeing it so far is that instead of giving ahad the arab 1080 a month for a crappy room and paying his bills, I could instead pay for a trailer that I'd be paying to own. I went looking at trailers today and found that what I need is running around 14 to 17 grand. Payments would be anywhere from 200-450 a month and the lot fees and electric are about 450. So I would save a lil money with a trailer and be paying to own....yet I would be in debt for it. That being said, my job is in the gas and oilfield so it's never a certain thing. The projections for this job last well into ten years minimum, but theres always the what if. I see that the obvious choice is to go for the trailer and make an investment and not waste that money on a room I'll never get to use once I leave, you'd be silly not to....or would you? Is the risk worth the savings and reward? Please give me your ideas and what you'd do. If I confused ya just ask for clarification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwa Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 It's just like renting an appartment or buying a home. Your never going to own the appartment. But your investing in a home. Buy the trailer, if things don't work out you can always sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 .....You asked for an honest opinion...right?:D;)...boy, you're lucky I'm still up... .....Simple....-I would highly recommend waiting on any travel trailer investment...at LEAST until next year...- ...and....I would DITCH the motel room, for sure!!...-there are HOUSE PAYMENTS less than that a month... What I would do if I had your job... 1....if you are at a job within 2 hours of home...-I would definitely commute to and from HOME...(yeah, I know you are working 12 hour shifts....-not a big deal....lots of people do that...-that's only a 16 hour day- You can do it!) 2.....Farther away than 2 hours from home...and warmer than 20 degrees F.....I would just pitch a tent!...-(no big deal...-piece of cake...you've got it made)... 3.....Farther than 2 hours from home, and COLDER than 20 degrees F...-just get yourself an 8x10 wall tent with a Yukon stove...-they're less than $400...-you can cook in it, you have heat...-heck: you could even have a little portable generator , and power a TV...-or, your laptop...(if you get a generator-modified surge protector) .... -We were warm and toasty for 7 months in an 8x10 wall tent....while building the cabin up north...(April- December 17th 1999;))-and I had a 3 year old...a one year -old...and was pregnant with Jedidiah... -(and I walked 4 miles to work, 5 days a week, to work in the laundry at Chena Hot Springs Resort, while my husband was building......) -You have it made, Bud!...-you only have to take care of yourself every day, while you're working....-I'd save that precious $1,000 a month if I were you, and build for your (and your beautiful wife's) future... ...tee hee...-You did ask.... ...PS....-the "I need to shower argument" is totally non-relevant in this situation, as well...- so many ways to remedy that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 With the market at the present time for travel trailers, I would not buy a new one! You are going to take a big hit the minute you pull it out of the dealer's yard! Look for a slightly used one and you can really get a good buy! You will be able to get financing for it also! We just sold a 28' travel trailer and I am glad that part of my life is over with! We enjoyed it, but they are expensive when you consider the cost of the trailer, the cost of the truck to pull it and fuel prices what they are! You must remember that when your trailer is sitting somewhere, you are still going to be feeding a lot of gas into the truck! I would look to find a place that rents small apartments on a monthly bases and forget the trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 I think Orlan's on the right track , although Kathleen's idea sound intriguing Pick up a local paper or a local buy and sell, and see what's available in the used category. You can still make a good investment, and save even more money. Owning a used Camper is still great equity to have, and sure beats renting. You could get a small loan from the bank and still be ahead of the game. Whatever you decide Kyle, I wish you all the best in that new job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'd make sure you're job is going to keep you happy and you're gonna last there. If it is, I'd then look into a used camper. Are you driving a truck now? If so, the gas cost won't be much higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'd go for the trailer I think. Build a little equity, and if things don't work out before it's paid for, you can always sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Think I would look at used trailers Kyle. Either that or follow Orlans advice and find an apartment. Good luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm with the other guys on buying a used trailer.I would think a guy could find a used one in decent shape for half of what a new one runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Back in 2004 we bought a 29 ft Dutchman brand new for $11k. 2 sets of bunk beds and a queen bed with a full bath and kitchen. Haven't regretted it once. Look in the paper for a slightly used one. And I mean SLIGHTLY, cause you sure don't want one that has been dragged all over here and yonder and smoked in. With the cost of gas the way it is....no one is traveling like they used to. They can't sell campers like they used to!! So finding a deal shouldn't be too hard. It's just you and the Mrs. so I don't imagine you need a very big one. Pm me and I'll tell you how we financed it and what we pay a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_lou Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 If you go for the trailer, I would say look for a dealership that has any 07's left or go used. When we were looking earlier this year, they were practically giving away the 07's. There should be a glut of used ones that folks can't afford to pull around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendog Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Just don't buy a used trailer that has FEMA stamped on the side;) I was also looking for a used one, some parts of the country sell them cheaper than others, maybe look into some out of state. Alot of people unloading theirs now that gas is Best of luck to you both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 look on ebay. that's where you'll find your best deals. i would not buy new, that i know. with gas prices, you will find thousands of bargains out there by september/october of this year. be patient, and save 50% or more. you'll also be seeing bankruptcy auctions on new camper sales places by christmas.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Pretty much all sound advice Kyle. You may want to check into ins rates, and how being down here in a park may or may not affect them. I would also double check and make sure that the company will allow you to pull the camper behind you're work truck, some companies may frown on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted July 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 I have a company truck that I can use...so gas isn't an issue. The parks have electric so I won't need gas for a generator. Insurance isn't bad at all. As for camping in a tent lol....NOT happening! I'll give arab his due before doing that lol. I'm too much of a candy butt I plan on checkin out all avenues and really putting some thought into it. It's not something I have to do anytime soon either. Just a thought I've been pondering on. On paper it's an obvious choice, but theres things that worry me like debt and stuff. I guess we'll see what happens. Thanks though! You all rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Hey bud check into buying a used camper instead of brand new. You can get them for about 1/2 price and most of the time people use them once or twice and decide to sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Well, I never really need to be asked to voice my opinions but since you did... Like has already really been said, the first thing you need to figure out is what type of future/security your job offers you. If it seems like you can count on that per diem, then buy a used trailer. I definitely wouldn't spend 14-17 grand on one. What happens if you lose the job and then you're stuck paying the note out of your own pocket? That wouldn't be good. I'd just finance something that you'd be able to pay without the per diem. Then, if you lose the job or change jobs you won't be in a bad spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativetexan Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Go big... http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/lusby/ In reality, check Ebay for trailers. Another option is a class A RV. People are dumping them cheap left and right because of gas prices. Such as this one... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_RVs-Campers__1999-Four-Winds-Windsport-33SL_W0QQitemZ120283900952QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q26Q20TrailersQQadnZRVsQ20Q26Q20CampersQQddiZ2828QQadiZ2799QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120283900952&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1308 or maybe this one.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_RVs-Campers__1990-Fleetwood-Cambria-39FT_W0QQitemZ250270284930QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q26Q20TrailersQQadnZRVsQ20Q26Q20CampersQQddiZ2828QQadiZ2799QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250270284930&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318 Believe it or not, there is also a wealth of info on the net about converting a school bus into a home. Hippies love that, but it is kind of interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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