Help me understand campers please

[HCJtractor]

I have some property where I use for recreation, mainly hunting and tractor work. I've considered buying a used camper to leave there just to spend a few night occasionally, perhaps with my wife or hunting buddies. Don't want to spend a lot, but I see some for 5 or 6 grand, and that's within my budget

But I have no electricity on site, nor water, other than a 300 gallon cistern. I do have a nice quiet generator, 2000 watts.

My question is how self contained are these? Tell me about waste disposal, heating water for a shower, battery usage etc.
would it be practical to have a trailer w/o hookups?

If I do this, it's gotta be sufficient for pleasing a lady, if you know what I mean. No potty in the woods, and a shower would be nice. I want to make it comfy enough to entice my wife to accompany me. Would not be too concerned about heat nor AC as it will be used in spring or fall when temps are pleasant.

I know nothing about camping trailers. What should I look for? I have no problem with being it being a little older and not fancy. Nor will I want to travel with it

 

[dusty3030]

Listen, I have researched, owned, used and messed with travel trailers over the course of many, many moons.
I like the IDEA of them, I hate owning one.

1. They are all built cheap, some cheaper than others. The buzz today is light weight for towing, that is fine and dandy but that is a compromise. For a trailer that is stationary more building materials used to build it means its going to be heavier. All aluminum versus wood - doesn't matter really. A well built wood or aluminum will out last a lesser built of either.

2. Roofs that don't leak will eventually. If buying used you want one that has been under shelter as much as possible. You will want to seal the roof on one if you buy one used.

3. For one you are leaving somewhere some type of septic will be needed or plan on getting a ferry tank to haul your "stuff" with you to a place you can dump it. I'll get jumped for this on the board here but if you are only using it a few days at a time rarely and depending on where you are at you can make a nifty septic that will work with some PVC, some digging, and a 55 gallon barrel. The camper has two holding tanks, one catches the toilet (black water), one catches the rest (grey water).

4. Gas- the more propane you can use the less electric you need. The hot water tank and fridge will be for both. So if you can put in a big LP tank you can run the fridge and hot water on propane more than electric. Also the blower for the heater will work off 12 V so you can have heat without running the generator. NO AC without generator.

5. Vermin - Rats and mice love them, leave lots of rat poison.

6. Freezing, campers built for northern climates are better insulated than southern sold ones. Check out what you get has the better insulation package. The water lines are plastic tubing and if they don't split the push themselves off of their connectors when frozen.

7. Potable water - the water tank / 12V pump will give you plenty of water for showers and toilet, so not much different than home in that regard other than they are 1/4 scale and hot water doesn't last long.

8. Moisture - if you are shopping used and it looks like one someone has lived in or spent lots of time in pass. The inside is so small you will find if you aren't using the vents there will be lots of condensation inside one if you spend a lot of time in it. Condensation plus cheap construction to begin with means the wood parts inside (drawers, beds, etc.) all those nice stapled and glued together pieces will be trying to come apart if they have been damp.

All in all, just inspect wisely. Push on walls and floors, bring a light. Climb all under and in and over and check it from front to back top to bottom. Good luck!

 

[oosik]

I agree with dusty3030. I've had one type or other of smallish camp trailers for over 40 years and they are a definite compromise at best. Plus if you leave something on your property there will always be the concern for vandalism, rodents(kinda both the same thing) & maintenance. If I were going to do this - I would consider a good wall tent, forget the showers, a well built out house and bring drinking water. The wall tent can be set up in a short time and goes home with you when you leave. You can even build a foundation & partial walls to put the wall tent on.

I see you recognize some of the infrastructure needed just to be set up for a trailer - water, sewer, electricity/batteries, showers etc, etc. The list goes on & on and pretty soon you might as well be at home.

 

[HCJtractor]

All good info. I can see these drawbacks. How does the transfer tank work? And how big a propane tank? Do most trailers have these already?

Yes I have rigged a simple septic system before. Know that's not " legal" but that's another discussion

 

[clemsonfor]

I have never owned one but have friends and neighbors with them and see lots at campgrounds at work.

Leaks are your biggest concern on old ones.

The ones I see usually have I think 1-2 40 lb tanks up on the tounge at most maybe some have internal tanks others have 20lb cylinders. I am talking campers in your price. You can bring as many tanks you want and swap them.

The transfer tanks to dump the septic are like little wheeled carts that look like they hold 30-50 gallons. They wheel them around at campsites and dump them at a dump station. Kind of nasty!!

 

[HCJtractor]

And I've thought about building a small "cabin". But primitive. Since there's no power, it will not have a stove or heat and only wiring for lighting off solar or a generator. Kinda like a cabin at a kids summer camp. But I really don't want to go thru the permit process to build something so primitive and not for anything but "camping out". But I know that the building permit office will be. And I don't want to "invite" them to my property. And the old timey out house or home made septic system won't fly.

So I don't know how to get around that. I'm sure there are lots of cabins that don't meet code. And it's not like I'm interfering with neighbors. It will be on the middle of 300 acres

 

[dusty3030]

I'd suggest just you and your Mrs go look at some different one's on a lot with a pact to not buy anything, just go learn. New or old the layouts are basically all the same.
Look and see how the different stuff actually looks and works.
Look at cheap campers and look at the more expensive one's and train yourself a little on what those differences are.

I still love the being out there, it was just the work that kept it going was a buzz kill.

We actually are renting an apartment near our hunting land now. That is a short term solution but it sure is nice to have. We furnished completely with stuff we had piled up at home. Keep some extra clothes down there. It makes it nice to just hop in the truck and go on a whim and know you have a bed and all waiting!

 

[HCJtractor]

I'd suggest just you and your Mrs go look at some different one's on a lot with a pact to not buy anything, just go learn. New or old the layouts are basically all the same. Look and see how the different stuff actually looks and works. Look at cheap campers and look at the more expensive one's and train yourself a little on what those differences are. I still love the being out there, it was just the work that kept it going was a buzz kill. We actually are renting an apartment near our hunting land now. That is a short term solution but it sure is nice to have. We furnished completely with stuff we had piled up at home. Keep some extra clothes down there. It makes it nice to just hop in the truck and go on a whim and know you have a bed and all waiting!

And that's what I want to do. My home is only 25 miles away, so going home is easy. But to just be able to "camp out " but with some luxuries like a bed and toilet etc. so while I'm hunting or working with my tractor, she could hang out and read or tinker. I thought a cheap camper would suffice, or a small cabin would be better, but it would have to be built without a permit, as I'm not going to jump through the inspector's hoops to get it up to code. I have no desire to use a tent as that would be too much trouble and not meet her needs

 

[Rhinohio]

I've owned some sort of camper for the last forty years, some better than others. What the others have said is true, they are high maintenance and built as cheaply as possible. They are not intended for permanent occupancy and will fall apart quickly under those conditions. The unit I have now I purchased new 8 years ago and it is still in excellent shape due to my diligence to care of problems before they manifest themselves. My wife and I use it nearly every weekend at our acreage. We did the "blue thing shuffle" for the first two years but that got to be too much trouble. Now, gray water goes on the ground and solid waste is hauled out in Double Doodie waste bags that we use with the portable toilet. Not much different than carrying out your garbage.

With all of the drawbacks, I wouldn't be without one until we get the house built. You pack some clothes, get beer/food and head for the camp. The pots, pans, linens, stove, fridge and a bed with a real mattress is already there waiting for you. We don't leave anything we're not willing to lose and always leave the coach unlocked. If the low-life comes to rip you off, maybe they won't rip the door off the hinges getting in. That won't stop vandals, but it's just stuff and it can be replaced. Check with your insurance agent WRT coverage of contents and the camper itself.

If you are that paranoid about the code Nazis, you might want to inquire as to whether a camper is permitted to be parked on YOUR property. The eco-nuts control many areas in the country and hate anything that has wheels or a motor.

Mike

 

[dusty3030]

Got it, yeah only 25 miles away you aren't so dependent on it.

Some 5 gallon water cans and swap out propane tanks every now and again or get you a 100 gallon one you would be good to go!

Put a 30 dollar solar panel trickle charger to keep your battery up while you aren't there. Shut off everything when you are gone from it.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I'm not as negative on the idea of a small camper. Yes educate yourself before you buy , look at several and inspect a possible buy carefully.

Having one there would be a good thing. I recommend that you plan on trailering off the property to dump the sewage. Figure out ahead of time where you can dump it appropriately.

Most campers have 2 propane tanks. Fill them both, run off one and when it goes empty switch to the other. It's a quick switch
Then take the empty with you when you leave and bring it back full. No need to get a 100 pounder til you see how much you use it and whst your propane usage is.

I suspect you can just dump Grey water on your property just before you leave to go home. Grey water is from sink drains and shower drain. No big deal.

You will want to sanitize the fresh water tank when you get it and at the beginning of the season. I'm sure you can Google this. It's basically pouring about a cup of bleach into the tank adding water and pump it thru the system for a few minutes then drain and flush. Then fill with fresh water.

Your in the south but if it freezes you will want to learn how to winterize it. There is RV antifreeze. Also can Google this procedure.

I wouldn't hesitate to do what you are talking about.

 

[dusty3030]

I have several camper stories, but my favorite is the Great 4th of July Forrest Fire incident as we call it at my home. My in laws are big RV people. They race dirt bikes, travel all over, practically live in the things on weekends. My lovely bride being immersed in this culture since birth of course wanted to stay in it after me and her had cleved from our respective parents and were doing our thing somewhere else. Since it was her side of the family long story short "we" got more into this gypsy lifestyle. My family camped or used campers as a means to an end and that was to prevent sleeping on the bare ground in the rain in order to get closer to the place where we were going to hunt or fish. They were far from fancy, in fact I have slept many nights under a blue tarp tied or if my dad was there duct taped loosely near a tree.

My lovely brides family had a tradition they all went to Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs in Arkansas every 4th of July weekend. We of course fell right in and started reserving our spot a year ahead of time as they did so we could be right there with them. We used the trailer we had at that time on weekends on short trips and being a young couple sans children we had a fantastic time out in the wilderness being wild and free and what not. We lived the furthest away from the annual hoe down and after we had our son it seemed like it was just perfect for the inlaws to be able to see the little one almost exactly opposite of Christmas. Be able to experience him growing up and all it was just perfect until the fire that changed everything.

We were loaded up and ready and going on time for the most part, as much as people with female wives and little children can be on time I suppose. Not too many stops considering traveling with a little on and all. I was relived at that point that at least the Interstate 40 and 30 portion of our trip was over pulling the trailer and dealing with the 18 wheelers and holiday weekend coming up traffic and all. We were now on Hwy 70 in the most hilly and least shouldered portion of that road when the spring on the back right axle decided to snap in two. Traffic was heavy for a narrow 2 lane road in the hills with no shoulder, and I just go so lucky as to be on a steep portion at this time with NOWHERE to get off the road seeing how there was a deep ditch then a hill going straight up on my right side of the road there. I knew something was bad wrong and was at a crawl praying for somewhere to get off the road. It was at this time the tire blew taking out the micro thin plastic wheel well and magically tangling with all of the romex and water tubing that was located in that area below the kitchen sink in the trailer there and snatching it out and wrapping it nicely around.

It was an a drought year that year. Not just any drought by golly that side of the state was in "Extreme Drought" conditions at that time. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/2009/jun/zin200906_pg.gif We don't do anything halfway in my family. Well seems that just the tiny little sparks from the rim of a travel trailer wheel are just the ticket to light up the tinderbox of pines, cedars, grasses and other usually beautiful things into a raging freaking inferno, trying to beat me up the hillside to the little gravel drive I spy ahead that looks like the only lifeline I have to get my lovely bride and little boy off the this highway to **** (literally what it looked like once the smoke blotted out the sun).

I will say the 7 different volunteer fire departments that responded worked very well together and seemed like they knew all the lynch mob, I mean locals whose homes and what not were on that blazing hill where gathering around the tourists with the broken down camper partially blocking their mutual private gravel road. Things were not looking so great for me at this point as the Arkansas State Trooper pulled in beside me, county mounties were on hand blocking the massed holiday weekend traffic from entering the inferno and he was free to come see about me. God was listening because this trooper was not there so much as to help the lynch mob but to protect us from it long enough for the situation to calm down some. I name dropped a Staff Sargent that I had served with in the Marine Corps that I knew was now a state policeman on that side of the state and by golly they were buddies and he opened up and things were looking like they may go our way! Him being there was helping keep the rock throwing hill billies at bay long enough for the fire to be brought under control and long enough for all the folks to realize no houses or buildings or goats or El Caminos were destroyed and things really weren't as bad as they had made them out to be.

My truck was mildly overheating but I left it running so that my wife and baby could stay out of the heat and smoke, that was the least of the worries. She had been on the phone with her father (women call their dads even when they are married and things go to **** and back, it's natural). He himself is kind of a Macgyver and he was on his way! They had already dropped their trailer at the lake and were able to come to the rescue. While the state trooper was still there he arrived and my wife and little one were able to hop in with him, I was able to cut the air off and cut the heater on cooling off my truck. Between his and my tools we were able to get the camper jacked up and figure out what we needed. Thank God again there was a trailer dealer in Benton whose listed phone was also his cell. He met us since it was now after hours and we got a tire / wheel, spring and bolts. Got the trailer back drive able and were back on the road!

Once there I got our camper set up and was able to tune out the other extended inlaw family and really start assessing the other damage. Duct tape, wire nuts, zip ties and black trash bags can fix anything. Campground had good restrooms so no need to fix the water. I was able to get the electric fixed and the hole blocked out enough to plug her in and have air, lights, and refrigerator. In laws cooked steaks and I drank beers as fast as they could be opened.

Well, God was in a listening mood I reckon and those folks must have been praying hard for rain because that night they got it, along with wind and hail and lightening and everything that goes with a good summer thunder boomer. The storm knocked out the power to the campground so they AC kicked off and only the wind could be heard as it blew the awing straight up then came crashing back down against the side of the camper. At that moment out of the darkness my wife said in a clear, calm but determined voice that as soon as the rain stopped she and the baby were heading to her dad's camper and that she would like for me to hitch up to ours, take it to the boat ramp and in her words "push this **** thing into the lake".

Did you know the Hampton Inn has free breakfast?

 

[newbury]

First of all have you researched your options? On my land in Vermont I can build up to a 200 square foot structure w/o permit on I think about every 10 acres.
That can be 12' x 16.7' structure, and the same size in Virginia. They don't mention HEIGHT. My thoughts are at least 10' ceilings w/ lots of shelves above 8'

I've looked into this "movement" called "tiny house" and they have a lot of info on space and energy saving new technology.

You might be able to economically build a small structure at your house and trailer it over to your land.

Another popular thing is a "tiny house" built on a trailer to get by zoning regs. Most of the one's I've seen were built on small 20' trailers, but you could buy a 32' gooseneck to haul your tractors and build on on that

 

[HCJtractor]

First of all have you researched your options? On my land in Vermont I can build up to a 200 square foot structure w/o permit on I think about every 10 acres. That can be 12' x 16.7' structure, and the same size in Virginia. They don't mention HEIGHT. My thoughts are at least 10' ceilings w/ lots of shelves above 8' I've looked into this "movement" called "tiny house" and they have a lot of info on space and energy saving new technology. You might be able to economically build a small structure at your house and trailer it over to your land. Another popular thing is a "tiny house" built on a trailer to get by zoning regs. Most of the one's I've seen were built on small 20' trailers, but you could buy a 32' gooseneck to haul your tractors and build on on that

I have not researched the building codes. Called them today but waiting for reply. But my initial thought was the camping trailer option which I assumed did not require a permit. So my purpose was to learn about trailers and how self contained they were , so please continue to share your opinions on trailers in this situation. Any other option ( tiny houses, a cabin, etc.) would best require a new thread. Thanks!

 

[GGB]

dusty3030, That's one of the best stories I've read in a long time! Been there, done that! We must be related.......

 

[forgeblast]

I have a lady that bought some property up the road from us. She visits about once a month and comes up to paint.
She bought a Lowes/Hd shed and built it up real nice uses a misterbuddy when its cold and has a porta potty at her place also.
Not sure what it runs her but she loves it. I would think one of those with some led lights you could out fit it pretty nice.

 

[rd_macgregor]

My thinking was roughly similar to Newbury's, except I was wondering if the county allowed building an open shelter without a permit. If so, you could build an oversized "picnic shelter" type building, but install roll-down canvas sides to be able to convert it into an enclosed space...sort of a tent with a solid roof. It would be really nifty if there were an exemption from having a building permit for small-footprint buildings, though; there are some really nifty designs out there for ultra-compact houses.

 

[GPintheMitten]

HCJtractor, I think it may just be time for some shopping. Check out craigslist and any local classifieds in the local paper.

By looking and talking to the current owners, you'll learn more about self-contained campers. For just the two of you, you wont need a large one.
Just get something you can haul. Even though you intend to leave it at your property, you will need to move it to empty the sewage periodically.

When you get one, after sanitizing the drinking water system, camp in it in the driveway to get to know it better.

Keep us posted.

 

[Loadstar]

Dusty3030... Sounds about right for camping... I keep hearing let's get a camper from the wife. She never camped, but I did and I know that familiar song you sing. My family left the camping world for a house on the lake. Much cheaper and easier move in the long run lol.

 

[tamu94]

Some places make it illegal to camp more than X days in a row or year. There is a thread on here about the issue another member had. Make sure your local codes allow you to live out of a trailer.