Living in a trailer duing winter

[LJV]

Trailer parks and living in trailers is US specialty, so as someone from Europe, who has seen trailer park living only in movies, I'd like to learn if those parks exist only down south where winters aren't that cold, and are there any up north too?

I've decided to leave urban living, and I'm reconsidering buying a house far from the city, a lone house, or actually begin living in a trailer (camper) which I'd park at the city outskirts, and likely move around, depending on season or whatever.

I know that it might sound idiotic, but I'm trying to find compromise between having stores, delivery and courier services at disposal, and yet get away from noise, crowd, and enjoy the nature.

I've never even camped in the trailer, so I have no idea what it is like to live in one, but my main concern is possibility to live in trailer during winter, since although we have more and more weeks with tropical temperatures during summer, the winters are becoming also colder with more snow. I wonder if trailers/campers be heated up to a temperature suitable for comfortable living, what are the best heating methods.

Anyone with personal experience, or a good link?

Thanks in advance!

 

[redbenjoe]

http://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers

this brand or AKAs have both heat and a/c options --
in the usa --there are used very happily in all climates

 

[blu_fuz]

Tons of trailer parks around here for all weather living. We had almost 25" of snow and 0* temps the last couple weeks. No problems

 

[LJV]

That's what I was curios about. Used campers and trailers can be bought cheaply, occasionally there are even gigantic Made in US available, those advertized as suitable for winter too, but I was wondering about personal experience - can you take off your shoes, sweater, get in slippers or whatever, take a shower... walk about, do something, cook, or simply sit, without feeling the urge to get tuck in bed?

I guess there are only 2 ways to get it heated - propane heater or electric heater. I guess that common replaceable propane bottle can last much.

So, what prevails as heating method in areas with harsh winters (apart from parking next to lamppost and hooking up on service port )?

 

[skippy1969]

Are you talking about traveI trailers "campers" or Mobile homes?
My family and I have lived in a mobile home for over 20 years.
It's just as warm and cozy in the winter as a normal house.

 

[LJV]

Are you talking about traveI trailers "campers" or Mobile homes?
My family and I have lived in a mobile home for over 20 years.
It's just as warm and cozy in the winter as a normal house.

Well, I presume that construction-wise, there is no difference between trailer or mobile home when it matters insulation and heating/cooling. I guess no one uses engine on idle to heat up mobile home for months or to cool it down. I have no reason to turn down more comfortable unregistered mobile home, and pay to get it towed when I decide to move it, rather to pay registration, fees and taxes on it as a vehicle annually. That would eat up it's price in just couple of years, and I don't intend to travel.

*I guess that "mobile home" means same thing as "motor home", right?*

 

[baddboybill]

Are you talking about traveI trailers "campers" or Mobile homes?
My family and I have lived in a mobile home for over 20 years.
It's just as warm and cozy in the winter as a normal house.

Well, I presume that construction-wise, there is no difference between trailer or mobile home when it matters insulation and heating/cooling. I guess no one uses engine on idle to heat up mobile home for months or to cool it down. I have no reason to turn down more comfortable unregistered mobile home, and pay to get it towed when I decide to move it, rather to pay registration, fees and taxes on it as a vehicle annually. That would eat up it's price in just couple of years, and I don't intend to travel.

*I guess that "mobile home" means same thing as "motor home", right?*

Motor home is drivable everywhere where as mobile home which is now called manufactured home has to be pulled by truck and when placed on site tied down, wheels removed and skirting applied

 

[skippy1969]

Are you talking about traveI trailers "campers" or Mobile homes?
My family and I have lived in a mobile home for over 20 years.
It's just as warm and cozy in the winter as a normal house.

Well, I presume that construction-wise, there is no difference between trailer or mobile home when it matters insulation and heating/cooling. I guess no one uses engine on idle to heat up mobile home for months or to cool it down. I have no reason to turn down more comfortable unregistered mobile home, and pay to get it towed when I decide to move it, rather to pay registration, fees and taxes on it as a vehicle annually. That would eat up it's price in just couple of years, and I don't intend to travel.

*I guess that "mobile home" means same thing as "motor home", right?*

Well no a Mobile home in the area I live in is a semi permanent structure.
It is built just like a regular house,but can be moved from one place to another.
A motorhome is just that,basically a motorized camper you drive.
A camper or travel trailer is smaller and is pulled by a vehicle.

 

[LJV]

Thanks. I get it now. I saw one mobile home in the ads recently. They are rare in Europe. Indeed, It looked more like a cottage than a trailer, but the price was several times over the price of motor-homes or any other large trailers, almost as the price of small house or small flat in off-city area. I guess now after your insights, that it must be due to structure, size and insulation.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Love camping, have had a few trailers and RV's. VERY livable year round no problem at all

I don't think your crazy at all....I think most people wish they could some how back away from city life. I lived 100 miles from the nearest city for almost 15 years, just recently moved back to the outer fringes.

Just make sure you ask if it is "Winter Ready" and you should be fine....also test to make sure everything works

 

[gsbadbmr]

I lived 100 miles from the nearest city for almost 15 years

Yeah, and that house was BEAUTIFUL...i'll never forget driving up there in the mountains and stopping at that small pizza joint and corner store to get our stuff to get the party started

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I lived 100 miles from the nearest city for almost 15 years

Yeah, and that house was BEAUTIFUL...i'll never forget driving up there in the mountains and stopping at that small pizza joint and corner store to get our stuff to get the party started

Yep, that was out in the woods! Good times!

 

[Terry]

As an Australian living in the tropics, what the hell is snow? Or Winter for that matter?

 

[stormsven]

No problemo to live in even the smallest caravan dude. Here for example on our ski resorts lot of people are spending the whole winter in such, just with one small blower heater inside. I lived one winter in Amsterdam in a camper too with no issues at all ( instead of first few hours to get known the small rooms good and stop hitting yourself ) . When buying a caravan or a camper check for the usual stuff - no leaks, no smells and spots and so on. After that you can make a small concrete stand place, take off the wheels from the caravan and make it still. I moved from the cities for last 5 years too and very happy. Just managed before all those crisis **** to build a "normal" brick house too and believe me it takes lot of cash to weather proof it. Good caravan for not lot of family members is perfect and lot cheaper solution. You can build sunshades and so on around too And indeed American trailer homes are way too much cash here in Europe
And where are you from actually dude ? Too many Neusatz around Europe

 

[LJV]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

I guess I've accidentally started the avalanche of confessions about how people are sick and tired of urban living, worldwide , and I'm pleased to hear that I'm not the only one. I've been living all my life in an old house in suburb area which was really quiet, lots of green and woods, gardens, no transit roads, just alleys. It reminded on a small village although it is part of the city, neighborhood hardly changed for half a century, people knew each-other for generations.Than they stared tearing down houses and making wide streets and boulevards with buildings. It has become a nightmare and I yearn to get away.

 

[walkgirl]

I have a blue moped, does that count also? :sin:

 

[baddboybill]

I have a blue moped, does that count also? :sin:

Well if you can sleep on it

 

[THAFUZZ]

I have a blue moped, does that count also? :sin:

Cute!

 

[LJV]

I have a blue moped, does that count also? :sin:

 

[walkgirl]

it has a buddy seat, so I could sleep on it

I must make new pics, the old ones are old