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Old 03-27-2016, 01:36 PM   #1
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Longterm Residence

I am a part owner of a small composite manufacturing company in North Carolina. I have been able to travel down from Maryland once a month to meet all my/our current obligations. That is about to change.

We have some new contracts that will require me to spend at least three weeks a month in NC for the next three years. I do not plan on moving.

While per diem is in the contract, the thought of spending three weeks a month in a hotel or renting an apartment seems wasteful to us.

After a rudimentary cost benefit analysis, I started ted looking at RV's (and RV Parks in the area of NC I'll be working) as an alternative and the thought of owning rather than renting appeals to me. There are some great year round parks as well.

So. I looked at a 2015 Jayco 195RB today, a local sale. I liked the size (I'll be commuting alone and the trailer will stay in NC when I am not there) and the condition of the trailer - essentially new. I am 6'4" so I have to bend my head a bit but the lay out of the trailer is ideal.

I have a few general questions about the 195RB. I own a farm in Maryland so I don't have any questions about towing, TV's, etc., I do that a lot. Simple stuff but important:

- Winter living. Is the 195 suitable for the foothills of NC? Insulation additions, skirts, etc.
- Can the 195 handle nearly full time residency? Any tips? I have done some basic research so I am looking for Jayco specific tips. Can the 195 handle daily use for three years?
- What support items would you recommend?
- Is the 195 enough space? I have not owned an RV.

Thanks. I apologize for a rambling first post. The 195 I looked at today is in exceptional shape and the price, while a little high, is reasonable.

I appreciate any advice.
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Old 03-27-2016, 01:48 PM   #2
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we own a 195RB
ours has a covered bottom, i don't know where you are but i lived in a camper in the e. tennessee mts i i would would suggest you get some skirting that is well insulated to keep your pluming from freezing, get a water hose that you can plugin to keep from freezing. are you going to have full hook ups, if not a 195 's black water tank only holds 9 gallons, and the grey 15, so if you don't have full hook ups you are going to have to get a portable tank. the 195 is big enough for the DW and i to be comfortable for us. if you are staying by yourself i don;t think its a problem. i would also suggest getting a small elc. heater (propane is expensive.) I'll try to think of more
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:15 PM   #3
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we own a 195RB
ours has a covered bottom, i don't know where you are but i lived in a camper in the e. tennessee mts i i would would suggest you get some skirting that is well insulated to keep your pluming from freezing, get a water hose that you can plugin to keep from freezing. are you going to have full hook ups, if not a 195 's black water tank only holds 9 gallons, and the grey 15, so if you don't have full hook ups you are going to have to get a portable tank. the 195 is big enough for the DW and i to be comfortable for us. if you are staying by yourself i don;t think its a problem. i would also suggest getting a small elc. heater (propane is expensive.) I'll try to think of more
Thank you very much, RP53.

I'll be parking in Morganton, NC with full hook ups.

I copy the heated hose and electric heater- thank you.

How do I know if the one I am looking at has a covered bottom? Sounds stupid, I know, but I am a complete newbie with RVs.

Lastly, and I'll do a search, are there generic skirts or some designed for Jayco RV's?

Again, thanks.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:23 PM   #4
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I have seen some trailers with a heavy tarp like skirt that hangs around the perimeter of the trailer and is weighed down to prevent movement.

Not sure if you then heat that area or not
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:26 PM   #5
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Living in an RV has its ups and downs. Echoing what RP53 said, the only addition I would consider would be that if you are in a place with full hookups and sewer, then along with skirting, insulate your sewer line in the winter. Even though propane is expensive, consider contacting a local propane company and either renting or buying a large tank in the 100 - 120 lb capacity.

if it is just you staying alone, the 195 could be enough space. That will depend on you. Personally, I would like something a little larger; if for no other reason than to have the slightly larger refrigerator and bathroom. At the same time, once you get used to it, and you acclimate yourself to minimalist living, you can find living in an RV extremely convenient.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:31 PM   #6
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Jmooney brought up a good point. Along with answering a question. When I lived in my 5er for a short time, I skirted it with cheap housing siding boards. Generally, you do not heat that space in the winter with a traditional heater unit. I used three 110 watt drop lights (front, middle and rear), and left them on all the time, checking on them periodically. They kept the underneath warm enough to prevent freezing. I lived in northern Nevada at the time. However, I have seen people do this same thing here in Alaska.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:37 PM   #7
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I would think that trailer would be pretty minimal for what you plan to do. I would want at least a comfortable chair or sofa if I was going to live in it for as long as you plan. It appears that the SLX does not have an enclosed underbelly. I would look toward the Jay Flight series instead of the SLX. Just imagine yourself sitting at the dinette for a few hours every evening.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:45 PM   #8
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I need to get more specific with the RV Park (closed today).

I appreciate all the advice so far. Again, this s new territory for me and doing research on the 195 got me to this site, which after reading a number of posts and doing some searches, seemed like a welcoming place.

Best.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:46 PM   #9
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Your right i just went and looked at mine, SLX195rb does not have an enclosed underbelly. My bad but seems like there is a lot of insulation pushed on it and it seems to be pretty thick, our feet have never been cold
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:48 PM   #10
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actually, if you convert the dinette to a bed any throw in some pillows it makes a fine couch. for the 2 of us to lounge on and watch TV
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Old 03-27-2016, 03:05 PM   #11
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I too would want to have a comfortable place to sit and watch tv. But maybe you're not a tv watcher kind of guy ) and I'm a "need a lot of creature comforts" kind of gal. Run a Jayco forum search on "195RB" - looks like there's lots of interesting discussions to look at and I noticed that apparently it is indeed big enough for two.
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Old 03-27-2016, 03:47 PM   #12
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I too would want to have a comfortable place to sit and watch tv. But maybe you're not a tv watcher kind of guy ) and I'm a "need a lot of creature comforts" kind of gal. Run a Jayco forum search on "195RB" - looks like there's lots of interesting discussions to look at and I noticed that apparently it is indeed big enough for two.
Since I started on this path, I have run a lot of searches...to be honest I'd need more room for two, especially in the winter. I love my wife but after 25 years we each like a little me time!

I appreciate the input so far. I am learning quite a bit with a long way to go.
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Old 03-27-2016, 08:20 PM   #13
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The underbelly wrap/insulation is available at most RV shops. Here is a good article on cold weather prep. Tips and Tricks for Cold Weather RVing
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Old 03-28-2016, 09:16 AM   #14
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I used to know a single guy who lived in his trailer most of the time for work, he just moved it from location to location. He was a welder on various energy pipelines around the country. I remember he had replaced most of the plumbing fixtures with residential ones and had made some other modifications to dinette/couch, residential fridge, etc to better accommodate the differences between routine use and occasional use. He was a young, single guy and was not unduly put out by lack of creature comforts, and had the skills to do the mods himself.
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Old 03-28-2016, 10:37 AM   #15
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I think that later on you will decide you made a mistake by not getting something bigger. I had a jayco 23rb I lived in for a month and then got something bigger with a slide out. The 23rb even has a small couch in it.

The 74 inch bed was too small for me with my feet hanging off of it all the time and I'm only 6 ft tall.
I don't hit the bars any more so when I wasn't working a 10 hr shift I was in the trailer since it was almost winter and cold outside. It seemed really cramped.
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Old 03-28-2016, 10:51 AM   #16
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I think that later on you will decide you made a mistake by not getting something bigger. I had a jayco 23rb I lived in for a month and then got something bigger with a slide out. The 23rb even has a small couch in it.

The 74 inch bed was too small for me with my feet hanging off of it all the time and I'm only 6 ft tall.
I don't hit the bars any more so when I wasn't working a 10 hr shift I was in the trailer since it was almost winter and cold outside. It seemed really cramped.
X2
I'm 6'4 too. That toilet looks very cramped... You can't stand straight in the shower. Don't be fooled by the extra headroom the skylight gives you I've been there and done it. It doesn't work. Especially if you are going to be using it daily. Not to mention slouching wherever you walk in the trailer.
Those bench type dinettes are not long leg friendly. The bed doesn't look very long either.
Maybe you have more self control than me, but I would go crazy living in there.
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Old 03-28-2016, 12:04 PM   #17
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The real dilemma with long term living in an RV is storage. The lack of it in a smaller RV will drive you crazy. Getting a good price\deal will soon be a distant memory when you are cursing every day, wishing you had more space.
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Old 03-29-2016, 08:28 AM   #18
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A comfortable chair is a must.
Sitting at the dinette booth or on a futon couch for extended periods made my back hurt.
A good matress, a good chair. Those matter as much as anything.

I've been living in RVs for work for 6 years now.
You won't spend much time in a bedroom or bathroom.
In winter, you'll spend an eternity sitting.
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Old 03-31-2016, 08:06 AM   #19
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Thank you all for the replies.

Based on the "RV" full of wisdom here, I decided to pass on the smaller trailer. Three years is a long time and I took to heart what was said.

For towing, I would also prefer four tires on the road. All my farm trailers are tandem axles - may be a stupid call, but comfort towing is an imperative.

I have some additional time to make a decision and will be looking at other models of Jayco as well as other manufacturers.

I will be asking a lot more questions and very much appreciate the wisdom and links.

Best.
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Old 03-31-2016, 08:48 AM   #20
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I find this informative, thanks for sharing the thoughts and recommendations. Please post updates, thanks, dave.
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