new to travel trailer living

[House Sparrow]

Last week I bought myself a new to me old travel trailer. It will be my new home for a while. I have never even been camping in one. Although I did visit my mother this spring and she has been living in my sister's rv for the past year.

I had my trailer moved into my backyard yesterday. I plan on leaving it there for about 2 years to live in. I will be renting my house out. It occured to me that I should not just leave the trailer as is. It has been suggested that I put it on blocks, preferably concrete or pressure treated wood and that I cover the tires to protect them. I would appreciate any other advice. Preferably with detailed instructions. I am smart, but not rv smart. I am also pretty capable, but have arthritis and a bad back. I am strong, but I have my limits and often have to ask men to help me with stuff. It is annoying, because so many of them won't believe that I know how to do stuff and then won't do things the way I wanted them done. When I was young, I was my grandfathers main helper. I was a very strong country girl and proud of it. I learned a lot from my grandfather.

I hope to post my adventures with my new trailer on here. I plan on fixing it up, it definitely needs some repairs and do-overs and at some point I hope to paint the exterior with a fun mural.

But before I do any of that, I want the trailer to be sitting just right. I don't even want to put anything in it until I have it set up right.

[House Sparrow]

Thank you so much. You already told me lots of stuff I didn't think of. We rarely get freezing, but it does happen. so I usually protect the outside pipes by covering them with a feed bag or something. It doesn't take much. Good to know about the water pressure too. I plan on using a composting toilet. Or two actually ;)  One can be emptied into a compost ple the other I might empty into the toilet. I will retaqin bathroom rights in the house. I like my hot baths and have anice big bathtub. lol

I am pretty broke, so I might use plastic under the trailer. I actually have an old tarp I can probably use. I do know about the leaks from above. The guy who sold me the trailer told me I needed to seal the vents. There has been some damage already, but since I didn't get a killer headache yet, I know that there is no nasty mold. I am hoping to have a contractor friend help me remove the one ceiling panel and replace it.

I left an abusive relationship a year ago and lost most of my tools in the process. One of those things, where he felt that everything I brought into the house was his, especially tools. Once in a while when he is generous, he'll give me one of my tools to keep. Fortunately we have tool lending library in our touwn. I shall have to make myself known there. lol

I am still "friends" with him, since my goats are still on his property. And a lot of my stuff. I hope that now that I have a home with a kitchen, that I will soon be able to get my goats out and my kitchen and gardening stuff and more of my tools. I am moving on.

I found concrete blocks in the driveway, when I came home. Thanks to my SIL! Once it cools of a bit, I think I will try to put them under the trailer. Whoot. I am so excited.

[House Sparrow]

So the goats live in the house, now that is interesting. I was thinking of turning my parents house into a barn, if/when I move there.... lol

Today we tried toput the trailer on blocks. It is on uneven terrain and we cannot move it. It was very difficult figuring out where to place the blocks and then to get the trailer jacked up. We only got one done.

The front looks to be fairly easy, but the back was very low to the ground and it was difficlut to get the second concrete block under the frame.

Do the tires need to be off the ground, considering it will probably be there for 2-3 years? That might be a bit too difficult for us to do with the limited resources that we have. My SIL used a car jack to raise the trailer and we had a jack stand to provide additional support.

It was a miserably hot day to do this kind of work. But tomorrow is monday and by the time SIL gets home it is dark. :(

I had hoped to be moving in this week, now I have to wait longer.

[House Sparrow]

Thanks Pat Daly. That helps.

[Lakota Wolf]

Like Pat was saying a plastic tarp underneath really does keep the greenhouse effect of moisture from underneath. Harbor freight usually has there tarps on sale all the time, if your in a pinch for cheap tarps. And if your keeping the tires on,, make sure they are covered, I have seen nice tires dry rot and crack rather quickly getting deteriated by the sun. Secondly,, make sure the roof leaks (vents) are sealed,, water damage sneaks down the sides of the walls and just about everywhere you wouldnt expect it to.

[House Sparrow]

I really need to work on my to-do list. I keep forgetting to put sealing the vents on it! And we are coming up on rainy season, I do not want to be surprised!

Thanks for reminding me.

My daughter and her family moved out of the house today. I am here by myself. the quiet is eeary. I hope my Son-in-law will be able to put my trailer on blocks tomorrow, so I can officially move in and then get the house ready for rental.

[House Sparrow]

I have been sleaping in the trailer this past week and discovered it is really cold at night. Brrrrr. Thank goodness for the four legged footwarmer and bed space hogger. ;)

I have learned to shut the door in the afternoon and closed the back shutter. I plan on aquiring styrofoam pieces and covering them with fabric and using them as insulating shutters at night. A friend suggested using velco to stick them to the windows somehow. I will figure it out.

I also need to work on the powersource. Right now I am using an orange extesion courd. When my coffee maker goes on in the morning the lights dim. That will now doubt not be good enough for my computer.

I almost bought a contractor's extension cord, but ended up not having enough money. At least I got a big tarp at a reasonable price. It should hold up for this winter...I also needed one to shelter my goats. I was pleased to get both for less than $25!!!

My sister is coming to visit and she will help me get the tarp over the trailer and hook up the propane and hopefully some other things. And we will have a good tiem together, as we always do.

I have been busy making goat'smilk cheese and dehydrating plums and tomatoes, so I will have food to eat this winter. I figure dehydrated foods take up less room and do not require power to store. I have a nice little crockpot that should service me well for many meals.

And I intend to make more use of my rocket stove.

[Lakota Wolf]

Thats awesome, you all settled in, Sorry about the Brrrrr cold. As with any new venture, its a trial by error and learn as you go kind of thing. Everyone here has been there and done that, as far as the old timers. As always, if you come accross problems, people here will be more then happy to help you with creative advice.

*note, on coffee makers,,, they do draw ALOT of electricity, on Average 400 to 600 watts, THEY will make lights dim down on a small power cord.

You can make sure other accesories are off before running the coffee maker.

But again,, KUDO's in getting settled in and may the Rv angels watch over you.

[House Sparrow]

you mademe smile, thanks. I really needed that today.

Maybe I should consider making coffee the od fashioed way by boiling water and pouring it into a drip cup or doing a french press. Neither takes thatmuch longer, really. Or just change to tea... ;)

My Sis came for a visit combined with a business trip. We went to Home despot and bought panels of fiberglass insulation, which we taped to gether with gorilla tape and attached to the rooof with gorilla tape, then covered with the tarp Ihad already bought. Of course it has been quite qarm since then, but I swear it already feels cozier in the trailer at night.

Sis and I also had my first meal in the trailer. Having her there really made it feel more like home. Our mom lives in Sis trailer in Sis's backyard, so she knows how to make it comfy.

Sis also bought a good extension cord and a good quality power strip, so now I feel comfortable bringing my computer in. Although I haven't had a chance to do so.

I have brought my cookbooks and how to books into the trailer. When the power goes out, books still work, computers don't! :)

Sis also helped me pound Tposts into the ground and put the goat fence up. I am ready for my goats. I spent a littel bit of time working on the gate. I need to put supports on it, so it isn't just a flimsy fence piece. I used pieces of the plum trees that I had to cut to put the trailer in. They are a nice manageble size and yet give enough support. I used zip ties to fasten them to the fenceing material.

The ex is coming up with excuses as to why the goats can't be taken from his place! *rolls eyes* Considering he gave me an ultimatum a few month ago and made me promise to have them off his property by 10/1 or else....Heck, I was ready!!! ;)

It is nice to have this place to chat. I am hearing about more and more people doing what I am doing. I am just glad, I still have roof over my head. I am managing and I will get by and eventually thrive.

I appreciate all the kind people who have helped me. Thank you.