Is it cheaper to live in a trailer park?
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Is it cheaper to live in a trailer park? We will discuss the advantages and the downsides of living in a trailer park. We will also tell you how you can save money by living in a trailer park and how to choose the best RV for this sole purpose.
Is it cheaper to live in a trailer park?
For many, living in a trailer park will be much cheaper than living in an apartment or house. Of course, there are several factors to take into account when making such a comparison: number of people living in the trailer, type of RV, plot rental costs, income, and so on.
Below is just an average calculation of the basic expenses that one has in an apartment vs living in a motorhome in a trailer park.
| Expense | Apartment ($343,0001) | Average New Motorhome ($122,0004) |
| Initial Cost | $68,6005 | $24,4005 |
| Monthly Payments* | $1310 | $1380+ |
| Utilities | $2407 | $30 |
| Taxes | $150 | $0 |
Other costs of living in a motorhome vs apartment
| Expenses | Motorhome | Apartment |
| Diesel | $110 | $250 (if you have a car) $450 for public transport |
| Insurance | $400 to $500 per year | $1,200 per year |
| Gas | $100 | $72.10 |
| Water | $21 for 450L | $35.49 |
| Maintenance | $80 | 1% and 4% of your home’s value each year |
| Repairs | $50 | 1% and 4% of your home’s value each year |
| Improvements | $50 | 1% and 4% of your home’s value each year |
| Parking space | $150 | Most of the time free in front of the house |
| Tolls | $100 | On average 6 cents per mile/$60 month/$0 if you don’t have a car |
| Campsite for 10 nights | $250 | No need |
| Food | $400 | $400 |
| Laundry | $40 | $40 |
| Leisure | $50 or more | $50 or more |
How to save money by living in a trailer park all year round
It’s no secret that buying an RV can get very expensive. Fortunately, there are tips for saving money when buying a trailer and every day.
You can buy a used trailer rather than a new trailer. The important thing is to thoroughly inspect the trailer when purchasing to make sure it is in perfect condition. It’s also possible to save on gasoline by adopting our pro tips and tricks. A great asset if you plan to travel a lot with your trailer rather than settling year-round on a campground in Canada or the United States.
Choosing the right RV to live in a trailer park
Another very important point that should not be overlooked is the choice of your trailer. If you want to live in a year-round trailer, then better buy one that meets your needs. There are several types of trailers and each corresponds to a type of camper.
As a general rule, the Fifth wheel caravan is often chosen by nomads who want to live in a trailer all year round. Welcoming and spacious, the fifth wheel is designed to be detached from the towing vehicle. This gives you the freedom to drive around in the car to visit when you have arrived at your destination.
Once the type of trailer has been chosen, you have to think about the dimensions of your unit. Be careful, however, to find out about the sizes of trailers accepted in the various campgrounds. A trailer that is too long may be refused for lack of space.
Obviously, everything must be functional inside your trailer to facilitate your year-round living. So remember to quickly replace any defective or worn equipment before it causes damage. Also, the regular maintenance of your trailer should be one of your priorities for your safety and the longevity of your vehicle.
11 tips to live in a trailer park full time and enjoy it
- Park where you have amenities. Save the tank for a trip and find an RV park where you will have water, sanitation, and electricity to make your long-term stay more enjoyable and easy.
- Check how you access the Internet. Some people can do without the Internet, but today most of them cannot. There are mobile options if you ever need to access the internet. Although not technically mobile, these options are a great option for RV life.
- Set up a screen tent. In some RVs, it can get uncomfortable after a while to live full-time. Especially if you have a whole family in your RV with you. Screen tent mounting gives you more space to use on warmer days. If you can put a picnic table on it or some camping chairs, it can be a great place to work, play, or just relax.
- Find some things to do locally. If you spend a lot of time in your trailer, chances are you will go crazy after a while. You’ll want to find some local attractions and activities to do or places to explore.
- Go out every day. This is in line with the last point. Go out every day to avoid fever. Even a 15 minute walk a day can help with this.
- Do your research on trailer parks before deciding which one to stay in. If you are going to be standing still for a while, you will need to park your car at a campground that you know you will be happy with. Check the ratings of the camp you’re viewing, take a tour of the park, and check out nearby amenities to see what you’re getting into.
- Choose your campsite carefully too. Since you will be in your position for the long term, you will want to choose your location carefully, look around and find a spot with no neighbours off to the side, and a really big grassy area for our kids to roam around and the dog to walk around.
This may not be a priority for you. You probably want to make sure there is a shady spot. Or maybe you prefer the sun. Whatever it is, be sure to choose it carefully as your car will be parked for a long time.
- Make sure you have an ant control plan in place. Ants can enter our motorhome in no time. And if they are not ants, I am sure that at some point you will have problems if you are not prepared for it, and even if you are. There are some solutions that you can try. Here are some solutions to get rid of ants in your RV:
- Sprinkle peppermint essential oil
- Spray any entry point with a mixture of equal amounts of vinegar and water.
- Mix borax and sugar with water in a spray bottle and spray it around the legs of your RV
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your deck (you’ll need to replace it when it rains).
- Keep trash in a closed bin
- Make sure all food is in tightly closed containers.
- Bring your kitchen utensils that make cooking easier. It’s impressive how much you can cook in an RV kitchen, but at least you can’t deny it. Not to mention, cooking anything indoors will heat up your RV much faster than if it were at home.
There are some kitchen utensils that you will want to take with you to make cooking a little easier. For an outdoor cooking package, bring your own grill and you can even bring a smoker. Inside, consider bringing a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Bring some potted plants outside. Since you’re not going anywhere, you can easily add a few potted plants right outside your door for a beautiful, decorative look. You will feel right at home if you take the time and add some life to the exterior of your RV. Small succulents indoors are a great idea too. Small plants won’t take up much space, but they will beautify things.
- Prepare the ‘platform’ for the RV. Whether you live in an RV full time in a park year after year or are only fixed for a season, you can set up your deck area. If your RV has not moved by the time you own it, you may consider building a permanent platform (as long as it is allowed in the RV park it is in).
- Choose a platform that suits your needs. There are many different RVs. If you want to use your vehicle primarily to park in an RV camping area and you don’t plan to remove it, you may have different RV needs than you want to travel to. You must also decide how much space you want.
The bottom line
If you need some tips for RV living, try the above. The tiny home movement is so big these days, and an RV is a tiny home on wheels!
The great thing about living in an RV is that it helps you re-evaluate what you want in a home if you plan to buy one in the future. If you’re wondering if a stationary RV life is right for you, consider the ideas in this post when making your decision. It can be a fun adventure for you.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on the subject.
FAQ on Is it cheaper to live in a trailer park?
Why shouldn’t you live in a trailer park?
Living in a trailer park has its drawbacks, and it can all start with having to adapt to living in a confined space where everything seems to be crammed together. This makes you feel obliged to be very organized in the best of cases, especially if you live with other people, be it friends or people from the same family.
Can I live permanently in a mobile home?
Yes, it is possible to live permanently in a mobile home. It has its pros and cons, and it is a decision that one must think about well. The most important thing to consider is where you’re going to place the mobile home.
What is the best camper to live in year-round?
In our opinion, the best campers to live in year-round are the following models:
- LAIKA Ecovip 305
- HYMER Van 314
- BÜRSTNER Travel Van T590G Edition 30
- ADRIA Compact SP
- ETRUSCO T5900DB
- HOBBY Optima De Luxe V60GF
- SUNLIGHT T60.
Other FAQs about Trailer Parks that you may be interested in.
How much does it cost to live in a trailer park in Canada?
How much profit does a campground make?
