Recently purchased a relatively small hunting property of 220 acres. Property has water and electricity. Property was used as a deer lease and has an older trailer house on property--typical deer camp man accommodations. We've all seen the set-up; dark/dingy,open wiring, holes in cheap paneling, windows and floor linoleum covered over with 1/2 inch plyboard, toilet and bathroom last cleaned during the Clinton administration, mildewed refrigerator. Wife did a 45 second trailer tour and asked the realtor how much gasoline is normally required to burn down housing unsuitable for human habitation.

OK, now I have to come up with something else after the fire dies off. I really don't want to spend an exorbitant amount on this project. Maybe, 30-35 thousand is my top end right now given funding for other property projects. However, I still need to find something that the wife and family is comfortable staying in. By the way, this doesn't have to be a huge dwelling; will mostly be me and my wife at the property.

What type of options do I have? I am considering 5th wheel trailers, something called destination trailers, something else referred to as park trailers(may be same thing as destination trailer), smaller mobile home, and modular camps/homes. My price range probably excludes most type of modular homes and possibly, mobile homes, but I am continuing to educate myself about these options. Would certainly consider used as long as the item is in good shape. This is all pretty new to me as I have never considered or purchased any of these things.

Any of you fellas and ladies dealt with this scenario, before? Am looking for solutions that have worked for you, suggestions about any options I have overlooked, or even if my budget is too small? What have you done, yourself, to find suitable accommodations so that the rest of the family enjoys the property comfortably and yet, doesn't break the bank?
Thanks.

get a used 25 ft Airstream travel trailer

I purchased a 16 x 40 Graceland and had it finished out..After it was all said and done I spent 35 k..BUT I went high end..All walls spray foamed instead of roll insulation..Central air and heat,instead of window units.I could have saved around 2 to 4 k if I went a little cheaper on appliances,countertops and bathroom fixtures...I put in engineered wood in the whole thing as well...Its one large bedroom..12x13, and 2 small rooms that fit full size beds..Large den area and full size appliances....Id be happy to send you pics if you want via text...Steve

This is what I'm doing til I finish out my barndiminium. It's a 22' travel trailer that I paid $5000 for a year ago. Everything works and no leaks. Added a dishnet portable satellite. Oncor ran the power to the barn for nothing. Well water attaches up to it. When I'm finished with the barndiminium. I will sell the travel trailer for what I paid for it.

I have seen some nice metal storage containers modified, trailers - mobile homes have a lot of issues since not lived in all time (mice, snakes getting in)
What about those sheds at Home Depot or Lowes finished out (up on blocks) question on plumbing.

I have also seen some pretty good cabins made out of portable buildings, some were even posted on THF. It all depends on how much you want to spend and how fancy you want the place to be.

I'm with billybob and would go with a used trailer/5th wheel.....and you could get a damn nice one for way less than your budget. Not sure what your long-term plans are, but that way if down the road (whether sooner or much later) you decide to build a home or decide to move there someday, you will have something portable that you can sell and recoup some of your dough plus not have something on your land that's permanent that you no longer care to have. Plus they're less expensive than most other options, self-containing, relatively easy to maintain, and portable if you ever decided to take it on a trip somewhere.

And congrats on the purchase....I'm green with envy. Whereabouts?

Nice set up

Congrats on your land, there are some deals on Travel Trailers right now...or Morgan Buildings would be a great option and after your build you could utilize it for storage.

Give me a shout when its time to sell the trailer...looks pretty clean for 5k!

this!!! very nice setup. I have some friends building a barndaminium that they plan on living in full time.

On my last place (7 yrs ago) I bought refurbished mobile home. 1200sq ft for 16K. By the time I moved it, ran power, water, septic etc. I was all in for 25K. Best investment I ever made. It burned down 6 mo later when we had those huge fires between Graham running south of Bryson. Insurance paid out over 100K. They refused to insure it for what I told them I paid for it, told me it had to be for their estimated replacement value. There is a place on Jacksboro Hwy on the south side of the road and that's all they deal in. They do all the work on site and if they don't have what you want they will let you know when they get it in. If you get one before they start on it you can have them do it the way you want it.

I like this. Looks good Billy.

Miked1, first off, congratulations on your new property. Welcome to the THF. Our first abode was an old 'Holiday ramblette' 21' travel trailer. After a mouse bit me in my sleep and a ratsnake took up residence, I decided to build a cabin. It turned out better than I ever Imagined. Build it nice and your Wife will want to spend more time there than you do Good luck and show us pictures of the progress. Whereabouts is your new place, generally speaking?

This is the way I would go. A camper is gonna cost about as much if pretty nice and can get small in a hurry. When you build your house, pretty easy to sell a good mobile home .

Billybob has the right idea.

What county are you in, or what part of the state? Are you near town? I am just wondering how far you are from suppliers and builders. There are a lot of package homes/cabins available that for a similar price might last a lot longer and be more efficient.

Thanks for all of the replies. New place is in Gatesville. Close to Temple, Copperas Cove, Waco.

I bought a Morgan Cabin when I bought my place. I lived in it for 1.5 yrs while I got on a schedule and had my house built. I then sold it. They are nicely built and on skids. Very easy to move in and setup, with the same to move out. Mine was a 14'x32' with a loft on each end. Taller ceilings with ceiling fans, bathroom/shower, closet, living/kitchen area, and bedroom area. I bought mine during the boom of O&G workers moving down about 3 yrs ago now. It took about 10 weeks to get made due to shortages of building materials(one company had bought 42 of the same cabin I had bought). They are well built and nice to live in. They can custom build whatever you want just about.
http://www.morgancabins.com/

You can find some great deals on good used travel trailers.

A few years ago I bought some nice repoed trailors from vanderbilt mortgage, I think there web site was www.vmfhomes.com

I don't know if you can still pick them up cheap or not but maybe worth a try.

Congrat's on the land purchase. Spent time in both, but would rather have a morgan bldg/tuff shed over a travel trailer.

Even if it just has a very small front porch, makes it nice to sit outside during a rain shower.

Congrats on the new property. 220 acres being small is subjective. Thats a good sized chunk if you have some nice sized neighbors. I'd recommend the metal building route. They are easy to put up and I think offer a really good value. I've built some mueller buildings that look sharp! With the right facade you can make them look like a regular home as well if that is what your after.

X-2 Congrats again on buying the property.

I'd go with a mobile home all the way.

I had the same issues a couple of years back. Bought a place in East Concho county and started off with a trailer. We had mice which lead to a number of issues. I went with a a small SLAB 16x32 high pitch cabin. One bed with a loft and full bath. I used smart board, metal roof, septic and mini splits. Something that small may fit in your price range and easy to manage as long as you keep it painted and minor work between hunts. More than happy to share cost and details of what I would change if I was to do it again.