RV Expenses

[haha]

We don't but... I would venture a guess that more than 75% do... or, at least, that many either have a cat on the dash looking out the window or a man on a leash nearby.

I guess the RV world is a woman's world.

Are you guys allowed to stand when you pee?

Ha

 

[youbet]

Helen, there are bags of web pages where people describe the conversions they have done on their full size vans. Dig around and you will find all kinds of creative ideas. To get you started, there are a few in here: Cheaprvliving.com

Yep, there's some facinating reading on that site. I decided I'm too lazy to do a homebrew van conversion and, like you, went with a small camper-trailer. But it's interesting to read what is being done to turn a used van into very livable accomodations for the spartan minded individual.

 

[Eder]

This is extremely important. I would guess that this imaginary concern prevents almost everyone from seriously considering the RV life. The Macerator system in our Roadtrek is so easy peasy that one doesn't need to wear gloves and would not even have to wash your hands afterwards except for the road dust on the hose. (You don't have to wear googles, rubber suit or a gas mask either.)

I normally wear flip flops...no gloves etc...and drink a coffee while dumping the tanks. I wish to upgrade to low cut rubber boots soon though.

 

[Helen]

I love this thread. Thanks for all the info. I'll post a picture of what I eventually buy. I think I will rent a small RV first and check out the RV parks.

I have just under 3 retire until I can retire so it's time to start really thinking about this.

 

[audreyh1]

do you need advance reservations?

If it is a popular park in a busy area, you might need reservations - especially if you want a particular spot.

But you can get away with making very few reservations. And that is how we have preferred to travel - so that we are not tied to a specific schedule but can stay longer or change our plans based on how things are going.

In five years of fulltiming, I probably made less than half a dozen reservations PER YEAR - and we moved a lot most of the time. Reservations were usually for a park where I had been before and knew the best spots, or a particularly busy period at a top rated park, or we planned an extended stay (more than a week).

It's not fun to make an extended reservation at a park and get there and really not like the park at all. We preferred not to commit ourselves.

Of course, we usually call a park the day we plan to arrive, or perhaps the day before, just to make sure there is availability. It's been very, very rare that we haven't gotten what we wanted even without reservations.

Audrey

 

[Gone4Good]

Of course, we usually call a park the day we plan to arrive, or perhaps the day before, just to make sure there is availability. It's been very, very rare that we haven't gotten what we wanted even without reservations.

I agree it doesn't happen often, but we've been shut out of two places in the last three months. And that's with trying to book a week or so in advance. It's probably the case that the North East is just more crowded, but I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to make plans the day of. Maybe when I get out west I can loosen up a little.

 

[Stevewc]

Back in the day (late 60's/early 70's), we would go to parks without reservations and think nothing of it. Our favorite State parks in Florida got so popular we never try that anymore though. We've gotten caught in the area after a 300/400 mile trip (very tired) and couldn't find any place to stay. I guess enough years go by and everybody and their brother finds out about the havens. Of course I wasn't retired when it caught us by surprise. It might not bother me so much now cause I could take my time and move around without all the pressure and time restraints that I had while working. Anyway, when you have your heart set on staying at your favorite places it can be a bummer to be turned a way.
Steve

 

[FIREd]

I spent a bit of time doing some research about the kind of expenses we could expect with a Class B RV:

Insurance: $450-600 a year via progressive. I was pleasantly surprised there.
Storage (I don't think the RV would make it up our driveway, so it would have to be stored off-site): About $50 a month for an uncovered parking space, $75 a month for a carport and $250 a month for an indoor garage unit. DW favors the indoor garage for security reasons, but I find that a bit steep. Which storage solution makes more sense?

After spending some time in our sister RV forum, the fact that so many people call their RV "the money pit", be it affectionately, scares me a little bit. Between storage, insurance and maintenance, annual carrying costs could easily top $5K. It would only make sense if we used the RV extensively.

After further consideration, we seem to be converging towards the Roadtrek RS Adventurous as our RV of choice:

 

[Stevewc]

Firedreamer,
You already know my point of view.
You need it covered at the very least.
If you pump your hard earned money in one, protect it from the elements.
I learned this lesson the hard way.
Steve

PS. Not sure how bad/steep your drive is but most van types will do anything a regular van will do. If its low hanging limbs/trees you can always have them trimmed or removed (I guess).

 

[FIREd]

Firedreamer,
You already know my point of view.
You need it covered at the very least.
If you pump your hard earned money in one, protect it from the elements.
I learned this lesson the hard way.
Steve

PS. Not sure how bad/steep your drive is but most van types will do anything a regular van will do. If its low hanging limbs/trees you can always have them trimmed or removed (I guess).

Some people use a RV cover when parking their RV outside. Is that any good to protect the RV from the elements? Personally, I favor the carport storage option, but I do see the advantages of an indoor garage.

Our driveway is very steep and some pick-up trucks and vans can't make it up the hill (especially when loaded). At any rates, if we were to park the RV in our driveway, it would not be covered unless we had a carport put in, and I am not sure the city would let us.

 

[Stevewc]

I think a carport would help a lot.
Most have enough cover hanging down the sides to work pretty good.
Anything will beat direct sun all day.
Steve

PS. I see a lot of campers at storage facilities and also different camp grounds. If you could find a place a short distance from a lake or river area you might get a better rate. Anyway, just get on the phone or look around, beat the bushes (hill billy for look and ask everybody you come across). You'll find a good deal somewhere.

 

[Helen]

Firedreamer, that's a nice looking van! How did you narrow it down to that particular model?

 

[hankster]

And refrigeration? and water (including bathroom facilities)?

We use a 5 day cooler with block ice.

Campground water supply when staying in an established campground. Five gallon jug and bottled water when out in the boonies.

Campground bathroom facilities with a porta-potti for those wee hour wee-wee issues When out in the boonies...well, where does a bear go

We did enough primitive camping in our younger days to find creative ways to make everyday tasks doable in any location.

 

[FIREd]

Firedreamer, that's a nice looking van! How did you narrow it down to that particular model?

We looked at several models and we liked this one best for several reasons:
* The walls are pretty much straight up which opens up the cabin making it feel more spacious than other models.
* There are windows all around the cabin, which makes it brighter and, again, makes it feel more spacious.
* it comes with a permanent bathroom. You can shower in the bathroom with the doors closed while keeping the aisle open and clean.
* spacious enough for 2 people and 2 cats yet still small enough to be maneuverable.
* well appointed kitchen with microwave convection oven.
* warm wood tones, granite counter tops, etc... makes it feel homey.
* diesel engine with what I consider a very good gas mileage.

 

[RonBoyd]

When out in the boonies...well, where does a bear go?

Oh, yeah! I forgot... one of the most interesting books I have ever read.

Book Synopsis: How to **** in the Woods

 

[Stevewc]

We looked at several models and we liked this one best for several reasons:
* The walls are pretty much straight up which opens up the cabin making it feel more spacious than other models.
* There are windows all around the cabin, which makes it brighter and, again, makes it feel more spacious.
* it comes with a permanent bathroom. You can shower in the bathroom with the doors closed while keeping the aisle open and clean.
* spacious enough for 2 people and 2 cats yet still small enough to be maneuverable.
* well appointed kitchen with microwave convection oven.
* warm wood tones, granite counter tops, etc... makes it feel homey.
* diesel engine with what I consider a very good gas mileage.

What is the brand name/maker of the Chassis and engine?
Just curious,
Steve

 

[FIREd]

What is the brand name/maker of the Chassis and engine?
Just curious,
Steve

Mercedes-Benz. The Adventurous is based on Mercedes' Sprinter van, a widely popular van in Europe.

 

[NW-Bound]

When I was considering an RV based on the Sprinter chassis, I was attracted to the larger ones, such as the Winnebago View. It would give us a bit more room. I remember that some of these might be taxing the chassis, and their Cargo Carrying Capacity was somewhat limited. But then, it appears the Sprinter chassis has been updated, so the more recent models might not have that limitation. For example, the newer diesel engine is 3.0L and larger than the previous 2.6L.

PS. There are several similar models made by others, such as the Itasca Navion, the GulfStream Vista Cruiser, and the Forest River Solera.

 

[audreyh1]

I agree it doesn't happen often, but we've been shut out of two places in the last three months. And that's with trying to book a week or so in advance. It's probably the case that the North East is just more crowded, but I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to make plans the day of. Maybe when I get out west I can loosen up a little.

It does depend on the state and the season. If you want to enjoy a state park in Oregon in July, you better make a reservation - and you have to reserve a specific site. But we managed - just saw what was available and let that drive our trip, easily found places to stay in between. I checked often - every couple of days, and occasionally a several day spot would open up in a large enough site (another of our constraints).

Also - there are often late cancellations, we've managed to get some good spots that way too.

Audrey

 

[REWahoo]

Some people like to live on the wild side, some use belt and suspenders....

 

[REWahoo]

Audrey, off topic but...

Since you are now a resident of Mission, does that make you Missionaries?

 

[FANOFJESUS]

The way I figure it is you would need to stay in it four to five months a year to break even vs. a $50 motel room.

 

[REWahoo]

The way I figure it is you would need to stay in it four to five months a year to break even vs. a $50 motel room.

This is an exercise in futility in my opinion.

If all you are seeking is a less expensive way to travel, an RV ain't it. Unless you full-time or go really low budget on your house on wheels, an RV will always be more expensive than the traditional travel route.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

This is an exercise in futility in my opinion.

If all you are seeking is a less expensive way to travel, an RV ain't it. Unless you full-time or go really low budget on your house on wheels, an RV will always be more expensive than the traditional travel route.

Yeah, this comes up about every 4 months or so and I agree. RVing is not cheap any more than taking a vacation is cheap. You get what you pay for, and everyone has to decide if it's worth it to them.

 

[KM]

The way I figure it is you would need to stay in it four to five months a year to break even vs. a $50 motel room.

I have traveled quite a bit and we generally try to avoid the "pricey" hotels, so I am not really particular. But I can't think if too many $50 motel rooms I would stay in. Just saying.....