RV---Buyers Remorse?

[MRG]

I had a friend of a SIL who had some tornado damage to their house which cost $28,000. The RV repairs sound cheap!

Speaking of which.

You haven't lived till you are in a RV during a tornado warning! The next day we learned that we should have taken shelter in the pit toilets.

 

[Chuckanut]

I've looked at this myself as well as talked to people who have had RV's for several years. In every case, the expenses of repairs and maintenance was far higher than they anticipated. I'm not saying they did not enjoy it and the expenses were not worth it, just that they were very high. Tires, appliances, suspensions, fuel tanks, etc, all seem to have issues that cost a lot of money.

IMHO, they work best when you can drive the RV to one place, park it, set up all the goodies you need for easy living, and then stay for at least two weeks, preferably a month or more. Of course, this means dragging a small car or motorcycles along with you - another hassle and expense.

Me? I have joined several hotel programs that give me lots of points for various stays, and I will work those programs to minimize my hotel costs. For the way I travel it seems no more expensive and a lot more comfortable.

 

[aja8888]

There are a lot of RV's sitting out there for sale that are lightly used.

But like Lakedog said, buying one that is a few years old is the best way to minimize hidden or pending repairs and maintain some resale value.

My friends bought the 20 + yer old one I mentioned above for a "project" as both are retired and needed something to do and to spend their money on (haha). What they didn't realize was that the repairs were daunting for older guys and they were not equipped to do the work from a lack of knowledge.

So now they have a "lightly used" 20+ year old RV that is in pretty decent condition, having addressed all the issues. I suspect they have about $12 K in it and probably could sell it for $8 K.

 

[phil1ben]

I am retiring in 37 days. I am 56 and my wife is 53. We decided we wanted to buy a new Airstream but never slept in a trailer or towed one. By the way, I am informed that 57% of new Airstream buyers never slept in one or towed one. We searched the internet high and low looking for an Airstream rental to "try it out". Initially we only found an outfit in California that required the rental of their tow vehicle for about $1,000.00 per night (trailer and tow vehicle) which was ridiculous. We have a tow vehicle. Finally we found a place in Ohio that will rent us a 2016 Airstream in the model we want to buy and will apply the rental price to the purchase. The rental price is much cheaper than the California outfit. So we are renting for a week in late April and taking a try it out run from Columbus, Ohio to Nashville and back.

If all goes well we plan on buying one shortly thereafter but we wanted to do this practice run first. The plan is the usual plan.......to see the US/national parks. Most of our travel will be in the winter (down south) and spring and fall. Summers are spoken for already with a beach home. Have been all around Europe but not often west of the Mississippi. Hope to change that. By the way, we are not alone in this endeavor. Take a look at a one year stock chart of Thor Industries (Symbol: THO) which has gained about 30% in the last 12 months and the newly issued Camping World stock (Symbol: CWH). Thor owns Airstream and many other brands.

The Baby Boomers are RV'ing.

 

[HillCountry]

We rented a class C for 2 weeks in Alaska in summer 2015. We really enjoyed the trip.

I am thinking a class B after retirement, but DW said too small.

 

[NW-Bound]

...Just sitting is hard on an RV, so look past miles and see if it leaks, the tires are dry rotted, the water system has been frozen or if mechanical components are corroded and malfunctioning.

There are a lot of RV's sitting out there for sale that are lightly used.

But like Lakedog said, buying one that is a few years old is the best way to minimize hidden or pending repairs and maintain some resale value.

My friends bought the 20 + yer old one I mentioned above for a "project" as both are retired and needed something to do and to spend their money on (haha). What they didn't realize was that the repairs were daunting for older guys and they were not equipped to do the work from a lack of knowledge.

So now they have a "lightly used" 20+ year old RV that is in pretty decent condition, having addressed all the issues. I suspect they have about $12 K in it and probably could sell it for $8 K.

20+ year old is just too old. There are plenty of class C's on RVTrader of 5 to 10 year old, many with low mileage. The price is higher (>$20K), but worth it.

 

[EastWest Gal]

This is just a share about a friend who is a full time RVer.

RV repair is a bit of a problem but people are innovating all the time. A friend of ours does RV repair on the road.

He was laid off from UC Santa Cruz in 2008. He was one of their two computer technicians and an authorized Apple repair technician, so he started a computer repair business out of his home. Fortunately he qualified for a pension, and I'm sure he got some inheritance when both his parents passed away. So essentially he was accidentally ER'd. The intervening years he worked installing solar systems, mainly in rural Honduras, I believe, more as a volunteer gig. This year he and his wife sold their high mortgage payment Santa Cruz home and are full time RV'ers. He has turned his love for fixing things into a business, by becoming certified in RV solar installation and RV repair.

http://www.harrisrvservice.com

 

[kitesurfer2]

have you stayed in an RV park? the concept of RV'ing sounds great. Being an avid camper for the past 30 years and seeing the money pits the mobile homes are, I would investigate much more before committing to that lifestyle.

 

[reubenray]

Research, research and research. Also go to as many RV shows as you can. One of the biggest one's is coming up in January in Tampa. I have a Tiffin gas motorhome now and had a fifth wheel before that. I am thinking of upgrading to a Diesel Pusher in 2018.

Decide if you want to tow or drive your RV. Not everyone is setup for one or the other. I did not need a truck anymore when I retired so I went the motorhome route. Whatever you decide on forget about the gas mileage. They all will be bad. You need to decide also how many people you want to sleep.

I love the natural, state and COE campgrounds the best.

 

[Fermion]

I agree on the campground issue. We have found that #1 is army corp followed by state parks OR county parks. Right now we are staying in a beautiful county park in Florida with eight private bathrooms with sink and shower for 24 camping spots (only about half of them full). Full hookups for $15 a night. The state parks in Florida are $35+. Nice bike/walking trail with amazing boardwalk that looks like it belongs at Disney.

It is a hard life though. Yesterday could not decide if we wanted to sail, canoe, or take out the new folding powerboat. Decided to bike the trail after much hand wringing.

 

[Walt34]

When I asked DW if she would be up for going to a state parks to camp for a few days in the RV, she said her idea of camping is staying in a 4 star hotel.

That's DW here too. I tried for a year to talk her into a travel trailer and failed miserably.

 

[Rosie]

An online acquaintance and her husband are early retirees and, as of this past May, have been living fulltime in an RV. They have a very interesting blog about their travels and RV experiences here: Traveling Twosome

 

[Senator]

have you stayed in an RV park? the concept of RV'ing sounds great.

I plan on getting a fifth wheel, most likely next fall. I have been staying at RV parks, in the rental cabins that many of them have. I do not pan on renting an RV, as you cannot hardly rent a fifth wheel.

I will be buying a used fifth wheel, likely a 2010 or so. The motor will be on my truck, and any Ford dealer will be able to fix it. Any interior fixes cannot be any different than a rental, and I should be able to fix those issues myself.

I think traveling with a fifth wheel, or any RV, gives a lot more flexibility,. If you use it quite a few days a year, it is cheaper than renting a hotel. I too want to see all the national parks.

This has been a great thread to read.

 

[Bamaman]

You first need to decide what you're going to be doing with a RV.
We have a 2 year old fifth wheel trailer with 4 slides--towed with a diesel 3/4 ton truck. Mostly, we use it for a second home in the NE Georgia Mountains. For staying in one place most of the time, a fifth wheel is great.

Some people use RV's to travel the country from place to place. A Class A is the best for that use--towing a "Toad" to do local travel in once you arrive at your destination. Class A prices might run from $60K to $ unlimited.

Many use Class C's in replacement for a Class A, but I've found you can buy many Class A's (new and used) for about the same price and the A has much more interior room.

Class B's are too expensive new, and they have little room inside. They're more travel machines than camping vehicles.

Travel trailers are interchangable for fifth wheel trailers, but they're cheaper usually. TT's are often towable by a 1/2 ton properly equipped truck in most cases. The fifth wheel is actually easier to deal with and tows better, however.

 

[HFWR]

Two close friends of mine picked up a 1994 Ford V8 powered 30 or so foot RV with about 40,000 miles on it last year for $4,500. It had new tires and was in "reasonable' condition, but was not used in a few years. It was in outdoor storage with a cover over it.

Once on the road, the cab A/C went out ($1500 repair), brake cylinders started leaking (new brake job for $1,200), there were several leaks in a rain storm (re-caulk all windows and seams - $800). In addition to those immediate repairs, the fresh water tank plumbing started to leak and had to be replaced (not sure of the cost, but it was several hundred).

They decided to upgrade the dry rotted interior cushions and mattresses and spent another $1000 or so. Other fixes, done by me, were electrical upgrades like USB port installations, a new radio, a digital TV antenna, etc. Parts were about $400, labor free.

The Formica on the counter tops and sinks was peeling up so all that was replaced by a team of myself and them. Material cost was several hundred.

Fortunately, the V8 engine was in good shape and all we had to replace was an alternator and a few coolant hoses.

After use this summer in Hot Texas, the automatic transmission started to slip. A "soft" rebuild was done for $2,500 (clutches, gaskets, O rings, etc).

At the end of this use season, the 4 KW generator quit. The rear field shaft ball bearing failed and I pulled the unit and repaired it. That saved the guys about $4,500 which is the cost of a new Cummins RV generator.

Other than that, the RV has been pretty good and is now in storage for the winter. Here's a picture of the RV after we reinstalled the 4KW generator:

View attachment 24958

You lost me in paragraph one...

 

[youbet]

The folks we know that have had buyer's remorse after purchasing an RV were all folks who envisioned that their RV would be a simple and easy replacement for staying in quality hotels and they'd save money. Wrong.......

Or, they are folks who mis-matched their interests with the type of RV they purchased. It's not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.

DW and I are campers more than RV'ers. Until we purchased our hard-sided pop-up, our experiences were primarily canoe-camping in remote areas such as the BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park. Age got to us so we opt'd for a relatively inexpensive camper with a cult-like following of enthusiastic owners. We could afford a diesel pusher, but that's just not us. We purchased a product that matched our interests and desires.

We just finished our 7th season. Trips last from quick over-nighters to 6 week expeditions. We bought what works for us and have no buyers remorse.

When folks talk up their RV style as though anyone doing anything else is wrong (their way is the only way for everyone), you can be sure they're not good folks to get advise from concerning what you should do. 5 star hotel, motor home, trailer, tent....... whatever works for what you like to do.

 

[MRG]

We did meet a couple with big time buyers remorse.

They'd just bought a 44' toy hauler and a brand new F-350 diesel. Guy told me he was telling his buddy how he'd gotten such a great deal financing the whole deal. His buddy mailed him a Dave Ramsey book.

 

[NW-Bound]

The folks we know that have had buyer's remorse after purchasing an RV were all folks who envisioned that their RV would be a simple and easy replacement for staying in quality hotels and they'd save money. Wrong.......

Or, they are folks who mis-matched their interests with the type of RV they purchased. It's not a one-size-fits-all endeavor...

When folks talk up their RV style as though anyone doing anything else is wrong (their way is the only way for everyone), you can be sure they're not good folks to get advise from concerning what you should do. 5 star hotel, motor home, trailer, tent....... whatever works for what you like to do.

I had not even camped in my life prior to buying an RV. That tells you how urbanized I was. Well, come to think of it, I did sleep a couple of nights under a tent when I was young, but I never really thought of it as camping.

Anyway, one day I drove by an RV dealer, and this was on a highway that I traveled on often to/from my 2nd home, and wondered what RV'ing would be like. The next time, I pulled in to look at their travel trailers. Then, I realized there were many forms of RVs, and I needed to understand the difference between them. And so, I surfed the Web, read about people's experience, and learned about the gray and black tanks, pitfalls people made, etc...

When I bought mine, and took it out for the 1st trip to a state park, I hooked it up, then later dumped the tanks like a pro.

I still like to do fly-and-drive trips, and overseas travel. And I will even do the cruise thing once in a while to keep the missus happy so she will go on cross-country RV treks with me.

 

[NW-Bound]

...We could afford a diesel pusher, but that's just not us. We purchased a product that matched our interests and desires...

It is important to buy something to match your travel style.

Now that I know more about RV'ing, being into the 7th year of owning this class C, I am more and more certain that I can go smaller but not bigger. I prefer to have mobility. I already can camp out at my high-country home, so when I do RV'ing, I like to go see new places. I would stay at one location for a few days, then take the toad to do day trips or excursions. So, that works out well. A smallish travel trailer may work for me too. A class B would also.

 

[rmark]

Growing up we always had a truck and travel trailer, dad didn't want an engine setting unused. Plus the tow vehicle can be used without disturbing camp.

 

[davismills]

My first RV was a Class C purchased in 1999 and we kept it for 10 years. No problems other than a pesky leak that even a new roof ($3000) didn't fix.

My second and current RV is a gas powered 2011 35 ft Class A Winnebago. Minor problems to date. I keep in covered storage and I recommend this if you purchase.

Unlike cars, buying new is not the best way to buy. New RVs have their problems and many times the first owners will spend thousands on extras like sway bars, steering stabilizers, gas grills, etc. When you add in the fact that the first owner has absorbed these costs and the first year depreciation, I'd recommend a 2-3 year old model versus new.

If you go above 35 feet in length, you'll exclude yourself from many of the beautiful state and federal parks.

 

[427Vette]

Rent one for your first trip. My BIL always dreamed of buying an RV and traveling the country after my sister retired. He rented a fancy one (pulled by a truck, expandable sides) for a trip out West with my Dad and hated dealing with it- and this is a guy who'd been a long-haul trucker so he knew his vehicles. He was horrified at the low mileage his truck got while pulling it, had lots of problems getting it hooked up to electrical, etc. Not sure of all the specifics but that was the end of that fantasy.

It seems a lot of people struggle like the example above. You have to get it through your head that you don't buy any type of RV to save fuel. You have to be realistic, RV's are big and heavy and have the aerodynamics of a Saltine box. Of course your mileage will suffer. If you want to save gas buy a Prius and a tent. Also, if plugging in an extension cord perplexes you it might be best that you stay in a hotel.

Whenever RV'ing comes up the argument about staying in a hotel seems to follow right along with it. The two methods of travel are not even comparable. In an RV you can basically stay anywhere either highly remote areas or a larger city. The five star hotel plan forces that you stay in a more populated area. It depends on your interest but I think most people are looking for the RV option so they can get out and enjoy nature, tough to do in a large city in a five star hotel. The hotel option affords you the opportunity to sleep in a bed that thousands of others have used as well. There is convenience and value to having your own food, bed and bathroom with you wherever you go.

If you have never owned an RV you may feel buyers remorse if you don't educate yourself of all its systems. You will have to be proficient in troubleshooting and repairs and be able to do those repairs yourself. It's just not practical to hire someone for all of the repairs.

 

[Fermion]

That is another good point. When we do stay in a hotel, even though we are full timing in our RV now, I just don't enjoy it. Even at a 3 star hotel (which is at least $100 a night) the rooms always smell of something just under the odor of the cleaning agent. I look at the bed and try to hope they actually changed the sheets (even with the sheets changed, what about under the sheets or on the top blankets?) Shudder.

RV has a lot of positives in addition to the obvious expense and downsides.

 

[RunningBum]

...

Whenever RV'ing comes up the argument about staying in a hotel seems to follow right along with it. The two methods of travel are not even comparable. In an RV you can basically stay anywhere either highly remote areas or a larger city. The five star hotel plan forces that you stay in a more populated area. It depends on your interest but I think most people are looking for the RV option so they can get out and enjoy nature, tough to do in a large city in a five star hotel. The hotel option affords you the opportunity to sleep in a bed that thousands of others have used as well. There is convenience and value to having your own food, bed and bathroom with you wherever you go.

...

I get your point but I don't think people are looking at 5* hotels as an alternative, just nice clean hotels. There are plenty of those in resort areas. They usually aren't in the middle of the woods, but can often be a short drive from there.

An RV in a large city? Sure, you can probably find a place, but almost never in the areas you'd want to visit, and driving in a city to get to a place to park it is it's own challenge. Staying in a WalMart parking lot may be convenient and necessary but I don't think it's anyone's dream vacation.

A sleep sack might be the answer for anyone creeped out by staying in a bed others have regularly used.

"Value" is probably not a word I would use except maybe for full-timers. A trailer probably has more value, but has even less appeal to me for driving around and parking.

I get the attraction, and sometimes I think I'd like an RV or trailer, but when I really think it through, I see it's most likely not for me. Earlier this month I did a race where I had to stay in a hotel 1/2 hour away, but could've parked an RV within a few yards of the start/finish. (Tents were also allowed but sleeping outside in below freezing weather isn't a good pre-race strategy.) But on the drive there, sharing a busy interstate with trucks and driving the curves and hills of the WV turnpike, I was glad I had my small SUV rather than a bigger rig. A Class B is probably the biggest I'd have wanted, and those just seem too costly. But man, post-race sure would've been a nice time to have my bed right there with me!

As you say, it depends on your interests.

I think most people are looking for the RV option so they can get out and enjoy nature

I think I'd alter this to say that people who stay with the RV option do this. Many people who are looking for the RV option have this dream of freedom from hotels and restaurants and the convenience of bringing home with them. Many find that the costs and inconveniences and work involved is not with it. I suspect I'd be in the latter group, which has kept me from seriously looking at an RV.

 

[Teacher Terry]

WE have had other threads about this and we regret buying a 27 ft used motorhome. First of all only certain newer vehicles can be towed so you need to buy one that can be towed or buy a really old car. Or buy a tow cart that cost 4k. When we went to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons had to rent a car because it is too big to drive around. We mostly take trips that involve a lot of driving and it costs a fortune. We want hookups and want to be close to what we are doing so on a month trip a year ago between gas and rv sites we spent 6k. The national parks were expensive with YS being 55/night and GT 75/night.I cooked most of our meals.We wanted to be able to take our 4 dogs so it did solve that problem. However, many rv sites only allow 2 dogs. We are the 3rd owner and no one has used it much as it has 42k miles on it and is 23 yo. We were going to sell it but then my DH got a job that will be out of town for a year so now we will keep it so he can live in it. After that job is done then we will sell. Yes things have broke and we have fixed them which is not cheap. If we had rented one and took a month trip we would not have bought one. However, since we paid 14k and have another 4k into it this was not a huge mistake. WE met people last year that live in them f.t. and love it. But these people did not travel the country. They stay in Denver for summer and in the south for winter. That way they rent by the month which is a lot cheaper and on;t spend much on gas. If we had a reasonable spot a few hours away we would park and leave it like someone else on this forum does.