RV Expenses

[brewer12345]

Thanks to all those who chimed in.

A few notes:

1) We are looking at Roadtrek RVs, either the 190 or 210 model. They seem to be well made and people seem genuinely satisfied with them. However, when repairs are needed, it looks like the bill can be steep. For example, I read a story where, in order to change the fuel filter, half the bathroom had to be taken apart first in order to get to it. Personally, the upfront and depreciation costs don't scare me. Those are pretty predictable. I am more worried about ongoing expenses that could burden our retirement budget. For example, without a RV, we could always cut back on travel if the market tanks. With an RV, we might still have to pay for maintenance costs (even if it sits in our driveway) and we might not be able to cut our spending as much during a bear market.

If the commode really hit the windmill, I suppose you could just sell the RV. Roadtreks seem to hold their value reasonably well, so you could probably liquidate it without taking too much of a bath.

I know you weren't considering a trailer, but figured I would toss in my data FWIW.

 

[FIREd]

I know you weren't considering a trailer, but figured I would toss in my data FWIW.

It was appreciated nonetheless. At this point, we haven't really made up our minds yet. The economics of either option will be critical in our decision making process. And owning a trailer definitely has its advantages. As Janet pointed out, the ability to unhook the trailer and go to town with the truck is appealing.

 

[REWahoo]

As Janet pointed out, the ability to unhook the trailer and go to town with the truck is appealing.

Rumor has it Janet is a real "go to town" type...

 

[RonBoyd]

As Janet pointed out, the ability to unhook the trailer and go to town with the truck is appealing.

What would you go into town for? A Class B RV could do anything a truck can do except haul a load of stuff... but what would you do with a "load of stuff" anyway.

This does point out my (only) caution about a Class B RV. They are not ideal for camping more than a few days -- unless you are quite friendly with (and tolerant of) your traveling companion(s). They are for travelers not campers. That means they are ideal for "exploring" -- going off into the woods, for instance, for a long hike without worrying about a long trip to a hotel somewhere at the end of the day. Think of them as if it were a tent with a hard side.

 

[FIREd]

What would you go into town for? A Class B RV could do anything a truck can do except haul a load of stuff... but what would you do with a "load of stuff" anyway.

This does point out my (only) caution about a Class B RV. They are not ideal for camping more than a few days -- unless you are quite friendly with (and tolerant of) your traveling companion(s). They are for travelers not campers. That means they are ideal for "exploring" -- going off into the woods, for instance, for a long hike without worrying about a long trip to a hotel somewhere at the end of the day. Think of them as if it were a tent with a hard side.

I guess I'd drive into town for groceries or a stop at the ATM. Nothing that a class B RV couldn't handle for sure.

Personally, I can't see myself spending more than a week in a single location, so I think we would definitely be more travelers than campers. Because we will have cats waiting for us at home, I can't imagine traveling more than 1 month at a time, so I think we will have to keep moving to make the most of our trips.

By the way, do any of you RVers travel with pets?

 

[hankster]

Over the years, DW and I have owned a Class C motor home, a travel trailer and a slide-in pick up camper. Only the travel trailer was purchased new. After selling our house last year, we decided to get some type of RV to give us a motel/restaurant alternative during our travels around the western U.S. and because we enjoy the RV lifestyle.

After seeing the prices for good used Class B motor homes (30k +) we decided to indulge in a bare bones, do-it-yourself version. We bought a nice used conversion van, pulled out the extra seats and installed a bed that rivals the one in our house. Cost: $5,500. We also bought a 5' x 8' enclosed cargo trailer that we set up as a kitchen area and organized storage enclosure Cost: $2,500. Is it as nice as a self contained motor home? No way! But most private campgrounds have decent shower and laundry facilities. Is it more work to conduct food prep and other chores? It certainly is! But our investment is small and we are having just as much fun traveling as we did with one of our self contained units.

I guess my point is that RVing can be enjoyable on a modest budget if you get creative and keep things simple.

 

[Gone4Good]

One of the biggest benefits is to eat better and more healthy food, when and how you want it.

+1

This can not be over emphasized for someone who's spending a lot of time on the road. Eating every single meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) out gets old quick.

 

[RonBoyd]

But our investment is small and we are having just as much fun traveling as we did with one of our self contained units.

I guess my point is that RVing can be enjoyable on a modest budget if you get creative and keep things simple.

 

[Gone4Good]

By the way, do any of you RVers travel with pets?

Absolutely. It's the reason we chose to RV instead of doing something else. We always thought we'd do the first leg of our extended traveling overseas. But that wouldn't work for our two cats(now only one cat ). So we decided to cover North America first and bring the critters along.

 

[FIREd]

We always thought we'd spend the first leg of our extended traveling overseas. But we couldn't do that as long as we had pets. So we decided to cover North America first.

We are thinking along the same lines. Eventually we would like to spend more time exploring Europe.

Taking the cats along for the ride would make it even more enjoyable and we could extend a bit the length of our trips.

 

[RonBoyd]

By the way, do any of you RVers travel with pets?

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.

 

[Gone4Good]

We are thinking along the same lines. Eventually we would like to spend more time exploring Europe.

Taking the cats along for the ride would make it even more enjoyable and we could extend a bit the length of our trips.

When we head overseas we're thinking about RVing in Europe too. As I understand it, most of the major cities have nearby campgrounds serviced by public transportation. And what better way to see the countryside than with a motor home?

So maybe our North America excursion will end up being a trial run for doing something similar in Europe or even South America. I'm not sure I would try it in Asia or Africa, but who knows.

So much to do, so little time.

 

[Stevewc]

Most all of my vacations have been in the form of camping.
Travel trailers, pop ups, tents, nothing but a sleeping bag in younger days.
Needless to say I love camping more than staying in the nicest hotel.
Probably because I could never relax because of worrying about how much the hotel was costing me.
I could always stay longer and have more fun snorkeling and diving in a State Park camping.
I would say the most important thing I learned about campers is make sure you have a shed to keep them under to protect them from sun/weather damage when not being used..
Dreamer, yo might try picking up a used pop up for your first go at this.
You can pull them with most any car. My only concern would be in some super bear territory because they don't offer very much protection from grizzlies.
The beds are usually big enough and OK, if your better half is reasonable and not super delicate. Hope that's a nice way of putting it. I mean some ladies are just not cut out for camping and then again some love it once they get into it.
I own a 5th wheel at the present time but I just bought a used pop up so I can do easy on the cheap trips using my car to pull it with. I plan to make shorter duration trips with the pop up and the longer/more people in camper stays with the 5th wheel. This wasn't something I really planned but came across a good deal on the pop up.
Anyway, what ever you do plan to cover the unit from the sun.
You will regret it if you don't. Experience speaking here from someone in your climate zone.
Steve

 

[REWahoo]

When we head overseas we're thinking about RVing in Europe too. As I understand it, most of the major cities have nearby campgrounds serviced by public transportation. And what better way to see the countryside than with a motor home?

So maybe our North America excursion will end up being a trial run for doing something similar in Europe or even South America. I'm not sure I would try it in Asia or Africa, but who knows.

So much to do, so little time.

My old boss, who was nice enough to retire so I could have his job, did Europe (and more) in an RV. He and his DW put all their furniture in storage and leased their home out for a year. They bought what we would classify here as a small Class C motorhome in Belgium (not sure why there) and toured Europe, Scandinavia and parts of North Africa, selling the RV and returning home after a year on the road.

His plan going into it was to write a "how to" travel book. As many of us who are retired can understand, that began to look a lot like work so he abandoned writing and just enjoyed the ride.

 

[FIREd]

I would say the most important thing I learned about campers is make sure you have a shed to keep them under to protect them from sun/weather damage when not being used..
Dreamer, yo might try picking up a used pop up for your first go at this.
You can pull them with most any car. My only concern would be in some super bear territory because they don't offer very much protection from grizzlies.
The beds are usually big enough and OK, if your better half is reasonable and not super delicate. Hope that's a nice way of putting it. I mean some ladies are just not cut out for camping and then again some love it once they get into it.
I own a 5th wheel at the present time but I just bought a used pop up so I can do easy on the cheap trips using my car to pull it with. I plan to make shorter duration trips with the pop up and the longer/more people in camper stays with the 5th wheel. This wasn't something I really planned but came across a good deal on the pop up.
Anyway, what ever you do plan to cover the unit from the sun.
You will regret it if you don't. Experience speaking here from someone in your climate zone.
Steve

I am not quite a novice when it comes to RV (lots of avid RVers in my family though none with motorhomes). My parents had a pop-up camper when I was a kid and one thing I do know is that they would be too spartan for my wife's taste. She is not high maintenance, but she does enjoy some basic comforts.

Coincidentally, one of my neighbors is selling his pop up.

Thanks for the tip about protecting the unit from the sun. It sure is very important around here.

 

[FIREd]

When we head overseas we're thinking about RVing in Europe too. As I understand it, most of the major cities have nearby campgrounds serviced by public transportation. And what better way to see the countryside than with a motor home?

So maybe our North America excursion will end up being a trial run for doing something similar in Europe or even South America. I'm not sure I would try it in Asia or Africa, but who knows.

So much to do, so little time.

Actually, I have way more experience RVing in Europe than I do in the US. RVing is probably the single best way to explore Europe in my opinion.

 

[Stevewc]

Dreamer, didn't mean to under estimate your camping background.
Actually I'm happy to know you have a good idea what you are getting into.
What kind of price range, model is your neighbor selling?
I will need to do several repairs on the one I have. Might be interested if price/condition is very right.
Steve

 

[bbbamI]

RV Expenses.....

How about hats?

 

[Stevewc]

Things forgotten.
Its always something.
I think the can opener might be number one forgotten item.
Steve

PS. Its tough opening those cans with a pocket knife but I've done it.
I'm pretty good at opening beer bottles with my imagination too !!!

 

[nvestysly]

Trailer and Tow Vehicle - Not Cheap

My wife and I went the route of a trailer and tow vehicle. We bought both used and have been able to use the rig 30 - 40 nights per year for the last eight years.

It's certainly not cheap but we would not have it any other way.

Our cost to purchase, maintain, repair, store and upgrad is just over $69k during that time. This includes every little thing we buy for the rig - tea kettle, broom, area rugs, flashlights, chemicals, etc. I suspect our cost will level off now but who knows. We've done some substantial upgrades like removing carpet and replacing with hardwood floors. We've recently had to replace the air conditioner. For us, cost of ownership has been high. We hire somebody to do almost all the work as I don't typically have time and tools to do the specialized maintenance.

The above value does not include fuel, campground fees, insurance, or vacation type expenses such as entry fees, food, etc. If we had it to do over again we probably would follow the same path.

Airstream Forums - Airstream Owners Community

 

[heyduke]

well i am on my way to buying one for fulltiming and the best i can tell the cost of living in one fulltime is about the same as living in a sticks and bricks home... FWIW

 

[REWahoo]

well i am on my way to buying one for fulltiming and the best i can tell the cost of living in one fulltime is about the same as living in a sticks and bricks home... FWIW

I agree, but I don't think Firedreamer is considering full timing.

 

[youbet]

My parents had a pop-up camper when I was a kid and one thing I do know is that they would be too spartan for my wife's taste. She is not high maintenance, but she does enjoy some basic comforts.

Pop-ups have come a long way in the last decade or so.

We decided to get our butts off the ground while base camping on paddling trips and got ourselves an Aliner. We still tent it when canoe trips involve multi-day distances. But back at base camp, having the little Aliner with all the basics (comfortable beds, furnace, air conditioning, workable kitchen, etc.) is a blessing for us aging outdoors types. Yet, it's small, light and extremely easy to tow and to put up. And there is NO canvas.

But, it is camping, not RVing, as most describe RV'ing here. I'm planning on expenses being close to negligible and pull it with an existing vehicle which also serves as a daily driver at home. Depreciation will be $1.2k/yr if I keep it 10 yrs and throw it away.

http://www.aliner.com/design/

 

[Stevewc]

The Aliners look neat.
I've never seen them before.
Do you have much trouble getting the panels lined up and in place during set up? Seems to me I heard people complain about the trailer having to be almost perfectly leveled on some hard sided pop ups. This was not the Aliner brand though.
Just happens to be a dealer up your way firedreamer. Of course they appear to have lots of other campers to look at.

2008 ALiner Aliner Classic HIGHWALL Folding Pop-Up Campers at Bankston Motor Homes Huntsville Alabama Bankston Motor Homes

 

[bbbamI]

I'm pretty good at opening beer bottles with my imagination too !!!

It's best to use yer imagination instead of yer teef.....