I am still looking at RVs, though we will not be able to take off for some indefinite time. In terms of cost and suitability to our travel style as I am currently envisioning it, I am leaning towards a small travel trailer of less than 20ft towable by our existing SUV. It is like the set up that Brewer has. Even buying a new one, we should be able to hit the road after spending perhaps $14K for a model I have in mind.
However, in surfing the Web I have found some apparently smoking deals on larger motor homes (MH). I have seen small class A MHs of less than 35ft, only 5 to 6 year old and driven 20,000 miles or less, going for US$25K-$35K. Granted, these are smaller no-frill models, and with a gas engine and not diesel, but I think they still cost around $100K new. Slightly used, they cost about the same as a new car!
All MHs depreciate terribly, but the gas ones seem to suffer higher losses than the diesels, yet were driven less. My theory is that the low gas mileage (5-8 MPG?), the high cost of gas in the recent years (>$3/gallon last year), and the poor economy keep the owners from enjoying them and force the liquidation. Or are there some other reasons, like these may be lemons?