I just completed my maiden voyage in my new-to-me Sprinter van RV. I tallied up my expenses for the trip which included 3461 miles of travel over 4 weeks, 2 of which were spent at relatives so that wasn't really traveling. Including gas, food, pet food/litter, etc, I only spent $900 on the trip and that includes some restaurant tabs I picked up for the relatives. I spent another $1000 on one time equipping expenses (things like dishes, silverware, electrical cords & water hoses, hooks, velcro, etc.). So while that does not include the cost of the van, the actual traveling was very cheap.
I only paid for one campsite the whole time, altho I looked at several but figured a parking place, picnic table, and water just was not worth $15 - 20 a day when I could park for free elsewhere and I wasn't going to stay in the area anyway. Maybe I'm just cheap. The Forest Service has a real scam going now that they have those "camp hosts" who do little but the price for parking at a pit toilet and water camp site was ridiculous at $17 a night. I remember when it was either free or just a couple of bucks and I got all the "services" the "camp host" provided without one. I found one lovely little derelict state park in KS by a dry reservoir that I had all to myself and it was free. That was a nice spot.
It was slower traveling in the van than a car but much more comfortable. Some of that was me fumbling as I learned how to use the van. By the end of the trip, I was very comfortable driving it but there was a bit of getting used to it which also slowed me down. I also had some of the daily rituals in better shape using the van facilities which does take some getting used to. I managed to be able to use the van with no hookups for a full 4 days before having to dump and get more water. I still have 2/3 of the propane left.
I took 2 cats along who hate each other but they were surprisingly easy travelers once I got some of their "issues" sorted out. Among the lessons were that cats need head room for their litter boxes and I had to set up a crate with a separate litter box/water/food to achieve peace. THere was a detour to a laundromat due to learning these lessons. It was great to have them in tow because it made the trip without tethers to home - paying for a sitter/worry about them/needing to get back at a specific time to retrieve them, etc. so I could indulge whims as they occurred to me.
For one, the van was perfect. Easy to drive and park (22' long), decent mileage (20-25 mpg depending on driving speed), and just enough room. I don't think the extra living room a larger rig provides is worth it for me.
This week, I use it to help a friend move. I just cleared out the back end which has the benches/bed area. I think it will work well for that task too as there is quite a lot of space to carry stuff remaining.
When I'm ready to relocate, the van will give me a lot of options as I'm pretty sure now that I can live in it quite comfortably for an extended period. It makes me want to take more trips.
I only paid for one campsite the whole time, altho I looked at several but figured a parking place, picnic table, and water just was not worth $15 - 20 a day when I could park for free elsewhere and I wasn't going to stay in the area anyway. Maybe I'm just cheap. The Forest Service has a real scam going now that they have those "camp hosts" who do little but the price for parking at a pit toilet and water camp site was ridiculous at $17 a night. I remember when it was either free or just a couple of bucks and I got all the "services" the "camp host" provided without one. I found one lovely little derelict state park in KS by a dry reservoir that I had all to myself and it was free. That was a nice spot.
It was slower traveling in the van than a car but much more comfortable. Some of that was me fumbling as I learned how to use the van. By the end of the trip, I was very comfortable driving it but there was a bit of getting used to it which also slowed me down. I also had some of the daily rituals in better shape using the van facilities which does take some getting used to. I managed to be able to use the van with no hookups for a full 4 days before having to dump and get more water. I still have 2/3 of the propane left.
I took 2 cats along who hate each other but they were surprisingly easy travelers once I got some of their "issues" sorted out. Among the lessons were that cats need head room for their litter boxes and I had to set up a crate with a separate litter box/water/food to achieve peace. THere was a detour to a laundromat due to learning these lessons. It was great to have them in tow because it made the trip without tethers to home - paying for a sitter/worry about them/needing to get back at a specific time to retrieve them, etc. so I could indulge whims as they occurred to me.
For one, the van was perfect. Easy to drive and park (22' long), decent mileage (20-25 mpg depending on driving speed), and just enough room. I don't think the extra living room a larger rig provides is worth it for me.
This week, I use it to help a friend move. I just cleared out the back end which has the benches/bed area. I think it will work well for that task too as there is quite a lot of space to carry stuff remaining.
When I'm ready to relocate, the van will give me a lot of options as I'm pretty sure now that I can live in it quite comfortably for an extended period. It makes me want to take more trips.