valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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So to sum up if you lay out a large chunk of money up front, the ongoing costs are less compared to an option where you put out no money up front and pay as you go. Hardly suprising.
This is question that really applies at purchase time or if you are questioning if you should stay in the lifestyle. In that case the cost and/or sale price of the rig is not a sunk cost and must be accounted for. In that case the price of the rig and how often you use it make a huge impact on how cost effective the RV is.
Tammy Mike & the Bilge Rat (AKA: Diego)
Ford F250 7.3L
1997 Sunnybrook 27' 5er
1995 Gemini Sail Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and 5er
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Eyegor
NY
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Joined: 03/18/2011
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This debate reminds me of the gas vs. diesel debate. Will a higher initial cash outlay eventually pay for itself with lower ongoing costs and possible recoup upon selling of rig? While I am not crunching numbers, common sense tells me that I can do a lot of traveling for the initial cost of most RVs. You would have to own the unit for many years to reach the break even point. This is assuming you use the RV ONLY for vacation and for the same number of days/year as your non-RV vacation. I think most of us find that we get out more often once we own a rig. Many also find other uses for the RV. Be it daily driver, 2nd home, disaster shelter, whatever. This is a long winded way of saying that comparing ONLY $$$$ spent for vacations, RVing probably will not be the cheapest alternative. No doubt in my mind it is the best, however.
87 Mallard Sprinter 24' Class C Ford E350 w/460 gas "The Runny Duck"
Shiny side up, Rubber side down.
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westernrvparkowner
montana
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Joined: 11/29/2008
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You could get the cheapest apartment you could find, forgo extras like cable TV, hot water, heat, air conditioning, lights and eat a bowl of Ramen noodles every night and really save money. I don't think many people RV out of financial necessity, they RV because they enjoy it and you really can't put a price on that.
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LargeEventPlanner
USA
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Joined: 04/27/2011
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For the last decade, my husband and I have vacationed in Europe. Even taking into account the annual payment, insurance, and maintenance on our new 5th Wheel we can enjoy it all year thru for what three weeks in Europe cost us each year. Granted, we liked to travel first class and stay in five star properties or rent apartments in Europe. For us it was a no-brainer. We still feel like we are traveling first class, yet enjoying it all year rather than just three weeks out of the year. I am a large event planner so I already spend too much time in hotels eating rich food. I like sleeping in my own bed (yes, five star hotels have bed bugs too) and eating a grilled cheese at my leisure.
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NMace
West Tenn
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Joined: 10/17/2010
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I understand not considering the cost of the truck and 5er, we own it. But should you not consider the additional operating costs of them versus the car?
I am not wearing out expensive parts when they are sitting in the driveway.
Still I have it, and will use it, even if fuel goes to $6.00.
Neil
2002 Silverado 6L 1500 HD 4x4 Crew Cab
2011 Puma 295 KBHSS
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scali71
Tulsa
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Joined: 03/20/2006
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dis
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larrygranny1
el paso, tx
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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Well we leave El Paso on 1 June, headed towards Cleveland,Ohio for a 50th class reunion, then to Niagara Falls , down to Gettysburg, Pa, over to Washington, DC, down to Williamsburg,Va, out to Madison's home in Orange, Va, across to Bleckley, WV to go into the old coal mine, and then wander back to El Paso. Driving a 2011 F250 diesel, Pulling a 28 ft 5th wheel. Just the two of us. Enjoying life, going where we want to go,when we want to get there. Cost of being together, in good health, PRICELESS. As we tell the children, don't worry, we are spending your inheritance. lol! Should take about 5 months. Hate motels/hotels...Love RV'n.
2011 F250, 6.7l, 2011 Keystone 28ft w/slide
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slarsen
Indiana
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Yes, NMace, I guess you should figure in the additional costs of operating a 5th wheel and truck vs. a car. The biggest cost is fuel, and that was one of the primary reasons for starting this topic.
This wasn't intended to be a scientific study, just a "quick & dirty" calculation to confirm or deny my gut feeling that hauling the trailer is at least as cost effective as driving a car, given the difference in fuel costs and motel vs. camping. Everyone has their own travel styles: I've yet to stay at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel, but some people do it all the time.
I just looked at my calculations, and I see that I DID throw in a little for meal savings, but not much. My calculations were:
Trailer/truck: ~ $2,500
Car: ~ $2,900
Fly/rent: ~ $2,700 (for several fewer days)
And here's my opinion on figuring in trailer depreciation, insurance, etc: since most of that cost is going to be incurred each year, regardless of the amount of usage, it is acceptable to leave it out for the comparison of a single trip. If you are figuring your annual costs for many trips, then MAYBE it makes sense to include these costs.
But one needs to be careful: the next thing you know, you talk yourself right out of owning the equipment, and right out of making the trip. I think several others were making the same point, in their own way. After all, it costs a lot of money to stay alive, day by day! But the alternatives aren't so great, either.
Scott
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