The Mad Norsky
Yankton, South Dakota
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Joined: 04/14/2003
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Thats where the quality I mentioned (I think I did?????  ) comes in.
Countertops by Corian, drawers still work like new, flooring, even a carpeted ceiling that deadens noise, porcelain toilet standard, good frame, quality of woodwork, plumbing hardware metal (not plastic), light fixtures, ceiling fans, and so on. I've lived in the fiver for months straight, although I have never full timed. Other than my own bone headed mistakes which caused slide damage, not a problem in over 8 years. And I only did the goof last summer with the slide, so hope to get that fixed this spring.
I spent days deciding and comparing feature for feature, item to item, and in the end, decided there was no comparison. I went through the Hitchhiker like a mouse, looking in places I had found sawdust, thin outside storage doors, plastic faucets, laminated fake woodwork, wiring not neatly put away or at least secured in the Cedar Creek, and did not find them in the Hitchhiker.
To me, loosing money is a given on an RV. I wanted something that would last and work better over the long term.
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Tarantula
Saint John, IN
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Joined: 11/05/2007
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I've not seen Kountry Aire mentioned. They're reputed to be fairly decent also.
Clicky
Our Unit: 2011 Lexus ES. Matador red. . Previously '05 Dodge/CTD & '06 Montana 3000RK.
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norfla71
Middleburg
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Joined: 10/24/2011
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Here's my vote;
Literally the finest RV ever crafted 
I like the Hitchhiker Champagne and any year Airstream.
2008 Ram 3500 SRW
2006 Salem 32SRV
***looking for a better truck this fall***
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Joined: 01/18/2006
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Quote:But...
If you paid $53,000 dollars and it's now worth $23,500, that's a $29,500 hit.
If you'd bought the Cedar Creek for $46,000 and it's worth $16,000 now, that's a $30,000 hit.
There's only a $500.00 difference there.
And if you'd gone with the Cedar Creek, you'd have had $7,000 left in 2003...
Unless there's something wrong with my math, I think that as it stands now, by choosing the "better" unit you're actually out an ADDITIONAL $6500.00 plus the $30,000 depreciation m/l common to both units.
Guess it could be worse, though. If you'd paid full pop- $66,000, right?- you'd be looking at a $21,000 loss on top of the depreciation.
Francesca,
Owning an RV is not about looking at the numbers as you illustrate. It is about non monetary values like camping with kids, enjoying the outdoors, retirement, etc. Looking at the numbers is depressing especially when you figure in the number of nights used, insurance, the cost of the fiver tow vehicle and all its maintenance and routine travel costs, it's depreciation, the cost to use campgrounds and RV parks, and then (as you illustrate) the cost to move on after using the RV and getting another one. I am confident somebody could stay in nice hotels and drive a very nice SUV for the same or less cost than owning an RV. I read somwhere on the RVIA website that the average RV usage is less than 20 nites a year. That includes the full time users and those that only go camping at hunting season and everybody inbetween. Now redo the math and divide all the costs into 20 nights a year and the numbers do not favor RV usage. Sure, fulltimers and those that camp many nights a year can make their numbers look better; but on average depreciation of an RV is only a piece of the total money invested. On the other hand, what is the value of using the RV and watching the family grow up camping appreciating the outdoors, seashore, lakes and mountains. It must be worth it, so many have RVs and most seem to only minimally care about the real cost numbers. As Americans we are far more intersted in the 'entry fee', not the exit value. We are more interested in floor plans than whether the RV has axles and tires up to the job. If our values changed to looking at an RV as an investment rather than a cost, things would be different. I still maintain that with few exceptions the higher quality value of any RV will yield a more satisifying less troublesome ownership experience regardless of depreciation issues and there is a value to an enjoyable experience. Value and cost is more (at least to me) than what was paid for something and what it eventually later sold for. It is more than numbers for me.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
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YnotTurbo
Waldorf Maryland
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Joined: 04/20/2006
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Francesca Knowles wrote:YnotTurbo wrote:O'ya, one last thing.... the more you pay, the larger the tax write off...
I think you mean "the more INTEREST on a LOAN you pay"...you can't write off the base cost of the unit unless it's strictly for business use.
You can write the interest off on your taxes as a second home...
Navy Chief (Ret.) but still working...
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie w/6.7 CTD.
2011 Mobile Suites Lexington 43
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/YnotTurbo/Newsetup.jpg
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Joined: 02/23/2011
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YnotTurbo wrote:Francesca Knowles wrote:YnotTurbo wrote:O'ya, one last thing.... the more you pay, the larger the tax write off...
I think you mean " the more INTEREST on a LOAN you pay"...you can't write off the base cost of the unit unless it's strictly for business use.
You can write the interest off on your taxes as a second home...
That's what I said! There's no tax advantage to paying a higher price to begin with, as your first post seemed to me to imply.
Tax write offs only come in if you have to borrow money for the rig, and then only on the interest, and if you don't already have a second home.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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The Mad Norsky
Yankton, South Dakota
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Joined: 04/14/2003
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Tarantula wrote:I've not seen Kountry Aire mentioned. They're reputed to be fairly decent also.
Clicky
Always loved those fivers. That tandem running gear impressive. Never had the fortune to tour through one of them on the inside though. Love to see one up close.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan, Korey & Rocky
2011 Ford F350 Power Stroke dually
RV'ing since 1991
We never know where we're going till we get there!
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buc1980
houston tx
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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I don't know why the people don't mention the Newmar FW more.They are first class RV.All the new RV manufacturers build FW for few years and they sell more.I think that the people are scare because of the price of Newmar trailer bur they don't realized how good Newmar products are.
2011 Ford F350 DRW,2005 Kountry Star 35ft,Breaksmart controller(not install I use Ford controler ),Equa-Flex.
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Dave & Ginny
peoria, IL
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Joined: 05/29/2005
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Buying an RV is like buying a truck, what's best for you is best to buy because everybody has different needs.
Different stages in life bring different needs. When my kids were young I drove lesser trucks because my money had to cover different things like shoes and school. Now I'm living large and drive a VERY expensive truck.
This is also true of the RV. Raising kids ment a lesser but nice unit. Now I'm spending much more money and wanting a much nicer unit to spend more time in. I just ordered a new 5er and price really wasn't an issue, quality and weight was.
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Dustytuu
Somewhere in the USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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The best trailer will not be the best for you if the floor plan will not work for the 2 of you. Floor plan is very important. Also what amenities you can get with it. Some will not put in a washer and dryer and only put it in the bedroom! Bad idea my opinion. Many now are putting them in the hall way side by side which is better. Some floor plans will only allow for the all in one washing machine like the Splende. Not for me! too slow too small loads, Can only do one load at a time. With a stack or side by side unit you can dry a load while another load is washing.
Another goodie is some brands will not put in a dishwasher. New mar 5th wheels told me they would not. So we crossed them off our list. New Horizon will and maybe Mobile Suites.
You may not think these things are important but think of carrying your laundry through the rain or cold to the laundry room. You never know what was washed in those machines before you put your clothing in.
Also I use my dishwasher every day. It keeps the sink clear of dirty dishes and when the dishwasher is full I run a load. Washes great and would not want to do without it. It also heats and sterilizes the dishes.
If you say you need storage instead.... then you have too much stuff with you. 
We are full timers for almost 4 years.
"Life is good!"
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie
2008 Carriage Carri-Lite, 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces,6500 gen.
D & D
Two Schnauzers and a BIG cat
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/
Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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