Question How expensive is it to RV?

[AbdRahim]

2020 Bay Star 3626 $1300, w $5000 deductible.?

 

[FL-JOE]

Insurance costs can be all over the place. Value of the RV, are you insuring it for actual replacement value or fair market value? $5,000 deductible or $500 deductible? Are you insuring it as a full time RVer or part time RVer?

 

[SaltyVetAdventures]

Someone mentioned that fuel costs can't be avoided. I tend to disagree...at least a little. The more often you move the more often you fill up. Campgrounds back east are pretty much unavoidable but out west there are limitless possibilities for free camping (BLM and National Forests).

It really boils down to what you want to do. Eat out a lot? See lots of attractions that cost money? Or cook in the RV and take lots of free hikes and other no cost attractions. There isn't a right or wrong answer and I guess most people will fall in the middle somewhere.

 

[redbaron]

Is it necessary to have an insurance? I do not want to have an annual insurance because my lender can cover those repairs easily. I want your suggestions. RV Roof Magic - Winter Liquid RV Roof Rubber Repair Solution, RV Roof Sealant & Coatings Liquid RV Roof Magic Rubber Roof Sealant for RV Roof Repair. Apply Today Drive Tomorrow! Fix RV, Mobile Home and Trailer Leaks the First Time. RV Roof Magic is a perfect winter solution for rv roof sealant and coatings that waterproofs immediately and specially formulated system specifically... www.rvroofmagic.com

Your lender will require you to have full coverage with a minimal deductible

 

[Uncle_Joe]

For the past 12 years or so I have been camping every winter for 5 to 6 weeks down in the Southern California desert or in AZ. Ninety-eight percent of the time I boondock in areas where it's free to do so. Eliminating the campground fee goes a long way toward making RVing very inexpensive. In fact, when I first started doing this I was still tracking all of my expenses (something I started doing 30 years ago) and the time I was camping in the Southwest was always the least expensive part of the year for me.

The rig I take down there is an old truck camper - specifically, a 1987 Six-Pac camper that sits atop a 1993 Dodge D250 with 5.9 Cummins 12v diesel engine. I paid a grand total of $8,100 for the truck and camper 14 years ago, then spent another $900 adding solar to the camper (which could be done for quite a bit less now). Five or six years ago I renovated the interior of the camper, which cost me around $600 or so (paint, vinyl flooring, fabric, labor for the guy who sewed the new upholstery together, etc.).

These trucks are known for their excellent mpg, and depending on the number of hills, the winds, etc., I get anywhere from 13 mpg to 18 mpg, with the camper loaded and while towing a Corolla behind. While there, I drive about once a week to dump tanks and refill fresh water and propane, a 20-mile round trip or so. For sightseeing, shopping, travel to trailheads, etc., I drive the Corolla which gets 30 mpg in the city and 36 on the freeway.

I like my little old truck camper quite a bit and have no desire to replace it with a big fancy rig, even though I could easily do so if I wanted to. I enjoy repairing my own rigs and I enjoy living frugally. And I especially enjoy boondocking in areas where the rigs are spread out a hundred yards from each other. And with solar, there's no gas or oil to buy or carry around. And there's also no noise associated with it, which I love.

As others have already said, Rving can be very expensive or very inexpensive, depending on your preferences.

View attachment 9389

Ain’t that amazing…
How’s the ‘87 pickup holding up?
Do you do all of your mechanical maintenance by yourself?

 

[rvkev]

Well said gibsito,

Rving can be very expensive or very inexpensive, depending on your preferences.

In this older thread you will see both HIGH and low budget options. Start from the beginning and read a few posts. You will be amazed how much you can spend or KEEP!

 

[jaydee325]

The RVIA published a study that proved RV travel is cheaper than other options...ya right.

In my view, this was a study performed by the RV industry for the RV industry. The most laughable and misleading comparison was Class A motorhome travel example where they concluded the Class A was cheaper to travel in compared to, now get this, 1st class air travel and hotels. Certainly not an apples to apples comparison.

As stated above, the answer to the question of can you save money by traveling in an RV is, it depends. Some save money and for others it's a preference.

I really fault the RVIA for stooping to misleading people who are considering an RV for their travel needs.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The RVIA published a study that proved RV travel is cheaper than other options...ya right.

In my view, this was a study performed by the RV industry for the RV industry. The most laughable and misleading comparison was Class A motorhome travel example where they concluded the Class A was cheaper to travel in compared to, now get this, 1st class air travel and hotels. Certainly not an apples to apples comparison.

As stated above, the answer to the question of can you save money by traveling in an RV is, it depends. Some save money and for others it's a preference.

I really fault the RVIA for stooping to misleading people who are considering an RV for their travel needs.

So, travel vs. Fulltimer!

I boondock. I grew up watching family travel in cars loaded with camp gear! An analogy to what I do towing along my home, but I don't leave the house behind, the way they did. They worked harder in setting up camp than I do, but could go much greater distances on the same buck! As they traveled they visited family and friends, who opened up their home to them, and would visit, many times till way into the night. I miss those days! I remember when my uncle stopped by and visited in there MH. The visiting was much shorter, and left me wanting!

I live in trailer spaces not to much more expensive than the house payments they made in the day, but my car is a truck!!! Economy is out the window! For the short distances I travel, the fact I take my home with me, I can figure savings based on no house payment + taxes not paid! My cost of Living, is much lower being a full-time RVer, but I am not as they say, traveling. When I do, I disperse camp so amenities aren't much different than the way my grandparents traveled!!!

Bottom line! The DP can't travel over the water! Can't even fit in many places I prefer to camp. It is easier to book a hotel/motel on the fly, so convenience is not a factor to consider! Fact is, even tent sites are hard to find on the fly! I find it less stressful to put in a long day in a car than in an RV. A motel is a fraction of the cost, when compared to most RV Resorts and standard maintenance/fuel spent in a day!

Cost of travel, should take into account all aspects!!! This includes convenience as it is one of the costs. I could likely even consider a new wardrobe for the trip cost, so Rather than risk bringing bedbugs home, trash my clothes, and save money over travel via RV.

Like what was said earlier in this thread, it is risky comparing costs of a hobby.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Free? Boondocking and Free RV Camping | Boondockers Welcome
Inexpensive : Camping on Public Lands | Bureau of Land Management

Less expensive but requires planning:

Georgia State Parks with Full RV Hookups

Explore Georgia’s beautiful landscape in style! Use this list of Georgia State Parks with full RV hookups and find your dream camping destination.

www.cruiseamerica.com

Camping

Florida's state parks have plenty of options for camping throughout the state. Full-facility campsites for tent campers and RVers include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table, along with centralized showers, restrooms and dump station.

www.floridastateparks.org

Expensive with attraction:
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort | Walt Disney World Resort

Can be pricey but very nice
8 Best RV Resorts and Parks in Florida

 

[GypsyR]

We take 3-4 day weekends at commercial campgrounds and national/state parks. Not counting the food we buy ahead of time each outing will cost me from $200-700. Depending on how far we go and campground pricing. I don't count food because sometimes it's me and wife and others plus grandkids and other times us and two other family rigs so it varies pretty wildly.