Question Rent or Buy & Sell?

[SC YoYo]

Hi Everyone.
I'm a Veteran who served 24 years in the British Army's Royal Signals. Along with another veteran who also served 24 years in the same unit, we are looking to tour the US over a period of about 6-12 months in an RV.
Both recently retired and divorced... and now nearly broke as a result , we plan to live out a couple of our Bucket List items and this is #1.
We are considering a number of options including:
RV Rental
RV Purchase (Sell at end of tour)
5th Wheel Rental
5th Wheel Purchase (Sell at end of tour)
Borrow an RV or Trailer (with payment of course)
We don't want a little camper van, we wanna go 'All-American' and so an A class or equivalent trailer for a 5th Wheel. So my question to you lovely people is:
Is doing something like this feasible, affordable, practical, sensible (not that we care about being too sensible!) and are there any veteran groups or organisations that may be able to help/advise.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Paul

 

[MobileRVService.com]

Morning,
Just a little input here, because I have seen this play out many times. We used to (prior business) run over 50 rental units, so have received this question before, served customers on this trip before, and have both sides of data.

These are in no particular order and are just some points to consider:

• First of all, you will never forget it, it's a great idea, do it.
• Don't borrow a friend's unit - buy it or rent it...because things happen.
• A 5th wheel will give you 2X-3X bang for your buck whether you buy it or rent it.
• If you run a class A, you will need to tow and outfit a toad at a decent cost you could put elsewhere.
• You wont be able to rent a 5th wheel from a reputable company, it will be an RV Share or Outdoorsy thing, which means private owner. Not a problem, but are they prepared to handle your issues on the road?
• If you rent, it may or may not cost you more at the end of the year- BUT, all the problems that happen are not your problem or cost.
• Now is a great time to buy as the market is still recovering.
• A 5th wheel is far more maneuverable than a class A+ toad, and you will have the truck to use daily.
• You will want or need to sell it when you are done if bought, so take into account depreciation.
• A 2 year old 5th wheel or motorhome is going to have the bugs worked out and save you $$$$, and you will care far less if you break it or scratch it.
• Buy/rent is only a question here, as it is over 4 months - anything less, rent.
• If you have a catastrophic drivetrain issue (unlikely) in a motorhome, your house is in the shop. If you destroy an axle on a 5th wheel, the parts are available pretty much next day or week and can be swapped by a mobile person. (yea, there could be frame issues, but much more unlikely).
• If you buy one, spend the $1-2K for a real inspection BEFORE you sign for it.
• Dealers aren't all evil.

I am sure there is more... We have done this trip, I have sold people units for this trip, rented units to people for this trip, and outfitted units for people taking this trip. Any questions, just ask as you get into it - I am sure there are many well traveled folks on here to help!

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I agree with everything in post #1 and will add this;
A used 2-3 year old in good shape has the “new” bugs worked out, has depreciated significantly already, and will not depreciate much in the next year.