Things That Surprised You (Good & Bad), After You Started RV'ing?

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I wish yearly maintenance was only $3000 a year. But not complaining, would rather have the RV than stay in hotels or VRBO.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I wish yearly maintenance was only $3000 a year. But not complaining, would rather have the RV than stay in hotels or VRBO.

He said maintenance not repairs.

 

[AbdRahim]

Is it true as was claimed on a YouTube video that it costs about $3,000 a year in maintenance alone on top of all your other costs to live in an RV full time? View attachment 24667

Many things that are often not considered at initial purchase. The cost varies according tothe typeof RV.A pull behind trailer likely being the least expensive to maintain. If you livre in an RV fulltime (most trailers not built for this). There will likely be more wear and tear.

- tire replacement every 5 -six years - many more tires than just a car - at least six in a motorhome (A or C).
- more batteries to replace in 5-7 years - my class C had 3, including the chassis battery. My class A has 7.

Even withthe trailer, you have tires and batteries for two units.

You can save a lot of money doing routine maintenance yourself. Many do not keep up with everything.
- things to be serviced yearly
— furnace
— hot water heater
—air conditioners
— refrigerator
— perhaps a generator
— engine and chassis service
— roof, all seals checked and repaired, as needed. These should be checked
regularly
—- leveliing jacks
— lp system
— I have both the lp system and water system pressure checked once a year
——- good thing. This year they found a leak fromthe weld seems of the regulator. They replaced the regulator and the new one failed the pressure test. The next one worked. Glad the professionals were working on this and not me.
— insurance was already mentioned
— vehicle registration, and personal propery tax on the rv in many states

Someoneonce told me that buying an RV is like buying a n additional house and an additional vehicle. There is pretty much no fun way to do it cheaply.

Never thought of all of the duplicate tools, meters, special truck or RV gps, etc., I would have to carry with me.

Btw, repairs are part of maintenance, as things break and wear out along the way.

Yikes, look at all the money I could save if I got rid of this thing!

Naw, this is too much fun.

 

[old timer]

Our 17 foot camper doubles as a private fence from neighbors,saved me from installing a fence

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Is it true as was claimed on a YouTube video that it costs about $3,000 a year in maintenance alone on top of all your other costs to live in an RV full time? View attachment 24667

I guess it could be! But it doesn't have to be!

Let me explain!

Recently there was a buying spree for tires. Average I think was about 6 grand for the new shoes. Not out of Line for commercial tires. Last month a rock scuffed a hole in one of my trailer tires! 120 for a 10ply rated tire. 4 of those puppies, 500 out the door. The small fifth I have lived in for four years, doesn't have what the 6 tires for a motor home, cost in maintenance + cost of rig in all four years!!!

Full time implies no house cost like utilities. If you wanted to count grid costs ( I have solar), then that cost of brick and mortar, could be considered savings on maintenance. I always included generator maintenance,and fuel as a utility bill, but now that is toy money! Cost for Solar is in no way comparable to the same on the plantation!

In summary:

To live full time in a RV you can live frugal, or as extravagant as your pocket will allow.

The only time I would return to the east is to visit family! It doesn't fit My pocketbook.

In your investigation you need to consider how you want to live!

If you live on modist means, then consider the YouTube channel "cheap RV living" for some of your research.

If money is not a concern, then you are at The Right place!

 

[Buly]

The poor workmanship on everything that is not visible to a casual observer.

 

[Neemer]

The amount of money I happily throw at this hobby.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

The amount of money I happily throw at this hobby.

^^^^
This is too true!!

 

[punkinhead]

I'm surprised that the yearly maintenance hours and costs of a diesel pusher are higher than any airplane I've owned even though I do my own maintenance on both.

 

[JBright11]

I'm very surprised my 2023 Newmar has required more repairs in the first 10 months than my 2016 KZ travel trailer did in the entire 7 years I owned and camped it.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I'm very surprised my 2023 Newmar has required more repairs in the first 10 months than my 2016 KZ travel trailer did in the entire 7 years I owned and camped it.

Ouch!!!

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I'm very surprised my 2023 Newmar has required more repairs in the first 10 months than my 2016 KZ travel trailer did in the entire 7 years I owned and camped it.

That is like comparing a F-22A Raptor to a Cessna Skyhawk plane.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Oh! I thought he was comparing FAA requirements to "damn anunganung"

 

[JBright11]

That is like comparing a F-22A Raptor to a Cessna Skyhawk plane.

Well, isn't the 172 one of the longest private aviation aircraft in production? First produced in the 50's and still in production today.

Not fancy, true, but I think it's very capable, reliable, and safe. Most all of my family has worked for Cessna since my father hired in there in 1954. We have (had) a ton of manufacturing here in the Air Capital. Last I knew, the doors weren't falling off 172's.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I think you missed my point. How do you compare a motorhome to a bumper pull trailer? It like comparing a glider to prop plane.