I realize this question has been asked many times but each case appears to be unique so it is somewhat non-trivial to figure out the likely cost to do full-timing.Here's our likely scenario:- a A-class 40/43ft DP, about 4 years old.- a toad, probably a Grand CherokeeOur goal is to visit every significant national parks in USA and Canada, plus some other parks. We love tackling hiking trails and taking photos. This means we will likely to travel quite a bit and also won't stay at the same place for more than few weeks. We will probably want at least hydro at the site and will try to get a site within the park whenever possible but if not, a close by RV park. I expect to drive the toad daily too.Would this life style be feasible with 5k/month, not including the depreciation costs of the MH and the toad vehicle? Based on my rough calculation, it appears to be easily doable, but perhaps I'm forgetting some significant items.

Would this life style be feasible with 5k/month, not including the depreciation costs of the MH and the toad vehicle? Based on my rough calculation, it appears to be easily doable, but perhaps I'm forgetting some significant items. There is a lot of good information on the Escapees web pages. Technomadia, LoveYourRV and many others also have cost data on fulltiming.

$5K per month. We could do it :)Not sure of your ages. your worst expense probably will be medical insurance coverage on yourselves (if needed) and your cost of gas. gas can be high depending on that length of drive in between cgs/state parks. Ya get about 8-9 miles to the gallon? that would be the cost I check into first to see my usage.get a geezer pass for the state parks etc. that saves alot on site costs.sounds like you have a ton of fun and new adventure coming your way :) :)

I certainly hope so. We are planning on doing it for substantially less than that!

Will 5K do it? That depends. Does that 5K include health insurance? Car/MH insurance? Taxes? Or is the 5K only daily living expenses - gas, cell phone, sites?We manage on 5K a month, including health and vehicle insurance, daily living, taxes, etc. However, we do not have a S&B with all the needed maintenance, we have new vehicles, we are now residents of an income tax-free state, and we have fairly low cost health insurance. As our rigs age, the insurance will go down but the maintenance will go up. As we age, our health expenses and insurance will go up so something else will need to go down. There are too many things to take into consideration. Can you live on 5K per month now? If so, it will be easier than if you can't.

Where are you going to park this monster? 80 dollar a night resorts or WalMart parking lots. Even at 50 dollars a night 30 nights rounds out to 1500 a month just for parking. Add fuel at 4 dollars a gallon at 6mpg times how many miles a month? Now add food insurance maintenance repairs. With a pusher MH in the 40 foot range it is quiet possible you could run well over 5K a month. Those living full time on the cheap have learned the hard way how to do it. Many workcamp for free rent at least part of the year.

Cost of active full-timing lifestyle | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2014
Where are you going to park this monster? 80 dollar a night resorts or WalMart parking lots. Even at 50 dollars a night 30 nights rounds out to 1500 a month just for parking. Add fuel at 4 dollars a gallon at 6mpg times how many miles a month? Now add food insurance maintenance repairs. With a pusher MH in the 40 foot range it is quiet possible you could run well over 5K a month. Those living full time on the cheap have learned the hard way how to do it. Many workcamp for free rent at least part of the year.
dahkota
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Will 5K do it? That depends. Does that 5K include health insurance? Car/MH insurance? Taxes? Or is the 5K only daily living expenses - gas, cell phone, sites?

We manage on 5K a month, including health and vehicle insurance, daily living, taxes, etc. However, we do not have a S&B with all the needed maintenance, we have new vehicles, we are now residents of an income tax-free state, and we have fairly low cost health insurance. As our rigs age, the insurance will go down but the maintenance will go up. As we age, our health expenses and insurance will go up so something else will need to go down. There are too many things to take into consideration.

Can you live on 5K per month now? If so, it will be easier than if you can't.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
I certainly hope so. We are planning on doing it for substantially less than that!
FunnyCamper
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2014
$5K per month. We could do it :)

Not sure of your ages. your worst expense probably will be medical insurance coverage on yourselves (if needed) and your cost of gas. gas can be high depending on that length of drive in between cgs/state parks. Ya get about 8-9 miles to the gallon? that would be the cost I check into first to see my usage.

get a geezer pass for the state parks etc. that saves alot on site costs.

sounds like you have a ton of fun and new adventure coming your way :) :)
jmtandem
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2014
Would this life style be feasible with 5k/month, not including the depreciation costs of the MH and the toad vehicle? Based on my rough calculation, it appears to be easily doable, but perhaps I'm forgetting some significant items.

There is a lot of good information on the Escapees web pages. Technomadia, LoveYourRV and many others also have cost data on fulltiming.

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Cost of active full-timing lifestyle

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