Average Maintenance Costs?

Triker33 wrote:
Are you planning on doing most of the maintenance yourself or paying high shop 100-$125 a hour rates?

That will make a big difference on oil/filter changes for engine, transmission, air etc.

Yup, need answer to this to even be able to put you in the ball park as far as Preventive Maintenance costs.

I have a 2001 American Coach Tradition and it came to me with all the records and approximately 38,ooo miles. Now it is up to over 5o,ooo and I have done most maintenance except the changeover to the extended coolant, (I let a shop do that for me although I provided the materials). I have also replaced a lift pump as well, but otherwise, relatively trouble free. I think I spent around $400 on maintenance which included changing everything so it was now on my schedule instead of the previous owner's. I think it will be a little less next year, (finding some wood to knock on!).

If I were like you, I would expand my search a little older than I originally thought and see if that perfect coach comes up. I ran into a 2000 American Coach Tradition camping this year across from my spot and theirs as well as mine are pretty nice! They are out there, so try to be patient. If I were selling mine, it would be in the 30-40K range if I wasn't in a hurry. A coach like mine with all the records, everything working, and no major expense like tires on the horizon would allow for the rest of your funds to be saved for expenses or maybe trips. There are a lot of overpriced rv's out there, but don't forget "cash is king" and if they know you have it, maybe a deal is closer than you think!

Good luck! I bet you find a real nice coach that makes you happy!

A 10 to 15 year old unit can have lots of unexpected expenses.

You can never predict the unexpected costs. Those unexpected costs are something that can strand you and your coach at a distant location with no recourse other than to do what you can to pay for the repairs or sell the coach in it's unrepaired condition.
I would guess that to travel in a Class A RV you should have access to a $10,000 cushion of funds that are set aside just for emergencies. Obviously when you are not traveling, that same cushion could be used for any family emergency.
Tire can run several thousand but they are something you can somewhat plan on in advance. Other yearly scheduled maintenence items should be around $500/year or less if you do the work yourself.

Are you planning on doing most of the maintenance yourself or paying high shop 100-$125 a hour rates?

That will make a big difference on oil/filter changes for engine, transmission, air etc.