Buying Strategy (looking for opinions)
Over the last 6 years we have put over 40k miles and 4-500 nights in our travel trailers. We didn't anticipate this much usage when we chose a travel trailer. With our experiences, we want to try a motorhome for the following reasons.
-Want to improve the "driving time" experience
-We like exploring back-country and often push the limits of our truck (jeep trails in the San Juans, Moab, etc.) and have no way to bring a Jeep or UTV.
-We boondock often and never liked the idea of security. If things go bump in the night I have to exit the trailer and get to the truck to leave.
-Pride of ownership: Perceived quality difference between trailers and Class A's.
- Increased cargo capacity. We don't want to have to think about weight as much.
-At 48 and 53 years, we are thinking about paying off the "retirement rv" before we quit working. Maybe this is the one?
This list could go on and on.
We see two paths we could possibly go with pros/cons for each. I'd like to draw from your experiences and hear your thoughts.
Option 1: What we want. If buying new or slightly new, we settled on the Winnebago 35F (or similar). Preferably, 2017 or newer so that we get the 6 speed tranny. Cost: Anywhere from 80'ish to 115'ish. This is the expensive option, but we get more of what we want and it is newer, warranty, etc. We ultimately prefer this option, but it does stretch our comfortable budget. On top of that, I went to the tax office yesterday and discovered that the annual property tax on motorhomes is about 2.5% of the value. So, using 100k, that would be $2500 annually in taxes ($208/month). I like to be sensible about how we spend money, and that tax bill is hard to swallow. Ultimately, I suspect the tax will keep us from choosing this option, and I'm sad about that.
Option 2: Find a motorhome that is older (2005-2010), but still checks off most of our boxes. A plus here is that we may pay cash if the budget stays $50k or below. No payment and taxes would be nice!
We are a bit handy, and aren't afraid to do a cosmetic improvement. Pulling out furniture and flooring, painting, etc. are all possible. We don't want and are afraid of mechanical problems.
Maybe I'm looking for some support that you have done Option 2 and its worked out well.
Any support for either option? Random thoughts?
-Want to improve the "driving time" experience
-We like exploring back-country and often push the limits of our truck (jeep trails in the San Juans, Moab, etc.) and have no way to bring a Jeep or UTV.
-We boondock often and never liked the idea of security. If things go bump in the night I have to exit the trailer and get to the truck to leave.
-Pride of ownership: Perceived quality difference between trailers and Class A's.
- Increased cargo capacity. We don't want to have to think about weight as much.
-At 48 and 53 years, we are thinking about paying off the "retirement rv" before we quit working. Maybe this is the one?
This list could go on and on.
We see two paths we could possibly go with pros/cons for each. I'd like to draw from your experiences and hear your thoughts.
Option 1: What we want. If buying new or slightly new, we settled on the Winnebago 35F (or similar). Preferably, 2017 or newer so that we get the 6 speed tranny. Cost: Anywhere from 80'ish to 115'ish. This is the expensive option, but we get more of what we want and it is newer, warranty, etc. We ultimately prefer this option, but it does stretch our comfortable budget. On top of that, I went to the tax office yesterday and discovered that the annual property tax on motorhomes is about 2.5% of the value. So, using 100k, that would be $2500 annually in taxes ($208/month). I like to be sensible about how we spend money, and that tax bill is hard to swallow. Ultimately, I suspect the tax will keep us from choosing this option, and I'm sad about that.
Option 2: Find a motorhome that is older (2005-2010), but still checks off most of our boxes. A plus here is that we may pay cash if the budget stays $50k or below. No payment and taxes would be nice!
We are a bit handy, and aren't afraid to do a cosmetic improvement. Pulling out furniture and flooring, painting, etc. are all possible. We don't want and are afraid of mechanical problems.
Maybe I'm looking for some support that you have done Option 2 and its worked out well.
Any support for either option? Random thoughts?
