Looking down the road to (Retirement)I have been thinking about an RV and doing some traveling across the US of A. I have been watching Utube vid's of full timers and all the many RV information on line and I was hoping to hear from folks who bought an RV , weather it be new or used ( a whole discussion in of it self), hit the road for a time and at the end of there journey, for what ever reason, had to sell there RV and return to the stick built hut. My question: With the devaluation of your RV (and I know it's different for everyone) was it worth it when all was said and done? I understand RV's loose value as almost any recreational equipment does, but was it worth it? Should there be anything I need to know or consider before I try to talk my wife into this? Thanks.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

ANY RV does NOT make financial sense! Obviously no one wants to take a major financial loss, but it really has to be about your choice of travel, adventure, and how you want to see the country. Your best choice, money-wise is to find a clean, used RV in good condition, enjoy it, and then sell for a minimal loss.

I recently figured my depreciation has been $90/day based on 115 days/year use over the last 11 years and I bought slightly used. The good news is the next 11 years should get it down to $40/day. Click on "How I spend the winter" below. How much is that worth over spending the winter in NH? Sure you could buy a condo, but it's kind of hard to move it out West.How many National Parks have you visited? How many more do you want to see up close? This is not a cheap sport and you need to be handy to own a MH. Good Luck as there are way too many variables to really answer your concerns.

RV is a generic term, so trailers are also RVs. Depreciation and maintenance on trailers and tow vehicles are considerably less than on a MH. The trade off is yours to judge.

We full-timed for 16 years and traveled constantly. We bought two RVs new during that time. We sold at what we considered a good price taking into account of all the places we visited and living in them daily. Now you could retire and just stay at home and save some money. We'd rather enjoy our retirement. We saw too many that either got seriously ill or died soon after retirement.Yes, it was totally worth it!!!

class A devaluation | Good Sam Community

1492
Moderator
Mar 16, 2016
Moved from Forum Technical Support
GGoodsell
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
ANY RV does NOT make financial sense! Obviously no one wants to take a major financial loss, but it really has to be about your choice of travel, adventure, and how you want to see the country. Your best choice, money-wise is to find a clean, used RV in good condition, enjoy it, and then sell for a minimal loss.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2016
I recently figured my depreciation has been $90/day based on 115 days/year use over the last 11 years and I bought slightly used. The good news is the next 11 years should get it down to $40/day. Click on "How I spend the winter" below. How much is that worth over spending the winter in NH? Sure you could buy a condo, but it's kind of hard to move it out West.

How many National Parks have you visited? How many more do you want to see up close? This is not a cheap sport and you need to be handy to own a MH. Good Luck as there are way too many variables to really answer your concerns.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
RV is a generic term, so trailers are also RVs. Depreciation and maintenance on trailers and tow vehicles are considerably less than on a MH.
The trade off is yours to judge.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2016
We full-timed for 16 years and traveled constantly. We bought two RVs new during that time. We sold at what we considered a good price taking into account of all the places we visited and living in them daily. Now you could retire and just stay at home and save some money. We'd rather enjoy our retirement. We saw too many that either got seriously ill or died soon after retirement.

Yes, it was totally worth it!!!
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
unless you pay cash for an RV or put a very large down payment you will more than likely lose money if or when you sell it. RV's do not hold value. They are meant to be used and enjoyed. Having said that, we have been full timing for 7 years and feel the "investment" was worth it. Only you can decide that based on your financial situation. Just know it will be a loss and prepare for that loss accordingly. RV travel is not cheaper. It's more convenient and a lifestyle that is priceless in our opinion.
booty51
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
You will probably buy high and sell low. But the journey in-between will possibly be a great adventure. I would much rather sleep in my own bed,sit at my own table and drink coffee,Visit with people in a camp ground, that are relaxed and enjoying themselves. Than stay in a noisy hotel ,sleep in a bed that has who knows what in it before you slept in it and fight a crowd for a continental breakfast. My wife was saying the other day when we go camping up at a lake we like, there is nothing like sitting at the table ,watching the deer roam around eating in the morning and us just sitting there watching them.
cruising_spud
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
For us, buying an rv was the best illogical, financial decision we ever made.
Justaguy
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain It seems to me that those regrets cut deeper the older one gets.

I have a relative that said "I sure could buy a lot of hotel rooms for the price that you paid for that RV." True, but I told him it's not about the destination - it's about the journey. Cliche, I know, but true.

Has it been cheap? Nope. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. We will continue until we can't.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2016
If you plan on doing ANY travel after you retire, just keep in mind that any other form of transportation is 100% lost. You will never get back a penny from air/train/boat travel costs, hotels, restaurants, etc. You will also not see the great places between point A and B.
If you plan to retire and just sit in one place, then an RV does not make sense. If you plan on traveling in the USA, it makes perfect sense.