I'm thinking about buying a USED Class A gas RV. Probably in the neighborhood of 5 years old. What, as a rule of thumb, is the cost of ownership? Repairs and upkeep, insurance, storage, etc.I know its a broad question, but I'm just trying to get a ballpark figure so I'm not surprised down the road.

I am not sure it is possible to venture a guess as the two key factors are unknown. The first is how well maintained was it before you bought it and the second is how much use you plan to make of it once you get it on the road.My daily operating cost is about $50 for campgrounds, fuels and routine maintenance. That is over a 7 month trip where we crossed the country and back driving a little over 12,000 miles in a the coach in the signature. Our gas unit cost a bit less per day in 2011-12 but fuel was cheaper.This is my experience spending about half the time in commercial campgrounds and using many free resources (WalMart when appropriate)and discount resources for the rest. Also that is high mileage, but you still need to figure on changing the oil 4 times a year in a gasser and once a year in a diesel even if you don't move it. Tires last from 5 to 7 years and are not in the operating numbers nor is depreciation or any other expenses such as mods you choose to do or have done and the "stuff" or toys that make RVing fun. Storage depends, I pay $55/month for a storage space in Rochester whether I use it or not. I was just quoted $160/month in the LA area for fenced outdoor storage with no electric. I have seen as much as $400 for full serviced indoor storage.

There are some items you can get close on, once you decide how you plan to use the RV. When we were full timing it for 2 1/2 years I had our costs figured out on the fixed items. Lots of variables, such as are you going to do your own maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, etc. or take it to a shop. Do you have a place to store the RV at no cost or are you going to pay storage somewhere? Insurance is some what fixed, etc.I remember after we came off the road and were putting about 5000 miles a year on the Class A gas unit we owned, fuel was about $.50 a mile at todays prices, oil changes were about a nickel a mile, tires about the same, storage was about $.24 a mile, tune ups were in the neighborhood of a nickel a mile. Then it comes down to what you want to spend on it, say a new under cabinet coffee pot, and that list is so personal only the owner could guess at that, etc.Over all I used to figure on about $1 a mile above and beyond, the payment, camping fees, etc. Someone once said a boat was a hole in the water into which you poured your money. An RV could be said to be a bump on the highway into which you poured your money.Figure out how you plan to use it, first of all. If you plan to go to the lake that is 65 miles away from your home, 8 or 10 times a year and park for a week. Then your costs will not be the same as if you decide to take a few months and drive to the 4 corners of the USA.Buying a 5 year old unit will get rid of most of the depreciation on the unit and that is as real a cost as buying tires, in the long run. Call up your insurance agent and ask about the insurance costs, check with the tag agent to see what it will cost per year. Some costs are fixed, some are discretionary, and some are just "got ya's" that no amount of planning can get you prepared to budget for.

If you have to worry about cost,either ongoing or unexpected,you would be much further ahead to rely on motelsand take a nice cruise once a year!

Think,Lifestyle, no bed bugs, cooking your own meals, enjoying the short time we are here with our families, no crowds hassles most places you travel, no waiting in lines with people going thru your baggage, no set plans such as being at the airport at a certain time, no cabs.Just you and your family. Priceless. You will however get an average of about8-10 MPG and have routine maintenance such as with a car. Pogoil.

OK, in answer to the question you asked, these figures are for a 2008 Damon Challenger I owned previously for 5 years.Insurance $ 800/YRRepairs $ 250/YR coach $ 90/YR chassisMaintenance $ 375/YR coach $135/YR chassisStorage $ 95/MOMisc. $ 188/YRThese are average figures over 5 years of ownership on a Ford chassis coach driven approximately 5000 miles/year.

Cost of Ownership | Good Sam Community

xctraveler
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
I am not sure it is possible to venture a guess as the two key factors are unknown. The first is how well maintained was it before you bought it and the second is how much use you plan to make of it once you get it on the road.

My daily operating cost is about $50 for campgrounds, fuels and routine maintenance. That is over a 7 month trip where we crossed the country and back driving a little over 12,000 miles in a the coach in the signature. Our gas unit cost a bit less per day in 2011-12 but fuel was cheaper.

This is my experience spending about half the time in commercial campgrounds and using many free resources (WalMart when appropriate)and discount resources for the rest. Also that is high mileage, but you still need to figure on changing the oil 4 times a year in a gasser and once a year in a diesel even if you don't move it. Tires last from 5 to 7 years and are not in the operating numbers nor is depreciation or any other expenses such as mods you choose to do or have done and the "stuff" or toys that make RVing fun.

Storage depends, I pay $55/month for a storage space in Rochester whether I use it or not. I was just quoted $160/month in the LA area for fenced outdoor storage with no electric. I have seen as much as $400 for full serviced indoor storage.

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