I was watering my parched lawn when a young woman came up and asked if we wanted to sell our Class C. She mentioned that she had enjoyed camping as a child and wanted to have her kids experience it.It was obvious that she had the desire but no understanding about the total cost of motorhoming. I said that we might want to sell in the future and would be asking some $20-$30K. She was surprised, seemed to expect a much lower asking price. I tried to advise her to save her money and buy as new a rig as she could afford based on our personal experience. The RV shows on TV understandably emphasize the fun and memory making aspects of RV'ing. They are sponsored by RV manufacturers. They often promote 45 foot Class A rolling palaces and seldom feature Class C's. They sometimes mention miles per gallon and never go into total cost of ownership of new and used Class C's. It's up to us to advise beginners about buying new versus used Class C's without being a "wet blanket".

Bordercollie wrote:It's up to us to advise beginners about buying new versus used Class C's without being a "wet blanket".It is.. except when YOU are trying to sell!

I have to chuckle at this. In our GMC motorhome (1973~1978/23&26long)group, we always caution people that a reliable and ready to travel GMC will cost 25K+$. That is all at once or as a kit. We do about 10K a year and I plan on about 1k$ for basic maintenance and I don't pay for storage. Matt

Absolutely good point. As an accountant, I calculate "CPN", something most folks will never comprehend. (Cost per night).My Used Class C runs roughly $125/ night with 90 nights of use annually. In other words, about $1,000 per month on average.Folks don't add up depreciation (loan payment for most), camping fees, insurance, license, gas, chassis maintenance, coach maintenance, and storage!I suspect many don't camp even near 60 nights annually. Their CPN is much higher.At some point, quality hotels and resorts look attractive!

In our clipper group (1973 - 1980), we mention costs for reliability. Like Mike_Collie, we consider $15K+ to be about what you end up spending to get a clipper that can go anywhere without issue. The actual purchase cost is between $500 and $6000 - the rest is repairs, replacing, updating.I don't think buying used is a bad way to go - but I do think it's not as cheap as some folks think. I also think there are a lot of folks who think full-timing is going to save them tons of money - but it's not realistic. Some folks can do it on the cheap, but it takes a special mentality (like the "go to Europe on $20 per day" folks), the majority of people aren't going to be happy cutting that many corners.And you're not living free when you're making others pay for your utilities and land you sit on - you're just deferring your expenses to others.

I've been reading the posts on this and several other RV related forums. About 7 years ago I began to notice and increase in new to RVing posts. With many of those being folks wanting to fulltime in an RV because living costs have gotten so high. You could tell from the information they provided and questions asked many of these folks were living paycheck to paycheck and had gotten in over their heads and were looking for a less expensive housing solution and not so much an RV lifestyle.Sure you may be able to save money by living in an RV versus renting an apartment or a house but there can be large unplanned expenses that you need to have the money or at least save for. $1200 refrigerator, New roof $2000-6000, Tires & Batteries every 4 to 5 years...etc. Monthly space rents can be close to rates for an apartment.

Motorhoming-The Dream vs Reality | Good Sam Community

pnichols
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2016
If folks think that motorhoming is a somewhat "expensive hobby" - try boats or planes as a hobby!

For general ground travel comfort and convenience, a small-as-you-can-tolerate Class C is hard to beat versus motel/hotel travel.

With our Class C, we do/enjoy such things as:

- Pull over as needed to go potty ... the passenger can even "go" while the rig is going down the road. BTW, this becomes more and more important the older one gets.

- Pull over as needed for a quick rest or meal.

- Camp all over with or without hookups in one's own familiar (and clean?) environment.

- Attend various events with all the comforts right with you.

- Explore out in middle of nowhere with a bed, a refrigerator, a stove, a heater, an air conditioner, a shower, a lunge chair, a table, etc. always with you.

It's mostly a recreational hobby for many to own and operate an RV, but comparing it to what other hobbies can cost it isn't that much out of line.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2016
bukhrn wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:
PSW wrote:
Hey folks, buy these babies for FUN and ENJOYMENT and to make family memories. They cost a bunch of dough to own and operate .....We have owned Class B and C motorhomes for well over thirty years and I have never found them to be economical, but I wouldn't take a fortune for the fun and memories we have had during our 40s, 50s 60s and now starting our 70s....Paul

X2!

Really the short answer to someone inquiring, is to compare the RV to like any other sport or hobby. Like a boat, race car, 4 wheeler, cycle, golfing, etc etc.

It's a hobby that brings one pleasure and costs money.
:C
X-3, If you're worrying about the cost of RV'ing, perhaps you shouldn't be doing it, as you will never justify it from an economical standpoint. The economy of it isn't why we do it in the first place.

:B
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2016
TyroneandGladys wrote:
gbopp wrote:
tjfogelberg wrote:
At some point, quality hotels and resorts look attractive!

Yes they do but, when you're rolling down the highway and hit a 5+ mile and several hour backup of stopped traffic, the food, water and toilet onboard make the motor home priceless. :C

And if it is an older motorhome it is much more believable that the reason you pulled off the road on to the shoulder and turned off the engine started the generator and are in the back under AC is that "it overheats in stop and go traffic." And you do not need a tow truck since it will not overheat once traffic starts flowing again.

Any RV parked on the side of a highway or freeway is likely broken down. People don't pull over like that for breaktime - they turn off the highway/freeway for breaktime.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2016
KelliApp wrote:
This is a super discouraging topic. We just bought a 96 Coachmen Santara. We were thrilled to find something well maintained and in a size we like for a price low enough that we could pay cash. It's sitting in our driveway and we are having a great time updating and personalizing it.

I hope the reality does not destroy the dream. We've dreamed of this our entire adult lives. We don't so much hope to save money on travel, but more we like the certainty of having what we need right there with us and not having the hassle of hotel rooms and luggage. We think the idea of parking and relaxing in our own space but in a new environment sounds exciting!

Kelli

You're doing it for the right reasons and not expecting it to be a "cheap and easy way to travel". Not wanting to deal with hotels, luggage, etc., is reasonable. Thinking that RV travel is going to save you enough money to retire early is unrealistic.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2016
rockhillmanor wrote:
PSW wrote:
Hey folks, buy these babies for FUN and ENJOYMENT and to make family memories. They cost a bunch of dough to own and operate .....We have owned Class B and C motorhomes for well over thirty years and I have never found them to be economical, but I wouldn't take a fortune for the fun and memories we have had during our 40s, 50s 60s and now starting our 70s....Paul

X2!

Really the short answer to someone inquiring, is to compare the RV to like any other sport or hobby. Like a boat, race car, 4 wheeler, cycle, golfing, etc etc.

It's a hobby that brings one pleasure and costs money. :C
X-3, If you're worrying about the cost of RV'ing, perhaps you shouldn't be doing it, as you will never justify it from an economical standpoint. The economy of it isn't why we do it in the first place.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
gbopp wrote:
tjfogelberg wrote:
At some point, quality hotels and resorts look attractive!

Yes they do but, when you're rolling down the highway and hit a 5+ mile and several hour backup of stopped traffic, the food, water and toilet onboard make the motor home priceless. :C

And if it is an older motorhome it is much more believable that the reason you pulled off the road on to the shoulder and turned off the engine started the generator and are in the back under AC is that "it overheats in stop and go traffic." And you do not need a tow truck since it will not overheat once traffic starts flowing again.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2016
PSW wrote:
Hey folks, buy these babies for FUN and ENJOYMENT and to make family memories. They cost a bunch of dough to own and operate .....We have owned Class B and C motorhomes for well over thirty years and I have never found them to be economical, but I wouldn't take a fortune for the fun and memories we have had during our 40s, 50s 60s and now starting our 70s....Paul

X2!

Really the short answer to someone inquiring, is to compare the RV to like any other sport or hobby. Like a boat, race car, 4 wheeler, cycle, golfing, etc etc.

It's a hobby that brings one pleasure and costs money. :C
KelliApp
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
This is a super discouraging topic. We just bought a 96 Coachmen Santara. We were thrilled to find something well maintained and in a size we like for a price low enough that we could pay cash. It's sitting in our driveway and we are having a great time updating and personalizing it.

I hope the reality does not destroy the dream. We've dreamed of this our entire adult lives. We don't so much hope to save money on travel, but more we like the certainty of having what we need right there with us and not having the hassle of hotel rooms and luggage. We think the idea of parking and relaxing in our own space but in a new environment sounds exciting!

Kelli
PSW
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
Hey folks, buy these babies for FUN and ENJOYMENT and to make family memories. They cost a bunch of dough to own and operate if, like our accountant friend's post, you look at cost per night you will really shutter. If you truly focus and worry about that kind of penciling .....you probably should think about Tom Bodet and the light on for you.

We have owned Class B and C motorhomes for well over thirty years and I have never found them to be economical, but I wouldn't take a fortune for the fun and memories we have had during our 40s, 50s 60s and now starting our 70s.

People are suddenly retiring as baby boomers or younger folks are salivating over low interest loans and all they see is the dream and cream and none of the $ ouch.

Paul
azdryheat
Explorer
Jul 28, 2016
Who cares if the buyer understands or not, so long as they have the $$$.