True cost to operate a DP

Having switched from a gasser to a diesel last year, you are correct about noise. I only use my RV for about 6 weeks a year vacationing, and every weekend I can. After 5 years with the 32' gasser, i knew what things were most important for my upgrade to a diesel. As the only driver, a diesel was a must just for the noise. Apposing slides with couch and loveseat was a must. A 40' with bunks fit all my major needs for traveling with 3 kids and two 100lb dogs. This will also only be a 5-7 year purchase as I know needs will change when kids are in college. I am already putting together my wish list for what the best layout will be for us for traveling without the kids. For me it will most likely be a large rear bath with dual sinks and large shower. I purchased a 2014 40' Berkshire for $150,000. I have learned from this site and other RV sites that you dont have to be intimidated trying to do repairs on your own. There are enough Fulltimers out there that are more than happy to help you research problems and offer step by step solutions when repairing things. The 5 years with my gasser was very little cost for unexpected repairs. Normal oil changes was about it. Most expenses where by choice for upgrades, but not necessary. Max air fans and vent covers, better TV.

The bigger expenses to be aware of are the tow package and brake system for you toad if you plan on having one. Also, do you need to replace your current car to get one that can be towed? Storage costs are another issue to take into consideration if only using for 5 months. The longer the DP the more you pay for storage.

I have probably spent $1500 dollars in "stuff" for the new DP in the first year. New outdoor rugs, indoor rugs, new bed covers, max air fans, surge protector, ect. It all adds up the first year of ownership as you figure what you want and need to make it your home.

It does not make sense to figure dollars per mile because most of us do not put enough miles on the coach to need scheduled maintenance on more than a yearly basis. For example, not many put enough miles on a diesel to change the oil more than once per year. In the seminars I went to, and at Camp Freightliner, most maintenance items were done once per year, or once overt X years.

If you were a truck driver, it would be very different. You would be doing maintenance once every X thousand miles.

"Mondooker"....To answer your question....about $1000.00 a year to maintain your DP. That's taking $4000.00 for tires every 7 years, $1000.00 for batteries every seven years and $1000.00 a year to service and fix small items. So....if you budgeted $1000.00 a year, had no big issues, you could put a $1000.00 in the bank each year and probably do okay.

When I was in aviation I used to put a certain amount of money away for each hour of flying time. Does anybody figure $$ per mile?

Reading this thread reminded me of something.

Back in the 1970's a man (Jerry Reed) Recorded a song:

Lord Mr Ford

Seems to fit. Alas I got no audio on this machine when I tried to play it, Will have to work on that.

There was a forum member on a few years back from St. Augustine, Florida, a retired judge as I remember. He and his wife blew a Cat engine in their DP while on a round trip tp Alaska. Some of the big parts in the engine decided they wanted to be little parts and live outside the engine instead of inside.

They got towed to the Cat dealer in Fairbanks, who found a new or factory re-manufactured engine in the Seattle area. Three to four weeks shipping time by rail barge to Fairbanks. So they rented a car, got a hotel room, toured around that area for a few days and then flew back to Florida to wait for their rig to be fixed. The dealer called them when it was ready and they flew back to Alaska and continued their trip. He posted that he was on the high side of $20,000 by the time it was fixed. They have since made a couple of more round trips back to Alaska, basically trouble free, according to him. Haven't seen them on the forum of late, but they are also boating people.

Snomas wrote:
I figure 2K yr maint cost. In last 2yrs we spent about 20K to fix engine problems. Go figure!

Wow! Those are some serious costs! We sure didn't have 2K/yr on maintenance costs and definitely not the engine problems on our 2004 DS. sorry to hear that!

I figure 2K yr maint cost. In last 2yrs we spent about 20K to fix engine problems. Go figure!

I was told by a large company that maintains diesel pushers that you should budget $2200 per year for maintenance. This includes tire replacement at 7 years and assumes you will not be doing some of the work yourself.

You have received a lot of good advice. One thing I don't see covered in any post is your money for purchase. Do you have $100,000 in cash or will you have to finance the purchase? Depreciation is a "huge" factor in MH ownership. If you finance your purchase, and then for some reason need to sell, what can you get for the unit? Research this part of ownership just like you are researching the other parts of ownership.