My situation:Work remote via computer and phone. (Want to do a 4 month road trip to escape winter)Husband and Wife$50k RV BudgetRV NOOBIESRoute- NY-->FL-->South CaliRoad Budget $15KI have started looking at rentals and see that they are pretty expensive. I am looking to do a 3-4 month trip and plan on having a kid next year so dont know if RVing will be long term commitment. That being said is it stupid to buy 1 for 4 months?I am also really having an issue determining going big or small. Like a class B for its ease of floating around and staying in hotels 1-2 times a week if we want and more likely keep it for years to come...OR get a class A or C 32+ footer.

Purchase used private party, relatively new.....now in the fall. After putting 10-15kmi on it, sell it in the spring when the market is better for sellers. Depending on the deal you get now, you could break even or a couple grand either way. IMO if you're buying a RV, get one full featured enough that you don't want to spend a couple nights a week in a hotel. That's another $200 a week savings or more.

This will give you some idea of what you can buy with your $50,000. If it's in good condition when you buy it and you take care of it, you'll be able to sell it close to your buying price after the short 5m time period. Class C's sell fast. Renting is very, very expensive for that period of time.http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/class-c-motorhomes.php

Don't rent. You can get most of your money back if you buy a high initial quality rig used, do the trip and sell it when you're done.NY->FL->CA in 4 months is aggressive. We were shooting for FL->RGV in 6 months last winter and only made it as far as Galveston.

jplante4 wrote:Don't rent. You can get most of your money back if you buy a high initial quality rig used, do the trip and sell it when you're done.NY->FL->CA in 4 months is aggressive. We were shooting for FL->RGV in 6 months last winter and only made it as far as Galveston.I agree with the don't rent advice in this case. It would require a very large loss on the sale afterwards to make renting be more economical.I don't entirely agree that NY to FL to CA is aggressive for four months; comfortable travel times very much depend on the people involved. That said, I don't think most people would have any trouble managing an average of less than 25 miles per day.

Good Used . then sale.depending on number of Stops... 4 months is easy. to Very easy.I just did 1,800 miles in 4 days (Ohio to South Texas). but that is me. I wanted to get to my one stop. and still was easy. and I am north of 65 years old.truck and 32 foot trailer, so 55 feet long and 17,000 pounds.

3-4 Month Trip $50 Purchase Budget: Rent or Buy?

18 Replies

mcangelo4
Explorer
Nov 07, 2016
Going to Orlando as well in December. Should I try and buy in FL or in NY?
mcangelo4
Explorer
Nov 07, 2016
yes we have NO IDEA how long we will stay in places.... I really work during the day via computer so it may be a hassle keep setting up places.....

So it sounds like class C is the way to go over A in my price range? What about going from place to place I really dont want to have two vehicles. But what are your thoughts on tow vehicle? Or just get a smallish 32 RV and keep it single?
jplante4
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2016
DrewE wrote:
I don't entirely agree that NY to FL to CA is aggressive for four months; comfortable travel times very much depend on the people involved. That said, I don't think most people would have any trouble managing an average of less than 25 miles per day.

I was assuming that the OP would be stopping for a few days at intervals along the way in order to explore the areas rather than just passing through on the interstate.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Nov 07, 2016
Good Used . then sale.

depending on number of Stops... 4 months is easy. to Very easy.

I just did 1,800 miles in 4 days (Ohio to South Texas). but that is me. I wanted to get to my one stop. and still was easy. and I am north of 65 years old.
truck and 32 foot trailer, so 55 feet long and 17,000 pounds.
DrewE
Explorer III
Nov 06, 2016
jplante4 wrote:
Don't rent. You can get most of your money back if you buy a high initial quality rig used, do the trip and sell it when you're done.

NY->FL->CA in 4 months is aggressive. We were shooting for FL->RGV in 6 months last winter and only made it as far as Galveston.

I agree with the don't rent advice in this case. It would require a very large loss on the sale afterwards to make renting be more economical.

I don't entirely agree that NY to FL to CA is aggressive for four months; comfortable travel times very much depend on the people involved. That said, I don't think most people would have any trouble managing an average of less than 25 miles per day.
jplante4
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2016
Don't rent. You can get most of your money back if you buy a high initial quality rig used, do the trip and sell it when you're done.

NY->FL->CA in 4 months is aggressive. We were shooting for FL->RGV in 6 months last winter and only made it as far as Galveston.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 06, 2016
This will give you some idea of what you can buy with your $50,000. If it's in good condition when you buy it and you take care of it, you'll be able to sell it close to your buying price after the short 5m time period. Class C's sell fast. Renting is very, very expensive for that period of time.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/class-c-motorhomes.php
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Nov 06, 2016
Purchase used private party, relatively new.....now in the fall. After putting 10-15kmi on it, sell it in the spring when the market is better for sellers. Depending on the deal you get now, you could break even or a couple grand either way.

IMO if you're buying a RV, get one full featured enough that you don't want to spend a couple nights a week in a hotel. That's another $200 a week savings or more.

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3-4 Month Trip $50 Purchase Budget: Rent or Buy?

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