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Floridastorm's avatar
Floridastorm
Explorer
Jul 21, 2016

Am I correct or not?

In my way of thinking when you purchase a motorhome, as you would a house, it's an investment. Yes, unlike a house, there will be depreciation as opposed to appreciation. If you don't live in it full time then there is no tax write off as there would be in a house. However, if you purchase a quality used motorhome, less than 10 years old, I would think that it would hold a large percentage of its value if and when you go to sell it. When you consider, if you are traveling on a regular basis for pleasure, you are having all of the costs associated with traveling, hotels, food, car costs, etc., etc. All of these costs are lost and are not recoverable. However, with a motorhome, a percentage of your cost is recoverable and you are also not spending for hotels, restaurant food, and the cost of a car on the road. I would think that owning and traveling in a motorhome, considering the recoverable cost, would actually be less expensive in the long run than not owning a motorhome. Add in the convenience of having a home away from home with you for comfort alone, should be a major factor calculations when thinking about buying one. Tell me where I'm going wrong.

74 Replies

  • darsben1 wrote:
    No it is not an investment monetarily. You will always be on the short end financially. OIl Changes, maintenance, tires all cost money.
    IT IS an investment in quality of life. Waking up on the beach or in some remote desert spot is priceless


    Agree! It is much more expensive in the long run to travel in a MH. But when you factor in things such as when arriving at a destination, you sleep in your own bed and the views are almost certainly more pleasant from your MH than a motel room, then things begin to even out a little.

    MH ownership should be part of your entertainment budget.
  • I look at motorhomes (and trailers too) like cars. You lose the most value off the top if you buy brand new and go to sell within 5 years or so.

    BUT, like with cars, even when buying used, you're still going to lose money on it. Very rarely do you buy a vehicle and then are able to turn around a few years down the road and sell it for more than you paid for it (which is the intention when you buy a sticks and bricks house).

    In the end, I don't think anybody should look at a recreational vehicle as an "investment" in the typical financial sense, no matter what you're using it for...whether that be for weekends here and there, extended travel, or full timing. Few people buy them because it will give them a return on their money. You buy one because you want to enjoy it and the type of lifestyle/travel it can provide. Now, if you look at it as an investment in your quality of life, then that's different :)
  • There is a tax write off on a MH if you have a loan with interest.
  • No it is not an investment monetarily. You will always be on the short end financially. OIl Changes, maintenance, tires all cost money.
    IT IS an investment in quality of life. Waking up on the beach or in some remote desert spot is priceless