Forum Discussion

NMDriver's avatar
NMDriver
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015

AirBnB versus RV

For 10 years or so we made an annual trip to someplace warm in January. Dec and Feb are generally quite nice here in Southern New Mexico, but Jan can be chilly. Until the grand kids came along we generally drove into South Texas around Del Rio, Zapata, or Corpus.

In 2009 we started driving to the east bay of San Francisco to visit. We stayed in an RV park about 20 min drive from our son and grand kids. Traffic dictated when we could visit and for how long we could stay.

That is the set up, now for the story.

We would spend around $2000 for fuel and 30 days of lodging, using the 5er and Duramax.

In Nov last year one of the grand kids needed an operation and my wife is a RN so we drove out in our car and used a condo we found on AirBnB. Cost for fuel and lodging for 30 days $2100. Plus the condo was 5 minutes WALK from their condo and included pool, jacuzzi, exercise room, game room, dog run, and indoor parking. BTW the operation was a success and all is good with kid.

So although I still use the RV for some trips I have now become an Air BnB booster for some locations. We have already booked a summer stay in the same condo.

Has anyone else decided that sometimes it is better to leave the RV at home and rent an apartment?

18 Replies

  • I was not trying to make a cost comparison. I think we all agree that with maintenance, insurance, fuel, park fees, etc. that for one or even two people an RV is not cost effective. Granted you can buy a months supply of survival food for $150 and park in essentially free spaces, but you still have the rig cost to amortize, if nothing else. Plus if you have kids, pets, hangers on, etc. an RV can be the only cost effective way to vacation.

    I guess I surprised myself with how much better the trip was without the RV. I go some places that only the RV allows me to comfortably stay at....without the RV I could stay there but I wouldn't have my wife for company :D

    As for the my toilet, bed, kitchen comfort level, trust me after one night it is my toilet, my bed, and my kitchen. After 2 nights it was all mine, mine, mine:)
  • How ever you want to travel that makes you happy
    It's very nice to have choices

    I will say that there is a difference between RVing and camping
    The people on BLM land in Quartzite are camping, whether they think so or not
    And those going to RV parks with hookups are RV travellers..not campers
    Nothing wrong with either one, or with renting the condo
    Getting out of the rut and going someplace is good
  • Ironic that you should mention this - Ed and I were headed to FL for a "Snowbird tryout" of a month with the 5er. After realizing that even the nicest RV parks can have poor cable and wifi reception (or none at all); and using our enormous F-350 as a daily driver is a PITA to park and can keep us out of some fun places simply because there's no place to park the moose.... we bought a small condo.

    We still plan to RV with our truck camper, either sightseeing tours or camping with the grandkids; but our snowbirding days in the RV just came to an abrupt halt....LOL!
  • Just about every time I try to compare the costs of an RV vacation to one where I stay in a hotel, condo, the RV trip costs exceed the car/hotel. Exceptions do exists, but by in large the "all in" RV costs are higher. But that's not why I vacation in an RV. MY bed, My bathroom, my cooking are just three of the overriding reasons.

    But to answer the initial question. Yes we do other forms of travel/accommodations.
  • Last year we went from the Harrisburg, PA area to Pigeon Forge, TN for vacation. 2 Families would have meant fuel to pull 2 campers would have been over $1000 before paying for sites to park them. We rented a condo from Dollywood cabins. Large enough for both families and we also got week long passes for Dollywood. Cost us around $1700 total for the two families. If fuel prices keep dropping it may tip the other way this year.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Sometimes a motel is a better deal than an RV park!

    I called an RV park yesterday, the only one in a town I will be spending two nights in. $50/night, and NO public showers or bathrooms. The manager said that they will inspect my 'class B' when I arrive and make sure I have a 3" sewer hose...even though I have no interest in dumping there (and no tank to dump!).

    I looked online, and there are 7 motels in the area in the $48-58 price range. Their locations are better, too. I think I'll pick one with a bathtub.
  • Absolutely love AirBnB. Used it for NOLA x2 and San Fransisco, San Diego and New York. The selections and the people we have met...first class.

    https://www.airbnb.ca/

    And, depending on where one is going, there might be old Westies, Airsteams, boats and planes to be rented..oh..and tree-houses.


    Gary Haupt
  • Sometimes it is better to leave the RV at home and take the car to take the cruise ship. Not every time do you need to take or is it covenant to take the RV.