The real cost of camping vs not
We just had our 5th totaled by the Ins. co. due to a roof tear that happened unnoticed during the season last season, causing 3 of the walls to delaminate. Big bummer for something that had only seen 4 summers.
So the question came up, how much does a camping trip actually cost? Should we just take the money and do more conventional travel?
I won't get into all the nitty gritty, as everyone's actual use and numbers vary by a huge amount. But for us (2 people), camping generally meant long road trips, for weeks at a time. Not worrying about being frugal on campsites (we did a lot of KOA's, for example). Taking the dogs. Eating out when we felt like it. Doing some tourist tours/attractions.
Non-camping meant 2 week trips, some with airfare, some driving, dogs in a kennel. We did not have to pay for hotel/motel at our destinations (stayed with family, etc.) We never rented a car. Very few admissions/fees to see things. We did, however have to dine out a LOT more.
The only thing not counted in either were groceries - we'd do that even if we just stayed home!
So comparing all up expenses for the two types of travel, including the front loaded loss on the camper due to depreciation (and maint. and storage, etc.) we averaged $242 per day for 126 days of the lifestyle.
For non-RV, we averaged $298 per day over 42 days. Throw in an extra at least $100 per day if we had to pay for lodging, let alone car rental, and it seems pretty clear which way is more cost effective.
Of course if we could have used the 5th for it's full depreciation life, the cost of ownership per camping day would have dropped. And there are lots of ways to economize that we didn't worry about - so it is easy to come in under our amount. Probably by a LOT.
But given what appears to be the low side number for conventional travel, and how it only can get more complex/costly to see many of the same places it is easy to go camping at.....
Looks like we are making the reinvestment in a new RV!
So the question came up, how much does a camping trip actually cost? Should we just take the money and do more conventional travel?
I won't get into all the nitty gritty, as everyone's actual use and numbers vary by a huge amount. But for us (2 people), camping generally meant long road trips, for weeks at a time. Not worrying about being frugal on campsites (we did a lot of KOA's, for example). Taking the dogs. Eating out when we felt like it. Doing some tourist tours/attractions.
Non-camping meant 2 week trips, some with airfare, some driving, dogs in a kennel. We did not have to pay for hotel/motel at our destinations (stayed with family, etc.) We never rented a car. Very few admissions/fees to see things. We did, however have to dine out a LOT more.
The only thing not counted in either were groceries - we'd do that even if we just stayed home!
So comparing all up expenses for the two types of travel, including the front loaded loss on the camper due to depreciation (and maint. and storage, etc.) we averaged $242 per day for 126 days of the lifestyle.
For non-RV, we averaged $298 per day over 42 days. Throw in an extra at least $100 per day if we had to pay for lodging, let alone car rental, and it seems pretty clear which way is more cost effective.
Of course if we could have used the 5th for it's full depreciation life, the cost of ownership per camping day would have dropped. And there are lots of ways to economize that we didn't worry about - so it is easy to come in under our amount. Probably by a LOT.
But given what appears to be the low side number for conventional travel, and how it only can get more complex/costly to see many of the same places it is easy to go camping at.....
Looks like we are making the reinvestment in a new RV!
