Full time question
I am looking for an opinion. I am wonderign is it possible to live full time in a camper. As in everyday. this would be used as my primary residence. I have seen some very very nice units and said...
Forum Discussion
I just can't see where living in an RV could be less expensive than renting at appx $700 / month?
eg:
-buy a used hard-side TC that isn't completely rotted out = $9~$11,000+
-a large full-sized truck will cost at least $230 a month to operate
-the cheapest monthly campground will cost minimum $400 / month
-you'll go through at least $30 bi-monthly worth of propane
Camper lifespan = 5 yrs = $184 per month + $230 + $400 + $60 = $874/month
*and, you really should be banking at least $50 a month for camper maintenance (eventual equipment failure/replacements; caulking; etc)
IF you have BLM land in your area of interest, then subtract about $400 from the above, but that will still cost close to ~$480 / month! And, where will you bath? Get fresh water for tanks? Get propane? You still need to fire up the big truck (a minimum of ~ $10 a day in gas/diesel just to turn the key and drive 2 miles! That alone could cost you a minimum of $150 in fuel per month, so you're now at ~~$630 a month). Think very, very carefully about doing this just because you want to live below $700 a month. Any capital you invest in camper & truck will be money out the window forever. The RV lifestyle is for people that have some fairly serious disposable income, and can afford to put $20,000 to $80,000 into a truck and camper in 2013 that will be worth nearly zero $ in 6~10 years (imagine investing $20,000 to $80,000 into your retirement instrument, and in 10 years that $20,000 to $80,000 is now worth $4000 to $12,000 ??? So, at $700 a month into an apartment and $00,000 of capital into equipment that will be worth nothing in 10 years, put that $20,000+ you would have spent into a sinking asset into some secure investment at 2/3% and you'll have $27,000 in 10 years, not $00,000
eg:
-buy a used hard-side TC that isn't completely rotted out = $9~$11,000+
-a large full-sized truck will cost at least $230 a month to operate
-the cheapest monthly campground will cost minimum $400 / month
-you'll go through at least $30 bi-monthly worth of propane
Camper lifespan = 5 yrs = $184 per month + $230 + $400 + $60 = $874/month
*and, you really should be banking at least $50 a month for camper maintenance (eventual equipment failure/replacements; caulking; etc)
IF you have BLM land in your area of interest, then subtract about $400 from the above, but that will still cost close to ~$480 / month! And, where will you bath? Get fresh water for tanks? Get propane? You still need to fire up the big truck (a minimum of ~ $10 a day in gas/diesel just to turn the key and drive 2 miles! That alone could cost you a minimum of $150 in fuel per month, so you're now at ~~$630 a month). Think very, very carefully about doing this just because you want to live below $700 a month. Any capital you invest in camper & truck will be money out the window forever. The RV lifestyle is for people that have some fairly serious disposable income, and can afford to put $20,000 to $80,000 into a truck and camper in 2013 that will be worth nearly zero $ in 6~10 years (imagine investing $20,000 to $80,000 into your retirement instrument, and in 10 years that $20,000 to $80,000 is now worth $4000 to $12,000 ??? So, at $700 a month into an apartment and $00,000 of capital into equipment that will be worth nothing in 10 years, put that $20,000+ you would have spent into a sinking asset into some secure investment at 2/3% and you'll have $27,000 in 10 years, not $00,000
