silversand wrote:
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 a month worth of propane
Camper lifespan = 5 yrs = $184 per month + $230 + $400 + $30 = $844/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 $450 / 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 $600 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
I agree the OP needs to run the numbers as he may not save as much as he's thinking but some of your numbers are skewed on the high side.
I've come across some units in the $4-6k range that are in good shape and they last a lot longer than 5 yrs with halfway decent maintenance.
Used 3/4 - 1 ton trucks are easy to come by. Just picked up a nice 2001 for $5k. The last one was $2500 and still runs fine but the rust looks pretty bad (I don't care too much about looks but it was getting bad).
Depending on the area, I've came across nice campgrounds as low as $150-200/month and if you have electric hookup, you shouldn't be going thru $30/month in propane.
What kind of milage do you get that 2 miles burns $10 in gas?
Again I agree, you need some money to live in an RV but crazy high numbers undermine your point.
