Thinking of buying a TT

rubsal70 wrote:
I guess I want to know how much more Expensive it is

$21.99 per night.

Really, how do you expect anyone to be able to answer that? Do you have a brake controller, what brake controller will you be using, do you have the proper hitch equipment, will you need to pay for storage, are you positive that your truck is big enough, how much are camp fees at the place you will be camping, how many miles per gallon difference is there, how much does gas cost, how much does the holiday inn cost, will you be using full hooks of electric only, how far is it, will you be buying firewood, how much firewood per day, how much does the firewood cost, do you do your own maintenance, ... starting to catch on?

RV is a way of life, we do it because that is what we like. It's not because it's cheaper or more expensive; it's neither - it's what we like to do.

I guess I want to know how much more Expensive it is

rubsal70 wrote:
Well the rv is 14999 and I have a truck that gives me 21hwy n 15city. Max towing for my truck is 8100. We like the outdoors as well. We do fishing and hunting so we are definitely outdoors people. The max driving we do is about 190 miles. I'm not sure how much lower mpg I will get when pulling. We do camp a lot or fish a lot so we have to stay at hotels cause of family. If it's me and the boys we camp out.

If I were you, I would make darn sure my "family" wanted to RV before you invest. My first wife wouldn't even consider a shower in an RV let alone a campground shower. It was Holiday Inn or nothing. If I were you, I would rent an RV for a week before you invest. You may save yourself an expensive mistake.

rubsal70 wrote:
Well the rv is 14999 and I have a truck that gives me 21hwy n 15city. Max towing for my truck is 8100. We like the outdoors as well. We do fishing and hunting so we are definitely outdoors people. The max driving we do is about 190 miles. I'm not sure how much lower mpg I will get when pulling. We do camp a lot or fish a lot so we have to stay at hotels cause of family. If it's me and the boys we camp out.

Figure on mileage dropping to about 9 or 10 mpg when towing. The trailer will depreciate rapidly. There is insurance to consider, and tires will need replacing every 5 years, whether you pull the trailer or not. Still, if you like the lifestyle and plan to use the rig quite a bit, it can be worth it.

For me, it wasn't worth it while I was still working. I would rather fly somewhere, rent a car and see something new. Now that I'm retired I have enough time to mosey along and see things along the way.

For most of us...it's a hobby. An expensive one.
RV'ing is not a way to save money.
There are many, many benefits, but saving money is not one of them.

Since we sold our truck & 5th wheel two yrs ago (due to health reasons and lack of sufficient use) we REALLY MISS having our "STUFF" with us.

We had been accumulating a duplicate of all the comforts of home. Now when we do happen to travel out of town and stay at motels we get very bored. Cable sucks, limited quantity of channels and poor quality.

But we do get 33-34 mpg. Doesn't take long to pack two suitcases and overnight bad and laptop. Trailer would take a day or two to prepare, load in fresh linen, clothing and food.

I hate trying to use wife's 15.6" laptop when I used to 25" monitor/desktop, prefer mouse over pad. Don't have to scrolled nearly as much to see the entire page.

On long trips, 3 mos or so, rv is the only way to go UNLESS you are in a hurry with limited time, then fly.

If you have a capable truck to pull trailer and stay within weight ratings, you still have to travel a lot to cut down the $$$ per mile to reasonable level. You don't rv to save money. You rv to enjoy the outdoors and see this beautiful country of ours.

Off my soap box now:B.

Well the rv is 14999 and I have a truck that gives me 21hwy n 15city. Max towing for my truck is 8100. We like the outdoors as well. We do fishing and hunting so we are definitely outdoors people. The max driving we do is about 190 miles. I'm not sure how much lower mpg I will get when pulling. We do camp a lot or fish a lot so we have to stay at hotels cause of family. If it's me and the boys we camp out.

As mentioned. It really depends on where, and how you camp, and what you want to do.

For us, We like to stay at an oceanfront CG in Myrtle beach. One week in the campground just steps away from the sand comes to around $600.00. The same week in an oceanfront Condo, or motel room for the same amount of people, is around $3000.00. So we are looking at a $2400.00 per week saving. Enough of a saving that in only 7 trips the TT has paid for itself, and that does not take into consideration the weekend trips to the mountains that save more than $200.00 per trip over motel rooms.

And for us, we don't have to count the TV into the equation, as we had a truck before we got the TT.

One the other hand. IF you plan on going long distances just for the weekend. A Motel can be more cost effective, IF you get a room with a small kitchen. Remember camping / RVing you have your kitchen along, and do not have to eat out every meal. Another huge saving. In fact. While camping. Food is not counted toward vacation costs. You have to eat at home as well, and in the TT the cost is the same.

Honestly. If not for the TT, there are many places we could not have gone, a week at the beach would only be a dream. Several trips to the mountains a summer would be a dream as well. The TT makes all that possible for us.

And should you want a to go without it. So what. Just go. You don't have to take it every time you leave the house.

As for gas. You will burn gas with out the TT, Just not as much. Insurance is the other main expense. and it is not all that much either. Mine is less than 600 per year. You will need to put tires on it every 4 years or so, and winterize it every winter. About $6.00 for that.

Wash and wax for me free, as I enjoy making my stuff look good. Not much else maintenance really. Grease the hubs once a year, and done.

Owning an RV is not cheaper than staying in a Holiday Inn - no matter what others say. And if you don't use it regularly it's more expensive. You have the cost of the RV, maintenance (and time), insurance, increased gas cost to tow, have to own a bigger vehicle equipped to tow (which vehicle cost more to own and operate plus insurance is more), etc. etc. etc.

It's just different. I can't roast marshmallows in the lobby of a Holiday Inn.

There are so many variables. New or used and how much did it cost to purchase a TT? What are you going to tow with? Our Avalanche only gets about 15 mpg normally, and that is reduced to 10 mpg while towing. Remember if you drive toll roads your cost will increase due to the extra 2 axles.

How much you save depends on how much you camp. I know a lot of people that have TTs but only use them 1-2 times per year. It also depends (sans TT) on whether you would be staying at a Motel 6 or a Radisson Inn.

I like to be outdoors and camp, not stuck in a motel room. So I don't really focus on any cost savings. When we stay at hotels, it is probably an average of $100/night, while CGs can be $40-$60/night. If I camp 20 nights a year, then that is a savings of: 20 nights x $50 = $1000/year.

Depending on how/where you eat, you can also save on food if you cook at the site, which is usually not an option in a hotel. This could be a substantial cost savings.