Question for full timers...

[md80max]

Hello,

My question is related to the annual cost of living full time in a class A diesel pusher. Now I recognize there are many variables and highly subjective. Just looking for what the realities are of the annual cost of living full time in an RV.

I would like to state we have owned 5 different RV's over the last 20 years, 2 gas coaches, 2 bumper pulls and a 5th wheel toy hauler. I am in no way saying that I am an expert just saying I have " some knowledge " of RV ownership and it's cost. I did once live in one for 2 years by myself in an RV park but was not traveling at all.

The wife and I now find ourselves at the point where we wish to full time starting in about a year and we are just doing our research.

Specifically, what I wish to find is someone willing to share their annual cost over a period of a few years, no more than 10 in perhaps a spreadsheet format of what it cost them to live full time.

I recognize there are many variables to consider. Just trying to get an idea.

As an example, there was a time I was doing research living on a sailboat full time and cruising. I was able to get a 10 year spreadsheet a sailor shared on a forum not unlike this one. He managed to live on his boat for 10 years spending about 2500.00 per month average in that 10-year time frame covering every expense he had during his travels all over the world. This is what I am looking for. I still have that spreadsheet on my laptop to share if anyone wishes to have the information by the way.

That research was all for not though...the wife said she would live full time on an RV but crossing oceans in a 40 foot boat was not for her.

So...we are shopping for a diesel pusher and hope to depart as full-timers in about a year and just doing research. I know when we get going I will be keeping a spreadsheet of my own.

Anyone out there keeping records like that they are willing to share with me as a guide for my research?

Thanks in advance!

Max

[md80max]

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate it!

You all gave me what I was looking for.

Max

[allen8106]

Look up Next Exit and Dan & Jen Nevada on YouTube. They both have periodic videos on their costs to full time.

[TechWriter]

md80max wrote:

My question is related to the annual cost of living full time in a class A diesel pusher. Now I recognize there are many variables and highly subjective. Just looking for what the realities are of the annual cost of living full time in an RV.

Check out this Escapees poll.

[JimK-NY]

You are asking for the impossible. Costs are going to vary hugely depending on lifestyle. I am sure some couples living in a van conversion spend more than others in a Class A.

Here is where I would start. First consider "fixed" costs; e.g., RV insurance and payment if any, healthcare insurance, food, personal items, mail service, etc. We also had a $200/mo charge since we had a lot of items in storage.

Next look at direct travel related expenses: e.g, fuel, maintenance, tires, tolls. Again, this will vary all over the place depending on the number of miles you drive. We traveled a lot so this was a major item for us, around $1500/month.

The next big variable I would look at is the costs of camping. We had solar panels and rarely needed a generator. We almost never stayed in RV parks or expensive campgrounds with hook ups. Most of our stays were in National Parks with a senior pass or on BLM or equivalent campgrounds. We averaged $7/night. We also spent almost nothing on generator gas, maybe $5/month. We camped in warm locations so a $20 propane refill would last for a month or two.

We also expected to spend a significant amount on entertainment, entry fees, eating out, etc. That turned out to be insignificant with a senior pass giving free admission.

[valhalla360]

$2500/month is a reasonable number but way too much variability to give you an idea if that will work for you without telling us how you want to travel.
- A DP is one of the more expensive options.
- How many miles do you want to cover per week/month?
- Do you do maintenance yourself or hire it all out?
- Do you stay for a week/month at a park or only a night or two or boondock for free?
- How much will you spend on tourist attractions?
- How often will you eat out?
- Hobbies that cost money?
- Will you be keeping the house and associated items?

What we did was took our household budget and modified it to reflect our estimate of what we thought our costs will be. That came out pretty close.

A few thoughts:
- It's full time not a vacation, you don't have to put in 2000miles per week. We shoot for 100-150miles per day 2-3 times per week with occasional week/month stationary.
- We've done the boat thing also. You don't need to cross oceans to take incredible trips. Google the Great Loop. It comes with it's own challenges but no need to cross oceans on a 40' boat.

[DallasSteve]

To the OP: Do you want that with or without depreciation? I had a poster here argue that if you never plan to sell your rig then there is no depreciation.

[Flute_Man]

I have been full-time for 13 years. My annual cost is about the same as if I were living in a big house.

[nazpaz]

Here are some fulltime RV expense related links for you:

Mine: http://pastorscott.com/travel/annual-expenditures-wrapup/ and http://pastorscott.com/travel/tag/budg...

Wheeling it: http://wheelingit.us/2017/02/09/the-costs-of-fulltime-rving-part-i-budgeting-planning-your-spend/

RV Dreams: http://www.rv-dreams.com/2017-Budget.html

A good Escapees thread: http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=120595
Living the RV Dream: http://www.livingthervdream.com/the-RV-Budget.html

Dave and Diane: https://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/our-5th-year-summary/

[Lwiddis]

Since you alone control the number of miles you drive, the choice of a fancy RV parks or no cost boondocking or somewhere in between, eating in restaurants or cooking yourself, high cost steak or on sale chicken, how would anyone else’s budget be relevant to you?

[CFerguson]

2chiefsRus, great info! Thanks for sharing it.
Can you estimate your average stay at a given CG? Days/weeks/months...?
maybe also % of time you boondocked/etc?

[md80max]

Thanks so much for the info, very helpful!

[2chiefsRus]

Campground Miles
2019 End of Year Totals $3,472.50 7,785
2018 End of Year Totals $706.25 4,917
2017 End of Year Totals $1,285.21 6,338
2016 End of Year Totals $1,104.17 8,383
2015 End of Year Totals $1,594.72 8,624
2014 End of Year Totals $1,375.00 4,923
2013 End of Year Totals $3,639.88 9,680
2012 End of Year Totals $3,966.53 4,911
2011 End of Year Totals $3,675.06 8,544
2010 End of Year Totals $4,889.41 10,243
2009 End of Year Totals $5,421.60 16,337
2008 End of Year Totals $4,858.11 8,985
2007 Partial Year Totals $1,283.93 2,310
Grand Total $37,272.37 101,980
Mileage at Purchase 1,580
103,560

Fuel Paid Average Cost Total Gallons Total Miles
2019 Totals $2,990.14 $2.870 1,041.940 7,632
2018 Totals $1,964.92 $2.977 660.001 4,916
2017 Totals $2,110.64 $2.460 858.056 6,647
2016 Totals $2,328.97 $2.131 1,092.767 8,306
2015 Totals $2,889.02 $2.597 1,112.581 8,585
2014 Totals $2,250.99 $3.541 635.638 4,905
2013 Totals $4,943.35 $3.791 1,303.865 9,609
2012 Totals $2,277.13 $3.801 599.134 4,820
2011 Totals $4,313.00 $3.979 1,083.852 8,526
2010 Totals $3,775.57 $3.033 1,244.996 10,325
2009 Totals $5,639.79 $2.737 2,060.581 16,373
2008 Totals $4,572.82 $4.021 1,137.994 8,974
2007 Totals $851.51 $3.026 281.383 2,197
Grand Total $40,907.85 $3.120 13,112.788 101,815

Other costs will vary depending upon life style. Just make a list of costs that will go away such as property taxes on house, lawn care, home telephone, etc. Make another list of new or increased expenses such as rv fuel, campgrounds, increased data plans for cell phones, etc.

Remember that your two biggest expenses - campgrounds & RV Fuel can be brought back down by simply sitting still for a while. No RV Fuel costs while not traveling and monthly campground rates are cheaper than weekly or daily campground rates.

Sorry about the formatting issues above.

[md80max]

adesilaus...Thanks! Just what I am looking for!!

[wanderingaimles]

Try some you tube searches, it's a popular topic there.
you tube

Remember it changes drastically according to the types of places you stay, (commercial vs boondocking) and how much you move around.