Average Maintenance Costs

[PNW_Wood]

I'm trying to evaluate my actual cost of ownership. I've figured fuel, camp sites, insurance. I have no idea what general maintenance is going to run me

Assuming somewhere in the 6,000 miles per year range for driving, what are the average per year maintenance costs? ... oil, transmission service, brakes, batteries, tires, etc., etc.

I've not settled on DP VS gasser, so I'm interested in both (please indicate what you have if your sig doesn't)

Thanks

[Gjac]

I have a 20 year old GBM with a 454 eng and I have spent $13,000 since I bought it 11 years ago for repairs, mods and general maintainance over 85,000 miles of travel. This includes all fluid changes, circuit boards for refer, levelers, WH and genset, and every thing that broke. I spent a small fortune on this IFS front end. I would say between the front end repairs and upgrades,headers and othe major mods made up half of the total. I have done most of the work myself except for front end and headers. If you do not have major repairs or mods ( your MH will be newer) your costs doing the work your self you will probably spend $5000 to $6000 over a 10 year period based on my experience.

[STBRetired]

This year was the cheap year. Spent about $250 for oil, filters, RV antifreeze, chassis lube, Eternabond for a small roof tear (got lots of it left for next time). That includes service for the generator. Next year starts out expensive as is time for coolant flush, trans fluid, brake fluid change, brake inspection. Will have oil change and chassis lube done by repair shop that will be doing the rest instead of DIYing it. Will DIY the genny though. Expect about $400 for all the initial work. will be taking a couple long trips so expect that will need to do a DIY oil and filter change. Needs new wiper blades sometime soon so maybe another $200.

I carry the 300 piece tool kit from Harbor Freight. Was on sale for about $160 if I recall. Has pretty much anything you need except channel lock pliers, no clue why they were excluded. Get yourself a decent electrical repair kit. Tape, crimpers, connectors, splices, etc. and a decent multimeter.

[Ivylog]

Here is an extreme answer to you question from a previous post with four pages of answers. Start at the top of page 1.

By paying cash you are not reminded each month how much owning a MH costs, BUT depreciation is a real expense that you pre pay by paying cash and it's been $1000/month for the first 12 years of my almost new DP. The next 10 years will be closer to half that and then it will decrease very slowly in value.

[K_Charles]

If all you care about is maintenance, it's the same as your truck if you get a gas MH. Oil, filter and grease, change the trans and rear end fluid. Same as your truck, the brakes and tires cost more but they last longer.
No one Knowles what you are going to brake and that isn't maintenance.

[PNW_Wood]

Harvard wrote:

PNW Wood wrote:

full_mosey wrote:
I don't have a motorhome, but I have gone out to lunch/dinner with MH folks. Based on what I have heard, You should plan on $1,000/mo including depreciation. 🙂

HTH;
John

lol, I hope you are kidding

I would say $1000.00 per month depreciation is very realistic. Better do some research if you think we are kidding.

I don't car about depreciation. Didn't realize that would have been a part of people's answers else I would have clarified in op.

But thanks

[Harvard]

PNW Wood wrote:

full_mosey wrote:
I don't have a motorhome, but I have gone out to lunch/dinner with MH folks. Based on what I have heard, You should plan on $1,000/mo including depreciation. 🙂

HTH;
John

lol, I hope you are kidding

I would say $1000.00 per month depreciation is very realistic. Better do some research if you think we are kidding.

[Lantley]

Lumpty wrote:
I did an assumed budget for what I considered the fixed ownership costs before I decided to buy, and have kept a tabulation over the past 5+ years since I bought. This includes maintenance, repairs, depreciation, insurance, but not variable costs like fuel and other dollars that get spent depending on use.

This is a bit weighted favorably since it is based on a smaller Class C, but the only real difference might be depreciation. It was also based on buying new, and owning for 10-12 years, spending comparatively more up front but getting the benefit out of probably avoiding any major chassis or house repairs/replacements. I also do just about all my own work too.

Insurance annually: $750
Maintenance per year: $1,000 (2x a year oil changes, tires every 5 years, trans and diff fluid every 5 years, plus random misc. stuff to fix)
Depreciation over 10 years ($40,000, difference between $55k purchase price and hypothetical $15k end value): $4,000 a year average

So, $5,750 a year, the bulk of it depreciation. Actual out of pocket, $1,750. We do very little pure camping in it, using the RV instead as a home away from home at race tracks all over the country as part of my club stuff and my son's lower level pro events. We'd be in hotels 40-50 nights a year if we didn't own it, and that tab would be more than the total ownership cost. My friends bust me on my "racer math", but the expense is worth it.

Do you have any cost for unforeseen repairs? Only scheduled maintenance? Even my best vehicles have had a few unforeseen/non budgeted repairs

[Lumpty]

I did an assumed budget for what I considered the fixed ownership costs before I decided to buy, and have kept a tabulation over the past 5+ years since I bought. This includes maintenance, repairs, depreciation, insurance, but not variable costs like fuel and other dollars that get spent depending on use.

This is a bit weighted favorably since it is based on a smaller Class C, but the only real difference might be depreciation. It was also based on buying new, and owning for 10-12 years, spending comparatively more up front but getting the benefit out of probably avoiding any major chassis or house repairs/replacements. I also do just about all my own work too.

Insurance annually: $750
Maintenance per year: $1,000 (2x a year oil changes, tires every 5 years, trans and diff fluid every 5 years, plus random misc. stuff to fix)
Depreciation over 10 years ($40,000, difference between $55k purchase price and hypothetical $15k end value): $4,000 a year average

So, $5,750 a year, the bulk of it depreciation. Actual out of pocket, $1,750. We do very little pure camping in it, using the RV instead as a home away from home at race tracks all over the country as part of my club stuff and my son's lower level pro events. We'd be in hotels 40-50 nights a year if we didn't own it, and that tab would be more than the total ownership cost. My friends bust me on my "racer math", but the expense is worth it.

[Tom_Barb]

full_mosey wrote:
I don't have a motorhome, but I have gone out to lunch/dinner with MH folks. Based on what I have heard, You should plan on $1,000/mo including depreciation. 🙂

HTH;
John

We don't spend nearly that.

[PNW_Wood]

I don't care about depreciation. I'm not looking at one of these as an investment. Whatever we end up with, it will be paid in full.

I'm really concerned about actual costs at that point... Fuel, insurance, site fees, maintenance, etc. what I bought it for, what I sell it for, and what that ended up costing me, is really sort of moot

[full_mosey]

Bill.Satellite wrote:

... However, that has nothing to do with your question.

OP says: "I'm trying to evaluate my actual cost of ownership.".

What is a good definition of "actual cost"?

HTH;
John

[Bill_Satellite]

"Including depreciation", he's most likely correct. However, that has nothing to do with your question.

[jplante4]

I just totaled this up. We have a 20 year old Safari with a CAT 3126 motor and an Allison transmission. We've owned this for 2 years and I do most of the upgrades and leave the oil changes etc to the shop.

1. Replaced rear view camera and monitor. $215
2. Replaced old shocks with Bilstiens. Added valve stem extenders. $1550
3. Major go-over before 6 month winter road trip. Oil, filters, trans oil change, chassis lube, rework turbo tubes, fix valve cover leak, clean CAC and radiator. $3500
4. Replaced exhaust pipe. $500
5. CAT service, valve lash adjustment, oil and filters, chassis lube, belts replaced. $2500.

I had a few misc. parts to buy (Norcold burner, toilet parts, Fantastic fans) and a roof leak that needed attention on the trip for another $1000 or so.

[PNW_Wood]

at this point, considering a gasser in reasonable condition...

I'm plugging in 1200/year in basic upkeep. This doesn't include fuel, camp costs, food, or anything like that... strictly keeping the unit operational.

For projecting average monthly cost of ownership, does this seem reasonable?

[PNW_Wood]

gbopp wrote:

PNW Wood wrote:
I have a garage full of tools and its already started processing in my head how the hell I can take them all without taking all my space and weight limits 😄

It's not practical to take everything.

I carry basic tools, and of course wire and duct tape.

Some carry enough stuff to rebuild their engine and transmission along the side of the road.

And, others have a tool box that consists of a credit card and cell phone.

You'll figure out what will work for you. 🙂

I'll be somewhere in the middle, perhaps leaning slightly towards the credit card and cell phone.