Cost of a motor home; any class

[Jayco-noslide]

3 years ago we went from a small 5th wheel to a 2002 Class C 30 footer with 2 slides for $23000. We knew it could be expensive to maintain but now looking back on the 3 years I feel I have to caution prospective motor home buyers about the ongoing costs. I won't try to list all that we've done to it; some necessary repairs and some optional improvements but it certainly adds up to many thousands. Now, we're facing delamination which would not only cost many thousands to repair but will detract from its value if we don't repair. Yes it was used but I don't think spending around $100,000 for a new one is the answer. Since we like and enjoy it very much not sure of my point. Wondering about other's experiences?

[Gjac]

I guess we all think differently about MH costs. The real question is how much is to much? Which no one really addressed because this is very subjective. I have tracked all my costs since I bought the MH 12 years ago. I spent 16 cents/mile for repairs, mods and maintenance. 18 cents/mile for depreciation and an average of $85/day for trips. I have traveled over 80,000 miles from Fla to Alaska over the last 12 years and can't imagine doing this for less than $85/day, the hotel alone would be more than that. So I have concluded that a MH is a cost effective way to travel based on buying a used MH, doing most of the repair and maintenance work my self, and having the time and health to use it. If you buy new, use it less than 8 weeks a year, take it to an RV shop every time something needs repair or maintenance, then I agree with others that say it makes no economic sense to own a MH.

[T18skyguy]

When the rig is parked out back, I frequently use it as an escape pod.
Wife nags-I escape! Daughter acting out-I escape! Relatives wear out their welcome-I REALLY escape! Just want to think and be alone-same thing. The value of that for me is more than the trips I take, but the trips are great too.

[pnichols]

We know what camping or traveling without an RV is - and what camping or traveling without an RV isn't.

For us, camping or traveling without an RV is this: We can't after hiking, rock hounding, and photo shooting, stay there in that pristine beautiful place out in the middle of nowhere to eat, watch the moon come up, sleep, and watch the sun come up ... all in a comfortable temperature controlled, bug-free, ready-to-go minimum effort environment. Priceless.

We no longer bother with the tents or backpacks.

[VA-Apraisr]

My 2002 Fourwinds that I've owned since 2004 has had new tires, brakes, a/c unit, rebuild of generator, microwave, alternator, and spent $10,000 just to put 4x4 on it, and was hit at rear edge by a tractor trailer 2 years ago.......all repaired and with 80,000 miles of memories with my kids (all grown now) and ALL the joy of using it while on the road far outweigh the $$$ spent which I will never see again (just like the young years with my kids!!!). We all get a one-way ticket on this crazy ride....I will continue to count my blessings versus my dollars!! My girl and I looked at the RV show this weekend and didn't see anything that could replace what is sitting in my driveway and has been paid for. Stuff breaks.....fix it and keep going.

[toedtoes]

For me, I am prepared, but unless it affects my ability to get home, it can wait until i'm home. If the house battery dies, I use campground facilities/water and puck lights and lanterns. If propane system goes out, I cook over a fire. If fridge goes out, I buy ice.

I think being prepared is good, but IMHO that's just common sense - whether you're talking about your RV, car, house or health.

[fireflock]

It's not that all of the major appliances break once you hit the 10,12,14 year mark, but it's foolish to leave the driveway without considering the possibility.

I own a 2003. The possibility of a $1000-$2000 repair is always in the back of my mind when I leave for a trip. I don't lose sleep of fret about it, but I do make sure I have the money to cover it if something bad happens. Fridge, Fuel Pump, Transmission, A/C (in some climates) are all repairs that I would probably make before continuing a trip. Many of those repairs will take longer and cost more when you're away from cities. Given that the family isn't going to just sit around a repair shop waiting for a few days, I'm also ready to pay for a hotel/resort kind of place while we wait.

A big repair/expense like that doesn't happen very often, but with an older RV you at least need to be prepared. It's still peanuts compared to depreciation in a brand new coach.

[Bordercollie]

I our case, the roof AC, fridge, fresh water pump, house batteries and converter charger in our 2004 rig needed replacement when around 10 years old.
I have heard some talk that recent AC units, fridges and other items made in Asia, along with changes in refrigerants, may reduce their service life. In our previous '79 rig, bought used, the old Dometic fridge and roof AC were still working when we sold the rig in 2003.

[Harvey51]

Wow, I see we have been fortunate. We bought a small 2004 C in 2008 when, vehicle prices slumped, from a reputable dealer who had it sitting on the lot for more than a year. A former rental. It was $28k. It needed new tires a year later (they were recalled so we got free new ones two years after that). Brake pads all around in 2016. No other costs worth mentioning.

[WILDEBILL308]

I think some people use it for an excuse. XX might fail so I can't buy a RV. Well XX might fail the first week or year or never. You have XX in your house fail all the time. I have never heard someone say I have to sell the house because it is 10 years old and XX might fail. With a RV just like a house if something fails you just fix or replace it and go on.
Bill

[toedtoes]

Bordercollie wrote:
If you buy an older motorhome for say $10K and need to spend $1800 on new tires, plus $500 on brakes and another $1000 on other stuff to get it safe to drive and usable for camping, you have invested $12,500 and have had some delay in getting started. It is likely that the roof AC, fridge, dash AC, awning, furnace, RV generator and converter/charger and house batter(s) and fresh water pump will need repairs/replacements during the first couple of years of ownership, (around $6K more.) Your basic investment is around $18,500 and you have had significant down time while having repairs and replacements done.
Your motorhome is now a few years older and it's market value may still be only around $10K or less depending on interior and exterior appearance and local market conditions. You may feel compelled to keep the rig and get your money's worth out of it despite wanting something newer, different length and floor plan, etc. You might say that you have had enough use and enjoyment of your older rig while you were a young family versus saving up and buying a much newer rig later for a lot more money. Just something to think about when considering buying an older rig vs a newer rig or buying a new rig with financing. Your actual experience may vary considerably.

I wonder how many of the house appliances really go bad on an older rig. I know in my own experience, it has been minimal:

My 1985 TT - the hot water tank was split when I bought it - $600 to replace the entire hot water heater system, the shop did it in one day. I blew the converter/charger - $100 for a new PD and I installed it in one day. All the other appliances were original and worked great through the day I traded it in.

My 1975 Clipper - The water heater had been replaced before I purchased it. 2 months after buying it, I had to get a new thermocoupler for the fridge - $15 and 5 minutes. The heater had a propane leak, I chose to just shut it off from the propane line as I wouldn't be using it. 2 years in, I blew the converter portion - put in the PD I had bought for the TT (I had kept it); one day to install.

Just curious what their life expectancy really is these days. Is it really that they will all start failing at 8-10 years? Or is it more "one might fail at any time"?

[toedtoes]

Matt_Colie wrote:

A coach that is reliable and ready to travel will cost you $25,000. All at once or as a kit....

Matt

And which is the "right" way to go is a personal decision based on many factors (monthly income, savings, travel plans, etc.)

[Matt_Colie]

I don't have a C anymore, I have a tiny A that has a lot in common with Cs. It is also 40+years old and had a cult-like following. But we have an expression that fits here.

A coach that is reliable and ready to travel will cost you $25,000. All at once or as a kit....

Matt

[Bordercollie]

If you buy an older motorhome for say $10K and need to spend $1800 on new tires, plus $500 on brakes and another $1000 on other stuff to get it safe to drive and usable for camping, you have invested $12,500 and have had some delay in getting started. It is likely that the roof AC, fridge, dash AC, awning, furnace, RV generator and converter/charger and house batter(s) and fresh water pump will need repairs/replacements during the first couple of years of ownership, (around $6K more.) Your basic investment is around $18,500 and you have had significant down time while having repairs and replacements done.
Your motorhome is now a few years older and it's market value may still be only around $10K or less depending on interior and exterior appearance and local market conditions. You may feel compelled to keep the rig and get your money's worth out of it despite wanting something newer, different length and floor plan, etc. You might say that you have had enough use and enjoyment of your older rig while you were a young family versus saving up and buying a much newer rig later for a lot more money. Just something to think about when considering buying an older rig vs a newer rig or buying a new rig with financing. Your actual experience may vary considerably.

[toedtoes]

I think it all depends on your personal desires and circumstances.

A new or newer class C will cost at around $50K. If you can save up $5K per year, that will take 10 years to save up. By then the kids are grown and don't want to hang with you.

However, if you by an older cheap RV for $5K, you can start enjoying it now while it's being fixed up. And you can spread out many of the repairs/upgrades over time. And it's unlikely you'll need to spend $45K or more on repairs, so in the end you'll still have spent less money while having been enjoying the motorhome.

Where buying really used doesn't work is if you plan on fulltiming and/or extended trips in it right away. But if you do short trips for the first few years, there's nothing wrong with buying used so you can enjoy now rather than later.