cost of use

[billy1davis]

What is the average cost of use of a class a? Right now the cost of purchase of a used diesel class a is relatively inexpensive. Like 20 to 25k for one that is 20 years old with sometimes very low miles. I am just afraid that it would be so expensive to maintain and use.

[vegasfoodguy]

billy1davis wrote:
What is the average cost of use of a class a? Right now the cost of purchase of a used diesel class a is relatively inexpensive. Like 20 to 25k for one that is 20 years old with sometimes very low miles. I am just afraid that it would be so expensive to maintain and use.

Yes, It is very expensive.

[Jim]

$$/Mile over 103,819 miles
$0.02 Propane
$0.23 Diesel
$0.02 Gas
$0.22 Repair
$1.50 Living
$2.00 Total

Started full time RVing in '04, the above is over the period July '04 thru Sept '17. Had a '94 Bounder diesel 35' until Feb. 2016, bought a '02 Journey diesel 35'.

The repair costs average around $144/mo.

[rk911]

billy1davis wrote:
So I am guessing the tires would run 300 each?
I am 69 and would probably use it for 10 years

what size tires? could be $300 per, could be $800 per.

[jplante4]

20 year old coach here. My metric is 2X the per hour operating costs. That metric also worked great for a 30 year old airplane.

[darsben1]

I bought a 20 year old rig. It is a labor of love and expensive to maintain.
My guess on a per mile basis is about $.50 per mile I put on about 5000 miles a year.
It will be a money pit.

[Lwiddis]

While you can be thrifty, RVing is expensive particularly in a twenty year old unit.

[billy1davis]

So I am guessing the tires would run 300 each?
I am 69 and would probably use it for 10 years

[gbopp]

donn0128 wrote:
Just check out the price for a set of tires as an example.

Yep, and probably any used unit you buy will need tires.

[rk911]

billy1davis wrote:
What is the average cost of use of a class a? Right now the cost of purchase of a used diesel class a is relatively inexpensive. Like 20 to 25k for one that is 20 years old with sometimes very low miles. I am just afraid that it would be so expensive to maintain and use.

in the sense of cost-per-mile it all depends on its condition now and for as long as you own it and whether you do the repairs or pay to have them done. but buying a 20/yr old motorhome showing low miles suggests one of two things. either its been sitting for a very long time unused which is not good or the odometer is on its second or third time around in which case you have to wonder just how well it was maintained. either way it is incumbent upon you to have the unit thoroughly inspected...chassis, drive train, all coach walls, floors, ceilings, roof, tires, wheels, all utilities, appliances, etc assume nothing other than the owner/seller is not and will not be forthcoming.

good luck.

[donn0128]

Just check out the price for a set of tires as an example.