Depreciation, why so much with RV's

rgatijnet1 wrote:

NMDriver wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Travel by car, train, boat, or airplane, and buying all meals at restaurants, and staying in hotels, are all money that is 100% gone.
Depends on how you travel. By car I can save quite a bit versus pulling my 5er. Just in fuel. Plus being able to go 800 miles a day instead of at most 400 saves on accommodations and food.

I can also fly round trip to DC for $225 and I can not drive there and back for less than $2500 in fuel alone. So I can spend the other 2200 on lodging and food.

If you add up all of the cost to travel, you will find that RV travel is still the most cost effective, not to mention all of the places you experience on the way to any destinations. Again a car can give you the same experience for less money and I guess you are saying the value of the RV is not lost money. Well neither is the cost of the car.

Having the total freedom to travel on your own schedule is priceless in my opinion.

You have freedom to travel regardless of the mode or you are not free to travel for job, family, etc. reasons with or without an RV.

Yep, some people do not mind dealing with an airline schedule, restrictions, limited airport service, and checking in hours ahead of a flight. I get it.
Now add in the extra cost of pets, which many RV'rs have. How much for boarding fees? How many hotels allow pets?
I understand that traveling in an automobile, especially with pets, is a not that much fun. I've been there, which is why an RV is better.
If it is just a couple that travels, with no pets, I agree on most of your examples.
Also try to get that $225 airline fare, any day, any time, at a moments notice. It can't be done. So much for total freedom to travel regardless of mode.

-Yes, you can save "gas" money by driving a car instead of an RV, but I'm not sure how you can drive double the distance (800mi vs 400mi)? Last time I looked, most RVs are running near the same speed as other autos; 75mph vs 65mph certainly doesn't double my range in a day of driving.
-You can fly round trip to DC for $225 per person, but how many of us travel alone? And don't even get started on airline scheduling, parking fees, check-in, checking luggage, getting through security, boarding, little to no legroom, the "wonderful" snacks/meals served on board...
-An additional value of the RV over the car/plane is the ability to stop and eat your own food wherever/whenever you want, sleep in your own bed whenever/wherever you want, use your own bathroom whenever/wherever you want, and even have meals prepared (by your SO) and eat while traveling.