Letting a Class A sit for a month or two but full timing

[rollindownthero]

I am looking to full time in a Class A when I retire. Currently my thoughts are not traveling a great deal in it but stay in one location for 1 or 2 months then moving to a new location. I live in Florida and plan on staying in Florida. Is it ok for a motorhome to sit for a month or two at a time or would it do more damage than good. Again, plan on full timing in it.

I have also considered either a 5th wheel or travel trailer, but don't want to buy a large truck to pull either of them. I am by myself so my thinking would be a class a would be easier to operate; set-up, tear down, etc.

Also, what would maintenance costs run per year on a Class A? Will definitely be buying used. Probably gas not a DP, in the 30' to 35' range. I had considered buying a boat to live on but everyone said that maintenance costs for a boat run 10% - 12% of the purchase price per year. If my budget was $75,000 for a boat then maintenance alone would be $7,500.00 and up per year. That seems high to me.

[seatboard]

Due to Med problems DW and I have not used our 06 Revolution in four years.I take it out often and run it around for 50 or so miles and then back home for a few more months. This sucker has Six NEW,NOW THREE YEARS old, tires which have less than a thousand MI on them. It is still running like new. I Do start the engine often, (Just to hear that diesel roar)

[Dale_Traveling]

I'm with the trailer/truck group. You'll get move living space in a trailer/fifth wheel than a class A plus you'll have a vehicle for general day. You don't need a monster duel rear wheel truck to tote around a good size trailer or fifth wheel. A diesel powered Ford F250 or Chevy/Ram 2500 series will pull a 30-40 towable with ease. With a class A you have to deal with maintaining two motorize vehicles along with the additional cost of insurance and such. Other than connecting and disconnecting set up and tear down isn't much different. You still need to level/stabilize, connect water/power/sewage, awning, slides, outdoor seating,,,,

Yearly maintenance cost will vary with age of the coach, if you can do the maintenance, if buying used how did the prior owner maintain the coach and location (cost vary across the country). Maybe $2000 to $3000 a year maintenance budget will see you through but you'll need to figure in tires at some point in time. Very few owners will wear out the tires on a coach. They usually rot first. Maintenance isn't difficult and there are a lot of owners posting videos on You Tube showing various ways to do things. If you must use a service center costs can climb to the boat level very quickly. Power train and chassis maintenance is either a usage/mileage or calendar interval so even if you hardly drive the coach you shouldn't neglect the chassis.

I have a class A because we like to travel not stop at one location for an extended period of time. Our longest stays are measured in days but we're not full timing, yet. If our travel plans change to more stay time and less road time we would shift to a fifth wheel/truck. You're plan will certainly work but you might be better suited with a trailer/truck set up.

[rollindownthero]

Thank you to all who have responded. I guess I should have re-worded my title to this post. I am planning on moving around but not traveling on a consistent basis. I would like to go to a location stay a month or two then move to another location. I would not be staying in one spot and NEVER moving the motor home.

I still have a couple of years to make a final decision as to what I want to do, but for now this is what I'm thinking. I want the freedom to move where and when I want rather than buying a condo.

[ddndoug]

A lot of the maintenance cost depends on your ability to do not only mechanical repairs, but also home repairs. Winterizing will cost anywhere from $100-200, it you have to have it done. An oil change will cost between $45 and $100+, depending on your setup. That doesn't include the generator, that's another $40-75.

For a comparison, I changed the oil in both the engine and the generator and winterized mine this weekend. I spent probably four hours total time (I was in no rush) and materials cost me less than $50, but more importantly I know it's done right.

For a $75k budget, you can get one heck of a set-up in either a Class A, or travel trailer and a truck to pull it. But if you are planning driving shorter trips and staying in one place for longer stays, I would agree with other suggestions that a travel trailer and truck might be a better way to go.

Doug

[holstein13]

You should have no problems doing what you describe and it shouldn't be too expensive. If your budget is $75,000 for a used gas MH, you should be able to get a heck of a nice unit with only a few miles on it.

Class As like to be driven. If you plan to move every two months or so, that would be fine. Be sure to run the generator at the same time when you move to keep that in shape. Ideally, you should go through at least one or two tanks of fuel per year to keep that fresh. Get your rig inspected before purchasing and change out the fluids on schedule. You'll be fine.

Most folks who own class A motorhomes hardly ever use them. Many RV dealers and staff have told me that's the number one reason they deteriorate and fall apart. From neglect, not overuse. If you live in it full-time and drive it every two months, you'll be ahead of 90% of the RV crowd.

You haven't told us why you prefer camping over a condo, but I agree with you for my own reasons.

[gbopp]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I think your best bet would be to buy a trailer and if you don't want to move it, pay someone else to move it within the state. In the long run, you will save money and the hassle of keeping a Class A in operating condition.

X2. Keep it simple.It will be cheaper in the long run.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

also have you considered the cost of the RV park? In Florida in the winter the prices are very high and in most you also have to pay the electric. It's not cheaper to live in an RV. Maybe a park model?

[WyoTraveler]

If I was never going to move what would be the purpose of having a movable home? I would think a small condo in a gated community would be more practical. Or even a small home in a gated community.

[45Ricochet]

wildtoad wrote:
Many motorhomes sit for long periods between use. 1-2 months is peanuts.

X2
It's in storage the 5 months of winter we have.

[barmcd]

There are a boat load of 12-15 year old motor homes for sale with less than 100,000 miles on them and most of them are in pretty good shape so I'd say sitting is not a big issue.

A travel trailer would be much cheaper in the long run however.

[wildtoad]

Many motorhomes sit for long periods between use. 1-2 months is peanuts. For my gasser changing the oil once a year, having it inspected at a Chevy dealer costs a couple hundred. Washing several times a year, wipe on wipe of waxing once or twice, checking and inflating the tires, inspecting and washing the roof once, and cleaning and checking the outside components of the WH, refer, are about all it takes and these I do myself. You would want to take some care with the tires by covering them from uv/sun or spray them with a uv protectant.

[bhivetravels]

Don't know anything about living in a boat but we've been full timing the past 3 years in our motorhome me spending sometimes up to 4 months in one place. If you run the engine every w weeks religiously same with the generator you should be fine. Many will tell you that you need to drive it to keep the tires from having issues. We've not had any problems

[rgatijnet1]

I think your best bet would be to buy a trailer and if you don't want to move it, pay someone else to move it within the state. In the long run, you will save money and the hassle of keeping a Class A in operating condition.