Real world cost of owning a class c - ouch!

super_camper wrote:
The purpose of my post was to look at the costs of RVing objectively, I am not trying to rationalize it, it is what it is!

To respond to the earlier questions:
- I bought a new 2006 in 2007 and negotiated a pretty good deal

- as I'm not trying to argue one way or the other on costs I believe the numbers are objective and not slanted in any direction, just simple math.

- I also thought about the mileage/night cost and it starts to make more sense when the destinations are factored in. We did travel just about everywhere in the US and Canada.

- about $27,500 of the total cost was depreciation (buy-sell)

- the largest share of the cost is not depreciation, it's fuel by a large margin. I would think the next 7 years would be similar in costs given increased maintenance and could actually be higher with gas prices

- my costs capture everything related to the MH including registration, tax, etc.

To RVWithTito: our needs have changed and our kids are traveling for school so this year we're going to the UK and Belgium. We will likely be back into RV's closer to retirement.

Here is another interesting breakdown on costs: fixed vs variable.

The fixed costs to own the vehicle including depreciation, registration, insurance, storage, and tax are about 54% of total costs or $0.69/mile.

The variable costs to use it including fuel and maintenance for the mileage outlined were about 46% of the total costs or $0.59/mile

One additional note: the costs exclude towing. We had a dolly and setup two different cars for 4-down towing and none of these are included.

Thanks for the clarifications. It is an interesting analysis and one that everyone needs to consider when looking at owning any type of recreational vehicle. I have done a similar analysis on our use and there certainly is a 'cost' of ownership. I just would disagree that the marginal costs are as high as you stated in your original post.