One Year Try

[StukInTexas]

I'm debating on doing this for a year or so, but have not yet made a final decision. I could just go traveling for 3 months and stay in motels (would not have as much freedom, plus I want to travel for a full year).

Still cannot decide on MotorHome vs. 5th Wheel vs. Travel Trailer. I've read all the articles, I first started considering this about 6 months ago. I would be doing this solo, and I am a male approaching 40.

Basically, if I were to do this, I plan to buy something used, then resell it after I use it for one year. ere.

Few things I would like others input on:

1) A used MotorHome would seem to make the most sense because I already own a vehicle I can tow, but there is no way I want to spend $50,000 on a used one, because it seems like too much risk even though I would resell it. The risk I see in the MotorHome is if something catastrophic occurs to the structure, water damage, or whatever that the insurance will not pay. Then I am basically out the $35,000 to $50,000 all at once.

2) Now because of the "RISK" factor, a travel trailer makes more sense. The reason not a 5th wheel is because I can get a used Durango or something similar a lot cheaper than I can get a heavy duty truck.

3) Now the fifth wheel would be easier to drive, and safer to drive. The problem is the money to buy the truck.

4) I plan to stay in 8-10 places primarily, and I have already been all over the United States, so I am familiar with the roads.

Any thoughts?

Where should I start as far as buying and how much do I really need to spend to be comfortable?

I don't care about luxury, but I also don't want to live in a dump for a year. What I really want is something clean that does not leak, that is my primary concern.

Another nice thing would be LOW ASBESTOS, the ASBESTOS stuff does scare me about trailers.

How much is this really going to set me back?

[StukInTexas]

I would like to pay cash for the 5th or TT, and finance the vehicle. However, yes I did include everything in the EST depreciation (vehicle and TT). Though I could pay cash for both, I would really not feel comfortable doing so because I would have to move too much retirement around and probably take penalties.

I am not claustrophobic from the medical definition as in an actual fear, I could sit in a closet for 2 hours if I had to. I just meant the feeling of being closed in without lots of space might wear on me.

I agree that I would want to extend my space to the outdoors. That is why I am not 100% sure how much space I really need INSIDE for just one person. I guess there really is no perfect answer for this, everyone is different.

I also have to consider if I want to get a setup that is easy to drive in the mountains, as I do really love the mountains, but I also know there are some roads and some places where you can get to mountains easily without having to make a hazardous drive.

[wbwood]

Francesca hit it right about claustrophobic. If you feel you will be, then you don't need to consider this for any length of time. We had a 31' TT and now a 31' Class C. The Class C is set up better for us. The TT had bunks in the back that was a waste of space as we have one kid. Our bedroom is bigger. Even if you got a 30' 5th wheel, you are talking less than 300 square ft.

Speaking of 5th wheels. Not all 5th wheels can be pulled by 3/4 trucks. Your selection of a 5th wheel will be limited. I can't remember if in your initial posting, but did you say you were going to pay cash for the camper and tow vehicle or motorhome? Or is that all included in your depreciation number?
If not a class c, then I would look at a 1/2 ton truck and a smaller TT (something under 25'). I would budget at least $15k for each. And stick with models not much more than around the 4yr area.

Seeing that you want to do more dispersed camping, I would consider even smaller camper if you can stand it. One thing us campers do, is try not to spend much time inside the camper. If the weather is good, you put out the awning, throw out the rug and sit in your chair outside and enjoy the wide open space. Inside is left inclement weather and sleeping. We even try to do most of our cooking inside.

Also be aware that when you look at used campers, you will come across some bad smells. You will wonder what the hell they have been cooki in there or what died in it. Lol

[StukInTexas]

Thanks a lot for the input guys.

You've convinced me there is still some low-cost places to park. Not sure why the other doubters told me $45 night was the best I could do (that seems crazy high).

I think at a projected cost of $2500 or less a month, this is pretty easy for me.

It does sound like a MAJOR adventure, but it is pretty scary for me at the same time. My biggest fear I guess is obtaining a level of comfort semi-outdoors without being in an APT or house, and being all by myself. Again, being by myself is FINE from a --I am my company-- standpoint, but only a bit worried about traveling and sleeping MORE exposed feeling, because an RV won't provide the same level of safe feeling as a home or APT does.

I keep going in circles between just buy a small Travel Trailer (25' or less) and pull it with an SUV (maybe even 20' trailer), or get a CLASS C Motorhome (think I've almost ruled this one out), or get a truck + 5th wheel.

Again, I really do like the way V8 SUV's drive around town over the Heavy Duty Trucks, and it might be a lot easier for me to get financing for a V8 SUV than an HDT (not sure).

I really have no idea what size to get, guess I better hit the dealers and do some walkthroughs or maybe hit an RV show. I have been to a couple dealers, but they only had 2 units on display.

[mlts22]

Oddly enough, if I sell my rig for NADA value, I actually have made out better than staying in hotels. My total depreciation is about $5000. However, if I amortize that over more than 75 nights camped, then the result is definitely less than what even the cheapest roach trap would cost in the areas I am staying. To boot, no worries about bedbugs, or if the room previously was used as a meth lab. If I boondock another season in my travel trailer, it amortizes the depreciation even further.

Of course, this doesn't include expenses like propane, food, paying for the honey wagon, etc... but done right with the right gear, it can be done for fairly inexpensively.

[beemerphile1]

$1,200 per month for a parking spot is too much. Parking on public land (BLM) in the desert is free or extremely cheap.

Honestly, I applaud your thoroughness but I think you are way over thinking this. Think of it as an adventure, it isn't about dollars and cents. Don't lose many dollars worth of memories by pinching pennies.

There are lots of websites about living cheaply in an RV. Here are a couple to get you started;
http://cheaprvliving.com/

http://vandwellers.org/

StukInTexas wrote:
...I am counting selling the stuff at the end of the year...and I expect at least a potential $9,000 loss, but perhaps I can get it down to $5000 loss.....

It isn't a loss anymore than rent payment, groceries, or a mortgage payment is a loss. It is merely the expense of living. I don't see why you can't get a used trailer and sell it after a year for virtually the same thing you paid. Purchase from a private seller and sell to a private buyer.

[StukInTexas]

Thanks, remember though I am counting selling the stuff at the end of the year, that is the unknown and I expect at least a potential $9,000 loss, but perhaps I can get it down to $5000 loss.

I am pretty confident in these numbers, I would say the expected variance is $2500 to $4000 month for one year. Reason being you cannot be sure how many things will go wrong.

How can you possibly do it for $2000 month?
(stay in free places maybe?)

I am debt free but haven't decided yet if I will pay cash for the RV stuff yet or finance it.

[rockportrocket]

If it cost that much, not many would be fulltiming. I suspect 2000 a month will cover everything except your monthly payments other than rving. If you are debt free around 1500-1700 a month.

[StukInTexas]

BTW, I came up with these numbers for RV living for one year:
The unknown is really the depreciation cost (currently figured at 30%).
This assumes I am driving about 1,000 miles per month at an AVG price of GAS @ $3.70 gal.

EST Monthly Costs of RV
---------------------
RV + Car Gas $500
Insurance $200
RV + Auto Maint $200
RV Parks $1,200 (mix of low-budget, free, and avg cost places)
Depr Loss $800

About $3000 Month

It's about the same as staying in motels, but it could be much cheaper if I got lucky and reduced the DEPR loss as well as if I can figure a way to get the monthly RV park fees down more. Remember I plan on staying places for at least a month (or whichever way is cheaper), so if monthly rates are better, then that is how I assume $1,200 month, but also because I will stay in free or cheap places some of the time.

I guess the problem I see with this, it can go either way, it could end up being $2000 month, or $5000 month if enough catastrophes occur.

Gotta think about it and research ways to make this slightly cheaper, though I can deal with the numbers the way they are now, I'd prefer not to.


@Some of the earlier Posters

I have been factoring in DEPR of course this entire time, this is what we have been talking about. Re-read the posts, you must have missed the entire conversation...

[StukInTexas]

I may have to adjust my plans then and stay in NM longer and Calif less time.

How hard is it to stay at govt park NM sites that are near-free but have no dump station?

How often will one person need a dump station with the average 30' 5th wheel setup?

I really am considering boondocking as much as possible to reduce costs, plus I prefer remote areas over crowded RV parks anyhow.

[bikendan]

StukInTexas wrote:
You make a VERY good point about California RV expenses, so I will look into if I can find any cheaper places to stay in California. I was hoping to find an ugly RV park in the desert cheaper, or maybe stay in state parks (more than likely a mix).

just a reminder if you haven't been camping in Calif. for awhile.
over the past couple of years, state parks' campsite rates have gone up.
right now, the basic price for a normal, non-hookup campsite is $35.
that's the cost for most non-hookup sites with a picnic bench and fire ring.
most everything else, especially along the coast, costs more.
the handful of campsites that have hookups of any kind, most start at $45 and go up to $80.
here's the fees list:
California State Parks camping fees

so, you may find private parks with hookups, for the same price it'll cost you for a non-hookup state park campsite.

[Francesca_Knowl]

StukInTexas wrote:

The Class C potentially sounds like a good idea, though my fear is that I may get claustrophobic. I am used to having a lot of space, as my apt is 1450 sq. feet and I'm the only one here. I just am not sure that a CLASS C would really be easier to sell, will keep researching.

I see the above as two major obstacles that need overcoming here in the planning stages.

First:
RV's (of all types) are not for claustrophobics, depending of course on the degree of the phobia.

Second:
Perhaps I misunderstand your concerns in this regard, but since reselling keeps coming up:
Expecting to resell a heavily used rig at or even near what one pays for it is not possible/realistic. Depreciation is one of your "costs-of-living".

That having been said:

In my opinion, the best "return" in that department would be from a tug/tow combo. I think the hit on a decent pickup would be much softer than on any motorized RV, and a wisely chosen trailer should resell for a decent price. It'll depreciate at a similar rate to a "C" or an "A", but...well, I'll put it this way:

What hurts more- to lose 30-50% of $20,000.00 or 30-50% of $80,000.00?

[rockportrocket]

FYI Sat two weeks ago, I picked up a 29 ft Skyline with a 14 ft super slide, has everything , great cond , for 6500.00 . Last Wed, a 29 ft Layton with super slide in perfect condition for 7200.00 and Monday I fell into a 2002 National with 14 super slide, new awning, just like new with 4KW gen for 6600.00.

There are deals out there but you really have to do the legwork.

[rockportrocket]

I buy and sell rvs, and the rv Im speaking of will maintain its value for several years. Once they get to a certain point they stay there. The 3/4 truck will ride every bit as good as an SUV that is equipped to pull a TT.

I would not worry about the resale , especially in Texas where there is a strong market for the smaller 29-31 ft fivers. And a truck is the real vehicle of choice in Texas, as you know.

If you keep the Mazda, you gotten then buy a dolly or trailer to pull it with and some states require braking systems on both. That COST MONEY.

[2012Coleman]

beemerphile1 wrote:

StukInTexas wrote:

...You make a VERY good point about California RV expenses, so I will look into if I can find any cheaper places to stay in California....

You want cheap? Check out Slab City.

Great advice! After reading the following excerpt from their website, I'll be going home and packing my bags!

"The State of California is currently considering closing Slab City to the public permanently. Over the years, people have desecrated the desert, and left their trash and human waste behind. Instead of driving their RVs to a proper dumping station, some people have chosen to simply dig a hole in the ground. A growing portion of Slab City is now littered with "septic pits", old clothing, rusty vehicles and trash of all kinds."

[john_bet]

You might want to look around a little for a truck and 5th combo for sale as one unit. We had a couple in the local area recently,both an older one and a newer one. My uncle sold his a few years ago that way.