Used RVs
I have never owned an RV and am contemplating going out full time with my wife and two teen aged kids. As much as I think a fifth wheel would possibly give us the most living space, I feel the cost of...
Forum Discussion
Shopping used, a fifth wheel or travel trailer and a suitable used truck can be less expensive than a motorhome with equivalent living space and a second motor vehicle to haul around for local transportation.
My Class C (29 1/2 feet) was $58,000 when I bought it used in 2005 (although lesser new ones this size were available for about $50,000 at the time) and I paid another $9,000 for a seven year old towable vehicle. I would have gotten equivalent space in a trailer with with a 23-24 foot box, as little as $12,000 new, or $20,000 new for trim and build quality similar to the motorhome. In 2005 I could buy a suitable 3/4-ton or single rear wheel one-ton extended cab pickup for under $12,000, and actually had a RV dealer offer to sell me a tow-ready 3/4 ton truck for $4500 if I bought a trailer at the same time. The truck was nine years old, but had modest (under 60,000) mileage.
Trucks look a lot more expensive now because most are being sold as family passenger vehicles, loaded with $10,000 to $20,000 trim upgrades and entertainment technology. "Work" trucks capable of towing are much less expensive, particularly if you find them used, coming off a 3-5 year lease. These are fairly easy to find in the rural midwest, maybe not so easy in mostly urban markets.
My Class C (29 1/2 feet) was $58,000 when I bought it used in 2005 (although lesser new ones this size were available for about $50,000 at the time) and I paid another $9,000 for a seven year old towable vehicle. I would have gotten equivalent space in a trailer with with a 23-24 foot box, as little as $12,000 new, or $20,000 new for trim and build quality similar to the motorhome. In 2005 I could buy a suitable 3/4-ton or single rear wheel one-ton extended cab pickup for under $12,000, and actually had a RV dealer offer to sell me a tow-ready 3/4 ton truck for $4500 if I bought a trailer at the same time. The truck was nine years old, but had modest (under 60,000) mileage.
Trucks look a lot more expensive now because most are being sold as family passenger vehicles, loaded with $10,000 to $20,000 trim upgrades and entertainment technology. "Work" trucks capable of towing are much less expensive, particularly if you find them used, coming off a 3-5 year lease. These are fairly easy to find in the rural midwest, maybe not so easy in mostly urban markets.
