What! We have been RVing since the mid 1960's starting with an 8' Georgie Boy truck camper before Georgie Boy became Allegro in Red Bay, Alabama. Have had over 2 dozen RV's since then and always 2-4 RV's at any given time as one type isn't the best for all travel and/or RV uses. We have had many TC's, TT's, class C's, large class A's, and large 5th wheels.
I/we find the "large wallet" references for owning an RV due to things breaking or repairs to be generally greatly exaggerated. On average it's true that the depreciation, insurance costs, mandated repairs, and fuel cost will be much higher on a class A in general followed by a Class C costs of ownership and use. Considerably lower overall costs are the norm with TT and 5th wheel rigs including a decent tow vehicle properly equipped and engined. Lowest cost of use and ownership of the RV types mentioned would be a truck/TC rig. Buy a cheap/cheap built RV and you'll get a cheap built RV! Nothing is given away by a manufacturer or a dealer! Pay me now or keep on paying me later!
Used certainly depends on the true overall condition of everything from the ground up with both the vehicle protion and the coach portion and their contents. Used is used and yes the condition and it's past maintenance is ultra important but no matter what condition and entry level/cheap RV is in it's still a cheap built unit and it won't get any better built over time but will most likely get much worse. You can dress up a sickly pig with glitz and glamour etc and make it look fancy and good but it's still a sickly pig underneath. Buyer beware!
The OP has a lot of research, planning, and defining to do if he wants to make a right for him decision the first time. Also, observing, perhaps renting, and using of a unit for what they intend on a smaller time scale will help them to making a right decision for their wants and needs and avoiding the so-called large or thick wallet scenario some have suggested. Our nearly 49 years of extensive RV'ing have been very inexpensive in our experience and we learned new tips and things every year doing it. Every state including Alaska trips and all but 3 provinces of Canada that do not or did not have roads for reasonable traveling and both CG's and boondocking when and where we wanted and only a few repairs ever incountered and listed below.
Total of 3 tires in over 48 years went bad and not one blowout when traveling. Had to have a broken exhaust system hanger welded in Fairbanks, AK back in 2002. Replaced a furnace sail switch, a on-off humidity rocker swith on a refrig, 2 control boards replaced with one for the furnace and one for a frig. A few burned out light bulbs replaced and a couple other minor things. That's it in over 48 years of RV'ing and over a couple dozen decent quality made RV's. So far from being "expensive"! Yes, I do make sure everything is properly manitained and checked before we even leave and extra attention to our tires which are never cheapies and always max inflated Michelins as it's a good way to minimize breakdowns and problems when traveling and ruining an otherwise wonderful fun time!
A reminder: If you air the tires up to max cold in 30 F temps, they will be 5-9 PSI higher cold when in 80 F temps. Important to keep tabs on it and adjust accordingly. Underinflated tires blow due to increased flexing and tire footprint friction heat build up and the compromising of the tire's structure. Tires are to be checked cold and inflated cold and are designed to operate at normal inflation heat built up higher inflation beginning with cold tire inflations. Adding in the increase from higher ambient temps causes dangerous over-inflations.
A superb CC LB 4X4, GM HD Diesel, airbags, Rancho's, lots more
Lance Legend TC 11' 4", loaded including 3400 PP generator and my deluxe 2' X 7' rear porch
29 ft Carriage Carri-lite 5'er - a specially built gem
A like new '07 Sunline Solaris 26' TT
