So, I went to a show today. We saw soooo many models, today, was very good. if the RV costs me $500 per month plus couple hundred dollars round trip for fuel, another hundred in groceries and I want to do that on average 1 to 2 times per month at least in the spring, summer, and fall. It almost seems like it would be cheaper for us to just get a hotel room and drive the car.
If you are talking one trip a year, for a week or maybe less, then I agree. Get a cheap motel, rental car, clip some coupons and go for it.
The bottom line here is there are some things you cannot put a price on, such as memories with the family.
Now, if you want to look at economics that?s fine but you have to follow through. First, the $500/mo cost of the Rv is inflated because of interest (vs paying cash) and also when you sell the rv you will get something. The difference between buy and sell is your true cost, not the loan payment.
A hundred in groceries for a week for your family is a necessity of life, not just for an Rv. If you stay home I assume the family still eats. Now figure the real cost of 4 eating for a week in restaurants, 3 meals a day. Include big tips cause you love the processed food so much. A hundred in groceries (very reasonable in an rv) would not cover your first day in restaurants besides McDonalds. Get used to happy meals, that will be the only thing happy.
Lets not forget about boarding the two pets at another $40/day while you are gone and how happy that makes the kids feel. I?m sure fido and the cat will be back to regular bowel movements and their hair will grow back after a week or so at home again.
What about paying the neighbor kids to mutilate your grass while you?re gone, or the lawn service after the wife comes home to the weeds and hay field where the front yard used to be. That is priceless during the summer growing season.
What about rental cars, this is an enjoyable moment by itself. Between bus transfers from airports to conveniently located rental lots, some that even have lights in the lot at 2am, and which you will never find again on your return trip. Upgrading is always a necessity (and extra cost) because ?family size sedan? refers to circus families, not your family with luggage. Don?t forget the $6/gal gas because you forgot to top off the tank down the street after stopping for directions the 4th time.
Lets look at motel costs, this should be easy. You can stay at a decent place for a couple hundred a night, and pay extra for an internet connection. Or, you can do a motel 6, once, and then the wife will bring you back to reality while the kids are in the next room jumping up and down on the vibrating bed looking for more quarters. You will get rid of that bathroom lemony smell from your clothes in about a week, maybe.
Have we considered the plane fare yet with all the reasonably associated fees? You know, extra costs in case your wife has luggage, wants a snack or something fancy to drink like water. What about the $15/day to park your car at the park & ride while you?re gone. This usually gives you an opportunity to replace the four stolen tires, try not to take the newer family car.
Obviously I say all this in jest, not meaning to offend but rather to point out the reality and have some fun with it. I could go on and on with associated costs and I can say I have traveled for years because of work and seen all types. I have never regretted my years of Rv?ing with friends and family. I do my own work to save maint. costs but even with that the overall cost is really no more than a couple extravagant vacations, year over year.
I will also back up all of the people and positive opinions of Rv?ing above as completely unbiased and factual. IMO you need to make it fit your budget, you won?t regret it.
