Posted on 07/06/2017 12:18:39 PM PDT by yetidog
My parents had one. RVs are a lot of work.
Like boats, the second happiest day of their RV lives was buying it. They had it for sale forever.
“WHY do you wish those big rigs aren’t financed? Does it matter? I have seen some deluxe RVs go in the $350K range.”
I am well aware of wealth and am an active investor who happens to live in an area supported for the most part by an oil production. Free-market economies and the people who participate in them may discover limitations when debts are called in and cash flow stops. I am the child of a depression era businessman who told me all about it. And I still believe him.
Anything financed is problematic if you are called upon to pay in full. And I would think that would include RV’s.
I learned a new word recently - “Glamping”
I can tell you it’s still not for my wife.
“Those are the people that baffles me on how they can afford it.”
I think I ran into your neighbors or a lot of people like them at the RV park this week.
“We like RV’ing much better than Hotels. We are 82/79 YO.”
At 76 and 72. you are our inspiration.
whatever! My hubs did a 20 yr stint in the Marines, and there’s a pension but not a fat one.
I agree. Eric puts a lot of time and energy into his vids. There is a feminazi I used to watch (Carolyns RV life) but unsubscribed when she mentioned she was a Berkley grad. They taught her well.
15 year notes ?
Mr. Bigg Red and I have a 28’ travel trailer. We like to take several vacations each year, and, for us, pulling our camper to a state park is a great way to do it.
Why?
- Cheaper than staying in a hotel (which is why we can take
several and not just one vacation each year).
- I like the idea of sleeping in my own bed rather than in
one that strangers have used before.
- We save money on meals because I prepare some of ours
instead of buying all of them out.
- Hotel management usually frowns upon the notion of guests
building a campfire outside the door of the room.
But this is what works for us. To each his own.
The money angle was the original question (How Do People Afford This). So depreciation, repair, fuel, etc, all figure in.
For folks who travel a couple of weeks a year, an RV would be economic idiocy, unless they really love the lifestyle and have money to burn. If you "live" on the road most of the year, yes, it can make economic sense. Lots of folks live that way, and really enjoy it.
Yes, cars aren't investments, but you pretty much have to have one to function in everyday life. RV's are not necessary to travel, so it's a choice. But you better put a pencil to it.
I learned a new word recently - “Glamping”
I can tell you it’s still not for my wife.
“I’m an accountant at an RV company........”
Good, honest and informative post. Thanks.
Banks have been giving 20 year loans to well-qualified borrowers. An RV may, repeat, may qualify as a second home so that interest expense may, repeat, may be deducted on income tax returns (as well as some other expenses, perhaps). Some retirees have required minimum distributions from their retirement assets that may exceed their working annual incomes. Their sticks and bricks houses may be paid off. They may have low expenses and no debt. Some have decided that it’s time to splurge, after a lifetime of frugality. And, as with all hobbies, its expensive in one regard, but highly pleasureable in others. And, you’re right...some inherited some money and decided to spend all or part of the wind fall on some toys. They’re doing their part to keep the economy moving along!
us too! My husband was able to semi retire at 59 b/c we saved our $$ and always lived below our means. No where near millionaires but we’ll always be comfy.
“camping” is my code word in case someone breaks into the house and intends to do me harm.
If I tell the kids “Getting ready to go camping” they know to hang up, call the police and send them to my house, cause there is a maniac with a gun to my head.
That’s how much i want to camp.
Big difference between how do you afford it and getting what you paid for out of it. So no actually those things don’t figure in, at least not the way you’re using them.
Yes, folks who travel a couple of weeks a year shouldn’t RV. But that’s not the target market. You don’t have to be on the road most of the year, really just 2 or 3 months for an RV to start being cheaper than air and hotel. Especially when you start considering convenience cost: no TSA, no airline schedules, no hotel BS, no wondering who had what kind of filthy sex on that bed, no bed bugs. There’s a lot of positives to the RV travel, even at just a couple of trips a year.
Depending on where you live you don’t need a car to function in everyday life. Meanwhile NO mode of transportation is really an investment. Even if you want to get into the classic restoration business tastes in that change so rapidly one is much better off treating it as a hobby that sometimes might pay for itself. RVs are a choice, and can be the right choice for a large number of people.
Actually I am willing to camp but I will not sleep on the ground and I need a actual bathroom.
I did a lot of rough camping when I was younger but I ain't younger anymore.
They made good decisions, eh?
I hauled a few of the big uns for people when I had time and my dually.
I also owned a couple. The 30 toot fifth wheel was a joy to haul but couldnt get the SOB above 50 if I used it in the winter. Went through a 100 pound tank of LP in 5 days.
The last one, a 20 foot towable, I used for work in Laramie WY. And if any of you know how GD cold and windy it is in Laramie WY in the winter you know what I am talking about.I heated that thing with a 20 dollar electric heater and the gas furnace. Kept it at 70 degrees all through that stay up there.
The big ones? Screw them, they are a bastard to tow, and impossible to heat if you use them in cold weather-never mind to cool in the hot summer.
Just try towing one of those things down the windy freeways.
The self contained motor homes? I wouldnt give a penny for any of them. Pure JUNK. Oh they are really fancy inside, until you get to experience the constant problems with them.
They are cold/hot, and always something wrong with the things.
I have a question for you…. What do you think the depreciation rate should typically be on something like a 35 foot 5th wheel? I just bought a recreational property that has a 35 foot 2013 Sprinter by Keystone on it and came as part of the package. It has essentially never been used and sits under a roof. I’m going to use it for a few months while I build a cabin on the property and then I intend to get rid of it. I don’t know what the original owner paid for it but regardless, any thoughts on what percent of depreciation I should expect if I was to put it on the market?
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