Cost aside we are in our own dirt. I'm sure most of you have seen the documentaries on the things found on the bedding and floors in even the higher class hotels. As they say in the commercial having your own place PRICELESS.
Quote: I'd probably lay awake all night killing the roaches that would be crawling over me!!!
Agreed. Bedbugs from the bedding. They we're reintroduced in the East coast from the orient and they are spreading Westward even in the best hotels. We wiped them out in the past cause we had DDT but that's gone and there is nothing else that can control them. If your unlucky enough to bring them home with you then your whole house is infected and no effective treatment.
Then there's also fleas from the carpets and athletes feet from the shower.
Retired Anesthetist. Pilot with mechanic/inspection ratings.1996 Jayco C 22 foot with 460/Banks Powerpak/Bilsteins.Wife and daughter. Two cats which control my life. 1975 Ford F-250, 84 Coupe Deville, Thorp T18, tons of tools and tons of junk.
Rufinit wrote: I agree, fuel is contributing to a big increase in the RV'ing lifestyle. But when I look at all the costs of RV'ing, I don't think I could ever cost justify vs. other methods of travel. The captial cost of the motorhome, then the fast reduction in value (depreciation), maintenance costs, insurance etc. We RV because we love the lifestyle, not to save money. I like sleeping in my own bed, having clothes on board, being able to stop and sightsee, eat whenever etc. etc.
Fuel is not the biggest expense in owning an RV. Depending on the value of RV, we might lose $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 or even more in depreciation each year. So if our fuel costs go from $4200 (based on 10,000 miles per year at $3 per gallon) to $7100 (at $5 per gallon), the $2000 difference hurts but is not huge in the scheme of total costs.
So I TRY to put the fuel costs behind me and enjoy the lifestyle. It is a great way to enjoy life. (IMHO!)
Rufinit,
That's a pragmatic view of things and one that I subscribe to as well. RV's are a luxury for most of us not a cheap way to travel - unless you own a European style class B that get's 26 miles to the gallon.
I tell people the same thing about my airplane. When I tell them we flew here or there they often try to do the calculation to determine if it's cheaper than driving or taking the airlines. Usually it's not and my response is "I don't fly because it's cheap, I fly because I enjoy it and I can".
Same thing about traveling by RV. If it were all about cost none of us would be doing it but it's more than that and we all know it. That doesn't make this ridiculous run-up in fuel costs any easier to take though.
We are taking a 2-3 month trip starting mid-June for 6000-7000 miles. Do we hate the high fuel prices? Yes. Are we canceling or cutting back the trip because of it? No. However, I recognize that some can barely afford the RV they have the rise in fuel prices might make the difference between going and not going. We are thankful not to be in that position.
We should also remember that not all of us do this just for fun. There are some full-timers that live in an RV for financial reasons. They are the ones who are hit the hardest by this.
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edited 05/14/08 10:51am by an administrator/moderator *
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Ron
N6QL
2002 36' Country Coach Allure 350HP Cummins
2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1978 Cessna T210M My Flying My website
Can't take it with you! I am headed to central Florida saturday for a week, and I figure between going to the East coast then the West then home about $1200 in fuel. If I had a condo, fuel to get there in the car, then several meals out would cost me more.
I have a family of six. When we go on a trip we take the Expedition which gets around 16-17 mpg at the speed limit. We are comfortable, but a little cramped for space. Hotels cost us easily $200+ per night because we either have to have a suite or two rooms to accomodate everybody. Meals/snacks are easily $150-$200 per day, unless you eat at nothing but McDonalds for the whole trip. Then we have to pack/unpack luggage, look for places to eat, take bathroom breaks, rest etc.
In our class A, I get 10 mpg. Plenty of space for everybody and all their stuff. The seats are WAY more comfortable then any vehicle. The view while travelling is amazing. RV parks are no more than $35-$40 per night. Meals cost no more than $25-$30 per day (unless you choose to eat out) and I can stop anywhere it's safe to do so to use the bathroom, eat a meal or get a cold drink. I can even take a nap if I want to. I've run a few basic calculations and I seem to be much further ahead when travelling by motorhome. And right now, we are paying 4.99 CDN for a US gallon of gas (1.289/L x 3.84L/US Gal). That works out to just over 5.00 US per gallon. And the cost is only going to go up for the summer to 1.50 CDN per litre according to all the "experts", which works out to about $5.70 per US gallon.
As for cost and what's affordable, as long as you've got the basics covered and don't want for food or shelter, my view is I'd rather die financially poor and rich with memories and experiences than the other way around. You can't take it with you.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado LT 1500HD CC 4x4 Quadrasteer
2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4
1998 Fleetwood Bounder 32H 454 P30
One husband, one wife, 3 daughters, 1 son, 4 cats, 1 dog and a whole lotta love.
thegreatgooglymoogly wrote: I have a family of six. When we go on a trip we take the Expedition which gets around 16-17 mpg at the speed limit. We are comfortable, but a little cramped for space. Hotels cost us easily $200+ per night because we either have to have a suite or two rooms to accomodate everybody. Meals/snacks are easily $150-$200 per day, unless you eat at nothing but McDonalds for the whole trip. Then we have to pack/unpack luggage, look for places to eat, take bathroom breaks, rest etc.
You are absolutely spot-on. We are also a family of six with a Suburban that gets 16 MPG. It takes a large hotel room or two rooms. Potty stops and the whole deal.
It's a pain to fill that big tank, but so much easier and convenient every other way.
We agree with Sepisllib. We have worked all our lives also and we are finally about to retire. We have to go forward with our dreams for as long as we can afford to go or sit at home and be miserable.
I am looking forward to the day when fuel shoots to $10 a gallon. THEN I want to read posts stating we don't care what it costs, it's all in the perspective, we worked our whole life, my kid likes campfires so it's worth it, etc. I am really, really looking forward to that. And they will be there.
over the hill and enjoying the view
diesel pickup and 5th wheel trailer.
I spent 20 days in NC at 3 different Camp Grounds, visited my daughter for 1 week went down the coast visited my Son for 1 week, stayed at outer banks for 1 night, 827 Miles Spent 496.15 in gas got full tank now. So I am going to take shorter trips stay longer. Roy
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