We're a little bit different. We planned to by an RV when we retire in about two-three years. Some friends had a five year old combination fifth wheel and dually truck, and the price was too good to pass up. So, we have this 5er that is way nicer than we ever thought we'd own early on, and a nicer truck than I ever owned before. Now only about 20-30 nights a year, plus the evenings we eat out there in our driveway and sleep there on week-ends when we're not camping away. Hopefully, when we can travel, the "nights out" will increase, and we will have learned a thing or two before we go on the "big one" for us which is Alaska. We are as tight as anyone, but we call it "priority". We scrimp on stuff we don't want to spend on, so we have $$ for the stuff we want. Think about having fun, and not about how much it costs, as others have said, and enjoy yourself! Happy Trails!!
2007 Jayco Designer 36RLTS
2006 F350 DRW super duty
When you're born, everyone is smiling and you're crying. Live so that when you die everyone else is crying and you're smiling!
We camp 80-100 nights a year so we are really using ours a lot more than people who just can go weekends. We would often go to a nearby state park and my husband would drive in to work. The people in the site next to us over the 4th did the same.
Something that stopped us from camping for years was our children taking part in summer sports. If you have that coming up take it into consideration. We just got out of tent camping than so we where not going in the hole as much as if we had an RV sitting in the back yard.
hunter_rv wrote: Asking such a generic question is destined to get a lot of "it depends" answer.
Looking to buy first camper and our preferences are leaning towards a large 5th wheel. We think that we may spend 25-30 nights per year camping, the 5th wheel we like is around 47k. (I know we can go less expensive, but we like the size and floorplan) If we assume a 10 year lifespan of this 5th wheel, then we are estimating $157-$188 per night of camping, not including EVERYTHING else, such as food, fuel, maintenance, fees etc.. One could see where camping could truly cost around $250 per night.
You guys are experts. Is camping worth it? For people who aren't full time campers, how many nights do you spend camping and have you ever calculated your true cost per night?
It's probably like eating at McDonalds. Don't look at the calories!
Thanks so much!
if you buy a nice home for 200,000, figure the interest, insurance and maintenance with a 30 year loan, what does that cost per day?
Not quite sure of the relevance of that question, since houses typically go up in value, whereas RV's depreciate, and one is living in their house everyday not just on vacation. How will the answer to that question help the OP with his decision?
* This post was
edited 08/20/12 05:29pm by JayWalker2009 *
Maybe your question is the wrong one. Assuming that the love for camping is a given then perhaps the question might better read "when is it more economical to rent?"
Jay
2002 Bambi 19' - the "Toaster"
2009 Nissan Pathfinder - the "Buggy"
rexlion wrote: What value can I place on the fresh scents of the outdoors, like pine and cedar and wildflowers? What value the sound of the surf? The sunsets over the water? The view of snowy peaks out the RV window? The cool breezes, when it's baking back home? Walking out the door and stepping onto the beach or the woodland trail?
Very nice...as long as it's not interrupted by stinky loud generators.
Used our Komfort 100 nights last year. Since April our Montana has seen 63 nights I believe. We use it near our home almost weekly! It's our getaway and feel we get our money's worth!
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