Buying a new RV

[snowmedic]

Dw and I have been out looking at new campers, fifth wheels to be exact, for the last 3 yrs. and we have found a couple that we really like. A little info before I go further, we have two daughters still at home, 17 and 7. Dw homeschools and I work 60+ hrs. week doing construction, even in the winter time.

I am at least 20 yrs. from retirement, but I am able to take 90 days straight vacation in the winter months and my regular 3 wks. during the rest of the year.

Here is where my problem lies, the both of use want the trailer but we can't justify the payment for the time that it is just going to sit out in the drive- way. We are tent campers now, and enjoy that when we go to the Fort. We have plenty of campgrounds in the New England states, to visit, but we don't.
I know it is part of owning, I was just wondering if any of you had this kind of hesitation before you bought your first RV. WE don't want a used RV, we are more of, if its not new, then we don't want it.

I have a (insert headshaking here) a 2001 chevy 1500, so yes, I now that I would also have to upgrade my tow vehicle also, yet again another unjustifiable purchase for something that is just going to sit around and collect dust. I drive my current truck to the Fort and back, maybe 4000 miles a year.

Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated, even snide comments if you want, no feelings will be hurt, I know you are just being friendly about it.

Thank you, Vince (snowmedic)

 

[4077]

I guess for me, I just accept that it may have long periods of sitting time, but hope that the time I do get to spend using it with family will justify the expense (I also realize that a fifth wheel and appropriate upgraded vehicle is more costly than my investment). At any rate, my reality is weekends during spring through fall with one and maybe two weeklong uses in the summer. Frankly, it's just something I have always wanted to do and while it I may not be able to go onto paper and say, "Here is how it makes financial sense", I can say that I am unable to put a price on the times I hope to have. Now, I also know that I am not creating a financial hardship on myself...if I was, that would perhaps change my thinking. As that is not the case, I am going to have fun and not worry about trying to justify the sit time in some financial way. Just my way of looking at things...good luck with your choice!!

 

[North of Mouse]

Dw and I have been out looking at new campers, fifth wheels to be exact, for the last 3 yrs. and we have found a couple that we really like. A little info before I go further, we have two daughters still at home, 17 and 7. Dw homeschools and I work 60+ hrs. week doing construction, even in the winter time.

I am at least 20 yrs. from retirement, but I am able to take 90 days straight vacation in the winter months and my regular 3 wks. during the rest of the year.

Here is where my problem lies, the both of use want the trailer but we can't justify the payment for the time that it is just going to sit out in the drive- way. We are tent campers now, and enjoy that when we go to the Fort. We have plenty of campgrounds in the New England states, to visit, but we don't.
I know it is part of owning, I was just wondering if any of you had this kind of hesitation before you bought your first RV. WE don't want a used RV, we are more of, if its not new, then we don't want it.

I have a (insert headshaking here) a 2001 chevy 1500, so yes, I now that I would also have to upgrade my tow vehicle also, yet again another unjustifiable purchase for something that is just going to sit around and collect dust. I drive my current truck to the Fort and back, maybe 4000 miles a year.

Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated, even snide comments if you want, no feelings will be hurt, I know you are just being friendly about it.

Thank you, Vince (snowmedic)

I know exactly where you are coming from - we had some of the same discussion many years ago when we first started camping - only had two weeks vacation at that time.

We justified our first camper because we were using it as a vehicle and we also camped several week ends during the year. It was a nearly new VW camper (yes, I know I'm dating dh & I LOL). We had an 8mo. old dd and we had lots of good trips. We gradually upgraded (small to larger trailers) even though, it's true, with insurance, etc. we probably did not really 'justify' the expense for several years. But, we also, the last several years had 6 weeks of vacation, so we used it a lot.

The last 10 years we have had MH's and all were paid for, but we still have insurance and taxes. We do have several vacations a year now, so feel we 'might' be using it enough to really justify owning one. We have our own storage barn so don't have to pay to store it.

It's really hard to put a 'price' on what your own RV can mean to a family, really everyone has to make their own decision on what works. We really, really love camping so it's worth it's weight to us.

Actually, renting is an option for some people that don't like the up keep when not using it, but I see that you prefer new, and in that I can understand, as we are the same. By the way, we were never tent campers, just weren't cut out for it - like to 'rough' it gently!

Only 'you' can make that decision - good luck in doing it!

 

[tiggerdad]

Oh yeah brother, know exactly where you are coming from. We looked two years before we made a decision. We looked at everything from popup to fifth wheel.

At the time our daughters were 6 and 1. We knew we had lots of years ahead, so we decided as the girls grew we would need more room. Rather than start small and trade as we grew, we decided to big enough to allow us to expand without trading, and then maybe one day downgrade when it is just the two of us. We didn't go fifth wheel, just too big. We went with double slide TT which gave the girls a bigger room of their own in the back.

Point is we chose based on our expected future use, which of course is different for each of us. One thing that led to the choice to get a camper was my wife and I not liking the uncertainty of where we were staying. By that I mean "who slept here and how well was it cleaned when they left"? After more than one experience of dirty sheets, roaches in the bathroom, and cabins that just were not as good as the internet pictures, we decided to eliminate the possible problems.

Now we know who has slept in our bed, used our shower, and cleaned our floors. You have to decide on what fits you guys the best. Maybe go smaller to still give you the room you need, but make it more affordable. Maybe rent instead, we did consider this. Point is, don't choose something that will actually take away from the fun by keeping you worried or bothered.

Yeah, know exactly where you are at.

 

[libba]

One thing that led to the choice to get a camper was my wife and I not liking the uncertainty of where we were staying. By that I mean "who slept here and how well was it cleaned when they left"? After more than one experience of dirty sheets, roaches in the bathroom, and cabins that just were not as good as the internet pictures, we decided to eliminate the possible problems.

Now we know who has slept in our bed, used our shower, and cleaned our floors. You have to decide on what fits you guys the best. Maybe go smaller to still give you the room you need, but make it more affordable. Maybe rent instead, we did consider this. Point is, don't choose something that will actually take away from the fun by keeping you worried or bothered.

Yeah, know exactly where you are at.

This is us! No more worry about bed bugs in a hotel! I know the housekeeping staff in my trailer very personally!

 

[Judique]

snip
Here is where my problem lies, the both of use want the trailer but we can't justify the payment for the time that it is just going to sit out in the drive- way. We are tent campers now, and enjoy that when we go to the Fort. We have plenty of campgrounds in the New England states, to visit, but we don't.
I know it is part of owning, I was just wondering if any of you had this kind of hesitation before you bought your first RV. WE don't want a used RV, we are more of, if its not new, then we don't want it.

I have a (insert headshaking here) a 2001 chevy 1500, so yes, I now that I would also have to upgrade my tow vehicle also, yet again another unjustifiable purchase for something that is just going to sit around and collect dust. I drive my current truck to the Fort and back, maybe 4000 miles a year.

Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated, even snide comments if you want, no feelings will be hurt, I know you are just being friendly about it.

Thank you, Vince (snowmedic)

I repeatedly have this conversation with myself! It would be so much easier to have a motorized RV to travel in.

I can afford it. I just can't justify the cost of owning one - not even a used one. My camping vacations are not my only vacations - I would probably do 3-4 trips of short duration - 3-6 days.

Even when it came to getting a pop up, I couldn't justify new pricing at the time. I still can't because I don't see camping in a pop up as what I will do in the far future - maybe 10 years out. I'm a 'this year I want to do this' sort of person. I'm not committed to a particular idea past the next trip.

That said, I love the outdoors! So, I bought a used pop up. I cleaned it until it was spotless! I replaced all the soft goods and cushions - really pretty simple. Went to Jo Ann's and bought fabric and bought foam and bought new tenting and the list goes on, right down to the mattress. (I wasn't sleeping in somebody else's spot.) With the pop up I bought the easy up shelter with screening for it. I have the zero gravity chairs, the outside kitchen, and all the camping stuff - way too much camping stuff!! I find that on my little trips I want to be outside, not sitting inside, so this decision was the right one for me.

Overall, my investment is conservative. I don't feel as if I am overspending to get the camping experience and I know that I can easily change course, have a yard sale and move on to another type of vacation experience.

 

[2goofycampers]

If you have to buy a tow vehicle and a camper maybe a Class C or A might be cheaper. And take up less room.

 

[articfox676]

Have had to make that decision also. We partly justified it by having a seasonal site about an hour from home. Worked out great made new friends and great campfires. When vacation time came we pulled out and traveled. Then returned to our seasonal site.

 

[double r]

I was going to suggest the seasonal thing at least that way you might be able to get more use out of it. We do see a lot of people go that way. We were only weekenders and vacation users but still managed over 50 nights a year and now that I retired ( still waiting on the wife) but she works for the schools so we can travel all summer long. Good luck on your choice.

 

[tina.tina]

I repeatedly have this conversation with myself! It would be so much easier to have a motorized RV to travel in.

I can afford it. I just can't justify the cost of owning one - not even a used one. My camping vacations are not my only vacations - I would probably do 3-4 trips of short duration - 3-6 days.

Even when it came to getting a pop up, I couldn't justify new pricing at the time. I still can't because I don't see camping in a pop up as what I will do in the far future - maybe 10 years out. I'm a 'this year I want to do this' sort of person. I'm not committed to a particular idea past the next trip.

That said, I love the outdoors! So, I bought a used pop up. I cleaned it until it was spotless! I replaced all the soft goods and cushions - really pretty simple. Went to Jo Ann's and bought fabric and bought foam and bought new tenting and the list goes on, right down to the mattress. (I wasn't sleeping in somebody else's spot.) With the pop up I bought the easy up shelter with screening for it. I have the zero gravity chairs, the outside kitchen, and all the camping stuff - way too much camping stuff!! I find that on my little trips I want to be outside, not sitting inside, so this decision was the right one for me.

Overall, my investment is conservative. I don't feel as if I am overspending to get the camping experience and I know that I can easily change course, have a yard sale and move on to another type of vacation experience.

This is my attitude, too. I don't like being "locked in." It's why I haven't bought a home in Pigeon Forge even though we and/or our family members could use it almost every weekend. I have lots of places I want to go and it just wouldn't be feasible. I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money in a camper either because I can't really take a camper to Europe or on a cruise.

My dad is a licensed electrician/plumber and a very good carpenter. He has built several houses from the ground up, doing all of the work himself with a little unskilled help from the rest of us. I would consider buying a used camper to gut and remodel and I've already told him I would be depending on him to do the work/supervise us in exchange for using it (and I'm his oldest, beloved child).

 

[jbrostek]

I was a little hesitated at first as its a truck payment all by itself. But I made a promised that if I am paying for it, I will use it. And I do exactly that and now that I have gotten into a habit of using it, it seems many weekends of use and a 2 week vacation trip every winter. Maybe start with something smaller and less expensive before going to a more expensive 5th wheel.

 

[CamperMomma]

We have hesitated (and even thought about selling) our 2013 TT. We live in the far north (basically Canada out our back door in North Dakota) so if we get 4 months of good camping weather...it's a good summer. We are also "weekend warriors" more so than able to go out for full weeks throughout the summer. Just about when I think we should sell and go to something we can pay for outright (either a very old TT or a pop up), we go on a weekend trip and I'm reminded it's not always about the payment, it's about those amazing memories we are making. The "perk" of being a military family is we can keep our fingers crossed the AF will take us further south for our next duty station and we get more use out of it

 

[Jeepin Dad]

Personally I have never been able to justify a payment for something that was going to sit there for six months out of the year, which is why I have always bought used and been able to pay cash for my campers and boats. When we were looking to up size from our popup to a travel trailer last year we did look at some new ones, but as nice as it would have been to have something brand new I just couldn't bring myself to pay 2 to 3 times more for a new trailer and end up with a payment.

On a side note since you are in VT, my uncle bought a new 2012 holdover Montana 3582RL fifth wheel from Pete's RV in South Burlington last summer and had a really good buying experience, my family has had a couple other dealings with them over the years and highly recommend them.

 

[grumpyaggie]

I have not nor will not be able to justify the cost of camping from a pure economical stand point. The time we spend with family and friends makes the cost completely justifiable. We are lucky to live in central Texas, where the weather allows us to camp year round. One of the posters said that they enjoy being outdoors, with that said look at a unit with an outside kitchen. Our old TT had one and we did not realize how much it was used. Back to the topic, when camping with our grandkids the trailer becomes a home base between hiking, fishing, swimming or biking. Our trailer has 3 TVs and they are rarely used.

 

[yoopermom]

I agree with everyone and would mention one thing more.

15 years ago we bought a 30' class C when we were both working f/t, making good $$, etc, and had many wonderful trips to the Fort. Fast forward to 8 years ago when I was laid off, we sold our (big) house, and moved into a tiny "temporary" house. Sure we "should" have sold the C, but something told me not to. DH poured a pad right outside the house, we parked it, plugged it in, and it saved our sanity on many nights those first few years. When DS had friends over they loved "camping out" in it, and I didn't have to worry about how late they stayed up. When the "togetherness" of our house became too much for me, I slept nights out there, wrapped in my Fort blanket.

Terri

 

[rbork]

Owner of a beloved pup here that has finally made the decision to sell it because the kids are 17 and 14. We simply don't fit anymore ( two 6'+ boys) We have had it for 13 years and it paid for itself after a couple trips to WDW. It was a moderate investment for us back then but well worth it for the memories we made. We looked at upgrading to a Class A very recently but just can't justify 80k-120K for one that fits all of us. We know that we want to take our grandkids in a class A someday. But the timing is not right. DS17 getting ready to set out to college and that will be costly, while DS 14 will be 2 years behind him. Between the teens sports schedules etc...we don't have the time to travel like we used to. It's all about timing for us. We could afford to go class A but I could also take a good amount of cruises and trips to Europe for that kind of money. We also considered that it's not just a one time cost, we would still have to pay for fuel and upkeep. In the end....I am glad we camped as long as we did. But life, needs and wants change over time.
Good Luck and do what's right for you.

 

[snowmedic]

I would like to thank everyone for there replies. As I had hoped, there were many valid points. And as mentioned several times, it is a hard decision to make, and it is one that I have to figure out. DW and I are still young sort of, so we will have plenty of time to work over our hesitation. We are still going to be tent campers for the time being, and enjoy the Fort in our own special way.

Hoping to see some of the nicest people on the camping boards when we visit in a few months.

Thanks again for ALL the help, Vince (snowmedic)

 

[jmrothermel]

I'm confused about the "if it's not new we don't want it" mentality. I bought my RV as a bank repossession - 7,000 miles on it - originally sold for $155,000 - I paid $60,000. It looked almost brand new (without the plastic). If someone else wants to drive it off the lot and depreciate by that much - hey, let them!

 

[tiggerdad]

I'm confused about the "if it's not new we don't want it" mentality. I bought my RV as a bank repossession - 7,000 miles on it - originally sold for $155,000 - I paid $60,000. It looked almost brand new (without the plastic). If someone else wants to drive it off the lot and depreciate by that much - hey, let them!

We looked at used, but the ones we looked at were not that good a shape. In fact, I felt like I needed a tetanus shot just for walking in some of them.
Sounds like you got a good find.

 

[jmrothermel]

We looked at used, but the ones we looked at were not that good a shape. In fact, I felt like I needed a tetanus shot just for walking in some of them. Sounds like you got a good find.

Ewwwwww gross! We did have to drive to Indiana (from PA) to pick it up. We didn't find it locally. I agree, some I've seen around here when we were looking that were....questionable.....