Is a motorhome a crazy idea

[thefairlaneman]

Even though gas is very high I still like the idea of taking one 200 miles to the beach and living in it for 2 weeks and then driving back. Wife doesnt seem to like the idea,,,,,anyone here got one?

 

[boiler7904]

Why not rent one for a week to see if its something you really want. Gives your wife a chance to get used to the idea before you tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Cruise America is one of the rental places I've heard of. Can't think of the other one. Maybe talk to your local RV dealer.

 

[Uncle Buck]

That sounds like a capital idea!

 

[HOTFR8]

A 5th Wheeker would be a good idea that way you still have a good vehicle you can use for other jobs/ work.

 

[james]

I'd look for an old airstream. Buy one, update it a bit, and when you tire of it you'll probably make a little profit. Buy a new one and you'll lose 50% in the first year. A freind of mine lives on theirs, so they pack the miles on and replace it every few years. Last one he bought was a year old with less than 20,000 miles-- he paid just over 100 grand for what was $230 new. (big bus size pusher rv.)

 

[OldCarGuy]

A Motorhome is a great way to travel. Particularly if you have children. If anyone on board needs frequent potty stops, you have the facilities, and can keep on truckin. You’ll have all the conveniences of a home anyplace you decide to stop. I keep mine packed with clothes and food and ready to go at the spur of the moment.

I have been RV’ing for over 40 years. Starting off with a pop-up camper, then travel trailers. I soon learned that a Motorhome works best for me, and consequently have owned five over the past 35 years. My present one is a 102” wide 40’ long 400 HP diesel pusher with all the amenities of home including a washer-dryer.

If I need a vehicle to get around when I stop, I just pull it behind on all fours using a towbar. For car tours or automotive flea markets, I pull my 26’ enclosed trailer.

Fuel is not the major expense of the overall cost of a Motorhome. Maintenance and depreciation continue to outweigh fuel costs. Additionally today’s high fuel costs have made available many low mileage Motorhomes at an exceedingly good prices.

 

[DynoDave]

My Dad's 32' motorhome gets mileage just as good as my Suburban towing a small 18' trailer. So compared to towing a travel trailer, there's really no cost penalty, fuel wise.

 

[trovato]

Reminds me of an RV bumper sticker I saw back in the 70's. "I'm not wasting energy, my house is off!"

 

[kbs2244]

Rent for sure to try it out.
If you are moving around, they can be handy.
I find they seem to get smaller after about 3 or 4 days in the same place.
If you go to a lot of races, flea markets, etc. they are the way to go.
But you can buy a lot of motel rooms for what they cost. And the motel room are bigger.

 

[wrigh003]

I want one (the bigger the better), but I totally can't afford it at the moment, little kids, our house needs attention, etc... My wife's not the camping type, though I could probably convince her on some of the destinations if we could carry some of the "comforts of home" with us. I could see a pop-up camper getting used enough to justify the cost, and maybe upgrade later, depending- I know we'd get more use out of it than a boat, anyway.

In other words, you're not crazy, I want one too. Good idea on renting one first, though- I'd probably try a couple different trips (short with just a couple folks, long with a bigger crowd and/or multiple drivers) in one if I was serious about buying, just to see how it shook out.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Wife doesnt seem to like the idea,,,,,anyone here got one?

Yeah, I got one too. This is my second one. The second one is working out a lot better then the first, but she probably wouldn't want me to get a motorhome either.

Phil

 

[james]

I'm sorry but I just don't quite get it. They are so expensive. In florida (my old home) you see a LOT of old timers in the HUGE $200,000 plus models. For the same money you can pretty much buy your dream car and stay in very nice hotels. Or buy a small vacation home somewhere.

 

[Lloydthumper]

It is a lifestyle is the reason people do it not for the money. I have a small popup I use now. Fixing to use it this weekend. But I plan on having a regular pull behind maybe next year. I will probally never buy a motor home because of the up keep on another vehichle and the fact I am only going to use it maybe 4 times a year. But renting one is nice but just be realistic about it any thing new is fun for a week but the payments are year round. If you don't camp or anything now I would take a smaller leap of faith first. Maybe rent one a few times If you are going to use it numerous times a year buying one is the ticket but if you might use it once or twice a year on vaction just rent one each time if you like it. It would still be cheaper. Even though they are pretty expensive to rent.

 

[randydupree]

i have one,i've had 8 or more of them.
whats not to get? there is no better way to travel,you can stop and nap,have ***,eat lunch,take a shower,watch TV,all in your own home!
everyone i've ever had was a bluebird wanderlodge.all the comfronts of home.
Randy

 

[Bear]

I guess I favor a TT or 5th wheel over a MH because it is a TRUCK and commands truck prices for repairs and parts. rendydupree states some good reasons for owning an RV - others for me include; I know who slept in the bed last night, I know where my shirts are hanging in the closet and in which drawer my undies are. And I did not need to pack my bags in and out every day.

Bear
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent

 

[randydupree]

Bear,your right.
i hate motels and i hate to fly,and i eat at home all the time.
i sleep at walmart,truck stops,cracker barrel resturants and rest areas and churchs.

 

[WH0DAMAN]

I have a 26' travel trailer and love it. We had a 22' motorhome before this because we had Jet Skis and needed to pull the trailer. Got rid of the Jet Skis and now have the TT. I love being able to park the trailer and drive around in the tow vehicle. We use ours quite a bit through out the year fishing, mountain biking, atving or just camping. Come Fall Chinook Salmon season (the month of October)we leave the trailer at the coast for the month. When I get off work on Friday the family and I drive over and stay for the weekend. By doing it this way we can drive the car instead of the truck over to save some gas. We have been doing this for about 8 years. My kids are 8 and 5 3/4 and they love the tradition. The memories we have had are priceless. We also try and find out of the way places to go mountain biking, fly fishing and what not. This has totaly helped out with my wife getting more outdoorsy. She really disliked the whole tent camping thing. We keep the thing stocked with food and clothes so we are ready to go on a whim. I pull mine with a 1998 Chevy 1500 extended cab pickup and I can still go 65 over the hills so what I am saying is you dont need a monster truck to pull the thing with. GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WH0DAMAN]

Oh and by the way. Insurance is a 1/4 of the cost on a travel trailer than a motorhome. I think I pay around $35.00 a year.

 

[mdshore348]

its not the rvs' its the places where you stay and the types of people that lurk there...lol

 

[REFLEXX]

Next year, I'm buying a Classic Airstream Moho. The look of an Airstream, with a motor!!!

I'll have big plans for it! (like everything I own). Aircraft interior, all aluminum cabinets, etc...

But the main reason is to go to the desert and be comfortable all year round.