Cost, what cost

[corgum13]

My wife and I are rookie RVers who are working on learning the ropes of RV living as best as we can before our target year of 2021 when we go full time. We learn a tremendous amount of information through forums like this, irv2, and others. We are thankful for y' all who have gone before us into the most exciting world of the road. A lot of folks offer ideas for modifications, upgrades and a whole myriad of things for and to do to our RVs. Now, something I personally find curious is that in the majority of cases the cost or price to do any of those needed or wonderful modifications/upgrades/maintenance is ever mentioned. Why is that?

I personally find useful and applicable the reference to how much any one particular mod may cost; the cost may steer me away or towards the mod. Yes, I can and do cost research for anything getting done to the RV anyways, I just find it curious that the majority of folks choose to keep that info from the postings.

[beamisl]

Hi and welcome to the Forum. Good place to be to learn what you need to know about RVing.

There is a page here for fulltime RV'ers. Check it out. Also check out YouTube for videos about RVing.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I suspect in many cases the cost isn't portrayed because it can vary widely, especially for DIY vs a dealer shop. Another big variation is the layout and existing equipment of the RV to be modified and the choice of any new components to be used.

Some common upgrades like adding an inverter or solar panels are heavily dependent on the design and capacity of the overall solution. The upgrade that works for my needs and my RV may be overkill for yours, or vice versa. Something like converting a 30A coach to 50A can be simple or difficult depending on the wiring & equipment already in place and accessibility to it. The net is that even a ball park cost estimate requires some design and planning for the specific RV and usage.


Many of the upgrade topics here (and elsewhere) are by DIY Rvers with the skills to analyze and perform the necessary work and the knowledge to find and buy components at reasonable prices. Their solutions to challenges in the process are usually geared to their specific situation and their costs are typically modest. Yours may not be at all similar.

[av8tor2]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I suspect in many cases the cost isn't portrayed because it can vary widely, especially for DIY vs a dealer shop. Another big variation is the layout and existing equipment of the RV to be modified and the choice of any new components to be used.

Some common upgrades like adding an inverter or solar panels are heavily dependent on the design and capacity of the overall solution. The upgrade that works for my needs and my RV may be overkill for yours, or vice versa. Something like converting a 30A coach to 50A can be simple or difficult depending on the wiring & equipment already in place and accessibility to it. The net is that even a ball park cost estimate requires some design and planning for the specific RV and usage.


Many of the upgrade topics here (and elsewhere) are by DIY Rvers with the skills to analyze and perform the necessary work and the knowledge to find and buy components at reasonable prices. Their solutions to challenges in the process are usually geared to their specific situation and their costs are typically modest. Yours may not be at all similar.

What he said, mileage may vary.

And just a thought, you could always ask the individual who posted the mod that interested you, the OP may not want his finances public, or you for that matter. Use PM if you aren't comfortable with the publicity.

That's what I think.

[grindstone01]

A lot of my DIYS projects are repurposing things I have access to like materials, tools and/or skill. So cost will vary greatly depending the installer. Every RV modification is a balance between cost and benefit. If you have a particular question, just ask, most posters would be glad to share additional info.
Gary RVRoamer, pretty much nailed it.

[corgum13]

Gary RVRoamer, very well articulated comment/post, thanks, it makes sense. Thanks also to the other folks. Perhaps in time and with some more experience behind us my wife and I will also like y' all not be curious nor look with surprise posts containing no financial aspect for the intended project.

[rjreiffer]

And sometimes the cost is in terms of pride! Mess something up during an “upgrade” and it may cost you not only more in $$ but in your pride as well!

Many of my upgrades are a combination of professional looking installations and Rube Goldberg type designs!

Many times the $$ cost for materials is one thing, the real cost is in the amount of time you may put into it! If you are curious about something, one thing I found out here is, don’t be afraid to ask someone (you can even have them private message you if you want to) as most people are more than willing to share!

Good luck to you as you start down the addicting road of RV upgrades!

[momdoc]

Just ask when you are curious about a product.

[Dutch Star Don]

Good answers. I do a lot of mods and repurpose stuff all the time. I do a lot of welding and fabricating, often using metal I stripped form stuff I'm throwing away.

[CyrusL]

Because we're all in denial about how much we're spending.

[charliez]

I'm about to do a fridge mod, to remove the crappy Dometic and put a dorm fridge in it's place. My cost will be $0. I'm always doing stuff and it will all be done with left overs from other projects. And I have the fridge already.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by CyrusL

Because we're all in denial about how much we're spending.

Good point!

Denial is not a river in Africa.

[mymyst]

And, like all things RV, if ya' have to ask, you most likely can't afford it!!

[Wrktfsh]

At this point in time my costs are limited to the cost of the item/ part. Labor is not part of the equation.......yet