Community Forums

Meandering Retiree · 08-15-2011, 07:25 PM

We are camping in the Smokies and heard from a local how the maid in a hotel had been fired for not changing the sheets everyday. And then there is the fact that the top covers are not washed daily but just thrown on the floor and then pulled back up on the bed. Camping is the only way to go!

jfran304 · 08-15-2011, 08:02 PM

Sleeping in your own bed, eating food that you know how it was handled/cooked, not having to pack and unpack every day, being able to take your pets along without having to look for motels/hotels that allow pets makes the cost all worthwhile.

Other bonuses are that when you are stuck on the interstate with all the traffic stopped for an accident or whatever with no exits you can sit back and relax with all the comforts of home and since the states are closing a lot of the rest areas you don't have to impose on businesses to use their restrooms.

Jon

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-15-2011, 11:16 PM

We took our Maggie to the beach and it was so worth the price to not have to use public facilities.

bdpreece · 08-16-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucks2

I hate sleeping on a pillow that someone else drooled on last night.

Ken

Just hope that's all they did.

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-16-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Just hope that's all they did.

I can only imagine the weird stuff that goes on in those rooms.

melvonnar · 08-16-2011, 09:33 AM

TV program showed even upper class motels and hotels------------BEDBUGS-----UGH

jfran304 · 08-16-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvonnar

TV program showed even upper class motels and hotels------------BEDBUGS-----UGH

Bedbugs are being found in campgrounds now.

Bedbugs: Old Problem Resurfaces in RV Parks | RV Business

Jon

Forest Grump · 08-16-2011, 11:39 AM

No one mentioned convenience. You want a sandwich you get one, usually next to a mountain stream. You need to dump... We eat all our meals in the MH. Our only expenses are food, gas and maintenance, oh and more toys. We put a Kymco 200i scooter on the back and a Mercury inflatable with a trolling motor in the basement along with the fly rods and flies, regular tackle too.
In two weeks we head to Twin Lakes near Mammoth. In October we head for the State Beach North of Huntington. Cost for us is the same but if you were to stay locally or eat out in Huntington you might have to get a loan.

edj · 08-16-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doglover116

We just got back from our first 12 day trip in our (new to us) RV - Coachmen Freelander 21QB. We stayed in campgrounds, ate out occasionally, went sightseeing etc. I kept track of all our expenses to see what we spent on the RV lifestyle. I then figured out what it would cost driving my car (20 mpg), staying in a modest motel, eating out 2 meals a day -- it turns out even with our RV averaging 10 mpg, taking the same trip with my car would have cost us $700 more. I thought it was interesting because so many people won't go anywhere because of gas mileage differences -----

Did you factor in the annual depreciation on the RV every year? I did the same calculation. I figured a purchase price of a $100,000 Class C RV and depreciated the RV equally over 15 years. For two months of usage a year, the car/hotels was less expensive than RV/CG traveling. Of course, the longer you are on the road, the cheaper the RV costs will be.

goldwingerx2 · 08-16-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RovinOn

Don't you just love it!

A lot of advantages of staying and traveling in your RV!
I want to step foot in every state of the U.S.before I pass on to better things, and I won't do it any other way but my motorhome!

Regards,
RovinOn

I agree but I do not plan on taking our motorhome to Hawaii. he he he

rvjimmy · 08-16-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edj

Did you factor in the annual depreciation on the RV every year? I did the same calculation. I figured a purchase price of a $100,000 Class C RV and depreciated the RV equally over 15 years. For two months of usage a year, the car/hotels was less expensive than RV/CG traveling. Of course, the longer you are on the road, the cheaper the RV costs will be.

If you only use it a couple of months use versus cost will never pencil out. I love it and if I had to rent a room that has every accommodation that I have in the MH it would cost more than the fuel by far.

Bob N Deb · 08-16-2011, 10:56 PM

We just came back from a 1500mile trip one of the biggest benifit was when we were stuck on the highway for 2 hours because of a crash. we made lunch read and relaxed while car drivers stewed.

Tyler6357 · 08-17-2011, 05:34 AM

Hi: I'm brand new to RVs. I haven't even taken my first trip yet and I was wondering about this topic. It's clear that the longer you stay at each location that you go to the better deal the it will be to RV. I was wondering how possible it is to just stop somewhere without a hook up and sleep the night? Will they kick you out of large big box parking lots if you stop to sleep? Is it hard to get a spot at the rest areas with the truckers? Also, if you arrive late at a destination, it might be better to wait until the next day to check in at the campground. That way the first night is free and you maximize your time when you do get a hookup. It seems like the flexibility of my motor home can save a lot on eating expenses and other things things too. For example, boat rentals: I can carry an inflatable boat with a small trolling motor for fishing in the MH storage compartment without even needing to tow a boat. I think its smart to take longer trips and stay extra days to make it worth the gas to get there.
Also, I was looking into joining "Passport America". They offer 50%discountsts on campgrounds throughout the US plus they have a roadside assistance program for about $100/yr if you get the 3 year deal. Does anyone have this and how is it working out for you?

doglover116 · 08-17-2011, 05:42 AM

I didn't factor in the depreciation of the RV because I was trying to keep it simple, even though I did think about it. You then would have to figure in the depreciation of a car to compare apples to apples! Since this was our first trip, I was curious about the cost differences because everyone seems so concerned about the gas prices and gas mileage that motorhomes get. Flying and renting a car probably wouldn't be any better. I really enjoy the motorhome lifestyle - it is much more relaxing and we are not stuck in a motel room at night with 6 locks on our door!!!!