Total Cost of Ownership

[Km0060]

Has anyone done a total cost of ownership for full-time RVing, particularly for a Class A v.s. a Class C v.s. a Travel Travel Trailer? Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. eg. if I have a travel trailer, I don't need a s dingy. I am trying to consider all the costs of going full time including:
RV payments
RV insurance for vehicle and major breakdowns
RV Routine Maintenance
Propane (cooking, hot water and sometimes heating)
Camp Ground or Private RV park fees
Gasoline or Diesel costs for Class A v.s. C v.s Truck for Travel Trailer (depends on distance driven)
Dingy for Class A or C, gas, maintenance, insurance, etc.
Food for 2
Generator fuel costs for boon docking.
General entertainment
Clothing
Mobile Phone and wireless internet
Mail forwarding service.

I understand an average Class C with a Ford V10 will get 5-7 mpg. I don't know for a Class A gas v.s. Diesel. Can someone confirm that? My Ford F150 gets a16 mpg and I think an F 250 will get about 14 mpg.
I am trying to a complete picture of the costs so I can make a decision.

What else do I need to consider?

[Batman_777]

Yes, and it is about the same as home ownership when you add it up not including travel costs.

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're doing some fun homework.

If you use the search feature on the forum you'll find a lot of reading material on this topic.

You'll find that the answers are all over the map because there are so many different ways to do it which reach beyond just gas vs diesel or Class C vs Class A. You'll find some that get by on very little and others who spend $45K/year.

When doing your comparisons make sure to include ALL costs for each scenario. For example, you mention that you would need a toad if you went with a Class A but keep in mind that if you consider a trailer you'll need a beefy tow vehicle to tow anything large enough to full time in comfortable. A big down side to trailers for some is that your daily transportation becomes the beefy tow truck instead of a smaller toad.

Best of luck to you...

Rick

[wildtoad]

Years ago I asked my dad, who did the mostly fulltime thing for the last 30 years of his life, why he opted for a MH versus say a fiver/TT. His initial response is that he didn't want to use a big truck for his daily driver. He was partial to VW,'s, Saturns, etc. He could spend very little on a toad(s) and put more into the MH.

Part of the cost equation will depend on where you like/want to park. You can go really cheap if you like federal parks but they don't offer much in amenities. You want pools, stores, wifi then the costs go up.

[Batman_777]

Determining cost can be a daunting task.. Ask?
Are you staying in (First Pic)? or (Second Pic)?

[4Knights]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777 Are you staying in (First Pic)? or (Seconf Pic)?

I'd think the first pic would cost more for heating but the 2nd pic might cost more in toll fees

[phishboy]

KM0060 - there are way too many variables in your question. Several places here in IRV2 and Good Sam community bb and Escapees bb have addressed this. There are budgets from 10K to 40K. And of course your mileage may vary. This board has all kinds of ways to cut corners but if you're gonna be stressed by how much you spend, then what fun is that??

We'll try and give a few ballpark numbers:
1) We workcamp, so for 7-8 months we get our site free. Volunteer.gov has some great opportunities, as do other sites. If you don't want to, then save money by picking areas and parking by the month. Or boondock.
2) We fill our 100# propane tank about three times a year, at about $60 a shot. We cook and occassionally heat with it. Save money, stay in warm places!! We have two small electric heaters we use judiciously.
3) We get 7 mpg on our MH. We travel about 6000 miles per year so 860 gal of gas.
4) We run our generator rarely - we are not dry-campers. When we do dry camp it costs about .8 gal of gas/hr and we run 2 hrs twice a day to charge batteries.
5) It costs $130 to change the oil in the MH two or three times a year, $35 to change the car oil the same numer of times.
6) we tow a car, which means more frequent tire replacement costs there, all four every three years.
6) Other maintenance as required: we keep a slush fund of 5K. Two years ago we replaced all 6 MH tires, cost $4k !!! iT WAS RIGHT AFTER THE BIG OIL BUMP. We were sooo sorry we didn't do it the year before, but that's life. MH tires should be replaced every 7 years, or 30K miles (i think, but check...)
7) We register in SD, $245 for coach and car; insurance is $1300/yr for coach and car. And that is full-timer insurance.

All of your other expenses are just that, YOUR expenses. Overall we spend more than $20K but less than $30K annually. We enjoy life. We could spend more if we had it, but could spend a whole lot less if we had to. Hope this helps.

[phishboy]

Oh, just thought of a few more things...
1) Monthy rent can vary. If you are travelling and move every month then figure $450/mo. You can do it for less, of course but that is our bottom line for a nice safe park, FHU plus electricity. If you are doing this really on the cheap then do 6 mo in a snowbird park, 6 mo in a northern park.
2) We replace the MH house batteries every 4 or 5 years, maybe figure $500. Thats four batteries. Good maintenance makes them last longer. For that matter good maintenance on all RV systems saves money. Spent $1200 replacing the water heater recently, but the coach is 9 years old.
3) Other parts: the wind tore off a A/C cover, we lost an awning once, we had to replace the slide covers once, we wash/wax two times a year, buff wax once a year. All that add up, so budget something for annual maintenance things. Depends on the age of your rig and the shape its in now. That's $$ that goes into the slush fund annually for us.
4) Laundry. Figure $10/week, that's 3 or 4 loads a week. It sounds high to some people but in our recent travel we have noticed it going up at campgrounds we stayed. We do whites/colors/sheets & towels every 10 days, actually. When hubby's outta underwear we gotta wash!

On the cheap: just looked up a Quartzite park, 6 month winter rate $1,250.00 6 Months (Oc 1 - April 15 ) + Elect. Electric could run $75/mo more or less. If you want to talk to other like minded thinkers, maybe you could stay in Quartzite for 6 mo. talk to the neighbors and the boondockers out on the BLM land.

All of this budget talk really depends on what you are trying to do - live as cheap as you can off the grid or travel and see the country in a cost-effective manner. Or something in between....not sure all our ramblings helped you any. The best avice we can give is make sure you keep your rig well-maintained, don't cut corners there. And Safe travels !!

[mikron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777 Determining cost can be a daunting task.. Ask? Are you staying in (First Pic)? or (Second Pic)?

Nice toad.

[mr300ce]

Here is my story, and you can draw from it what you want, as it is likely not limited to just me.

I have been living in my RV for a year, parked down at work with full hookups. Only costs me electric & propane, $125 mo. Saving as much as I can so I will be able to retire at 62 in 3.5yrs.

The wait is killing me. But, I might as well stay in a wood house if I were just gonna go to some rv park for 6mo at a time. I want to see the country.

I figure I'll only stay one month max at any given park. Better rates by the month. I'll use it for a homebase, then explore that area using the 4x4 toad. Move on to next area, not too far down the road. That way my fuel costs will be lowest, and I'll see the country. Only reason to rush a little would be the weather/climate. NO camping in the snow, been there, done that a few times. That really sucks up the propane.

Right now I am single again, but don't mind it a bit. I am a people person and can strike up friendly conversation with anyone. Hopefully I'll meet a nice woman that would enjoy full-timing, or at least alot of rv-ing. She could fly home if she needed, then meet me somewhere along the road for more fun.

My RV is paid for (by staying in it for the past year). I will use Texas or S. Dakota for my home state to save $$.

I will dry-camp alot along the way to the monthly rv park to save $$.

I have joined CampClubUSA, and will join 1-2 more before retiring. That saves alot for those short stays, although looking at the parks, many have no limit to the stays. Some might be a good homebase for the area.

Gotta go to work now, more later.

[njs42]

Unless there is some over riding huge inhibiting financial consideration that you just have to do this the cheapest way.

IMHO---I would concentrate on style and convenience more than cost. What kind of rig would be more satisfying to you in terms of ease of living, type of living and style?

Assuming you spend the same amount on the rig and vehicles in any combination:

I'll just hazard a guess that the cost difference truly is not that great and variable year to year. And if it cost a couple of grand more to live in the style you want---isn't that better than making a sacrafice of sorts to save a few bucks or even more than a few?

Some examples: If you like to run around and explore, go to movies, do things in town, get off road etc; then wouldn't it be more satisfying in say a Jeep Wrangler or something else than a 3/4 dually or similar. If you see yourself carrying a lot of stuff that you like to have around---would it be better in the basement of the MH or in the back of the same dually? If you are home bodies and like an apartment or small home feel then a three slide 5er might make life more enjoyable on and on and on---ad infinitum. Only you can decide the intangibles.

For us we go for stress free and satisfying over saving a few bucks---every time---but that is just me and my wife.

What ever you decide----have fun and enjoy the ride.

[Rodneykrantz]

Tax bill came in $1850.00 for 1 year

[Kurmudgeon]

Whatever the cost of owning an RV of any kind may be, it's still cheaper than having children.

Just buy what you want and don't worry about the details.

[Km0060]

What is the difference in maintenance costs on a Class A built on a truck body vs. one built on an actual coach body? Looks like a. Ig difference in tires.