Planning taking the plunge

[Idefix]

Hi-

While my DW and I have not just yet dared to jump into this adventure we are researching what exactly it would mean to us to go FT, at least to make a continental tour for a couple of years or more.

We have done our MH model research and know what we would like / need to feel at home, but I have plenty of questions around the real cost of things.

Could any of you veteran FT'ers with 40-45ft DP rigs help me out to get an idea of the monthly/yearly RV maintenance costs involved? I am not concerned about (driving)fuel and/or campground costs as we can control these, but the inevitable cost we know nothing about at this time

Since the lottery thing didn't work out for us we're looking at pre-enjoyed 2006-2009 vintage RVs along the lines of Newmar Dutch Star/Mountain Aire, Travel Supreme Select, Monaco Executive, or possibly a Winnebago Eclipse...

What I'd like to know with regards to length is how difficult it really is to locate 45ft (and a toad) spaces in campgrounds- preferably (larger?) state parks. We have a good idea with regards to the layouts which would work for us.

As far as maintenance goes, I'm quite handy even though challenged by physical limitations life events have imposed on me. But I should be able to perform most smaller repairs and maintenance tasks (to include engine oil and belt changes). But as a DP rig comes with so many components, I just don't know enough to feel comfortable planing our budgets at this time.

I'd rather spend some more time planning and learning than hitting a brick wall (of the fiscal or resentment kind ) and miss out on the fun and enjoyment.

Thank you all for your help and thoughts!
/Chris

[Barbaraok]

While we don't have a 40 ft rig, we do have a DP, and we get her serviced at Coach Care facilities. Usually about $500 for the annual service, but more when the transmission, etc., needs to be done. As to repairs - yes they do come up from time to time. We put ~$200 in the fund each month for repairs/upgrades and that seems to cover things for us.

As to length - yes a 45 ft. will certainly limit your ability to get into some places. Our rig measures out at 37' 2" bumper to bumper, but with our drop hitch added on, we over 38' of space needed to park the rig - then you also need to be able to get the toad across the front. We've found that most of our friends with 40' rigs don't have a problem, but when you get to 45' ft it can get a little iffy, especially with older parks.

Also, we no longer stay in state parks. Most charge an extra daily fee ($5 or more) for the toad unless you get their annual pass (if you are going to stay longer than 2 weeks in a state that might make sense) and their daily fees are now comparable to a private park but usually the SP don't have sewer. Plus they have gone to reservations systems so come the 2nd of January people in that state are online making reservations for every weekend in the summers - - and 1/3 or more of them will never be kept because it rains, the kids have a T-ball game, etc. Now, COE (Corps of Engineers Parks) we do love - - if you are over 62 (using the Senior Pass), the cost is usually between $8-$10 a night with electric and water, large sites, etc., and most of the parks only allow reservations 6 months in advance and usually have some spots that are just walkups.

If you go with a 45', then get the Big Rig campground book - and make sure you call ahead each day.

Good luck with finding a Travel Supreme - - great coaches but not that many available anymore. Personally of the ones you mentioned, I go with a Newmar.

Barb

[Idefix]

Barbaraok -

Thank you for your thoughts. I have located a few Travel Supreme which we may be interested in, even though a Beaver would be at the top of our list (at this time) but these seem rather expensive by any standard...

We still are trying to figure out what current fair market value looks like as dealers (and many private sellers too) seem to price way out there. One of the local dealers has just called us with a nice consignment 2009 Dutch Star with nothing real fancy added on for $196000. This is about 35% below MSRP for a 4 year old rig Talking to any dealer about buying a new RV discussions start at 20% - 25% off MSRP without us even saying a word about the pricing

I've read quite a few posts suggesting that a 5 year old RV should cost less then 50% MSRP, but even these posts seem to be older and not accounting for the current economy and market- and what about the fact that no one has been paying MSRP for years but rather 25% less to begin with?

Anyway, we're still working on figuring things out on this end too

Thanks
/Chris

[Idefix]

With regards to campgrounds we're looking at the state parks mainly due to the privacy / space they offer for RV slots. All private campgrounds we have seen so far pack the RVs in as if they were sardines in a can.

Have we just looked at the wrong places? What are your thoughts?

Thanks
/Chris

[smack2020]

Check NADA

[Dave and Jaime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idefix We still are trying to figure out what current fair market value looks like as dealers (and many private sellers too) seem to price way out there. One of the local dealers has just called us with a nice consignment 2009 Dutch Star with nothing real fancy added on for $196000. This is about 35% below MSRP for a 4 year old rig Talking to any dealer about buying a new RV discussions start at 20% - 25% off MSRP without us even saying a word about the pricing I've read quite a few posts suggesting that a 5 year old RV should cost less then 50% MSRP, but even these posts seem to be older and not accounting for the current economy and market- and what about the fact that no one has been paying MSRP for years but rather 25% less to begin with? Anyway, we're still working on figuring things out on this end too Thanks /Chris

I would say a 5 y/o DP should be selling today for no more than 35-40% of MSRP (i.e., 60-65% off) -- if you are looking for a private seller. I bought my 2005 3 years ago, when it was 3 years old, as a bank repo for less than 37% of original MSRP (paid $106K with original MSRP of $288K). Those deals are still out there.

[Idefix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave and Jaime I would say a 5 y/o DP should be selling today for no more than 35-40% of MSRP (i.e., 60-65% off) -- if you are looking for a private seller. I bought my 2005 3 years ago, when it was 3 years old, as a bank repo for less than 37% of original MSRP (paid $106K with original MSRP of $288K). Those deals are still out there.

This is much more like a deal I'm looking for How did you get hold of a repo? We're still patiently looking and will pull the trigger once this deal you just cannot pass on pops up

With regards to NADA - their low retail for a 2 year old matches about the price local dealerships here in OR ask for a new one right now... about 25% off of MSRP. Seems to me like NADA values are rather inflated to benefit dealerships

Thanks
/Chris

[bluepill]

Your insurance company may also be able to help you regarding prices. They don't want to insure for over retail value.

Regarding length, our 37 footer is more than adequate inside with 2 slides. If I had a choice, I would rather have a 34 footer. With a good floor plan we wouldn't loose much useable space, and it would fit at the many campgrounds that have limits of 35 feet. Even at the CGs that take larger units, it would be a bit easier to park/drive.

[Barbaraok]

Once you start fulltiming you will soon see that the specific RV Park is just a place to sleep at night, that you won't spend much of your time in the park but rather out seeing the area. Once you realize that, you'll see that your needs in terms of a park start to revolve around ease in getting in and out, good power and water, and if sewer is available. As I said, we find COE parks great and love the area of each site, but what really attracts us to them is the cheap cost, the good power, ease in and out in most of them, and usually in areas we want to explore. We would love to stay in more state parks, but for us they have gotten to expensive for what we need.

We're in Mesa for the winter. It is a 55+ park, desert landscape (ie, gravel/palm trees/orange trees, concrete patio), and our site is 40+ feet deep and 30+ wide. We set up the chairs, patio rug, tables, and entertain; but most days we are out doing something in the area, so this is our comfortable place to return at night.

During the summer, we often stay at membership parks - some with large sites, some cramped, but always in areas we want to explore. The park is our safe place for the night to rest, we're gone again during the day seeing the area.

Barb

[Idefix]

Thanks Barb The privacy thing is more a concern due to past experiences- granted, not with an RV but via tent- however, we always seems to attract loud and/or rude neighbors. We checked if there some weird noiso-magnetism phenomena going on but science is baffled

We're probably overly pessimistic in this regard, time will tell

55+ grounds are unfortunately not going to let us in I suppose as we just hit 40 (and it hurts)

So let me ask this then- how is life in a cramped park once you're back home? I wish we could rent an RV for a few days or a week, but there doesn't seem to be any available here...

Thanks
/Chris

[Frantz]

You should be able to find rentals in Hillsboro/Tigard/Portland without much difficulty. Check Craigslist for private party rentals of 40'-45' as most commercial companies usually stop around 38'. Friend had good luck finding a 40' DP, multi-slide on Portland Craigslist. Just do your due diligence on insurance, deposits, etc.

In September 2009 we found our new top-of-the-line "orphan" 2008 National RV 40' Pacifica DP at a dealer in Boise after they had bought all remaining inventory at auction. We paid 45% of list price ($289,000.00) including an extended warranty and all warranties on chassis, transmission, appliances, etc. We are VERY pleased with our home.

Not sure I would go over 40' if we get another. I sometimes miss our previous 35' because of ease of maneuvering. We have had some difficulty in finding deep & wide (4 slides) enough spaces. We also have to watch our height. Most National Parks are out for camping in park. Oregon does have some awesome state parks with long/wide spaces. Fueling can be an issue as you go up in size especially with a toad. The need to preplan fuel & meal stops is reality.

Best of luck on your search.

[Barbaraok]

Most 55+ parks allow a few people under that age to stay, just no kids. I think you will find that if you call ahead, you can often get a site.

Try CruiseAmerica - - they have lots of rentals all over the country and while most are Class Cs, they also offer some Class As. In fact, if you have not RVed but just tent camped, I would suggest getting a Class C and getting the feel for how systems work, etc. I think you will find your sense of security is greater in a vehicle than in a tent. Everyone has to deal with rude/noisy people at times. But once you close the door, the sound level goes down and usually they move or we move - - that's the beauty of an RV, if the neighbors are really obnoxious, we just move on down the road.

Remember, if you are fulltiming, you aren't usually dependent upon the RV Park for your entertainment, but rather it is a place to come back to at night. Even cramped ones (and we have been in some where you couldn't put awnings out, once the door is closed, the shades drawn, TV on, dinner on the table and drink in hand, unless the neighbors are extremely loud, you really don't notice them. And RVers tend to be friendly people, especially pet owners. We walk our cat each night and always meet people out and chat with them as we are walking - - so we get to know our neighbors at least in passing.

Barb

[nutensteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idefix Barbaraok - Thank you for your thoughts. I have located a few Travel Supreme which we may be interested in, even though a Beaver would be at the top of our list (at this time) but these seem rather expensive by any standard... We still are trying to figure out what current fair market value looks like as dealers (and many private sellers too) seem to price way out there. One of the local dealers has just called us with a nice consignment 2009 Dutch Star with nothing real fancy added on for $196000. This is about 35% below MSRP for a 4 year old rig Talking to any dealer about buying a new RV discussions start at 20% - 25% off MSRP without us even saying a word about the pricing I've read quite a few posts suggesting that a 5 year old RV should cost less then 50% MSRP, but even these posts seem to be older and not accounting for the current economy and market- and what about the fact that no one has been paying MSRP for years but rather 25% less to begin with? Anyway, we're still working on figuring things out on this end too Thanks /Chris

You might want to check out the DeMartini RV website. They have a great selection of used Diesel motorhomes and they have very competitive pricing. They also have great pics of the interior.

[Dacotah]

Idefix, we bought our 38' Sportscoach a year ago in October with the idea of going full time when I retire in the summer of 2012. We found that many of the campgrounds in the upper midwest where we are from can not accomodate a rig bigger than that. Here in Florida, many campgrounds can take 45 footers and all the luxury ones are full of larger ones.

When you are searching for your ideal unit the most important thing is carrying capacity. Many 40' coaches only have a small capacity but most 38' ones seem to have more. Once you move into the tag axle 42' to 45' sizes there is plenty of capacity.

Our rig was a bank re-po and you must be able to check these coaches out very carefully and be prepared to haggle for sometime with the bank. It took us about 2 to 3 months to buy our rig since we were not dealing with a dealership, but direct with the bank. Hope this helps. DACOTAH