Community Forums

RiverStone · 01-14-2013, 10:21 PM

My wife & I are planning a 3 month excursion this summer (15,000 miles). We have always wanted to take a RV trip across Canada & the US and this summer is our opportunity. We may keep the RV another year but due to health issues will likely not be able to travel an longer than that, so would plan on selling the RV.

With this in mind, we want advise on what type (gas vs diesel), make, cost range and age would experience the least depreciation and be the easiest to resell. We are looking at spending up to $120,000 but would prefer to spend less. We need a queen island bed, an easily accessible bathroom and room for a small scooter in the RV. I have looked into getting a lift for the RV. I need enough storage for a second scooter that we can use outside of the RV.

I would appreciate any advise on this issue.

bbeane · 01-15-2013, 05:26 AM

With that budget, there is any number of good used 4 or 5 year old coaches out there. First find the floor plan that meets you personal needs. you did not say how long of a MH 35-40', do you have any experiance with RV's, are you going to tow a car, if so you will have exp in setting that up. Gas or Diesel again your choice diesel pusher usually = better ride and better brakes, gas coach = way less purchase cost. As far as the resale part be prepaired to accept a good bit of depreciation when you get ready to sell (take a look at the cost of new vs used), there is no such thing as "least depreciation and easy to sell" in the RV world. Sounds like you may want to look into leasing an RV for your trip, there are private owners and rv companies that short and long term lease motor homes sort of like time share, finish your trip turn it in done. Also if you do enough shopping you may find a MH and tow vehicle for sale togather. Good luck in your hunt

mikebreeze · 01-15-2013, 06:37 AM

You will take a depreciation hit on any motor home that you buy. Since you talked about hauling around some scooters, this model came to mind:

2013 Outlaw Garage Motorhomes: Class A Toy Hauler RV by Thor Motor Coach

And renting for 3 months would be very expensive. That said, I would agree with other posters that short term leasing of an RV may be a good way to go. Good luck to both of you and have fun on your trip.

Air Baron · 01-15-2013, 07:06 AM

I bought one of these last year. Paid $72,500 for it. Great coach with only 21,000 miles on it. This one was for sale back then...still is. If you sell it in a year or two, the depreciation hit will be less than on a newer coach...much less.

2001 Newmar Mountainaire 4095, Class A - Diesel RV For Sale By Owner in Polk City, Florida | RVT.com - 104174

Triker56 · 01-15-2013, 07:32 AM

15,000 miles in 3 months would be 166 miles a day average.
That won't give you much time to ride any scooters.
Or much time to explorer any area.

Doesn't sound like much of a fun trip, to see much of anything.

wincrasher · 01-15-2013, 07:52 AM

I'd say if you are essentially going to be buying this only for the summer trip, then I'd recommend the following:

Stay down market - consider a c-class or a travel trailer. You'll expose less of your money to risk, plus you are buying something that can appeal to working families - a much larger market. Also, these are alot less complicated and easier to drive - something for a newbee to consider.

I'd buy something right now. You need time to shake out the bugs before your big trip. You don't want to discover some things don't work on the first leg of your "once-in-a-lifetime" trip. Also, you are buying in the winter - you may come across a fantastic deal.

You didn't say, but I'm assuming that your transportation when not traveling would be these scooters. It may be easier and less costly to pull a small enclosed trailer behind a motorhome to put these and other things you may need inside, then going thru the expense of putting in a lift - also something you probably wouldn't get anything for on resale.

I think you could have a great time and spend alot less than $120k. I'd budget $50k for a 3-4 year old c-class and $5k for a new enclosed trailer. Both could be sold after your trip. Also, if you are selling at the end of summer, it would be easier to sell, say in August or September when there are a few warm months left in many places.

Good luck!

RiverStone · 01-15-2013, 08:20 AM

Just to clarify, the scooters are small & portable (handicaped) and will easily fit in the truck of the car. We would intend on towing a car.

JohnT · 01-15-2013, 02:26 PM

A manufacturer released within the last year or two a motorhome that had a wheelchair style lift for entry. I'm having a senior moment and can't find the name. I actually thought it was a sticky.

tuffr2 · 01-15-2013, 02:44 PM

Newmar built a gas MH with a lift, I think it was built in 2009 and 2010. What if you had a ramp? Would that work instead of a lift? If so, there are several toy hauler models that by now would be less than 120k.

JohnT · 01-15-2013, 05:04 PM

Thanks.

It is in the Newmar owners forum and a sticky.

Zoafan · 01-15-2013, 05:12 PM

My friend leased a motorhome from the owner for 3 months for $10,000 with a 15k mile limit and he had to perform all maintenance when the coach was returned.

May want to look into it, if you find an owner who only uses their RV a couple times a year they may jump at the opportunity to rent it out.

TXiceman · 01-15-2013, 05:49 PM

Do not buy new. A clean used unit will be fine and much better on the finances.

For the length of time you are considering, I'd look at a gas engine unit...cheaper than a diesel.

On a personal opinion, I would look at Winnebago or Newmar and stay away from Thor products. Winnebago and Newmar will have a better resale market.

Ken