Community Forums

emeryts · 08-06-2009, 07:33 AM

How much $ have you lost over the years in depreciation with your RV?

Rving is a way of life and I know my family and I love it.....but geez, sure not good on the pocket book!!

BigSkyBob · 08-06-2009, 08:20 AM

So far I have managed not to care for fear it would ruin my RV experience. I try not to be too concerned about things over which I have no control.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-06-2009, 08:23 AM

I don't even want to think about it. My RV expense is just like my alcohol and entertainment budget - it's money that simply disappears but leaves me feeling good.

afrank1971 · 08-06-2009, 08:46 AM

That's funny, I'll drink to that Gary! Cheers!

doc · 08-06-2009, 09:57 AM

"I don't even want to think about it. My RV expense is just like my alcohol and entertainment budget - it's money that simply disappears but leaves me feeling good. "
__________________

I am not into alcohol, but that is about as good as I have ever heard it put.

TXiceman · 08-06-2009, 10:49 AM

We look at it as entertainment or vacation budget. Some folks spent big bucks every year for a 2 week mega-vacation. All they have left at the end is some photos and memories and a drained bank account. We spend the money on the RV and enjoy it year 'round...not for just 2 weeks.

I would not want to think of all of the $$$ we have spent on RV and sailboats over the years...I might have be rich, but I am not, but I still had a great time getting to where I am.

Ken

Triker56 · 08-06-2009, 11:12 AM

In the 7 years I have had this one.
Depreciation has probably been less then all those people that has had their stix & brick foreclosed.

I don't have to worry about that happening to my MH. Bought & paid for.
And it should be the last one I will ever need. So what it will be worth when I am gone, doesn't matter.

DandS · 08-06-2009, 11:15 AM

Won't talk dollars lost, but my 4 year old Winny sold for approx. 30% less than I paid for it new. Guess that translates to about 7.5% depreciation per year.

EngineerMike · 08-06-2009, 12:01 PM

A motorhome is a black hole in terrestrial space exerting heavy gravitational pull on the contents of your wallet. If that's a problem, try motels instead.

footdoc · 08-07-2009, 07:09 AM

As one of our dear past presidents said...'don't ask...don't tell'

Olive · 08-07-2009, 09:16 AM

Like the others, I don't think of it in terms of the pocketbook. I have been full time for 8 1/2 yrs and love every minute of it. I've had the opportunity to do and see things I never would have experienced staying in a stick house and going on trips.

I had my Winnie Adventurer for 9 years and sold it for half of what I paid for it. That works out yearly to less than what the taxes were on the stick house. I plan to keep this one just as long if not forever.

dirko · 08-08-2009, 05:46 PM

Hi Ho: The concept of depreciation only applies if something is sold or traded (another way of saying sold). I like to buy things new (so that I don't have other people's problems/solutions to deal with) and just keep them forever.... well maybe not forever but a long time.

Some people worry about the worth of their house, cars, RV's etc. If you don't sell, there is no depreciation nomatter what you paid.

Our newest car is a 2000 and I consider it to be not entirely broken in yet--only about 100,000 miles. Anyway, you get the idea. I don't worry about depreciation (or increase in value) because we just keep what we have and keep it in good working order.

Having said that we have a Maytag washer and dryer that is almost 30 years old that has just now reached end of life. We just bought new ones at about 5 times the cost. But on a cost-per-year basis they didn't really cost very much.

Just my take on things, Dirk

GG1 · 08-08-2009, 06:28 PM

If depreciation is a major factor buy a very old rv or don't buy at all, go the hotel route. We would never have traveled to the places we have been(with 2 dogs and a cat) buy staying in hotels. I don't fly and my wife don't float so if we can't drive there we don't go. How much of a price do you put on your own enjoyment?