Community Forums

RedneckExpress · 09-23-2010, 12:53 AM

Here's how my living expenses budget breaks down:

$350 month site rent + electricity @ $0.12 kw/h (Summer my monthly electric bill was $30, winter around $17 - 20, this includes my RV + a 5 cu ft chest freezer I have on the patio next to my camper.

$76 insurance on truck monthly, (+$150 once every 6 month on used taurus)

$65 Propane (100lb tank fill, this is only during the cold months, one 100lber will last me 3-4 months in warm weather, my waterheater runs on the upper hot settings and the pilot is always on, except for when I'm going to be gone for several days)

$160 a month gas

$30-50 a week groceries (let's just say $200 a month)

Total = ~$670 (I used my last rent/electric bill which was $379)

About once every 3 months I spent $30 for the oil/filter change on the truck.

I have other expenses, credit cards, etc, beyond that, but that basically sums up my primary living expenses. I also don't travel around with the camper much, mostly close by stuff, maybe one big trip a year at best. Tires last me several years usually, and luckily I'm blessed with a park that does allow DIY within reason (No pulling and doing a full tear down/rebuild of a small block V8 in your site).

GSGracie · 09-23-2010, 02:41 AM

Fascinating to see the costs in the USA. My 1999 Mirada cost me $155 000 NZ - around $120 000 USD (x my costs by 0.7). I am paying off $50 000 of that at $1150 per month, but I still work full time, which helps. A week in a RV park just cost me $156, which is all power, dumping, and shower and toilets supplied if needed. Wifi is extra. Insurance is $1200 per year, full cover, Have only owned the bus for 4 months so not sure what my maintenance will be here - still setting it up how I want it. I have a retirement income of $24 000 tax free a year and I expect to be able to live in the RV full time on that when it is paid off in 3 years. By comparison, to buy a house here would cost around $300 000 minimum to get something nice in a nice area, and I would be stuck there. RV'ing full time is much cheaper here than living in a stick house.

paz · 09-23-2010, 05:31 AM

dxbear, I think your cost estimates may be low. As others have mentioned, you have not included maintenance costs, which can be high for an older motorhome, and which can be high for a DP.

Since you won't be traveling far on your monthly budget of $50 for fuel, you may want to consider a 5th wheel instead of a motorhome. The maintenance cost of a 5th wheel will be a lot lower.

GG1 · 09-23-2010, 06:27 AM

There is nothing cheap, economical, or inexpensive about rv travel particularly in a motorhome, unless you are in a tent, everything needs upkeep and maintenance. Maybe witha lesser expensive trailer or coach that is in top notch condition you may not have the large repair bills, if you stay in one spot you can get cheaper monthly rate or one of camping clubs you get a cheaper monthly rate like thousand trails, if you are on the move every 2-3 weeks things will cost more. RV travel is a personal thing I know who slept in my bed last, where we go the dog goes and we are not restricted like when staying in hotels.

dxbear · 09-23-2010, 04:44 PM

Thanks again for the replies. the $50 for fuel was based onthe RV NOT moving, just running and the Gen set for the month..

But now that you all have scared the heck our of me.. I'm not going to buy anything!!! I'm better off financially going to an apartment.. Going back to my main reason I looked in this direction... this was supposed to be an escape plan, that would be affordable after being layoff and earning around $2500 a month.. This is not being bought as a Vacation Vehicle.. maybe later it cold be used like that, but for now, this is possible to get before the credit goes down the drain, and I cant buy a pot to Pee in...

I am handy, and work about anything, but the cost I was trying to handle with a warranty, Ah.. whats the use... thanks again.. and good luck

ChrisNiemann · 09-23-2010, 04:57 PM

hate to hear that we scared you away but glad to hear we opened your mind to other views... i hate looking at things "my way"... then again I hate hearing my wife explain "her way" lol..... good luck, everything happens for a reason and it'll all work out!

Brigadoon · 09-23-2010, 06:38 PM

dxbear,

Ahh-this changes things somewhat.

If you are not planning on moving around but are going to staying in one place or at least in one location for months at a time, there may be other alternatives.

One thing for sure, if you are going to be sitting for long periods of time, you do not want a motorized unit. You would be paying for features that you would not be using.

Perhaps you would consider a destination trailer. You would not need a tow vehicle, you could just have it delivered to your chosen spot and set up. Then months later, you could have it taken to another location if your situation changed.

Hampton Destination trailers are one such type of trailer. There are others.

Here's their site: Hampton Destination Trailers by CrossRoads RV, Destination Trailers, Extended Stay Trailers

It looks like to me that you could buy new for $50k ($40 some k for the unit + set up, delivery and other expenses). And have a warranty.

Renipladlo · 09-23-2010, 07:24 PM

DXBEAR - PM me, we can discuss some salient points not covered here. Plus I know of a motorhome which needs some work, but it’s going to be cheap. If you are handy, can read wiring diagrams, are mechanically inclined, and want a project, this is the one for you. It's not mine.

One way to keep the "park costs" down is to buy a used campground membership. You can purchase a Thousand Trails memberships which might be Platinum Plus or Platinum level for 1000-1500 dollars. Those allow 21 days park stay and then the next park with no time out. We use ours a lot, even with the dues every year, we pay a lot less than many. The bad side is not every state has them, and some states only have one, so there might be out time. For instance, Orlando is a popular park, and they limit your visit to 14 days, I don’t know if they make you stay out a minimum number of nights, but I think one would be reasonable. You can also purchase an annual site, but have to be a member first. Other things are also possible, owning you own lot for instance and just living on it, CC&R's might apply! Hope this expands your ideas. Then you can also cut that "out time" with a Passport America membership which half's the nightly rate in member parks, many of which are very nice places. You cannot live there, but stays for longer times are possible. One thing you need to know is RV are not maintenance free, and there are costs associated with owning one, which I think you are discovering, however, you won't find a nicer bunch of people anywhere, most if not all are self-reliant and will always give their two cents; much of which is helpful.

Wanabee FTer · 09-23-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxbear

Ok my friends..

We are "looking" to go to an RV as a means to escape the high cost and anchoring that comes along with home ownership..

Getting back to the OP's original statement, thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth.
We bought our sticks and bricks 9 years ago for $130,000. Over that 9 year period we put another $100,000 in upgrades, landscape and maintenance. If I sold my house today I would be lucky to get what we originally paid for it.
Home ownership does not represent financial security to me anymore.
I recently bought a used class A out of my savings because If things keep going as they have been I will probably lose my house, but at least I will have something to live in that's paid for. I am fortunate that I am mechanically inclined, but as other posters have mentioned I may not be able to work on it myself in RV parks. I am looking for solutions for this, but for now while I still have a place to work on it, I figure preventive maintenance will be my best bet.
We no longer desire to grow roots and be stuck in an apartment or house, so for us this seems to be the best solution. Our budget will be tight but I figure we will be able to see America while we are still young enough to enjoy it!

Renipladlo · 09-24-2010, 12:40 AM

I agree. I have always kept my RV ready to go, packed and full of fuel. We have an emergency food and item list that stays ready in the kitchen. I figure it would take us two hours tops to load the stuff on that list. If there is time, we hook up the car, if not it stays here, and we leave. Since a natural disaster is the most likely scenario we plan on an earthquake, being it is that, we might not be able to leave anywhere because of the roads, but it’s got RO system, generator, and heat.

We won't lose the house, but the economy is not improving, and so when all the debts come due, the house might not be worth the wood it was made from and we will leave. In fact all our big debts are paid except the MH payment. But I guess if push came to shove, they got to find me first, and this is a big country. We having a roof over our head is more important than the bankers and stock brokers in Wall Street and whoever got us into this mess. One little RV wont’ make a hill of beans. We can carry about two-three weeks worth of food, and have seeds with us in case we need to start a garden someplace and wait it out. I remember Independence Day and all those RV crossing the desert. RV’er are most likely the true survivalists around, we just like to do it in style, and we have learned to help each other out, plus most of us have gray hair and have learned to live when times are tough.

Renipladlo · 09-24-2010, 12:47 AM

DxBear, can you take your skills on the road? Can the better half do that as well? You say you are losing your jobs, just like many families did during the depression; they hit the road and moved to where there might have been work. Having an RV is a nice way to do it. While moving, figure at 100 dollars a day, this includes food, fuel, wear and tear, and the unexpected. Lots of people do "work-camping" maybe you can as well. There is a dedicated website for that work, you have to register and I think there is a small fee.

RedneckExpress · 09-24-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxbear

Thanks again for the replies. the $50 for fuel was based onthe RV NOT moving, just running and the Gen set for the month..

But now that you all have scared the heck our of me.. I'm not going to buy anything!!! I'm better off financially going to an apartment.. Going back to my main reason I looked in this direction... this was supposed to be an escape plan, that would be affordable after being layoff and earning around $2500 a month.. This is not being bought as a Vacation Vehicle.. maybe later it cold be used like that, but for now, this is possible to get before the credit goes down the drain, and I cant buy a pot to Pee in...

I am handy, and work about anything, but the cost I was trying to handle with a warranty, Ah.. whats the use... thanks again.. and good luck

I live very comfortably on $2270 a month and less. But, I'm not aiming to buy a giant Class A. My eyes are more set on a nice 24-30' TT or 5th wheel.

Kountry87Air · 09-24-2010, 05:42 AM

I am not a fulltimer. One of our favorite and frequent weekend CG does have more than a few snowbirds. Several are MH folks towing and several are 5er's. From what they have said on the subject and the stories told if I were in your shoes and resolute on the fulltime scenario, I would most definetly go the 5er route.
Pickup trucks, even diesels, can be serviced at any local town garage, parts are plentiful and usually in stock. Not true for some MH engine parts. Most local garage's won't work on a MH if even just an engine or transmission issue for a variety of reasons from no room in the lot to unable to get it inside to tools and diagnostics.
We were weekend CG folks when kids were little and had towables. Now emptynesters, we decided to go the MH route just "cause"..but we also wanted to be as hassle free as possible so went looking for low-tech as possible and that means older. As few electronic systems as possible...manual everything possible. Mechanical stuff is more reliable than electronic. Very comfortable and high end 5ers can be bought around here for a few thousand dollars from the late '80's/90's. One has to shop well of course and I would think the forums here on 5er's can be searched for a check list of important things to look for when buying.

Good luck! BTW..the recession ended 14 months ago. Didn't you get the memo? (I haven't found a single person who did)

dxbear · 09-24-2010, 06:50 AM

Thanks for the great input and ideas.. Times could get really bad, and boondocking could become a reality, I was just trying to make plans of the worse case.. while we have the credit to make choices, the 5er is a good idea and will give it it due consideration. But now that my eyes are open, I think we will stick to a more traditional means of shelter, even if its a land lord, at least we have more control over our know costs.

I had ordered a bunch of books on rv'ing last week on amazon, they are getting returned when they arrive today "unopened".. I dont see the point of getting into an RV anything with all the unexpected costs eveyone mentions.. I can stay in my house and get that now..
I little discourgaed but moving on.. thanks again for all the help