Bottom Line: If you can't afford to buy a new one every 5 or 6 years, and the cost of a maintenance mechanic is more than you are willing to shell out. AND, if fixing and improving stuff is not your hobby, then maybe you need to consider a cheaper venue to throw your money at.
I hear that Gardening can be done reasonably debt free.
I have a friend who loves to Fish. As in, he spends more per year in Fishing Stuff than I do in my RV, Motorcycles, Off Roading and general playing in my machine shop Hobbies. Imagine spending $100K for a small boat, plus another $25K in accutriments to get the fish out of the water and into the boat, that you park in your driveway and only take it out a dozen times a year, and have to have a $70K Truck just to put it in the water. Then there are the endless fees that go with being able to fish in the premier fishing locals.
It's all about how you spend your disposable cash and how committed you are in that activity.
I've had my Fleetwood Limited for 20 years now. (A brochure picture of it when it was new below.)
It's far from Original, and has never been touched by an RV Mechanic at a Dealership or anyone else. I repowered it and am currently remodeling it's interrior. It gets about 14 MPG now!
Sure, I could have bought a never upgraded version several times over for what I have in it. But, it's what I do for fun. I don't drink, smoke or gamble. Won't pay to watch a bunch of Professional Spoiled Atheletes play ball sports, or have season anything tickets. I have a nice 2 story S&B in the Country with a huge shop behind it to play in. NOt to mention the private Airstrip behind us.
Been retired over 10 years now and love life. (And JSYK, I was Blue Collar / Technical)
I have been blessed more than I deserve.
It's like a guy told me the first time I filled up my RV. He was fillling his Diesel Pusher next to me at the time.
And I mentioned the cost to fill up my 100 gallon tank. Was overwhelmed a little by it, because I was only getting 5.5 MPG at the time.
He wisely said to me, "If you have to worry about the cost of keeping a big Rv in gas, then maybe you need to find a cheaper toy to play with."
Like we used to tell kids trying to get into Racing Cars back in the 60's.
Speed Cost Money, let us see your bank account so we can tell you how fast you can go!
https://www.irv2.com/forums/images/s...coolsmiley.gif
My Youngest son races Drag Cars. My RV is cheap!
It all comes down to priorities!
From the overhang in the rear, I'm assuming that this is a front-engine coach? With the tag axle, it probably handles well. I'm in the middle of a roof overhaul with my coach. It's going to be a very expensive bill
! So, this thread has been very interesting for me--motorhomes are indeed moneypits!
I'm still facing new radiator hoses, a flush, etc. I may throw in the towel and sell it.
Linear Mode
