How do you justify your motorhome MPG?

[Dr4Film]

Well, I was going to stay out of this discussion but now I just HAVE to give MTCW about how I "justify" my diesel coach and diesel fuel.

When I decided to purchase the diesel coach, it became my home and has been for over the last 10 years. I have taken some VERY long trips to Alaska and back that consumed thousands of dollars of fuel.

However, to spend the 4-5 summer months with my two sons and grandchildren, that money for fuel is peanuts compared to the time spent with my family which is "priceless". And YES, I could fly and save a lot of money but I took my home which a lot of people cannot and will not ever get a chance to do in their lifetime. To me the road trip to and from Alaska is one of the most awesome in this country.

Now, for those people who are anchored to their house, how do you justify the real estate, school, town, city and county taxes that are imposed on your property every year? How do you justify the rising utility costs every year?

I have been to and seen so many wonderful places in the North American Continent because my home is on wheels.

Lastly, if I couldn't afford the coach and the fuel I wouldn't have purchased such an expensive hobby.

I feel sorry for the hundreds of thousands of RV owners who go out and purchase an RV only to let it sit in a storage facility month after month going unused sitting in the sun baking to a crisp and I have seen acres upon acres of RV's in storage while traveling all over this country.

How do those people justify the purchase of the RV in the first place let alone the fuel to burn when they do decide to use it? I guess that's why it sits in storage for so long wasting away depreciating down to nothing.

EOMTCW

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

These threads would be much more interesting if people would address the OP and not go down these rabbit holes.

The OP was addressing working people. You remember those days when you had all these demands on your money? House, kids, debts, saving?

The OP rides the bus to generate savings to offset her RV hobby. I think that's great! She has a car, so obviously it's not something she has to do, but I assume she does it so that her other money priorities are not effected. I think younger folks are turned off by RVing because the think the can't afford it.

My mother used to do crafts during the year and sell them so she'd have extra money for Christmas. It wasn't that we wouldn't have one if she didn't, but it made it easier.

That's the point of this thread.

So it would be interesting to know if some of you WORKING people do similar things. Maybe some of you don't and spend whatever you like. That is fine, but not the question.

Do working folks have to pay more for for fuel than those who are retired? We all have to use money we have earned to purchase fuel. In this case the OP has an income.

[palehorse89]

Here is another angle Gordon, I am still paying into SS, and you are paying for fuel with yours........

[jwmaustin]

Originally Posted by wanderso

These days, I ride a bus to/from work in downtown. This saves as follows per year: (2011 Subaru Outback)

8,200 commuting miles
310 gallons of fuel @ $4/gallon
2 extra oil changes @ $35 each
$300 insurance savings due to reduced mileage policy
$1440 in parking
= $3050 per year

Above doesn't even include depreciation, wear & tear and other maintenance.

That's $3,050 in real cash to pay for for fuel and travel costs for the RV "hobby". We all know that it doesn't offset the overall cost, but it is a start. In this case, all just for being willing to ride a bus for 20 minutes longer than driving each way. I guess I see that as worth it for the vacation payback and I can do my email on the bus anyway, getting back part of the commute time lost and less stress.

For those not yet retired, how do you justify your motorhome MPG? No snide comments please. .

That was the original posting and the following are good postings (for me):

"35 years of business travel = hotels and marginal food in cities and towns I did want to be in.
Airline with a cattle car business model, airport delays and cancelations and marginal rental cars.......
Hotels have bed bugs"

RV's need no further reasoning or justification..............."

"Why did we buy our rv when still working? I size it up to two of my brother-in -laws. They had all these plans when they retired. They never got to retire. They never got to make the memories that we have to cherish when we get old. Each one died from cancer at a relative young age. We are making those memories now for when the Lord says one of our time to come home is here. Will I continue to travel in the rv if my wife passes before me? Yes, That is where we enjoyed our time together and where I feel I will be the closest to her."

So there are financial arguments like the OP and there are non-financial. I'm not sure even the financial ones are saying an RV is economically the best choice, so we all use the non-financial arguments to a degree.

For all of us we have to be able to afford the choice so that's part of the justification and then, like all choices, the "what do I want in life" handles the rest of the justification.

I have to be able to pay the bills and if I can then what's left over is my discretionary choice. We are lucky, many of us, we live in a country and have worked hard so that we can make that choice.

[jenandjon]

I dont have one yet still shopping but this is how I justify having one.

We use to cram into a Ford explorer. No room for luggage so pulled a little trailer. Got crappy mailage 12-15 on good days. If it was windy got 9. Yes 9 mpg in a 2008 explorer.

Traded that off on a 06 suburban. More roomy still needed the little trailer a couple times. Got the same as the explorer. I was surprised but no mileage difference at all.

Now I have a chevy crew cab long box diesel pickup. I get 14-16 depending on how hard I push it. Got 20 down in North and South Carolina. Way better than the exploder and sub and no need for the trailer.

So this is where I justify the diesel pusher.....If I can get 10 that is still better than the worse I got being packed in like sardines in a POS explorer with a stupid little trailer.

[Tyler6357]

8,200 commuting miles
310 gallons of fuel @ $4/gallon
2 extra oil changes @ $35 each
$300 insurance savings due to reduced mileage policy
$1440 in parking
= $3050 per year

You forgot to subtract the cost of riding the bus.

[wyorancher]

Originally Posted by Tyler6357

You forgot to subtract the cost of riding the bus.

I think he said his employer paid for the pass

[az99]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Here is another angle Gordon, I am still paying into SS, and you are paying for fuel with yours........

I would like to thank you too for contributing to my MH upkeep and fuel purchases.

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by az99

I would like to thank you too for contributing to my MH upkeep and fuel purchases.

On the contrary my friend, I look at it like I am paying into a savings account for myself............You are just getting the money back that you saved while you were paying into SS......As at this point.......you have payed into it longer than I ...............

[az99]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

On the contrary my friend, I look at it like I am paying into a savings account for myself............You are just getting the money back that you saved while you were paying into SS......As at this point.......you have payed into it longer than I ...............

That is the way it is supposed to work but the govt. spent my money a long time ago. They are sending me your savings now.

[dezolen]

On the other hand my toad gets amazing fuel economy when behind the coach. Can't beat that.

[Long Island Mac]

After having cancer, chemo, radiation, and soooo much time in the hospital, thought about my time left here on the Earth. Now on our third class A, and enjoy our time left. How much longer will I be able to drive around this great country?? There is no answer to that. My wife and I really enjoy the travel and meeting new friends. Cost?? What is the true cost of life. Plate on front of motorhome says " Yes we are spending our children's inheritance" They love what we are doing.

[Pds47]

My money my choice

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Here is another angle Gordon, I am still paying into SS, and you are paying for fuel with yours........

Yes - thankyou for that. I appreciate all you are doing so I will spend it wisely and carefully. Some of it on fuel. Your turn will come and then you will enjoy it as much as I am.