are any of you 'motorhome' people?

Not really into motorhomes.  By the time one pays for them, plus any interest in its financed, less depreciation for all the time it spends not being used, a nice hotel room is cheaper and more comfortable,  Not being in a rock band, an RV isn't a necessity.  Or, a small trailer if in the construction trade.

To me, camping is a Hampton. Why own a RV when you can rent one and

walk away once done with it. Crash, are you trying to sell the one you

bought?

 

We had one at one point.  If you are going to sell your house and travel or travel for moths at a time during retirement it might make sense.  Other than that it doesn't.  They drink gas and there is all sorts of upkeep and maintenance.  Tires to generators, air conditioners, leaks, chemicals and then you have to pay to park it somewhere and spend half a hour leveling the fridge and hooking up the hoses and wires once you get there.    Worse than a boat if you ask me.

 

 

I've three friends who have/had motor homes and they used them somewhat differently.

 

The one that "had" was still working and planning on traveling occasionally and keeping it parked most of the time wasn't getting the most out of their investment.  Whether moving or not, taxes and insurance still have to be paid.  Not to mention the maintenance.  They tried renting it out, but that was a disaster.  They sold it and bought a van as a multipurpose vehicle and are happy with it.

 

The second does what the first intended to do but with great success.  First, they retired.  Planned extended trips, long term destinations, scenic routes, tailgating at college football games, and uses a reputable leasing service when they are not driving it which pays for just about everything.  For alternate transportation, they carry bicycles.  It's what they like to do.

 

The third, also retired,  uses it full time as a motor "home."  Lives a life on the road.  Doesn't own a house.  Tows a Jeep behind it for alternative transportation.  Before they got the motor home, they lived on a 50 foot Chris Craft and that was before they retired.  Now they have a land yacht.

 

And ditto what Chuck said as well.

Crash,

I had one at one time.  There are advantages and disadvantages. First problem I had was finding a good place to store it.  You certainly don't want to leave a nice one out in the weather all the time, and indoor storage, or covered storage, can be expensive if you don't already have it available. If you go on a long trip you really need a towed car as well, since when you get there, being able to get around can be a problem. The beds are pretty uncomfortable, and cleaning up the thing after you get home is a pain in the hiney. At a campsite, they are fun, but getting there, setting up, and then clearing out is a pain. For the money, I just get in the car and stay in a nice hotel.  The money you save on gas will justify it in the end.

Live it up!

 

If you have this kind of spare change.

 

http://www.rvtrader.com/listin...Q%29-112938349/video

 

One pays for ones pleasure. I used to backpack all over the wilderness in my youth -- that was camping.

I have never had one or the desire for one. Since I live at a very rural setting, if I go camping I have an assortment of tents and camping gear to use. When I vacation otherwise, it is usually to a city setting and enjoy the use of a nice hotel.

 The way I look at it unless you have money to spare and are retired a motor home is only a hole in which you are obligated to pour money into.

well, storage isn't an issue.. i have that, already....  i have a large family and kids in college... tailgating is one big draw... i also have a spot, in gulf s****s, where it can be place for a very reasonable rate as well as 'storage' at the beach. i'm just considering the purchase... nothing in 'stone' , yet. i am a traveler... and with what i spent on hotel rooms, just last year, i could have bought a very nice motorhome. as i said, just a consideration.. i didn't realize the price had come down sooo much on them.

They can be really fun.

Once upon a time we had a spot at Coleman Coliseum. We would go down Friday evening and stay until Sunday. Take in whatever was happening that weekend, volleyball, swimming etc. Since "The University" changed the RV policy it has become cost prohibitive for me. Plus, the spots are now waaaaaaaaaaaay far away from the stadium or so they seem . 

 

Yes, they can be a lot of work. Fun with the family.............priceless....

 

Good Luck!

 

 

Maybe it's just me, but I don't look at traveling in a motor home in the same light as I do backpacking, camping, or looking for an alternative to a motel room.  To me, each has it's own niche.  Other than a motor home can serve as a base of operations for outdoor activities better than a motel.

 

Piggy-backing on what Chuck said about boats.  Some say a boat is a hole in the water you fill with money.  The other saying is something like if you have to ask what a boat cost, chances are you can't afford it.  I can certainly see how that would equate to a motor home.

 

It really, like a motor home, depends on what monetary value you place on what you want to do.  I transitioned from a 15 foot canoe to a 22 foot walk-around cuddy with an 85 gallon tank to take me over the horizon [of the Atlantic] and back.  On plane speed of around 25 knots, she burned 4 gallons/hour.  You can's swim that far and there's other place to stay when you get there.  So the question is, presuming you've got the $$, do you want to do it or not and wish you did.  Same with a motor home I presume.

 

They'll also tell you the two happiest days of your life is when you buy your boat and when you sell it.  If you misjudge your intent, I guarantee it.  It was relocating that motivated me to sell "Tide Dancer."  I still have "Rapid Chancer."

 

So Crash, picked out a name yet?

Have you considered a pull behind camper?

Crash

We own a mini storage with covered motorhome parking and most all of them sit except for a few weeks a year.  The retired people use theirs more, i am pretty sure Seeweed has one down in Gulf S****s at Wolf Bay so doing that would be nice.  When I retire and want to spend a few years traveling around I would prefer a Motorhome as I am a borderline germ/neat freak and by then will have had my fill of Hotels "in my current job different one every night"

_______

Hi Gus!   How are you?

__________

 

yea, but i want to be able to let other family use it and they'd have trouble towing it.

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i'm a traveler!!! i got it honest, from my dad... growing up, we went on 'mini vacations', at the drop of a hat.. i looked at condos for months.. i'm tired of arguing with agents about condos...  i like to go... i've been researching for a month or so.. i've done all the homework.. i've checked finances about 200 times... i have a sister who will NOT hesitate to tell me if she thinks i'm making a mistake! .. i always talk to her about this kinda stuff, expecting her to tell me just how crazy i am for even considering it... she's all for the idea! that was my last big hurdle! now, i'm picking out what i really want... where's seeweed when you need him!!!

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I lived unplugged in a '73 Dodge/Champion class A for a goodly few years when I was up north.

  Unless you're using it as a residence, it really isn't worth it. (See 'money hole' above).  Mine was an oldie with a 440 cube gas engine.  I commuted between towns with it for awhile.

  If you're gonna travel in one, I suggest getting one equipped with a decent turbodiesel. Stay away from anything naturally aspirated unless you're traveling with a couple people who don't mind getting out to help push it up hills...

Sure, diesel fuel costs more, but you'll go a lot farther on a tank of diesel then you will on gasoline.

 

 

what surprises me is with all the global warming Democrats talk about you, would buy

something that contributes to global warming. It seems the Democrats would stay home and stop

using cars, etc.  

funny how regressives have no clue about 'global climate change', yet it doesn't stop them from trying to sound intelligent...

which pollutes more, a newer motorhome going down the interstate or a parked 1970 thunderbird?

lol,,, i looked and looked at my post and couldn't find anything about a parked 1970 Thunderbird.

but if it makes your liberal rightous self feel better then ok.

_______________

bahahahahaha... liberal righteous self... bahahahhaha!

You are correct a turbo diesel pusher with a Allison transmission would be a good choice.  Also, I know you said motorhome but a 5th wheel can be a much better buy and more room especially if you do intend to leave it down on the coast.  If I did buy a any of the above I would look around a used one really saves money and most at rarely used.

i'm not going stupid! ha! i've throughly researched the 'preowned' rv market... so far, i've found about three... i'm going to look at them, this weekend. i'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

Looking forward to seeing examples of which 3 may fill your needs. 

thanks, bud...  i have a sister with two kids in college... i also have a 70 y/o mother who LOVES to tailgate... can you see where this is going? hahahaha!

 

 

Plus, you'll discover you have friends you didn't know you had.

Looking for a motor home?  Here is one for sale! Not quite in the same league with Airstream.

 

here's one i looked at today

 

You will be the envy of the Wal-Mart crowd.