RV Journey

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My DH has recently mentioned he wants to rent an RV and drive cross country. He says it's his dream and something he'll probably never be able to do again. I'm wondering should we do this? He's salivating at the idea of me, the kids, the dog in the RV.

We've researched it because previously we discussed vacationing for a week in an RV to Eastern Canada (hello prince edward island). It's not cheap like $250/day plus gas and incidentals. I'm guessing the trip for 10 days cross country at least $5k.

But at the same time it's an opportunity of a lifetime. I RV one summer for 2 weeks with my best friend's family to Yellowstone and it was so amazing and cool and fun.

I'm wondering what about driving in our subaru cross country and towing a uhaul hitch? We'd have to have a hitch put on our subaru for $1k, and rent a trailer for $600, then hotels. I wonder would that be cheaper? We could camp or stay at hotels?

What are people's thoughts? I'm willing to listen about the experience of RV.

[bigdaddybus]

My family is on a 10 day trip in a rental RV right now. 2 adults, 4 kids, and the dog.

2 years ago we sold our 30ft pull behind camper (the toyhauler style that transported 4 ATVs inside) and the large diesel suv we pulled it with. We sold it as the family really disliked the long drives.

Our rental is for 1900 miles.

Here is what we are in.

http://www.elmonterv.com/rent/rv-details/cabover-style-fs31-slide-out-rv/

[bigdaddybus]

We paid a bit extra to have an rv with enough beds so we don't have to convert the couch and table into beds every night. I recommend doing the same it's worth the extra cost for the convince and space to sit and move around.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Bigdaddy, it would cost us $17k to rent that coast to coast for a week. LOL. How much is your 10 day trip costing?

[bigdaddybus]

RV rental w/1900 miles is $2100.
Refundable security deposit on RV $1000.
Fuel $450-500
Beachfront RV campsite for 8 nights (oscaloosa island, FL) $490
additional insurance from State Farm $25. (It was $17 a day through the rv rental)
Groceries, out to eat, t-shirts for the kids, etc. $500

I budgeted $5000, the entire trip will likely come in just under $4000.

[creditcardfree]

I bet part of the cost difference LAL, is that you are likely taking it one way rather than round trip. That's a guess and more miles of course. For $17K you could buy one and resell a month later for $16K!! Theoretically of course.

Have you looked to see if there are any listings in your area for a used RV?

[bjl584]

I'd rather take the car and just stay in hotels along the way.

But, I'd be leery about towing anything with a Subaru. Generally cars aren't good for towing. The transmission isn't built for it. It could cause car problems. Especially on a cross country trip.

[rennigade]

10 days really isnt that terribly long to drive cross country. When we did our 10 day lots of driving trip we flew to SLC, rented a car, went to yellowstone for a couple days, back through tetons, then down to bryce, capital reef, canyonlands, arches and even that felt a little rushed and we hardly scratched the surface. Totally worth it though. We did about 2200 miles on that trip.

I always thought it would be neat to have an RV and spend a couple months going around the country. I dont believe it would be any cheaper than taking your own car and staying in cheap motels/hotels. Its really a personal preference thing. Although having the extra space of an RV with kids and a dog would be nice.

edit: I saw you listed $17k one way rental. Thats insane. Like others said you would be far better off buying a used RV, using it then reselling it. Even if you take a $10k hit on reselling...its still cheaper than renting...although you'd have to drive it round trip. For 10 days...an RV isnt worth it.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

As you are planning for very early retirement, I would do a trip like that when you can be even more leisurely and when the kids are older. The kids will probably get more out of it when they are older and it might be easier for you as parents. Just do what is easy for the family in moving the household across country. But take your time on that trip, too, if you like.

[ua_guy]

RV rentals are spendy--the daily rate, fuel expense, plus mileage expense. Mileage generally isn't included in the rental, or if it is, it's something like 200 miles free. Then there can be daily charges depending on the RV equipment, generator usage, etc. It's really about how you want to travel...RV'ing is a great experience.

Also check into private RV rentals. There are private owners out there willing to rent their personally owned RV's. Cruise America, last time I checked, was a total ripoff and their fleet of RV's are minimally equipped and generally used pretty hard.

If you enjoy Robin Williams, "RV" was a pretty funny movie about a family RV rental gone horribly wrong...a good one to watch before you take your trip.

I'd also advise against towing any kind of large trailer with your Subaru. It probably has a 1,000 or 1,500 lb max towing capacity, plus the additional cost of the hitch. If you're wanting to travel in comfort, I'd suggest renting something like a Chevy Suburban or Tahoe from Hertz. Big, quiet, room for everyone, lots and lots of cargo space. Depending on the rental company's rules, you could easily tow a trailer behind one of those if you wanted to, probably in the 5,000-7,000lb range.

[snafu]

We've had a couple of wonderful Class A rigs and enjoyed both long and short trips with 2 DS + small dog. It's really mostly in the planning so that routes mesh with events of interest. It helps to be a list person. With a solid meal plan, pre-made frozen basics, daily duds in lg. zip bags, you can be loaded in a day and on the highway at 1st AM light.

Like the others, I suggest you rent a rig from a private lessor for a long weekend or even a week and go to a few places you can travel to, leaving at dawn and being in an RV park/camping facility between 2-3 PM. Do not drive after 3PM. You can enjoy the pool, meet folks from all over the world, let your dog introduce you to other pet lovers/owners, walk around in clean air, super scenery, different culture [PEI], open your mind to new ideas etc. If you offer to share iced tea or cookies, you are rewarded with whatever the neighbor/new friend made. If you can't figure out how to cope with grey water, people come out of nowhere to teach you the 'ropes.' It's a totally different experience.

If you like the open road concept, then tackle a big trip as DH desires. You don't want to spend a huge sum and have a rotten time coping with daily meals and dirty laundry in less than a happy environment.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Cool going to do research on renting from private owner and buying/selling an RV. You know surprisingly a couple friends suggested buying and selling an RV

[bigdaddybus]

Used RV's are a lot like used boats. There are good deals to be had but buyer beware!

Tires too old?
New tires on a class A can run a couple thousand.

Engine sat unused for a couple years?
Roof sealed?
Winterized properly?

Used RVs are just scary to me. It's one purchase I would buy a warranty with if I was buying used.

[snafu]

Perhaps we are naive, we shopped with a check list, asked questions and reviewed the maintenance binder most owners keep. Our last rig was older, refurbished by the trade school that requires potential line workers strip down and [re]build Class A rigs so they can earn certification needed to work at the RV plant in a small community about an hour away. It's likely worth the cost to have the major RV maintenance outlet [does spring re-set and fall shut down, roof skin maintenance replacement etc] review the rig's viability.

RV rigs from good builders hold their value, there is very little depreciation each year if the unit has been well cared for. They are expensive so most owners are vigilant and treat them like an investment.

[Bright]

We have a pull behind camper and love to camp and do a lot within 60 miles. Even having a new light weight model it is much more economical on long trips to stay in hotels vs the extra gas driving the truck and towing the trailer.