The Yearly Costs of Owning an RV (Part 2 of 2)

Last week we looked at some of the yearly costs involved in RV ownership.  (If you missed Part 1, here’s a link,  You might want to first read it   http://blog.rv.net/2009/10/the-yearly-costs-of-owning-an-rv-part-1-of-2/)  If you recall we touched on fuel, maintenance/repair, finances, insurance, licensing, taxes, and in more depth, the cost of depreciation. Today we will examine those costs and how practically and theoretically they may be able to be reduced. We will breeze through the items that we currently deal with, and are often discussed in the forums, and expand the “Wild Card,” depreciation.   Doing them in the order of last week, we will start with fuel cost. Read more  Read More →

The Yearly Costs Of Owning An RV (Part 1 of 2)

There are a number of items that must be considered when determining the yearly cost of buying a new RV. We hear so much about fuel costs, whether it is a motorized or a tow vehicle.  But, fuel really is peanuts in most cases.  Likewise, maintenance and repairs, while not necessarily cheap, are relatively small in the big picture.  The financial purchase, whether it is a cash deal or involves a finance contract, will almost certainly out weigh both fuel and repair costs.  Then of course there is insurance, licensing, and taxes, if applicable. Read more  Read More →

RV Doctor – What Do I Need To Know When Buying a Used RV?

Dear RV Doctor, We saw the RV Roadtrips show on DIY and wondered if you’d share some buying tips. I am interested in buying an older motorhome; a 1985 model. I am a novice working on mechanical projects, but want to learn. What are the most important things I need to be looking for before buying?- Gordon Griffin, (Blooming Grove, TX) Read more  Read More →

TV Choices in Today’s RV’s

Rv’s have to hold the record for the most television sets per square foot for any type of dwelling. There are many class A’s that have four, class C’s with three and even class B’s with two and possibly more. So where are all these sets in such a limited area? Generally there are up to two in the living room and kitchen area, one in the bedroom and one in an outside bay for patio viewing.  The CRT type has been replaced by lighter more compact LCD or plasma panel types.  The LCD has become the popular choice as it is available in so many sizes, is cost efficient, and seems somewhat more resilient in the mobile application. Now all of these are starting to come equipped for high definition broadcasts, requiring more sophisticated receivers, antennas and wiring. Is this new high definition a “must have” in an RV?  Perhaps not, in my opinion, though many may disagree.  Don’t get me wrong, HD (High Definition) produces a remarkable, photo like, picture.  While this is a stark difference from SD (Standard Definition), I don’t believe it adds that much to watching a movie on TV.  Viewing sports, for example, may be a little different, as the far sharper images can, in fact, make a vast improvement. So how many are too much? Most RV’s today come standard with one or two TV sets.  Generally each comes with a set in the living area with perhaps an additional one in the bedroom area.   An optional set is often available in... Read more

Coach Slides Vrs. No Slide Units

Slides started showing up in the early ’90’s, but many non-slide coaches were still being purchased.  Today, it would seem that all, or certainly the vast majority of coaches sold, are slide equipped.  There are still coaches offered that do not have slides.  Many entertainer conversions are without slides.  I recently saw a new Prevost conversion that was produced by a converter called “Outlaw” that had no slides.  It wasn’t made as an entertainer’s ride, but a normal conversion with the usual interior look.     So, what would life without slides be like?  It is surprising how roomy one feels.  I went into the “Outlaw” conversion at an RV show in RiverBend, in LaBelle, Florida.  Of course it didn’t look or feel anywhere as large as the many multi-slide rigs that are so common today, but it still felt roomy.  I guess to really appreciate its interior layout you have to realize, this is the size of the RV when camped, or on the road.  The “or on the road” is the big difference here when compared to the multi-slide. All multi-slide rigs are somewhat awkward within the interior while the slides are retracted.  Some are worse than others, but generally, the more and the deeper the slides, the more cramped they are.  The full wall slide may have a slight advantage here when compared to the double same-slide.  They only have two wall points when brought inside instead of four.  There are some advantages... Read more

VIDEO: Interested in Airstreams?

As regular viewers of The Long Long Honeymoon know, Kristy and I have an Airstream travel trailer. Airstreams have been in production longer than most of us have been alive. The company was established in 1931. Although Airstream has dabbled in motorhomes and other RVs, the company is famous for its travel trailers. What makes ‘em different? The most obvious answer is the aluminum skin. The upside of aluminum construction is longevity. It never rusts, and never goes out of fashion. The aircraft inspired construction is aerodynamic and tows like a dream. We get 12 MPG towing our 25-foot Classic, which is one of the heavier models. But Airstreams have a few quirks, also mostly related to the aluminum exterior. (Hint: When walking atop the roof, DO NOT step upon the aluminum.) And the curved roof construction that tows so well also leads to some compromises in interior space. The interior is more often described as “cozy” than “spacious.” Fortunately, most of our servicing issues have been minor ones. We’ve had the occasional leak, or the fan that stops blowing, or the door latch that fails. We’ve had tire issues. But for the most part, the thing has been reliable. The air-conditioning has always blown cold, the electricity has always come on, and the plumbing has always plumbed. Like all towables, Airstreams lack a motor — so they also lack all of those engine-related maintenance issues. From time to time, people interested in Airstreams... Read more

Rear Radiators Vrs. Side Mount

Class “A” coaches are available with many options, but there are some things that can’t be changed. Depending on the make and model, you may get a rear mounted radiator or a side mounted unit.  So, what is the difference? Well, if you think one is better than the other, you might be wrong. Even though all high end coaches have side radiators and most of the entry level diesel pushers have rear, not cost, but specific design issues, may be the real reason.   While there is no question that side mounted radiator systems cost more to build, we have to look at why they would be designed and used on larger engine equipped units.  That is, on all diesel pusher engines in excess of 360 horse power. These radiators consist of two main cooling sections, the charge air inter-cooler and the engine coolant. The charge air section has large internal tubing that cools the already boosted air pressure between the turbo charger and the intake manifold.  The engine coolant section works similar to that of your automobile, that is, it keeps the coolant at a reasonable operating temperature.  The larger the engine, the larger the radiator size has to be. Ideally the radiator works, design wise, best if it is mounted in the rear, directly behind the engine.  This design requires less horse power to drive the cooling fan than does a side mounted cooling package.  Additionally, some natural air movement, due to its location, is also a benefit.  As far as blocking access... Read more

RV Finance: Stimulus Plan Includes Tax Deduction for Motor Home Purchases

**The following post is not intended and should not be interpreted as giving specific financial advice.** On Tuesday, Feb. 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. If you are thinking about buying a new RV or motor home, you should pay attention. Part of this legislation includes a tax deduction for any state or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle between Feb. 17, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. For this Act, the term ‘qualified motor vehicle’ includes “a motor home the original use of which commences with the taxpayer.” See item III of part D on page 204 of the PDF file for further information. Download the PDF to read the exact, final text of the bill to see for yourself if you qualify for this vehicle sales tax deduction. See pages 203-4 of the PDF file, starting with “SEC. 1008″. To download it yourself straight from the source, go to the White House Press Office web page and click on the final text link. For specific tax questions, consult a certified accounting firm in your area. They can review your financial situation and give you advice about which actions to take that would benefit you. The federal government has a dedicated website that the public can visit to learn more about the Act, its enactment and to share feedback about how the Act is affecting their lives. You can also visit the White House website to find out the latest news from the Executive Office... Read more

Top 10 RV Selling Tips

Written by Christina Bullock When selling your RV, basic planning and preparation go a long way to getting a better sale price. With a little effort, your RV can really shine like new and dazzle those buyers. Once you’ve got your rig ready to show off, list it for sale on rvSearch.com to reach thousands of buyers across the U.S. and Canada. 10. Clear away personal items from your rig to show off how much space it has. Buyers will be much better able to visualize how they will use the space, which will increase their interest. 9. Include photos with your listing to show buyers how great your rig is and pique their interest in seeing it in person. 8. Set a realistic sale price for the quality of your rig within local market ranges. If your list price is too high, some buyers may walk away rather than haggle with you. 7. Take out ads in several places: local newspaper, online classifieds, community bulletin boards, etc. The greater the exposure the more potential buyers you’ll have. 6. Clean your rig until it sparkles–inside and out. A detailed once-over can get you top dollar when you rig looks new again. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service if the task seems overwhelming. 5. Use an escrow firm to exchange goods between you and the buyer to avoid scams. 4. Pick a spot to display your RV for interested buyers to take a peek. Main roads and large parking lots are great for pass-by traffic. Interested parties can then call you to check out the interior. 3.... Read more

Top 10 RV Buying Tips

Written by Christina Bullock Thinking about buying a new RV before the peak season starts? Make sure to review these RV buying tips before you close a deal to ensure you’ll get a great RV at a great price, without much stress! Once you’re armed with knowledge, browse RV listings at rvSearch.com to find your dream rig! 10. Establish a budget prior to starting your search so you’ll have a clear price range in mind. Be realistic. Don’t forget to factor in fuel and insurance costs. 9. Identify your family’s personal space and activity needs and find an RV type that can accommodate these. 8. Look online to find RVs for sale from dealerships and private parties near you. A lower price could be worth the drive. 7. Research NADA values to make sure you are being offered a fare price. 6. Inspect all the nooks and crannies of a potential RV to ensure its quality and cleanliness. The little things could become real headaches later. 5. Use an escrow firm to exchange goods between you and the seller to avoid scams. 4. Try renting an RV similar to the type you would like to buy and take it on a short trip. Then you can truly see how it meets your family’s needs. 3. Find out if the vehicle comes with a warranty and if so, what it covers and for how long. This can be a real money-saver on unexpected repairs. 2. If more than one dealer in your area has the RV you want, get price quotes from all of them. The more they compete for your business, the lower the... Read more

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