(Re-printed with permission from their eBay page) - We have found that many first time RV buyers are hesitant to buy an RV because the price of gas is $4.00 a gallon. There have been many studies done on this subject and the end result of these studies is that gas would have to reach $9.00 per gallon before the seasoned RV'er would give it up. Here's why: The average RV is driven 4000 miles per year according to national statistics. At 8 miles per gallon you would use 500 gallons of fuel. At $4.00 per gallon your annual fuel cost would be $2000.
I have a family of 4. This year we will take two, 1 week long trips to San Diego for a total of 1400 miles, two weekend trips to Rocky Point Mexico for a total of 1000 miles, two weekend trips to Flagstaff Arizona for a total of 500 miles, two weekend trips to the White Mountains for a total of 1000 miles, and several overnight and weekend trips within an hour of Phoenix for a total of 800 miles. That's a total of 4700 miles with a total fuel cost of $2350.
If we were to fly to San Diego it would cost $250 round trip per person, so our 2 trips would cost $2000 for airfare, $850 for a rental car, $1500-$2000 for a motel room, plus all of our meals would be out at restaurants. So the two weeks in San Diego would cost about $5000. The other trips that we take don't have the option of flying being that they are in the remote mountain areas or Mexico.
So we would have to drive the SUV which gets about 18 mpg. We would use 183 gallons of gas to drive the SUV to these places versus 412 gallons in the motor home. However there are no hotels in the remote areas and there are no restaurants. I am sure you are starting to see my point. If you like to have flexibility, and you enjoy being in the outdoors there is no better way to spend time with your family then doing it in an RV!
My input, I agree mostly however if gas reaches $9.00 per gallon the RV is going to do A LOT of sitting! We have found the same thing, our short trips would be much more expensive if we had hotel and restaurant expenses. What do you guys think?
6 comments:
great comparison!..and so true!..staying in hotels is very expensive..we did that last year..gone for four days..and spent almost $2000...this time 14 days in a rented trailer..and we spent less than $1800 for everything!
Well, I guess we're not quite average. Over the last two years we've added 15,000 miles to the odometer on our motorhome so that's about 7,500 a year. We also love to try new restaurants in new towns we visit. Flying is fairly cheap for us ... retired airline.
However, with all that said there is something called convenience and comfort. That is definitely our little home on wheels. There's no packing, no leaving the dog or our belongings behind. There's also no sleeping in a strange bed.
Whatever works for the time or the trip is the way we want to do it. At least we have the option.
The thing is for me we presently do not take any trips at all! RVing will bring a whole new set of expenses to our cost of living. But I tired of staying home and being a penny pincher.
I see your point Erik. Our family doesn't do any traveling because of my husbands job. But we do hope to someday if he ever gets to retire.
We do take the occasional day trip.
While I can understand the fuel costs with the r.v., what about the maintenance costs?
Love Di ♥
We figure every extra day we stay someplace free and nice is about $100 saved in gas and $75 saved in motel rooms. Plus, we're home eating our own food and sleeping in our own bed.
And, we can go 1000 miles just on what we're not paying in property taxes.
I like the Good Luck Duck's comment on property tax. However no one mentioned the upfront cost of the motorhome. If you factor that in and depreciate it, it adds to the cost. Doesn't matter though in the long run...I don't have to make reservations (I can sleep at Wal-Mart if I have to), I can cook my own food, I have my own bed and my own stuff and I don't have to worry about BED BUGS!! Yes, even the better hotels are getting them.
Post a Comment