Bought a New Class A RV today

[vash]

i saw a sprinter van.

it was jacked up high. 4x4..i swear it looked like it had a solid front axle. it was a giant class C conversion. dually rear end. the motor was silently rattling away as it burned diesel. the driver laughed at my gaping mouth as he drove past me. it was the best RV i ever saw in my life. and i've seen a earthroamer on that exact stretch of hwy 1

[tevake]

There are a lot of sprinter based coaches Vash.
And even more based on US built chassis.
The thing I'm hearing from sprinter owners is the lack of service centers and high cost of parts and repairs, can make using them a challenge. Also the cost difference is significant, especially for used models. More than enough to off set the mpg difference.

There are some range of choices in off-road 4x4 rigs to be considered.

Cheers Richard

[Hugh R]

Sold it for a little more than I owed on it. I'm happy, expect the new factory ordered Winnebago in a few weeks. Retired now and ready to do a lot more RVing. I wanted a new one with more options and amenities. Like a larger refrigerator and a washer/dryer option.

[Noah930]

Woo hoo! Just in time for Coachella!

[Tobra]

Are you still dragging the Camry behind it?

[Hugh R]

Not dragging anything behind, when we drove across the country we did Uber/Lyft/Enterprise/Taxi, found it WAY cheaper and easier.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Not dragging anything behind, when we drove across the country we did Uber/Lyft/Enterprise/Taxi, found it WAY cheaper and easier.

What did you get?

Funny, when I asked if I could rent your RV you said no f'ing way

[Hugh R]

Stock image, I don't get it for a few weeks. 2019 Winnebago Adventurer 33C

[Seahawk]

I looked it up: Very nice!

Can I rent it

Hope to see you park on the farm again when you come East, my friend.

Originally Posted by vash

i saw a sprinter van.

it was jacked up high. 4x4..i swear it looked like it had a solid front axle. it was a giant class C conversion. dually rear end. the motor was silently rattling away as it burned diesel. the driver laughed at my gaping mouth as he drove past me. it was the best RV i ever saw in my life. and i've seen a earthroamer on that exact stretch of hwy 1

One of my friends owns an Allstate insurance agency. He is doing well, is youngish and unattached, and decided to take two years to travel to national parks and ski areas. He just took delivery of a 4 x 4 Sprinter, which he is converting into a custom go-anywhere vehicle. He does amazing work, so I'm interested to see what he does to it. He plans to run his insurance business from there.

[tevake]

Nice seeing that you are planning to do some more RV traveling in your retirement Hugh.

Is this new rig a larger version of your earlier one, front engine?

I like the entry door location. Is that a big slide aft of the door?

Looking forward to pic of yours when you get it.

Cheers Richard

[MRM]

High does consistently display some of the best judgment on this board.

[Hugh R]

Gas front engine, the diesel pushers are about $100K more,

34' the old one was 32', this is the largest I can still park on beach row in most CA state Park beach campgrounds,

3 sliders, the old one had 2,

Room for a stackable washer/dryer, which I may or may not get, going across the USA last summer I found the KOAs have laundries and can do a weeks worth of laundry for $5.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by MRM

High does consistently display some of the best judgment on this board.

When high, Hugh does.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Can I rent it

.

Probably, I've rented the old one to Pelicans before.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by MRM

High does consistently display some of the best judgment on this board.

Who's high?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Probably, I've rented the old one to Pelicans before.

Kidding about renting, Hugh.

I look forward to learning about your next adventures in the new rig.

Best.

[Baz]

Well done, Hugh...please keep us posted!

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by MRM

High does consistently display some of the best judgment on this board.

Thanks for the kind thoughts, RVs are NOT an investment, like cars its worth 20% less the day you drive it off the lot. A 10 year old RV is at best, worth 10-20% of what you bought it for new.

I think my timing was right, I owned it for six years and sold it for a few $ more than I owed on it. So I walked away from it free and clear.

Neglecting gas,which is stupid expensive in CA, I "think" it cost me around $6,000 / year including the bank loan, insurance, tires, oil, filters, etc. No major expenses, and I had a 7 year bumper-to-bumper additional warranty which the buyer could transfer to him for another year for $50. We also paid $30-$60/night to park in KOAs and other places, but those costs are still less then most hotel rooms, and shouldn't be figured in since you'd since you'd have to sleep somewhere,

So figure on average, once a month for six years, or about $6,000/year for owning it. So about $500/month to own and use it. The going rate for a lesser RV from a rental company is easily $3,000/week.


RVs are NOT a bargain to own, but if you actually use them on a regular basis, the cost is not terrible. What is the average going rate to buy a smaller Mazda SUV, probably about the same, like $500/month/

[rwest]

$500 a month is not much to pay for something you use and enjoy.