RVing numbers update September 20, 2016, 06:40:45 pm Being a number and record keeper (smile - some say a tad compulsive) here is my number update on my 2014 LD aka Baxter the Travel Turtle usage.Total miles -- 24221.1Total gallons of gas -- 2454.95Total cost of gas -- $7091.21Total avg cost per gallon -- $2.94 Highest $4.15 Death Valley Lowest $1.63 CostcoTotal Propane (gallons) 56.46Total cost Propane $147.21Total avg cost Propane per gallon $2.61 -- city prices, I know country prices can be cheaper by a large margin. Total RV Insurance (3 years) $1986.00Total oil changes $185.98Total wheel alignment $170Total Cost per mile Gas only 0.29 centsTotal Cost per mile including oil, propane, etc 0.40 centsTotal Days camping overnight 142Total Cost Camping $2688.05Observations -- If I was to add 15 to 20 percent more to the cost I'd get a better picture of total cost. Items like spare water pump, hoses, tire chains, in a word items one must have to enjoy a hopefully trouble free trip are not itemized. All said and done we love every minute of every road trip. We enjoy this great country, the people and the food. We are blessed. 4 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #1 – September 20, 2016, 07:08:01 pm That some great record keeping 1 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #2 – September 20, 2016, 07:37:51 pm Thanks for posting, Colddog. This is the type of information that is very helpful for those of us contemplating a purchase!
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #3 – September 20, 2016, 08:26:50 pm Quote from: colddog - September 20, 2016, 06:40:45 pmTotal Cost per mile Gas only 0.29 centsTotal Cost per mile including oil, propane, etc 0.40 centsThe figure will be closer to 50 or 60 cents per mile, maybe more, once wear or time sensitive items, such as tires, brakes and batteries are included. As your LD's mileage increases, maintenance costs per mile will rise as other periodic maintenance items pop up.Some things to think about.Tires age out at 6 years, cost $1600-1800 a set or about $300 year.Coach and starting batteries last 4-7 years and cost $300-600, depending on type and brand.The roof, windows and end caps will eventually need resealing. Expensive if you can't do it yourself.Suspension, brakes and other mechanical work can cost twice as much as a car, when you can find a shop that will work on motorhomes.The exterior requires a lot of elbow grease or cash to keep it intact and looking good.In return, we get a unique way of traveling and the ability to live comfortably, in the middle of nowhere, for extended periods of time. It's not cheap but it's worth it to us.Larry 2 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #4 – September 20, 2016, 09:30:49 pm Some consider buying an RV in terms of depreciation while I look at it a bit differently...I consider the "cost" in terms of appreciation . I appreciate the fact that I have a Lazy Daze. I appreciate the fact that it is a quality coach manufactured by a very reputable and sound company that loves providing its family with the best coach in the market for a very reasonable price.I budget my future costs of maintenance according to my desire to keep her in good stead. That being said, the cost of operation is secondary to the cost of service and repair. I can easily throw a few bucks into an oil change or the cost of gas and propane. Camping in a LD is anything but cheap but that's true of any adventure.What matters most is how we prepare for the future. It's already been a year since we picked up Miss B. Haven and her tuition has been paid but her scholarship continues to grow. Here's a snapshot of what I set aside to keep her healthy. (Forgive an old man if I have posted these figures before) It is pretty inclusive but far from complete. I keep adding to the details of her fund as time goes by.It's a small price to pay for my newest baby.Kent 3 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #5 – September 21, 2016, 01:01:26 am I'm loving this thread so far! Is registration really that high though, Kent?
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #6 – September 21, 2016, 01:19:29 am Quote from: HiLola - September 21, 2016, 01:01:26 amI'm loving this thread so far! Is registration really that high though, Kent?Pretty close. Got the DMV tab last month for $668. Not too bad for a new RB with all the trimmings. Doesn't hurt so much when you sock it away monthly.Gulp!Kent
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #7 – September 21, 2016, 07:53:20 am We also do the sinking funds for maintenance and a camping fund. RVing wouldn't be fun if we got caught unprepared financially. I use "CPN" ( cost per night) to evaluate the financial end of living in an RV. At 90 nights annually, it works out to around $125-150 depending on new vs used. I base my calculations on a 20 year life for the RV. I have an excel spreadsheet that I'll send anyone interested. It has a trip calculator that I use to compute the marginal cost of an added trip. Our recent purchase of a TT membership is going to help reduce the camping portion of costs, we really prefer to have shore power for most nights. The crash in oil prices has obviously helped our cause.
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #8 – September 21, 2016, 09:13:30 am Quote from: HiLola - September 21, 2016, 01:01:26 amI'm loving this thread so far! Is registration really that high though, Kent?In Colorado it's about double that!! I paid just over $1,200 for a '15 TK. In CO the registration fee is a function of value.Coming from FL where the tags on our '08 MB were something like $75/year it was a real eye opener.Each state has its own methods of draining its residents pocketbooks 😉Ed 1 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #9 – September 21, 2016, 09:49:06 am Quote from: Ed D. - September 21, 2016, 09:13:30 am"...In Colorado it's about double that!! I paid just over $1,200 for a '15 TK. In CO the registration fee is a function of value..Each state has its own methods of draining its residents pocketbooks 😉..."Twice in the past California had attempted to double the vehicle registration fees. If I rembember correctly, their first attempt to do so was under the guise of a "tax" and not an addition to the registration fees.Bills were mailed out and the shock set it. I believe "The Govanator" repealed the whole thing and you could hear a collective sigh of relief throughout the entire state. I believe California also bases vehicle registration fees on value. In that regard, I'm glad I drive my Toyotas cause they seem to last forever and their reg fees are about $100. Gotta love our toys.Kent
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #10 – September 21, 2016, 10:36:53 am Just an opinion: All-inclusive RV ownership costs vary enormously; a "one size fits all" number set is impossible to calculate, and can be misleading, particularly for those new to the lifestyle or for those who are still deciding whether it's for them. There are simply too many variables on the ownership "outlay curve" to provide any but limited expense estimates. Although I understand the appeal of record-keeping, "figures", sharing one's personal costs experiences (and reaffirming the fact that RVing is not an inexpensive Iife/travel style), I believe that it's important to keep the "YMMV" admonition in mind if/when considering using others' numbers as guidelines.
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #11 – September 21, 2016, 10:55:50 am We too keep meticulous records of all expenses, all year. So we get an interesting look at cost of European travel vs RV travel, vs staying at home. We pour over it and analyze it. We are both parsimonious. In the end, travel is the activity we enjoy most in life. So we dole out the money. We have camped in all sorts of places, outfits, conditions. But my wife every day exclaims: "I love our Lazy Daze". As they say, priceless. We all have a short horizon for this lifestyle, so as long as the $ output curve synce with the "active lifespan" forecast, we are good. As we look back, we would live this lifestyle while working, and accept those youngsters lucky enough to do so. In those cases, careful bookkeeping is essential, and this thread is a good resource. 1 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #12 – September 21, 2016, 11:48:21 am Quote from: JCT - September 21, 2016, 10:36:53 amJust an opinion: All-inclusive RV ownership costs vary enormously; a "one size fits all" number set is impossible to calculate, and can be misleading, particularly for those new to the lifestyle or for those who are still deciding whether it's for them. There are simply too many variables on the ownership "outlay curve" to provide any but limited expense estimates. Although I understand the appeal of record-keeping, "figures", sharing one's personal costs experiences (and reaffirming the fact that RVing is not an inexpensive Iife/travel style), I believe that it's important to keep the "YMMV" admonition in mind if/when considering using others' numbers as guidelines. I agree that there is some danger in depending on the numbers that others provide. There are way too many variables and moving parts! My better half and I wish to travel in our retirement years (while we are both healthy and young enough to do so) and we are trying to determine which is the best way to do so. Currently, we are sans RV and are debating whether to purchase another RV (Lazy Daze, of course!) or stay in hotels, cabins, B&B's, etc. We do not intend to full-time, but rather go on extended trips and family visits. As the previous owner of a couple different RV's, I realize this is trying to compare apples to oranges as owning an RV is more of a lifestyle choice, so how does one compare? But in the end, the financials must work out for us since we are not independently wealthy. So I, for one, appreciate any information regarding their RVing costs anyone is willing to share. Please keep it coming! 1 Likes
Re: RVing numbers update Reply #13 – September 21, 2016, 01:21:16 pm A very wise man once said; "If you're going to dance, you have to pay the fiddler!"I subscribe to that completely. If I could not afford the expense of owning a L.D. there would be one for sale pretty quickly.Fortunately I have the wherewithal to continue my lifestyle and rarely ask the price of this or that. We only get one shot at this life and I for one am going to enjoy it while I can. 6 Likes
Topic: RVing numbers update (Read 245 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: RVing numbers update (Read 245 times)
previous topic - next topic