RVs vs Hotels

[hallett21]

I didn’t wanna jack @BHC Vic thread.

Seeing some of these RVs for sub 40k has my wheels turning. Obviously there’s maintenance and storage costs associated with an RV.

But do those of you who own RVs find yourself traveling more often? And are you traveling to more places since your house is on wheels?

Perfect scenario is that it’s my wife’s birthday this coming week and we were discussing weekend getaway ideas. I’d love to do Havasu (already have a house and pool waiting) but my wife wants to do Mammoth or Rincon. That’s $3-500 a night in a hotel plus eating out. I won’t mention fuel since the RV will blow that out of the water lol.

Seems like you could do the same trip in an RV for $1,000?

Obviously you can plan every vacation a year in advance and save thousands on hotel costs. This more about deciding to go somewhere inside of 2 weeks.

 

[NicPaus]

You need a truck for work. It's better to buy a toyhauler. And a new truck every 3 years and write off the truck. Storage is the other big cost.

When I had my toyhauler I used it 12 times a year. Had free Storage for 5 years. Lost the storage. Got the river pad and sold it. Paying 300 a month for Storage was half my payment on the river pad space rent.


Hotels ad up quick. But less than 5 times a year it's cheaper.

 

[RiverDave]

I didn’t wanna jack @BHC Vic thread.

Seeing some of these RVs for sub 40k has my wheels turning. Obviously there’s maintenance and storage costs associated with an RV.

But do those of you who own RVs find yourself traveling more often? And are you traveling to more places since your house is on wheels?

Perfect scenario is that it’s my wife’s birthday this coming week and we were discussing weekend getaway ideas. I’d love to do Havasu (already have a house and pool waiting) but my wife wants to do Mammoth or Rincon. That’s $3-500 a night in a hotel plus eating out. I won’t mention fuel since the RV will blow that out of the water lol.

Seems like you could do the same trip in an RV for $1,000?

Obviously you can plan every vacation a year in advance and save thousands on hotel costs. This more about deciding to go somewhere inside of 2 weeks.

We do one big trip a year and a couple smaller ones.. then we use the ever living shit out of it during the winter camping in the desert all around havasu and Parker.

 

[jetboatperformance]

I woke up one day and decided my 28' Motor home was work !

 

[wzuber]

I didn’t wanna jack @BHC Vic thread.

Seeing some of these RVs for sub 40k has my wheels turning. Obviously there’s maintenance and storage costs associated with an RV.

But do those of you who own RVs find yourself traveling more often? And are you traveling to more places since your house is on wheels?

Perfect scenario is that it’s my wife’s birthday this coming week and we were discussing weekend getaway ideas. I’d love to do Havasu (already have a house and pool waiting) but my wife wants to do Mammoth or Rincon. That’s $3-500 a night in a hotel plus eating out. I won’t mention fuel since the RV will blow that out of the water lol.

Seems like you could do the same trip in an RV for $1,000?

Obviously you can plan every vacation a year in advance and save thousands on hotel costs. This more about deciding to go somewhere inside of 2 weeks.

Just a mention here for Rincon. There's a local rv rental Co ( camping adventures) that will deliver, set up and pick up the trailer. Makes it pretty ez. We like to do Emma woods campground. Gives the best of both worlds....camping, bbq'g, camp fires, smores, sleeping to the sound of waves on the beach etc. Maybe give that a look.

 

[CLdrinker]

RV bs Hotel is comparing apples to oranges. 2 totally different experiences.

Also RV’s are never ever going to make financial sense.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

We use our motorhome at least once a month and have for the last 6 years. Beach, mountains, lake, river, and desert. Never needed a truck or extra vehicle (except RZR in desert) on any of our trips that’s the nice thing about a class c park just about anywhere.

We do a few hotel trips a year too but they’re just as much work and more money spent on eating out. No vacations ever make sense financially so why bother trying to. We just prefer motorhome with kids and dogs might change when the kids stop going with us but I doubt it.

 

[BHC Vic]

RV bs Hotel is comparing apples to oranges. 2 totally different experiences.

Also RV’s are never ever going to make financial sense.

Oddly enough I made money on the trailer which kind of helped push the sale

 

[CLdrinker]

That being said if anyone wants a small 5th wheel toy hauler mine is available.

 

[Justsomeguy]

We go different places now. Not always the river now. I love having my own place everywhere I go and all my stuff. Plus my wife packs like we are moving a freaking platoon. We haven't even owned it a year and we've spent over a month in it.

We did 8 days in ocotillo for new years. A week in Pismo days after buying it and two trips to the river this summer already. Each trip about a week.

I love it. Cost......mmmmmmmm tires, camp sites, fuel, etc I don't know how much I save in the end honestly. I have free storage so that was the biggest factor on getting it. I didn't want to pay double storage as I already pay for the boat. I do most of the maintenance and everything myself. Doing brakes and bearings next weekend.

 

[bilz]

Toy hauler travel trailer thing for us.
In a hotel, you have to leave for other forms of entertainment. Campground, you can bring your own. Campfire, corn hole horseshoes, bsing with neighbors just to name a few. I feel more relaxed in my wife's trailer.

 

[JFMFG]

We use ours minimum once a month during winter camping is cheap since we just do the desert mainly and an occasional campground. To be honest rv sites are not cheaper than a hotel. For instance Newport dunes during summer 250 a night minimum for a back spot. To have a nicer spot up front 350 ish a night 2nd row. CAMPLAND on the bay sandiego we are talking 300$ a night min during summer. To me it’s not about the price it’s the experience. You’re not stuck in a room when you’re done for the day. We sit outside do a campfire drink. Bring our bikes ride them all over I have 2 small kids so the rv life is for us leave everything in it and go. Storage is 400$ a month but we store at a nicer facility with dump and wash bay etc. insurance I think for my pusher is $400 a year replacement value of 60k. Maint can add up honestly it’s usually 3k a year for full service and other odd and ends it needs. This year we did tires had some paint work done plus maint so it prob cost us around 12k just to maintain this year. I wouldn’t hesitate to ever buy one again we love it.

 

[wzuber]

That being said if anyone wants a small 5th wheel toy hauler mine is available.

What's small?

 

[hallett21]

Just a mention here for Rincon. There's a local rv rental Co ( camping adventures) that will deliver, set up and pick up the trailer. Makes it pretty ez. We like to do Emma woods campground. Gives the best of both worlds....camping, bbq'g, camp fires, smores, sleeping to the sound of waves on the beach etc. Maybe give that a look.

Emma woods, Leo Carrillo, Rincon etc are all an hour away for us. I’d love to be able to just enjoy the weekend and not day trip.

 

[CLdrinker]

What's small?

32’ 10k empty

 

[callbob]

My problem is I hate making plans. The motorhome works for me. We’ve had small travel trailers 24’ and under large TTs ov.e 30’, couple of big 5ers and this being our second class a. Bought this one used, bought the first one new in late 90s. Much prefer a motorhome especially towing the Gladiator. Now if I can just afford the gas to go somewhere.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Hotel will always be cheaper. And usually more convenient.

With an RV it is easier to accommodate pets, and you have the comforts of home. You also get the experience (good or bad) of being outdoors at whatever campground or park you end up at.

Nicer RV parks have restrictions on the age of vehicle, and can cost as much per night as a hotel room. The cheaper state parks don’t always have full hookups, and can fill up quickly forcing you to book months ahead of time at midnight when the online window opens.

They are a pain in the ass to own, and are similar to a boat in that something small breaks every trip, and something big breaks every year. If you’re lucky. If you are unlucky you get to deal with major repairs every trip like tire blowouts, water leaks, and wiring gremlins. Or mechanical issues. Then factor in the cost of registration, insurance, and fuel.

My rule of thumb is- if you are spending an honest 4-6 weeks a year in it- minimum- consider purchasing one.

The smaller the RV the more you will typically use it.

I would rent or borrow one a couple of times if you are on the fence, or have never owned one before.

I see a lot of people pack way too much shit, and it makes their trips more difficult. If I don’t use something every couple of trips, it gets removed. I have a grill and camp stove that I can run off my trailer, so that I’m not carrying tanks, I can be setup in under 20 minutes by myself, and packed up in 30.

I just completed a 4000 mile trip to the Midwest and back (my 6th or 7th over the last 10 years) and I think it will be my last one. I will keep my trailer for Glamis and camping across the Southwest, but I’m done dragging this thing halfway across the country.

Don’t get me wrong, we have traveled all over and spent a lot of time making memories, but it’s definitely cheaper and easier to stay in a hotel or airbnb.

 

[Tank]

We’ve never owned an RV but have gone RVing a few times. Rented them from outdoorsie. Waaaaaay cost affective.

 

[Aces & Eights]

I’ve rented RV’s 4 times over the last several years, had great trips each time with no snafus.

Hotel is easy and convenient and requires less work which to me is more relaxing. Cheaper, easier and less stress to do the hotel thing for my situation. If I get the bug I’ll rent an RV again, but I recognize that I don’t have to buy, maintain, insure or store one.

 

[outboard_256]

For a trip like mammoth its cheaper to rent a campsite and rent a trailer for the campsite. They setup the trailer for you before you get there. Then you don't need the 40k cost of the motorhome. If you start doing it a lot then look into buying.

 

[DWC]

We had one when the kids were young. Had some incredible trips and wouldn’t change it for anything. The maintenance and storage is what got to me. Cleaning before and after, tires/more tires and lots of “little” broken things that added up. There were no cheap visits to McBrides.

 

[Kachina26]

We bought ours for our dog. Couldn't take the dog to the timeshare and she was getting too old to board, so we got the travel trailer. I had the room to store it, so that wasn't a factor. When shopping for the new place in Texas, room for the trailer was a must have. If storage was a factor, I don't know if I would have it. I can repair it at my leisure, the wife can pack it and change up the decor when it suits her. I use it when the power is out, fire up the generator and I have a place to stay until the power comes back. Is it cheaper than a hotel? Probably not when you factor in registration, insurance, storage, a truck and towing it where you want it. But, the problem with pet friendly hotels is, someone else's dog has pissed on the bedding or carpets that you're going to been in. We've had a lot of fun in ours and it's really come in handy many times. But like a boat, don't try to make it make financial sense, because it doesn't.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Between Insurance, Tires , maintenance , fuel, prep to go, clean up on return , for the few times a year it wasnt worth the investment for Us We could stay on 5 star Hotels for less $$ a year

 

[Dan Lorenze]

We had one when the kids were young. Had some incredible trips and wouldn’t change it for anything. The maintenance and storage is what got to me. Cleaning before and after, tires/more tires and lots of “little” broken things that added up. There were no cheap visits to McBrides.

I put it in my head that with every trip the RV is gonna need something fixed. It was always something. I got pretty good at working on the thing. But I agree, storage got expensive too, not like the old days. When the kids were young and we had dogs we had a total blast and I wouldn't change it for a thing. Getting home from the Islander with a 34' Class A and a 25' boat was a lot of work, I needed a vacation from the vacation. Definitely a younger guys deal. Now single, I'm all about staying at nice place with a lobby bar. lol But I could probably talk myself into a cool Sprinter Van.

 

[Your ad here]

Depends on the trip. Hotels are nice because you pay and walk away when you're done. RVs are nice when you're in a dry camp environment.
What looks appealing to me is the short 5th wheel travel trailer with a hitch to tow a small box trailer behind it for the toy or toys. Tandem rig. What's nice is you can park the travel trailer in the spot and leave it till you're ready to move onto the next camp spot. You have a truck to get around and can trailer the toy a couple hours away to use it.
Motorhome only gets old as its your only transport and driving them in National parks sucks then have to make it up again when you get back to camp. Converting a toybox to travel mode to get the toy a couple hours away to use sucks as well.

 

[zhandfull]

Used our RV one weekend a month on average. That has tapered off since buying our Havasu place.

Still enjoy doing Rincon and Silver Strand with friends. Both are two hour drives from home base. So fuel is not to bad for either.

The thing with us is we have two dogs. That’s like handcuffs. Couldn’t do a hotel or airbnb if we wanted to. We also like our own stuff ie bed, bathroom, kitchen, and food. The RV works well for that.

Hoping to do bigger trips in the future like RD.

RV’s are like boats, nothing cheap about owning or maintaining them.

Love having our RV, as an added benefit we store it at home. Think this helps a ton when actually preparing for trips and maintaining.

 

[c_land]

I’ll pay for the convenience all day. But mine is plugged in on the side of the house full of water and holding tanks empty ready to go.

Also way easier to travel with the baby on long trips in the RV.

It does Help that Taylor doesn’t work and she will load/unload for our trips during the week and clean it when we get back.

 

[DWC]

I put it in my head that with every trip the RV is gonna need something fixed. It was always something. I got pretty good at working on the thing. But I agree, storage got expensive too, not like the old days. When the kids were young and we had dogs we had a total blast and I wouldn't change it for a thing. Getting home from the Islander with a 34' Class A and a 25' boat was a lot of work, I needed a vacation from the vacation. Definitely a younger guys deal. Now single, I'm all about staying at nice place with a lobby bar. lol But I could probably talk myself into a cool Sprinter Van.

Spot on.. Love a nice hotel that i can roll up with a bag and maybe some golf clubs. MaxedOut had a “Sprinter” van similar to the one we rented for our Father’s Day vacation. My wife and daughter were pinging me to buy it. It would make for a great river runner if the mileage wasn’t so bad.

 

[callbob]

Good point about having a dog.Charley goes where I go anymore. I also go to Arizona or some place warm when it starts getting cold here in Colorado.

 

[RiverDave]

So it’s an interesting idea of hotels vs rv’s..

There’s also different kinda vacations. Weekend trips to a destination or shorter trips I’d do hotels over an Rv all day long..

Big trips like we just took, Rv all day long. We are exploring and sometimes dry camping, sometimes parks.. sometimes with the animals sometimes not..

I dunno though.. for the costs associated with my motorhome we could take some pretty epic vacations.. lol. On the flip side we take some pretty epic vacations?

RD

 

[Your ad here]

So it’s an interesting idea of hotels vs rv’s..

There’s also different kinda vacations. Weekend trips to a destination or shorter trips I’d do hotels over an Rv all day long..

Big trips like we just took, Rv all day long. We are exploring and sometimes dry camping, sometimes parks.. sometimes with the animals sometimes not..

I dunno though.. for the costs associated with my motorhome we could take some pretty epic vacations.. lol. On the flip side we take some pretty epic vacations?

RD

Whatever it is you are making memories and giving your children a good childhood. Talking to someone yesterday that said their Alaska trip was a bit pricey... told them the memories remain long after the price is forgotten.

 

[81Sprint]

Pros and Cons to both.

I've always had an RV, even lived full time for a year in one few years ago. But sold mine a year or so ago.

Pros-
Can leave your stuff in there and just kinda take off so to speak
RV parks are everywhere, and even more choices if you boondock
Tax write off if financed
Great family vacations and still sleep in your own bed

Cons-
Most are built like shit, even the 100k plus fifth wheels (ask me how i know)
Storage fees if you don't have RV parking
Depreciating asset- especially current market
They are a lot of work to set up and tear down
AC's can be challenging during the summer

We have been doing AirBNBs for over a year for our trips and even talked about it the last trip, we kinda missed the freedom of just taking the RV and goin without long term reservations. But at the same time, was nice to go, stay, and come straight home not towing, and no clean up.

 

[mjc]

We mostly boondocks with ours and tow a jeep. We love just being able to find a place in the desert or mountains and not be near other people. We have been some places like near Canyonlands where I saw 4 people drive by in 5 days. And I really like the ones so far away no type of cell service works.
Added 2 pictures first i spot i saw almost nobody 2nd is drive down from canyonlands. Shaffer trail.

 

[RiverDave]

We use ours minimum once a month during winter camping is cheap since we just do the desert mainly and an occasional campground. To be honest rv sites are not cheaper than a hotel. For instance Newport dunes during summer 250 a night minimum for a back spot. To have a nicer spot up front 350 ish a night 2nd row. CAMPLAND on the bay sandiego we are talking 300$ a night min during summer. To me it’s not about the price it’s the experience. You’re not stuck in a room when you’re done for the day. We sit outside do a campfire drink. Bring our bikes ride them all over I have 2 small kids so the rv life is for us leave everything in it and go. Storage is 400$ a month but we store at a nicer facility with dump and wash bay etc. insurance I think for my pusher is $400 a year replacement value of 60k. Maint can add up honestly it’s usually 3k a year for full service and other odd and ends it needs. This year we did tires had some paint work done plus maint so it prob cost us around 12k just to maintain this year. I wouldn’t hesitate to ever buy one again we love it.

I will never.. and I mean ever ever understand the allure of Newport dunes..

Boring as camp, no bar, no restaurant..

Somebody explain this to me..

 

[Done-it-again]

Rv’s are work, hotels you hang the toothbrush. There are times we pick hotels.

 

[Your ad here]

Something to remember for the hotel stays is most hotels have washers and dryers. I pack 3 days worth of clothes and will wash them at the hotel on long trips.

 

[wzuber]

View attachment 1408911 32’ 10k empty

Nice looking 5'r.....what are the specs? What yr. , make, model? How long/wide is the garage? What's the floor plan? What size tanks? What r the sleeping arrangements? Asking price?

 

[RiverDave]

Hotel will always be cheaper. And usually more convenient.

With an RV it is easier to accommodate pets, and you have the comforts of home. You also get the experience (good or bad) of being outdoors at whatever campground or park you end up at.

Nicer RV parks have restrictions on the age of vehicle, and can cost as much per night as a hotel room. The cheaper state parks don’t always have full hookups, and can fill up quickly forcing you to book months ahead of time at midnight when the online window opens.

They are a pain in the ass to own, and are similar to a boat in that something small breaks every trip, and something big breaks every year. If you’re lucky. If you are unlucky you get to deal with major repairs every trip like tire blowouts, water leaks, and wiring gremlins. Or mechanical issues. Then factor in the cost of registration, insurance, and fuel.

My rule of thumb is- if you are spending an honest 4-6 weeks a year in it- minimum- consider purchasing one.

The smaller the RV the more you will typically use it.

I would rent or borrow one a couple of times if you are on the fence, or have never owned one before.

I see a lot of people pack way too much shit, and it makes their trips more difficult. If I don’t use something every couple of trips, it gets removed. I have a grill and camp stove that I can run off my trailer, so that I’m not carrying tanks, I can be setup in under 20 minutes by myself, and packed up in 30.

I just completed a 4000 mile trip to the Midwest and back (my 6th or 7th over the last 10 years) and I think it will be my last one. I will keep my trailer for Glamis and camping across the Southwest, but I’m done dragging this thing halfway across the country.

Don’t get me wrong, we have traveled all over and spent a lot of time making memories, but it’s definitely cheaper and easier to stay in a hotel or airbnb.

Where’s the pics in your trip? I think next year we are hitting Colorado but haven’t decided 100%

 

[Singleton]

We used the ToyHauler as our summer vacation home at the Islander April through October.
Then October to April, it was used once a month for desert trips plus a longer trip over Thanksgiving and Spring Break.

With the new RV, we have weekend trips planned starting in October apx every third weekend. Thanksgiving will be a week long trip. Then a 6-8 week long trip planned into Colorado starting in late June and lasting until mid-August in 2025.

Not sure the RV will be parked all summer long at the Islander in 2025.

 

[RiverDave]

We used the ToyHauler as our summer vacation home at the Islander April through October.
Then October to April, it was used once a month for desert trips plus a longer trip over Thanksgiving and Spring Break.

With the new RV, we have weekend trips planned starting in October apx every third weekend. Thanksgiving will be a week long trip. Then a 6-8 week long trip planned into Colorado starting in late June and lasting until mid-August in 2025.

Not sure the RV will be parked all summer long at the Islander in 2025.

In storage or at a spot?

Did you start a thread on the new Rv?

 

[Done-it-again]

I will never.. and I mean ever ever understand the allure of Newport dunes..

Boring as camp, no bar, no restaurant..

Somebody explain this to me..

Me neither and you are packed in like sardines. Water front is noce but the price is crazy.

 

[FishSniper]

We just did a trip up to the Tetons and Moab with the dog staying in a hotel one night and the rest of the time in AirBnB’s and I am now starting the motorhome debate also as it does seem like it would be easier.

 

[Hammer]

Take the financial aspect out of the picture. Camping is the best. Great adventures and if you weren’t spoiled with a place in Havasu you could tow the vector to different lakes and camp.

We may not use the motorhome as much as I’d like to.. but we tried renting and it was a hassle. Two day rental fees to load up and then unload/clean before returning. Tried that program for one trip and went shopping for another motorhome a week later. We do desert camping, glamis, the beach etc…. It’s nice to have.

At the end of the day chilling, drinking beers and watching the kids ride bikes around camp with their friends is awesome.

There are times where doing a hotel makes sense.

 

[Singleton]

In storage or at a spot?

Did you start a thread on the new Rv?

I have a summer spot at the Islander mid April through mid October.
I started a thread, but it was not a LAM thread.

 

[77charger]

I use to camp at river back then needles was 25-29 a night stored trailer for 35 bucks.went every other weekend may to oct at times two in a row.things change less time.

Come 2009 bought a cabover towed boat out each trip stayed at needles we did this til about 2018 rates at needles were still under 50 bucks worked great pirates was 70 I think but kids outgrew the camper and right after that rates shot up.

To me not worth it we went less after and can find a cheap room in havasu for 80 a night bed and ac was fine for us. Just tow boat with truck better mpg simple etc.

Today I won’t bother paying 100 plus a night to camp and use two vehicles when I can get a room for 150. Yeh I miss the ear at topock and sunset ride back to needles music bumping some driving and I’m enjoying me beers come back hook to anchor call it a night.

Same goes for other travel when I can take a commuter car that gets three times the mpg well almost. And get a room

Camping days are long gone for river or travel trips but I don’t mind a quick camp trip to forest where it’s still cheap or free. IMO savings gets washed with fuel and camp fees vs hotel.

 

[77charger]

And I’ll mention the added cost of rv or trailer too. We do alot of different thing like glamis etc.

The main thing is camp fees vs hotel towing using more fuel vs econo car drive up no unloading etc.

But like some mention the camp experience where you don’t have to leave the site at night is nice but I also had a DD. So for a night or two I’m good.

 

[callbob]

Where’s the pics in your trip? I think next year we are hitting Colorado but haven’t decided 100%

If you come to Colorado do not miss Mesa Verde National Park between Cortez and Mancos Co. Ride the train between Durango and Silverton but take the bus back, don’t do round trip. Lots of Indian ruins and parks around Cortez area. Go see Ouray but better like or can handle mountain passes. Not for the faint of heart. Telluride is a hoot but have to camp somewhere and drive there, no rv parks. If you go ride the gondola down and back. From here make sure and go to Estes Park. Nice rv parks and the drive through the park is amazing. Last trip we saw bears elk and even had a big pile of bear scat the next morning behind our rv. They
know how to open car doors so lock up at night. You and the kids will love Mesa Verde and they have an rv park by the entrance.

 

[CLdrinker]

I will never.. and I mean ever ever understand the allure of Newport dunes..

Boring as camp, no bar, no restaurant..

Somebody explain this to me..

You should see it at low tide when it rains. All the storm drains dump into there. Tiny spaces and over priced as hell. No thanks.

 

[Willie B]

You should see it at low tide when it rains. All the storm drains dump into there. Tiny spaces and over priced as hell. No thanks.

… My aunt took me there when I was about 10… I didn’t get it then and I don’t get it now.., That was 1955…

 

[brgrcru]

Always had an rv

We try to get away every other weekend
We take our van or dually pulling one of the boats to our home base rv .
Leave ours in Blythe in the spring for three months march till June

Delta July —august

Parker September —October

November till March gets used once a month for desert trips or national parks towing our bronco .
We stay a lot at KOA. Cheaper and know one cares how big it is

With all that said
I probably would sell mine . 2006 alpha 38’ founder edition 20 k miles second owner Dp cat Alison
Sorry ass plug I know